Ok, did some checking.
There is differential gear oil.
It's changed in a different way.
This might be interesting:
http://www.cavevan.com/forum/index.php?topic=163.0
It seems the speed sensor that you mentioned melting is
where the gear oil level is checked. Since it got so hot to melt
the sensor, it's an indication that the gear oil leaked out or wasn't
there in the first place.
Kent Kirkley
'97 EVC
-----Original Message-----
From: moedig <maurice@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tue, Jun 1, 2021 11:03 pm
Subject: Re: [eurovanupdate] Transmission Woes
Thank you Kent for the reply!? I have recently understood that these transmissions have two distinct fluid... ATF and Differential Gear Oil.? ?I agree, the ATF is what failed me initially prompting me to have the Transmission replaced.? ?I now wish I had went the German Transaxle Route.? A local shop from Concord was recommended as they have done them before and had feedback.? When I put the Trans Cooler? in my temp never went past 190deg even on my past road trip going up to Skyforest, Ca.? Before that Cooler was installed and after the rebuild, I constantly had temps over 230.? Bottomline is I feel I'm stuck with the shop that did the original rebuild.? My question is, did I neglect to take care of this transmission or is this an obvious mishap from a trans rebuild?
|
Thank you Kent for the reply!? I have recently understood that these transmissions have two distinct fluid... ATF and Differential Gear Oil.? ?I agree, the ATF is what failed me initially prompting me to have the Transmission replaced.? ?I now wish I had went the German Transaxle Route.? A local shop from Concord was recommended as they have done them before and had feedback.? When I put the Trans Cooler? in my temp never went past 190deg even on my past road trip going up to Skyforest, Ca.? Before that Cooler was installed and after the rebuild, I constantly had temps over 230.? Bottomline is I feel I'm stuck with the shop that did the original rebuild.? My question is, did I neglect to take care of this transmission or is this an obvious mishap from a trans rebuild?
|
I'm not a Eurovan mechanic but I know quite a bit about the transmissions.
You mention "the gear oil" being low or missing all together. I've never heard the term
'gear oil' used in respect to a VW automatic transmission. Yes it contains and runs on about 4 liters
of a special transmission fluid. The correct level of this fluid is important, either too much or not
enough will effect the transmission performance.
You need to be VERY careful who works on these transmissions.
Do not go to places like AAMCO. A knowledgeable Eurovan mechanic
is important.
The Eurovan transmissions don't fail, the fluid fails.
The fluid is temperature sensitive. If the temperature gets to high the effectiveness
and number of miles it will operate is reduced.
This is where the 'transmission cooler' comes in.
The Eurovan has a transmission fluid cooler and it works rather well under most
circumstances. However if you are pulling a trailer, going up long mountain
grades in lower gears the built in cooler can't keep the fluid cool enough and the
result is damage to the fluid. An external transmission fluid cooler will do wonders
in keeping the temperature to a point where the fluid isn't damaged.
Before considering having an external cooler installed you need to find out
what's going on with the transmission at this point. If it's a fluid level issue
a change of fluid, filter and pan gasket with proper fluid level might solve your
problem. If it does, then you can consider the external cooler. If a transmission
rebuild is necessary I would contact German Transaxle in Bend, Oregon.
They are expert at Eurovan transmission. The transmission can be removed, sent to
them, rebuilt, shipped back and installed. Expensive but sometimes necessary.
Good luck.
Kent Kirkley
'97EVC
-----Original Message-----
From: msuen@... <msuen@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tue, Jun 1, 2021 8:49 pm
Subject: Re: [eurovanupdate] Transmission Woes
Do you have a large aftermarket Transmission cooler installed? ?
On Jun 1, 2021, at 5:52 PM, moedig <maurice@...> wrote:
?
Hello fellow EV'rs,
I hope you are all well.? After a very fun trip to Mojave, CA to the Beach and back to NorCal, my 2002 EV Camper had an issue where the Speedo went to 0 while driving at 70mph on freeway near KingCity on my way home.? I pulled into a gas station an noticed that my steering was "wobbly".? Looked under the Van and found my speedo sensor was melted and dangling from the connected electrical wire.? The plastic portion of the Speedo sensor melted off.? BACKSTORY... in 2019 (June to Oct), had my EVC transmission rebuilt by a local shop.? This was the first major roadtrip since then .? Honestly only put like 6000 miles on the rebuilt tranny and this happened.? Was towed to VW in San Jose, then to another shop in Mountain View.? Both shops made mentioned of a rebuilt tranny, "should take it back to whomever rebuilt it" and the fact that most likely the the gear oil was dry in the differential of the trans.? Towed the Camper to the shop that performed the trans rebuild and stated I had a warranty of 12k miles or 12mos.? I was firm to the shop that did the rebuild that the differential had to be low on gear oil or missing all together otherwise why else would that speedo sensor melt off? So they have my van now in the shop and the tranny rebuilder confirmed that the diff was dry.? Is this something I was at fault with or should I assume that this shop should fix and cover 100%... considering 6k on the rebuilt trans and pandemic keeping me home in 2020.? They are now saying they need to find a core for parts and are having trouble finding a core.? Any advice or feedback would be welcomed.? There has not been any conversation around who's paying for this, I just don't want to rock the boat while my EV is on the operating table.? Thanks.
