[VAC] Re: AC/DC question

2001-07-10 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
The bigger problem with the hot 120 hooked to the trailer ground is that it zaps people (and pups) when they touch the trailer while standing on the ground. 120 volt shocks are more hazardous than higher voltage shocks because 120 volts tends to put the heart into fibrillation and there's no

[VAC] Re: HAIL

2001-07-06 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
As I recalled the recent high winds and the extreme ice storms around Des Moines in the past few years, I'd be inclined to consider hail a lesser hazard than trees or tree limbs. A 6 walnut limb across an airstream might bend the shell nearly to the floor. Such limbs and trees do that to cars and

[VAC] Re: straighting those cndensor coil fins

2001-07-06 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Nice price, then they add $2.95 shipping and $5.95 handling. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary original text from your reply.

[VAC] Re: Picked up our Airstream but....

2001-07-05 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
There was near universal hail damage at Bismarck in 1993. My dad was there with the Caravel I now own. He said none of its dents came from Bismarck, though the newer trailers with the thinner skins and the plastic vent lids suffered a great deal more. He claimed that all the dents in the Caravel

[VAC] Re: Picked up our Airstream but....

2001-07-04 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
While those hail dents are fresh, try sucking on them with some strong suction cups. Many may pop out. Its hard to be in the plains without hail, so airstreams around here may have marks of it. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to

[VAC] Re: Roof air conditioner question

2001-07-04 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
There could easily be problems with the compressor lubrication and with starting after a power interruption (when the compressor tends to fill with liquid) if not in the normal position. Almost always when the compressor stops, it bounces off compression and backs up and the gas pressure drops

[VAC] Re: 42 Volt systems

2001-07-03 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
42 volts is just three times the present 14 volts charging voltage of 6 cells lead acid. So can work with three of today's standard batteries. With electric brakes, electric power steering, and electric air conditioning coming to improve vehicle efficiency it takes more than 28 volts to supply

[VAC] Re: Why 42 Volts?

2001-07-03 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
48 volts isn't a convenient multiple of 14 volts, the charging voltage of 6 cells. The next multiple would be 56 volts, for four of the current sized 6 cell batteries. then 70 volts. Voltages below 50 volts are considered less hazardous to human health (shock hazard) than voltages above 50 volts.

[VAC] Re: Gabriel on Airstream Shocks

2001-07-03 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Gas shocks still do most of the work with liquid. Just there's gas pressure on top the liquid to slow down vaporizing from squirting through the restraint orifice in the piston. Gas shocks tend to be difficult to compress by hand because of the gas pressure. They also tend to come with straps to

[VAC] Re: Car radio

2001-06-29 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Sounds to me as if the radio and radio antenna are providing a significant path between the Univolt or battery and ground. The antenna is grounded to the shell. Burning off the antenna lead didn't come from heat from the radio, it came from excess current from that significant path. The ground

[VAC] Re: Use Of Hydraulic-Electric Brake Controller in a Late Model Dodge Ram

2001-06-28 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
There are TWO Ts on the truck. Those should be available as replacement parts, probably not stocked but needed to correct cross threaded assemblies and repairs. One is located on the rear axle where the flexible hose hits the axle to be split to the two wheels. The other is somewhere on the front

[VAC] Re: (No subject)

2001-06-28 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
I understand you can ask for the present number and if its not been reassigned you probably will get it. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary

[VAC] Re: Found one, now what?

2001-06-27 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Long time advice that has been posted here repeatedly. Don't fall in love with the FIRST VAC you find, it will be a bit rotten and a bit expensive. Look over the field, there are quite a few about, and some are in decent shape and not outrageously priced. What's the asking price on this gem? A

[VAC] Re: Is this a real concern?

