Jerry's Hurricane mods

[DinoC41]

Originally Posted by rmblaster

Thanks Dino all i need now is mo money , mo money

Don't we all Richard, don't we all!!!!!

[DinoC41]

Well guys, the Electrical Gremlin got me this past weekend!! We have the 2017 Windsport 29M, 50 amp motorhome and our problem occurred in a junction box located between the generator and Auto Transfer Switch (ATS). Once again, it looks like a winged wire connector loosen and created an arc in the box which fried the connection of the generator and the ATS. Went to Lowes to get another junction box and parts. While there I asked if I could use butt connectors instead of using winged wire connectors and was told that would work too so that is what I did. Please check your electrical connections on a regular basis...dropping the mic!!!

[revjeffrey]

Wow Awesome Story in Photos! I know what I'm checking today. The only thing I would do different is warm up the butt connectors and shrink them to the wires for extra grip. Great job. Thanks for the heads up.

[cobrasp58]

Originally Posted by DinoC41

Well guys, the Electrical Gremlin got me this past weekend!! We have the 2017 Windsport 29M, 50 amp motorhome and our problem occurred in a junction box located between the generator and Auto Transfer Switch (ATS). Once again, it looks like a winged wire connector loosen and created an arc in the box which fried the connection of the generator and the ATS. Went to Lowes to get another junction box and parts. While there I asked if I could use butt connectors instead of using winged wire connectors and was told that would work too so that is what I did. Please check your electrical connections on a regular basis...dropping the mic!!!

Thanks for the information and pics, I have been having an issue with my house and motor batteries going dead every so often. I will have to check out some of these connections.

[tuckerfolk]

Thanks Dino, Now I have to go under the bed in search for poor wiring. Having both knees replaced, kneeing is a painful exercise but better than being fried. Thor, I know you guys must monitor this Thread, this should lead to a self-exercised recall. I encourage everyone to take pictures of your finding and post them.

[upnyfolks]

Originally Posted by DinoC41

Well guys, the Electrical Gremlin got me this past weekend!! We have the 2017 Windsport 29M, 50 amp motorhome and our problem occurred in a junction box located between the generator and Auto Transfer Switch (ATS). Once again, it looks like a winged wire connector loosen and created an arc in the box which fried the connection of the generator and the ATS. Went to Lowes to get another junction box and parts. While there I asked if I could use butt connectors instead of using winged wire connectors and was told that would work too so that is what I did. Please check your electrical connections on a regular basis...dropping the mic!!!

Dino,
The same thing happened to us on our 2018 Hurricane 29M, I was running the generator and I could smell something burning, stopped the generator and the smell continued to get worse. After some searching I looked under the rear of the RV and saw smoke and flames coming from the junction box that connects the wiring leaving the generator to the wires going into the transfer switch...had I not caught this in time I'm sure the motorhome would have burnt to the ground.
The problem I found wasn't with the wire nuts, instead it appeared that the insulation on one of the hot wire was damaged at the point where the wire had been opened, this allowed arcing to occur that was sufficient to completely melt the junction box and start the fire.

Keep in mind that this is very close to the 80 gallon fuel tank...would make for a spectacular fire.

[DinoC41]

Originally Posted by revjeffrey

Wow Awesome Story in Photos! I know what I'm checking today. The only thing I would do different is warm up the butt connectors and shrink them to the wires for extra grip. Great job. Thanks for the heads up.

[DinoC41]

Originally Posted by cobrasp58

Thanks for the information and pics, I have been having an issue with my house and motor batteries going dead every so often. I will have to check out some of these connections.

[DinoC41]

Originally Posted by tuckerfolk

Thanks Dino, Now I have to go under the bed in search for poor wiring. Having both knees replaced, kneeing is a painful exercise but better than being fried. Thor, I know you guys must monitor this Thread, this should lead to a self-exercised recall. I encourage everyone to take pictures of your finding and post them.

[DinoC41]

Originally Posted by upnyfolks

Dino,
The same thing happened to us on our 2018 Hurricane 29M, I was running the generator and I could smell something burning, stopped the generator and the smell continued to get worse. After some searching I looked under the rear of the RV and saw smoke and flames coming from the junction box that connects the wiring leaving the generator to the wires going into the transfer switch...had I not caught this in time I'm sure the motorhome would have burnt to the ground.
The problem I found wasn't with the wire nuts, instead it appeared that the insulation on one of the hot wire was damaged at the point where the wire had been opened, this allowed arcing to occur that was sufficient to completely melt the junction box and start the fire.

