LastLetter:
Temperature Sensor as a Tool for RV Applications: Last summer my wife Dianne, myself, and of course our dog
Meiko, took a 10,000 km trip to Stratford Ontario from our home in New Westminster BC. Our motorhome, a 1984 22-ſt Class C on a GM chassis, performed the whole trip fl awlessly without a concern. I had done a fair amount of restoration to the unit as we bought it very used, but since I teach automotive (for over 35 years) and my wife is excellent at sewing we refurbished it to a good working condition which leads me to the reason for the article. I have found an abundance of uses for my digital lazer
thermometer to indicate potential vehicle operating concerns. Checking the tire pressure during fuelling or rest stops on the inside rear tire dooley axle can be cumbersome at best. So here is where the temp sensor came in handy. Before your trip, manually check the tire pressure of the tires and adjust as required. Take a temperature reading of the tires. T e advantage of using an electronic thermometer is that you just have to aim at the tire, squeeze the trigger or touch the scan button and take a reading comparing the outside tire to the inside; their temperatures should be within two degrees of each other. If a tire loses air during your travels, its temperature increases and can be identifi ed by comparing inside and outside tire temperatures.
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Also observe front to rear tires for outside temperature comparison. A 5lb diff erence in tire pressure between both rear tires can show a temperature diff erence of 8-10 degrees C or 15-20 degrees F on an average summer day. By taking temperature readings during every service stop I was able to notice any temperature related concerns before they became dangerous. At the same time I checked the following using the opposite side item for comparison sake, e.g. drivers side vs passenger side. T is whole exercise should take about 2-3 minutes.
1. Axle end/spindle temperatures to check for hot wheel bearings. 2. Brake rotors to identify sticking brake callipers. 3. Rear brake drums for sticking parking brakes or misadjusted brake shoes. 4. Radiator temperature from leſt to right to see if there was a drop/change in temperature. Perform this exercise with the engine idling at operating temperature, taking at least fi ve diff erent location readings through the grill, looking for a consistent pattern of temperature change. 5. If engine access is fairly simple take a reading of the thermostat housing using the same engine conditions as radiator checking. T e auxiliary transmission cooler, through the grill to confi rm fl ow. If the cooler is restricted it will be much cooler than the radiator. You can also use the thermometer to perform a quick check of:
• Fridge and freezer for operation • Air conditioning operation - both camper and vehicle systems
Takena Triple E Regal 12 RVT 140 • MARCH/APRIL 2011
Maxum Wild
www.go-west.com
Chalet
SINCE 1974
Family Owned
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