RE: How to: digital tv with old style antenna
Hi,
We just bought our first trialer, '06 Jayco, and it has the old analog antenna. How do you figure out where to aim the antenna with out having to re-scan all the channels on the new tv as you turn the antenna? I pluged everything in and aimed the flat side, wings out, toward downtown and only got two channels. Maybe I have it 180degs out? It seems silly to have to re-scan every time you move the antenna on notch as you try to find reception.
Thanks,
Jay
There are basically two ways.. Now.. I have two digital converters in my rig plus a "Cheat Sheet" I will try to find that sheet for you.
Here is what I normally do:
I do an initial Scan. find a channel, and then go to the antenna pointing option on my digital converter.. THEN I peak that channel and re-scan
I will then tune through the assorted channels I get pick the weakest, and go back to the antenna pointing page, and peak IT
Then I check the others, and if necessary re-scan.
FOUND THE CHART!!!
Right click, Choose "Save link"
This chart shows the state, then the city, then the NTSC channel, this is the top level channel that displays on your screen (IE if your screen shows 4-1 or 4.1 this is channel 4) and the ATSC broadcast channel
To make sure you understand it go to Michigan, Detroit NTSC: 4 ATSC:45
This means to peak Channel 4 Detroit, I tune my Antenna to channel 45 (The channel they broadcast on)
Or to be more precise... I select Antenna Pointing on my DTVpal and set it to channel 45
And that's channel 4
NOTE: some times the channel does not change.. For example where I'm currently at there are two stations (13 and 16) that are, in fact, on just that channel.
Confusing isn't it.
RE: Options for towing vehicle with Motorhome
As it happens I have a friend near me (about 10 feet away) who drives a Toyota Tacoma He told me the options
Dolly.. The pick up is rear wheel drive so you need to tow it backwards
Full Trailer: Ok, that's always an option
4-Down: Drive Shaft Disconnect from Remco Towing (or a lube pump but I like the Disconnect better)
With the disconnect the odometer does not increment. the transmiossion does not turn (you put it in park) and .. Well. it's a trailer.. If some idiot pulls the tow pins hops in fires it up and hits the gas.. He goes to jail fast (The truck, however, does not move since the drive shaft is disconnected)
Same as my Lumina (Which has an axle lock)
Now, info on the options
4-down using most of the major tow bars the tow bar "Stores" either on the hitch adapter on the motor home or on the towed (I like the kind that stow on the motor home better, Looks) You need not pull up exactly to the tow bar if you are a few inches off you can still hook up, or a few degrees, I've hooked up at some serious angles) And you only add about 50 pounds tops to your combined vehicle weight (it costs money to tow more pounds, plus there are weight limits on a sticker somewhere)
Dolly, You add a lot more weight, plus you have to find a place to park IT when you are parked
Trailer.. Still more weight.. Advantage trailer.. You can back up with a trailer (You can not with the other options) Provided, that is, you know how to back up a trailer (I do, but frankly I'd rather not with a 38 foot gasser motor home)
So I'd go to RemcoTowing and see if they have a Drive Shaft Disconnect for the truck.
Or, Disconnect v/s Lube pump.
I have read posts by folks who had a lube pump fail and no alarm
Drive shaft disconnects are, from what I can see, a type of technology (Spline clutch) that should basically never fail.. Though the push/pull cable can rust up bind and fail but it's cheap and easily replaced. plus there is an "Override" method if it happens.
RE: Laptop power supply
There are a few companies that make "Universal" power supplies. Any decent computer store will have them.. They start at around fifty bucks some are both AC (120 or 240 volt 50 or 60 HZ) and 12vdc.. That is a truly "Universal" supply as it not only works with most any computer (They have an assortment of tips, (power plugs for the comptuer) you pick the one matching your rig) they work with both US and Overseas power or the car battery.
Targus is one such company that makes them.. I don't know the others
Micro Center (I think it's www.microcenter.com) sells a good selection of them, Since Comp-USA went to whatever they were sold to Micro Center is about the best computer specality store out there.. I shop one of their brick & Mortar places.
RE: Wingman Add On
YEs, there is no reason you can't reverse the Batwing
You can also cut the last director element off the wingman (in the photo up-thread you'd cut at about the 5 inch mark) This will slightly reduce it's performance but it will still be much better than without the wingman
RE: air-card on or off when not using?
What happens if the air card connection is not disconnected when shutting down the comptuer.. NOTHING. it is disconnected when the computer is shut down. Always, Since without software (The driver program), which is running on the computer. the card can not chat with the tower.
Also depending on if it's a card or USB dongle, and the age of the computer the card will be without power when the computer is shut down (Newer computers may still provide USB power)
So.. It's shut down 100%
The danger. (Should you leave your computer on) is that a hacker might find it and breach your firewall.. You do have a fire wall right?
RE: Need Imput on DirecTV Install!
Well. you open the window for them to install, and close it later...
The problem with motor homes is that they are not wired for a ground mount DirecTV antenna (normally) they may be wired for park cable but I very strongly recommend NOT using that cable.. So here is what I did..
