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Forum
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RE: Digital Radio? free air
I suspect that some day in the future Radio too will go all digital.. However as the other poster said, I know of no plans to do so any time soon.
When they do.. It will be just like this, with 10,000 people asking "Do I need a new antenna" and such, (NO, same frequencies, different mode)
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wa8yxm
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10/12/08 02:54pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Running ice maker on inverter
I just re-read the O/P's post.. He mentioned an ice maker in the basement....
Those are often 120 volt devices and constantly draw power.. Unlike an ice maker built into a fridge.. If this is the case running one off an inverter may not be practical.
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wa8yxm
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10/12/08 02:51pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Extension cable passthrough 6" stick frame wall
wa8yxm
Thanks for the quick reply, I will look at my master panel box to see if I have room for 2 x 30 breakers. Our Onan is a 5500 and has a 30 and 20 amp breaker at the genset, and we run a 30 amp cord for a land line.
Thanks. Edouard.
In my case the Onan has a pair of 30's. If you have one 30 and one 20 you may have a 30 amp style hookup where the 20 feeds one AC only. In that case you may need to hook up differently than I did.
NOTE that the standard breaker in a MH can be purchased in a special "Twin" type, 2 breakers in the space of one, I have a few of those
But if you have a 20 and 30 on your onan you may be able to feed only one 30 amp line down to the house (I found 20 would have done me) or you may need to hook up at a different location and install a "Sub panel" (or just rely on the generator's breakers)
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wa8yxm
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10/12/08 02:49pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Back Flow Devices?
I am wondering how a sewer back up would flood my Motor home.. Now I have 3 tanks, black, gray, gray, When I'm parked the black tank is normally closed.. I open it only when I dump, The front gray tank.. Same.. The back tank I do admit I leave the valve open, however when I'm using it I have some special pipes under the coach (That are normally not hoked to anything) that carry the waste from the back up to the front tanks (Where the black tank is) and that line contains a swing-check valve (Gravity powered check valve) to prevent any back flow when I dump.
So there is no way the sewer could back up into the coach.
It could back up into the coupler.. but I'd see that when I went to dump and I'd know something was amiss (I use section of clear pipe as the first link)
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wa8yxm
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10/12/08 02:46pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: 12 volt confusion
First.. .There are a couple of ways to "replace" the existing converter.. Converters come in two types.. One type has a single 12 volt output, this hooks to the battery and to the master fuse panel Converters of this type include the Progressive Dynamics and Xantrex (See note) and WFCO
The other kind has 2 or 3 sets of 12 volt outputs
1: Battery
2: Regulated 12 volt
3: UNregulated 12 volt (optional)
In this one there is a transfer relay in the converter, if you have shore or generator power it switches to "Charge the battery, power the loads" mode, and when you loose shore power the relay changes state and lets the battery power everything.
Easiest way to replace this one is to cut the 120 volt power to it (This may mean physically cutting a wire) and let it switch to "Boondock" mode (no shore power) and then hook up a 3-stage direct to the battery using all new wire.
The alternative way (Which results in lower overall trailer weight) is to visit http://www.bestconverter.com and get the proper "Bypass" kit or, at the very least the proper bypass instructions (The kit is often nothing more than a terminal strip, some wire, and perhaps a fuse) The instructions are on the left (scroll down) under "Extra Information" Downloadable PDF's)
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wa8yxm
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10/12/08 02:41pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: 12volt power problem
Sounds like a your B-I-L has a screw loose (or equivalent) to me... NO. not that kind, the kind you tighten with a screwdriver (S-2 bit is a common size in many rigs)
Here is my suspect list
1: Bad connection any connection along the power path, Battery terminals are a good starting point, often in diagnosing a 12 volt problem one with "Tamper" with a battery connection, making good where bad used to be.. However do not overlook the disconnect solenoid or switch, the master fuse or other connections
1-b: Bad connection Battery main wire to fuse block (On my coach it's a tab and flag but if it is not pushed on all the way........)
3: Self-Resetting Circuit breaker
4: If the battery disconnect is "Remote Operated" like mine is. Short in the remote operating lines. (In my case it was a switch failure)
5: Prankster
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wa8yxm
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10/12/08 02:35pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Trojan Better ??