2001-06-27 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
The hazard of Hanta is real, the odds of catching it are small, the odds of survival are minuscule. There was one death in northern Iowa in the past year or two, from cleaning an old barn and not doing it damp. The main advice is to clean wet, not dry. Spray down accumulations of mouse droppings,

[VAC] Re: Stromberg tow car kits

2001-06-27 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
A super beauty of hydraulic brakes is equal application of all brakes on the vehicle because of the balanced pressure. Lack of inherent balance was a real problem in Henry Ford's mechanical brakes in the 1933 and 1936 Fords my dad had when I was a kid. Its fortunate that perfect balance of

[VAC] Re: Use Of Hydraulic-Electric Brake Controller in a Late Model Dodge Ram

2001-06-27 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
If the truck makers are happy with that controller even if it takes bloodying their arm to get them to admit it, I'm all for it. Trouble is I'm happy with the equally expensive Hayes-Lemmerz micro controller that fits neatly between my F-150 steering wheel and the dash so I can reach its button

[VAC] Re: '62 Safari

2001-06-25 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
The Hammock option for an Airstream was more like an aluminum framed cot without legs that two corners sat on hooks on the wall while the outer corners hung on cables from brackets on the ceiling. They were rated for 90 pounds maximum in most Airstreams. My dad has slept on the one in my Caravel

[VAC] Re: Hammock

2001-06-22 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
My hammock has a folding aluminum frame. Hinges in the middle of the ends. One end of the end rail fits the lower supports, the other end of the end rail has a cable with a ball end that fits the upper supports. You can see the supports on my Caravel page

[VAC] Re: Split Rims '62 Bambi (New Rims Question)

2001-06-22 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
These things are vital to selecting new rims. 1. bolt circle diameter 2. center diameter 3. rim diameter 4. rim width 5. offset. 2 has to fit the hub to center the rim. 1 has to fit the studs 3 and 4 have to fit the tire, and tire fits on VAC is very critical. It often takes a couple tries to

[VAC] Re: Vulkem

2001-06-20 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
I've searched the Tremco web site and downloaded the data sheets and the MSDS for both 116 and 616. Finding data on 616 wasn't easy, I had to do a search on 616. It didn't turn up in the normal classification lists of caulking products. Based on the MSDS, 616 has one different ingredient. Next

[VAC] Re: Towing with a U-haul

2001-06-19 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Better yet, find a VAC member already set up for towing. Adjust the connections on the Caravel to the modern connections and ply that VAC member with whatever it takes to do the move. That means working brakes, good tires, and working lights all over. Otherwise haul it on a trailer. You need to

[VAC] Re: Vulkem

2001-06-18 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
I can BUY 116, I don't think I can buy 616. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary original text from your reply.

[VAC] Re: Windows, Blinds, Curtain tracts.....

2001-06-16 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
I bought some of the tabs at a RV store near St. Louis last year. Out towards Eureka. I think I've seen them in several sizes in some RV catalogs but I don't remember which ones. Probably Camping World and Camping Country? Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to

[VAC] Vulkem 116 clean up

2001-06-16 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
I just did a bit of caulking on my Caravel. Then I found my shoes decorated aluminum. Odorless mineral spirits cleaned up the shoes nicely. I didn't check to see how it might have worked for leveling the seams. I'll let the weather do that. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily

[VAC] Re: Pic of my 66 Puller

2001-06-15 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Mount your spare tire under the topper. Getting the spare out from under the bed while hitched is a real pain. Even while unhitched getting to the spare under the bed is a real pain. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to

[VAC] Re: Airstream Door Seal

2001-06-14 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
I used a D shaped gasket from McMaster-Carr (www.mcmaster.com) about 5/8 wide. Works fine. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary original text

[VAC] Re: Vintage Puller

2001-06-13 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
I think 4.10 is just fine. Perhaps even 4.54 would be more appropriate depending on the load you want to pull. My vintage Ford F-350 has a 5.13 axle, and a 390 under the hood. It gets about 9 mpg if I keep it down to 50, less if I really load it or drive it at 65. With the 15 gallon tank in the

[VAC] Re: Vintage Puller

2001-06-13 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Bob Kiger wrote: It's a 352 and it runs like a dream. I am counting on a good carb vacuum adjustment, removal of the aftermarket air conditioner and bigger tires to get me from 10 mpg to 14 or 15 mpg without towing. Also because my 66 Safari is so light and streamlined I am counting on

[VAC] Re: Pergo

2001-06-12 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
I'm concerned that a floating floor like Pergo will float up and down and all around on rough roads and if not under walls, cabinets and anchored furnishings will rise several inches scaring walls and cabinet faces as it returns to about where it was before each bump. And even if kept from flying

[VAC] Re: cabinet veneer

2001-06-12 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
http://www.garrettwade.com/siteindex.cfm http://www.internetwoodworking.com/w5/wsmith.html http://www.rlarson.com/pdf/eu9611.pdf http://www.artistsinwood.com/ If Garret Wade doesn't have the veneer or the tools you probably don't really need it, but you may not be able to afford their prices.

