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RE: A Class B I can drive in town and that has a REAL bed?
My 1997 Xplorer 230 XL on a Dodge 3500 van chassis is 19.5 feet long and has a permanent full bed in the rear. It is what you want, but you cannot have mine!
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steveh27
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05/16/13 11:28am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Connecting Two Honda Genny's....
I used to have an 11,000 btu Dometic on my Class B Xplorer, but it died & Dometic said they no longer made it. My little B doesn't need 13,500 btu, but I liked the high efficiency low power draw for about the same cost as the regular. I don't understand why Dometic doesn't market this more. Why would anyone buy the regular?
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steveh27
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04/19/13 12:40pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Connecting Two Honda Genny's....
Here's the real numbers for my high efficiency unit and operating it:
Dometic's 459530 Hi-Eff 87 lbs. AC protection=15 amp compressor loaded amps=8.6 fan loaded amps=2.5 Total FUll load amps=11.1 amps.
Within one Honda 2000 output of over 13 amps.
Here's my actual numbers:
I fired up my new Honda 2000 & plugged the Kill-a-watt meter into it. 126 volts. Then I plugged in my motorhomes 30 amp power cord with the proper adapter. I did not bother turning the breaker off to the converter based on my earlier analysis. The draw was 2.6 amps. Then I turned the AC fan on low. 4.5 amps. Then I turned the AC on and it went to 11+ amps and slowly climbed to 12.5 amps and had no problem running. In my motorhome the AC was nice & cold & the battery was being charged. All lights worked fine. I switched the eco on & had no problem. I switched the AC fan to low let it run for 1/2 hour. The draw then was 11.5 amps. Sweet. This high efficiency AC is worth every penny!
Air temp = 87 (hotter than before)
interior motorhome temp 95+
Gen only = 126.6 volts.
With my MH plugged in & converter left on = 126.2 volts 2.73 amps, 176 watts.
Turning the AC fan on to LO = 125.6 volts, 4.34 amps, 416 watts.
Adding the AC compressor
= 123.8 volts, 11.1 amps, 1210 watts. These slowly went up to 11.52 amps & 1250 watts.
Turned the fan on HI = 123.2 volts, 12.5 amps, 1381 watts. These numbers slowly drifted a bit higher.
Turned the fan back to LO & let it run 15 minutes. Nice & cool inside. 123.2 volts, 12.49 amps, 1400 watts, less than the 1600 watts continuous rating of the Honda.
My elevation is only 750 feet. Most people know at higher elevations the genny loses some hp so plan accordingly.
My solution won't work for some people, but it does for me.
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steveh27
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04/19/13 07:07am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Connecting Two Honda Genny's....
Or do what I did. Replace your ac with Dometic's High efficiency ac & run it with just the 1 Honda 2000. Works fine for me with judicious use of the other electrical stuff.
I have the Honda 2000 & it powers my high efficiency 13.5 dometic ac just fine. For less money than a second Honda and connector cord you could replace your ac with the high efficiency model.
Here it is model 459530:
http://www.dometic.com/10436664-32fa-4b25-8067-c8a5538a1dcc.fodoc
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steveh27
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04/18/13 08:34am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: FEMALE Solo Musician - ??? on Class B Van for FULL TIME?
I have a 1997 Xplorer 230 XL with 145,000 miles. I love it & usually spend 45 nights/year in it. I do use it from March-December and have spent nights as cold as 8 in it. Xplorer's are fairly well insulated. The furnace keeps it plenty warm & I have a spare ceramic heater if I'm plugged in to shore power. It would be tricky to fulltime in the north & try to keep using the water system. The grey tank is underneath & will freeze. I have upgraded the charger, added a battery meter & run direct wiring for a portable inverter to run my sat TV.
I believe the Xplorer was top of the line in class B's for it's time.
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steveh27
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04/16/13 12:11pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: kitchen light converted to LED
I have the small 8 watt fluorescent bulbs in my Class B. I think the leds would save at most 4 watts, so that's not high on my to do list. I did replace a few other bulbs with leds & they work great with 1/5 the power.
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steveh27
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04/13/13 08:14am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: How much 12v power is used by the fridge while running in LP mode?
The reason for the different current ratings are because they are describing different models. For example, my small manual Dometic uses a thermocouple to hold the gas valve open - it only draws a few milliamps at 12V while lighting - none while operating.
Mine is the same. Nice older model.
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steveh27
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04/10/13 12:05pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: DVR with Dish Network with 211K Receiver
My 211k works great with my external hd. Just had to pay the one time $40 & now free w no monthly fees. I think mine is 750gb western digital. I also take it on the road with a tailgator. Sweet.
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steveh27
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04/10/13 11:59am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Blizzard coming
I'm glad I canceled my trip to the Black Hills for turkey hunting (due to a cold). I would not have been able to go where I wanted.
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steveh27
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04/09/13 07:48am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Civil War Tour
My family was almost wiped out in the CW. 2 dead & 1 wounded out of 5 brothers. They fought for the union. My G Grandfather was too young or I might not be here. I have 8 letters sent to him from 1 of his brothers later killed in battle. And pics of both of those killed in their uniforms.
