Upgrading the Best RV Made, and You Can too

I'm back working on my 2001 Beaver Patriot Thunder again! Now that the slide repair is complete, there's a few upgrades I wanted to modernize it for ease of locking and unlocking the door. The first step is to install a wireles power door lock controller so that I can lock the power door locks without being inside. As the comparment doors are the only power locks, I wanted to make sure the first step will work. I thought it would be easy, and it possibly could have been, but I decided to do it right and bring you along with me.
And yes, I really did select this system because the key fob looked the best to me :)
keyless module: amzn.to/416T2h3

[@ron7447]

Lost me as soon as you opened the box😅. I think i will stick with my key for now. Still amazed at your knowledge and skills.🇺🇸

[@tomstocks]

EXCELLENT instructional video! James, I'm the guy who emailed you from Pennsylvania about doing a Monaco inspection for me. Appreciate your instructional videos! Thank you, Tom

[@WisdomFromAshes]

I love the way you think. Your problem solving is way faster and much more entertaining than my own.

[@curtdawe]

James, I stopped the video at 38 seconds! LOL! I just decided I must have some 3M 111 adhesion promoter! You have now inadvertently sold another quality 3M product ! Amazon is gonna love you! I did come back and watch the rest. 😁

[@sylvainr.399]

I love you man! No one has managed to educate me on relays like you just did. Thank you!!!!

[@AZExpert]

thank you!

[@stanleynelson1979]

I just learned so much, just watching you, than when i was in my college physics class.

[@cullenmiller8170]

Nice video and upgrade. I took a screenshot of the wiring diagram since all I heard was the voice of Charlie Brown’s teacher going wah wah wah wah wah. 😂😂 My 2001 Marquis came with a four botton remote that doesn’t work. I guess I will have to dive into that one day.

[@AZExpert]

Very cool!

[@Gopher7]

I buy Bosch relays and sockets by the 10 pack! So many projects, so little time! Most recent is a momentary rf remote setup (designed for atv winch) but using relays I have it running my 5th wheel landing gear motors, extend and retract. Works great and I take the remote with me in the truck in case hitch height isn’t right hooking up. Love your creativity James!

[@AZExpert]

Thanks for the tips!

[@robertburgess6100]

Very nice upgrade James.

[@AZExpert]

Thanks 👍

[@tomwalker3553]

Tedious but worth it. Good job.

[@garyag45]

Cool job, beyond me. Not simple to most folks! 👍🙏😎🦅🇺🇸

[@christopherbaker6051]

I still can believe how well you one hand that phone and work with the other…

[@HomesickforAlaska]

Very nice, clean install. I love the WAGO connectors, makes it SO much easier to mock up wiring.

[@mariodagenais6625]

Wow, good job man. I’m very happy for you cause it will be very practical !!!

[@carlal.thompson5393]

🤯🤯🤯 ...aaaah, you lost me... #NotSimple James!!!... commons... contacts... reversed polarity... grounds... actuators... 🤯...I liked the wire stripper-thingie and the crimper!!! 😳😳😳 Nice upgrade! Impressive! I have a bit more to go on my "Electrical Wiring Training"! Impressive as always! ~Big C in the DP 📢 ::: Air Horn 📢 ::: ::: Air Breaks! ::: 🚌🚌🚌

[@thomastheys6681]

I’m lost too but awesome info! Thomyt

[@clay3580]

Love those wireless key fobs. I use those exact fobs to power my onboard air compressor and undercarriage lighting.

[@user-fz1je6sj6k]

Oh man...electricity...wires and relays and polarity. You lost me when that red wire touched that red wire. I usually make my wife watch the roof inspections - because of the promise of an interior walk-thru afterward - but wires - not so much. However - you did a great job and you did explain it well...just glad you did not start off with "Take notes boys because there will be a test at the end of this video".

[@SpykersB]

And the best part was why you bought those specific fobs 😂👍🏻🍻.

[@bounderchris]

Half the stuff done on this rig has been done with one hand and the other holding a camera 😂😂 someone get this man a chest and head mount for his camera!

[@johnstanzak8167]

I used the same setup for my 2003 Sightseer 33L. I put a electric servo in my door to control the door lock and works great. But buy a spare box for a just in case moment in which I had and just plug the new box in and no issues

[@vladislavdoychinov5889]

Great job. Now you should do the slide- outs on a keyfab too lol

[@keithrichards7296]

Yay old build quality, with reliable tech. Be wary if you're next addition includes proximity sensor I know from auto industry standpoint thieves like those. But now some added under lighting (done correctly) she'd be glowing at a campsite😊(pure ambiance). Good explanation of wiring👌👌

[@iglapsu88]

So easy, Grandma can do it! NOT! Great job James!

[@AZExpert]

Thanks so much

[@raymondwalker1757]

Looking forward to your keyless fingerprint and/or phone app openable dead bolt on the entry door. I bought one... just waiting for your video cliff notes! My y2k marquis came with this, remote is not as pretty tho!

[@proudtexan5513]

Great job!!!