[VAC] Re: Clearcoat VS Polish...Discuss Safety Issues

2001-06-12 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
The sharp edges and shapes that don't present a flat surface to the oncoming radar nor any internal corners has a lot to do with the Stealth technology. Its hard to accomplish those in the Airstream shape. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to

[VAC] Re: Need esthetic feedback, HELP. Pass onto wife if this is not your arena.

2001-06-12 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
There is a picture or two of one of the optional dinettes in the front of my '68 Caravel http://homepages.isunet.net/geraldj/caravel.htm Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message,

[VAC] Re: Pergo vs. .... Cork?

2001-06-12 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Cork has been the natural pergo for at least a century. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary original text from your reply.

[VAC] Re: Clearcoat VS Polish...Discuss

2001-06-12 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Harvey Barlow wrote: Toby, Well said. I'm with you. I have friends and acquaintances who own beautiful restored cars that are show cars only. Some have never even had fluids added. I always tell them, I could make that car a nice driver in about 30 days of use. But each to his own.

[VAC] Re: Testing the plug connection

2001-06-11 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
The modern Bargman connector generally has conductor only on one face of the pin hole. The face towards the middle of the plug. There could be a problem between the frame ground and the shell ground or lighting ground. You need to make that frame test ground to bare metal, aluminum paint won't

[VAC] Re: What battery in '71 Tradewind?

2001-06-10 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Take a compact car battery. It won't last long but it surely will fit and will have more than enough power for the breakaway switch. Get one with a short guarantee and it won't cost much. Use it then until its gone and fit the right one. Probably a garden tractor battery would be big enough

[VAC] Re: Soldering Aluminum Rips?

2001-06-10 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
All solders that I've tried for aluminum were based on zinc mixtures and while they did hold aluminum pieces together, there was a significant color and texture difference, soldering required temperatures just short of the melting point of the aluminum. I'd think replacing the panel would be

[VAC] Re: Airstream prejudice: AGE

2001-06-07 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
The new valves are not to protect users so much from us, as to protect us users from dunderheads filling the tanks and filling them up to the top with liquid. Liquid will go through a gas system with the orifices sized for gas but the burners will supply a great deal more heat than planned. I saw

[VAC] Re: Re Packing Wheel Bearings

2001-06-07 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
I know a former filling station operator (sells water softeners now) who says he never used anything but chassis grease when packing wheel bearings for customers. Never had any complaints. Of course when the wheel bearings locked up and wrecked the cars the accident investigation didn't detect

[VAC] Re: New purchase wheel bearing question

2001-06-07 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Jack it up and spin the wheels. If they spin without rumble or grumble (but probably with a bit of scrape from the brake) they probably are OK. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this

[VAC] Re: Re Packing Wheel Bearings

2001-06-07 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
On a long grade where I ran trailer brakes alone manually, I could smell the hot drums in the truck (windows open). I have a good selection of sockets but my press is 8 miles from my metal lathe and I don't have a stock of rod to make into such pieces, so I stick with the metal bars cross wise

[VAC] Re: Airstream prejudice: AGE

2001-06-07 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Yes the overly filled tank would tend to pop the pressure relief valve in the sun. But the dealer sold more gas and so got a higher bill paid. It would probably be hard to prove after the Kaboom that the problem was the tank was overfilled, though I've seen tanks turn themselves inside out as

[VAC] Re: Airstream prejudice: AGE

2001-06-06 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
A local place that didn't care much about OPDs and age limits was able to certify my tanks, install new valves, and fill them for about $60. Two thirty pound tanks. After that I replaced the regulator, the hoses to the tanks and the flexible pipe from the regulator to the plumbing. One of the new

[VAC] Re: Mileage

2001-06-05 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
My neighbor reports his new HD F-250 Super cab 4x4 diesel is getting 8 - 12 mpg pulling a 10,000# SOB fifth wheel. 18 on the highway unloaded. About 15 puttering around town. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html

[VAC] Re: Q: Trailer wiring: New car. Old Airstream?