?
|
I do.. I bought the GoWesty one and had it professionally installed by the Shop up in the North Bay.
|
Do you have a large aftermarket Transmission cooler installed? ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jun 1, 2021, at 5:52 PM, moedig <maurice@...> wrote:
? Hello fellow EV'rs,
I hope you are all well.? After a very fun trip to Mojave, CA to the Beach and back to NorCal, my 2002 EV Camper had an issue where the Speedo went to 0 while driving at 70mph on freeway near KingCity on my way home.? I pulled into a gas station an noticed that my steering was "wobbly".? Looked under the Van and found my speedo sensor was melted and dangling from the connected electrical wire.? The plastic portion of the Speedo sensor melted off.? BACKSTORY... in 2019 (June to Oct), had my EVC transmission rebuilt by a local shop.? This was the first major roadtrip since then .? Honestly only put like 6000 miles on the rebuilt tranny and this happened.? Was towed to VW in San Jose, then to another shop in Mountain View.? Both shops made mentioned of a rebuilt tranny, "should take it back to whomever rebuilt it" and the fact that most likely the the gear oil was dry in the differential of the trans.? Towed the Camper to the shop that performed the trans rebuild and stated I had a warranty of 12k miles or 12mos.? I was firm to the shop that did the rebuild that the differential had to be low on gear oil or missing all together otherwise why else would that speedo sensor melt off? So they have my van now in the shop and the tranny rebuilder confirmed that the diff was dry.? Is this something I was at fault with or should I assume that this shop should fix and cover 100%... considering 6k on the rebuilt trans and pandemic keeping me home in 2020.? They are now saying they need to find a core for parts and are having trouble finding a core.? Any advice or feedback would be welcomed.? There has not been any conversation around who's paying for this, I just don't want to rock the boat while my EV is on the operating table.? Thanks.
?
|
Re: Norcold not cooling well on LP
#Norcold
Sam, two questions:
1. ?Re: Fan. ?The Norcold service manual says the fan thermostat is calibrated to turn on the fan when the van's interior temperature is above 85 F. ?That wasn't the case in the situations in which I was operating, ?so I guess that means the fan wouldn't have turned on. ?Does anyone bypass the thermostat and just leave the fan running when in LP mode?
2. ?Re: Thermostat. ?Which thermostat are you about to replace? ?The gas valve/thermostat dial on the front of the unit? ?The fan thermostat?
David
2002 EVC
|
Re: Norcold not cooling well on LP
#Norcold
You might also check gas pressure
leo 1998
|
Hello fellow EV'rs,
I hope you are all well.? After a very fun trip to Mojave, CA to the Beach and back to NorCal, my 2002 EV Camper had an issue where the Speedo went to 0 while driving at 70mph on freeway near KingCity on my way home.? I pulled into a gas station an noticed that my steering was "wobbly".? Looked under the Van and found my speedo sensor was melted and dangling from the connected electrical wire.? The plastic portion of the Speedo sensor melted off.? BACKSTORY... in 2019 (June to Oct), had my EVC transmission rebuilt by a local shop.? This was the first major roadtrip since then .? Honestly only put like 6000 miles on the rebuilt tranny and this happened.? Was towed to VW in San Jose, then to another shop in Mountain View.? Both shops made mentioned of a rebuilt tranny, "should take it back to whomever rebuilt it" and the fact that most likely the the gear oil was dry in the differential of the trans.? Towed the Camper to the shop that performed the trans rebuild and stated I had a warranty of 12k miles or 12mos.? I was firm to the shop that did the rebuild that the differential had to be low on gear oil or missing all together otherwise why else would that speedo sensor melt off? So they have my van now in the shop and the tranny rebuilder confirmed that the diff was dry.? Is this something I was at fault with or should I assume that this shop should fix and cover 100%... considering 6k on the rebuilt trans and pandemic keeping me home in 2020.? They are now saying they need to find a core for parts and are having trouble finding a core.? Any advice or feedback would be welcomed.? There has not been any conversation around who's paying for this, I just don't want to rock the boat while my EV is on the operating table.? Thanks.
