Cab Heater Question

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Travco Model: 1976 270

Re: Cab Heater Question

Unread post by RobC » Sun Oct 04, 2015 10:11 pm

Pulled my heater unit out of the and got the motor to run by wiring it directly to a 12v source. It would only run with the motor ground wired back to the battery negative and would not run with it screwed to the unit chassis. \n\nDoofus question: The chassis of the heater blower by itself is not that big (sheet metal) is it just not big enough to absorb electrons and behave like a an actual ground. Seems it should run while wired to ground but no go. It could be that the blower chassis is then in contact with the entire heater unit chassis which is in turn in contact with the vehicle chassis. Seems like too many links in my ground chain.\n\nAny help would be greatly apreciated. \n\nRobC\nAlso started operation generator this weekend. New plugs, oil fuel filter etc. Anyone done the electronic ignition swap on your genny (From points)?

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Re: Cab Heater Question

Unread post by RobC » Sun Oct 04, 2015 10:12 pm

bump

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Re: Cab Heater Question

Unread post by 77Travco » Mon Oct 05, 2015 10:29 am

Sounds like a broken or removed ground wire somewhere. I would run a new grounds from the heater box to the frame and from the frame to the metal structure behind the dash area, etc. Maybe also run a new ground from the engine to the frame. Also check for a good clean connection from the engine battery to the frame. Open or corroded grounds will cause all kinds of weird issues.\nMy generator still has a points setup (and it runs great) but I would like to go electronic if it were a fairly cheap conversion.

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Re: Cab Heater Question

Unread post by badbillybiker » Tue Oct 06, 2015 5:43 am

maybe a electronic ignition for a lawn mower or maybe Pertronix makes a conversion?\nI still have my tungsten ignition points file so I am stlll good to go with the old...(old time equipment)\nBBB

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Re: Cab Heater Question

Unread post by 77Travco » Wed Oct 07, 2015 7:17 am

One good thing about points... as long as you keep a spare set and know how to install or clean them, you can make it run.

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Travco Model: 76 Mahal 2+2
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Re: Cab Heater Question

Unread post by KB2CRK » Wed Oct 07, 2015 7:57 am

I have a spare set of points. condenser and coil on board for the old Onan. Had no spark when I got it but it was a bad control board causing those issues.

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Re: Cab Heater Question

Unread post by badbillybiker » Wed Oct 07, 2015 8:19 am

maybe...if all owners would look at the wiring situation as if the Travco was a corvette, \nin covert mode, it would cut down on the frustration of poor or no grounds... IMO\nBBB

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Travco Model: 1975 270,1974 220
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Re: Cab Heater Question

Unread post by Acesneights » Wed Oct 07, 2015 7:16 pm

Onan had an actual conversion kit but they are long since obsolete. The generator in my 75 came from my fathers 1970 and is actually a 1969 and it has given us many faithful years of service with the points setup. I wouldn't worry about converting it. Just carry a spare set. probably never need them.
1977 Travco 270 Elite\n1974 Travco 220 Parts unit

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Travco Model: 1975 270,1974 220
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Re: Cab Heater Question

Unread post by Acesneights » Wed Oct 07, 2015 7:17 pm

Every thing in these needs it's own ground. That is the downside of a fiberglass rig.
1977 Travco 270 Elite\n1974 Travco 220 Parts unit

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