2001-06-04 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
A '63 airstream is not predictable for connection. If it still has the original connections (and maybe plug) it won't mate with the modern standard set of connections. But it could have been updated. There's no way to tell without doing some tests on it. Airstream connectors did not agree with

[VAC] Re: 1968 Airstream Decor

2001-06-04 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
My '68 Caravel Land Yacht has been reupholstered, but the wood panels look more like oak veneer with honey stain. Might be ash. My dad used oak for those he replaced when he restored it. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to

[VAC] Re: Variable resistor for brake controller?

2001-06-03 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
The 50 watt rheostat turns stiffly, but with the shock of boondocking it might shift. A shaft lock is a mounting nut equipped with a collet to clamp the 1/4 shaft to hold it tight, commonly used in military equipment. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to

[VAC] Re: duct tape residue

2001-06-03 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Oil it with cooking oil. Let that soak a day or two, then wash it off with dish washing soap and water. Or goo off may work more rapidly, at some hazard to the clear coat. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html

[VAC] Re: Newbies in Taos-Towing with Ford Explorer

2001-06-03 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
My Ford bumper notes that the bumper can probably handle MORE than the truck. You won't be using that for a trailer anyway, you need a load equalizing hitch with a hitch receiver attached to the frame of the vehicle. My dad towed a '68 Caravel with a Ford Ranger, with the small V-6 and a manual

[VAC] Re: Variable resistor for brake controller?

2001-06-02 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
As I recall the resistor board on my last truck, it probably used iron wire for the resistors, had several different lengths between assorted studs so that a suitable value could be connected. Like someone said, looked like a fat screen door spring. I recall making a 1 ohm resistor on a Sunday

[VAC] Re: Leaf Spring type Axle

2001-05-31 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
You might have to go to a custom axle just to get the right length. No end of welding shops and trailer builders (especially for horse and cattle trailers) stock the axle stubs (including www.northern-online.com), axle tubing, brake plates, hubs, springs, drums, and bearings. I've heard on this

[VAC] Re: Airstream Prototype

2001-05-30 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
My farm wagons, (all five of them) steer like a car. Not like a red flyer or horse drawn wagon. One of the oldest is made of car axles from late 30's vintage Fords. I don't find zero tongue weight to be beneficial. To prevent wander, the hitch ball has to fit perfectly. With tongue weight the

[VAC] Re: Grade %

2001-05-30 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
The mathematical relationship is that tangent( angle) = rise/run. Surveyors measure rise with a level and rod, and run with a tape. So % grade is simply 100 * rise / run. Far simpler to compute than angle. And at low slopes, under 5 or 6%, slope and angle are essentially the same for the angle in

[VAC] Re: 1) Critters thru Utility Port? 2) Cut new Roof Vent?

2001-05-29 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
I'm thinking of converting the opening to a support for a 120 volt 30 or 50 amp twist lock plug on a plate. Thus closing the opening to critters all the time. I probably won't hook up water at all. Critters got into my SOB along the power cord and have not benefited it at all. Gerald J. To

[VAC] Re: Water Tank Cap - way to secure?

2001-05-29 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Some water caps were equipped with chains. Some were drilled for a shrader valve for presurizing the water system externally. If you seal the threads of the bolt with some locktite or pipe dope, they should hold the tank pressure if you are still using the original pressurized water system, other

[VAC] Re: Water Tank Cap - way to secure?