I ran a pair (Since I need two LNB lines) of RG-6 cables to a connector which in my case is under the hood (Front engine gasser) on the brake bracket but I recommend any basement compartment that's handy or a bulkhead (through wall) connector. That is the SAT-TV IN port. And that's where it hooks up. That simple.
Now, a bit of a tv primer
DirecTV Rv accounts use one bird, (101 west)
DishNetwork uses two (110/119)
Dish HDTV uses 3, on the west half it's 110/119/and think 127 (or 129)
On the east I don't know what they use
DirecHDTV uses 3 birds, 101 in the KU band and two more on either side of it in the KA band
So if you opt for a rooftop antenna. If you get a dish http://www.motosat.com you get the dish that matches your service
If you use a DOME: DirecTV (NOT HD) is your best option.
(Dish may work but if you have a DVR or multi-receivers you may not be happy)
I may go back to Dish however
Direc is gouging just now.
Oh, one last advice.. WIth DirecTV find someone who can point you to the RV-Waiver (if you don't already have it) and fill it in and fax or mail it in, this gets you network TV no matter where you are.. Without that waiver you will loose your network TV if you are too far from home (CBS/NBC/ABC/FOX/UPN/CW/and PBS)
RE: What tool to measure ampere load?
As noted by RVUSA the typical DC ammeter is limited to about 10 amps and requires that it be inserted into the circuit for the measurement.
If you like expensive tools you might try a clamp on DC ammeter. They work in the same manner as the AC ones by detecting the magnetic field around the wire when current flows. This link will take you to one vendor that has one for ~$250
DC Ammeter
Dave
I agree with Dave 100% but will add that SEARS has one ... For less
I linked to it in another post where someone wanted to know if their converter was charging or not.. and another poster mentioned he had the very meter I Googled for and it worked fine. and another posted his meter readings so I know it works and Well. 50 bucks would get you the meter... and a bunch of change, as I recall (Sorry do not have the link handy)
RE: Long Term Battery Storage
For a Trojan battery (T-105) and a 4 month "Vacation"
Store them fully charged and disconnected.
Is just about the best answer you have gotten.
When you return charg 'em up 1st thing with a 3-stage charger (Hopefully your converter) as they may need it...
If storing longer than SIX months, a charger is a good idea
But 4 months on a Trojan in good condition.. Just do as SClark said
Do not even need to remove them from the rig.. Just charge fully and lift a cable (Most negative is traditional) off the battery and walk away
RE: Laundry question
What is a dye magnet?
Never used them, Never even seen them in the store (never looked) but do know what they are
It's a pad that basically has an affinity for dye that bleeds out of fabric in the laundry.. So it soaks up the dye. and keeps it from "Bleeding" onto things best not dyed.
How well they work I leave to other folks since.. Well....
Never used them, Never even seen them in the store (never looked)
RE: Engine shut down at Highway speeds
My daughter had just that happen on one car she had (Thank heavens I bought an "Extended warranty" on it)
We had it towed to the dealer
He put in a new wiring harness
However... there are several issues that could cause that to happen.
RE: Water Pressure Regulator
THe person who showed the graphics did you a good servcie
Water pressure regulators come in 3 sizes
WAY TOO SMALL: that's the standard unit like the all plastic one he showed or the Marshall Brass all brass one
ALmost big enough: That's the brass one with the plastic grip on the female end, it's called a "HIGH VOLUME" on the bubble card, may be all plastic too.
And big enough.
I have a Sur-Flo "in-line" the regulator itself is identical to the built-in regulator on motor homes that have one.. (ALl they did was thread a male hose adapter on to the outlet of the thing, WHen I say "Identical" I mean "IDENTICAL") It is big enough.
Even better is the Watts or equal "Whole House" type These do not (normally) come with hose fittings though some places do either bundle or pre-assemble for you. YOu can find them at Lowes or Home depot among other places.
The very smallest Watts (Like the one pictured above) may be "ALmost big enough" in some rigs.. I like the 3/4" IPT threaded models myself cause....
Well, that's the easiest one to screw a hose adapter into 1/2 inch will work too but is harder to adapt
RE: Generators, two or one
Well, The HONDA EU2000i is designed to work in tandem with another of it's kind so we will talk only about those
The big advantage, to many folks, in a pair of 2000's is that the average person can heft one 2000 easily and move it to where it needs to be (in or out of the truck) and then hook it up to it's mate. But a 3000 is too much for many folks to heft..
Plus, as someone else said, why limit yourself.. Some air conditioners need every one of the 3000's watts to kick start and if your converter is charging your batteries there is simply not enough "OOMPH" there.. but the pair of 2KW's is more than enough.
Second advantage
With a pair of 2KW's you really only need both when kick starting the A/C (when it kicks in) so you can shut them down one at a time for re-fueling.. I do not recommend this.. but in theory it should be possible.
RE: Wingman Upgrade to Help Receive HD T.V.
