underwatervolcano
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Posts posted by underwatervolcano
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I have a Coleman Mach AC unit on my '85 Dolphin. Looking to deinstall and replace with skylight/fan.
I'm not sure if the AC unit is original, or new, because it looks like it's in great clean shape. Haven't turned it on myself but previous owner said it works well when I bought it a month ago.
How much do you think it can sell for? Thanks!
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16 hours ago, linda s said:
Is this cheap enough and close enough
These are the only batteries I buy.
When the truck battery in my Sunrader died I thought it was only a few years old. Was in when I bought it. When I took it out to replace I discovered it was 12 years old. Amazing long life. My house batteries have always lasted at least 5 years
Linda S
You need to check if it's getting power from the engine when driving. Multimeter is needed
Beautiful luck!
Thanks for the info, as usual
I'm going to try to charge it and see from there...
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12 minutes ago, linda s said:
Your house battery is the culprit. Take it out and go have it tested. You can also check to see if water levels in battery are ok. Might need a new one though
Solid conclusion.
Any recommendation for a different battery, in case this one has to be dumped? Mid range best bang for buck type of battery, if such exists..
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13 minutes ago, linda s said:
Water pumps do go bad. Or maybe your line into it is clogged. There should be a drain between the fresh tank and the pump. Find it and drain your tank then refill. Might dislodge something. Check power to the pump with multimeter. Don't know if there's a minimum amount of power for it to work. If you do need a new one they are not extremely expensive, 50 to 80 bucks I think and not hard to switch out. I did mine years ago.
Linda S
Thank you Linda.
I just turned on the engine and the water pump, and water went through faucets after a couple seconds, shower and faucets ran fine. But without engine on, the water pump won't run. According to my control panel, my battery is low. (It means house battery, not car battery, right?) Not sure if it's misreading battery levels, because it can barely detect that my fresh water tank was nearly full.
Also there are two exterior drains, both on driver's side. One is what I believe is a water hookup (when I turned on my engine + water pump, it spilled out what must be fresh water, until I turned off water pump). I need a cover for that, to stop the spillage. The 2nd drain is looks like it's meant for convenient drinking water. Its old and broken and I had to use a wrench to set the plastic switch to off, so my water doesn't spill into the ground rather than my sippy cup.
So...is my battery actually dead(ish)? Or could the control panel possibly be deactivating it to preserve it from a full death? Questions, questions.
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1 hour ago, linda s said:
Is there water in your fresh water tank?
Yes, about 3/4 full.
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Running into similar issue. Tried to turn on water pump, makes sound as if its on (with some scratchy sounds every now and then— inside fan of water pump?), but when I turn on any faucet or shower, absolutely nothing. Checked my breaker, have my 15 on and my 20 off (no need for AC and also not connected to shore power). Thinking the water pump is powered by house battery, right?
What could be my issue? Please SOS Linda!
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12 minutes ago, linda s said:
I never resealed mine and they don't leak and it's been quite a few years. The butyl is stuck in there and plugs the holes just fine.
Linda S
Right on, then I'm ready to go!
It's 11pm here but I got a headlamp and the energy!
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6 hours ago, linda s said:
Well I have been here since the beginning of time. LOL
Linda S
Hahah!
I cleaned it up pretty good and feel it’s nearly ready for the butyl tape and sealant. Just wondering now if there’s any need to plug the previous screw holes that are empty now, because they don’t line up with the new roof vent. I saw on some video they skipped that part without saying anything about it. Is it unnecessary because of the butyl tape seal?
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Thank you Linda. You're becoming a household name over here.
21 minutes ago, linda s said:I'd do a little more scraping where I see it bumping up and then steel wool it all around gray areas. Put the vent in place then and see if it feels tippy at all and look for an even rise from roof all around. The butyl will fill and gaps easily then. Make sure you use enough so it squeezes out all around the edges when screwing down. Clean up excess with plastic putty knife straight up and down all around edge. Excess will peel right up then
Linda S
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Okay here we go (screenshotted images to reduce quality so I can upload!)
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Hey, just wanted a 2nd opinion. I got rid of what appears to be the majority (95%?) of the old sealant and butyl tape. What remains is the gray really really hard material from previous (or previous previous previous) owner. Am I good to begin installing my vent? Or should I scrape further? Any thoughts appreciated 🙏
For whatever reason the website won’t let me post photos on this so I will try as a separate comment in same topic.
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You guys rock, thank you sooooo much for the tips. Poop bag says it all doesn't it!
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Hi everyone! I’m wondering what other people are doing in terms of storing valuables. I was thinking to get a safe and drilling it down (somehow), but they can be a bit pricey for something quality. Also it’s a little tough to find something with the dimensions I’m looking for (to fit 2-3 laptops and maybe some cash) and I don’t want anything too heavy, obviously.
