Wayfinder

Well, I had to use what I had on-hand to confirm the fan functionality and I verified the thermistor. The fan has never worked and I've confirmed that... no 12v power is arriving to the fan push-button switch inside the camper. I'm not really wanting to pull out the refrigerator just to find the broken 12v wire. I'm afraid I'll brake something more important. That's one issue. I did confirm the inside switch and the fan itself do actually work. To verify the fan, I used an old USB cable to plug into a 9v source and a USB-C power block (AC) from an Amazon Fire TV stick. At first, I used a 9v battery to verify the fan worked, and it did (yay). I have never seen the fan spin before, ever! Now I'm thinking of finding another 12v source, or more likely, if I can use the 120v AC plug for a 12v block, instead of pulling out the entire fridge. I could run new wires from the fan. Something red-necky like that. How "destructive" is it to pull out the fridge in an Elite II? All the vent stack tape looks pretty tight in there, and the fridge seems super tight on the sides. Doesn't look fun to redo. Like others have mentioned in these forums, the Dometic fridges don't do well above 90 degree temperatures. I did move the thermistor (sensor) inside the fridge up a bit to the very top, and it was not on the last cooling fin, but the second to the last fin. I did not see any mention the placement of the thermistor mentioned in any of the RM2454 manuals. The coils look pretty clean behind the fridge too. One Note: The #5 lamp (light) of the temperature indicators, (aka the eye brow), on the front of the Dometic usually will not light up anymore. Mean anything? I did tap it once and it came on for a bit. I figure maybe it's faulty too. Has anyone switched out the mother board using the "Dinosaur" boards or only the Dometic OEM? Otherwise, the fridge pretty much cools the same on AC, DC, and Propane. Just not keeping up with the outside temps. Any other ideas? Thanks!

My axle labels are nearly destroyed by road & weather. I'll see what numbers I can see engraved somewhere.

Mike from OTT replied to my ticket about getting specific measurements when they can. More to come.

Well, I finished putting on new connectors on all the brake assemblies. Much like @John E Davies article in 2018, I also saw a marked voltage improvement at each assembly, at least 100 mV or better. I have gone for two 20 mile test runs with the rig and no errors from the RAM and I've been able to reduce the brake controller gain from 8.5 to 6.0 or 6.5. Will continue to fine tune that in up coming travels.

@jd1923 the Google interwebs revealed that at least going back to 2018 RAM owners reported their trailers clicking. And yes I am a RAM owner. eTrailer explains that this is the truck ensuring the magnets are working and could use the brakes if needed. And as I learned, if the trailer has some questionable grounds or connections, the truck thinks there are no brakes, and gives up trying after a while, sometimes in the disable state. I'm not sure that's good logic or bad to disable the brake altogether. I rather just have the message remind me to check my brakes instead of completely turning them off. This could be my last RAM.

@jd1923 any idea about the brake assemblies "ticking" when the truck is in run mode? Was guessing communication/testing of the brakes so the truck always knows the status. It tickets about the same rhythm that the errors might occur on the dash, when the brakes get disabled due to ground issues. Thanks!

Thanks @jd1923 for your suggestions, and everyone's. I have a new DC clamp multimeter in the mail. I only had an AC clamp meter before. Before I finish up my brake wiring job I'm curious to see the voltages before and after, especially at the farthest distance to passenger side brakes. I'm torn between going internal and external wires. I'm thinking someone can at least see any issues if exterior. And with a ton of perfectly spaced exterior tie wraps, it should look "pro" - with the wire on rear, and slip above center-plane of the axle. Still thinking about it. I can be swayed. I'm malleable. 😉

Google led me to the 2018 forum discussion about wire size, right after I found this eTrailer article. https://www.etrailer.com/question-83165.html I'm thinking of getting eTrailers 12 Gauge Black Primary Wire to replace what's in the axles, and likely going exterior too, but using medium-size black exterior zip ties. Suggestions welcome. https://www.etrailer.com/Wiring/Deka/12-1-1.html I agree, what's in the Dexter axles are very thin, albeit double jacketed.

