Gas Strut for the Under Bed Storage

If you have a Fuse 23a one of the great things winnebago did was create a large amount of storage under the foot of the driver's side bed.   It is a real hidden gem that the sales people often don't seem to know about.  We keep our extra water, sodas, toilet paper, anything we only have to get to ever couple of days.

There is one problem with it.  You have to hold open the lid to get things in and out.  Winnebago did not put anything in place to allow you to hold it open.  It is also pretty heavy especially if you have your bedding in place.

We keep our rear beds made up as beds and it requires some muscles to open it with the bedding on top.  For Sonya and myself it turns into a 2 person job.  One person opening it and the other dealing with the stuff.

Ron Jansen came up with a great idea.  Add a gas strut to the system to help open it and hold it open once you get it upright.  So I decided to add this mod to the Beagle Bus.

The parts I used:

• 20 inch 30 lbs Gas Prop Lift Spring Rod Strut Heavy Duty Tool Box Lid Top RV
• JR Products BR-1020 10mm Flat Gas Spring Mounting Bracket
• 10MM Angled Ball Stud Bracket for Gas Spring/Prop/Strut (2 Pack)
• 3 -  #8 x 3/4" wood screws
• A hand drill for pilot holes
• A Phillips head screwdriver

This is the before picture.  I had to take off the bedding and the mattress to get started.  As you can see we have several very important things stored in the compartment.

Step 1 - Prepare the Struts.  The struts are connected using the ball stud brackets.  Then get the hole in the strut to go over the ball you have to slide up a small clip on each end of the strut.  I needed to use a small screwdriver to get it to move.

Step 2 -  Attach the flat ball bracket.  This is an easy step.  We reuse one of the screws from the L-bracket in the corner of the bed.  I chose the 3rd one up from the bottom.   Unscrew the screw and then screw it back in with the flat bracket in place.  It is not a perfect fit, but pretty close.  Best of all no drilling.

Step 3 - Attach the angles ball stud bracket -  Now we need to attach the upper bracket.  I slid the gas treat into place and just hand fit the part making sure it was not at an angle.  Once I was happy I marked where the middle hole needed to be.  I used the hand drill to make a pilot hole so I would not split any wood and it would be easier to screw it down.  When I got the first screw in I made sure it worked the way I wanted it to. 

In a rare occurrence, I got had it lined up right the first time.  It would not have mattered if I had it in the wrong place.  I would have just moved it.  Any mistaken holes would have been hidden.  I then added the remaining 2 screws to make it permanent installation.

Step 4 - I installed the gas strut.  This was very easy since I had it hand fit already.  All I needed to do was slide the clips back down so the strut would not fall off the back studs.  The project was complete.

Now getting stuff in and out of the underbid storage is a one person job.  No effort required.

Other folks who have done this mod have suggested using a 60lbs strut since the 30lbs strut does not hold the top open with bedding on top.  My experience is that 30lbs will allow you to hold the lid open with your pinky and makes opening it super easy.  Making the change to 60lbs would be super easy but I am staying with 30lbs for the moment.

Effort required - Low

Total time - 15-30 minutes

Cost of the parts - $30.00

2018.5 Fuse Inverter

A new option for the 2018.5 model year is a 1000w Inverter.   The inverter will allow you to use some of your household appliances while not plugged in to shore power or using the generator.  But it won't power your air conditioner or microwave.

It is a Magnum CSW1012 pure sine wave inverter with a remote on/off switch and a CSWTS-15 transfer switch.  It has a 1000w capacity (or 8.3 110v amps per the specs) and can surge to 2000w for 1 second.    It is a pure sine wave inverter so it should work well with everything and not harm any of your delicate electronics.

You can get lots of information from the manufacturer at: http://www.magnum-dimensions.com/product-inverter/1000w-12vdc-pure-sine-inverter-csw-series.   The manuals and the spec sheet are located in the downloads section there as well.

