On our way to Yellowstone and door claw

Sebulba · April 20, 2022, 05:26:53 PM

Hello all,

Well, we're on our way to Yellowstone.

Since our last trip I removed the wheel chair lift, had a hitch made, wired toad lights, removed a fair amount of unused wires, removed the door air cylinder, ahh and that gets to something I forgot.

About 10 minutes before firing her up this morning it occurred to me, "what makes the door claw work?"

Well sure enough, it doesn't. So to get on the way I used a ratchet strap to cinch the door in.

So, a question to you all - is it a 2 way air cylinder, or a one way with a spring to unlock.

I think I can just put an air valve on to engage, or do you all have a better idea.

We are parked for the night just outside of Moab UT in the lactation that I think was used to film a lot of the Road Runner episodes. Over 300 miles of a 950 mile trip done with minimal trouble.

I hope you all are setting out for your own adventures soon.

See ya,

Seb

David Anderson · April 20, 2022, 07:59:21 PM

We spent 7 nights dry camping in Norris campground in the park in 2018. It was a 1st come 1st serve campground. I drove the bus to the entrance of the campground at 9:30am and got in the line to get a site and was fortunate by 10:15 got a spot and purchased 7 nights then and there.

It was a fabulous experience.

Enjoy,
David

windtrader · April 20, 2022, 08:35:11 PM

My bus does not have the air door lock opeational. It closes fine but maybe you can adjust the mechanical door arm so it shuts tight. My has a definite "hitch" to overcome as the door closes shut. Once past the tension it is shut tight.

RJ · April 21, 2022, 03:24:53 AM

Quote from: Sebulba on April 20, 2022, 05:26:53 PM
About 10 minutes before firing her up this morning it occurred to me, "what makes the door claw work?"

Seb -

Above the throttle pedal, hanging from the bottom of the dash, is a little red knob on the end of a lever. That lever should be pulled back towards the driver's seat, as that's what controls air to the air-powered claw. On the older models, there's a micro-switch that's activated by the door handle, but I'm not sure how MCI does it now with the air-powered door. Time to dig out the electrical schematics! (Somebody on the MCI Conversions Facebook page posted just the other day some electrical schematics for a "D" model coach. . .)

Hopefully in your haste cutting wires you didn't cut the wires controlling the door claw mechanism!

FWIW & HTH. . .

RJ

TomC · April 21, 2022, 09:03:31 AM

Hope you have you're cold weather gear. It is still close to freezing at night. Good Luck, TomC

Sebulba · April 22, 2022, 11:35:54 AM

Quote from: windtrader on April 20, 2022, 08:35:11 PM
My bus does not have the air door lock opeational. It closes fine but maybe you can adjust the mechanical door arm so it shuts tight. My has a definite "hitch" to overcome as the door closes shut. Once past the tension it is shut tight.

I really like the claw when driving an will get it working again.

Seb

Sebulba · April 22, 2022, 11:37:24 AM

Quote from: RJ on April 21, 2022, 03:24:53 AM
Seb -

Above the throttle pedal, hanging from the bottom of the dash, is a little red knob on the end of a lever. That lever should be pulled back towards the driver's seat, as that's what controls air to the air-powered claw. On the older models, there's a micro-switch that's activated by the door handle, but I'm not sure how MCI does it now with the air-powered door. Time to dig out the electrical schematics! (Somebody on the MCI Conversions Facebook page posted just the other day some electrical schematics for a "D" model coach. . .)

Hopefully in your haste cutting wires you didn't cut the wires controlling the door claw mechanism!

FWIW & HTH. . .

RJ

Hmmm, will explore this little red knob some more. Thanks

Seb

Sebulba · April 22, 2022, 11:48:08 AM

Quote from: TomC on April 21, 2022, 09:03:31 AM
Hope you have you're cold weather gear. It is still close to freezing at night. Good Luck, TomC

No problems. Our furnaces work well. Only got down to about 36 last night so hardly needed them. Saturday and Sunday night we anticipate the low twenties. We have been fine down to the teens with our current furnace and insulation. As I insulate further will get better.

Seb

Dave5Cs · April 22, 2022, 12:28:20 PM

You said you removed the wheel chair lift. Could something that controlled that be triggered by the front door also and needs to be put back or re connected?

Sebulba · April 22, 2022, 12:44:59 PM

Quote from: Dave5Cs on April 22, 2022, 12:28:20 PM
You said you removed the wheel chair lift. Could something that controlled that be triggered by the front door also and needs to be put back or re connected?

Probably more related to me moving the door open and close cylinder and switch.

Either way going back is not an option and a manual claw valve/switch is probably in order.

Seb