Those butt splice connectors on the green extender wires were too large AND whoever put them on did not bother to shrink wrap the ends, and they were quite large open ended connectors. Water traps for sure. Everything is reconnected and heat shrink wrapped ends are done too. No truck errors in the drive way, but I never did get those. Will test drive soonest. Finger's crossed.

I was curious, when the truck is running, or in run mode, why do the brakes assemblies tick? Is this the communication signal from the newer trucks to check for voltage and ground? Thanks. PXL_20240718_124932977.TS.mp4

While at OTT Jason and I were talking about using the hull numbers to track service tickets. Unless I misunderstand him, and he seemed pretty clear, they have no way in their system to track repairs via the hull numbers. The numbers are "more for the owners", than OTT themselves. They "currently" pretty much track only via the owner's name. So, if you sell a trailer, the next owner would need to know your name, and likely have their database updated. I would think they have all the VIN numbers too. Since the VIN numbers no longer correspond with the hull numbers, it's not as easy now to use the hull #s. The VINs have "rotated" back around with new suffix numbers so they can no longer use the last 3 or 4 for the hull #s. Maybe many of you knew this already. BLUF: If we say we own hull # blank, it means nothing to OTT. They key on our name only, or mostly. They're just for us "fun monkeys" to use. Do you think Hull #s should be put on the back of Ollies by default? That would be a fun poll to run on FB.

Well, as some of you know I've been posting a "ton" of stuff on the FB group. I'm trying to share and received some good suggestions for troubleshooting all my brake issues. I was inspecting the brake wire bundles on the street-side wheel well when one of the very hard plastic sealed connectors broke off. I discovered even more corrosion (pictured). No wonder these newer trucks think there's an issue with the brakes, cuz there is. The voltage drop / resistance must be the issue. I'll get someone to press on the brake peddle while I have a multimeter on these. I'll compare the rear wire bundle to the front bundle, which I've not touched yet. To see if I can see a difference. If I do the test correctly. I placed new temporary connectors on the rear bundle at a harvest host in a very wet grassy field, after a huge downpour. Fun times. But the truck did not gripe about breaks for 2.5 hours going home, until the very end of the trip, after going through a HORRIBLE rainstorm on I-20. There seems to also be wire "extenders" on the green wire on the front bundle, and I don't like the look of the NON-sealed connectors. I cannot wait to see what they look like. I have shrink-wrap sealed connectors on-hand I will use. Any suggestions are welcome, especially as it comes to testing the voltage from the 7-pin to the bundles. Just things I've not yet done before. Kind of fun though. Thanks,

I just opened a ticket for Jason. Maybe he'll have those exact hanger measurements needs for the axles. I sent them a pic of one of my hangers, if they need to mark it up on the pic. If nothing else, maybe we can save his team's time by not entertaining the idea if the hangers don't meet what the new axles expect. New tech, old tech - they don't usually play nice together. Like mentioned above, it's not a defect. It's just the way things were done "back in the day" and now we all expect to have the shiny new "gear" on our old rigs. It's just not usually practical in the real world. LOL. This is why we constantly need to upgrade our computers. Dang it. Difficult to plan for the future widgets not yet on the market. Here's is pic of my driver's side hanger. We specifically talked about the position of this one.

@jd1923I asked Jason about that very thing, moving the hangers. He was not keen on that idea at all in fear it would not, or could not easily, be done well enough. I think it comes down to what's practical for all the man hours needed. 🤷‍♂️

Since my #110 cannot get new axles due to frame hanger welds, I might beaf up the springs.

