Custom Rear Seats Cover

Pictures explains itself.

Custom French Memo Board

I found a use for the extra thin MDF and piece of fabric laying around. I made a french memo board. It provides a decorative accent and a perfect spot to place photos, memorabilia and coupons.

I first made a paper template, then transfer the shape to back of the MDF. Cut the MDF to shape using a jigsaw. Using a spray adhesive, I glued a thin piece of foam to front side of MDF, then covered it with fabric (left over from the back seat covers I previously made). Tack the fabric to back of MDF using staple gun. Added the ribbons and buttons...secured it on the wall using plastic hook n loop fastener..and voila.

Click on photo's to enlarge.

Remote Winegard Antenna Amp Switch

Are you tired of reaching for the tiny antenna switch inside the AV cabinet when watching TV? Do you forget to turn the antenna amp off? Well, you are not alone. My kids will even use the TV and TV wall mount as a monkey bar just to get to the antenna switch. This remote ant. power switch will make your life a lot easier. It's plug and play, no cutting of on-board wiring's.All you need is a on-off switch (I opted for lighted on-off switch) some wires, male and female crimp-on connectors/ crimper tool, a soldering iron/ solder wire, and a small plastic project enclosure for the switch. I use velco to attach the remote switch to back of the TV for easy access. If you decided not to use a lighted switch, you can skip the 3rd wire (negative wire).
Pictures of the install below.

Electric Step Disarm Switch

There are times when you don't want the electric step to automatically open with the door. For instance, when street curbs or other obstructions get in the way. One way to do this is to add a second switch in parallel with the door mag switch.

The door magnetic switch is a NO (Normally Open) switch. When the door is closed, the magnet which is located on the sliding door activates and closes the magnetic switch contacts thus in turn closes the circuit. Opening the sliding door deactivates the magnetic switch and the circuit opens. 

The rocker switch addition wired in parallel with the magnetic switch fools the step controller that the sliding door is in closed position thus preventing the step from extending.  

Fishing the wires where I want the new switch mounted (next to the electric step override switch) can be difficult. I removed the footwell plastic trim (passenger side) to see if I could route the wires from there, and lucky enough there was a hole opposite to where the mag switch is located. I pulled the door mag switch from the pillar and used a heavy gauge solder wire (can't find a hanger wire when I need it) to fish the wires to the opposite side of the pillar. See pictures below.

UPDATE: I just found out that you can easily access the magnetic switch wires by removing the lower sliding door stabilizer reciever plate. Just make sure to mark the exact position of the reciever plate for reinstallation.

Quieting the Onan Generator

In my search to quiet  down the Onan 2500 Microlite propane generator, I decided to install an Onan Resonator (Part# 155-2449) which was recommended by couple of RV.net members. 

To start, first determine the placement of the resonator. You could either install it at the end of the generator exhaust pipe or somewhere in the middle section of the pipe. If you decide to install it towards the end of the exhaust, you may need a bigger U-bolt pipe clamp to accommodate the bigger resonator body. For cleaner/ stock look I opted for the later.

I removed the generator exhaust pipe by unbolting it from the internal muffler flange, then removing the 2-rubber hangers that holds the exhaust pipe. The exhaust is not a simple straight pipe rather it has 2 opposing 135 or so degree bend towards both ends.

Using a marker, I made a straight line along the middle section of the exhaust where the resonator will be installed, doing this made sure that the geometry and shape of the exhaust will remain same after installation of the resonator. Same straight line was made along the resonator body, this line should be in-line with the line made on the exhaust pipe once installed.

Using a metal cut-off saw, I cut out about 10-inches long (double check resonator length, from collar to collar) section of generator exhaust pipe. I fitted the resonator, made sure it was properly aligned and then held it in place using tube clamps on each end. I then took  the whole exhaust pipe assembly  to a local welding shop and have the Onan resonator welded in place. The welding cost $10 and took less than 5 mins. I then painted the whole exhaust with heat resistant paint, or you can just paint the welds to keep them from rusting. If welding is not an option, a U-bolt clamp like this (U-Bolt Exhaust Clamp) maybe used to connect the resonator into the exhaust pipe.

Onan Resonator Specs.