What have you fixed on your motorhome this week?

[LostInSpace]

Been experimenting with a home made engine battery maintenace device - results encouraging so far.

Cost? - a couple of quid. - if I could easily buy the bits in ones, not a pack of ten from Amazon.

 

[PP Bear]

Fitted a new engine battery and went to fit the two new leisure batteries and noticed the live + terminal cable on one of them was a bit suspect at the clamp, so removed, brought back and repaired and went to replace it at the storage yard, only to find I couldn’t get in the van as I had the wrong keys. Went home and as it was such a gorgeous day, cleaned and blacked the convertible roof, just needs waterproofing now.

I’ll go tomorrow morning to fit the terminal, only this time with the right key

 

[Grummyb]

Sorted out split charging issue so now with the engine running and the fridge on 12v the battery charges instead of discharging

 

[ToGoldlyBo]

This week I attended to scuttlegate. Took the whole lot off and was dismayed to find just how much gunk had gathered behind the "seal" and was letting water though. It's gone back with a bead of sika 710 and a few extra beads of sika around the scuttle itself. So far so good. And my scuttle has never been so thoroughly and cleanly scuttled

 

[ToGoldlyBo]

footnote on the scuttle job

I didn't have any black 710, so I went to C.A.K Tanks - which is just down the road from me to get some. There a shelf full of it just behind the counter. "No we haven't got any" says the assistant. I point at the boxes. Ahh can't sell that it's all out of date. The manufacturer keeps sending out of date stuff so we no longer sell sika products. How out of date I ask? Checks - nearly year. Hmm. So.. how much for one of those (normal price around £15)? I can have one for a fiver, sold as seen, no returns! Took it home, warmed it up with a hair drier. Seems just fine. I figured that even if it was in date, I'd be expecting it to last a few years on the MH, so what's a few months shelf life? I got my sika at 2/3 off. Going back for another one this week!!!!

 

[PP Bear]

I didn't have any black 710, so I went to C.A.K Tanks - which is just down the road from me to get some. There a shelf full of it just behind the counter. "No we haven't got any" says the assistant. I point at the boxes. Ahh can't sell that it's all out of date. The manufacturer keeps sending out of date stuff so we no longer sell sika products. How out of date I ask? Checks - nearly year. Hmm. So.. how much for one of those (normal price around £15)? I can have one for a fiver, sold as seen, no returns! Took it home, warmed it up with a hair drier. Seems just fine. I figured that even if it was in date, I'd be expecting it to last a few years on the MH, so what's a few months shelf life? I got my sika at 2/3 off. Going back for another one this week!!!!

I’d have done the same, well done on getting the job done and for getting the 710 at such a good price. It’s annoying that manufacturers send out of date stuff to companies. We used a lot of Locktite in the military and was always arriving out of date, so we’d phone the company, give them right merry stink and we’d get an official years extension for it, which means the content was fine to use

 

[fred_jb]

I have sold the motorbike and retired from biking, for now anyway, so have decided to take up cycling again, having not had a bicycle for a fair few years. That led to the current project of adding cycle carrying capability to the van.

First attempt was to go for a towbar carrier with a view to being able to carry a heavy electric bike in future, so I have been installing a towbar. However, the carrier I bought which slides back enough to allow the barn doors to open turned out to be far bigger than expected, and looked like it was going to make parking much more challenging. It also looked like it was going to be too heavy and unwieldy for my aging body when taking it on and off, so that has gone back.

I have now fitted a Thule door mounted rack instead, though not one of the very expensive latest type which can take heavier bikes as nobody seems to be stocking them yet. I got the carrier fitted today and then decided to install the electrics for the towbar just to complete that, even though I will have no immediate use for it, but it may be useful in future.

I was not looking forward to this as it involves taking the starter battery out from under the floor and cutting a big hole in the battery box to bring the towbar wiring loom into the front of the van. As some may know there is a reasonably complicated process to follow for this to avoid damage to the BCM body computer. I decided to use an alternate method instead, connecting up a power supply to the underbonnet jump starting points, to keep everything live while the main battery was out. I had a small no longer used lithium motorcycle battery and used that, which seems to have been successful.

I've just got to run the cable to the 13 pin socket at the rear now, along with a connection to my alarm for protecting bikes when they are on the rack.

 

[Tigger390]

I have just done a fuel and air filter service. Oil and filter were done by the dealer before we collected it.
I have alomost finished fitting Pro Plates to the cab doors and 3 stage sound deadening and speaker upgrade to compliment the head unit upgrade a few weeks ago.

 

[Crazylegs]

We’re not the first, and I don’t suppose we will be the last to let a can fall out of the cupboard and shatter the hob glass cover. We tried a few local metal engineers to see if they would make us a replacement cover in stainless steel without luck. I then spoke to glass company who said they could make a replacement in toughened glass with a template.