Hey guys. I tried trudging through some of the 8 pages on the Alcan leaf spring thread listed above. Wow, that was a long thread. But I did not see mention of an actual part number to reference for the Alcan. Did I miss it or do they go off the basic specs of the springs that @Geronimo John mentioned in his attached document (very handy, thank you). EDIT: Ah I see, it's a super small business, so likely no specific part number, and just give them the specs. Thanks. Chris

I started a separate thread just for the axles as there will be interest in that for some time to come. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/10347-new-axles-may-not-fit-all-older-sub-frames

I failed to get that measurement and I won't see them again. If those hangers are perfectly flush with the sub-frame, you have a good chance of them working. My hangers are not flush at all. Maybe the welder had a really good party the night before. LoL

Okay, here are more details on the new axles not able to be fit onto #110. In the attached picture, my trailer's hangers are welded a bit too far inward on the sub-frame. The new axles do not have ANY "play" or "slop" in them for a fudge-factor. This is unlike the original axles. The frame hangers MUST be spot-on in regards to measurements. So, between the left and right hangers, there is not enough room. They needed 3/8" more to make them fit correctly. Oh well, it saved me a bit of $$. They said my shocks are still good and they installed my self-provided EZ-Flex suspension parts for me. The new windows and shades look awesome and the new batteries are working with more Amp Hours than I had with the crappy Interstate batteries. Jason seemed to give me a "facial & verbal compliment" and said the trailer is still looking great. I think he was a bit surprised due to the age of the camper. Wait until CGI gets their hands on it tomorrow. Oh, also, they are out of trailer covers and likely will not order them again, since not too many folks get them and .... some other reason, can't remember. He suggested I call Calmark Covers to see if they can still get me one. It will make the ceramic coating last longer. Mostly only cover it in winter and early spring.

I'm not entirely sure yet, but it was a measurement that was, I think Jason said, 3/16 inch off, or something like that. I'll get details when I pick it up. Hopefully no more issues were encountered by the team. I don't want to be... "that guy". LOL

Well, as I just posted in the FB group. I can't get new axles on #110, they will not fit, but I did go ahead and get new AGMs for now! I just do not have time this year to fiddle with Lithium experimentation myself. They are installing my Dexter EZ-Flex system, which I had not yet gotten around to installing. A shame they spend so many man-hours trying to fit the axles onto the frame. I'm very pleased though with everything so far. Very impressed by the integrity of the Oliver service team. Jason did say the Progressive Industries converter I just upgraded to, which has a Lithium switch on it, part # PD4045CSV, is not "certified" with Lithionics, but is for Battleborns. The way I use the camper now, I really have no real "need" for Lithium, although I know I will love the future upgrade. Let's face it, guys can get each other "excited" over new shiny tech toys. I know I do. This might be the last set of lower-end batteries. Mine were not even able to maintain the hot water pot, which only needs 1050 watts of power. Since the "rube" who installed the batteries at the NC dealer connected the positive inverter cable to the wrong end of the batteries bank, the batteries did not degrade evenly, or together. So, screw it. Out with the old. At least Oliver will wire everything back up correctly. They have all the pre-cut connectors I'm sure. Jason said it takes less than an hour typically to install the batteries. Hopefully no more surprises. New large windows are in along with new shades.

I replied to someone on Facebook, I figure I would post here too for coverage. I use 13 points of interest to check before rolling out on a trip and anytime before I move the camper. Even if parked along in a shopping area. Just to ensure someone is not "mucking" with stuff. I don't always get "13", so I'll start again! LOL I've seen both Oliver and non-Oliver folks with twisted chains using Andersens. Very easy to correct by "flipping the wing" one direction or another.

I had this video pop up on my "suggested list". Very informative. I never did understand all the different sizes and names for wires. Americans! We're some stubborn folk, aren't we?! Looks like he's doing a good job with his new training series too.

Update: Well, I've had the system on a few days of Solar and a few days of 20A shore power. The BlueSky and converter seem to be working totally as expected and as it was before my battery tray clean-up. A good long shutdown/reboot fixes almost everything. Even us. LOL I'll be at the factory for the first time in a few days. Not sure what to expect, but excited.