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RE: Hole in my awning
Actually, I've found that "shoe goo" available in the shoe department at Wally World works best. It goes on like very thick model glue and dries quickly. Most important, it stays clear even after years of sun exposure. A big tube costs about three bucks. Its good for all sorts of repairs. There is also a product called "VLP" that you can get at many stores including Ace Hardware. It is made for vinyl repair and many RV techs will tell you it is best for awning repair. Problem is, it yellows in the sun. So I go with the Shoe Goo which is cheaper and seems to make a stronger repair. Just don't put it on too thick.
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bearsnob
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09/02/08 10:18pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Rippling in panel under overhang
It might be normal, but IMO you need to make sure it isn't from water damage because, if it is, you need to find and fix the leak before you have more problems. If there is a professional you trust, have them take a look at it. Or, after the next big rain, drill a small hole in the worst part of the rippling and the press the rippling up with your hands to see if any water comes out. When done, fill the hole with some silicon. BTW, this would also be a good time to check the caulking on your forward running lights since that is a common area for a leak that would cause a problem like you describe.
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bearsnob
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09/01/08 10:36pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: De-Humidifiers -- Electric???
Check on ebay. They sometimes have reconditioned models at a reasonable price. Then buy a squaretrade warranty and you are good to go.
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bearsnob
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09/01/08 01:56am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Landing Gear Problem
I'll bet the "pins" are just regular bolts that you can get at any hardware store. Just remove the good one and take it with you so you can find one approximately the same size. I got a couple extras and taped them to the leg assembly on the motor side. Mine have nylon-sleeved lock nuts on them which makes them unlikely to come loose and fall out. If yours don't have these types of nuts, I'd definitely suggest an upgrade. Make sure you get a regular cheap bolt and not a grade 8 tempered bolt. If the bolt is too strong, it may not sheer off when needed and that could cause problems with the motor and/or jack assembly. This is an easy fix and you'd probably be better off doing it yourself because the next time it happens there may not be a tech available.
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bearsnob
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08/29/08 04:04am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Review: Best TV converter box IMHO
Roy,
More than half way through the review, it does state that there is a volume control. It doesn't directly control the TV volume. Instead, it controls the volume of the audio going to the the TV. So you basically have to turn the volume up on the TV first and then the box lets you adjust volume after that. Maybe that is the source of confusion. I'm not sure why they complain so much about the remote itself. I found it easy enough to operate it without looking at it after only a day or so of using it. The buttons are different sizes and, combined with the way they are layed out, you can pretty much get to any function just by "feel."
As for the issue of it not being able directly control TV functions, that's not a huge issue for me. Walmart sells an eight device universal remote that has a learning function for remotes not in its library. Its the Sony RM-VL600 and it costs less than $25. I've got all my remotes programmed in, including the remote for my air conditioner/furnace. Much easier than dealing with the seven different remotes that I would need otherwise and I don't have to worry about what will happen if a remote breaks. So I rarely use the other remotes now that I have this one.
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bearsnob
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08/29/08 03:48am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Review: Best TV converter box IMHO
The DTVPal does control the TV volume, but does not turn the TV on and off. The power source is 5 volts/2amps. So I would guess there would be a way to run it off of RV batteries. I have an inverter, so that isn't an issue for me.
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bearsnob
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08/27/08 05:40pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Landing Gear Problem
Once you replace the shear pin/bolt, you should run the landing gear up and down using the hand crank to make sure there wasn't a reason for for the pin shearing off. The movement of the hand crank should be smooth and fairly easy. If you run into an area where there is increased resistance, you may have a bent leg or some other problem that should be addressed before assuming your repair is complete.
