Another LONG update various topics july 2025 36Max1

Furrion 18K upgrade

Hard to figure out where to start. So many projects and I just keep plugging away at the rig and have not documented a single thing.

We came home in late February and I was going to get the Ground Control 6 point electric jacks installed and then head back out. Long story short it is the 4th of July weekend and finishing up with replacing the Dometic (circa 2021) 15K and 13.5k with 2 Furrion Chill Cube 18K’s.

Jacks: The mounts are not built for anything but an I-beam frame, so I had the existing mounts welded onto the dual box frame. It was a little more work that I expected, for I had to pull the big plastic pan under the gray and black tanks again, to get the modifications done and what always seems like a little job became an extended fix after fix after fix. Modified the pan, reinforced the corners and used new aluminum strips for holding it up after finishing the welds.

Wired it all up and works like a charm.

It’s easy to say that I haven’t traveled with them yet. Used way too much foam sealing up the holes but hopeful no rodents or insect intrusion. I had to build a custom bracket for the control panel mount, but I think it looks good.

Mounted the TorkLift Glowstep on the area where the stock “diving board” steps were, and both the humans and the puppies are having a lot easier time getting in and out of the rig.

Decided to install the DC exhaust fan (12V auto radiator fan) speed control in the same area as the temperature control for the generator area. I use the Victron Cerbo to monitor the generator’s temperature, the temperature of the shelf above the generator, and the temperature of the battery area at all times. I used a simple 12V temperature control system to turn the fan on and off. And a PWM controller for the speed. It is really loud at full speed.

Temp control:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZBFSHK3?ref=fed_asin_title

Fan

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014KK7OCW?ref=fed_asin_title&th=1

30 amp PWM speed control

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071NQ5G71?ref=fed_asin_title

Then, I decided to add another Victron IP43 50 amp Smart ac-dc charger (one on the shelf and 1 on the wall) for the MultiplusII 120-120, only will charge the batteries at 120 amps. With 920 AH of batteries, that would take too long, and don’t want to run the 5500 Onan that long so 220 amps is a little easier to listen to and only 3KW of load, I don’t run generators over about 50% except for testing.

Added a couple of extra breakers for the IP43s and a nifty little box from Faithful Journey RV that utilizes a 2-wire control, which I receive from the Victron Cerbo, to prime the Onan pump and Start and stop it as needed. I could have built the system for a little less, but it is a really easy-to-install kit, and he has done all the homework to make the operation simple. Well worth the $329 in my opinion. I am tired of re-inventing the wheel when others do it so well already.

Faithful Journey Generator control:

https://faithfuljourneysolar.com/index.php/product/generator-auto-start-stop-box-2wire/

Decided to install the Splendide Washer and dryer I had purchased for $500. They had been in a wreck, and I had to replace the Washer’s front control switch assembly and the front metal housing on the dryer. However, they work perfectly and only required about $200 in parts. I don’t think they had been used for more than a couple of hours.

Installed them in the appropriate area for the 36Max1, but had to rearrange the floor trim to ensure it would not move around on travel days. The rear dryer vent was not in the right place, but I bought a few pieces from Lowe’s and Ace, and cut down a 48” sliding vent to a 5.5 inch one. Found out the hard way that you have to take the dryer vent out from the outside, then position and cut it to fit.

ACs were working fine but only getting a 20 degree delta and man, do the Dometics use power. With the two, 390-w solar panels, I could get about 5 hours before needing to run the generator. Then, I discovered the Furrion Chill Cube Inverter Variable Speed DC compressor, 18K AC.

Ordered one, and was blown away by the efficiency. More than a 20-degree delta 105 degrees here and 74 in the rig, with HALF the power and no need for a soft start. I can get it to use 1.5 KW but have to put it in “Turbo” mode.

Installed it in the ducted spot, great airflow, REALLY quiet, but it does have to run all the time. Just the dc fan load is so minor but how it works. Needs the RV Airflow kit to optimise the air movement but they have not completed their engineering. I then ordered the second one for the bedroom. They only have the 18K in this inverter line, but it really does not matter, as the bedroom unit uses so little power that it is barely noticeable.

I can run both ACs all day on just batteries, and around 7 pm, the generator kicks on when they drop to 35%.

While waiting for the second AC to come in, I decided to “touch up” the woodwork with Minwax 225 Mahogany stain.

