| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Oh, RATS!
Hmmm ... if they are looking for someplace enclosed and dark ... would a bright light in the compartment also deter them?
I think that would just give them heat and light to read by at night. Prob'ly be even MORE inviting.
Phil
|
Phils
|
11/12/09 04:14pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Best route from US101 to I5
Another recommendation for Dick's suggestion.
Phil
|
Phils
|
11/12/09 12:28pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: Oh, RATS!
Leave your hood partially open. That makes your underhood area not as attractive of a home to them. I started doing it after the last tow to a shop that was because of a chewed fuel pump relay wire.
I mentioned this to a friend from a high-desert farming community and his comment was "duhhh.... why do you see every vehicle not regularly driven in my area with the hood open?".
Phil
|
Phils
|
11/12/09 12:05pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Prosine Remote Panel Interface kit?
I installed the Prosine 1000 in my fiver and just used a telephone cable like you are thinking. It works fine.
Phil
|
Phils
|
11/06/09 05:52pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Floor Rot Toilet and Wallboard buckling 2004 Amerilite
On the toilet you must disconnect the water supply in addition to the two bolts, then it'll lift right up (you already knew that, but just in case).
Yes, the walls and cabinets are usually built right onto the flooring. Cut out the damaged flooring, add some 1x2s around the edge of your hole (glue and screw is how I've done it). Hopefully the source of the water will be obvious when you have that hole in the floor.
Then you can drop in a new piece of plywood with the hole for the toilet already cut. Glue and screw some more. New vinyl flooring in the bathroom will be needed, hopefully you'll be able to put 1/4 round trim on the circumference and a flat metal plate to cover the seam under the door (look in the flooring section of any store for something that you think is suitable.
You may want to reinforce the floor when you have that piece out... make it better and stronger. When I've done this, I've used redwood and marine plywood. For the size of the project, not a lot more cost. If it leaks again, it'll be a long time before the floor gets soft.
It sounds like water damage at the front too. Water can travel far from the source... I've fixed window caulking that caused damage a few feet away. Also, any roof seams can be suspect. You will probably be replacing the panelling anyway, just do it with nicer real wood panelling to improve the appearance and make the repair not-so-obvious. Once you have the wall opened up, it should be easier to find the source of the water. You could cut a small hole to explore and then mount a picture or a mirror over it if you decide to trace the leak but not replace the panelling.
Hard to describe in words. PM me if you have further questions on particulars.
Phil
|
Phils
|
11/03/09 04:33pm |
Travel Trailers
|
|
RE: Trouble with Mcdonough RV
I got hit with the same problem on a vehicle purchase in July '08. I contacted the Department of Motor Vehicles Investigations Unit (here in CA, you should have something similar).
It took six months and I had to buy a title bond for DMV, but I finally got title. At least here in CA the law is on your side and if you give a vehicle to a dealer to sell, you are taking the risk... not whoever buys the vehicle. There were some legal terms when I was first checking with lawyers, but it all came down to my being the "interested third party".
In a worse situation were the people that traded in cars that weren't paid for. The dealer didn't pay them off as promised, then sold them. So they still owe the loan. The DMV investigator said the case was over a million dollars and the dealer should do jail time.
You surely aren't the only one that's been cheated and I have no doubt that the case is being pursued you just have to get your name on their list.
Phil
|
Phils
|
10/28/09 05:41pm |
General RVing Issues
|
|
RE: Cab to Trailer Clearance Gauge?
... but I don't see myself installing a car alarm for this purpose!
I suspect Milehigh was tongue-in-cheek referring to his alarm going off when the rear glass shattered after coming in contact with the fiver.
I don't have an alarm but the last time I got too close I knew it from the explosive noise those windows make as they shatter ;)
Of course I have a sliding hitch but that time I wasn't going to be making THAT sharp of a turn :o
But we DID have to stay a couple of extra days on the coast until the glass people installed the new window.
Phil
|
Phils
|
10/20/09 04:54pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Solar powered fridge fan / vent
On the last fiver I had, the fridge pilot would blow out when driving. I fixed the problem by putting some sheet metal (a couple of old signs) behind the outside access panel. I left enough gap that the unit got plenty of air and when we arrived at a destination I'd slide the two signs together to increase the airflow.
That stopped the fridge from ever blowing out again.
Phil
|
Phils
|
10/09/09 06:03pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Electric Question - What Are These Boxes?
HoodCanalNorth has it right -- self-resetting circuit breakers. You will be able to find an amp rating, probably the side against the wall.
If you need a different rating or just a replacement they are available at most auto parts stores.
Phil
|
Phils
|
10/07/09 05:52pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Power inverter
Hi Phils,
Nice air conditioning unit!
So what size and make of inverter are you upgrading to?
This one in the 2000W size, movie at the bottom of the page:
Xantrex Prowatt
Phil
|
Phils
|
10/02/09 03:11pm |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Power inverter
Hi Phils,
There are modified sine wave inverters that are designed to work well with motors and microwaves--for example my Cobra 2550 (2500 watts) works very well.
