Meanwhile we had called our friend Don, who does marine electronics, and explained the problem. He quickly had a suggestion, which proved true: the inverter had been installed incorrectly, parallel to the shore power, rather than at the output of the Shore Power / Generator transfer switch!
We had also discovered that the house batteries were not charging from the alternator!!!!! Faulty solenoid (relay) no part available! Arranged for CampingWorld in Antony Texas, to order the part and we will stop in on our way past. At least the generator, solar and 120VAC will keep them up!
We moved on south that afternoon and got as far as Southerlin Ca in quite a nice park, only $27.00, very 'overnighter' friendly, with a HUGE out door screen where they frequently showed DVD movies. Just like at the Drive In! Unfortunately, not that night. Just our luck.
Next day we turned inland at Mount Shasta, planning to overnight in Susanville California. Planning be the operative word. For those of you with a road atlas, on Highway 89 in eastern California, near Hat Creek, the "Check Engine" light came on and soon the engine began to power down and we came to a stop on the side of the road, semi's and logging trucks rocking us as they flew by! There was no cell phone coverage, so Gillian, accompanied by Trekker, with arms full of notes and phone numbers set off in the Tracker to find some assistance. She finally managed to talk to a diesel mechanic (by phone) who said there was an RV Park a few miles from where we were, and as long as we had oil pressure and the warning lights were yellow not red, it was OK to drive the rig.
Off to the park, Guess What! No warning lights! We found an empty space and Art went to the pay phones at the entrance to call a mechanic, the nearest being in Redding, Ca on the I-5. They were open! (8:30 PM, Dark and Cold!) They confirmed that it was OK to drive, as long as the Oil Pressure was OK and no red lights.
In the morning we were on the road at 7:45. Outside temperature -2 deg C. Fortunately conditions were dry and sunny, and there was no ice on the road. Elevation on the 44 to Redding was at some point over 5200 feet. Redding is just under the 1000 foot level so it was pretty much downhill all the way. We arrived at the shop at about 9:15, they would get to it in the afternoon, so we went off to shop. 
While having lunch and e-mailing we got a phone call from the Service Manager--The required part will be in tomorrow about 10:30 AM, come get the rig and find an RV Park for the night. Then the phone rang again. This call was from a couple in Colorado who owned a business that makes sun screens for motorhomes. We had an appointment that we were late for due to the various delays. They were happy to hear that we would be on our way soon, and said that they would be ready whenever we got there.
We were in an "All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad Bar" at the south end of Redding. We had bought groceries, paper backs (used bookshop next door!) and a new 12 volt connector for the GPS. Some how last night when moving the GPS from the motorhome to the car for Gillian's hunt for help, the end had come off the plug. It's probably on highway 89 somewhere!
The weather was very pleasant, Quite hot, high 80's (F of course!) T shirt weather, and would hopefully remain like this until we head back up the mountains: Susanville, Reno, Salt Lake City and the Utah Canyons.
A few bits and pieces, missed in the last post:
When we were in CampingWorld Parking lot in Wilsonville OR, Gillian complained about the noise form the freeway. She was almost pleased that we had to stay in an RV Park in north Portland for the weekend while we waited for the parts.
Well, the park w
as near the freeway, though not as close as at CampingWorld, as well as near the river--ships sounding their horns for the lift bridge to be raised. Also there was the rail line, a train about every 50 minutes, and we were under the glide path for the Portland International Airport, many commercial flights coming and going, as well as frequent passes of the US Air Force Fighter Jets. Fortunately, last night, back in the hills, there was nothing but coyotes! Trekker of course had to answer every one!
Tonight we are in an RV Park by the I 5 again, this time in Redding Ca, but seems to be a bit quieter.
When we looked at this rig last spring, we were pleased to find that the air conditioner was a full fledged bi-directional heat pump. It provided heating as well as cooling (as long as we had 120V). Very efficient. BUT! It is located UNDER THE BED!!! We didn't realize how noisy heat pumps were until this trip! Now we use the heat pump (when heat is needed) only during to day or early evening and at bed time we switch to the propane furnace which is much quieter, but Tia somehow does not like the air coming our of the floor vents. She is quite afraid of it, and tries to hide.
Which made us recognise another potential problem: when really frightened Tia tries to hide in front of the driver's seat. As this is where the OFF switch (Push Off) for the Spring (Parking) brake is located, we will have to use the wheel chocks if the leveling jacks are not deployed!(Allison transmissions do not have a "Park" postion, Just D N and R)
Well back to Freightliner in the morning, who knows what the future will bring!
WHY DID I SAY THAT?????!!!!!!!!!!
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