Others have given a lot of good info. Here's where I've been:
CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELDS AND FORTS I VISITED
Antietam, MD
Manassas, VA
Fredericksburg, VA
Wilderness, VA
Spotsylvania, VA
Harpers Ferry, WV
Gettysburg, PA
Monocacy, MD
Wilson’s Creek, MO
Pea Ridge, AR
Carthage, MO
Springfield, MO
Corinth, MS
Shiloh, TN
Fort Sumter, SC
Fort Moultrie, SC
Battery White, SC
Andersonville, GA
Perryville, KY
Fort Clinch, FL
Stone Mountain, GA
Chickamauga, GA
Chattanooga, TN
Lookout Mountain, TN
Kennesaw Mountain, GA
Fort McAllister, GA
Fort Pulaski, GA
Fort James Jackson, GA
Atlanta History Center, GA
Mansfield, LA
Pleasant Hill, LA
Grant’s Canal, LA
Brices Cross Roads, MS
Tupelo, MS
Newtonia, MO
Grand Gulf, MS
Port Gibson, MS
Vicksburg, MS
Raymond, MS
Baxter, KS
Bentonville, NC
Averasboro, NC
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, OH
Cabin Creek, OK
Fort Donelson, TN
Franklin, TN
Stones River, TN
Britton Lane, TN
Parker’s Crossroads, TN
Nashville, TN
Knoxville, TN
Forrest Park, Memphis, TN
Lee Chapel, VMI, Lexington, VA
Seven Pines, VA
Cold Harbor, VA
Philippi, WV
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steveh27
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03/29/13 09:35am |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: Add a rooftop AC on Winnebago Journey
If you ever want to run it on a genny get the high eficiency model. I have a Dometic 459530. WOrks well on 1 Honda 2000 gen.
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steveh27
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03/15/13 01:19pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: How do I hook up a Yamaha EF2400 iSHC Generator
Good recommendation. Thanks..
Maybe mine is "high efficiency"?
It is a 2011. My MH is 2011.
Dometic DuoTherm Penguin.
Model 641535. 13,500 btu.
If not, do you have a link to an AC like yours?
I have a Honda 2000. Sure would be great to get it to work and run an AC.
Here it is model 459530:
http://www.dometic.com/10436664-32fa-4b25-8067-c8a5538a1dcc.fodoc
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steveh27
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03/15/13 12:59pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Tailgater Sattelite System-Local Channels
I take my home dish 211k box with me & use the tailgater just fine. I call and ask them to switch my locals when out of my area and they do that without any charge. I sometimes have to call twice as it seems to take a bit.
I have had a bit of trouble with the tailgater getting 129 in hilly PA but that may be more to do with the hills than anything. I wish dish would put another sat up with 129 for us in the north.
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steveh27
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03/12/13 01:38pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Battery monitoring Panel suggestions
I am glad I added the Trimetric lsat year to my Class B. I boondock a lot. ALso glad I replaced the convertor/charger with a pd4635 and ran a 8ga wire direct to my portable inverter to run the sat TV. That allows me to run it a lot longer without too much voltage drop. Also added some led light bulbs.
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steveh27
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03/12/13 01:30pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: How do I hook up a Yamaha EF2400 iSHC Generator
I have the Honda 2000 & it powers my high efficiency 13.5 dometic ac just fine. For less money than a second Honda and connector cord you could replace your ac with the high efficiency model.
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steveh27
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03/12/13 01:25pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Just bought a new class B- recommendations for insurance
I have AAA insurance and road service = AAA plus RV. The cost is low & I've always gotten great service. Fuel pump died after dark one rainy night 20 miles out of Indianapolis. They put me on a flatbed & pulled me in to a dealer in town with no extra charge even though then I only had the regular RS with 5 free miles.
Lost my coolant halfway across S Dakota. A flatbed hauled me 45 miles. I did have to pay the extra. I upgraded to the plus after that.
Last spring at home (Michigan) I had to be towed in 3 times due to a shorting wire the shop had trouble finding.
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steveh27
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03/08/13 03:58pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: How many miles where on your used B?
My 1997 Xplorer Has a Dodge 360 engine. I bought it in 2000 with 18,000 miles. It now has 144,000 miles & is going strong. I do maintain it as per the manual. Change oil & filter every 3,000 miles. Plan on keeping it forever.
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steveh27
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03/05/13 07:25am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Leisure van owner needs input on installing solar panels
I bought a 120 watt portable. Only used it a couple of times, but it's nice that I can move it around to get the best sun.
Here's the one I bought. It is portable & folds up nicely. Only used it twice & it seems to work well. It is now out of stock though. I do wish it had a better controller I could adjust as it seems to go into float too soon, when only charged up to 90% per my meter.
http://www.amazon.com/Infomon-Monocrystallline-Portable-Folding-Solar/dp/B005WMD8VY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1346153016&sr=8-3&keywords=120+watt+solar
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steveh27
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02/27/13 09:54am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Abused/closed Campgrounds and people and trash
Back in the late 1970's I taught high school. I recall talking about litter and how then it averaged a cost of maybe (don't remember) 45 cents a piece to get picked up and how that really added up to a huge public cost. One kid replied "Good, that gives people a job."
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steveh27
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02/26/13 05:37am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Should I upgrade my converter?
http://www.rv.net/cforum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26302131/srt/pa/pging/1/page/2.cfm
Here's a thread I started when I replaced my 6332 with the pd4635 from Best Converter. Half way down page 2 I have some detail on my results. I also added the Trimetric battery meter - what an informative device. Then I wired my 400 watt portable inverter direct to the battery & can run my sat tv for hours before it starts beeping low power - much longer than before.
I wish I had done these changes a decade ago.
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steveh27
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02/25/13 07:57am |
Tech Issues
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