What is the "big load" you have added?
True, usually depending on the number of "steps" on the waveform.
The Heart Interface I retired had few, if any, "steps" to the waveform. Powering my waterpump now is the Xantrex with IIRC 56 "steps" per cycle, closer resembling true sinewave. The water pump seems to like it.
The "big load" I added is AIR CONDITIONING!! Having lived with swamp coolers for 30 years in a very hot climate, this summer we were COMFORTABLE! I installed this one, after recommendations made in an off-grid forum I frequent: Sanyo mini-split
I never dreamed we could have REAL air conditioning since we live off-grid but this type is WAY different. It doesn't cycle on and off. It slowly increases or decreases compressor and fan speeds as necessary. No surges or spikes.
Our house runs off of a 2800W true sinewave inverter, except for lights and entertainment, and a water pump circuit (three inverters power our home). When it was 110 degrees outside, the AC would run at 1500 - 1600 watts and keep our house a comfortable 76. BUT... if you used the microwave on high when the AC was running full out, it'd overload the inverter. Because the AC doesn't have the surges and spikes of a regular unit it should do just fine on the lights and entertainment circuit when the bigger inverter arrives next week. Of course, we're probably done with the high summer temps for this year ;)
Phil
|
Phils
|
10/02/09 02:35pm |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Power inverter
I've used both MSW and PSW for decades. The prices on the true sine wave inverters are dropping. I have a 2000w Xantrex Prowatt already on it's way to replace a Prosine 1000w that has been running daily for years and it's only about $350... Inverter OOPS... that's a link to a 1000w from the same place. Apparently the 2000w units are temporarily out of stock and not currently listed, but they look identical and that place had the best price I could find on one. Of course, that 1000w is only $250 too.
True sine wave inverters, if big enough, will run a microwave properly. A modified sine wave inverter makes a microwave operate at reduced power (75% would be my guess... when I replaced an MSW with PSW my wife immediately noticed a difference in the microwave). Motors do not like MSW. Plus there are good and bad MSW inverters too but I'd never buy another now that prices are falling on the PSWs. I know you are asking about using it for entertainment, but with all the money you have tied up in the TV, get a good inverter.
Nothing wrong with my Prosine, I've just added a big load that the 1000w can't handle.
Phil
|
Phils
|
10/01/09 04:54pm |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Suntech 170 Watt Panels?
What do you do about the 24 volts?
Use an MPPT controller. It'll take a higher input voltage and drop it to the proper voltage for your batteries. Outback and Xantrex and others offer them.
Phil
|
Phils
|
10/01/09 12:41pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Neat Trick I Learned While Dry Camping
I've done it using the outside shower.
For gravity to work, your tank would have to be higher than the inlet of the one you are transferring water to.
Phil
|
Phils
|
09/22/09 10:46am |
General RVing Issues
|
|
RE: How To Silence Crank-Down Stabilizer Jacks?
You could try one of the dry lubes (graphite-based) but beware of any grease as it'll attract and hold sand and dirt, which will bind and cause wear on that screw.
I use an Amsoil product called MP (Metal Protector), similar to WD40, except that it dries and won't collect road dirt.
Phil
|
Phils
|
09/08/09 12:50pm |
Beginning RVing
|
|
RE: Kill A Watt
You got a good deal! IIRC I paid $25 a few years ago for mine.
Phil
|
Phils
|
09/02/09 05:07pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Dometic Refer Recall - Possible Fire Hazard -Update 2/13/07
Well my Dometic Refrigerator went out. Going to let Camping World put a new one in. Am wondering if the new units will work longer than the last or should i expect 3 yrs of service than a leak all over? Also i want to make sure i get a unit thats new and not one thats been sitting around along time. Guess it probally won't matter, what do you guys think?
Have you thought about having a Norcold installed instead? Different brand, different set of irritating problems (hinges breaking IIRC).
I've had both and would prefer the Norcold.
Phil
|
Phils
|
09/02/09 10:23am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: I pulled the (solar) trigger!
I've been dealing with NAWS for years and find their prices, service and advice excellent.
And #10 wire will be fine. #8 would've been unnecessary overkill.
Phil
|
Phils
|
08/26/09 04:09pm |
Travel Trailers
|
 |
RE: 5vr Front License Plate :UPDATE:
Thanks for posting the current status. Somehow I missed your original thread (maybe I was off camping?).
Altogether not entirely surprising since I live here and deal with various departments of CA occasionally.
You should be requesting interest on the money they've illegally kept.
Phil
|
Phils
|
08/20/09 12:30pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: RV Map Etiquette.
IMO it's YOU that is the focus, not your at-the-moment home. If YOU'VE been to the states, they remained "filled in".
Phil
|
Phils
|
08/20/09 11:52am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
