RE: Pulling my hair out talking to India!!!!!!!
Talking to Tech Support in India... been there, done that! Here's the guy you were talking to:
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii383/Daisley7/microsoft_tech_support_zpsc078b578.jpg height=460
RE: Replacing Flooring
I installed an Allure floor in my MH about 3 years ago. It has been fine, except that I didn't take enough care to allow the floor to "float". I fastened the floor down around the steps and under the dinette table, and as such I get a separated seam in cold temperatures between those points. But as soon as it warms up, the seam closes up, and everything is fine.
Digital Multimeters- An RVer's Best Friend
I read many, many posts regarding electrical faults in all types of RV's. The one best way to troubleshoot faults like this is using a digital multimeter (DMM). Many folks on this forum own and use digital multimeters, with great success. I know these things can seem a bit overwhelming to people who have little electrical knowledge, but it takes only a bit of interest and studying to learn how to use a DMM to fix your electrical problems.
Even the cheapest DMMs are suitable for basic troubleshooting, so adding one to your tool kit is affordable and highly advisable. Then check out online sites that teach about using DMMs, such as:Multimeter Use
They can be used to check battery charging status, checking fuses, finding battery drain, troubleshooting signal / tail lights, shore power test, etc.
Perhaps some others could join in by telling us what kind of meter you use, and some more ideas about uses for it.
RE: Killed my solar panels.......
You don't need new diodes.
Just remove them then and soak overnight
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r192/SCVJeff/Smokekit2_zpsa69f17ed.jpg height=300 width=300
Works great.. I read it on the Internet
That's a Lucas part you show there... Lucas, AKA the "Prince of Darkness", is the reason the Brits drink warm beer - Lucas builds their refrigerators! :B BTW, nice MGB~
RE: Killed my solar panels.......
Not likely any fuses in the junction boxes, but almost certainly diodes, and possibly a wire that burned off due to overload.
RE: Killed my solar panels.......
Most likely one or more shorted diodes on the panels. But you may also have evaporated the connecting traces on the panel itself, or burned a connecting wire between panels. If the diodes check good, then you need to look for damaged traces on the panel itself, they act just like a fuse. Not impossible to fix.
RE: UPS Shipping to Canada
I always ask the seller to ship by USPS, but if they insist on UPS, then no sale....Period! But there's a new sucker born every minute, so they don't care ~
RE: 12v Impact Wrenches
I use a drill...I cannot stand the sound of impacts while i'm camping, so I figured I wouldn't do it to others
Thank You! We appreciate your thoughtfulness. :)
The 12 volt impacts are basically a toy. I find a portable CO2 tank with a regulator will run my 1/2" air impact just great, and it works anywhere. (but not in a CG)
RE: Need silverware holder for narrow kitchen drawer
I found a heavy plastic one that was a tad too wide; I ran it through my tablesaw and trimmed off the lip surrounding the edge. Perfect fit!
RE: Awning RECALLS
Gee, the old-fashioned manual operated Dometic awnings have also been known to "unfurl" while driving. Why wasn't there a recall on the millions of those that are out there? Some folks (myself included) have devised or installed an awning lock to prevent this from happening.
RE: Towing Advice
Another thing to be aware of... don't attempt a sharp turn from a dead stop, such as pulling away from a fuel pump or a curb, etc. The wheels on the toad can slam to full lock and drag, rather than turning gently as you pull forward. Always ensure that you are rolling, no matter how slowly, before making a sharp turn.
RE: Had a strange call from "Microsoft"
I got that call one day... I asked how they would be fixing my computer, and they responded that they would connect to my computer remotely. I then informed them that I had dial-up internet (which I do not) and he said "what's dial-up?" I filled him in, then he just said "Oh my God!" and hung up.
Only time a tele-solicitor ever hung up on me!
RE: I'm a retired salesman
The only thing that matters to most any salesman is the bottom line. If he can't make a buck, he's not going to remain selling anything, even over-priced life science research equipment. I spent many years in the business of repairing said type of equipment, and couldn't believe the outrageous mark-ups on that stuff! But that's not the salesman's fault, it is company policy that sets those prices. When buying anything, take whatever the salesman says with a grain of salt, make the best deal you can, and get on with your life. They're going to make money on you, regardless.
RE: Parking an RV
A large majority of MH owners either need to use a pull-through to park, or unhook their toad before parking. If possible, I like to park first, then unhook the toad later, so as not to block the road whilst unhooking. Has nothing to do with my ability (or lack thereof) to park the beast.
RE: border-crossing fee for Canadians ?
I don't understand what the excitement is about. A country is allowed to let whoever they wish into it, and to charge a fee at the border if they choose to. Many countries do, and many countries do not. They make this decision based upon whether this fee will generate more revenue than it will take to collect, and whether at the end of the day it will affect the amount of money spent in the country.
As a non-resident, I have the choice whether to go to that country or not. If the entry fee makes a difference I won't go, just as I won't go somewhere if I feel the total cost will be too much. As others have posted, as a non-resident it is not my business what a foreign country does or does not do. I just choose whether to visit or not.
Just because the US may charge a fee at the border does not mean that Canada would do so. "Tit for tat" normally doesn't help anyone. If it costs Canada revenue by deterring tourism, I hope they would be wise enough to realize it and not impose a fee.
If the US starts charging a (substantial) entry fee, many vacationers, including myself, will rather stay in Canada and visit your beautiful island!
RE: AWFUL RV PARKS
Don't put a lot of trust in RV park reviews on the web. I left a rather negative review of a really awful park last year; it suddenly disappeared off the net a short time later. I guess someone had more influence over the reviews than I.
That said, I do try to give thumbs up reviews to the nicer places we stay at.
RE: Musings in the middle of the night
I think its as much about being reasonable about check out time, regardless of what that posted time may be. In other words, if check out is 11 AM, and you are still there around say, 11:30 - 12:00, the management should ask. Like the OP, not a lot of RVers are early morning folks; its part of being an RVer (and likely retired)!
I do recall one RV park where the check out time was 11 AM. We arrived for our reserved site at about 2 PM, but the previous party was still occupying it, and showed no signs of packing up. We went back to the office, and were told to give them a bit more time to vacate, but they didn't talk to the party. We waited until 3:30, at which time I lost it with the "manager", and things moved along quickly after that.
So there should be reasonable compromise between all parties when vacating at check out time, but that was "unreasonable".
To the OP, keep up the blog, I enjoy it!
RE: Back From Canada
Yes, we did an Okanagan British Columbia wine tour a couple of years ago. Many, many wineries with really good tasting rooms. And great wines to boot!