Template made after several (lots) attempts and off to Dunstable Glass. £76 in plain toughened, £150 in black toughened, £76 won the day.
We already knew the template had to pretty accurate as they cannot modify after it’s made. We got the, it’s ready, call today, so off we went to collect, on the drive home we were both preoccupied with the same thoughts, that’s a chunk of money down the drain if it doesn’t fit. To try and alleviate our concerns we stopped at a cafe for coffee and cakes, always a mood elevator. However we were only delaying the inevitable trial so home we went, amazingly it was ok. But it was very CLEAR, so I used some black raptor aerosol paint to the underside, I used to use this at work, it really sticks, although it does have a texture.

Raptor paint is tough it’s used on the beds of pick up trucks to protect the body from scratches etc. A couple of coats and the jobs a good un. The glass isn’t perfect it looks like they had to freehand the concave corner and the template could have been better, but we have sorted the problem. No more tins up high mind.

 

[Wildbill]

Just a bit of welding looks worse in the photos than in the flesh
Yes it was a bit of a challenge
Once it smoothed out and painted
It will be good for my life time
Treated with rust protection and sink oxide paint and undseale
WB

 

[oldiesontour]

You've been nearly as busy as that tin worm !

 

[Wildbill]

You've been nearly as busy as that tin worm !

Looks worce than it actually is just cutting it out so I can get ashes to treat it and get rid of the bad stuff.
Mane thing with this on chassis is soled
Unfortunately it a transit they shuld sell them with a free welder and grinder
WB

 

[oldiesontour]

Looks worce than it actually is just cutting it out so I can get ashes to treat it and get rid of the bad stuff.
Mane thing with this on chassis is soled
Unfortunately it a transit they shuld sell them with a free welder and grinder
WB

Yes spent many a (un) Happy hour welding transits...they sit at night wondering wher they can ro next

 

[Wildbill]

Yes spent many a (un) Happy hour welding transits...they sit at night wondering wher they can ro next

Getting a grate amount of satisfactions from the results
Not saying when I am doing it that I am happy but it a six month restoration
And have plenty of time on my hands but I reckon another two weeks shuld se it ready for fit out
Going to make modular units
Shuld be done for our winter trip but more comfortable
Than the red van
WB

 

[L' Hobo]

After a chilly start this morning, I decided that I would try and cure the water dropletd from my new O/S/F headlight that I fitted last August that has always suffered condensation!

Removed headlight and bulbs, pour out water that had accumulated in bottom from somewhere?

Sealed edges, used heat gun to get rid of moisture and replaced.

Problems locating the main plug but eventually fixed!

 

[Nanniemate]

I have sold the motorbike and retired from biking, for now anyway, so have decided to take up cycling again, having not had a bicycle for a fair few years. That led to the current project of adding cycle carrying capability to the van.

First attempt was to go for a towbar carrier with a view to being able to carry a heavy electric bike in future, so I have been installing a towbar. However, the carrier I bought which slides back enough to allow the barn doors to open turned out to be far bigger than expected, and looked like it was going to make parking much more challenging. It also looked like it was going to be too heavy and unwieldy for my aging body when taking it on and off, so that has gone back.

I have now fitted a Thule door mounted rack instead, though not one of the very expensive latest type which can take heavier bikes as nobody seems to be stocking them yet. I got the carrier fitted today and then decided to install the electrics for the towbar just to complete that, even though I will have no immediate use for it, but it may be useful in future.

I was not looking forward to this as it involves taking the starter battery out from under the floor and cutting a big hole in the battery box to bring the towbar wiring loom into the front of the van. As some may know there is a reasonably complicated process to follow for this to avoid damage to the BCM body computer. I decided to use an alternate method instead, connecting up a power supply to the underbonnet jump starting points, to keep everything live while the main battery was out. I had a small no longer used lithium motorcycle battery and used that, which seems to have been successful.

I've just got to run the cable to the 13 pin socket at the rear now, along with a connection to my alarm for protecting bikes when they are on the rack.

Just buy a lighter ebike , you can get 16kg bikes now but they do cost but like everything else they ate getting cheaper

 

[oldiesontour]

Getting a grate amount of satisfactions from the results
Not saying when I am doing it that I am happy but it a six month restoration
And have plenty of time on my hands but I reckon another two weeks shuld se it ready for fit out
Going to make modular units
Shuld be done for our winter trip but more comfortable
Than the red van
WB

Yes I tend to swear and moan whilst doing it but as you say lots of satisfaction when done,it was the same with our bungalow alot of learning as you go never having any one to teach or show me but started with a field ended up with a 3 bed bungalow..had to pay a sparky ...but got him to do the minimum then did what I wanted when he had issued the certificate.. everything else the better half and I did just about finished now ,we even started plastering on boxing day,(got better as we went on ..but cold,poor light and old age made it a job I wouldn't want to do again !
Keep up the good work...and look forward to many happy holidays in the new van

 

[Whippet93]

Bought 2 litres of trans fluid for the van- 23 yrs old and can't find any history of it being done before.
Bought it from Marc commercial dealer at £45.39. Selling on eBay at up to £31 a LITRE!
I tried Merc CAR dealer first, but because it's a van they couldn't supply it! Barmy.
Cheers, Dave

So changed the trans fluid....very woke. But what does your van identity as?