I have heard of Trojan's lasting 10 years or more, Most batteries go to around 7-8 years.. (Though every company occasionally turns out a "Gold nugget" and every company occasionally turns out a lemon,, Battery Companies specialize in turning out lead bricks :) )
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wa8yxm
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10/12/08 02:30pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: HD Converter with Bat Wing amplified antenna
Well, since the amplifier is up on the roof between the two wings you don't have much choice
However if you mean should it be hooked up before or after the POWER supply. (The wall plate in with the button and light) after, it goes between that plate and the Television, do not put ANYTHING between the antenna and the power supply except in one special case... That's if you have the "Flexvision" type video distribution system (Box with many buttons, Flexvision is one brand/model)
In that special case.. Post for additional directions
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wa8yxm
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10/11/08 08:30pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Batteries cancelled my outing
I have the same batteries....seem to be ok so far...but I don't like the Winnie House batteries.....can't wait to replace them....They are worthless....goes thru water like it's in the desert....Have to fill them every two weeks.....going gel next time.
NOT the fault of the batteries.. Fault of the converter.. Post the make and model of your converter and we can explain why.
Or just call randy at best converter (www.bestconverter.com) and tell him and see what he says
I have no connection with Randy, never met, never had a need to do business with him. But he comes highly recommended by others here who have had contact with him.
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wa8yxm
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10/11/08 08:28pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Firefox 3 irritant
I don't have that problem. however I'd think the issue is with your E-mail client not the Fox
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wa8yxm
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10/11/08 08:24pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: MotoSat vs. Winegard HD dish
Well.. I don't have either one but I've looked at both and I can say Motosat is very well built
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wa8yxm
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10/11/08 08:23pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Shore Power Issue, Thinking Transfer Switch Problem
Well. in that case I'd say you have a problem.. This is not one I can trace long distance.. But you are going to have to go through all the wiring to find the problem.
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wa8yxm
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10/11/08 08:22pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Running ice maker on inverter
YoDude is wrong, it's not impractical at all.. The ice maker draws very little power and then only when it's cycling. Running the FREEZER off inverter.. Now on that YoDude is right.
The ice maker has basically 3 electrical parts
1 clock motor
1 water valve solenoid
1 small wattage electric heater
And that is it, perhaps 100 watts tops during the "melt" cycle Then it goes back to zero. And I do mean open switch zero.
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wa8yxm
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10/11/08 08:20pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Low 12 system voltage
Sounds to me like the battery is shorted... Oswald is right that 14.53 WILL kill batteries however it will take some hours. The PD 9155, if you have the charge wizard, is a "Smart charger" that starts out high then drops to a lower voltage when it sees the batteries filling up. If you don't have the charge wizard that's too high
But a shorted battery can suck all 55 amps out of it.
I'd load test your battery.. In fact Expect to repalce it
There may be a short elsewhere in the 12 volt primary side (Before fuse block) too.
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wa8yxm
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10/11/08 08:17pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: 160 or 80 Amp Hours - how much did I just upgrade
You went from 80 usable amp hours to 116, (That is 160 to 232 total amp hours)
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wa8yxm
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10/11/08 05:50pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Prosine 2.0
That is indeed odd.. On mine if I disable the inverter when on generator or shore power... The downlines never know it (less the generator or shore power goes out of spec.. Never tested that condition)
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wa8yxm
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10/11/08 05:49pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Batteries cancelled my outing
If your converter (The generator does not charge any battery, unless it has a dedicated battery of it's own, it powers the converter however) does not charge the chassis battery a TRICK-L-START will do the job.. Kind of a DC powered battery minder it takes pains to protect the source battery too.
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wa8yxm
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10/11/08 05:48pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: catalytic heaters fueled by propane
As noted the cost depends on the cost of fuel for the heaters. In some markets Electric may be less expensive and in others propane... However....
Years ago the un-vented space heater was very common, houses were drafty and not well sealed, Today however they build them much "tighter" air wise, and every year we hear of people who use an unvented gas heater... Go to sleep and never wake up.
Why, Well, one of two reasons.. 1: CO build up and 2: No O2 to breath (or 3 both)
I rather like breathing.
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wa8yxm
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10/11/08 05:45pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Alternative fuel generators
There are several fuel cell technologies, one runs on Hydrogen, many are made in the USA as well as overseas. Some of the folks I converse with use them however ... I do not converse with them often enough (perhaps once a year if that)
Very interesting, however at this time, as the O/P noted, very costly too.
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wa8yxm
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10/11/08 05:43pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Low voltage at the CG...what do you do?
Well.. I have a Hughes Autoformer in the line so when the voltage does that it kicks in and boosts the voltage for me..
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wa8yxm
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10/11/08 05:41pm |
General RVing Issues
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