jocko

I put a dorm fridge in my Dolphin. I needed a 1800w peak surge inverter. I had a 1200w and it shut down when the fridge turned on. I had 1 battery and it ran the fridge great while driving but only lasted about 12-18 hours camping so I put in 2 new batteries and now I get almost 2 days. i usually stop only for a day then do some driving around so they get charged back up.I turn the fridge on before my trip while plugged into shore current and cool it down with stuff in it. I have a storage space under the back bed that I vented and put the two batteries and inverter. Many people told me the inverter needed to be right next to the batteries. I ran a huge wire from the isolator to the batteries, I forget the size but about as big around as your pinky finger.

Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it. It looks like I have 7 leaf springs and then 2 short ones on each end. That might be why the ride is so stiff. I had an accident working under a car once so I don't do that any more but I will try to find a mechanic who will look at those things for me. Thanks again for the info.

I checked them and there does not seem to be any play in them. i am assuming you are talking about where the end of the spring bolts onto the frame. Are there any other ideas from anybody out there. I'm still curious if the air bags will soften the ride? Jocko

thanks, as soon as it stops raining I'll go out and check it

I have a '83 Dolphin. Simply put, it rides like a buckboard. Very stiff, you feel every bump in the road. It is very stable cornering, handles very well and the shocks are not springy and appear newish, no leaks. Before i bought this one I drove several that felt like they were going to tip over in corners, not a problem with this one. It has a helper spring in the leaf springs, so my neighbor says. I loaded it up as much as I could thinking, like my pickup maybe fully loaded it would not be so stiff but it had no effect. I do not have problem with it being unlevel. Would those Firestone ride rite air bags make the ride softer? Is there something else someone can suggest?

I am replacing my grey water tank. I can find a tank easy enough but the pipes coming out of them are 1"-3" and the waste valve on the broken tank iI have s 3 1/2". It is too big to fit on the pipe. Also I am told standard grey water tank pipes/valves nowadays are 1 1/2" to 2 ". Anybody know where I can get pipes and valves to fit on my new tank? Also the tank is polyethlene and the pipes, valves are abs. I know you can't glue abs to poly. My old tank had a monster clamp and a bunch of white gunk that more or less stuck to the pipes and tank. What do I do about attaching abs to poly? Jocko

So then would a new stlye isolator solve that problem. I now have two deep cycle batteries running in parellel and do not want to wear them out unecessarily

Get the book Managing 12 Volts by Harold Barre. I got it on Amazon and it has been incredibly helpful with all my electrical work on my Dolphin.

I am replacing the grey water tank on my '83 Dolphin. I had to cut the wires which go to the panel that tell me the level of the water. Left on the old tank is ends of two wires stuck into some aluminum foil looking stuff. I tried to peel that off with the wires but it just tears up into little pieces .What do I need to do so my guage will read the new tank?

Thanks again Michael, that helped me diagnose my problem. The pump was leaking and tightening the screws solved the problem. Jocko

Thanks that was very helpful. jocko

I'd like to know if I can add a second coach batttery. Could I put it behind the driver's or passenger's seat as there is no room under the hood. Will my alternator be strong enough to charge all three batteries? I have a stock isolator solenoid type I guess it is . Should I upgade? Would appreciate the help. Jocko

Thanks I'll try replacing the line. Jocko

Thanks for the info but I don't have a cooler. It just runs and runs and runs. Jocko

Just bought a 83 Dolphin and am working on it. the water pumps comes on but never stops running. I have no leaks in my lines such that water comes out. Faucets work all ok. Pump just never stops.