Community Forums

bobcovey · 11-21-2013, 12:54 AM

We just put a deposit on this coach and will travel to see it on Friday. I have more questions than answers, so bear with me:
It has the ISM and Allison 4000: did this come with Transyn? Are there any particular issues I need to watch for or confirm? I plan to have Cummins inspect the powertrain.
It has a factory DSS system. Can this receive Dish or Direct TV? Is the internet service good enough for Netflix?
I'd like to add 4 more 6V house batteries to support a residential fridge. Is that feasible without major reconstruction?

Thanks,

Bob

ShapeShifter · 11-22-2013, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcovey

It has a factory DSS system. Can this receive Dish or Direct TV? Is the internet service good enough for Netflix?

Unless someone is familiar with this coach and what system is on it, I think we'll need a lot more information. If it's a typical dome, it will generally work with either Dish Network or DirecTV. How well is the question. With Dish Network you will probably be able to get HD service, while HD is out of the question with DirecTV if it's a dome.

If it's a folding dish, and it only has a single LNB on the end of the arm, it will likely work with either service, just like the dome. If it has multiple LNBs on the end of the arm, then it will only work with one or the other service, depending on how it was designed -- but it will generally work better than the dome or the single LNB dish.

And unless it's a very high-end motorized dish (not available as a factory option as far as I know) it won't do Internet access. And if it does, I doubt you will be able to realistically use it for NetFlix. Most satellite internet services have pretty restrictive limits as to how much you can download per day or per month. Watching one or two HD NetFlix movies could eat up your entire monthly data allowance.

Steve Ownby · 11-22-2013, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcovey

We just put a deposit on this coach and will travel to see it on Friday. I have more questions than answers, so bear with me: It has the ISM and Allison 4000: did this come with Transyn? Are there any particular issues I need to watch for or confirm? I plan to have Cummins inspect the powertrain. It has a factory DSS system. Can this receive Dish or Direct TV? Is the internet service good enough for Netflix? I'd like to add 4 more 6V house batteries to support a residential fridge. Is that feasible without major reconstruction? Thanks, Bob

I assume this is a Monaco Executive. My wife and I have lived full times in an '03 Monaco Signature for nearly 7 years now.

Here is the brochure:

http://www.monacocoach.com/StaticFil...3Executive.pdf

1. It had Transynd from the factory. Obviously could have been changed by a previous owner. Ask for a sample of both the transmission fluid and the engine oil to be send for testing.
2. These are very well built coaches and the 10 air bag S Series Roadmaster chassis is extremely strong and free of flex. Check tire dates.
3. Any OEM sat system will be obsolete by now. As will the TVs. Netflix or similar is a cable broadband situation.
4. Adding batteries should be possible. I replaced the old Norcold over two years ago with a residential frig and I did not add batteries. If I'm not on shore power or running the generator I just leave the frig off. It will stay acceptably cold for several hours if you don't open it. If you wish to run the frig off batteries/inverter then you should upgrade the inverter to a pure sine wave or add one just for the frig.

If you get further with this, feel free to PM me anytime. I would also be happy to talk to you. 865-804-5386.

Safe travels.

bobcovey · 11-23-2013, 07:26 PM

Thanks, Guys. We just got back from seeing and buying this coach. I will be going back up to Grass Valley to pick it up the week after next. It turned out to be even cleaner than it looked in the pictures and once my wife saw the inside there was no more discussion. The mid-entry layout seems perfect with the two dogs because it is a. under the big awning, and b. the dogs enter into the kitchen on the tile floor, so the carpet may last more than a couple of years.
I will have lots of questions about the entertainment stuff. I suspect the DSS system is not useful, but there is a Trac--something dome system and a Direct TV box of some kind. I'm not sure what is hooked to what. It also has a foldup over-the-air tv antenna and a digital converter box, so lots of stuff to play with. yes the tvs are original, but that will get sorted out eventually.
We do need internet access on a regular basis, and Netflix too if feasible. Maybe something like Millenicom? Dunno, I'm not very clear on this but will need to learn.
Steve, thanks for your offer. I will call next week and introduce myself. We are going fulltime, so again, I'll have many questions.

Cheers,

Bob
2003 Monaco 43 DSSD

ShapeShifter · 11-24-2013, 06:18 AM

Congratulations on your new rig, may you have many safe miles, and many comfortable and peaceful nights in it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcovey

I suspect the DSS system is not useful, but there is a Trac--something dome system and a Direct TV box of some kind.

King-Dome makes several different models of their Trac-King domes. The big differences are the controls, and whether they work while in-motion or only stationary. With the DirecTV receiver, you will be limited to standard definition only, which is OK as long as you still have the old TVs. DirecTV uses a different frequency band for their HD signals, and there isn't a dome out there that can receive it.

If you camp in areas with heavy tree cover, one issue with a roof mounted dome is that you can't move it around to find a clear view of the satellite without moving your whole coach. (Actually, forget heavy tree cover, all you need is one tree in the wrong place to prevent you from getting a signal.) many people, including me) also carry a portable dish and a long length of cable so that we can set it up where there is a clear view when the coach mounted antenna can't get anything.

There is a lot to learn about RVing with satellite, and there are a lot of threads on here about it. Enjoy the research, and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcovey

We do need internet access on a regular basis, and Netflix too if feasible. Maybe something like Millenicom?

I use Millenicom, both as my main connection at home, and while on the road. It works well for most uses, but again you might not want to do NetFlix with it. I have the 20GB 4G plan, and while it works better than the 3G plan I was on, it's not 100% reliable (no cellular device is) and the monthly limit does prevent me from streaming a lot of video, doing large downloads, or using NetFlix. The 4G Unlimited plan is not available in my area. If its available for you, NetFlix might be practical for you, but don't bet the farm on it. No matter what they say in the advertising, neither cellular nor satellite is the same speed or reliability as a fast cable modem or fiber connection.

Good luck!

Dupdyke · 11-24-2013, 11:39 AM

Bob my wife bought an 02 42' dynasty with every exec option on it in 08. I find my isl 400 plenty of power, I got rid of the notcold and put in a samsung 217 and did not put in any extra batteries or change the stock inverter. Refer and all items run just fine on MSW inverter and I can park in a casino overnite and the gen will not auto start overnite. I start it for coffee in am and am still above 12.3 on monitor. My aquahot does not use a lot of elect to keep warm on way south but it is working hard in the 40s this morning.

I love the way it handles with the tag and I pull a4x4 pickup with a motorcycle in the back. Enjoy you new home....