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RE: Perko Switch Mod - Wire Size??
I recently performed a similar project, but I used the Interstate US2200 6 Volt Golf Cart batteries. I retained the original 30 amp fuse rating that was on the original battery and kept with the 8 gauge wire that was factory installed in the unit. Last weekend, I was camping and had the fridge, stove vent blower, furnace, 5 lights (bulbs), 9" 12v TV and 13" 120v TV (on 200 Watt Inverter) all powered at once with minimal voltage loss (Fluke measured 12.5 volts under load at the distribution panel). I don't know what your load will be, but I'd say mine was pretty heavy for those couple of hours.
Hope this helps,
Bob
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riddellr
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05/16/08 09:02am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Yamaha 2400is generator/13,500 BTU ac
It runs my 03 Jayco Qwest 265 with 13.5K A/C without any problems. If I have the fridge on electric and the batts are low, it will pull the voltage down when the A/C compressor starts so I put the fridge on gas and turn off the converter until the A/C starts and then turn the converter back on. To solve the issue with the Power draw down, and friend and I are going to double the starting capacitors on the A/C compressor to assist with quick starting of the compressor.
On edit: I don't think having this power draw down from the 2400 generator would be any different than being on the end of a leg at a campground in really hot weather. The crappy power that I see at some of the campgrounds make me prefer to run the generator rather than plug in.
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riddellr
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05/16/08 08:54am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Dumbest thing you've ever done while RVing with your Rig?
I once moved the 5er forward about 10' in the driveway to make room for something (Don't remember what now). After moving the 5er forward, I couldn't find the wheel locks (units that go between the wheels and tighten). I later found them mangled about 10' behind the axles under the back bumper of the trailer. It seems that I forgot to remove them and the 7.3l Diesel really didn't notice as I twisted them to pieces. The good news is that they didn't puncture the tires.
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riddellr
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05/15/08 01:34pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Sub panel question
My TV 12v outlet is rated at 6 Amps Max. I'm sure your 400 Watt inverter was exceeding that rating. If memory serves, my outlet is serviced with a 14 or 16 gauge wire and that is quite inadequate. My solution was to run a 12 gauge wire from the distribution panel up to the TV outlet and not use the "horse hair" wire provided by the Mfg. I also went a step further and wired in Anderson Powerpoles to connect my high draw 12v appliances. http://www.powerwerx.com
Good Luck,
Bob
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riddellr
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05/14/08 08:41am |
Tech Issues
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RE: What to do with old but still somewhat good 12v batts?
When I upgraded to Two US2200 GC batteries, I kept the Group 24 Deep Cycle battery as it was located in a separate compartment of the camper that was dedicated to the battery. I installed an A/B switch and now I keep the Group 24 as a spare in the rare event I run the GCs low. I also switch to this battery when towing the 5er as that is the battery that has the break-away switch wired to it.
Bob
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riddellr
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05/14/08 08:33am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Trailer charging system
Do you know if your truck supplies the 12v power at the plug without the truck running? If you plugged the trailer into the truck and the ignition was off, it is possible that there is a relay under the hood that is cutting power to the plug. My 99 F-250 is this way.
On another note, if your battery is too low, you may be simply sending all the amps (not that many) from your truck to the trailer battery. If you recently disconnected the A/C power and still do not have enough DC power, I would probably be investing in a new battery soon. Good Luck.
Bob
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riddellr
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05/13/08 01:34pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Gas mileage with your rig alone, and with your fiver?
1999 F250 7.3 2WD Turbo Diesel 6spd Manual
2003 Jayco Qwest 265
19 Empty @ 65 MPH
23 Empty @ 60 MPH
11 - 13.5 Towing @ 60 MPH
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riddellr
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05/09/08 02:13pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: mileage on 7.3 diesel
Our '99 F-250 2wd 6spd Manaul 7.3 gets 17 MPG @ 70MPH Empty, 24 MPG @ 60 Empty, and 11-12 MPG pulling '03 Jayco Qwest 265 (8500 lbs) @ 60 MPH. It sounds like you are in the ballpark.
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riddellr
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04/24/08 01:33pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Charging battery with alternator
When I added the second battery bank and switch, I ensured that the break-away switch was wired to one of the battery banks before the switch (read could not be turned off). The factory wiring for my Jayco Qwest 265 was to have the charging circuit from the truck wired directly to the original battery. I had to change this setup so that it went to the house side of the switch so that I could control which battery bank (or both) got the charge from the truck.
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riddellr
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04/15/08 02:43pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Need help in Minneapolis area: rather urgent!