Basic info
The "Batwing" is a VHF UHF television antenna with the emphasis on VHF
Adding the Wingman, (Which is a UHF director array) just about doubles the UHF performance so that there is no longer an emphasis on VHF (They are about equal)
Now, VHF, in the old days was divided into two bands Low and high
VHF-Low was NTSC channels 2 through 6, HIGH was 7-13 and UHF was 14 and up
When they went to all digital most stations went to UHF So, for example channel 7 in Detroit (Southfield) Michigan is broadcasting on, as I recall without checking, the old NTSC channel 41 (UHF)
Some however are still on VHF (Channel 2 Detroit, (VHF low) is now broadcasting on, of all things. Channel 7 (VHF HI) for example)
There are still some in the VHF low too but they are few and far as it were
But the deal is the Wingman improves UHF performance (just about double the performance with it installed) so it's a good thing.
RE: Dometic Refrigerator Flue Cleaning
Thanks.. I need to replace my reeefer cover one of these days (Tree damage) and will look when I'm up there.. I do not recall seeing it last time I looked.
RE: How long before batteries die?
How long can they go before they die when unpluged.
Depending on the load anywhere from a few mintues to six months. .And I'm not kidding.. Most lead acid batteries should be charged (if not connected to anything at all) every few months (AGM's are the best here but at least every six months put 'em on a smart charger no matter what kind of lead acid they are)
On the other hand I can suck mine down in a matter of minutes if I hit the COOK switch on the microwave with inverter power (Perhaps 20 mintues)
It is all in how much load is on the battery... here are some figures.
First: Try to keep at least 1/2 charge
A pair of Interstate Gc-2 class batteries (U-2200) holds about 230 amp hours
So you can use 115 amp hours
A 1156 bulb is about 2.3 amps
So a single 1156,,, 50 hours to dead
two of them 25 hours
4 of them 12.5 hours
See how load makes a difference (NOTE: I took a bit of liberty with the amprage rating of the 1156, so the figures are only for "Guidline" and are not accurate, it's 26 watts)
RE: RV power cord, shut down/start up portable generator help
On most Generators there is a circuit breaker.. They come in one of two general types..
Post type (Push to reset)
Switch type (Turn off and then back on to reset,, or just turn back on)
If you have the switch type. turn breaker off, shut down, refule, restart, count to something (about 10-30 seconds) and turn breaker back on
NOTE: at least 3 minutes off please
If you have the post type.. UNPLUG
RE: Heart Freedom and AGM Charging
THe Xantrex Prosine 2.0 has settings for AGM, also 2,000 watts of the sweetest 120vac you will ever see when running in inverter mode (or up to 100 amps of clean DC in converter mode) Get a Refurb. Much less expensive.
RE: Onan 4K buzz sound
YOu may have nothing more than a bird's nest or other animal nest in the generator and it's buzzing against something.
Now.. this may sound (the way I typed it) like no big deal but it is.. It WILL cause damage if not fixed.
And there are several other options too
but a good physical exam of the moving parts is in order.. This may require dropping the generator and bench examining it.
RE: Bad Electrical Circuit
There is indeed a way to find out where the short is using a very special electronic device but .. . The cost of the device is prohibitive for a "Owner" type maintenance.. I won't even tell you what it is.
However.. Here is what I suggest.
Find every outlet or device not working.. Now.. do two things
One at a time remove the outlet from the wall and disconnect the wires to it
Report on what happens
If the outlets are in a slide out, look for the cables where then go to the moving portion (If it is a main slide like a living room slide there is often an arm or something under the slide.. #1 place for a wire to fail is where it bends)
You may well find the problem quickly
Shorts usually happen in one of 3 places
One: At an outlet or junction box due to a poor job of installing
2: At a bend on a slide out
3: Where some idiot drove a screw, nail or staple through the wire (That last is hard to find, but you should be able to isolate the wire)
RE: Why not put the Toyota in neutral?
I recently asked the very quesiton in the topic and got.. Believe it or not, an answer.
Many of today's cars are "Drive by wire" What does this mean.
Well when they made my towed (Which is now old enough to vote) they used a genuine mechanical linkage to the throttle.. A genuine mechanical linkage to the gear box and.. Well you get the idea.. it's all mechanical.
Today, however, much of the mechanical links have been replaced with electronics
On my Motor home (Which is barley out of diapers age wise) the throttle is a rheostat (well the accelerator pedal controls one) that sends a signal to the computer which is what then controls the engine.
The gear selector is likewise a computer input device (different computer though)
And several other systems, once controlled by me directly via a series of push/pull cables or levers and cranks. are now nothing more than computer input controllers and computer outputs.
So, has your laptop or other computer ever HUNG UP on you, locked up and refused to accept input? (the one I'm sitting at does every day.. (Due to one web site I visit trying to install mal-ware and my anti-mal ware .. shall we say declining the install, and the web site re-trying, and so on, so far the software resident is wining)
If the computer hangs in the Prius, which I suspect is what happened. then the On/OFF may not work, the gear selector may not work and other systems may not work.
Thankfully the brakes are still required by law (Far as I know) to be mechanical, though there is a move to "electronic" them as well.
I'm not sure on this but I seem to recall reading that one luxury sports car uses electronic steering.. I'd be kind of scared of that myself. (I mean, a blown fuse and you can not turn)
