BAC Forum
General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Keith Moffett Co-Admin on September 12, 2012, 12:37:13 PM
-
Today I performed the 'Meuller Modification'. Seems like there are as many surprises in repairs as there were changes to the build during the model year at the factory. I am posting this so someone following the video may be forwarned. The video indicates there should be two wires at the terminals for each of the high and low beam in the electrical bay. Of course ours had three on just the high beam.
Turns out that on our coach which is an early build for 1998, the low beam looses power when the high beam goes on so there is a need to supply power back to the low beams. They ran an extra wire to the high beam terminal to resolve this. If just the power feed is removed as indicated in the video and leaving the other 'two' lines in place, the modification works just fine. The low beam replacement went as prescribed in the video.
I believe that I can now travel in the dark at speeds greater than 40mph which was all my poor headlights would allow previously! After dark today we stood out by the motorhome and turned on the headlights just to marvel at all the lihght!
Thanks Bill and Roy for the video!
Keith
-
Where do I find the video? Is it on Youtube? Got a link?
-
Richard, anytime you want to find something on here, go to the search up top. Pop in the phrase or in this case Roy Mueller's name and you will find the post or thread.
This is the original thread. http://forum.bacrallies.com/m-1333641606/s-0/
And these are the video links below.
http://youtu.be/fmYyoILEhMY
http://youtu.be/pIXez9bQNY0
-
Actually I did search for Roy Mueller, but got nothing first time. I did it just now and got several posts. Therefore, can only conclude I misspelled his last name.
But, thank you very much!
-
I tried his test and found my Marquis was one of the problem one's. I did his upgrade as recommended and my headlights are as they should have been from the factory. It took $5 dollars of relays 10 feet of wire, a few solderless connectors and an hour of my time. I recommend the repair to anybody with dim headlights. What a huge difference it makes.
Frank
-
After a harrowing drive down highway 101 from port Angeles a couple of weeks ago, in almost complete darkness, I looked up the youtube video, and hit the auto parts store for some relays and wire, half an hour later headlights that actually work. How they could have sold these units for so long with this problem not being fixed at the factory, is beyond me. Thanks, Roy for taking the time to make the video, for all of us.
One thing that was slightly different in my 2000Marquis, Roy states that the fifth terminal down on the ignition side of the breaker strip is the headlight supply, whereas mine is labeled reverse/entry step, the 8th one down is labeled driving lights, so I just used that one instead.
Dave
-
Dave,
Know what you mean. I discovered problem on my 01 in about 2009; 8.5 V at headlights. I wasn't aware of video so trouble shot it myself and came up with same solution. I called BCS to verify my findings and chuckled when the tech noted that normally this issue occurs in about 4-5 years. As mentioned on forum/video problem is due to routing headlight voltage through switch as well as too many connection crimps in circuit. This last is a chronic (in my experience) problem with magnum chassis wiring.
Steve
-
I experienced this problem first hand on Sunday night driving the last stretch of a trip from Tampa, FL back to NW Georgia. It was very difficult to see with headlights. The fog lights at least let me better visualize the lines on the road. Fixing this problem as described in the video has become my top priority.
-
I checked my YouTube account. 588 of you have watched Part 1 and 328 have gone on to Part 2. Nobody has ever shown that much interest in anything I've ever done with a camera!
Thank you for watching the video. The editing took a lot of time. Roy and I had no idea if anyone would use it. I have not seen him since, but I'm sure he is as pleased as I am that it has helped people in the Club.
The next closest is a Halloween video I took in a Haunted House at Fort Flagler State Park last year. It has 92 views. At 3 minutes, it is a lot shorter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEVLuX-6Bt0
-
I have watched both parts several times and have done the modification. Thanks so much Great improvement
-
Roy and Bill,
Did I see this that this production is getting an Emmy this year? At least with the BAC crowd anyway...
Later Ed
-
Roy certainly should be nominated for "Best Actor". The YouTube score is up to 664 views for part 1 and 366 views for part 2.
