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RE: Arizona....for the 1st time!
BTW We often stop at 88 Shades in the summer, not a bad place and they have 50A which you need in the summer. But among other things they have a pressure washer mounted on a telephone pole for washing the rig. Smiley Al's like most places is closed of course. Like I said Q is unique...
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CA Traveler
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11/21/09 08:59pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Arizona....for the 1st time!
Well mountains are in the eyes of the beholder. And at 5-7K feet AZ has hills (or mountains if you like). Yes it can freeze up there but you're from Ontario and why would you go there when you can be basking in 60-80 F in many of the southern parts of AZ?
Quartzsite my take: Many go there for a variety of reasons and it seems to be almost a religion for some. Camping for free or nearly so month after month, on desert BLM, with no facilities, it is the ticket for some.
But for me: I went there with a list of things for the RV at the big RV show in January. Well the discount places have everything - like a hubcap for the rig that you don't own. The big tent - what a joke unless you like snake oil of course...
I've enjoyed the folks I've meet in Q and those that I didn't meet, but observed. I may go a third time but mostly for the social aspects of two clubs that we're members.
If you think the above is negative, it's not. We really enjoy the folks and the atmosphere in Q. I would recommend it to anyone and if you choose to go back for the next 20 years so be it and we hope to see you there.
Please don't take this wrong - we had a great conservation with Lord Fox at Smiley Al's and he insisted that Diane have his hat - an extremely nice leather hat. And Smiley Al's has great pizza and weekend entertainment.
So you should go to Q. Enjoy Q as we did...If it's your winter thing then great and if not it's an adventure and then go East to Mesa or South as you choose.
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CA Traveler
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11/21/09 08:49pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: What To Use To Check Electrical Before Hookup
AC Voltage Meter.... What does a person(NEWBIE ME) do when they see a change in the reading? Just turn off some appliances,PC & A/C etc ?High or low voltage can stress the equipment even to the point of letting the smoke out. More often it's low voltage. Start by turning off the heavy draw and motor equipment like HW, AC, MW etc. If you still have low voltage consider unplugging the rig.
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CA Traveler
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11/18/09 04:13pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: What To Use To Check Electrical Before Hookup
If I were to get a portable 50A unit, what do you do on the rare occasion when you have to adapter into a 30A socket? Does it still work?Yes, just use an 30/50A adapter.
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CA Traveler
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11/18/09 11:44am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Two Way Handsets for Backing
or when I get lost in a Target and cannot find her. Yup, we use them in the big box stores and it's really helpful when she gets lost! :B
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CA Traveler
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11/18/09 07:51am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: What To Use To Check Electrical Before Hookup
The PI unit has better function, protection, a remote unit and lower cost. This is somewhat old but still a good comparison.
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CA Traveler
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11/17/09 07:30pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Two Way Handsets for Backing
I know it sounds crazy but I have seen rv'ers backing in with their windows closed.Or they are both sitting in the cab...
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CA Traveler
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11/17/09 07:17pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: What To Use To Check Electrical Before Hookup
Just checking the power setup before you plug into the power only solves part of the problem. Over or under voltages can be very bad on your coach's electronics and air conditioners. I installed a Progressive Industries hard wired 50amp surge protector that will check the power automatically before passing it into the coach, and also drop the power if goes over or under voltage to protect the coach. You'd be surprised how often this feature activates in overloaded campground electrical systems. I installed mine downstream of the transfer switch to protect from campground power and also generator over/under voltages.
Link to Progressive industries 50 amp hardwired unit is below.
link to progressive hw50C
Look at 3rd item down in the list.
I've used mine for years and have been very satisfied with the protection provided. ....FredI fully agree and have the same HW50C unit.
The HW50C also displays a prior fault. So if you have low voltage:
1. You're disconnected and protected.
2. When the voltage is restored you're reconnected and a prior fault is displayed.
So now you perhaps return to the rig and can see the prior low voltage which could be useful information.
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CA Traveler
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11/17/09 05:56pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: What To Use To Check Electrical Before Hookup
A $5 household analyzer, $10 digital voltmeter, 50/30 and 30/20 adapters and you can check any plug before using. This is equipment you should carry anyway and will provide an excellent check of 20A and 30A plugs and a good check of 50A plugs.
