Motion_man1

Great tips and resources--thank you all. It's working again after I changed a fuse in the RV converter box. I'm thankful for such an easy fix this time around. I like the idea of mounting a 12v splitter on the wall near the existing 12v connection and now I know to look for a higher quality splitter that puts out 15-20 amps. If I can install a simple set-up to run both a small 12v-powered cooler and a fan for summer camping I will be one happy man boondocking in a toyhome.

The funky 12V connection housed in a standard size electrical plate near the kitchen sink in my 1986 Mirage stopped working in the past few days after using it extensively to run a fan in the RV over the winter to deal with some roof leakage on the overcab bunk plywood. I have not yet completed a comprehensive check of fuses and other common issues that might cause it to die. But its temporary death did make me curious about the cost and availability of alternatives to a single 12v outlet that I might fit into this space (3"Wx4 3/4"L x ?" Depth). I found numerous and affordable options and one of the best seemed to be a dual 12V socket, possibly with two USB ports in one of those sockets. Here's one for $20 on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Charger-Socket-Supply-Boat-Motor-home/dp/B00L9O8NXW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426002867&sr=8-1&keywords=Panel+Dual+USB+Charger+Socket+with+12v+Power+Supply+Socket+for+Boat+%2F+Rv+%2F+Car+%2F+Motor-home+-+External+Mount Before I moved forward with a project to install one of these newer power options, I was curious to hear the experiences of others in this forum with this type of installation, if there are any to share. I am hesitant to use one of two ports for USB charging because external batteries are becoming so affordable to keep USB-powered devices charged, though it is one more thing to carry and keep charged. For example, here's a 15,000 mAh external battery with 4 USB ports for under $30: http://www.amazon.com/EasyAcc-15000mAh-Capacity-Smartphone-Bluetooth/dp/B00O1R28OY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1426003570&sr=8-2&keywords=12000+mah+external+battery What are you using to power a variety devices when you're boondocking? External batteries? 12v outlet? Different types of current converters? Unplugging your devices and relaxing? Lucas 1986 Mirage

Thanks for the advice. I stopped by Rexel this morning to see if they might have a comparable switch and got shoulder shrugs all around. So much for getting local advice and spending locally. I found a $3 double throw switch (thanks for the recommendation WME!) that should work if I can rig it into the existing hole in the fan casing. http://www.amazon.com/Eaton-XTD2B1A-Connect-Termination-Contacts/dp/B005T82Y1Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425393081&sr=8-1&keywords=Eaton+XTD2B1A+Toggle+Switch%2C+Quick+Connect+Termination%2C+On-Off-On+Action%2C+SPDT+Contacts I will update with pictures and instructions for Toyhome progeny if the installation goes well.

The original 14" ceiling vent fan that sits atop my 1985 Mirage and has not worked in years, much to my sweaty frustration in the warmer months that quickly approach. A new 14" Fan-tastic fan at $120 on eBay will not break my bank but I figured I would take apart the old fan yesterday to see what's going on inside and learn something new. I found the Indak rotary switch with signs of shortage or toasting whenever I started to disassemble. See pictures below. It reads Patent No. 3,159,722 on the side. I did not know what a rotary switch was until yesterday. In my toy home, it controls fan speed, turning speed settings from 0 to 1 to 2 to 3. The other fan components looked fine and registered current on my multimeter. So my Sunday afternoon slowly became consumed in the search for a replacement rotary switch. The exact switch and a comparable one are both available for $50+--way too much for me to put into repairing a 30 year old fan. Here's a link to the only exact replacement part listed on ebay as of 3/2/15: http://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-INDAK-SWITCH-3-159-722-STOCK-2-/191306200938?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c8abcf76a So my questions to the experienced toy home owners on this forum who have been extremely helpful with advice on my projects in the past follow: 1. Is there a mass-produced, modern rotary switch that I may purchase that would perform the same function as this one, provided it fits in the fan housing? 2. Am I wasting my time trying to repair a roof fan that is likely already a decade beyond its design life? 3. Does anyone have an old roof vent they pulled out of your toy home lying around, waiting to be parted out and turned into $? Thanks for any advice!

These are pictures of the two smaller vents. One is in the bathroom and one over the kitchenette area in back of the '85 Mirage. I've decided to first buy and install the Fan-tastic 14" vent for the main ceiling vent that pooped out a few years ago (factory original). I think that's going to do more for our airflow in summer than the two smaller vents.

12v roof vent with fan on eBay seems like it would work, though I would opt for regular vent without power if it would knock the price in half: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ventline-Inc-Vanair-12v-VP-543-/231475832166?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6393

These are circular roof vents on the 1985 Mirage--one above the kitchen area and one above the marine bathroom. I will take pictures at home and post soon. "Roof vent" may not be the correct or commonly used term for this part.

How do you all prep your area and motorhome for removing rust and applying spray-on products like rust neutralizer? I've never lifted our 1985 Mirage to work on it and definitely don't want to make a mistake. I plan to put a tarp or sheet down on flat driveway, drive motorhome onto it and jack it up to put blocks underneath after I research the safest way to do so. Any advice on safely working on undercarriage would be greatly appreciated.

I am searching for replacement vents as well and am not seeing what I'm looking for on Google. I measured 7.5" span on current broken vent so I would be looking for an 8" vent and cover? Any suggestions of where to purchase?

My 1985 Toyota Mirage is missing a marker light lens on the upper back driver-side of the body. The fixture measures 2.5" with a ruler flush against it. My question: If I order a 2.5" amber clearance marker light, will it fit? Of course common sense would dictate that it would fit, but I wasn't sure if ordering a 2.5" light with rubber seal around it would still fit or be too large. Here's an example of a light I was looking to purchase: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-AMBER-13-LED-Light-Trailer-2-1-2-round-w-plug-Grommet-Clearance-marker-2-5-/291112178282?pt=Motors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43c7a3526a&vxp=mtr Thanks for any help! I'm new to all of this but so stoked to take our Mirage out for our first trip in the Blue Ridge Mountains next weekend!

1985 Mirage in Charlottesville, VA. Proud new owners as of two weeks ago and so new to this very enthusiastic online community of specialty RVers!