[@mikebateman8021]

It's a beautiful coach😅

[@davemonk7596]

Great video. Hooking up the park lights will also help with figuring out which 2001 Beaver is yours at the camp ground😂

[@MiguelMartinez-gd1sv]

To be honest. I would have to watch it a few times to try to understand it 100 percent. But love to learn

[@TimothyMichaels]

I'd settle for a working key and lock for my compartment doors.

[@markw365]

Current draw of the device only includes the draw to activate the relay coil, not the 20a load the relay will see across the contacts.

[@ernielansford8710]

It’s all about understanding signal flow.

[@BlakeMorar]

Love your videosJames. Since you are a skilled DIY guy, how long does it take you to edit your videos? Love your genuine consistent commentary that really helps your viewers get their arms around inspections and your world surrounding them. You have a great niche going here. I’ve learned a lot. Oh, and one other question…what’s involved in booking a phone consult with you?

[@AZExpert]

editing takes about 6-15 hours depending on the video. I have not found phone consults to be a very effective service for me to offer unfortunately.Thank you very much.

[@jimmyaber5920]

I think your first amperage was correct. The ammeter test really did locked motor amperage. The servos complete their motion in 1/2 second. The remote lock system controller likely has a .6 second timer and may also have a current shunt to detect current and stop relay control if current goes high. Cars with doors, trunk, and gas cap motors all powered at once use a 10A fuse for lock circuit. Many lock motors have a PTC resistor that is internal in the motor in each servo that goes from .5 ohm to 100+ ohms if the motor current is applied for a second. Those PTCs are what fails or corrode and make the locks get sluggish. The PTCs also are whybthe locks will workn3-5 times in quick succession and then quit until you give lock system a 60 second break.

[@AZExpert]

I agree but the quick Google search really said these things pull a surprising amount and figured I might as well do it this way rather than burn out the very cheap controller

[@jimmyaber5920]

@@AZExpert more capacity always works. Those actuators may not have been made with the burn protection that car makers worry about.

[@Technocrat.]

Awesome video.

[@AZExpert]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@timmysrvlife]

Nice video as always. Unfortunately, my Windsor doesn't have electric door lock. But my entry door is exactly the same as yours, I am looking forward to your plan on the entry door.

[@easepulvedamaximus]

Floor lights look amazing! Is that vinyl or tile on the floor? what is your thought on adding tile. I have a 2004 National TropiCal and I would like to update my floor to something a bit more nice that what it currently has. Love your videos!

[@stevelange819]

Beautiful effort and explanation (though with electrical components, you lost me back at the bakery). Just how far down the list is the auto-drive upgrade? Please, NO! Have a safe holiday season.

[@cluuck4617]

I'm curious how the plunger locks the bay latch? I haven't seen a latch like that yet.

[@markmonroe7330]

Excellent presentation. Thank you. On a side note, you really need to get a head strap phone/camera mount for recording. Maybe even a chest mount as well. Filming with one hand while you try to do repairs/inspections is honestly not doing you any favors.

[@AZExpert]

I have had too many videods ruined by cameras not turned on or turning off in mid use to trust another setup unfortunately

[@rickl6697]

Cool

[@brianfeeney7792]

another awesome informative video James can you tell me where you got your chrome handles on your compartments thanks Brian

[@AZExpert]

They came with the coach, but the are trimark locks and should still be available.

[@brianfeeney7792]

Thanks for reply and sorce James

[@charlessarratt2948]

💯

[@user-ev6yi8lp3m]

James, have you ever done a video showing how to put a coating on a filon roof?

[@AZExpert]

No, I will likely coat my roof soon, but it won't be a standard roll on coating that most RVers use.

[@user-ev6yi8lp3m]

What kind of material will you use? Do you have a business number as I have more questions?@@AZExpert

[@rickl6697]

James, so your RV came with bay door locks with actuarors as standard eauipment. How would we add the actuators to existing bay door locks. Can yours also be locked and unlocked with a key or do you have to use the key fob or switch on the dash. How many relays did you have to install with nine doors. I need to watch this again. I fear something might happened and I'd end up locked out of all my storage bays. Lol

[@AZExpert]

acuators are fairly easy to add, but running the wiring is the harder part. I only installed 2 relays.

[@Stepdaddy8969]

👍🏽

[@backtoasimplelife]

So in what ways is the Beaver Patriot Thunder superior to the Newell?

[@hurleypatrick94]

Where in AZ are you located?

[@clarencewiles963]

Key fob will need to be carried with you 24/7 or whatever you go to get something. 😊

[@AZExpert]

This is the first step in a series of hopeful upgrades

[@kilosierra6763]

Wait, power curtain in the front? I need more info.

[@AZExpert]

It's just a little pinch roller it's honestly easier to operate manually but it's still cool motorized

[@steves3688]

Im confused...can you do all that again...LOLLLL

[@rabrown22000]

So when you say the best RV ever made, do you mean your's specifically or that year and model in general? ;-)

[@AZExpert]

both...while it is a very nice RV it may not be the best made but it is the best made RV I have :)

[@greghubbard8104]

How do I contact you for possible service?

[@Technocrat.]

I see you've done this before.

[@Technocrat.]

Huh!

[@RLBS61]

I’ll take your word for it.None of it made any sense.

[@donwatterson8343]

Show off LOL