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bearsnob
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08/27/08 02:24am |
Fifth-Wheels
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Review: Best TV converter box IMHO
When I was waiting for my coupons, I did a lot of research on converter boxes. The first one I bought was a Philco model that had analog pass through. It worked exactly as advertised/reviewed and I was happy with it. I then waited for the much-hyped echostar to come out. It did literally one week before my second coupon expired. The name was changed to DTVPal and you can get it from several online retailers and, I hear, from Dish Network retail locations. I've used it for more than a month now and I really can't imagine a better box. It is near perfect. Not only does it have true analog pass through, it is also EASILY programmed to record shows from different channels to a video or DVD recorder. The reason why the programming is so easy is because it has an onscreen guide that shows you the programs that are on all the channels. You simply click on a show and verify that you want to program that show. That's it. When the time comes, the box automatically switches to that channel. I also find this feature useful when there is something I want to remember to watch. I just program that show and, if I happen to forget, the box reminds me by changing channels for me at the appropriate time. Really cool. The remote is great and has a button on it for toggling between viewing formats. This is a nice feature because most shows are still not being broadcast in HD. But when they are, you can easily switch to a wide screen format that plays well on a non-HD tv. You also have a volume control on the remote. I ended up paying about $20 for this box after my coupon. It is definitely worth the extra money over the boxes that you can get for about $10 from major retailers like Walmart.
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bearsnob
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08/25/08 01:18am |
Technology Corner
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RE: TV Converter "Analog Pass-through"
Got a number for the one that is "VCR/DVR" programable?
Jim
Jim,
Its the Echostar TR-40 that has been much hyped and antipated. Looks like it has been given a new model name: DISH Network DTVPal. Click here for a description that includes a link to pre-order one. I pre-ordered, but I can't vouch for the retailer because I just found them using google. FWIW, I didn't find anything negative about them on the web. Forgot to mention that another nice feature that this converter has is a seven day electronic program guide. Also, the price is pretty good. Some of the hype about the Echostar was that it was going to retail for $39.95 (free with coupon). Looks like the price is at least in that ballpark.
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bearsnob
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06/01/08 12:00am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Honda EU1000i vs EU2000i
Get the 1000 for camping. It weighs half as much as the 2000, uses half the gasoline, and will power all of the things on your camping list. Then get a Champion 3500 watt generator for $199 or less the next time they go on sale. Use that one for emergency power at home. It will power a lot more things than the 1600 watt Honda 2000 ever will. Total price for both generators will be less than one Honda 2000.
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bearsnob
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05/30/08 11:32pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: TV Converter "Analog Pass-through"
Just bought one with analog pass through (Philco). Glad I have it because I get five digital stations where I'm camped and four stations that are only coming through analog. Some of those analog stations should be coming through digital, but I'm right next to a large hill and can't get any signal, let alone one that will produce a picture. Here in Oregon, roughly 4/5 of the state will not switch in 2/2009 and, from what I hear, there are no set dates for these more rural areas of the state. I'm sure the same is true in other states. If you will be camping in large, populated areas, then analog pass through probably won't be a big issue. But if you camp where most people camp, it could come in handy for at least a couple of years. The analog pass through boxes are kind of hard to find. I'm happy with the one I got, but now I'm waiting for one that will come out next month that will let you program it like a VCR/DVR so you can record more than one station when you are away. It also has analog pass through. You can't do that with a spliter or switch.
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bearsnob
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05/30/08 11:19pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Propane lantern tank refill - anyone try this?
At the filling stations, they open the bleeders only to prevent overfilling in the case that the OPD doesn't shut it off at 80%. There is no need to ever open a bleeder valve on an OPD equipped tank, as it will fill just as fast when using a pump. The pump just stops when the OPD shuts off. However most filling station attendents don't even know that,....till I tell'm.
Thanks for this explanation. I've been finding that more and more filling stations aren't messing with the bleeder valve. I honestly thought they were just being lazy and was a little concerned that maybe my bottles were being overfilled. Of course, overfilling was an occasional problem prior to the OPD. Thinking about it now, I can't remember an overfill since the switch to OPD. Would that mean that using an OPD equipped 20 lb bottle in an RV would be safe (since it can't be overfilled)? I remember on another thread that the consensus was that it wasn't safe. Yes, yes, I know that there is still potential for a leaky connection. But would it be safe assuming the connections didn't leak?
