RE: Newbie planning first purchase
I agree that given your requirements, an older, higher end rig will seem to fit you best. An early-to-mid 90's American Coach, for example. Also, for winter camping, an Aqua-Hot is definitely something you need to consider. Without it, you can plan on going through a heck of a lot lot of propane in a mid-west winter. Aqua-Hot uses onboard diesel and does an amazing job of heating the coach.
RE: Fried A/C, 2 TV's and micro wave-my fault or electricians.
We had a 50A outlet installed on our in-law's house in SC this past fall. My FIL found a competent electrician and put me in touch with him from here in MASS.
I was totally paranoid the whole time. I sent him the http://www.myrv.us/electric/ link and went over it with him numerous times, before he did the job.
Then, I still tested the voltage on the outlet, before plugging the coach in, once we got down there.
Everything ended up fine, but you can bet I was "anxious" until testing it myself!
RE: CRADLEPOINT IBR600 or Wifi Ranger
One thing to check..... The Cradlepoint I HAd, did not work with Flitered Wifi connections, which many CG's use (Tengo). WifiRanger does work with filtered connections. Make sure to consider this.
RE: Extended Warranty
I've said it before and I'll say it again...... The decision on whether or not to purchase an EW, is highly personal. First, you should ask yourself the following question:
If I have a major failure, will it impact me financially, to the point where my coach will sit in my driveway, un-usable? Paying on a loan for an un-usable coach would be even worse!
Then it becomes a question of personal risk tolerance. Educate yourself on EW's and know that the odds are against you collecting what you put in. Also note that there are different levels of coverage. Our EW expires in September and IF I renew, it'll probably be for drivetrain only coverage. A $15,000 engine failure would cause me some pain. A $1500 refrigerator, not so much.
It's your decision!
RE: gas milage
Octane rating has no impact on BTU's. Additives used to increase Octane simply prevent the fuel from detonating early, in higher compression engines. High compression engines will experience pre-detonation (a.k.a. Pinging & knocking) when using regular grade gas. This can cause valve train damage over time.
If your engine is designed for regular gas, mid grade or premium is a simple waste of money. If your engine is designed from premium grade fuel, being a cheapskate is gambling with your car's longevity.
Finally, to complicate matters, many newer cars have the ability to adjust to the grade of gasoline used. These cars can be identified by the term, Premium Grade RECOMMENDED, instead of REQUIRED. Those engines will retard timing a bit when lower grade fuels are detected. They will run fine, but performance MAY be slightly affected as well.....
RE: Apple accounts getting hacked
Why not just have your bank issue a new card number? No way I would spend 6 months fighting the issue.
I've been on the phone with them for 6 months, its built into their system. Even if you make the darn clerk delete it from the on line reciept.....you can go to the next UHAUL seven states away and they have it on file and don't even ask you for your card for your purchase, they push a button and your card is charged!! (
RE: Mass DRC (State Parks) Email Warning
Hmmmmm..... Using Reserve America, it's easy to skirt the system. All you need is multiple user accounts. If this is such a big issue, all the CG needs to do is pay attention to who is there and for how long. We know people who skirt the system this way and spend many prime weeks at popular Mass CG's, like Scusset Beach. Heck, we did it one year to get an extra week there.
RE: Gas Grills?
The Weber Q series is definitely a popular choice among RV'ers. You see them everywhere. For my taste, the Q doesn't get hot enough. We like our steaks and burgers charred on the outside and med-rare inside. We had the Q-120 and it just would not do that for us.
After a lot of searching, we settled on a Solaire carryout. It's an IR grill that is the hottest I have ever used. If you like to slow cook anything on low heat, this is not the grill for you. Even at it's lowest setting, it is really hot. For us, though, it is perfect.........
RE: Gas Grills?
Says it's made from cold rolled steel. Can't imagine it'll last very long........
Check out this grill - you can use propane, gas or wood, and it sems to be very portable. Thinking about getting one. Also found on Amazon.