2001-05-29 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
The ball chain is better at holding the cap to remind us to put it back on, but will probably break on the road if the cap is left dangling by it. If there's a choice in the hardware store, go for the larger chain. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to

[VAC] Re: Body Panel Installation (Door Locks)

2001-05-28 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
I don't' know about the 70 Airstreams, but my '68 Caravel uses a lock that can be partly replaced by a standard Bargman L-100 or L-200, if the tongue (bolt) is replaced by a special long one. Last year I bought both from the A/S dealer at St. Louis for about $65. Assembled they asked $250, but

[VAC] Re: Body Panel Installation (Door Locks)

2001-05-28 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Knowing the blank will help. Thanks. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary original text from your reply.

[VAC] Re: Wagon Wheel Caravan

2001-05-26 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
With emphasis on the DEEP WOODS. Ordinary OFF is an attractant for the Minnesota State bird! Leave no skin uncovered. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message, please delete all the

[VAC] Re: Tapping into an existing septic system

2001-05-25 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
You need a trap in the line to the septic tank. I've been thinking of making a drain station when I put in a septic tank for the new house I plan to build. I figure on a Y in the inlet pipe at some convenient distance from the septic tank, then a P trap and a riser to the surface. you could

[VAC] Re: '48 Wee Wind renovation/modernization... a bundle of

2001-05-22 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
So, Jim, a couple sacks or gallon jugs of ice still are a practical weekend alternative for keeping stuff cool. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message, please delete all the

[VAC] Re: Air Conditioner Cleaning?(Replacement filters)

2001-05-22 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If all (including myself) would wise up and paint these covers that would block out the UV rays and the plastic parts would last a lot longer Jim Smith Providing the paint didn't destroy the plastic immediately. Lacquer solvent based sprays can be very bad for some

[VAC] Re: Now more Argosy questions

2001-05-21 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Dan Weeks wrote: I've towed mine with a Chevy station wagon with no problems through Iowa's sometimes steeply rolling prairie at pretty close to the speed limit, but I'd want more than the 305 4v it's powered with for mountain touring. A half-ton van or truck should pull it fine as far as

[VAC] Re: Now more Argosy questions

2001-05-21 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
It may take a stiffer rear spring or a traction bar to keep the higher torque 3.73 axle from winding the leaf spring around the axle. But while I thought I noticed some of that with the stock 3.08 gears in my '98 F-150, I've not noticed nearly as much wheel hop with the 4.10 gears though the

[VAC] Re: Dometic gas fridge start up

2001-05-21 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Yes, there's a flint. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary original text from your reply.

[VAC] Re: Vintage haulers and unleaded fuel

2001-05-20 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
The oil companies can make high octane gasoline without lead additive but its expensive, and there's a lot of product from the refinery that's less saleable. Making lower octane gasoline and raising its octane rating with tetraethyl lead is most productive. Its exhaust gas RECIRCULATION that is

[VAC] Re: 7 Pin Wiring Electrical Connector

2001-05-20 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
My '68 owner's manual shows the same trailer wire colors, but not the same pin connections. My dad had already converted to the modern 7 pin connections so I didn't have to do anything but connect corresponding pins then I replaced the plug last year. It was faster to replace the plug than to try

[VAC] Re: 7 Pin Wiring Electrical Connector

2001-05-20 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Change the trailer plug. There's never going to be agreement on the old connections and adding a connector in a circuit that tends to be disrupted by corrosion means reliability can only be worse. And in the process, its easy to install a new plug and solve some of the corrosion instantly. The

[VAC] Re: 7 Pin Wiring Electrical Connector

2001-05-20 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
On my '68 Caravel almost nothing but brake and turn signal lights worked because of bad grounds on the marker lights. After 400 miles of pulling two marker lights worked. I rebuilt the marker light grounding last year and now they all work. A circuit tester will light on a much smaller current

[VAC] Re: 7 Pin Wiring Electrical Connector

2001-05-20 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
The marker lights mounting is a bad design. Squeezing plastic means the plastic (check the definition of plastic) gives way under pressure. Then without a strong spring to maintain the contact pressure, it disappears. That was uniformly true of my marker lights. I machined away the supporting

[VAC] Re: 59 Overlander brakes

2001-05-19 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
The odds of finding a none-standard bearing are much greater at places who specialize in bearings. Such as Standard Bearing, Bearing Distributors, Baum Iron. They are good places for seals also. My Baum Iron catalog is several years old but has several pages of tapered roller bearings and shaft

