On Monday, we went to the Museum of the North aka University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum. In the Alaska Hwy section, they even had one of the BSA bikes that Slim Williams and John Logan rode from Fairbanks to Seattle in 1939. The trip took about six months and traversed roughly the Top of the World Hwy, Klondike Hwy, Alaska Hwy, Cassiar Hwy, Yellowhead Hwy to Prince George. This was before any of these roads existed. The trip was to promote the idea of an international road to Alaska.
Last summer, when I plugged the RV into the generator, I needed to bypass the EMS (Electrical Management System) since it would report a floating ground error code. Ground and neutral need to be bonded together at only one location and on an RV, that is the power pedestal at an RV park. If you have an onboard genset, then the G-N bond is within the transfer switch.
I wired the ground terminal and the neutral terminals together within a plug. I did add a label to the plug so its use was obvious to me. It is then a plugged into any outlet on either of the two generators that are connected with a parallel cable. The RV is plugged into the 30 amp outlet. You can see the G-N plug in one of the 20 amp outlets on the right-hand generator. A quick test after changing the oil in the generators running the trailer A/C. No errors reported by the EMS. After the test, the two generators were put into the truck toolbox for the trip.
I also checked out the solar panels and discovered one connector of the right side pair disconnected. Not sure how it happened. Possibly when the RV cover was installed or removed. There was a lot of tugging involved. The panel mounting is still solid and the Dicor is in good shape. I also checked all of the Dicor on all of the roof vents and skylights. All are in good shape. I washed the pollen off of the roof and solar panels. That’s the yellow you see in the picture. I initiated a battery equalization on the charge controller and the current went over 20 amps so all is well with the solar panels.
Some other tasks completed is changing the engine oil in the truck. The last oil change was last fall so this was more based on time rather than mileage. The transmission, transfer case, front and rear differential, brake fluid, and coolant levels were also checked. I still need to check the power steering fluid, oil the exhaust brake actuator, and change the fuel filter.
Is the BSA bikes exhibit something new? I don't recall seeing them when I toured the museum. Weird how the solar panel came off the mount, at least, I assume all you did was move the edge over on top of the two tabs?
ReplyDeleteNo, it didn’t come off the mount but one of the wires had come loose at a splice point.
DeleteThe BSA was donated to the museum sometime in the '80s. My wife worked there part time back then and mentioned to her boss that I worked on British bikes. He contacted me and asked if I'd be willing to work on it. "Sure" I said," just get me a parts list of what's needed and I'll give you an estimate of the cost." I think it was missing the head and exhaust if I remember. Anyway, he kind of laughed and said something like: "well we don't actually have any money to restore it, we generally get people to donated their time and money to the museum." So I said I'd get back to him and of course never did. Good to see that it's finally restored. Jon
DeleteNot restored but still on display. Or at least is doesn't look restored...
DeleteWell the last time i saw it, it seemed to have been restored with all the missing parts. Not a cosmetic restoration for sure, but museums often prefer unrestored condition.
DeleteSounds like all the ducks are lining up for your trip! When do you take off?
ReplyDelete