?
|
Re: Norcold not cooling well on LP
#Norcold
Also, Check the burn-box for debris.? m2cw.?? m
On Tuesday, June 1, 2021, 8:48:11 PM EDT, sam letzring <sletz@...> wrote:
Have you checked the air intake/exhaust lines for wasps/ spiders/
etc? Sounds like a lack of combustion air or back pressure on the
exhaust side. Have you checked the thermostat? I am about to
replace mine because I have been unable to control the temperature
of my NOrcold. Are the fans working on the condenser side?
sometimes the thermoswitch fails and the fans don't come on. You
should be able to achieve ~ 50 deg F differential between ambient
and fridge temp.
Sam
02 EVC
On 6/1/2021 7:55 PM, Darin Hornbaker
wrote:
I just went through the same scenario where my Norcold
won't cool the same on LP after cleaning and replacing the
burner and igniter, so I'm also curious if anyone has any
suggestions.
Cheers all,
Darin
1995 Camper 168k
On Tue, Jun 1, 2021 at 4:50 PM
David Horner < dahorner@...> wrote:
My
Norcold works well on AC, and for many years it worked
extremely well on LP, too, even freezing items on the coldest
setting of the dial.? Today I fired up the fridge on AC with
the fridge dial turned to maximum cooling, and after 2.5 hours
the temperature was down to 37 F.? At that point I switched
over to LP.? After 3 hours on LP the temperature had risen to
42 F.? Outside temperature was 77-79 F.? One data point I
don't have yet is how cold it can get on AC. ?
On a trip a few years ago I noticed that the fridge was not
cooling well on LP and the burner exhaust was very
dirty/oily.? You folks helped me diagnose the dirty exhaust
problem, suggesting it was a bad burner.? I pulled the fridge
and replaced the burner, and after that the LP burned clean.?
But the fridge still didn't get as cold as it used to on LP.?
So now I'm hoping someone can help diagnose that problem. ?
David
2002 EVC
--
~~~~~
Big Shots
3201 Corte Malpaso, Unit 302
Camarillo, CA 93012
805-484-9111
|
Re: Norcold not cooling well on LP
#Norcold
On Tue, Jun 1, 2021 at 05:36 PM, sam letzring wrote:
hermostat?
I vacuumed the intake/exhaust lines with a ShopVac when I replaced the burner a few years ago. ?I haven't checked anything else because I didn't know what to check.
|
Re: Norcold not cooling well on LP
#Norcold
Have you checked the air intake/exhaust lines for wasps/ spiders/
etc? Sounds like a lack of combustion air or back pressure on the
exhaust side. Have you checked the thermostat? I am about to
replace mine because I have been unable to control the temperature
of my NOrcold. Are the fans working on the condenser side?
sometimes the thermoswitch fails and the fans don't come on. You
should be able to achieve ~ 50 deg F differential between ambient
and fridge temp.
Sam
02 EVC
On 6/1/2021 7:55 PM, Darin Hornbaker
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I just went through the same scenario where my Norcold
won't cool the same on LP after cleaning and replacing the
burner and igniter, so I'm also curious if anyone has any
suggestions.
Cheers all,
Darin
1995 Camper 168k
On Tue, Jun 1, 2021 at 4:50 PM
David Horner < dahorner@...> wrote:
My
Norcold works well on AC, and for many years it worked
extremely well on LP, too, even freezing items on the coldest
setting of the dial.? Today I fired up the fridge on AC with
the fridge dial turned to maximum cooling, and after 2.5 hours
the temperature was down to 37 F.? At that point I switched
over to LP.? After 3 hours on LP the temperature had risen to
42 F.? Outside temperature was 77-79 F.? One data point I
don't have yet is how cold it can get on AC. ?
On a trip a few years ago I noticed that the fridge was not
cooling well on LP and the burner exhaust was very
dirty/oily.? You folks helped me diagnose the dirty exhaust
problem, suggesting it was a bad burner.? I pulled the fridge
and replaced the burner, and after that the LP burned clean.?
But the fridge still didn't get as cold as it used to on LP.?
So now I'm hoping someone can help diagnose that problem. ?