I’m considering making a little compartment within the framework of our bed over the cabin (or have a carpenter who will already be helping with a separate project). Or maybe to install a false floor of some kind in the storage compartment of our back bench. I figure that if it’s tucked away enough that it might remain safe and won’t need to be locked?
What do you all do? Any suggestions for us Dolphin newbies? :D
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Wondering the same. Haven’t checked my potable tank yet (just got a new 1985 Dolphin), but considering either cleaning or replacing, filling it anywhere on the road, and using a Berkey filtration system, which seems to range in the $400-$500 zone. Or, if a used one is on the market, I’d consider that.
Would love to hear about anyone’s drinking water system
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11 hours ago, FredNewell said:
It is typical for some floor plans of Dolphin.
Open the toilet (step on the flush lever - the one that opens but does not run rinse water) and look down the stinky hole with a flashlight while running the bathroom sink or shower. If it is plumbed there, then you will see the water motion.
Rear dinette model 1984 with bathroom behind the driver's seat... shower and vanity sink drained to blackwater tank.
For dumping the tanks, it had two separate drain valves so you had to connect the drain hose (stinky slinky) twice to do the entire dump.
Kitchen sink drained to grey water.
The resale of the MH later may go better without the composting toilet mod. Maybe save parts so you can change it back.
FWIW a brand new never used toilet can be attractive to the next buyer. Reinstalling the old one may only save $100. Plastic toilets are inexpensive.
Fred, thank you, I appreciate your insight. I don't have any water at all in it yet but once I do I'll reread your instructions and try it out!
Was definitely thinking to hold onto unused parts. I'd consider getting a new toilet when selling if the demand on these goes down... ha!
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18 minutes ago, WME said:
Keep the tank installed, it will make the redo easier. Don't rush, fill the tank full add some detergent and a double dose of water softener. .
Cover the toilet hole air tight and WAIT a few days.
Drain about 1/3 of the tank add 10lbs of ice, recover and go for a drive on a twisty road. The ice banging around will knock a lot of stuff lose. Drain completely and add a bottle of Simple Green.
The cable looks like a spliced broken emergency brake cable. Just follow it and replace it if a new one can be found.
Thanks for the tips. Will debate with the wife, who insists on its removal. She hates the idea that there's fecal matter from the late 80s in there, ha.
Thank you for the ebay link. I found one for just the left, it looks the same but can you confirm? God bless, WME 🙂
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Gary M,
Is it typical for the sink and shower to drain into the black tank, or would that be a mod from a previous owner?
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Hello, new here, I recently got this lovely '85 Toyota Dolphin, 4cyl 22r-e with 68k miles. I'm seeking some septic advice...
We're planning to swap out our toilet for a compostable toilet (that we'll build ourselves) which renders our black tank useless. We are probably going to live out of this motorhome for about a year, so resale value is important. However, the black tank looks pretty ugly and dirty, it's gotta be the original from 35 years ago. Should we deinstall it? Is it easy for the unexperienced? It also had a pretty bad smell when we removed the toilet this morning. Previous owner cleaned it out but I think it just retains accumulated years of black tank habitation... if anyone could shed some light on this I would greatly appreciate it!!!
Also, if anyone reading this happens to know which Toyota headlight marker fits the Dolphin from 1985, please tell me. Someone else mentioned other trucks from '84-'86 will do (4runner maybe) but I'd love another opinion before I buy it.
I also have a mystery cable dangling under the rig (looks celebrational), thought I may as well include that - any ideas as to what it is?
Huge thanks in advance to any reading this far who can help shed some light on the varied topics mentioned...
UnderwaterVolcano
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Tropicstar,
What a list of upgrades, super inspiring and very ambitious. It's been almost a year since your post, I'm curious how much you've accomplished since, how much you've spent on revamps, and how much more to go, if you care to share. How much of it do you do yourself vs hire out?
I just bought my first toy home, 1985 Dolphin with 68k original miles on a 22r-e engine, auto... Around same price as yours. Drives great.. could do better mpg-wise (simple math and guesswork told me im getting some range of 15-17mpg).
Looking to renovate interior (though significantly more minimalistically than your plans--unless hyperambition, superluck and true-friend-help kick in) and keep my expenses under a total of 10k, including price of the Dolphin. Ideally well-under 10k. I should mention, I'm absolutely new to every single thing about this.
Take good care.
YK
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still available? can a 6 foot tall woman walk in the cabin without scraping the top of her eggshell?
TIA 😊
Anyone know the value of my Coleman Mach AC Unit?
in General Discussion
Posted
Its the 8000 series if that makes any difference.