The inverter is turned on and off with a switch located next to your ONEPLACE control panel.  When turned on, the green light will be on.

Which receptacles are connected to the inverter?  Not all of them are.

On the 24A-
The 110v plugs next to both the front and rear TVs are connected to the inverter.  In addition, the receptacle under the passenger side bed is connected to the inverter as well.

On the 24T-
The 110v plugs next to both the Front and Rear TVs are connected to the inverter.  The 110v receptacle in the front overhead cabinet and the receptacle on the front wall of the bedroom are also on this circuit.

One tip to I want to point out for curious folks,  Winnebago publishes the electrical diagrams/ plumbing diagrams/ manuals and other interesting information.  You can go to http://winnebagoind.com/resources/manuals/ and all of that information is there.

I do want to remind everyone that the inverter is not magic.  It puts out 1000 watts.  Your 1500 watt hair dryer will have a problem using the inverter since it will want more than the 1000 watts that inverter has to supply.   If you have the TVs on they will be consuming some of the power from the inverter as well.  Your single serve coffee maker uses around 600 watts and will be fine.

When the inverter is not in use, you should turn it off.  It consumes power when on even if nothing is plugged into it.  The manual says 1.2 DC amps with no load connected.   This is like leaving the lights on in the coach as far as current draw.  It will not kill you, but it will run the battery down if you are not careful.

One last thing I think that you should store away in a back corner of your mind,  the output plug for the inverter is a GFCI.  If you have a problem with all of the receptacles on the circuit not working and nothing else you try to do works the GFCI on the inverter might need to be reset.  Make sure you know how to get to the inverter since it is hidden in behind the pantry in the 23T and under the bed in the 23A.  You will need to pull out a drawer to get to it.   The CSWTS-15 transfer switch will probably keep this from ever happening, but you you should keep this in the back of your head.

Winnebago Fuse Compressor Refrigerators

This biggest change for the 2018.5 model year for the Winnebago Fuse is the change to a compressor refrigerator.

This is a big deal!  The refrigerator now operates the same way as the one in your house.  A compressor circulates refrigerant around the refrigerator to keep it cool.  The main advantage to this is that the refrigerator no longer has to be level to operate.  It will also cool down much faster so you no longer have to turn the refrigerator on the night before you leave to have it usable.  It is also more or less maintenance free (at least as maintenance free as the one at home, keep the dust bunnies away).   But this is not a residential refrigerator.  It uses much less electricity.

Fuse 23A Refrigerator Vents

The older absorption refrigerator used ammonia as a refrigerant and if the unit was not level (or bouncing about) it would break.  On the positive side it would run off of LP gas.  The LP gas creates the heat to cause the ammonia to circulate.  Since there is a flame involved it has to be vented to the outside.  Another hole in side of the Fuse that could let hot and cold air into the motorhome.  You will not see the customary refrigerator vents on the outside of the new Fuse 2018.5.

Compressor refrigerators need electricity to operate.  Some people have expressed concerns about  this thinking that the Fuse does not have enough battery capacity to make this work for several days.   They are right to a certain extent, but Winnebago has gone to some lengths to alleviate these concerns.

First off,  2 Group 24 batteries are now standard.  That should provide enough power to run the refrigerator for a day or more sitting still.  They are also making 2-100w solar panels standard as well.  These will add juice to the batteries as the refrigerator sucks it out.  But what if the sun is not out?  Well if you are travelers like Sonya and I, if you drive down the road for an hour or two you will fully charge the batteries.  And if all else fails, if your batteries are getting low you can run the generator and charge them up.   For those that are really going out in the boondocks and staying for a while, Winnebago has made the battery trays bigger and they now can accommodate Group 31 batteries so you can store even more amp hours.  Not that I think it would be necessary for the way I use the Fuse, but it is always good to have the option.

The 23T has a Norcold/NovaCool model DE0061R.  It looks like a normal everyday refrigerator.  Freezer on top, refrigerator on bottom.  It runs on 12 or 110v automatically switching as necessary.  It is nice and large.  There should be no intimidation with this appliance.

