Friday, July 16, 2021

Second generator switch, new seat belt, install Kilmat

The Quantum is the third motorhome we have owned and the first two had a switch to start and stop the generator from the driver’s seat in addition to the switch located near the middle of the coach. We almost never used the switch in the middle of the coach and would often start the travel day with the generator off and then start it as we traveled down the road. After a few days using the Quantum we knew we were going to install a second switch near the driver. We already had a SPDT momentary switch in our stock of switches and plenty of black ABS sheet to make our own remote start generator switch. This was a no brainer when you considered most sources were asking $50 for a remote generator switch. After fabricating the switch we scoped out the best location for the switch and a convenient route for the wiring from the generator to the dash. The best location for the switch was to the right of the steering column on the same panel the emergency start switch is located. Removing the kick panel at the bottom of the door frame revealed a cable tray and a spare hole the wire could be routed thru to the generator. We enclosed the three wires necessary in split loom and the spare hole was large enough for the split loom to slide thru.  After locating a wiring diagram for the generator we knew which wires at the remote start connector to splice into. We used 16 gauge wire and blue quick splice connectors. At the other end we crimped push connectors to the wires and connected them to the switch. We had previously noted which posts on the switch to use for the three wires so the start and stop labels would be correct.

We had a defective driver’s seat belt and Thor had sent us a new one. It simplified the task of installing the seat belt if the driver’s seat was removed plus the same kick panel at the bottom of the door frame needed to be removed. We decided to combine the two projects of installing a second generator switch and the new seat belt. If we were going to go this far it made sense to go ahead and remove both seats, the dog house, and the floor mat and install Kilmat at the same time. So we did all three projects at the same time. Unfortunately we forgot to take a photo of the Kilmat installation. 

Generator Switch

Route for wires from generator

Seats, dog house, and floor mat removed

No comments:

Post a Comment

Mt Washington New Hampshire

On Saturday we left Eastport Maine and drove across the state on mostly two lane roads to the Twin Mountain/Mt Washington KOA in the mountai...