David
2002 EVC
--
~~~~~
Big Shots
3201 Corte Malpaso, Unit 302
Camarillo, CA 93012
805-484-9111
|
Re: Norcold not cooling well on LP
#Norcold
I just went through the same scenario where my Norcold won't cool the same on LP after cleaning and replacing the burner and igniter, so I'm also curious if anyone has any suggestions.
Cheers all, Darin
1995 Camper 168k
On Tue, Jun 1, 2021 at 4:50 PM David Horner < dahorner@...> wrote: My Norcold works well on AC, and for many years it worked extremely well on LP, too, even freezing items on the coldest setting of the dial.? Today I fired up the fridge on AC with the fridge dial turned to maximum cooling, and after 2.5 hours the temperature was down to 37 F.? At that point I switched over to LP.? After 3 hours on LP the temperature had risen to 42 F.? Outside temperature was 77-79 F.? One data point I don't have yet is how cold it can get on AC. ?
On a trip a few years ago I noticed that the fridge was not cooling well on LP and the burner exhaust was very dirty/oily.? You folks helped me diagnose the dirty exhaust problem, suggesting it was a bad burner.? I pulled the fridge and replaced the burner, and after that the LP burned clean.? But the fridge still didn't get as cold as it used to on LP.? So now I'm hoping someone can help diagnose that problem. ?
David
2002 EVC
-- ~~~~~
Big Shots
3201 Corte Malpaso, Unit 302
Camarillo, CA 93012
805-484-9111
|
My Norcold works well on AC, and for many years it worked extremely well on LP, too, even freezing items on the coldest setting of the dial. ?Today I fired up the fridge on AC with the fridge dial turned to maximum cooling, and after 2.5 hours the temperature was down to 37 F. ?At that point I switched over to LP. ?After 3 hours on LP the temperature had risen to 42 F. ?Outside temperature was 77-79 F. ?One data point I don't have yet is how cold it can get on AC. ?
On a trip a few years ago I noticed that the fridge was not cooling well on LP and the burner exhaust was very dirty/oily. ?You folks helped me diagnose the dirty exhaust problem, suggesting it was a bad burner. ?I pulled the fridge and replaced the burner, and after that the LP burned clean. ?But the fridge still didn't get as cold as it used to on LP. ?So now I'm hoping someone can help diagnose that problem. ?
David
2002 EVC
|
Phil.? I'm not clear on how the Solar regulator is working at all charging from the alternator in your setup.? I contemplated running mine through the panel inputs but learned (on the Victron forums I believe) that it will not work.? ?Are you actually using the MPPT to manage charging your house battery off of the alternator?? ?Are you saying that you do have the alternator output feeding into the MPPT's panel inputs?? ?
Again, my understanding is that this cannot work unless the charging source voltage (panels or alternator) is x volts (is it 5?) above the voltage needed to charge the house battery.? If this is what you are doing, then I'm ignorant as to how it works at all!?
For me and most if not all installations, you connect your starter battery (effectively the alternator) to a relay and then when the relay is triggered to close, it connects the two batteres together.? The higher voltage the starter battery is getting from the alternator charges the house battery.? ?The Solar MPPT is not in the loop.??
The only control really needed is to disconnect the batteries when the engine is not running.?
As I said,? I use the Cyrix triggered off of the BMV relay wire.? ?I also have the relay monitoring the starter battery voltage as it arrives to the relay.? ? Then I set up rules in the BMV software to power or close the relay when it sees say 13.6 volts from the starter battery.? And to open if the power exceeds 14.2 to keep from over charging.? ? If I remember right !??
There are many possible permutations using the rules, though I wish we could get a more sophisticated rule system, it's useful.? ??
Now, there is typical a case I know of where the device charging your house battery does double duty as a solar input as well.? That would be when using DC to DC chargers that also have an input for solar.?
Also, I have a note (probably from Victron forums)? that the Victron MPPT WILL work as a DC to DC charger if you are charging a 12v nominal off of a 24v nominal system.? ?So, again,? it's all about the voltage difference.? ?12v to 12v (or 14.5 to 13.5+? is not enough difference for the MPPT to work.? 12v nominal panels put out closer to 20 v.? 
|
Steve
As you mentioned, I¡¯ve noticed for some time my MPPT has interfered with my Auxiliary Battery charging off the alternator. Because of that it¡¯s been on my to do list, as I thought it was faulty. I didn¡¯t realize this was an issue with them, as it seemed to work fine for years. ?What settings or way do you use to avoid this, I know I¡¯ve changed my settings several times over the years and that may have triggered the issue. Thanks?
