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joec
Founding Member
485 Posts |
 Posted - 03/05/2007 : 8:29:20 PM
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So you read the title and now you want to know what the crazy boy is talking about?
As it turns out it was a very nice day here about 67 degrees and the lawn needed to be mowed. Then you have to clean up the mess on the walks with a leaf blower. So just what does this have to do with leaks? Well you never know when all the parts to an idea will come together. Like how to get high volume air at low PSI?
While I was finishing the lawn and blowing the clippings off the sidewalk I had the answer to the question of high air volume at low pressure in my hand, the leaf blower could do the job!
So the test would be to cut a piece of cardboard, get a 4” hose and set it up in the holding tank door. I checked all the doors windows and vents to make sure that they were closed. Then after SLOWLEY closing the back door on the camper I checked the pressure and I had 20 ounces of pressure inside the camper. The stupid thing worked! It worked great….
So now that I had pressure I could check the camper for leaks with some soapy water In the garden sprayer. There were a few leaks around the jacks and the screws that attached them to the camper and the tail-lights were also leaking like a sieve. The gasket on the left hand side of the cab over window leaks but that just drains into the window cannel then dumps to the outside of the camper. No roof leaks and the new clearance lights are also bubble free….
The Setup:
http://www.eaglecapowners.com/campergallery/gallery.asp?action=viewimage&categoryid=34&text=&imageid=226&box=&shownew=
Leaking Tail Lights:
http://www.eaglecapowners.com/campergallery/gallery.asp?action=viewimage&categoryid=34&text=&imageid=229&box=&shownew=
Leaking Screws On The Jacks:
http://www.eaglecapowners.com/campergallery/gallery.asp?action=viewimage&categoryid=34&text=&imageid=228&box=&shownew=
Leaking Window:
http://www.eaglecapowners.com/campergallery/gallery.asp?action=viewimage&categoryid=34&text=&imageid=227&box=&shownew=
So now I have a simple setup that I can use at home anytime. I will be making a plug out of plywood for the holding tank door instead of the cardboard.
So now you know how mowing your lawn can turn into something that you use to pressure test you’re camper and find any of those pesky leaks at home and for just about free.
One last thing; if you are going to do this test yourself you assume all responsibility for any damage done by over pressure. Not likely but equipment varies!
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2004 EC 950 Slide # 1058
2006 Ford F-350 DRW :)
Co-pilot, Suezie
Side-gunner, Andee, the best dog ever!
New Tail-gunner, Cali |
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fdwil111
Founding Member
USA
99 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2007 : 05:04:18 AM
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Thanks for the simple way to do our own leak testing. Did you do anything with the sink/shower drains to avoid loss of pressure down the sink and shower?
On another matter, my camper is a 2005 with a serial number just before yours, yet you list yours as a 2004 in your signature. What gives? |
2005, EC 950 #1052 (8/17/04) with slide.
2001 F-350, SC, SRW, V-10, 2-WD |
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joec
Founding Member
485 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2007 : 06:55:58 AM
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I didn't do anything to the drains, good point! Missed that big time!!! I felt around the vent stacks when I was on top of the camper and I didn't feel any air coming from them. Next time some tape could be used to close the shower drain and just the stoppers in the bathroom and kitchen sinks. If there were no water in the “P” traps you are right the pressure would not build as much inside the camper.
One place I did feel air was at the refer vent on the outside of the camper. The front of the refer must not be sealed to the wall that it is mounted to? Need to look into that later, but spring is here and that will be something for next fall.
ON EDIT:
About the serial numbers, Yes what is up with that? Was there a change in the way that the serial numbers were given at the factory?
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2004 EC 950 Slide # 1058
2006 Ford F-350 DRW :)
Co-pilot, Suezie
Side-gunner, Andee, the best dog ever!
New Tail-gunner, Cali |
Edited by - joec on 03/06/2007 06:57:58 AM |
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fdwil111
Founding Member
USA
99 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2007 : 07:06:19 AM
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joec:
I've included my build date (8/17/04). Might your build date help resolve this puzzel? My build date is 2004, but the title/bill of sale is for a 2005. You do have the small-molded-rear bumber/cap of the 2005s.
