| Author | Message | ||
| H3-40 Rating: N/A |
As you know our coach is at the cabinet shop. We are about to be at a point where we will mount our monitor panels. Where do most of you have it or them? I know there are those fancy large panels that house all the bells and whistles but what I have is just simple stuff. At the moment I only have a panel for the generator start-up and the remote for the inverter. I also have a panel that has two gauges that monitor the generator's oil pressure and water temp. These three are all in their seperate panel. I would like to mount them in the kitchen area in a location that has easy access but not the first thing you see. Also is there any other remote monitor that is a MUST have? Remember, I do things simple so those new fangled watchamacallit's that you might be thinking of are not needed, at least in my coach! LOL Thanks Ace | ||
| Randy Davidson Rating: N/A |
Ace, I also have an H3-40 and plan to put all my equipment monitor panels in the toilet room. This way I'll be able to sit and ponder the condition of all the mechanics plus it's a comfortable place to "program" things like the inverters, etc. Randy | ||
| Jim Stewart (H3jim)
Rating: N/A |
I mounted all mine in the side aisle, just around the corner from the refrigerator. Easy to get to, I pass by it all the time. I put them on a hinged panel so I can swing it out and get behind it to work on it. The panel face is about 10" from the blanked out window. I did put my generator gauges in the bus dash, that way if I run it while I drive, I can monitor its condition. I also have my tank gauges there, and I will put my solar panel monitor there too. and a switch for my water pump. It also where all my breakers are, 120 volt, 12 volt and 24 volt. | ||
| H3-40 Rating: N/A |
Thanks fellow H-3 owners!  I was thinking about a space beside the fridge that would be considered kind of a wasted space that is next to the bathroom wall. It's not a large space but large enough I think the monitors could go there. I remember from my Eagle that the generator start switch was up in the driver area and it was a pain to get up in the morning, IF and when I needed to crank the generator, and go to the front of the bus to do so. I will probably install a second start switch there but a remote switch is whatI want in the main panel/s. The gauges, I agree should be in the driver area and I'm leaning toward doing that. The inverter remote I think will go in the space used with the generator, next to the fridge! Hey Randy, do you have any pics of your coach yet? Would like to see your progress! Yours too Jim! Ace | ||
| niles steckbauer (Niles500)
Rating: N/A |
Hey Ace - just got a good idea - I have been screwin around with my basement entertainment area - was gonna design and do it myself, cabs w/ tv,cd,stereo,s/s gas grill etc. - you said you have a good deal w/ your cab guy - why don't I drop my rig off at your cab guy w/ my parts and let him build it (can he be done by xmas?) - and while its there he can look at my system (which isn't a bad design) and see if he can't use some of my system design in your coach - maybe we both can come out smellin like Kettle Korn - call me toll free @ 800-476-6955 , if I'm out playing golf tell 'em to give you my cell # - will need a ride to CDB's - I'll buy lunch - Niles | ||
| H3-40 Rating: N/A |
Gee Niles that sounds pretty good but... if he's working on your coach how will he ever be able to work on mine and I have way more to get done than you do by Christmas? He might be interested in doing it but it would probably be after the holidays. You have to remember, heis doingmine on the side as he does the home jobs he has for builders and they keep him pretty busy. I'll ask him about doing it but I can assure you, it won't be this year! Ace Wow look at all the H3's we have here. We should start our own little clique! LOL "Proud H's" OK Niles, put your nose back down where it belongs! | ||
| niles steckbauer (Niles500)
Rating: N/A |
Ace - After New year is fine w/ me, and I don't care how long it takes - but do you need me to bring it by to let him look at my monitor/electrical panel? - I need to have the guys at Atlantic in L'land check out my house A/C system (replace a capacitor hopefully) - maybe I could swing by and let your cab guy take measurements, stop at Atlantic and then bring it to your cab guy after B'in 2006 and leave it w/ him till complete - since diesel has dropped almost $1 a gal it ain't no big deal - watcha think? - Niles | ||
| LABryan Rating: N/A |
Don't you want to be able to see the generator oil pressure and temp. gauges as you drive down the road? You might need to run the gen for extra a/c while driving, as I frequently do. I'll bet you will want an easy way to monitor what's going on down below if you do. Mine are in the panel above the door. Too far away for a precise reading, but at least I can tell if temp and pressure are in the right range. Bryan | ||
| Jim Stewart (H3jim)
Rating: N/A |
And Deb and Dave from Texas have an H3-41, and Ron and Judy Walker are full timing in an H3-45 (while they convert). It really helps to compare notes on what we have all done and how its worked out. | ||
| FAST FRED Rating: N/A |
Murphy Gages are avilable with an alarm function. Instead of constantly watching the gages while you camp & drive down the road , its far easier to wait for the alarm ( set BEFORE real troubble) and then take a look. Works for me , FAST FRED | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Rating: N/A |
Ace, we installed the inverter panel above our refrigerator along with our transfer switch, tank level monitor, and AC gauges. The generator panel (gauges and switches) is overhead above the drivers seat. We plan to install a second generator switch in the bedroom. You can see some photos of our installation at http://members2.clubphoto.com/jack217421 Just click on the Orange Blossom Special II (volume 3) album. Just my way, YMMV, Jack | ||
| H3-40 Rating: N/A |
HEY.... who let that MCI slip in? Just kidding Jack! Thanks for the tips! This weekend should show progress in the making once again. I will take some pics as we go. I need to update where were at anyway! Ace | ||
| DebDav (Debdav)
Rating: N/A |
