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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Joe Camper on July 27, 2011, 09:06:24 PM

Title: A trailer Wiring Failure
Post by: Joe Camper on July 27, 2011, 09:06:24 PM
IMO if you have a Prevo that is similar to what I'm describing you have a potential failure in the making.

I found this failure on a 96 XL with a 60 series

The lead that comes out of the trailer plug receptacle at the back bumper goes across the bottom inside the bumper to the corner and goes up above the engine fuse box where it terminates and all the individually colored wires again expose themselves from the black outer part of that cord.

I kept getting an intermittent high low batt equalizer warning light and I believe I found that problem right here.

What I found was all the individual wires were melted together. It was like goo and where there was a zip tie it was squeezing them together and they were intermittently shorting trippin the high low light.

I checked power out of the equalizer it was dead on.

So anyway IMO a short did not cause the meltdown it was the other way around. IMO that light plug Cord is less than adequate to handle the extreme temps it is experiencing in that ceiling of the engine bay.

Other wiring in that same area but factory wire is completely in tact.

Ill bet there are many many buses out there with this exact same components and the same issue, but what do I know right LOL.

There are also 4 Bosch little square automotive style 12 volt relays up there as well that are signaling those trailer lights, and that switch for either amber or red turns for the trailer, that is all also roasting up there, are relatively inexpensive to replace and kinda important if your towing.

This particular coach also had additional lead looped in a big circle zip tied down that allowed me to make the repair by cutting back a sufficient amount off the bad end. That worked out well.( Dont want to be precieved not to give credit where credit is due.)

If you have an XL with a 60 series you really need to reach up there and confirm that there has not been any of a similar condition on your bus.
Title: Re: A trailer Wiring Failure
Post by: Joe Camper on July 29, 2011, 05:17:22 AM
I am in Indy and yesterday helped a friend do a few things on his 07 XLIIDS.

While I was there I poked my Head in his engine compartment to see if prevo was still putting all those affor mentioned electrical components up there still.

Low and behold they have all been moved to another much cooler and safer spot.

The XLII have no unprotected electricalcomponents up at the ceiling back there.

First time Ive seen his new camper its a Legendary conversion. Some ex Marathon guys put this company together for long enough to build about 15 conversions and they were in business for a total of 1 year.

Rumer has it in Prevo motorhome circles to stay away from these like the plague. No manufacturers support very electronically complicated.

Not the case at all. A very well engineered conversion and the quality of construction comparable to the competition.

Liked it alot. I believe it achieved top of the list status for me. Ill have to see if he will let me borrow it a while LOL
Title: Re: A trailer Wiring Failure
Post by: luvrbus on July 29, 2011, 06:19:41 AM
Joe, I know a little history on those coaches when Bob Scheoellhorn took complete control of Marathon in 1994 he squeezed the previous owner and some out that had been there since 1983 then they formed another company and he put the squeeze on Prevost not to sell those guys buses they were doing ok building nice buses but couldn't get any buses without cash up front.
He tried that with Harvey Mitchell at Vogue but was unsuccessful Mitchell went on to convert over 100 Prevost under the Vogue brand and is still converting Prevost today under the Millennium tag
Bob is a nice guy lol came from a drug company where he was CEO  

good luck
Title: Re: A trailer Wiring Failure
Post by: Joe Camper on July 29, 2011, 01:58:47 PM
From what I had a chance to see they used all the right pieces and put them in all the right places.

It has crestron control ever experiance this? I did not think Id like it but that is awsum would be willing to take on the added complexity and cost for its convienience. Very cool accessory. And crestron is still around and ther tech support is wonderful.

The rest of the conversion was done well. Only thumbs down was no OTR A/C generator is always in play when its hot.

The converters paperwork and documentation is as good as any even better. They actually took the time to send off all the warrenty cards for every component and record all of it for the original owner.

One thing very unique the generator radiator is up on the roof lating flat. Ever seen that?

Oh well we were talking about some bad design in the engine bay on the XLV 60 series I think LOL

Title: Re: A trailer Wiring Failure
Post by: Joe Camper on July 29, 2011, 02:09:31 PM
Luverbus the Vogues I have had my hands on were all,, every one of them, perfectly crafted and engineered. I like those a bunch and there are relitivly few out there and I like that too.

Maybe someday.

I just rolled back been gone a while in and Im sittin in my old 85 for the first time in about 6 weeks for now Im pretty happy with it.

Isisnt it about time for coctails its friday right
Title: Re: A trailer Wiring Failure
Post by: edroelle on July 30, 2011, 06:15:57 AM
Luvrbus,

Not criticism, just a memory challenge.

"He tried that with Harvey Mitchell at Vogue but was unsuccessful Mitchell went on to convert over 100 Prevost under the Vogue brand and is still converting Prevost today under the Millennium tag "

Mitchell's did own Vogue.   Aren't the Mitchell family associated with Parliament Coach in Clearwater now?

I think the Figueroa's own Millennium.

Ed


Title: Re: A trailer Wiring Failure
Post by: Boomer on July 30, 2011, 11:00:07 AM
Gotcha Clifford, LOL.
Title: Re: A trailer Wiring Failure
Post by: luvrbus on July 30, 2011, 11:21:05 AM
 It is Parliament Ed I get the 2 mixed up all the time, Steve is President and Harvey is CEO of Parliament they got their claws in Parliament in 2000 just had to wait till the FeatherLite deal ran out.
I met Figueroa at Vogue in Pryor my shell came from there to Vogue and was told he worked for Harvey back when Mitchell was big into the BlueBird probably some ties there Steve was hanging around there for awhile till 2000
Title: Re: A trailer Wiring Failure
Post by: niles500 on July 30, 2011, 05:39:41 PM
Mitchell is at Parliament - Lazy Days bought their old place, where they had the Blue Birds, on Nebraska Ave in Tampa years ago when the main office was on Florida Ave -
Title: Re: A trailer Wiring Failure
Post by: luvrbus on July 30, 2011, 05:57:21 PM
First time I met Harvey he was in NC I went with Cole to pickup his new bird there was talk about him opening a place in FL I think that was 1982 or 1983 I heard he was selling 1/2 of the BlueBirds manufactured at that time he knows how to make a buck lol
Peggy told me Featherlite tried to get him to take their bus manufacturing back but he wanted to much money to take it it back

good luck