 

[Whippet93]

Following a slight error in a car park, resulting in a cracked rear bumper corner, a repair with fibre glass and colorfill worktop filler, a satisfactory repair. The other party, I think (& they think) will polish out.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Fitted an extra socket outlet.

 

[bigwood]

The repair to the step on our coachbuild came to a conclusion yesterday. After managing to get the motor off it turns out being twenty years old it’s beyond repair and unavailable.
We bought a folding step from the Range when the troubles started for a fiver so that will do for now. I noticed a nearly new coachbuild with the same plastic step outside on one of of our pub stops and next door have the same step for there coachbuild so it appears I not on my own with step troubles.

 

[gus-lopez]

Decided to remove the lead acid batteries & fit the 280Ah lithium this afternoon. Removed the old 300w inverter also.
It is huge but fits in the space the other two took. Shunt fitted but not wired to the display unit.
Need to find somewhere for the display to go.
Need to find somewhere for the 1500w inverter to go.
Need to find somewhere for the remote for inverter to go
Need to find somewhere for the B2B to go as it is 5 x the size of the existing unit behind the drivers seat.
Lost the will to live & finished for the day.

 

[L' Hobo]

After a chilly start this morning, I decided that I would try and cure the water dropletd from my new O/S/F headlight that I fitted last August that has always suffered condensation!

Removed headlight and bulbs, pour out water that had accumulated in bottom from somewhere?

Sealed edges, used heat gun to get rid of moisture and replaced.

Problems locating the main plug but eventually fixed!

Today, I had to replace the new light, back to the old one as it was STILL accumulatng condensation.

I will remove the bulbs + covers and leave it in the warm sun and wind for a few days.

I must be getting good at this, it only took me less than an hour!

Decided to remove the lead acid batteries & fit the 280Ah lithium this afternoon. Removed the old 300w inverter also.
It is huge but fits in the space the other two took. Shunt fitted but not wired to the display unit.
Need to find somewhere for the display to go.
Need to find somewhere for the 1500w inverter to go.
Need to find somewhere for the remote for inverter to go
Need to find somewhere for the B2B to go as it is 5 x the size of the existing unit behind the drivers seat.
Lost the will to live & finished for the day.

If you still need to find a place for all those bits, I'll look after them for you?

No need to thank me, that's what Funsters do.

 

[fat haggis]

Got my Hymer back yesterday was away for new exhaust. Full service with all fluid change. Including gearbox. New rear shocks for the body. Full lanoguard. Treatment and mot.
Not had the bill yet. .

 

[CAB96]

Decided to remove the lead acid batteries & fit the 280Ah lithium this afternoon. Removed the old 300w inverter also.
It is huge but fits in the space the other two took. Shunt fitted but not wired to the display unit.
Need to find somewhere for the display to go.
Need to find somewhere for the 1500w inverter to go.
Need to find somewhere for the remote for inverter to go
Need to find somewhere for the B2B to go as it is 5 x the size of the existing unit behind the drivers seat.
Lost the will to live & finished for the day.

You'll look back one day and laugh at the trouble you had.

Or maybe not.

 

[Landy Andy]

Full lanoguard

Enjoy the smell for a few days

 

[ivorantony]

A straight forward job, done several in the past, to be fair putting the Maxxfan on the roof was the easy bit,
Running a live feed to it was excruciating, five hours trying to feed a cable through the roof insulation and down the side at the back,
It would have cost Malibu pennies to run a live feed when under construction, I wish Motorhome manufacturers would give some thought to the end user before building,
Unfortunately like the motor trade they don’t give a toss, never taking measures for maintenance or upgrades that a owner might undertake,

 

[the darkside]

Last weekend full machine polish, then dropped van off at the graphics place for new reproduction of existing graphics but in a different colour,old graphics had shrunk and split,they didn’t like the heat in Croatia!pick it up Wednesday after work, today been down to Jormax to collect a new windbreak

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Just replaced the door holder back thing on our Hymer B544 with one of these. Thought I’d take a chance on them rather than pay Hymer prices.
Identical and fit work perfectly.

 

[Malc1500s]

Just replaced the turbo boost pressure (MAP) sensor, my but the little beggar is awkward to get at.
Cost a little bit of skin on the back of the hand, but if you dont bleed or lose your 10mm socket then the repair isn't real.
Part cost £25 from Millfield Autoparts in Peterborough, bargain.
Every day it gets a little more love.