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Forum
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RE: Solar options for a Fun Finder/TT
If your just looking for some energy assurance with a 2 battery bank and not planning on increasing your power usage significantly your solar system can be pretty simple. Without knowing your specific needs but knowing you use 2 batteries a good estimate would be 200W solar (2 100W panels wired in parrelel) and good charge controller. Wiring is simple: Panels to controller and controller direct to batteries. System will then operate automatically with very little required from you except to occasional check to see it is working properly and to water the batteries. Get a decent charge controller (need 20amp one for 200W solar)
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hmknightnc
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06/18/13 04:48pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Expectations for 6 volt batteries
Specific gravity should be 1.275 fully charged. Might be a little higher (maybe 1.285) for new batteries. Also, like what was said, 12.5V with a load would be quite normal IF the solar isn't doing it's thing (which would be at night). Solar should be keeping the voltage up with light loads. Need to check your solar output voltage at the controller during the day with and without loads.
x2, What controller do you have? For the 6 volt batteries you need a controller that will take the batteries to 14.4+ and hold it there for some period of time during the day to ensure they are fully charged and maintained that way.
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hmknightnc
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06/18/13 04:33pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Looks like the new Ram HD can tow, but can it Haul?
Well is 9750 lbs of payload capacity enough?
:B:S Finally a tow rating that makes sense with payload. Tow rating of 30,000# means 6 to 7 thousand lbs pin wieght. With 9750 available plenty left over for fuel, people, stuff.
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hmknightnc
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06/17/13 06:24pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: New to us TV overheating??
Sounds total normal and expected depending on the load your carrying and ambient temperature. As long the temperature doesn't exceed around 220 for extended periods of time your fine.
I don't have a duramax currently but my cummins can easily climb to 220 when the fan kicks in and then stays there when pulling heavy up hills (horse trailer wieghing 18k#)
If your worried take into a dealer and have it checked but I wouldn't worry about it unless temperature starts to rise out of the normal range,
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hmknightnc
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06/16/13 07:25pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: New 2014 CWS8 Fan Running Noise
Like downtheroad said. However, that does mean your battery is supplying current to parastic loads including that fan you hear. Unless you are plugged in I recommend you disconnect the battery either by the disconnect switch (if equiped) or lifting the negative wire on the battery. Parasitic loads depending on the size can kill a battery in a few days to a week.
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hmknightnc
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06/16/13 03:51pm |
Camping World Service and Installation
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RE: Battery charging, Again!!
the alternator will have greater Amp capacity feeding with larger wires and where are these larger wires?
It really depends on the OPs actual setup but assumming standard configeration. Every alternator charging system I have ever seen on an RV uses standard battery cable (like 4ga or larger) versus a standard converter wiring of 8 or 10 gauge.
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hmknightnc
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06/16/13 02:55pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Battery charging, Again!!
The engines 12V alternator will provide the fastest charging rate.Please explain.
Hi 2oldman. Assuming he has a standard converter with standard wiring then the alternator will have greater Amp capacity feeding with larger wires and operating at nominally the converters boost voltage (14+)
Now if the OP has an upgraded converter and upgraded converter to battery wiring the above my not be true
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hmknightnc
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06/16/13 02:40pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Your favorite way to charge tt batteries between trips
If you are planning to actually use the TT quite often (every couple weeks) just having the solar charging the batteries when not in covered storage will be a lot to maintain the batteries as compared to not having it like most folks. Just make sure the batteries are charged prior to storing and then disconnect the batteries while in storage
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hmknightnc
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06/16/13 01:03pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Confused at Camping World
If this is how I should be calculating it, then how can camping world be selling me what they are?
The salesman has absolutely no idea what you will be carrying in your Yukon so is making an educated guess. Based on personal experience his guess is going to be pretty close as long those trailers he was showing you with those wieghts were GVWR and no empty wieght
Had (still have) an 05' Tahoe fully tow equiped from the factory and pulled a 6000# fully loaded TT for tens of thousands of miles with no problems. I would no want to tow more than that with that vehicle. So if the model he is showing you with the 6800# was the GVWR of the TT you would likely end up at 6000# actual wieght loaded and you'll be fine.
Like somebody else said though you really have to do your own homework. Estimate your own wieghts and go from there.
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hmknightnc
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06/16/13 07:52am |
Towing
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RE: Listing of AMP usage?
