We made a quick decision on Dec 30th to go ahead and head to Vegas if they had a spot for our rig to pull thru (the backup camera and monitor is not working very well). They had a spot for the 31st and the 1st so first thing the 31st we hurried to pack up clothes and Gascap to take the 4 hr trip.
Finally started down the road at about 2 pm. The volt gauge and tach gauge has jumped about since we got her so we were not that worried. We finally got the ABS light to go out. We both think it's cause we fixed the Bendix Cruise Control. With all the traffic the trip is longer than 4 hrs so about when we have to put the head lights on we notice the volts drop. If the chassis batteries don't hold a charge the MH does not move. Then all of a sudden we drop way down and limp it about 8 miles to a rest area. Of course by now we are thinking we may need a new alternator. We knew the voltage regulator had been replaced about a year earlier. Thought we may have to cancel the Circus Circus RV Park reservations and as a matter of fact we did after a little while sitting in the rest area. Knowing it's New Years Eve we knew it would be next to impossible to get any towing or parts delivered.
Thom and I started pulling out the electrical drawings and books to see what we might be able to do to limp it somewhere other than a rest area. As we were looking at the engine, Thom was pointing out the different parts of the engine, where the alternator and voltage regulator (VR) was and all. As he pointed out the VR we noticed the plug for the VR was not really staying plugged in. We both looked at it and each other and thought it can't be this easy to fix. Well Thom used the can of air to blow out the connectors and then used some QD Contact Cleaner to clean out the dirt and dust. Then he used some zip ties to keep the plug plugged in. We had the generator going to hopefully charge the chassis along with the house batteries. We let it charge for a little while then started the MH. Low and behold they were charging and staying charged!!!! If he stepped on the gas the volts went up and stayed up. The tachometer stopped bouncing. Things just started working A LOT better.
We called Circus Circus and asked if they still had the spot and yes they did. They were very nice and would have only charged us the $10 cancellation fee instead of the full one night charge but they seemed as happy as us that we would make it in time for New Years Eve, or at least part of it, lol. We made it to Vegas at about 11:00 pm and got things hooked and even made the bed. Sat down for a few mins while we caught our breathe and then walked outside the MH to see some of the fireworks. Since Circus Circus is so close to the strip we walked down and looked around before heading back to catch some sleep.
We had picked up a mattress heater pad to help keep us warm while at night. That worked well. We got a “little” space heater which did not work all that well. That will be going back to the store and we may pick up something bigger. We found out that while we can now get a spark for the stove that something is blocking the propane so off that went till we figure that out. We had brought all kinds of food to cook to save money but not this time, lol. Vegas is very expensive for food. No we did not run the fridge on propane at all so did not have it on until trying the stove. A place that has $5 foot longs are not $5 in Vegas they are closer to $10. Cheeseburgers START at $12 and we really did not want to know the most expensive. All you can eat places don't work for us since we don't eat enough to pay for it. I can tell you that the stove will get fixed ASAP thou. We only had about 1 ½ days in Vegas so we did not worry about fixing it while there.
We also found out that if you are plugged into “shore power” that the dashboard gauges don't work but as soon as you unplug they come right on. We found out that if I make a “tent” on the couch that Gascap can crawl into anytime a noise scares him. He has started to now walk around somewhat and will even lay on the front area to look out the window and even take a nap there. He has become very comfortable now in the MH. We found out that small things can stop things from working right. We are pretty sure now that we have fixed most, if not all, the electrical problems. The doorbell just needed 4 D cell batteries and now it works. We have found that the kitchen lights only have one switch them on and off and that switch is located right when you walk in the coach not in the kitchen where you think it might (or should) be. While the hall, LR and BR lights all have multiple switches to turn them on and off. We found out that things are frozen will still be frozen at least 6 hrs in the freezer part of the fridge without it being turned on.
We woke up on the first and after we found out the stove would not work we took showers in the CG showers. Ours are not fully cleaned yet from buying the MH so until I clean and disinfect it we don't want to use it. It will be done soon thou. We went to go and get some food for brunch and that's when we found out food prices in Vegas are on the high side. I guess it's a good thing we don't eat all that much :) even when we go out here we end up taking half or more home to eat another day. We then got a $7 bus pass, that allowed us to ride the buses for 24 hrs. You could get a 2 hr pass for $5 or a 3 day pass for $20. We took the bus and got off at the Treasure Island area and walked and stayed for the 5:30 showing of the “Sirens of TI”. Since Thom and I have performed as pirates and did a lot of festivals all up and down the coast of FL I am not sure that we can give an objective look at the show. It was very entertaining and that's all I will say, lol. One amusing thing is that Thom and I did not do any gambling. We just did not have the time to think about it. We will be back and next time we will have the stove fixed and we will do some gambling. We did take some pictures and I will see about posting them soon, including ones of Gascap and where he has chosen to now spend the time traveling in the MH.
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