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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Liberty Mutual Insurance, Anybody use them?
Great info. Thanks all.
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BillyW
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12/26/09 01:07pm |
General RVing Issues
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Liberty Mutual Insurance, Anybody use them?
I'm considering switching my insurance to Liberty Mutual because I can get a group discount that would save me quite a bit dough. This would be for home owner and auto insurance with the travel trailer included.
Anybody out there with experience either positive or negative?
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BillyW
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12/24/09 11:31am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Heat pumps: Can someone explain their virtues in RVs
BillyW,
It sounds like you may think that a "heat pump" is the auxiliary 1500 watt electric heater strip that can be installed in some RV air conditioners so that their fans can blow warm air into your rig if you leave their compressors turned off.
You are right. I was initially thinking that, even though I knew better. Don't know why I was combining the two in my head. Let's pretend I was preoccupied with something much more important. :B
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BillyW
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12/23/09 08:50am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Heat pumps: Can someone explain their virtues in RVs
Ceramic 12.5 amps 5200 BTU, Dometic 16 amps 15000 BTU
Heat pump seems to win. Dometic catalog
As I look around with an occasional friendly nudge from the forum, perhaps I misspoke. I will accept that pie in the face, but there must be a qualifier. I think Dometic's claimed BTUs would require ideal conditions, and the numbers may actually fall somewhere near the ceramic for many of us.
That being said, I will look more seriously at adding a heatpump as a viable heating option that won't require another item bouncing around in the trailer.
As usual, thanks for sharing the wisdom and insight.
Happy Holidays to all!!
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BillyW
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12/22/09 11:25pm |
Tech Issues
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Heat pumps: Can someone explain their virtues in RVs
I'm more ignorant with this than with most of my other muddling. I understand the concept of removing heat from one medium and applying it to another, and how surrounding conditions may influence the process. What I don't understand is how the word "efficient" gets thrown in. When I search for a heatpump for my 13.5 BTU Coleman Mach A/C, they are usually rated at what I would consider a low BTU, but at a high wattage. On the face of it, it looks like any cheap ceramic heater would perform much more heating for the power used.
I live in the inland Pacific northwest. We rarely hear the term heatpump around here. I guess I'm asking is there a "heatpump for dummies" published somewhere?
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BillyW
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12/22/09 10:22pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Attaching Wires to RV Roof
One more vote for Eternabond. That's what I used to secure the wires on my solar install. My tape install job wasn't exactly perfect. Luckily no one can see it. However, I'm confident it's there to stay.
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BillyW
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12/09/09 08:44pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Strange town names...!
In Washington, there is also Walla Walla, and Tum Tum.
Just for the record, the OP mentioned Athol, Idaho. The locals prefer to call it Anuth.
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BillyW
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12/09/09 04:09pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: How to Soundproof A Generator
BTW - The Yams and Hondas are made in China too, LOL!
I wondered when someone would finally bring that up! :)
However, even though their engines are made in China, I believe there is probably more quality control. And I'm sure there is a much better support network available for the end users. I own a couple Honda clone ATVs that are hard to get serviced anywhere around here.
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BillyW
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12/09/09 08:50am |
Tech Issues
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RE: How to Soundproof A Generator
Billy,
Not to start an argument, but I was there and heard it myself. The total difference between the two is 10db according to the specs. Now the Honda's 58db is rated when it is econo mode with less than a 50% load. The Champion is 68db all the time. When that Honda ramped up to run the AC, the noise level was very similar, and honestly I can tell you that you could not differentiate between the two. We have a Honda 3000 on one of our evidence trucks. I broke out my db meter, which is certified and calibrated as I use it to write tickets for loud exhaust. When my evidence officer was running a hair dryer to dry the door of a burglarized car so she could check for prints, I got a reading of 65db from about 15 feet away, give or take a couple feet as I didnt use a tape measure. Just saying, if you use the Honda and crank out some amps its gonna be loud. I just use the thing for a couple hours a day, coffee maker, wife's hair dryer and so on, the cheaper generator is the way I went. I keep it in the bed of my truck which has a tonneau cover and it works fine. Best thing is, if someone steals it, I am out $299 plus tax, not $2000.
I too wish to stress that I'm not in an arguing mood. Is it possible we are not comparing the same Honda 3000? From the Honda website:
EU3000iSA
Super quiet operation - 49 to 58dB(A)
(I think this is what most people here are referring to. Note the maximum db reading.)
EU3000i Handi
Super quiet operation - 57 to 65 dB(A)
(This one appears to be new.)
EB3000cKAG
Quiet operation - 68 dB (A)
(This one has been around a long time and is cheaper, but still pretty expensive.)
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BillyW
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12/08/09 10:49pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: How to Soundproof A Generator
Not trying to drift too much but I gotta disagree with with officergator. The closest the Honda 3000 sound gets to a Champion is still about 10 db lower. For me that is VERY easy to discern. On top of that, my Yamaha EF2800i remains quiet when charging batteries. I have recharged two travel trailers simultaneously (4 batteries total), and the generator was still reasonably quiet. Almost couldn't hear it amongst the other "camping" noise. Absolutely nothing like when it's powering the air conditioner.
Making a quiet generator quieter will require toting more stuff with you. Making a typical generator quieter will require even more stuff. I used to pack everything but the kitchen sink but have learned it's much easier to camp smart and lean. I know my battered knees and shoulders prefer the leaner approach.
Depending on your surroundings, I've found that putting the generator in the back of the truck and aiming it away from camp helped quite a bit, especially if you have a canopy.
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BillyW
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12/08/09 10:01pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPP!!!!