If you only have a 30 amp RV with one AirCond (I do) or you are limited to 30 amp by the park service available power then:
- put your HW heater on gas
- becareful running Micro with AC running but we do it all the time with no problem
- only run 1 AC if you have 2 (50 amp RV powered by 30 amp service)
You will be fine this way
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hmknightnc
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06/16/13 07:31am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Confused at Camping World
Hi and welcome to the forum. Yes it can be confusing without any previous experence trying to figure this stuff out and the vehicle manufactures don't really help you out either. Basically there are several different ratings that have to be considered and which everone is limiting is the one to follow. For pulling TT with a 1/2 ton based vehicle that limiting feature is more than likely payload/Axle rating/GVWR. In other words you will reach the limit of what you can carry with a TT (they have heavy tongue wieghts) before you reach the tow vehicle stated tow capacity.
Based on tongue wieghts think about this way. With the same tow vehicle (yours) you can tow a heavier flat bed equipment trailer than you can a boat trailer. You can tow a heavier boat trailer than you can a TT.
Check your hitch ratings. This is the maximum tongue wieght you can carry with that hitch (TT typically have 13% tongue wieght to fully loaded wieght). Then wiegh your tow vehicle fully loaded with all the stuff that would be in it towing. The difference in your axle rating and the actual axle wieght is then the maximum amount of tongue wieght you can have without exceeding axle limits (this is legal limit)
With a 1/2 ton based tow vehicle and a TT your tow vehicle tow rating will almost never be limiting (in other words you can't actually tow that much) compared to carrying capacity.
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hmknightnc
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06/15/13 08:02pm |
Towing
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RE: Auxiliary outside canopy?
We carry a 10' x 10' one. Self contained and expands/pops up easily. Has it's own carrying case and stores easily in FW basement. No idea what brand, have own it for about 3 years now. Got it on sale at Wal-Mart. Think I paid around $70 then.
We don't use it very often but sure is handy when we want it.
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hmknightnc
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06/14/13 07:35pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: How many 240w solar panels can you fit on 34fter?
The panels are approximately 3' x 5'. It really depends on the other stuff on the roof but I could easily fit 3 of those panels on the roof of my 32' FW. You have to get up on the roof and look to really know
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hmknightnc
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06/14/13 06:57pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: generator just to charge batteries
A little off-topic for your request but: How big is your battery bank? If you are just looking to charge batteries you might want to consider adding solar. Once installed it is automatic and no maintenance. If you have just a single battery then 100Watts solar would likely do the trick and you can self install 100Watt for $200
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hmknightnc
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06/11/13 08:28pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Anyone upgrade brake wiring - does it improve braking?
Haven't done it on the FW but upgraded the Tri-Axle 18k# GVWR gooseneck horse trailer wiring to 8ga, STAR configeration, and outside axle wiring runs. Made a huge difference in stopping that heavy SOB. The FW brakes currently work fine so haven't bothered yet but first good excuse and I'll do it too.
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hmknightnc
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06/10/13 08:03pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Two 2000 watt Honda Generators
Yes, if RV is a 30amp service then the twin hondas will run everything almost like shore power 30amp service (Twin Honda's have about 27 amp capability).
If you have a 50amp service. Then you won't be able to run both AirCons together and becareful with one AC, Micro and elect HW all at the sametime
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hmknightnc
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06/04/13 08:34pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: first trip to scales
6,620# fully loaded trailer (combined wieght minus truck only wieght)
1,040# tongue wieght (15%) (calculated TT wieght from above minus TT axles)
Not sure I would even use WDH with that size TT on a F350. Your better than good with that setup
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hmknightnc
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06/03/13 10:22pm |
Towing
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RE: Jump Start Battery
Just get a second battery and then to ensure the longest life possible and always topped off batterys (coming out of storage) get a small solar panel with good controller (30 to 50 watts should be more than plenty) as a maintainer
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hmknightnc
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06/03/13 04:13pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Pickup shopping. 7,200 lb TT
Don't know what your presonal preference is for gas vs diesel as gas powered will certainly handle a 7,200# TT. That TT is generically within the capability of any of the HD Tow Equiped 1/2 tons by the big 3 out there. Pick your favorite
However, since you will be "racking up the miles" in the interest of a lot of miles with as least stress as possible (plenty of capacity & power) I would suggest getting any of the later model 3/4 diesels. Personnally I would avoid the Ford 6.0 diesel but other than that any of the big 3, pick your favorite.
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hmknightnc
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06/03/13 03:48pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: want towing opinion
Doesn't sound like you have an actual problem except needing to slow down. You do know that most trailers come with ST tires that are speed rated at 65mph right?
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hmknightnc
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06/02/13 10:59pm |
Toy Haulers
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