Could we tape around the refrig/inner wall and reduce pressure loss from there? |
2005, EC 950 #1052 (8/17/04) with slide.
2001 F-350, SC, SRW, V-10, 2-WD |
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AllenF
Advanced Member
USA
501 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2007 : 08:32:52 AM
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joec
Awesome job!!! 
When they Sealtech tested my TC the air flowed out of the electric cord storage door fairly strong. Still there was enough air pressure to do the job.
IMO this type of test is the only way to know with certainty where your leaks are so now they can be fixed.
Here's another thought. While the air is found to leak out of the refer area, and other areas as well, while not a cause of concern for water intrusion it may be a concern for heat loss in the winter and cool loss in the summer. Stopping this air flow can aide in the comfort and quiet of our TC's.
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Allen
2005 EC 1150 slide with custom Norcold 9.5 Cu.Ft. refer, EU 2000i, 12x12 screenroom, Surflo tank, Maxxair 1200T, Charge Wizard, EC #1330
2005 F-350, CC, 6.0L diesel, 4x4, Auto, dually, King Ranch, loaded |
Edited by - AllenF on 04/03/2007 09:56:29 AM |
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lloyd4383
Senior Member
USA
251 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2007 : 09:43:51 AM
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| Really cool Joe. Might try this tonight on mine, hate to get up there and pull off the cover though, rain coming again. Another hole I thought of is the drain hole under the sewer tank outlet. I will plug that one as well. But it apparently doesn't take much air pressure to get the desired results. So cool. That should help us all get a warmer, fuzzier, feeling about our campers. Reading about all the serious problems has really been a downer. I keep opening those closets after every storm with terrible apprehension. |
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looney bin
Contributing Member
USA
96 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2007 : 10:14:06 PM
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That is very clever Joe, I like it. Great idea.
I think my Stihl BR 420 D Backpack Blower might be a bit "over kill" Will have to borrow Dad's to give the new camper the "test".
I did re-seal our EC 850 last weekend just so the future owners should not have to worry about it. Took over a FULL tube of Dicor top to bottom. I was amazed how many places I could visually see...now I wonder if I could of done a better job...
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Looney Bin
05' 850 Slider #1222
01' Chevy 2500HD 4X4 8.1L/Allison
TorkLift Hellwig Bars LP25 Spring
RideRite Rickson 19.5's |
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Lost in Space
Contributing Member
95 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2007 : 09:24:37 AM
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Great idea.
The good: I found bubbles around the exterior shower door.
The bad: My blower is gas powered and filled the camper with exhaust fumes.
I do have a new leak in the overhead, somewhere center and directly above the front window and I can't find out where it's coming from. It's stained the monkey fur on the ceiling and looks like hell. It showed up a month before I did the pressure test and after some fairly heavy rains. The 'official' SealTech test I had done last year didn't produce any sign of leakage on the roof either...At least in the privacy of my own yard, I will have as much time as it takes to track down the source of the leak.
I will look for a cheap yard-sale electric blower however.
Don |
2006 850 s/n 1433 riding on a 2001 Superduty crewcab |
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jwadd
Contributing Member
Canada
15 Posts |
Posted - 02/10/2008 : 10:32:47 PM
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How about using the backside of a shop vac? This should work.
2006 F350 Supercrew
2003 EC 950 |
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joec
Founding Member
485 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2008 : 05:33:39 AM
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A shop vac could work if it has enough volume of air on the discharge side. Just about anything that will move a large amount of air at low pressure will work. Try the shop vac and let us know how it works.
2004 EC 950 Slide # 1058
2006 Ford F-350 DRW :)
Co-pilot, Suezie
Side-gunner, Andee, the best dog ever!
New Tail-gunner, Cali |
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thepadg
Senior Member
USA
254 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2010 : 4:15:14 PM
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| Neat I'll have to try that. |
thepadg
2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Dually Cummings Diesle
2004 Eagle Cap 1150 with slide
2001 Excel 33 RLE 5th Wheel |
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Topic |
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Finding your leaks in the privacy of your own home