-
Bill and Roy
You no doubt worked harder on this video than most of us know. Not as simple as it would seem to us who havent done it.
You seem to trivialize this video and its usefulness, dont!
The effort you both put in solves a problem that seemingly hundreds of us have just lived with for years. This problem was putting alot of folks at risk and your video may have already saved some lives.
Thank you both for your efforts, we drive at night frequently and in the NW where as you know deer are common so we may be part of the afore mentioned group!
Keith
-
"in the NW where as you know deer are common "
On both of my coaches I have used the deer/animal high frequency devices. I have yet to see or better yet hit anything. Either I have been real lucky or they work!
-
Those high-frequency devices don't work in the cities. It seems more and more jay-walkers and bicyclists are getting hit... especially bicyclists. One flipped me off a while back. I tried to hit him at just the last second but he flipped too late for me to move to the right far enough.
-
Those high-frequency devices don't work in the cities. It seems more and more jay-walkers and bicyclists are getting hit... especially bicyclists. One flipped me off a while back. I tried to hit him at just the last second but he flipped too late for me to move to the right far enough.
I was driving up a grade and got stuck between a truck in lane two and a bunch of bicyclists toward the edge of the road. Several offered rude gestures.
Later I did some research. Turns out the law is on their side. It varies by state, but the law actually says they are supposed to be in the middle of the same lane we drive in, unless there is a designated bike lane. If they ride on the shoulder, it is only as a courtesy. They have no legal obligation to give you any space. You have every legal obligation to give them all the space -- even if you are pulling up a long hill and have to come to a near stop.
-
Has anyone created a set of written instructions from the headlight modification video? I have finally assembled all of the parts for the project but always prefer to work from written instructions or a checklist. Thanks.
-
Bill and Roy
You no doubt worked harder on this video than most of us know. Not as simple as it would seem to us who havent done it.
You seem to trivialize this video and its usefulness, dont!
Keith,
As far as I'm concerned, "work" is the wrong word here. "Play" would be the better choice.
Video is new to me. Its a project started with my charming, drop dead gorgeous and way smart granddaughters about 2 years ago. We've learned a lot about story telling, equipment, shooting, editing and distribution. Of course, equipment acquisition is largely my responsibility!
I have enough fun with it that I look for things to shoot. Usually it is scenery, pets and granddaughters. I've considered one on "How to change your fuel filters in case you have to do it by yourself along the road." Since I have a Cummins, it might not make the most sense for most Beaver owners, so I've not done it -- yet.
I've not seen Roy since the Las Vegas rally. I suspect I'll see him at Quartsite. Maybe we will think of something worthwhile. If you have any ideas, please let me know.
-
I've not seen Roy since the Las Vegas rally. I suspect I'll see him at Quartsite. Maybe we will think of something worthwhile. If you have any ideas, please let me know.
OK, I will offer these points for your consideration.
1) All things Girrard (adjusting in/out, tigjhten the tarp, adjust the slope for rain, cleaning a 10 ft. wide awning)
2) slide out seals and maintaining them?
3) General walk around outside and what needs done or should be looked at daily?
These are common questions that seem to get a variety of answeres on the forum so one good view point on video would help everyone.
Keith
-
Keith,
I like the Girrard one especially, mine works fine for now but I have not done any maintenance or adjustments. Add lubrication, dry or otherwise to your Girrard subjects. Seems like some of the pivot points could use some maintenance over the years.
Regarding bikers, they are actually trained to center themselves in the driving lane if there is an unsafe passing situation and then yield to you when it is safe to pass on their terms. Seems a bit unsafe but they have to contend with drivers who many times don't have a clue. I think the first time I came across this the term "who the hell does he think he is" passed my lips until an avid biker clued me in to the rules of the road.
Some of the Florida Law....Bikes are not required to ride on the shoulder they are supposed to use the roadway. They are also not supposed to pass a parked car within the door width to avoid door opening collisions. That is one caution for us to anticipate if we are following a bike coming up on a parked car, they may head for the lane center.
