mountainhigh residency manual ?

[bsavage]

need help on mountainhigh residency for manual?find where?holding tank seems to have lever on right side of rv & left side!but when look at commode after thought empty-not so! can i find a manual on this rv? do some rvs have extra black tank levers to pull to empty? any help appreciated. also jacks? cannot seem to getthem to engage/or level/how to do this?

[jerry6491]

My last motorhome had 3 holding tanks on it, 1 black and 2 gray. 1 from kitchen, 1 shower, 1 commode. Possiblely empty, only looks full? That was the way my new one was, looked full but when dumped only 20/25 gal. in blue boy tote.

[bsavage]

thanks for info-been outof town/I seem to have 1 black lever-but 2 more on driver side-small & large lever:confusing.cant find manual on this rv anywhere & understand none of it.back to rv shop.

[lvj58]

Hello bsavage, we have a 2000 Residency 3790 hopefully I can help answer some of your questions. Your coach will have only 2 holding tanks a grey and a black. Your black tank has two (2) valves one in the right side bay bay and one on the left side bay where your shore water connections are located. Your grey water tank valve is right next to the left side black water valve. After attaching the sewer hose I leave the left side valve closed kkand open the right side valve first then open the left side valve.

Regarding your levelling jacks it would be helpful to know which brand you have. If you have the KwiKee 2000 series, before they can be operated your gear selector must be in park and your parking brake engaged.

You then need to turn your ignition switch to either the engine run position or back to the accessory position. You should then see a light on the leveller control pad on the dash, if not, push the "ON" button on the pad.

The pad should have 4 arrows and there will be an "UP" & "DN" button on each corner of the control pad. When you push the arrow button pointing up, both front levelers will extend simultaneously. When you push the arrow button pointing down both rear levelers will extend simultaneously. Pushing the arrow button pointing to the right will extend both right side front & rear levelers simultaneously and so on.

The "UP" & "DN" buttons allow for adjusting each leveler individually.

Regarding your generator, if yours is set up like mine and has an Onan 5500 the switch to start it should be the second green rocker switch on the dash just left of the steering column. It should have two white arrows one pointing forward and one pointing back toward the driver seat.

Depressing the switch forward should engage the starter on your generator. When starting the generator hold the switch down for a slow count up to 5 or 6. If it doesn't start release the button then repeat the process until it starts. If it's been sitting for a while it may take some time for the electric fuel pump to get fuel up to the carburetor.

If you have less than a quarter tank of fuel the pickup tube in the fuel tank that feeds the generator will not pick up fuel so make sure you have at least 1/2 tank of fuel before you try to start your generator.

Well, that's about the best I can do for now, hope it helps. Feel free to call me if I can be of any more help.

Best of Luck, Jim Seward (Las Vegas NV)
702 878-3390

[moonwink]

Hi bsavage,

I've got a 2001 Residency model 3790, same as Jim. Jim was a great help when we purchased our Residency about year or so after he did. Between us, there isn't much about them we don't know.

There really aren't any complete manuals available for your motorhome. The mfg went out of business completely in the summer of 2001. What you can do is search the web for the manufacturers of the components in your motorhome and download most of the user manuals from them. Most of the component mfgs will provide technical assistance over the phone. Almost everything in your motorhome is industry standard products. For other information, Jim or I would be glad to share what we've learned.

You can find out about Ford chassis support by calling the Ford Motorhome Assistance Center run by Coach Net in Lake Havasu, AZ, (800)444-3311. They can find a dealer equipped and willing to work on the chassis. They'll tell you about any recalls and maintenance - be sure to have your VIN handy when you call them.

The waste handle on the passenger side closes off the black tank at it's outlet. If it wasn't there or was left open, the sludge from the black tank might clog the 3" pipe that crosses the storage compartments and goes to the dump valve. The shutoff at the dump valve allows you to control dumping. Occasionally, you'll have to shut it off quick when the dump site can't handle everything coming out of the hose all at once. I extended my passenger side valve handle with a homemade setup. I see that Valterra offers a 72" flexible extension cable that would permit operating the valve on the passenger side from the driver's side near the dump valve. Here's link to the webpage showing it:
http://www.valterra.com/RV/rv-main.htm
Part No.: TC72 Description: 72" Flexible Cable List Price: $28.62
You should be able to purchase one from your local RV dealer.

The start/stop for your generator is on the dash on the left of the steering wheel in the line with the other switches. Rocking it forward should engage the starter. Releasing it after the generator starts should allow it to continue operation. Rocking it toward the back and holding it should stop the generator - let it go after the generator comes to a complete stop.