[VAC] Re: Anti-sway

2001-05-18 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Bob: Mixing bias ply and radial tires is a ticket able violation in Iowa. Legality aside, its a truly BAD idea. Often punished by the vehicle leaving the road going sideways, then rolling umpteen times. The problem is that a radial tire flexes to fit the road better, and so puts more rubber in

[VAC] Re: Anti-sway

2001-05-18 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
If you MUST mix, radials on the rear and bias ply on the front is the only thing half safe. Any other mix is a wreck in the planning. But bias ply on the front is still less than optimum in a hard or panic stop because the bias ply will loose traction sooner than radial. Once the front tires

[VAC] Re: transformer/converter question

2001-05-17 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Sounds like your control panel meter didn't survive travel, or ingest of bug. Meters can be delicate things, often built and repaired using techniques (and parts) similar to pocket watches. I presume Jim will show a reference to his e-meter. There should be several in most any issue of Home

[VAC] Re: hookup with 6 pin round connector

2001-05-17 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
The attachment, bargman.gif is a drawing of the standard connections for the 7 bin connector. Fords with the 7 pin towing package come with these connections. Every connector I've bought in the past few years has included a diagram like this one. Older Airstreams used a different set of

[VAC] Re: How much is too much?

2001-05-17 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Load equalizing hitch takes care of the tow vehicle posterior sag. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary original text from your reply.

[VAC] Re: transformer/converter question

2001-05-16 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
I never though measuring the voltage drop across a shunt as indirect measurement. Just dividing the current between the large current and giving a small current for a panel meter. AC clip on ammeters work by transformer action. Transformers don't pass DC from winding to winding, because the

[VAC] Re: transformer/converter question

2001-05-16 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
I've heard of that slotted strip for the control panel ammeter calibration. Its a form of shunt. One would calibrate it by connecting a load through a standard ammeter, and adjust the bolt position so the control panel ammeter read the same as the ammeter on the load. That task works best if the

[VAC] Re: '48 Wee Wind renovation/modernization... a bundle of

2001-05-16 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
I'm wondering if the absorption refrigeration cycle is the most energy efficient. Even at the scale of the under the counter refrigerators for a Bambi or Caravel. Things that make me wonder include the fact that The only uses of absorption refrigeration tend to be RVs or extreme back woods where

[VAC] Re: Interesting story 955 FC w/ 30k pic

2001-05-15 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Tow vehicle is an International Harvester, I don't remember what they called it though. Gerald. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary original text from

[VAC] Re: transformer/converter question

2001-05-15 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Some where in this thread, someone asked about a clip on ammeter for DC. They do exist. If you have to ask the price, you can't afford one. The standard variety are for AC only. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to

[VAC] Re: Correct Measurement of Tongue/Hitch Weight

2001-05-13 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
You improve the precision of the tongue weight measurement by minimizing the length of the contact at the supports, that is along the length of the plank. A knife edge is the best, but does tend to cut off the plank. Round pipe is next best and the distance measurements are from the centers of

[VAC] Re: New to list

2001-05-13 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
6.70-15 and 7.75-15 are essentially the same size. 6.70 was the preferred designation for the tire tread width before some time in the 60s when tire sizes were changed to reflect the width of the fattest part of the tire. The normal maximum width of the 7.75 tire is the same as the normal maximum

[VAC] Re:

2001-05-12 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
I've been away for several days because my ISP croaked without warning about midnight Monday and I've been too busy working and farming to find another until today. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If

[VAC] Re: Electrical Independence/URL

2001-05-07 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Noise from the charger will be a little smaller than the mower because there's not the blade whirring through the grass, but not a lot. Small engine mufflers tend to be poor, though modern small engine mufflers are getting a lot better. The air cooled engine is hard to quieten because of the thin

[VAC] Re: Kink in the Road During Restoration

2001-05-07 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
TIG welding is probably the way to go. You may have to remove the inner skin by drilling out the pop rivets but should be able to put it back neatly with new pop rivets. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If

