Recent Posts

1

Technical Support / Re: Remove the batteries?

« Last post by Keith Moffett Co-Admin on Today at 01:31:15 AM »

David
It is helpful to know your model and year of coach.  This info can be included with your signature info.
We too leave ours plugged into 50 amp so it remains charged.  Some people will make periodic trips to the coach to charge the batteries but that is not always possible.  Since we winter in the PNW we have heaters on so need power anyway and are blessed to be able to park our coach at our home.

2

Technical Support / Re: How much to run generator when dry camping

« Last post by Keith Moffett Co-Admin on Today at 01:21:07 AM »

Vernon
We too run our genset once AM and once PM but we have the electric refer so we cool it down and charge up the batteries depending on the weather.  If we run high draw like roof air etc the generator is on.
Much of your question depends on the age and type of your batteries. 
We also keep battery powered lights around so when boondocking we dont run internal lights much.  When running the generator we make sure to plug in any rechargeable lights because the generator is going to recharge those too without a  problem.
One suggestion might be your fridge.  How are the seals?  If you take a dollar bill and lay it under the seal and close the door then can drag it out too easily then your seals are leaking causing your fridge to run more.  I have had success by warming the seals with a hair dryer and pulling them out slightly but it is only a temporary fix.
I too like the idea of of a small generator like Dave mentions.

3

Technical Support / Re: 1999 Patriot Brake part numbers

« Last post by Bonnie Harris on October 08, 2026, 09:38:26 PM »

Thanks for your reply.

It is air over hydraulic.  Disk Brakes. With ABS.  I believe the parking brake is drum (that is what I remember a technician telling me).
I am not doing the work myself but the shop is having trouble figuring out the right parts.

4

Technical Support / Re: 1999 Patriot Brake part numbers

« Last post by Eric Maclean Co-Admin on October 08, 2026, 07:22:19 PM »

Scott
It is best to try and match the parts you have as Beaver or more accurately in this case Safari motor coach made running changes through their production on their Magnum chassis.

Let's start with some of the basics does your coach have air over hydraulic disc brakes or hydraulic over hydraulic ( power steering pump ) over .
Or does it have true air disc brakes.

Does your coach have ABS.

Is the parking brake a drum brake or a disc brake on the bake of the transmission

If you coach is air over hydraulic this link may help

https://beaveramb.org/forum/index.php/topic,12458.msg81857.html#msg81857


Eric

5

Technical Support / 1999 Patriot Brake part numbers

« Last post by Bonnie Harris on October 08, 2026, 06:45:09 PM »

Hi,

Hopefully not a too stupid question:

I found the "Coach Talk" page in the files area listing Beaver year and brake part numbers for 1996-1998 and 1999-2002.  My question is: do these years refer to the build year or the model year?  My 1999 Patriot (1998 build) is right on the cutoff point.  Does anybody know?  Also, I called Ott’s Friction Supply number listed on the sheet and they are no longer in business.

Thanks,

Scott Harris

6

Technical Support / Re: Aqua Hot problems on my 2004 Monterey

« Last post by David E Iversen on October 07, 2026, 04:07:52 PM »

Thanks Fred, I'll check that.

7

Technical Support / Re: 2000 Marquis won’t start at keyswitch but will at rear start

« Last post by Fred Brooks on October 07, 2026, 03:30:40 PM »

   Dwayne,
 The 2 weakest links on a 27 year old Marquis start sequence are the Ignition run solenoid in the electrical compartment under the driver's window. (see picture) and the Ignition switch itself. The switch is a Delco-Remy early 70's Chevrolet pick-up truck. Concerning the rear run switch, let me share my experience with you. Normally this switch is rarely used and it is located in a hostile envoirment. I have found that if the switch is used it either creates a new issue or solves another. I believe the contacts inside the switches are either corroded or dust covered from lack of use. Hard to say, almost all of us carry a spare solenoid and ignition switch as they will fail. A common theory about the ignition switch is an excessive amount of weight from too many keys on the key ring cause an internal issue inside the switch? Hope this helps, Fred

8

Technical Support / 2000 Marquis won’t start at keyswitch but will at rear start

« Last post by Dwayne Bratcher on October 06, 2026, 05:08:38 AM »

Our ignition switch won’t start our coach. Powers up but no crank. After checking the usual suspects many other owners have found, discovered a wire connection broken at the “rear/kill/front” selector switch. The coach would start fine from there but could not shut it down at rear kill, only ignition switch. Fixed the disconnected wire and still wouldn’t start from ignition. After several other things I returned to decided to start the coach from rear switch just to make sure everything I had done past few days had not changed anything. Turned ignition key on, walked to selector switch and chose “rear” and hit the start button. Fired right up. Hit the kill switch and tried it. Engine shut down. Flipped back to front and turned the key, coach started at ignition switch. So if you have this issue, remember to cycle the rear start switch. Makes all the difference!

9

Technical Support / Re: Aqua Hot problems on my 2004 Monterey

« Last post by Fred Brooks on October 06, 2026, 02:59:12 AM »

    David,
  The aqua hot heat is controlled by the front air conditioner pc board. After removing the interior shroud assembly, you will see the attached wiring that goes to the unit. There are 2 blue 16 gauge wires that connect to the aqua hot feed wires coming from that unit. Before doing anything, I would do a RESET at the new 10 button t-stat. (follow instructions on the installation manual) That should clear things up. If not, Locate the 2 blue wires coming from the air conditioner and see if they are connected to other wires. Another possibility is if the air conditioner was changed recently, did the tech toggle the dip switch to the "ON" position on the PC board identified as "heat" or "furnace". Hope this helps, Fred

10

Technical Support / Re: Remove the batteries?

« Last post by David T. Richelderfer on October 05, 2026, 09:21:34 PM »

We have RV 50 amp plug ins at both our summer and winter homes.  I just plug in the Marquis and let the inverter trickle charge all eight batteries while it's parked.  Of course, I need to check the water levels in the batteries every month or so.  We have one car that stays at our Oregon home that is left on a trickle charger over the winter and two cars at our Arizona home that are left on trickle chargers over the summer.  I unhook the batteries in the three cars while they are on trickle chargers.

I have also used a 15/20 amp wall receptacle periodically for short periods to trickle charge the Marquis' batteries.  I turn down the inverter's allowed charge amperage to 10 amps maximum or so.  I have learned that I cannot use a GFI wall receptacle because the GFI will trip out.