[bsavage]

thanks SOOO much:1st advice I have received & VERY helpful:specially re valves. presently have problem with generator starts ok but operates nothing in coach!! ?? called local service rep (has worked on this unit) says most rv have switch on gen to reset. ?? doesn't know where it would be located on this rv. any idea: will just take to mechanic again (today) as this heat need the air to work on roof. any advice you can give is greatly appreciated. its a beautiful coach-didn't do my homework-didn't know obsolete rv. how do you get items such as windshield wipers/tail lights/etc??
sorry late getting to u - took rv out for 4th time-each trip something happens this time gen starts runs 0 in coach. ??

[bsavage]

Jim: thanks so much for info. the jacks DO WORK! JUST HAD TO DO WHAT YOU SAID. all systems have to be exact! at least jacks will work>now problems with gen not operate coach at all/gen cranks-no power to coach. this my last & only 4th trip in this rv. afraid to take out-each trip brings new problem. still wish could buy or find where to buy manual. I still have my 25' winniebago(A) & miss it terribly-knew all of it well/have manual for it. but at least l can ask u & moonwink ??-that is comforting. each trip seems to end in trip to mechanic/ also now porch & kitchen light that turns on at door won't work. but think white wire ?? placed by mechanic(rv) to make ice maker work is reason-thought burned out/was in kn/In next to camping world/went over for light bulbs-didn't work-mechanic looked at switch thinking need replace-saw the white wire(he says rigged to these 2 switches) & told me return to whoever did this-possible fire hazard!!?? I am seeing the local (Augusta RV mechanic today) they had 1 month to get fridge working on electric & ice maker to work.(a big rv dealership). this rv sat long time in lot-not used can't even open any windows. rv guy says don't try too hard will shatter. so still trying to get used to strange rv/getting many problems/no manual/each trip new problem. but so glad to have place to ask ???. hope I soon have snags gone & can enjoy this rv-think very pretty/love setup but costing me $$$. I DO APPRECIATE YOUR INFO & ASSIST SO MUCH.

[lvj58]

You're welcome, regarding the generator, when you say it cranks, do you mean the generator engine starts and runs? While it's running and you're unplugged from shore power you're not getting 110v from the generator, right?? What brand generator do you have Onan?? If it's an Onan, there will be two (2) circuit breaker switches on the on the side of generator unit side facing the rear of your coach. Make sure those circuit breakers are in the "ON" position.

Jim

[bsavage]

Jim you are 1 in a million: Yes gen cranks & runs but won't operate anything in coach-microwave/air/etc-I do have onan gen/was "told" by camping world guy should be switch on gen but on this rv he didn't know where. rv now at mechanic/but i will call him & tell him 2 circuit breaker switches on side of gen facing rear. (this mechanic I've known 30 yrs)he works on what he can for me as he works on race cars/good guy-helps me lots. but even he is stumped with this rv.(works on diesel of friend). from now on I will take pc with me & be sure to look up what i can't find. this site is full of good people that know this rv. Thank you again.

[moonwink]

Here's a start on your "manual".

Kiwikee Level Best Model 2000 Information is available for download by pasting the link below into the Internet Explorer Address and downloading the files (in PDF format) you'd like (there are several available) to have:

http://www.kwikee.com/Adocuments.html#level

Your MH may have an Onan generator (like Jim's). I ended up with an oddball generator built by PowerTech (model "PowerNow"). It will help if you give us the more information when asking your questions. Jim has all Sony brand electronics, mine are all JVC - so our units may not all be identical.

Onan is now owned by Cummins Diesel - check this webpage for information:
http://www.cumminsonan.com/rv/

There are only two things that would prevent the generator's output getting through. One is the circuit breakers and the other is the power transfer switch. The power transfer switch (mine is a MagneTek Model ATS 100) is located in the left rear corner (if you have a Residency Model 3790) behind the fuse panel. You have to take the drawers out of the cabinet to get at it. The converter (MagneTek Model 7455) is located in that same space.

MagneTek is now Parallax Power Supply and you can find information on their products at the URL below:
http://www.parallaxpower.com/ESM.htm
and
http://www.parallaxpower.com/ESM%20tech.htm

Questions for you -
1. What year and model Residency do you have?
2. What brand of generator are you having problems with?

Don

PS:
The transfer switch has a perference for "shore power". If you're plugged into shore power, it will not transfer to the generator.