RE: Extended Warranty, where do I go and would you do it.
To buy or not to buy....... Very personal decision. Here's the question I would ask the guy in the mirror:
If I have a catastrophic failure on my RV, will I be able to absorb the cost to repair it? Or will I be paying on an RV LOAN for a rig that is sitting in my driveway, un-usable?
By catastrophic, I mean a drivetrain failure, like an engine or transmission. In a gasser, this could run $5,000 - $7,000. If this would kill you financially, look at an EW for drivetrain coverage. A refrigerator failure may run you $1500. This is where it becomes more questionable. Sure, things can pile up and end up costing you big money, but the odds are against it.
YOU need to decide based on your risk tolerance and financial status. We bought our 2003 Executive in 2011. While it had all the maintenance records and was "apparently" is wonderful shape, it had 63,000 miles on it and you never REALLY know how well it was cared for. We bought a 2 year EW, because we had no prior experience with such a higher end DP and did not want any ugly surprises. Our EW will run out in September and unless we have a slew of problems, we will not recoup what we've paid in. Our only problem was a failed alternator, this past March.
We have XtraRide Platinum coverage. They are a real pleasure to deal with! If you do decide to buy in, I would strongly suggest looking at them. Wholesale Warranties, online, does rep them.
Just go into the decision with your eyes open, realizing that this is insurance and the providers make lots of money. Odds are you will not recover what you paid in, by a longshot. None of that matters, however, if you are comfortable with the decision. Don't let others try to dictate what YOU should do. Make your own informed decision........
RE: Dish 1000.2
I'm thinking his low numbers are due to obstructions, not alignment. He clearly has done this before and admits hes struggling to "find a hole in the trees".
Without looking up the numbers, I cannot say for sure, but I'm guessing both arcs are pretty high in the sky from Alabama.......
I am not suggesting he align with a smartphone. He's obviously already aligned . . .
Hardly. Those are low numbers the OP listed.
Why in the world won't the Western Arc sats work for him there????
I didn't say his 1000.2 wouldn't work. He can make WA work. I've heard folks acquiring sats with elevations < 20 degrees.
However, in his current location, EA sats are significantly higher and thus probably easier to shoot, don't you think?
RE: Dish 1000.2
Wow.....
I am not suggesting he align with a smartphone. He's obviously already aligned, but is blocked by trees or some other obstruction. The smartphone app (DP Pro in my case) would allow him to more easily pick a spot with a clear shot to the satellites, after which he could align as he has in the past.
I'm also thinking he's in Alabama? Why in the world won't the Western Arc sats work for him there????
Sorry, but you have me really confused.
After third try in trees last night I have low signal strength as follows (110W - 20; 119W – 24; 129W – 0) I do not have a smart phone – thus not their application. I am trying to shoot through hole in trees. I use web site - www.dishpointer.com to get information which is Elevation 37.6 . . .
Good luck aligning your dish with just a smart phone. I don't have those kind of skills and use a good sat meter.
Anyway, you're using the wrong dish (1000.2) for your location. The 1000.2 is shipped as a Western Arc (sats 110, 119, 129) dish which is generally good for west of the Mississippi (a generalization).
However, for your location you should be using the Eastern Arc sats (61.5, 72, and 77).
Why?
Elevation -- for Wedowee, AL the Eastern Arc sats are at about 49 degrees while the Western Arc sats (what you're using) are at 37 degrees. That's a 12 degree difference -- making it easier to aim over trees.
Don't change to DirecTV, change you 1000.2.
It can be "upgraded" to use Eastern Arc sats. Check eBay. Here's a description of the Eastern Arc Twin LNB upgrade.
RE: Dish 1000.2
Seems to me that you've pointed the dish correctly, but not selected a clear hole through the trees. You're probably getting 110/119 through some minor obstructions and are blocked completely on 129.
Without a smartphone available, it's purely trial and error to find that open shot. You're close, so try moving up or down, left or right in small increments.
