When I released this post last night, the video was incorrect. The video in this version includes the “noise” among other things that were missing in the first release.
No – my credit card is not being rejected at the diesel pumps! But when I climb back into the coach to park in the RV Resort near Durango my amp gauge waves back and forth like a demented windshield wiper. I look up at my inverter panel and the engine is no longer charging my batteries. I wait a day to troubleshoot these anomalies in the wasted hope that they would miraculously heal themselves. Things are a little worse when I start the engine again. I decide that I will try to get someone to check this out before I put the coach and myself back on the road.
What Does Covaid Have to Do With This?
I currently have roadside assistance with FMCA but have never had to call them. A young lady answers my call today. I describe my problem to her and request assistance getting someone to the park to check this out for me.
Other roadside programs I have purchased would have contacted someone and arranged for them to come to my aid. FMCA’s rep informs me that due to Covaid-19 she cannot contact a roadside mechanic for me. She will instead give me a list of 4 companies I can call for help.
Is the virus now transmitted by phone? What difference does it make who calls them? I bought this service to avoid having to hunt down help in a situation like this. “What,” I ask “will you do if I take it out on the road and it immediately breaks down?” She assures me that in that case they will send a tow truck to haul me to a shop. Oh sure, riding in a tow truck with a possibly infected driver – I can see where that is MUCH safer than sending someone to me in this park where we can distance ourselves.
I think you get the picture and by this time Michele is trying to pry me off the RV ceiling where I am sharing with the customer service rep my displeasure with this answer. I will be switching back to Coach.net immediately (if not sooner) for roadside assistance.
Thank You!!
Thanks to all my mechanically inclined friends who accept my borderline hysterical calls and calm me down so I can address this problem rationally. Mucho thanks to Michele who spends the entire afternoon in my RV with me yesterday working the phones like an election day pollster as she struggled to find someone who would actually come out and help me.
The following video documents my troubleshooting efforts. The video better answers the question that everyone asks me about this problem, “What exactly did the strange noise sound like?” I am a failure as an RV impersonator.
Troubleshooting with Sunny
Conclusions
As you can see from the video, an electrical component behind that front panel appears to have expired. Due to an inordinate fear of releasing magic smoke from the electrical boxes in the problem area, I will not attempt to remove that panel. I am sure I have the schematic to tell me exactly what that part is. It seems to be the thing that told the charging system to charge the house batteries when the coach is running. If I were Stormy I would have already fixed this, but as Stormy always said “if frogs could fly, they wouldn’t bump their a**es on the ground.”
I might study the schematics before Tuesday and suggest a part number to the mechanic before he heads my way. If for some reason he cannot procure a replacement for the malfunctioning culprit, I could try running the generator while I drive. If it will still charge that way, then that should keep my batteries up. I ran the generator for air conditioning (thanks again Leyman for that advice) all the way up here with no problems (if you don’t count the current issue).
Right now I am safely parked in a serene, flower filled, darling RV park. When I share my problem with them, they credit me the rent I had already paid, find space for me over the holiday and re-bill me at the lower, weekly rate. Love the folks at Bayfield Riverside RV Park!
I am open to suggestions, warnings and hugs! The strength that I get from my loving friends who urge me on helps me overcome the temptation to give up and drown in tears when stuff like this happens. THANK YOU!!!
If you tried to send the sound of the alternator it didn’t come through. I had that problem going to OSH one year, alternator just completely quit. I ran the generator and that kept the batteries charged and kept me going till I got to OSH. There was a great shop that ordered me an alternator and put it on, I have not had a problem since, and sure glad because it was not CHEAP. But alternators do not last forever darn it. Good luck and at least you are in a safe place and I bet there is a lot of great things to see around where you are as well. Wish I could be of more help. GOD BLESS
JD/SD
Jim & Sandy
No the alternator never made any noise. It is only 1.5 years old as Storm replaced the alternator in late 2018. I am pretty sure an electrical component under the driver’s compartment Was making all the noise, then it died and got quiet. Thanks for the info on running the generator for the batteries.
You, my friend, are amazing. I am so proud of you for continuing on with your journeys and your life. I can’t imagine how different things are without Storm. I know he is proud of you. I hope you make it to Moab before Keith and I have to leave. We love you and hope you’re on the road again soon. Keep your chin up and your Sunny disposition going.
Punkin
That means so much to me coming from an awesome woman like you!! Love you guys too and I hope to see you next week!!
Please share this with FMCA. We also have FMCA road service and when we blew a tire in ND they “did not have anyone In the area, so sorry, you are on your own”. FMCA contracts through SafeRide RV Motor Club and apparently, SafeRide is not always up to the challenge. We did get reimbursed for what they should have covered, but it was after the fact and after Bill had arranged everything on his own.
I will let them know. Thanks for the info Fanny. So glad to hear from you!
Keep on keeping on Deb! I look forward to your updates. Hope this repair goes smoothly!! Big hugs ??
Will do! Hugs right back to you!!