Good to see that common sense has prevailed on this thread. How long do you think this $17 device would be on the market if people were actually being hurt or killed by refilling 1 lb bottles? I got mine about five years ago, so it doesn't sound like things are going kaboom very often.
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bearsnob
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05/30/08 08:03pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Propane lantern tank refill - anyone try this?
I've been using this device for years as well. Got mine at Harbor Freight for a little less $$$. We have a little buddy heater and it goes through these small bottles quickly. I refill about ten at a time when we are boondocking in late Fall. If you check for leaks after the fill, you should be fine. I have had a couple of bottles go bad (develop leaks, always on them main valve and not the overflow). I've gone to storing refilled bottles in the back of the pickup just to be safe. I also put a mark on the bottle each time I refill it. I throw them out after five refills. So far that has stopped me from getting leaks. Surprisingly, the leaks have always happened in the Coleman bottles. So I try to use the generics whenever possible.
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bearsnob
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05/29/08 12:52am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Old adhesive removal
I think I'd go with eternabond if I were in your position. It has a proven track record and can do things that lap sealant can't. I'm probably misremembering, but isn't mineral spirits okay on EPDM? What I'm remembering is being surprised that it was okay, but I could easily be wrong. You'll want things as clean as possible before using the eternabond. Maybe a call to dicor would be in order to see what they recommend for adhesive removal. I've called them in the past and their technical support team was excellent.
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bearsnob
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05/27/08 11:42pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: "dicor" Rubber Roof Acrylic Coating
The toppers definitely have their disadvantages. I keep saying that when mine wear out, I'll probably not replace them just because they take a beating in some very windy places we camp at every year. I've never had any debris collect under them. I have had a sheet of ice two inches thick on one of them, however, and that was harder to deal with than if the ice had just been on the roof. But one of the advantages is that they are a second line of protection against leaks. That's what prompted my comment. That said, replacing the rubber roof on a slide is a somewhat easy project as I understand it. That's what makes me think I'll probably just go without the toppers once they wear out. Right now I'm holding them together with "Shoe Goo" and they are only three years old! I don't know this for sure, but I'll bet the rubber roof material is cheaper than the replacement fabric for the awnings.
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bearsnob
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05/27/08 01:35pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: "dicor" Rubber Roof Acrylic Coating
Let us know how it turns out, how difficult it was to apply, and how much it costs you. It should be especially helpful on the slides because they aren't exposed to the elements as much and aren't affected when towing. Have you also considered slide toppers?
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bearsnob
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05/27/08 12:34am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Solar Question
If you can get an MPPT controller for not much more than a standard controller, definitely go for it because to will get the most out of that small panel. But you really don't absolutely need it for the situation you describe. It will charge things faster when you are dry camping and so, if that is of interest to you, then the extra cost might be worth it. Also, if you think you might get more panels some day, then definitely get the MPPT.
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bearsnob
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05/27/08 12:27am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Old adhesive removal
If it is difficult to remove, why are you removing it? I would think that if it is difficult to remove, it is still doing its job.
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bearsnob
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05/27/08 12:15am |
Tech Issues
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RE: 120 volt plug outlet
You might also find GFI outlets outside, in the kitchen, in some outside compartments, and in the washer/dryer area even if you don't have it plumbed for a washer/dryer. Check all GFIs first as this is the most common cause of what you are describing. If that doesn't do it, go with Kenneth's approach.
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bearsnob
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05/27/08 12:01am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Replace lamps in Travelstar with LEDs
I've used their PCB boards and they work great. All of them are still going strong after two years. I'd suggest calling the folks at superbrightleds.com if you have any questions we can't answer here. I've found their customer service people to be very knowledgeable regarding RV applications.
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bearsnob
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05/24/08 02:53am |
Tech Issues
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