We had a similar problem with a young teenager and flushable wipes :E We now use a "Flush King". With the flush king, you can close the valve on it, then open your black water valve and force water into the Black Tank using the garden hose attachment on the Flush King. It took several attempts to get all the wipes out, but once cleared, the tank worked fine again..
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riddellr
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04/15/08 01:36pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: intermittant furnace problem, wife asks for explosives!
If you haven't found the problem already, I had a friend of mine with a similar problem. The furnace would run fine for a few cycles and then it would start blowing cold air (almost always in the wee hours of the morning). When this would happen, Dale would turn the thermostat to the Off position, wait a few minutes and then turn it back to the Heat position and the furnace would work correctly again for a few cycles. In the end, it turned out that the thermostat was short-cycling the furnace (The thermostat would shut off, then call for heat again before the furnace had completed it's cool down cycle). Once he turned the thermostat off, the furnace would complete the cycle and was ready to heat again. Dale's fix was to replace the thermostat with a digital one, but an adjustment to the heat anticipation setting on the thermostat would have done the trick.
To test if this is the issue, next time the heater is blowing cold air, turn off the Thermostat, wait for 2-3 minutes and turn it back to heat. If this fixes it for a few cycles, you may be going in the right direction. At least it is a cheap and easy test.
Good Luck.
Bob R.
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riddellr
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03/31/08 02:51pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: TV Converter Box Program
I am looking at the RCA model from WalMart. I helped a friend install two of them the other day and they are pretty user friendly. One misconception that my friend had, was that they were not able to be used until 2/2009. You can start using them today as most stations in the USA are already simulcasting in both Analog and Digital. Once he saw the picture from the digital box, he decided to start using them now.
On another note, if you start using them now, you can fine tune or update any antenna/cabling components now to ensure that you get a good/usable signal before the big rush in 2009.
Good Luck.
Bob Riddell
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riddellr
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03/28/08 01:32pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: 12V Battery Choices
I had two of the big yellow MAXX Wal-Mart batteries in the last two years. Both shorted the plates and made a stinky mess in the battery box. The interstate battery Group 24 that came with the camper is back in service and working fine. I'm in the process of upgrading to two Trojan T-105's before our summer trip to Yellowstone.
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riddellr
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03/27/08 12:39pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Have you priced Trojan T-105's lately? $160!!
I have them quoted for $137 in the Saint Louis area and $127 in Belleville, IL. I'll be ordering them soon.
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riddellr
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03/25/08 11:34am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: RV Batteries
I have had two of the Wal-Mart MAXX Deep Cycle Batteries (Yellow) and I get exactly one year out of them before they short a plate and quit taking a charge. I have had interstate Deep Cycle batteries last much longer in the same campers. I have 2 Trojan T-105 6v golf cart batteries on order now.
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riddellr
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03/25/08 11:32am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Inconsiderate People don't know how to park
If someone had parked next to my truck and damaged it, I would have taken the picture of the damage and plate, then called the police for a police report. I then would have taken the truck into the shop and had it repaired on the other guy's/gal's tab. This would probably leave a lasting impression on the bad parking guy/gal as his insurance rates increase.
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riddellr
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03/21/08 11:51am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Diesel Truck as a 2nd vehicle
My 99 F-250 7.3 has routinely sits for 2-3 months without many problems. I once had the problem that a previous poster mentioned about the batteries going down. It turns out that one of the two batteries had a bad cell and the bad battery was draining the good battery causing the truck not to start after 2 weeks of sitting. I replaced both batteries and the truck is happy again. Before I drove it yesterday, it had sat 2 Months.
Good Luck,
Bob Riddell
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riddellr
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03/14/08 02:39pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Long Lasting Vehicles
I'd have to go with with Honda's for great Cars. Here is what I'm driving now.
1997 Honda Accord 5 Speed - 185K with only regular maintenance (oil/filters/etc)
1999 Ford F-250 7.3l - 115K (just purchased at 99K
2000 Honda Odyssey - 172K with only regular maintenance (oil/filters/etc)
My hope is to push them all past 250K before upgrading.
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riddellr
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03/14/08 02:32pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Just a thought
I'm 37, wife is 31.
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riddellr
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03/05/08 09:04am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: thermostat question
I agree with keeping more air moving over the coil. But I am not sure as to whether I connect both high and low fan wires to the G terminal or just the high (blue)?
Any help greatly appreciated.
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Just connect the high wire.
Bob
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riddellr
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03/04/08 09:39am |
Fifth-Wheels
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