Gemini and Compass

[mountainsam]

lidja,

Have you looked on You Tube for a walk thru. A year or so ago there was a good walk thru of the Gemini but I don't remember what model. welcome to the Forum and be sure to keep us posted on your search.

Our Gemini fits us to a tee. Goes everywhere we want to go and economically. Several manufacturers of these smallish RVs with each making several models.
No nightmares involved in set up, breaking camp and emptying tanks. The black tank on the 23TR does require me to put on a knee pad for hookup but the valves are easily operated.
We live in Northern California where the temp only drops below 35 on rare occasions so winterizing isn't an issue but if it where I would drain it up and blow out the lines, maybe add a little antifreeze in the black and grey tanks. Drain valves are easy to manipulate. Sometimes it requires removing a drawer or a small panel.
As far as tanks, mine has two grey and totaling 38 gal. Black tank 29 gal. and fresh 31 gal. I usually end up adding water to the black tank before dumping to fill it to 3/4 full. You get a much better dump that way. We have never wished for bigger tanks but we do very little boon docking.
Enjoy your search, there's a lot to see.http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1567384418

[lidja]

Thanks for the welcome and the info @mountainsam! [emoji1303]

[campy]

Originally Posted by mountainsam

I had a couple reduced power episodes but none since Ford reprogrammed it. I am interested in this Sea Foam. I’ve had four diesels and been around diesel equipment in the oil field but have no knowledge of Sea Foam. Is it an occasional use product or is it intended for constant use? I don’t mind paying for additives if they do what they are intended for. Is it a cleaning product or a lubricant?

This is what I got;
https://www.amazon.com/SeaFoam-SF-16...%2C168&sr=8-13

I don't plan on using with every tank of diesel. Maybe every 10,000 miles. I was surprised when I got the check engine light and loss of power. Cleared code and power came back like normal after adding the Sea Form. I think EGR valve gets stuck and this helps it move!

[Paul N]

More info on additives:

I switched from Seafoam to use Power Service Diesel Kleen after much research. It has high marks for all diesels. I use Seafoam in my antique and modern cars but for the Transit's diesel, I looked for something more in tune (pun intended) with the diesel's needs. This also has the cetane to boost power and mpg.

Here is a link:

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Service...ef_=ast_bbp_dp

Paul

[Dennis123]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

I keep a digital voltage meter plugged into the bathroom outlet and check it most every time I go in. It also serves as our nightlight. I’ve seen park voltages as low as 107 on hot days when everyone is using the AC. My AC seemed to work ok at that low level but I’ll switch to generator if I’m able at that point.

That is how I monitor my incoming AC as well. I compared its reading with my multi meter and it is accurate. Low cost means to keep tabs on the voltage, as well as see what the output of the generator is.

[Paul N]

Talk about frustrating:

I was recently waxing/shining our 2017 23TR with a Meguiars' RV/Marine quick wax and discovered an "air void" in the front cap along the drivers side of the sunroof. I felt a crunch, like cracking an egg, as I wiped off the wax. I found a hole in the fiberglass cap about the size of a penny. See attached photos. The fiberglass cap at this area is paper thin!

I'm going to take it in to our dealer to have it patched since we are heading out on a camping trip later this month. I don't need any water intrusion. It is still summer in Florida which means rain! They are going to patch it and submit an "out of warranty" repair ticket to Thor for a more thorough job.

Also along with this repair ticket, they will submit for some factory damage repair we discovered on the front cap. After over a year of sitting in the sun, a delamination bubble about the shape and size of a football appeared above the front window on the driver's side. You can also see where the COMPASS letters were removed and replaced about an inch higher on the cap, and a bad repaint area has developed. We have already discussed this with Thor and it was suggested to submit the "out of warranty" repair ticket. So, we will do that and add the HOLE!

Anyone else having issues with the front cap or are we just really, really lucky?

As an aside, I have nothing but good things to say about Gerzeny's RV World of Nokomis Florida. They have been great with everything! I highly recommend them, sales, service and especially their body shop. They recently repaired a crunch from our landscaper running into the rear with one of their mowers. It looks better than new!

Also for anyone else who is experiencing problems with the decal on the rear slide end cap, Gerzeny's body shop did everything in their power to buff out the damage to the gelcoat caused by the decal. It was a no go. Although, the end cap looks SO much better, the shadow of the decal is still there. They are submitting another "out of warranty" repair ticket to Thor to try to cover this. Thor already sent us a new decal. We are going to cut out the clear area and re-install the colored areas only.

Speaking of Thor, I have to say their customer service, specifically, Nate, has been great to work with. Thor has sent us a new sink to replace our rusting Stainless Steel sink, a couple of replacement wooden bed slats that were defective and broke, a complete new bedroom sliding window since ours was missing a part of the top track that caused the sliding window to jam and not lock, and as mentioned earlier a new rear decal.

Above all we love the COMPASS and the Ford Transit chassis and can't wait to re-retire and start travelling! There are some great Military Campgrounds out there to check out.

I think that's all....

Paul

[Jhfiii]

Originally Posted by Laco

Guess almost everyone had some level of difficulty with the tank-less water heater. Ours was intermittent hot water and the fix was buying and using an adjustable pressure regulator set to 53psi. As far as add, we did a lot when we bought the Gemini, things like and inverter, LP connector for the BBQ, satellite dish and a lot more. Now its in for a hard wired surge regulator protector, a second air conditioner, the one in back just does not have the capacity to cool the entire coach in 90 + degree weather, and I an adding an HWH leveling system. I have had it serviced once, so far, takes 14 quarts of very expensive synthetic oil.