Keep in mind that this is very close to the 80 gallon fuel tank...would make for a spectacular fire.

I am glad neither of us had to go thru a fire in the MH! Good luck and safe travels!

[thor293]

Yeah, that is a real issue with these coaches and it is mainly the solid to stranded wire connections but not always. I went through all mine and used terminal connections.

[Metalman]

The post and photos are very helpful. Thank you.

I do not like plastic junction boxes, because they are not really fire, flame, or heat proof.

Those butt connectors are the way to go.

[Kev]

Originally Posted by jpmihalk

We just installed Shade-Man roller shades in the dining/living area and the big window in the bedroom to replace the pleated shades. The sun screen is great as it allows some light in but provides shade and visibility out, and the blackout shades work as advertised. No more stupid strings to mess with or restring!

Attachment 6298

I have been thinking about those shades. Do the brackets fit under the valence without any problem?

[halfprice]

Originally Posted by Kev

I have been thinking about those shades. Do the brackets fit under the valence without any problem?

The blinds Dino and I got from Steve's Blinds fit with no problem

[jpmihalk]

Originally Posted by Kev

I have been thinking about those shades. Do the brackets fit under the valence without any problem?

Yes, they do.

[jpmihalk]

So here's a mod that may be controversial... I took out the “Dream Dinette” table and added a floor mount for the little table that normally goes between the front seats. This gives us more room in the booth and we still have the tabletop if we need to use it as a bed, stowed under the mattress in the cab bunk.



Ultimately we would like to add a 42” board that will fit between the seats to store things above as well as on the floor.. it isn’t our “dream” dinette but it feels more practical and roomier.

[Long & Winding road]

Great Idea.

I love this tread. But everytime I look at it my wallet gets lighter. Go figure.

[thor293]

Originally Posted by jpmihalk

So here's a mod that may be controversial... I took out the “Dream Dinette” table and added a floor mount for the little table that normally goes between the front seats. This gives us more room in the booth and we still have the tabletop if we need to use it as a bed, stowed under the mattress in the cab bunk.

Attachment 12262

Ultimately we would like to add a 42” board that will fit between the seats to store things above as well as on the floor.. it isn’t our “dream” dinette but it feels more practical and roomier.

We took our dinette and seats completely out and added 2 kitchen base cabinets and a washer/dryer, This gives us a lot of extra space for food. Now we just use the small table you are using just between the front seats . It is only me and my wife and that is all we need.

[PapaMo]

Originally Posted by DinoC41

Well guys, the Electrical Gremlin got me this past weekend!!

Jeeesh!
I got your post when we were up in the Sierras camping for eight days. I'm glad nothing worse happened, Dino. Now this is on my to-do list. Wondering if it might also be good to replace with a metal junction box?...maybe it doesn't matter.

Kent

[PapaMo]

Pam and I just returned from a relaxing week up in the June Lake area in the eastern Sierra Nevada, right off beautiful Hwy 395. The fishing was amazing. The catching...not so much. But with all the beauty surrounding us, it didn't really matter.

For those of you who are familiar (or not) with Hwy 395, the V10 and 6-speed trans did just fine on the Sherwin Grade out of Bishop pulling the Equinox. I believe it's a 6-7% grade for about 8 miles, climbing to around 7,700 ft. It got down to 40 mph for a couple minutes, but most of the climb was 45-48 mph. It also held it's own on the return trip. Just a light braking at the top, and the trans downshifted to my desired starting speed of 35 mph. It didn't increase to more than about 47 mph on the descent -- but the RPM's were upwards of 4000 to 4600. Not much conversation can be had during that! (I haven't done anything to the doghouse insulation.) But everything I've read says that this drivetrain was designed for this -- I didn't tap the brakes even once coming down. I was impressed!

All of the trip was in the tow/haul mode -- and I was pleased with how the trans would appropriately shift when using cruise control (not on the steep grades).

I've included some pics so you can see some of the stuff we've done to the MH, or at least put into use -- simple solar setup (Harbor Freight), AGM batteries, Snap-pads, Blackstone griddle (along with a visitor after cooking breakfast), and a SS shower hose. No more wrestling with plastic one that came standard and with the new Oxygenics showerhead.

Stay safe out there!
Kent