(Home) Royal lounge compass + aircon

I have recently bought a Royal Lounge 4x4 and noticed that the compass is allways pointing in an easterly direction. Is there a lock or adjustment knob I should know about? I have tried the two adjusting knobs that are located beneth the compass to no avail.
Also, how do I operate the air con? I know I press the air con button but what settings do I have the heater blower etc?
Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

P.S. Love the Town Ace. Far better than the Espace I had.

- (#2932) Elizabeth Charles, 13 May 02

My model isn't fitted with a compass so I can't answer your first query but the heater blower settings should be at the far end in the blue scale of the temperature and the vents should be set to circulate ( The arrows chasing each other ).

- (#2933) Mark, 14 May 02

Compass
I also have the clinometer and compass and suffer from the same problem as you - always facing east (maybe the bus thinks it's a homing pigeon and missing the land of the rising sun!)

Other contributors have suggested setting the compass by parking in a north facing position (with engine running) and zero compass with the two knobs as much to the centre as possible. then repeat with bus facing east.

It doesn't work for me I'm afraid so I suspect I have a fault with the sender (the plastic square dome thing on the roof just behind the cockpit).

If you should fix it please let me know how you did it.
regards
Ian

- (#2934) Ian Dunse, 14 May 02

See the "Compass" item in the "Dashboard & warning lights" folder on this Ace Answers website .
It sounds as if the bodywork can get so magnetised on some cars that it is impossible to adjust the compass, but don't jump to that conclusion. Be aware that the two adjusting knobs are VERY sensitive. Start with them exactly centred, the groove on each knob should be at the top (I marked the groove with white paint to help with this).
Then it's a case of trial and error, repeatedly parking in the 4 directions N,S,E,W and making very small adjustments. I've only ever adjusted mine but I'd suggest the following rules of thumb:
1. If, driving round with the knobs centred, it has an obvious preference to indicate, say, "E" then concentrate on getting the feel of how the two knobs affect making it accurately indicate the opposite, e.g. "W".
2. Don't go for perfection. At first be satisfied if you can get it to read within 45 degrees of all four points N,S,E,W.
3. Observe how each knob affects its accuracy at each point - its not as simple as "N" does N/S and "E" does E/W.
4. After each adjustment move the car to point in each direction. If you get it anywhere near right only make the tiniest adjustments, perhaps halving the remaining error for the direction you're parked, rather than eliminating it.

- (#2935) Dave Mason, 14 May 02

Regarding your air con, all the air con system does is cool down the air coming into the vehicle, so when you switch it on you still operate all the other controls as you normally would, in other words add as much or as little heat as you like to make the cabin comfortable. However as you have a Royal Lounge, it is very likely that you actually have climate control, this is easily identified, if you have 'AUTO' printed on the fan control, and a series of temperatures shown on the heat control then you have climate control.If you do have 'climate' then all you do is select the temperature you want & 'auto' & the sensors will do the rest, on a hot day use the 'a/c' switch & this will also cool the air but the system will keep the temperature you require. Even in the winter the a/c should be used as it dessicates the air & will help to stop the inside steaming up, also using it all through the year helps to keep the a/c components lubricated & working as well as the seals intact & helps stop the refrigerant gas from leaking out. HTH regards Rob.

- (#2939) Rob Drinkwater, 14 May 02

I have recently become the proud owner of a Royal Lounge, love it!!! I've been interested in the possibilty of LPG due to the large savings in running costs, does anybody know if it's at all possible to have a Townace converted to LPG and if so where? (I live in Glouester) With thanks Ant.

- (#4065) Anthony King, 1 Aug 02