Don't have my 18 23 tub yet but the dealer is installing a satellite antenna but I have no idea where to place the satellite receiver/Dvr. There must be someplace. What did you do

[Jhfiii]

Originally Posted by clarkwood

New Sink and Faucet

New Maxxfan 7500 with Programmable Remote
An A/C saver (Loved it in my Other RV)

New Dashboard Upgrade

New Chrome (Everywhere Possible)

Tiles in Kitchen and Bathroom

Have Ready to Go - Still to be Installed:

• Winegard Satellite System
  
• Winegard WiFi Extender

Still to Buy:

• Alcoa 6 rim EVO Dura Bright rims.
  
• New Sprinter Shocks and Springs
  
• Solar System
  
• Air Conditioner Upgrade
  
• Inverter
  
• Levelling System

Where did you put the satellite receiver box

[Jhfiii]

Originally Posted by Jhfiii

Don't have my 18 23 tub yet but the dealer is installing a satellite antenna but I have no idea where to place the satellite receiver/Dvr. There must be someplace. What did you do

Spell correct put "tub" when I meant tb. My question is where do you put the satellite receiver in the Compass 23TB so that it interfaces with all 3 TV's. Thor has no idea. Dixie RV says it is several thousand dollar job. All ideas are welcome

[lipmsp]

I installed a dish on the roof...I will attach a pic...works great!

[lipmsp]

I misunderstood. I put my receiver on top of the DVD player above the Refrigerator.
I purchased a HDMI 4 port hub from Amazon and hooked up all 3 tv's thru it

[JJSmith]

Was there a pre existing satellite connection on the Compass roof or did you run the cable yourself? Thor customer service could not answer that question. Hard to believe.

[lipmsp]

A new cable was run from the dish thru the roof vent over the frig

[lipmsp]

Here is the amazon hdmi splitter that I used. It has 2 inputs and 4 outputs which will more that cover the DVD, Dish, and the 3 tv's


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[nmcmilla]

So this happened, I recently replaced my 2 12 v house batteries (with a neighbour's help) carefully labeling all cables and -/+ so to rewire correctly. Once in place, all seemed fine as I was driving it out on short camping trips. Now that it has been in the backyard for a few weeks I see the batteries are not charging while plugged into shore power (the old ones did) plus while plugged in the appliances all work so it looked like the convertor was working.
I then
1) checked to make sure I had the inuse switch in inuse position --still no charging;
2) ran the generator for a bit to see if they'd take a charge that way -- still no charging;
3) ran the Ford motor in idle --they charged.

Also, I reset the breaker for the convertor at the panel.

I realized it has to be something between the house batteries and the inuse switch so I looked for the 50 amp breaker I have heard talk of...I found it in the battery compartment (hard to see) but I could not tell if it had "popped". It had a rubberized cover (no flag or anything showing). I sort of poked it with my finger. Just about to give up when I try resetting the insue switch again and batteries seemed to be taking a charge! Was it that easy to reset the12v 50 amp circuit breaker? Nancy

[vfrhugh]

Nancy,
First off congratulations on your trouble shooting skills. There are only two things that will cause the symptoms you described (assuming the wiring wasn’t changed during the battery replacement). The 50AMP 12V breaker or the use/store relay.
The photos show the battery box location on my 2017 Compass 23TR. There is a yellow reset lever on mine. Difficult to see for sure. The use/store relay(Intellitec 01-00055-002) is under the furnace. Could have been a dirty relay contact that just started working again.
I’m dreading the time when all these hidden components start to fail.
Hugh

[nmcmilla]

Originally Posted by vfrhugh

Nancy,
First off congratulations on your trouble shooting skills. There are only two things that will cause the symptoms you described (assuming the wiring wasn’t changed during the battery replacement). The 50AMP 12V breaker or the use/store relay.
The photos show the battery box location on my 2017 Compass 23TR. There is a yellow reset lever on mine. Difficult to see for sure. The use/store relay(Intellitec 01-00055-002) is under the furnace. Could have been a dirty relay contact that just started working again.
I’m dreading the time when all these hidden components start to fail.
Hugh

Thanks, Hugh for your comments and pictures. Afraid it was false hope on my part --it didn't actually charge to a full 4/4 lights while on shore power and today when I checked it --it was down to 2/4 lights. I may have just seen the effect of idling the engine.
I have just booked an appointment mid-Oct at a local RV repair shop (my dealership was booking appointments for December;-(
Now I'm thinking about trying to maintaining the house batteries with a trickle charger so I will post that question to the full forum. Nancy

[mountainsam]

Nancy,

I just did a short 2 day trip to Oregon but before I left I was getting the 23TR ready for the trip. Somehow I started the refrigerator to 12 volt. When I went out in the morning the batteries said 1/4 charged. The RV was plugged in the entire night to our house.

I switched the fridge to LP and have had zero issues. The batteries charged right up as I drove. The fridge was draining the batteries. You may want to check that.

[Big Wheel]

I am reading this with great interest but have a question. I believe that Nancy had said that the batteries were charging when the vehicle was running but not when plugged in. Is that correct? If so mountainsam, did you try that?

I am easily confused, condition of age so my wife says, so I wanted to clarify with both you and Nancy.

My medical situation didn’t allow me to get out more than a couple of times this summer and am now looking at storing the TR for the winter. I don’t have the place on my property and the town doesn’t allow that. I have worked out a solar solution for keeping the house batteries topped up. If anyone is using solar I would like to know what they are doing. TNX!

[nmcmilla]

Hi mountainsam, I am not running the fridge at this time so don't think that factors in.

Hi Big Wheel, Yes, when I drive (or idle the engine) I get to 4 of 4 lights --showing full battery charge. I haven't tried solar but have been thinking about it too!

I'm starting to think I need to get the drawer out to look at the use/store relay as mentioned by vfrhugh. Of course, I can't remember how to get the drawer off its tracks causing a delay to my troubleshooting:-) Nancy