[bsavage]

You are angels! my rv is 2000 mthigh residency 3790-just got it home 30 min ago-told the mechanic re circuit breakers @ gen-he had found them-made sure everything worked. Do I have to place circuit breaker on shore power when plugged in?? I do have breakers & fuse panel @ bottom of drawers in bedrm-behind panel door- will take out drawers & investigate.this rv has stuff I never knew.I also have all sony electronics-thanks for reminding me/I still can't program tv-seems has to be programed each time reconnect to cable.entire area above driver to passenger is electronics! tv very good when you punch right buttons. seems tv rear & tv front-sometimes can't find this info on selections just keep trying.wonderful cd player & speakers-sounds like front row seats @ concert-if I ever learn to use right. can't get more than 1 cd in player-immediately shuts & plays when 1 is inserted - holds 5. many many remotes!still putting name to what on each.Have dvd player & hookup but dvd not hooked up. will get geek squad to assist if ever learn rest of electronics. Fell in love with this rv on sight-upset that don't know it-neither does anyone else EXCEPT YOU. I can never thank you enough-will definitely spend afternoon downloading & reading. Should be a club for mountainhigh residency owners-they must be rare/everywhere I go neighbors ask me re this rv. say "never heard of it-but sure is pretty". THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

[moonwink]

Jim and I both love our Residencys. We've looked at others but few of them offer the floor plan we have now. The fireplace is great on a cool evening and it's nice not having to twist your head and look up to the TV over the dash like most other motorhomes have.

Your description sounds exactly like Jim's which is a 2000 also. I can't help you much with the Sony electronics and what's in your overhead was moved to on top of the TV in my 2001. There aren't many differences but no two are identical I suppose. I guess you've got the Onan generator also.

I don't know of any reason you'd need to turn the breakers on the generator off except for service and I always shut it down to do that. Leave them on. Like I said, the transfer switch disconnects the generator power whenever shore power is available. The transfer switch is like a traffic cop, power on flows from one source.

Here's a link to Sony's website. You can try putting in your TV model numbers to see if a manual is still available.
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/select-system.pl?DIRECTOR=DOCS

Around each TV and in the overhead, you'll find a small inverter that's supposed to convert battery power to 120v so you can watch TV as long as the batteries hold out. The inverters are only 125 watt models (Dimension Brand) and automatically switch from shore power to battery power - a very nice feature. The one for the front TV sticks out of the back of the fireplace near the floor and next to the wall. It's right behind the passenger seat. The one for the rear TV is reachable through the service panel in the closet next to the TV - about head high.

If you don't have a washer/dryer in the closet, the cabinet in there takes it's place. The plumbing is already there, stand pipe and water as well as an electric outlet.

Jim and I met on RV.net and have been able to spend a few days together at a couple of FMCA Rallies. He's in Las Vegas and I'm in St. Louis.

Keep those questions coming.

Don

[bsavage]

Would love to meet you 2 someday-you have already made my rv life easier:have spent yesterday (brought rv home from mechanic)& started looking all of the places you have told me about! Yep!they're there! & so great to know why/how/what for!will add this last page to my copies I am putting in rv for my reference when needed & putting my manual together!I never dreamed some kind/thoughtful guys would answer my ? on rvspace but I AM SO GLAD YOU DID!Im sure i'll have more ??-hope to take rv out again asap & put this info to test(for me to be sure I know). course may not take my honda civic on tow dolly-just call it "god looks out for fools & dogs" & I was the fool with my 2 little dogs:just a nightmare(won't bore you) but i want tow flat 4 on ground-this rv too big to drive around places when I'm landlocked & just love coming back to it all lit up. Love the fireplace-cant wait till cold weather.love camping in cold weather. if you are ever near Ga let me know-I owe you dinner/drink of choice. been to vegas & want to go back-actually furnace creek(?) beautiful place.just got back from Louisville & bowling green/want to travel west/came thru abeline,tx where I got this rv. Course augusta,ga is only famous for Masters Golf-crazy wk here then-even have people ask me for my rv to use due to too many guests. Well just have to tell you again how much help you have been/every message tells me some thing i didn't know-if i don't bother you too much I'm sure i"ll be in touch-dont want to lose touch with you 2-have gained so much from this-I was so surprised to even get answer to my request & you have gone over & above & I just hope to keep line open:anything I can ever do for you tell me.

[lvj58]

I'm sure Don will agree that's it's our pleasure whenever we're able to assist those who enjoy the RV lifestyle as we do. I must admit Don is much more knowledgeable about our brand of coach. It's really too bad they quit building them. If at any time you feel your's rides a bit too rough up front, replace your front shock absorbers with Koni FSD shocks. They're a bit pricey but well worth the money.

Do take care, and wishing you many fun, safe and trouble free journeys,

Jim

[bsavage]

Again you have brought out something I noticed on 3rd & 4th trip-was experiencing what I felt was little "bounce" sort of & going to take & have tires checked (5000 miles on tires or less):will have tire people check this & follow your recommendations on shocks. We have place here that does this work on semis/firetrucks/rvs-have been helpful with winnebago & hope same with residency. appreciate recommends on good rv products as people will try to sell their product & not always best for rvs. if you ever want to just email me to my email address:billie.savage@comcast.net THANKS

[larry231]

check your circut breakers on the generator it will run but wont give you juice it could be just the breakers tripped.