Just like mowermech said, the instant I start cooking/heating something on a burner the smoke detector goes crazy. It's habit now to put it under a pillow while using the cook top.
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BillyW
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12/08/09 08:25am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Winter has not even arrived yet
I think their recommended cutoff is 7000 feet.
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BillyW
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12/04/09 12:34pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Big/Tough Buddy Propane Heaters....More Info
looks like the 'tough buddy' is $139 and 18000 BTU
the camping world model 'portable buddy' is 4000-9000 BTU $99
the lowes 'portable buddy' is 4000 - 9000 BTU $79
these appear to be identical, just camping world charges more
Well, the Lowes 'portable buddy' heater that I bought is labeled as "Tough Buddy" all over the box it came in, which also lists all the correct parameters like 4000 - 9000 BTU. Interestingly the actual Mr. Heater website doesn't say the word "Tough" anywhere. Nor does it say "Big". They only list model numbers. Perhaps they are in a transitional phase or something. I guess I will just differentiate them as the "big" one and the "little" one from here on out.
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BillyW
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12/02/09 10:31pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Big/Tough Buddy Propane Heaters....More Info
I would appreciate any help on this as I would love to be able to use the Mr. Heater products since my camper is on my hunting property way back in the mountains with no electricity. I've tried two different Big Buddy units with both a 12 foot hose attached to a 20# tank outside and 2 1# bottles. I have a 24 inch window open 2 inches to run the hose outside and a overhead vent directly above the heater open 1/2 way. In both case the fire detector, originally installed in the camper and a First Alert Fire and Carbon Monoxide detector went into alarm mode. This occurred on any setting from low to high. Please don't any take any offence at what I'm saying I'd really like to use this product rather than haul 30# cylinders 30 miles and run the generator all night. The smoke detector in my trailer goes off anytime there's an open flame. I have to remove it even when I brew coffee on the cook top. I'm a proponent of the Buddy Heaters, but I don't sleep with them on. I rely on the furnace at night.
A second battery would cost about the same as a Buddy Heater. To me it's not a big deal to drag a 30# propane tank and generator. With a second battery, you wouldn't need run the generator at night, just for a few hours during the day/evening to get the batteries back up near 80% or so.
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BillyW
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12/02/09 08:13pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Big/Tough Buddy Propane Heaters....More Info
I wonder what the difference is between the Big Buddy and the Tough Buddy. Locally Lowe's sells the Tough Buddy for $139 but it isn't listed on Mr. Heater's website. Amazon sells the Big Buddy for $120 with free shipping and Northern Tool sells it for $99 plus $15 shipping to me. Are they the same heater that Lowe's has re-badged as the Tough Buddy?
The Tough Buddy I bought from Lowes cost $79 and is physically much smaller than the Big Buddy. In fact it's slightly smaller than my original "little" Buddy Heater. It only uses one propane cylinder and has no fan. Here's the Tough Buddy from Lowes.com.
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BillyW
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12/02/09 08:03pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Big/Tough Buddy Propane Heaters....More Info
To follow up, got my new "Tough" Buddy heater tonight. It's keeping me warm in my basement office as I type. It's been on for about a half hour with NO offending odors or any other issues. The smoke detector directly over my head hasn't made a peep. This room is small at 10'x12' and I even risked my life just for this report and kept the door shut. It's now way too warm. Gotta shut it off. I for one will be happy to continue using these heaters. Even with a window cracked and the overhead vent open, my trailer easily stays comfy.
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BillyW
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12/01/09 07:39pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Big/Tough Buddy Propane Heaters....More Info
I seem to remember when mine was new it did have a smell like burnt paint or something. This lasted only a couple hours during the first use though. Years later there is no smell and no problem. I think I may have ruined my old one by not using a filter on the external propane connection, and just bought a new one. I'll be picking it up from Lowes tonight and will test it thoroughly over the next couple of days.
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BillyW
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11/30/09 10:56am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Yamaha Generator (will this one run a/c)
As (I think was) already mentioned, shut off or unplug the converter when you're running the A/C. Along with the hard start cap, that really eased the load on my generator.
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BillyW
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11/28/09 10:45pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: A/C Hard Start Capacitor Install
I will argue the point to the other direction.
I believe that the manufacturers avoid the hard start caps simply to save money. It is mentioned as an available option on my Coleman model. Would they offer an optional part that would prematurely kill their product? Who knows? Maybe.
Pardon my ignorance, but can you really compare a Metal Halide bulb to the windings in a motor? They don't seem the least bit electrically similar.
I visited MANY websites in my quest for truth in regards to the hard start caps. Some manufacturers don't need them, others do. In fact it's most often touted that the hard start kits LENGTHEN the compressor's life. I did find reference to hard start caps shortening compressor life specifically because of their operational characteristics, meaning wrong tool for the job.
I put a Supco SPP6E on my A/C last year. It has significantly reduced the initial voltage drop (from shore power or generator) at start-up. The A/C also spends much LESS time producing that initial start-up humming noise, which I assume is when the compressor is experiencing the most current draw. Though I'm not 100% certain, I "think" it's the right tool for the job.
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BillyW
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11/28/09 10:37pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Yamaha Generator (will this one run a/c)
As previously mentioned, a hard start capacitor could make all the difference. My Yamaha EF2800i used require the economode to be off to run my 2004 vintage Coleman Mach 13.5 A/C. Since adding the Supco SPP6E hard start capacitor, it works fine with the economode on. Altitudes up to about 7000-8000 feet have made no difference.
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BillyW
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11/25/09 09:18am |
Tech Issues
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