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Access to Glendinning power cord reel

Yahoo Message Number: 117146
I have a 2005 Magna and am trying to access the power cord reel to increase tension on the cord so it doesn't slip. It is located in the rear driver side corner. Access is in the bedroom closet, (I think) under the safe. I don't know how to gain access in the closet. I have been told there are screws that hold a panel, under the carpet that provides access to the power cord reel. I have tried unsuccessfully to locate the screws under the carpet using a magnet. I don't know which panel it is.. That is, is the removable panel toward the front, or passenger side? How many screws and where are they? Should I remove the carpet first, and where should I start? Any information or suggestions someone can provide would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Tom
Coach # 6382

Re: Access to Glendinning power cord reel

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117147
On mine the whole box just lifted out. I don't have the safe and we have a different year/model so our setup could well be totally different. You could call Eric Olstrom.
Lee Z
07 Intrigue

Re: Access to Glendinning power cord reel

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117148
I had the same problem, but it's really pretty easy. You have to remove that entire box. There are about 4 screws (maybe 6, I forget) along the top that angle into the side and back walls. The screws are very hard to find as they are buried in nap of carpet, they drove them in so hard when they built coach. You can find them with painstaking careful inspection of each carpet fiber with a little pick, LOL... They are bright silver, look for glint. It can be done. Just don't put them back in so tight, so you can see them for next time. Also, they are not Phillips screws, they are that square Quadrex type. You will need a Quadrex bit in a driver. It's a frustrating job, takes time, but can be done, and you can reinstall it better than factory.

Greg
06 Magna

2006 Magna Rembrandt C13
2016 Jeep GC toad

Re: Access to Glendinning power cord reel

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117149
The first thing I would do is use alcohol and clean the cord good and see if that is what be part of you problem. They get slick and it won't grab them. Just my thoughts nothing to back it up.

2006 Magna 6622
Headed to Paradise

Gary Glenn
Bright Idea RV LED Lights
325-665-4993

Re: Access to Glendinning power cord reel

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117151
Do you drink the alcohol and hope good thoughts that it will work better? :D

Greg

2006 Magna Rembrandt C13
2016 Jeep GC toad

Re: Access to Glendinning power cord reel

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117152
Mine was slipping due to oil and grime, cleaned it up and it went all the way in. Might as well do the easy things first.

Gary Glenn
Bright Idea RV LED Lights
325-665-4993

Re: Access to Glendinning power cord reel

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117153
I was told by a Tech at Oregon Motor Coach, to at least once a year fully extend the cord. Wipe it down well, I a cloth with either Simple Green or 409, whichever we have enough to use to toad a rag. I then take a few other rags soaked in water, and wipe the full cord down again.

The second dip he gave me, was to look for lettering on the cord, and starting up by the door where it first leaves the coat, slowly work my way to the male plug. Use the print on the cord (Our's getting harder and harder to see, but - still can...), and untwist the cord working your way to the male plug.

Third let the cord layout in the sun for a bit, and sort of un-memorize the twists.

And finally let the device bring the cord back in. And, always use a clean dry cloth to wipe off anything that might be on the cord itself.

His input was that 90% of the time, this will get the retraction/extension process working well again. (And for me, it has.)

If this process does not solve any problems you are having. Then take the time to find the screws, uncover the device, clean everything the best you can, and add some tension to the retraction device.

His last tip, is since the device is in the closet, take a felt ping and mark the locations of the screw heads - so they're easy to spot if you ever need to get back in again...

All that being said. I carry a 25' 50Amp capable extension cord, for times that we need more length then the OEM reel has... Many a time, especially after doing what I call 'Wrestling the Snake' on a colder day. I've almost convinced myself to see both the 25' extension cord, and completely remove the OEM electric reel unit. Sell them for what I can get on Craigslist. Then purchase the new unit, with softer, compliance cord, that is 50' - and be done with it. No 'electric out' - it's free wheeling. Just grab the end and slow withdrawal as much of the cord as needed. The less stiff 'wrestling the snake' design of the newer cord, makes retraction much easier...

We make many mod's on our coaches for many reason's... This mod, has worked it's way up into my top three! (Unfortunately, my top three Mod's --- are behind my DW's top 5 mod's:)!).

