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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Will this generator work for my camper
At 120v I believe you will get half the wattage but should still plenty to run the air. Keep the water and fridge on propane. Microwave might overload generator with air running. Worst case reset and restart with reduced load. tv is a nit.
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smkettner
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05/22/13 11:06pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Failed Smog Test
Lean the mixture until it misses then open ~ 1/2 turn. Same on the other side.
Still it is a bit of a guess without the sniffer.
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smkettner
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05/22/13 10:23pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Tries to stay away from
The newest Marathon made in the last year should be an improvement over the first try at Chinese manufacturing a few years ago.
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smkettner
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05/22/13 10:19pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: axle hitting frame question
Do your springs look flat like this?
http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff363/smkettner/10-11-2012125.jpg width=500
Or nice arc like this?
http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff363/smkettner/Suspension005.jpg width=500
I think these are 4" hangers, 3500# axles, trailer GVWR 7880.
Old springs 3500# rated, new 4400# rated.
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smkettner
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05/22/13 10:04pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Charging a deep cycle battery with lighter guage wire
Use heavy duty jumper cables if you must charge the RV battery from the truck. If pulling wire go with #4, as #12 will do about nothing.
Truth is it will all be a PITN and very slow leading to an early battery death from sulfation.
If parked in the sun look at getting 100 + watts of solar or a dreaded generator with a decent portable charger.
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smkettner
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05/22/13 11:02am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Solar Help
I = current (amps)
V = Voltage
mp = Maximum Power.
oc = Open Circuit
sc = Short Circuit
You really want to watch Isc or maximum short circuit amps so you get the proper rated controller.
Generally Imp x Vmp = panel rating in watts.
1.16 & 17.4 seems like a 20w panel not 90w.
Basically you are buying amps. The I (amps) is what you will get into the battery. The controller basically clips voltage down to what is needed to properly charge and maintain the battery.
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smkettner
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05/21/13 11:17pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Converter ?
Is there power on the wire? Zero volts indicates you need to work back to the breaker panel and discover the open circuit.
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smkettner
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05/21/13 11:02pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Why is my converter is cooking my battery?
Yes those are the signs of a classic shorted cell.
Remove the battery and see what voltage it holds after a couple days.
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smkettner
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05/21/13 09:40pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: axle hitting frame question
Need a different spring arc or longer hangers and a bumper.
Post a pic for best suggestions.
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smkettner
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05/21/13 09:11pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Re-packing bearings
The Dexter Axle website states that while turning the hub slowly, tighten the castle nut to 50#. The without turning the hub, back the castle nut and then tighten the castle nut finger tight, then back of until the castle nut lines up with the cotter key hole.
Dexter Axle
And then cram the hub full of grease right? :R
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smkettner
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05/21/13 08:55pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Time for a new A/C ?
I would let it pressure down and hit that valve with a hammer a few times and retry. Then keep tapping during the initial run. Longshot but no loss in trying.
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smkettner
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05/21/13 08:52pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Converter/charger trips breaker
#4 I would have suggested 80 amp breaker ;)
Actually with a 1' run... is this just the converter direct on the battery? I would skip the breaker if it is that simple and reasonably protected.
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smkettner
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05/21/13 08:33pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Solar Help
Several have said that I should get 2 panels to total the necessary watts needed. I have no problem with that but when I look at the specs for lower watt panels the IMP goes way down also the volts. What is the effect on charging the batts? Also that means more brackets and more wire and more holes in the roof.
MickAs long as they are nominal 12v panels they will be fine. Just make sure total Isc does not exceed controller rating.
Isc is short circuit current or max amps.
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smkettner
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05/21/13 08:30pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Converter/charger trips breaker
I assume you have reviewed your wire connections for ampacity before you go up in breaker size. IMO minimum wire for the entire loop should be #8 including grounds etc.
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smkettner
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05/21/13 08:14pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Solar Help
With Isc close to 12 amps I recommend a 15 to 20a PWM controller.
Morningstar SunSaver 20A is close to $80 but it seems many are happy with lower cost any brand controller in the $20/$25 range.
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smkettner
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05/21/13 03:52pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: How to use Generator
Glad to hear the GFI got your power on. Running stuff is easy. If you expect to get a decent fast battery charge you should also review the charging system including the converter. Low batteries need to be brought up to 14.2+ volts for fast charging. Some converters are good and others trickle away at 13.6 volts.
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smkettner
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05/21/13 03:09pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Costco vs Sams Club 6V Golf Cart Batteries
I later weighed one of the same batteries in the pic in a different Costco, and it did not weight 66+ lbs. It weighed only 62.7#, IIRC, 4 lbs less than advertised!Did it say the weight or capacity on the battery or the shelf lable?
I would trust the battery more than the shelf.
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smkettner
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05/21/13 01:47pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Solar Help
Does sunelec.com require the 4 minimum when picking up?
Here are some in Norco CA where you can buy 1 or 2:
http://www.solarblvd.com/
Bit of a road trip to save shipping.
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smkettner
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05/21/13 01:36pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Charge controller recommendations
Not sure how they can extend the Vabs when batts are low. Vabs is reached sooner at a lower SOC with a higher charging rate.
If you get to Vabs at 65% SOC then you would expect to be in the Absorption Stage longer than if you got to Vabs at 95% SOC with a low charging rate.
So somewhere in all this you have to relate to whether you have 50w on your 440AH bank for storage or whether your camping set of 600w on the 440AH bank is also used when in storage and the controller has to be able to throttle back that 600w from way overdoing it.
Perhaps I am confused what you guys are really talking about due to some terminology confusion on my part.
You have it right. The extended time is based on start voltage. A battery at 12.6+ in the morning is assumed to be in storage and get just a few minutes Vabs. Battery starting at 12.2 in the morning gets an extended Vabs. Even lower can cancel float and remain in absorbtion all day. All set points adjustable.
And I agree a small system with a large battery may never need a long absorption time. It may never even go to float when in use.
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smkettner
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05/21/13 12:01pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Charge controller recommendations
PD converter hits 14.4 for ~ 15 minutes every 21 hours. IOTA does similar once a week. My solar hits 14.3 for 10 minutes every 24 hours. All seem to work well in storage from the posts I read.
Likewise all three extend the Vabs when the battery is low. And again the posts are favorable.
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smkettner
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05/21/13 10:56am |
Tech Issues
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