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CA Traveler
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11/17/09 05:23pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Two Way Handsets for Backing
We use hand signals and two way radios. Two way radios have limitations: there is a delay before you talk and only one person can talk at a time.
A better solution would be the RV Headset (Google it). This a full duplex operation (like a telephone) and is hands free.
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CA Traveler
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11/17/09 03:12pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 6 ga wire
Could you use black wire with white tape on each end?
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CA Traveler
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11/14/09 10:07am |
Truck Campers
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RE: slow computer--my fault
My Verizon UM150 air card comes with a USB cable with 2 USB connectors on the computer end. The second USB connector contains power connections only and can help in remote areas. I would assume that the cable has larger gauge wire and the additional power can help with the usable range in some cases.
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CA Traveler
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11/14/09 10:04am |
Technology Corner
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RE: power gear jacks
Three failures on a 08 rig seems high. Was the correct fluid used and are the jacks adequate for the weight of the rig? Or did you just get some bad jacks?
I would call/email PG and see if they won't help considering this is the third failure and just out of warranty. It's possible that they had production problems etc and the right person would listen to a owner.
There are several posts on having a local hydraulic shop replace the seals at significant savings.
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CA Traveler
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11/14/09 09:27am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: slow computer--my fault
It's possible that you were using a low quality or small gage wire USB cable. Mine came with a cable and there have been times when I've moved the air card to get a better signal.
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CA Traveler
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11/14/09 09:10am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Black tank connector advice
Are you asking about a standard slide valve that RV stores carry?
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CA Traveler
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11/14/09 09:02am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Water Heater Bypass Valve...
Clearly any RV parts place or online. Certain valve designs are prone to noise depending upon a number of factors. You might consider replacing it with a better quality or ball valve.
Maybe even just additional strapping to the surrounding cabinet would help.
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CA Traveler
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11/14/09 08:58am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Help - slides stuck extended
Actually my rig has individual slide motors with a lever to release the brake. I can then use a wrench to bring in the slide and then set the brake. At that point I would leave the slide in until the problem is resolved.
And this thread has motivated me to make sure I have documentation on how to release the jack hydraulic pressure in case of an electrical failure. After 5 years with no problems I just don't remember the details.
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CA Traveler
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11/14/09 08:52am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Help - slides stuck extended
Sam makes a good point. My jumper is good for most RV equipment but not heavy draw equipment because there there would be to much voltage drop. A voltmeter is a very useful device for trouble shooting and measuring voltage drop.
So if I needed to get power to my slide motors or hydraulic jack motor what are the options since none are within car battery jumper cable reach?
1. My 50' jumper and voltmeter would likely (or may) indicate that the motor is trying to run but needs more amps.
2. For a one time operation I would move a battery within range or drive the car within range.
3. For multiple operations like when on a trip (and prior to a the correct fix) I would purchase adequate sized wire to reach including a second piece to reach frame ground.
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CA Traveler
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11/14/09 08:44am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Help - slides stuck extended
Out of curiosity would you describe the 50 foot jumper you use? Size of wire, connectors, etc.?It was a piece of left over construction 12ga wire that I picked up some time back. It's stranded and not solid but fairly stiff. Each end has a non insulated alligator clip - insulated would be better...
From my observation on these board many of the elusive problems (for a variety of reasons) are grounding problems. And that's why I posted more than once to connect to a good frame ground. And if you measure say 1V to the negative battery post (NOT cable) there is "Trouble in River City". But the more common problem would be to measure significant voltage to the base of a bulb or to the trailer frame or whatever...
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CA Traveler
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11/13/09 08:07pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Help - slides stuck extended
Buy a $10 digital voltmeter and check for voltage. If there is no voltage and you can't find the problem like fuse, relay problem, bad connection, etc then use a jumper to supply voltage to the motor and get the slides in. I carry a 50' jumper with clips for any unexpected problem like this.
If you do have power and can't find a reset button then look for a lever to release the hydraulic and allow you to manually move the slide. Your owners manual should cover this.
It's always a good idea to know how to manually retract slides before taking delivery.
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CA Traveler
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11/13/09 03:33pm |
Tech Issues
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