Hope a simple cleaning and untwisting of your cord get's you going well again:)!

Best to you, and all,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Access to Glendinning power cord reel

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117156
What Smitty says!

I had mine jam up (opposite problem) in the coil compartment and refuse to come out. I found the screws, took off the box and freed up the jam by reaching in from the back end of the coil. After getting the kink out I extended the entire cord, carefully cleaned it and then "lubed" it with the same rubber lube that you use on the slide seals. Carefully un-twisted the beast then retracted it and it's been fine since. I was at a shop when it happened, and the techs there advised doing this every year to ensure it doesn't develop kinks, and to keep it clean and slightly lubed as I'm doing.

When retracting, I use a rag to wipe it clean and dry as it goes in, and I pick up the cord to take tension off the mechanism as it reels in. Haven't had any issues with it since.

Good luck with yours,
Don Hutchins
'08 Allure 470 #31613
40' Tag, Cat C9 w/ Cat tranny
Don Hutchins
'08 Allure 470 #31613
40' w/tag, Cat C-9 & Cat tranny

Re: Access to Glendinning power cord reel

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117158
On my coach (similar) the screws are on through the carpet (not under the carpet) on the box cover. They are located along the edge of the top of the box and are relatively easy to find. There are about 4-5 screws. Inside there is a tensioning mechanism that you can tighten to grip the cord better. Make sure the cord isn't tangled in its storage bin (its not a "reel". The motor just pulls the cord into a bin). Your problem may also be a motor that is starting to die. Mine died this fall, a replacement motor is about $100 from the manufacturer and is easy to replace.

Jim and Jona Seifert

2007 Country Coach Intrigue Ovation 530 42'
Coach #12150
525 Cat C13 Allison 6spd
Toads: 2014 Ford F150 / 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser w/ REMCO DS Disconnect.
Airforce 1 Brake system
Blue Ox Aventa II Towbar
Jim and Jona Seifert
2007 Intrigue 530

Re: Access to Glendinning power cord reel

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117163
Thanks folks for the insight. I will try cleaning and straightening out the cord. If that doesn't do the trick, I will remove the box as suggested. I think I will have to remove the safe to have access to the screws along the walls.

Does anyone know if, when removing the safe, there is something I need to be careful with, say, having the bolts fall through when I remove the nuts holding the safe down?

Re: Access to Glendinning power cord reel

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117165
I'm not sure of your layout, RE: the safe, but I would carefully look at the situation and let logic be your guide. You may be able to remove the box without detaching the safe from the box. If the safe is attached to the box cover over the cord reel, they likely didn't have a way to attach the safe to the box cover using loose nuts on the inside (how would they hold them to tighten them?). My experience in working with my own coach has been to very carefully look at the construction of the coach and how the builders might have attached things. I learned the hard way not to just start loosening things up until I was reasonably confident in how things were put together.

Jim and Jona Seifert

2007 Country Coach Intrigue Ovation 530 42'
Coach #12150
525 Cat C13 Allison 6spd
Toads: 2014 Ford F150 / 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser w/ REMCO DS Disconnect.
Airforce 1 Brake system
Blue Ox Aventa II Towbar
Jim and Jona Seifert
2007 Intrigue 530

Re: Access to Glendinning power cord reel

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117168
Yes Jim, I plan to try to remove the box if possible leaving the safe on it.. I don't know if there is enough room but we'll see. Hopefully I can resolve the issue without removing the box.

Thanks to everyone that responded to my questions. This makes it easier to tackle such problems with our coaches. It is a valuable resource.

Tom
 

Re: Access to Glendinning power cord reel

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117169
If the box/safe are in the rear closet that has mirrored sliding doors on it, the doors lift off easily by lifting the door so the bottom rollers clear the track. This is also necessary when removing the engine cover.

Jim and Jona Seifert

2007 Country Coach Intrigue Ovation 530 42'
Coach #12150
525 Cat C13 Allison 6spd
Toads: 2014 Ford F150 / 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser w/ REMCO DS Disconnect.
Airforce 1 Brake system
Blue Ox Aventa II Towbar
Jim and Jona Seifert
2007 Intrigue 530