[VAC] Re: Electrical Independence

2001-05-07 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
It may have been an inefficient use of fuel but I recall my dad while house building in 1947 and 1948 used his '33 Ford V-8 to run a concrete mixer. Often all day weekends. He'd drive it to a certain spot, block it, and jack up the left rear wheel, then couple a piece of pipe to the axle nut, and

[VAC] Re: Electrical Independence

2001-05-06 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
I agree that the limitation will be the size of the charging (and ground) circuit wire. Make it something like #6 if you can get that into the connectors and charging will be faster. My old F-350 doesn't heat while idling either. Needs fast idle to charge its own battery. Probably doesn't take

[VAC] Re: Electrical Independence/URL

2001-05-06 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Jim Clark wrote: Sarah... Sorry, I should have looked it up first...try http://theepicenter.com/tow02077.html I contemplated doing this, and decided I needed to prioritize timeThe Honda was easly... only money... Jim Says more than needs to be said. I built mine with a separate

[VAC] Re: Aluminium Skin segments

2001-05-04 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Under the right light conditions I can see that the lower panels and the curved panels on my '68 Caravel are not exactly the same color of aluminum alloy. I don't think it has had any panels replaced. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to

[VAC] Re: Blackened metal

2001-05-03 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
There's the rust reclaimer black, I don't know how it stands up to anything, then there's strong gun blue. Classic gun blue color was accomplished by heat, but there's a chemical type that is blacker, likes to have a bit of oil applied afterwards to make it blacker. Its found in gun shops and gun

[VAC] Re: Smoke Tears

2001-05-03 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
When a shop tries to invoke insurance regulations, I just show up with OSHA rated hard hat, safety glasses, and steel toed shoes and point out their help isn't properly attired while I am. Or I find a more friendly shop. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to

[VAC] Re: Brake Controller

2001-05-03 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
30-40 years ago it was important to match control and brake. Today the controls are so adjustable, they will work with any set of brakes. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message,

[VAC] Re: Blackened metal

2001-05-03 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Also check most any discount store with guns in the sporting goods department. Look for cold gun blue. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to a daily Digest, please go to http://www.airstream.net/vaclist/listoffice.html If replying back to this message, please delete all the unnecessary

[VAC] Re: OSHA Regulations in Service Facilities

2001-05-03 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Don't forget the steel toe shoes. the most common violation I see when I look is the shop help wearing jogging shoes instead of work shoes. There's impact benefit to adding a monogram of some sort to the hard hat. The more official looking the better. Gerald J. To unsubscribe or to change to

[VAC] Re: Hydraulic-Actuated Electric Trailer Brake Controllers

2001-05-02 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
I've seen that .02 cubic inch figure in Ford literature somewhere and sometime in the past decade. I suspect the drum/disk dual brake systems are a bit less sensitive to volumetric unbalance because the drum and disk systems are inherently less balanced than dual brake systems that use the same

[VAC] Re: Removing rivets and rusty screws

2001-05-02 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Aluminum next to steel whether cadmium or zinc plated makes a battery when damp or wet and the steel suffers rapid corrosion. In amateur radio antennas having that combination the steel turns to a ball of rust flakes. The only sensible hardware for an airstream skin should be aluminum or

[VAC] Re: Alumnium wheels

2001-05-02 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
You need more dimensions. Rim diameter, rim width, offset, and load rating. Take one of the old wheels to every tire dealer in your area and then go to the hotrod type auto (or pickup truck) parts stores. One of them will have a good collection of aluminum wheels and sources for more. 6 bolt is

[VAC] Re: Hydraulic brake controllers

2001-05-01 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Hydraulic trailer brake controllers have been discouraged by vehicle manufacturers since they began shipping vehicles with dual brake systems. When those dual brake systems involved four wheel drum brakes, the dual split was one front and one rear brake (opposite corners for straight stopping on

[VAC] Re: Brake controllers

2001-05-01 Thread Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer
Vintage airstreams should be rewired for modern connections because new vehicles with the towing option come wired with the modern connections. But you can easily make a foot or two long adapter to fit the modern truck and accept the old Airstream plug and connections. I don't know of any

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