One thing to note that this is not a frost free refrigerator.  If/when ice builds up you will need to defrost the unit.  

The manufacturer information for the refrigerator is at http://www.thetford.com/product/de-0061ev-0061/

The Fuse 23A has a Nova Kool model RFU6209 DC.   This one is 12v only.  It really does not matter since if you are plugged into 110v current, the converter in the Fuse will convert to 12v anyhow simplifying everything.  I like this since it keeps with the approach of keeping everything DC powered for efficiency.

The different thing about this refrigerator is that the freezer is on bottom instead of on top.  Why would Winnebago do this?  Easy, with the 23A drivers side bed extension out for a tall person the refrigerator door is blocked.  By putting the freezer on bottom, the bed can be made out and you can still have access to the refrigerator.   A pretty decent design tradeoff if you ask me.

Compressor refrigerators still have to vent the heat that they remove from the inside.  For the new refrigerator they vent the heat to the inside.  On the 23A, the vent is next to the couch.  

Both of these refrigerators use 4-5 amps when running (from Nova Cool manual).  Even in hot weather they should run about half the time.  This means these refrigerators will use 2-3 amp hours of electricity per hour.  Assuming 3 amp hours that is 72 amp hours/day which is pretty much worse case.    The capacity of the 2 type 24 batteries is about 160 amp hours which 80-100 is usable.  So you should be good for a day.  Now if you drive for an hour down the road your batteries will recharge.  The 200w solar should add back in 10 amps/hour if you are in a sunny spot which should mean you are better than even.  Upgrade your battery bank to Group 31s and you should be fine to boondock.

Now for the last question that is out there.  Can I retrofit my older Fuse with one of these compressor refrigerators.   I can only measure the 2017 23A vs the 2018.5 23A.   The refrigerator in the 2018.5 is 50" x 20".   The 2017 is 49.5 x 20.5.   It is close enough so it probably will but I would measure twice and use the refrigerators installation guide for exact measurements.   You would need to cap off the LP gas supply as well and re-do the 12v supply since on the 2017 the 12v supply is only active when the ignition for the Transit portion is on.

2018.5 Winnebago Fuse Review

I was able to take a look at the new 2018.5 Winnebago Fuse.  Both the 23A and 23T versions.   They were debuted at the RVIA show in Louisville and then moved down to LazyDays RV in Tampa for the SuperShow happening at the Florida State Fairgrounds in early January.

First things first.  If you have never been to LazyDays in Tampa, go!  They have a stellar facility and it is an experience just to visit.

Now for my perspective.  I have a 2017 Fuse 23A.  A very early 2017 23A, one of the first.  I am going to wind up comparing the 2018.5 to my 2017.   There have been changes in the 2017.5 and 2018 models, but from what I have seen they were mostly refinements.  The 2018.5 makes serious changes to an already good motorhome.  If some of these changes were on the 17.5 or 18 forgive me for pointing them out.

Exterior

The first thing I noticed looking at the 2018.5 Fuse is the color.  It is now a Dark Grey and White.  The pattern is called Winter Gray.  Color is a personal thing.  I don't discuss color much, but it looks reasonably sharp.

As I walked around the unit I saw several differences:

On the 23A the passenger side access panel for the batteries and LP have been combined into one long access panel.   I like this better.  The larger opening makes it much easier to get to the LP and batteries.  You no longer have to navigate through the 2 small access hatches.  I am sure it also makes the manufacturing process easier.

Group 24 Batteries - Fuse 24A

Group 31 Batteries - Fuse 23T

The battery bracket inside the hatch also appears to be new.  It is designed to hold 2 batteries (Winnebago has made 2 batteries standard now) just like the last bracket.   The new part is that is is sized to hold Group 24, Group 27 or Group 31 batteries.  With AGM group 31 batteries you can have 250 amp hours of capacity if you choose.  They are shipping standard wth group 24 wet cell batteries for 160 amp hours of storage.

