Airstream produces its first batch of hot water
Today Josh spent several hours reclaiming the water heater system from rust, neglect and a jerry-rig repair job some past owner made using incorrect parts. He worked with the fervor of a man who had not bathed in nearly four days and who refused to shower anywhere but in the comfort of his own home, like a real, self-respecting man.
Anyway, in short, Josh took most of the system apart, cleaned the rust, and sprayed everything with a charming baby-blue paint he found in a half-empty can in the shop. He replaced the thermocouple, spark igniter, rewired everything, cleaned the contacts on the circuit board and checked those circuits. As for the jerry-rig, someone removed the original heater elements and thermostat and replaced them with parts that would belong in a water heater for a house. Josh installed new, genuine Attwood parts. Even after all of that work, Josh discovered the ignitor core circuit board is too weak to provide adequate spark to ignite the flame. This means he must install an after-market $150 computer circuit board. For tonight, he simply ignited the darn thing with a barbeque lighter.
Also included in today’s purchases: A governor spring, air filter, points and plug wires and carburetor cleaner for the generator, and a new master cylinder for the main breaking system, a part which completes Josh’s replacement of the entire braking system.
