Things Always Work Out - Mazatlan Here We Come!

living.boondockingmexico@yahoo.com

I'm the first to admit that I am not a mechanical person much less an electrician.  I can also attest to the fact that I can be a procrastinator too.   My charge controller in the rv still sits on the floor but on a cushioned surface to keep it safe.   Maybe someday.

There has been a problem with the running lights for the longest time.  I could have sworn it was the seven pin connector because with the right jiggle here and squeeze of the connectors there, it would seem to work.  I came home from San Antonio without running lights but had my emergency flashers going all the way.   Over the last few weeks I would fiddle with things.  I cleaned the battery terminals this week, too everything apart and watered the batteries.   Wiggle, jiggle, kick and hit and still no running lights.

I was getting desperate as I just don't like driving with things not working.   There is a trailer service in Monterrey and they are superb.  However, I couldn't get in until today when I called them on Monday.  The bad part is I would have to drag the rv through town during morning rush hour and this place is 40 kms away.   I put it off wondering what else I could do.   I stopped by the mechanic at the gas station on Wednesday.  He says he doesn't do electrical work but he recommended someone 300 meters away.  I had seen the place before but it looked a bit obscure.   I went in and the place is actually very nice.  Well-organized and clean.  The guy couldn't take me until Friday and I said okay.  I told him it might be hard to get the trailer backed in as his shop is right on the highway.  That's when he said he made house calls.  Friday morning at 9 a.m.   

I had everything ready including diagrams of the connector on both sides, slideout out and I even removed the furnace which is next to the converter and electrical center.  The SUV was backed in and hooked up.  He arrived at 9:15 and started with his handy probe with the little light in the handle.  He said power wasn't getting there.   He checked the cables underneath and still nothing.  He asked if he could take off the rear light housing and I started to freak out.  We had a bad experience with that 12 years ago in Del Rio, Tx.  Another story about bad mechanics.   I said sure but I was very concerned.  He said he was opening it because it was cracked.  I was like, what?  As he took it off he said, "yep, I knew it".   Water had gotten in and had caused the cable clip or joiner to get wet and burn out or melt.  He showed it to me, wired it together and put tape on it and BINGO!  He spent a total of ten minutes at the house, 150 pesos.  I will keep him on my list.  

Then, yesterday, I went to buy LP for the house and the rv.  I put the tanks in the SUV and drove off.  On the way back I heard a pop and the front driver's side wheel started screeching, screaming and clanking.  I limped home and fixed a vodka.   Worried about it all night, I had checked underneath and could see a thing.   After the electric dude left, I jacked up the truck and took the tire off.  I figured I might as well check.  As I spun the wheel I could hear it but I couldn't see anything bad.  I stuck my head way under the wheel well and there it was.  A piece of gravel was caught between the disc and the disc cover that was behind it.  I stuck a screwdriver in between and flicked it out.  All's well that ends well.   

I have to say, I have learned a lot from other rvers over the years by asking questions, watching them work, and through our conversations and happy hours.   Kevin has always answered my doubts and I am sure he thought some of them were obvious.   Croft carries an rv full of repair stuff, his tool case which mine look like a plastic tool toy set.  Brian is another good source too.  I watched him work on his hydraulic problem two years ago.   It all adds up and it's good to have friends like that.  Thanks guys.  So today I learned something new along with all the research in the last few days on wiring, running lights and seven pin connectors.

Now we have a party tonight, tomorrow is packing and Sunday is launch.