martyn8677
Celina, Texas
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Joined: 02/09/2012
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Took my camper out last night for the first time and I have a few questions:
1. I was told my Onan generator was to run the microwave and Air Conditioner. I noticed last night that the electrical receptacles in the camper only worked with the generator running. Is this normal or is there a way to use the plugs off the charged batteries?
2. Second question is related....I sleep with a CPAP so had to keep the generator running all night. Is that generator made to run that long or not?
3. Is there any kind of product I can buy that will tell me how much propane I have in each tank?
4. I have an antenna on the roof that I can raise and lower....I'm guessing for the TV. I turned on the TV and it powered on but did not show any channels. Will this antenna only get local channels?
Thanks for any help.
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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martyn8677 wrote:Took my camper out last night for the first time and I have a few questions:
1. I was told my Onan generator was to run the microwave and Air Conditioner. I noticed last night that the electrical receptacles in the camper only worked with the generator running. Is this normal or is there a way to use the plugs off the charged batteries? Outlets are 120vac only. Either shore power or generator power.
2. Second question is related....I sleep with a CPAP so had to keep the generator running all night. Is that generator made to run that long or not? Get a Capp machine made to run on battery power. Or get an inverter and more batteries.
3. Is there any kind of product I can buy that will tell me how much propane I have in each tank? Lots. But most don't work worth a hoot.
4. I have an antenna on the roof that I can raise and lower....I'm guessing for the TV. I turned on the TV and it powered on but did not show any channels. Will this antenna only get local channels? Old TVA need a converter or you need a new digital tv and antenna.
Thanks for any help.
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
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vladen
Louisiana
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hehe ya them generators were designed to run forever,, but can you afford the fuel bill??
Vlad's busy workings
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KKELLER14K
BEAVERTON OREGON
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Pretty much everything was answered but there is one more thing....they do make propane tanks that you can actually see into them. I'm not an expert in this area but they are available...lpgastanks.com
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dupreet
High Point, NC
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Joined: 08/03/2007
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Hi,
Without a battery bank and large inverter, either shore power or your generator are needed to have 115v AC power. You can run a small inverter off of one or two deep-cycle batteries for small 115v needs, such as phone chargers, laptops, and potentially your CPAP through the night.
Your Generater can run for extended periods. Make sure it is 'healthy' and has its oil checked and changed as needed. One thIng you will run into is campgrounds that do not allow them to run overnight due to the noise.
As far as propane gauges, they make them, but they really don't work well.
The TV antenna cable should plug into a wall jack that has a switch and a red indicator light. This is for the antenna amplifier and needs to be on for it to work.
Happy Camping!!
Todd
Todd
1993 Ford E-350 pushed by a 1988 Wilderness 24' TT
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Road Runners
Tampa Bay, Florida
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In regard to your tv antenna. Yes it will only pick up over the air channels.
You may know all the following already, but just in case....
Since over the air is now digital I assume your camper is equipped with a flat screen digital TV. To get the over the air channels with a flat screen TV you will have to use the TV's menu and get it to scan the spectrum for the channels that are in range to produce a picture signal.
If your camper has an analog TV you will need a digital to analog convertor to get the TV to work.
'05' F-250 Power Stroke
'00' 30' Cameo Fifth Wheel
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kcabpilot
CA
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On the propane level:
There are tank gauges and as noted they are not extremely accurate but they don't need to be. I assume you have two propane tanks with an auto-switch manifold. You only need one gauge. Start with both tanks full and the manifold set to use the tank that has no gauge. When the manifold auto-switches the flag will show red and at that point you know you are at 50% as the first tank is empty. When the gauge gets down below half to one quarter on the second tank you know it's time to get them both filled.
1994 Lance 990 on 1997 F350 PSD Dually "Rhino Haunches"
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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martyn8677 wrote:Took my camper out last night for the first time and I have a few questions:
1. I was told my Onan generator was to run the microwave and Air Conditioner. I noticed last night that the electrical receptacles in the camper only worked with the generator running. Is this normal or is there a way to use the plugs off the charged batteries?
It is normal. It is possible to beef up the battery bank and add an inverter. Then all the outlets can be powered if you so wish it.
martyn8677 wrote:2. Second question is related....I sleep with a CPAP so had to keep the generator running all night. Is that generator made to run that long or not?
Yes, it is ok to run the generator all night--but you would probably be better off getting a 12 volt adapter for the unit.
martyn8677 wrote:3. Is there any kind of product I can buy that will tell me how much propane I have in each tank?
You can use a pressure gauge or a "stick on" tank level device. It may be best to use one tank up, switch to the other and refill the empty tank as soon as it is convenient.
martyn8677 wrote:4. I have an antenna on the roof that I can raise and lower....I'm guessing for the TV. I turned on the TV and it powered on but did not show any channels. Will this antenna only get local channels?
Yes, it is designed for local channels only provided the TV is digital.
Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts Unisolar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries, 2500 MSW watt inverter.
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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Joined: 06/20/2009
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One thing else about the TV antenna....will need to 'aim' the antenna in the direction of transponders that are transmitting the TV signals.
Click here for a website where you can put in the address, city, state, zip where you are to find what channels are in range and which direction you need to point antenna.
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RoadLife
New Mexico
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Joined: 03/28/2009
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You forgot the most important question. Was it good for you too?
ROADLIFE
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