Phil B 2003 EV WE 289kmi
?
|
Re: Nokian Entyre 2.0 Availability
Sorry to have been away from my PC for a few days.??
Joe,
Thanks for the feedback.? I must have gotten a clearance price deal from Walmart.com.? Checked with Nokian and they still maintain that the Entyre 2.0 is "available."? Maybe production runs were affected by Covid?
Michael,
If it helps, I've been running the Entyre 2.0's at 46 psi.? Seems to give a good ride with the EVC loaded with our gear but with the water reservoir empty.? The stated max is 51 psi for these tires.
Best Wishes to all,
Rick
|
I am impressed with the C60 efficiency or better, disappointed with my Snowmaster's efficiency.? ?It really needs the 200 watts of panel to keep going day after day in hot areas.? But I will add that the model I have has two full separate temp compartments.? One or both compartment can be set as freezer or fridge or one of each.? ?So that's a bit more refrigeration work getting done.
I do have the Cyrix Li-charge.? After several years of using it, I'm not sure how much I like it.? Reason is that it's supposed to intelligently sense the voltage coming in for a lithium to trigger the relay but the factory settings don't seem to work right. I can't remember what it is- been quite a while since I used the van.? Soon....? In the end, I rely on the trigger control of the Li-Charge by using the relay function on the BMV.? That is rock solid and I can set it from the bluetooth app as I like.? There are many options there.? ?Sometimes I go in and turn it off manually as well.
I've looked into others, especially the ones that Battleborn carries and don't like how they work either.? ?So the Li-charge is the best option so far, but not as good as it could be.?
The MPPT will not work to charge from you alternator.? They need to see the much higher voltage of a solar input than the alternator will put out.? That's my understanding.??
The MPPT is, however the best way to manage your loads and protect drainage.? I use the load output to power everything except the inverter. 
|
Steve, thanks for the compliments!
1. Solar (and Refrigerator) performance is highly dependent on location - I've found the 85W solar panel was enough to run my Vitrifrigo C60 indefinitely, as long as I'm parking at altitude in the Sierra Nevadas in the summer (e.g. not too hot, tons of sunlight).?
2. I see from pictures you have the Cyrix-Li-Charge. ? Do you like it? ?I'm still trying to figure out how to handle my starting battery. ? ?The MPPT 100/20 has a load output (which I thought I could program as a battery charger) but I'm having troubles with that and am discussing on the Victron forums.
I've rewired the Eurovan so almost everything is on the House battery, and I rarely take trips longer than 3-5 days, so it may not matter much.
?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Nice installation!??
I have a lot of the same components in my 2002 MV.? ?I don't have room for panels on the roof and wanted to use them outboard anyway, so I just store and take out mine.? I have approx 200 watts of flexible (Acopower) .
I did a write up in a forum on installing my battery and components.? Somebody re posted it here:??
I also have the Victron charger and Phoenix sine wave 500 watt inverter under my passenger seat and eventually installed another 50 amp hour battery there as well.?
I run a 12v DC Snowmaster chest type dual compartment fridge and it seems to use a lot more power than your fridge.? ?I need those 200 watts of solar to keep it running.??
Flexible panels underperform the glass with the same rating and the plastic is not very durable.? But convenient.? I like how you have both options for roof or removable.? Wish I had room to do the same.? Maybe work something out similar down the line.? ?Sometimes we leave the van all day in some parking lot and need solar if the batteries were not already charged by driving.?
Steve 
|
Nice installation!??
I have a lot of the same components in my 2002 MV.? ?I don't have room for panels on the roof and wanted to use them outboard anyway, so I just store and take out mine.? I have approx 200 watts of flexible (Acopower) .
I did a write up in a forum on installing my battery and components.? Somebody re posted it here:??
I also have the Victron charger and Phoenix sine wave 500 watt inverter under my passenger seat and eventually installed another 50 amp hour battery there as well.?
I run a 12v DC Snowmaster chest type dual compartment fridge and it seems to use a lot more power than your fridge.? ?I need those 200 watts of solar to keep it running.??
Flexible panels underperform the glass with the same rating and the plastic is not very durable.? But convenient.? I like how you have both options for roof or removable.? Wish I had room to do the same.? Maybe work something out similar down the line.? ?Sometimes we leave the van all day in some parking lot and need solar if the batteries were not already charged by driving.?
Steve
|
¡°verifying the current situation¡± - I see what you did there.
Barry
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On May 25, 2021, at 10:49 PM, David Horner <dahorner@...> wrote:
verifying the current situation
|
