Installing Carefree SmartVisor on older coaches

[dgerstel]

While at Guaranty's Las Vegas, which was superb, I saw that a lot of coaches that were still using the O/S sunshades. On my 2002 I found the original shades to be almost useless. I was able to make 2 Carefree Smartvisors fit, with coverage very similar to the new coaches. I also installed one sidevisor on the drivers side. I will see if I can get some photos of how I did it to post.

The one error I made was to install the switch for the passenger's shade on the passenger's side of the coach. Not only was this much more work, but it is also better to have both on the drivers side. There is always a driver but not always a passenger.

Dale

[dgerstel]

While at Guaranty's Las Vegas, which was superb, I saw that a lot of coaches that were still using the O/S sunshades. On my 2002 I found the original shades to be almost useless. I was able to make 2 Carefree Smartvisors fit, with coverage very similar to the new coaches. I also installed one sidevisor on the drivers side. I will see if I can get some photos of how I did it to post.

The one error I made was to install the switch for the passenger's shade on the passenger's side of the coach. Not only was this much more work, but it is also better to have both on the drivers side. There is always a driver but not always a passenger.

Dale

[takepride]

I just finished the install of my new Carefree electric visors. (1/2 price at Quartzite and FMCA.) I installed three 30" units. I have the lower center TV cabinet with a 20" CRT. With the three, the center one overlaps the other two and provides full coverage. It extends a few inches past each edge of the center cabinet, but looks okay.

Thankfully I pre-determined that I'd need all three switches within the driver's reach. It's easier for the passenger to ask the visor be lowered than the driver to ask the passenger if driving alone.

To reduce the amount of wiring, I mounted all three switches on the bottom of the left cabinet, within easy reach of the driver and tapped power from the 12v supply at the satellite power supply.

The install was quite easy, after prying up the cabinet false-bottoms (some had screws, too).

Looks great. Works great.

[dgerstel]

Your installation of 3 visors sounds easier to do than the 2 I used. Using 2 requires mounting both with an overlap, in front of the lower TV cabinet, which is a tight fit. For those that want the switches on the dash, it is easy to bring the wires down behind the plastic trim piece on the left side of the windshield.

Dale

[takepride]

Dale:

Where exactly did you mount your switches? Is there room for a third?

[dgerstel]

I only mounted one switch, just to the left of the dash board, below the vent. I think 3 switches could be mounted if they are not too large.

[Dave Fernandez]

When I purchased the Carefree Sunshades, Carefree also sold a remote system for the shades. It would operate two shades and I did not have to run additional wires from the front cabinets to the dash. Once installed I used Velcro on the remote and attached it to the dash no. The remote can also be used to trick the wife and make her think the shades are voice activated.

Carefree Website

[hrhuggie]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH Dave, your BAAAAAddddd and in a heap of trouble if she finds out!!!