Speaking of power, the Fuse also comes with 200w of solar now.  Still uses the same Zamp solar controller which is a nice controller.

On the 23A and T the winterization valves and the slide controller (both located in the upper rear storage bay on the 23A) are now well labeled.  Making things easily identifiable is one thing I really appreciate since it helps with all of the general maintenance tasks.

The bike rack is new.  It is a summit bike rack that was discussed on this post.

The license plate holder has been moved up from the bumper and is much better illuminated.

The black tank flush and city water connections have been moved up some and the black tank flush is now on top.  This is good since on my fuse the septic system cover can not be locked open when you have a hose connected to the black tank flush.

The biggest change on the exterior is that Winnebago sloped off the rear end.  This is a big, big deal.  The Fuse is a low rider.  One of the reasons I like my Fuse is that it is close to the ground and easy to get in and out of.  Well several of us have managed to scrap our rear ends going up steep driveways or getting onto crowned roads.   Well Winnebago sloped up the rear end.  Starting from about 4 feet from the rear, Winnebago sloped the rear end up 2".  On the 23A that means it goes from a 12" clearance to a 14" clearance at the rear bumper.  On the 23T it went from 11" to 13".  A good improvement.

The stairs have also been a point of concern as they are low as well.   In this picture of the 23A stairs you can see the body is at 11".

Both units I saw had the optional aluminum wheels.  In addition to just looking nice, since they do not use the wheel simulators that the standard Fuse has, checking the air on the outside tires should be much easier.

Interior
The floorpans are the same.  I have not noticed any changes.

One of the main changes to Fuse for 2018.5 is a new compressor refrigerator.   They are different units on the 23A and 23T, but both are from Nova Kool.   On the 23A it is the model RFU6209 DC.  On the 23T it is the model DE0061R.

The model DE0061R on the 23T looks like a normal everyday refrigerator.  Freezer on top, refrigerator on bottom.  It runs on 12 or 110v automatically switching as necessary.  It is nice and large

The Fuse 23A has a Nova Kool model RFU6209 DC.   This one appears to be 12v only.  Not sure this really matters since if you are plugged into 110v current, the converter in the Fuse will convert to 12v anyhow simplifying everything.   The different thing about this refrigerator is that the freezer is on bottom instead of on top.  Why would Winnebago do this?  Easy, with the 23A drivers side bed extension out for a tall person the refrigerator door is blocked.  By putting the freezer on bottom, the bed can be made out and you can still have access to the refrigerator.   A pretty decent design tradeoff if you ask me.

Why is a compressor refrigerator such a big deal? Well a compressor refrigerator is the same type as you have at your house.  Most RV refrigerators, including the ones in previous Fuses are absorption refrigerators.  They can be powered by electricity or LP gas which is a big plus.  They use ammonia as the refrigerant and have to be level to operate. If you are not reasonably level they will not work and eventually will break. The compressor refrigerator can operate at pretty much any angle but they only work off of electricity.

Another thing that is now available on both Fuse models is an inverter. It is a 1000w Magnum pure sine wave inverter.  The plugs next to the TVs are connected to the inverter in addition to a separate plug next to the bed(s).

Another feature that Winnebago has added is 12v outlets next to each of the USB outlets.  This is a nice feature especially if you have a CPAP machine or have other devices that will work off of a cigarette lighter plug.  You could even recharge your laptop without having to use the inverter (not the most efficient way) or turning on the generator (even less efficient).

The exhaust fan in the bathroom appears to be slightly different. It is probably just a newer model but it was quieter than mine.

One other point of confusion I will clarify is the privacy shades/panels for the cab windows.  The new brochure called them shades.  All Winnebago did was change the description.  They are still the same panels that have been supplied since the first Fuse.  I found them in the closet and they were definitely the same as mine.