Just lurking.......... Roof is up 6"--Both slide out holes are cut. Making slide out rooms now. Unfortunately due to labor it looks like early spring before we get our baby back. We are stock piling parts. Maybe will again fly to Arcadia for New years. Love to see some of you. David and Deb | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Rating: N/A |
I really wonder why you would want oil pressure and water temperature gauges in the cabin. Those are really only trouble shooting instruments when you are having trouble with the genset and they should be on or near the genset. There is no way you are going to monitor them while driving or sleeping or anything else you and Susan may be doing. The reason they make low oil pressure switches and over-temp switches is that they will monitor the engine continuously and give either a warning or better yet, shut the engine down in case of problem. | ||
| H3-40 Rating: N/A |
Maybe I'm a little confused about the gen set gauges! You monitor your Engine with dash gauges while driving so why not monitor your gen set engine while it's running? My gen has an auto shut off safety feature but it's nice to know what is going on down below while it's working rather than to keep going outside to checkto see if anything IS going wrong! Just my opinion! Ace It would be nice to see some pics Deb and Dave of your progress as well! Look forward to seeing you in Arcadia again too! Wish your bus was done for then but I understand the work your going thru! | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Rating: N/A |
A lot different situation in my opinion. While driving down the road, the instruments are always in front of you and very easy to see. Even then, it is easy to miss something for a few minutes. That is why I am very much in favor of audible alarms, lights or automatic shutdowns. Regarding a genset, it will probably be years before you have an indication on a gauge that something is wrong and human nature is to not really monitor the gauges after a long period of time and no problems. Much more important to me is to include over-temp alarm and then shutdown at a higher temperature and low oil pressure alarm and then a shut down switch with no oil pressure. It is my opinion that very few people monitor their engine gauges, especially on long boring trips, on a regular enough basis to catch a pending problem. That is why I believe that there should always be a system of audible or visual alarms on all the important functions. Richard | ||
| Eagle 10 Rating: N/A |
In our GMC 4107 that we had for 10 years, all of our controls were out by the refrigerator. I hated getting up to turn on the hot water heater, furnace, generator, inverter, etc. For the past 7 years, it has been much more enjoyable as I have all the controls remoted by our bed in our Eagle 10. | ||
| Jim Stewart (H3jim)
Rating: N/A |
I like to monitor my temp gauge as the load varies, I can tell a little how its doing by small changes in running temp. same with oil pressure, a few lbs drop from normal means I have to check something. When my injectors were making oil, it dropped the hot oil pressure by 5- 7 lbs/ I knew I had a problem. Deb 'n Dav - Wow you are really making a special coach with the raise and the slideouts. I guess mine was helpful in showing you what you don't want to do. It'd be really great to see any pics of your progress. | ||
| Craig (Ceieio)
Rating: N/A |
All of my stuff is mid coach next to the refrigerator. I am considering moving the generator start to the drivers area. I also have a quandry with the webasto switch. From a coach perspective, it is fine to have the webasto switch mid-bus, but when I just want to stick my head in and warm the engine for later use, it can be a nuisance if my shoes are dirty. I think I would like to move the master switch to the driver area since the three zones are controlled by their own thermostats anyway. Tank monitoring and all that seems fine to leave where it is, but I am going to add an outdoor hand shower thingie to rinse off the big chunks of dirt when the family is dirt riding, and perhaps after fuel stops. I keep a box of nitrile gloves for fueling and oil checks, but it still might be nice to give a quick rinse sometimes so the wife and kids don't scrunch up their nose from diesel smell. Given all that I may also rig up a remote water pump switch by the external shower in case the pump is off and I am grimy of some sort. Craig - MC7 Oregon | ||
| Jerry Liebler (Jerry_liebler)
Rating: N/A |
For what it's worth I put my generator's remote panel, inverter's remote panel, rear view monitor and remote spotlight control on what was the back of the destination sign. I'm going to put my leveling system's controls there also, when I finnaly finish it. All are easy to read and use while driving. My Webasto controls are over the bed, it was easier because the Webasto is over the transmission in the engine compartment. Regards Jerry 4107 1120 | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess)
Rating: N/A |
Starting the generator while driving is really a distraction. I often have my wife do it. So why bother having it by the driver. I have mine there because it is the cockpit, but it really does not make sense. I should pull over to stasrt it. I usually find I have an 18 wheeler trying to pass me as I weave a little while starting the generator. Then I have to flash my lights to let him know I really am awake and it is safe to pass. Ace, wherever you put your monitor panel, you could have it in a plywood or black ABS plastic insert there that removes with four screws so you can modify the panel or change it easily without changing the cabinet work. | ||
| FAST FRED Rating: N/A |
The real question is what is the interior of the coach to resemble. A home or a basement? I know when folks spend thousands for marine pannels and many instalation hours they like to look at their handywork , but I have been aboard coaches that had HD 100A house entry boxed prominantly displaued , UGH!! Since the only reason for having acces to the CB panel is simple load management , a better (load sheding?) would let everything go invisable , like a house. To me its the same for gages , if everything works they have no use. Unless constantly scanned the noisemakers auto secure will take care of running out of oil or coolant , so there only there as a trouble shooting help ,sometimes. The interior can resemble an apartment house basement , a cockpit for non flyers , or be really simple. Do it Your Way, FAST FRED |