Translation: I stained every cabinet in the kitchen,  bathroom, dining room table, and the center island. Top to bottom. I stopped at the end of the louvers going to the bedroom, and at the entertainment area. The result is stunning. Well worth the effort, but I need to warn you all, that it is a LOT of effort. Pretty hard, taping off all the areas you need to and hand wiping this amount of wood.

I bought some “mahogany” tape and covered a long piece to hide the staple damage on the entrance wall where the rounded edge comes in. I don’t like it, but until I get to Elkhart or stain some trim myself, I’ll just have to live with it.

Fake trim tape:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJL8TRHV?ref=fed_asin_title&th=1

Installed the second AC and then addressed the central thermostat. The only thermostat that “works” with the chill cube is the Furrion, and it will NOT turn on the Suburban heater. I tried lots of different solutions, the Micro-Air 351, the Micro-Air 353, and Furrion, and will end up with a manual Suburban thermostat, Command stripped up below the Furrion that only controls the AC. Furrion expects to have something that will do both by September, according to tech support. Micro-Air does not have the controls worked out yet.

 

Existing Furrion Chill Cube AC only Thermostat:

https://furrion.com/collections/rv-heating-cooling-appliance-parts/products/furrion-chill-cube-ducted-rv-rooftop-air-conditioner-single-zone-wall-thermostat-facw13vsda-bl-am-facc13vsd-am-2024047199

 

Also, last summer I bought a couple of bottles of Meguiar’s M6732 Marine/RV One Step Compound, an orbital buffer, and a scaffold. Then, proceed to buff every square inch of the 36Max1. Had to get out early in the am for it dries really fast. We took it on our January trip with it still hazy from buffing compound, and just yesterday hand-washed the whole rig, WOW. Did not know it was that shiny. Really makes me want to scrape the old faded, cracked vinyl decals off and replace them with paint.

Enough for today.  My image reducer is not working and I have not found a way to make files less than 1 mge in size so pics will come later..

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[ramseyjackParticipantParticipant Topics - 31Replies - 152Total - 183]

pics

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[ramseyjackParticipantParticipant Topics - 31Replies - 152Total - 183]

pics again more words 5th try

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[ramseyjackParticipantParticipant Topics - 31Replies - 152Total - 183]

Please please take it this time 6th try

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[PartimewagesParticipant Topics - 4Replies - 65Total - 69]

Dang I’m tired and all I did was read it! Does the chili cube have a heat pump option?

[ramseyjackParticipantParticipant Topics - 31Replies - 152Total - 183]

No heat pump option available currently. The biggest current problem, in my opinion, is that the air temp sensor is in the return duct, and the whole ADU Air Distribution Unit gets cold, and to keep the temps down, you have to lower the Thermostat down about 5-6 degrees, depending on what size room you are cooling.

The Furrion external thermostat has ONLY a sensor for the room and it ONLY controls the heater if you have one connected. And it does not work with my Suburban SF42 furnace.

Furrion states the updated thermostat “kit” that comes out in September will run the thermostat, but I have my doubts. I have tested the little box that attaches to the ADU, and there is a spot on the small board for a relay, but currently, no control voltage is sent to the contact pads. Tested,  both DC and AC, DC zero volts. AC has .5V both heat on and off from the thermostat.

 

 

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[ramseyjackParticipantParticipant Topics - 31Replies - 152Total - 183]

After looking at the minimal wiring diagram that comes with the AC and 2 references to RS485, in the diagram,  plus, A, and B, references on the thermostat and control  board, I am thinking they all talk RS485. 36 years a network engineer and building colo’s, biases me in tht direction. Might not be accurate.

[PartimewagesParticipant Topics - 4Replies - 65Total - 69]

I would hook it up to A and B. Generally RS485 A is + and B is -. If it’s backwards it shouldn’t blow up just not communicate. At least that’s the way most of our devices wire. 30 years building automation here!

[marantBlocked Topics - 0Replies - 4Total - 4]

I purchased all new vinyl decals for my 2012 36FWS Cameo.  Old decals are removed with rubber wheels and goof-off.  Cleaned with acetone.  Buffed with Macguires boat polish.  Job took 100 hrs. of labor, but the trailer looks new!  Decals were purchased from rvgraphicsstore.com.

[Author]

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