Roadway Position (see Section 316.2065, F.S.)
• A bicyclist who is not traveling at the same speed of other traffic must ride in a designated bike lane (see Bike Lane Law Explained) or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. A bicyclist may leave the right-most portion of the road in the following situations: when passing another vehicle moving in the same direction; when preparing for a left turn; when reasonably necessary to avoid any condition or potential conflict including, but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, pedestrian , animal, surface hazard, or turn lane; when a lane is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side. (see Roadway Position Explained)
Later Ed
-
In case you have not figured it out yet, many bicyclists are also rabid environmentalists. In my case, when I was flipped off, I was travelling East on the McKenzie Pass hiway from Eugene. I wasn't in a town. I was on the open road, well, as open as that road gets before heading up onto the incline. This guy was walking his bike outside the right line - no problem - plenty of room for him and for me to safely pass. I was yet 100 yards away from him when he suddenly stopped... and turned towards me... and stood there flipping me off. He was riding a bike not using fuel. I was guzzling it at about 4 mpg. I think he was one of those environmentalist bikers.
When I was younger up through my college years in the 1960s I biked alot. It was the easiest, quickest, and cheapest way to get around in Corvallis, and especially onto campus to my work and classes. I adopted what I call a survivalist policy. You know how when you happen across a bear in woods, you stop and become very observant and respectful of the bear. On the other hand, if you happen across a coyote, then the coyote stops and becomes respectful of you. I don't want to confront a bear in the woods. The coyote does not want to confront me. Part of having that survivalist mindset is to not provoke bears... nor motorhomes, nor freight trucks, nor trains.
Keep in mind there are also other laws pertaining to the hiways. If you are travelling at a speed of 15 mph or slower under the posted speed, then you must have the vehicle flashers on. Also, if you are travelling slow enough that you are holding up traffic, then you must pull over when safely permitted to allow the buildup of vehicles behind you to pass - this when they amount to five vehicles or more. Those apply to all vehicles on the roads... including bikes. I am sure these roadway laws vary from state to state, but these are generally the laws in Oregon and Washington.
-
Bill,
Roy will not be at Quartzsite this year. They are wintering in Florida this year.
Gerald
-
I am a bicyclist and ride a lot of group rides. I find that 99.9 percent of bicyclist, motorcyclist and pedestrians are nice and obey the law. We tend to be overly cautious as we are very esposed and a lof us have been struck by a vehicle. In my case it was a sideswipe by a pick up truck and included broken bones and a lot of road rash. The incidents are caused by inattention of the motorist or cyclist or doing something stupid like riding without lights at night.
Please watach out for us all as we have no protection from a car truck or motorhome.
-
Bill,
Roy will not be at Quartzsite this year. They are wintering in Florida this year.
Gerald
Gerald,
Would you like to do a video on the right way to change fuel filters?
Bill
-
I don't agree with the biker's response, Dave, but he may have been antagonistic if you were on the MP highway in your motorhome at the time. Trailers and other large vehicles are not advised on it, as posted. Of course if you weren't yet in the bad sections at the time, and there was plenty of room, his beef was questionable except for the tree-hugger possibility, a culture around U of O.
Joel
-
That's my thought too, Joel. We Beavers (Class of '71 here, BS Math) harbor those discriminations against many of the Ducks. lol I had just purchased the Marquis that morning and was heading over the mountains to get to the Kinzua Hills Golf Course to play in the annual Men's Tournament... and we were running just a tad bit late... and I was advised by the dealer that the MP was good to go for my shortest route. As it was I missed playing in the Friday evening scramble. Since I was on a blind corner turning to the right I was unable to swing wide into the oncoming lane... so the coach's side-wind probably about knocked him over. I would suggest the MP route is worse for bicyclists... not alot of room for them to get well off the roadway in some places.
-
Bill,
I will be at Quartzsite, however I have a good bit on my plate around then since I will be trying to put on a conference call Board Meeting. So I may not have the spare time.
Gerald