| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: How old is too old?
I bought a 2001 Newmar Mountain Aire a few years ago and put a fair amount of money into it since then.
I assumed that the diesel engine, drive train, and general coach structure would be good for another 10 years, but there are other things I replaced/upgraded that were getting "long in the tooth" after a decade of use . . .
- replaced both original AC units with new Penguin IIs,
- replaced original inverter with a Magnum,
- replaced the fridge cooling unit,
- installed a new hot water heater (got a bigger one),
- upgraded the water filtration system,
- installed a large solar system,
- lots of maintenance issues: fixed roof, new carpeting, etc, etc.
Much of this was preventative -- not all this stuff broke. I just figured it was time to replace before we hit the road full timing.
|
TechWriter
|
05/20/13 05:32pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: power to video switch
You'll need to find a 12V supply for the switch because w/o power the "booster" function of the switch will not work and you will probably get poor TV reception.
Read the manual (PDF).
|
TechWriter
|
05/19/13 03:14pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Directv DVR continuously resetting when no signal from sat
I would think it's a very bad idea to have the disk drive running while the vehicle is bouncing down the highway. Maybe they're made to take it like your CD player but maybe not.We've already touched on the fact that the receiver can go into power saving mode, supposedly parking the head.
My rig rides smooth enough to leave open containers on the counter which do not spill.In general the comments for drive failings don't add up for me. In-motion dishes are a common item and when it's connected to a DVR - ie disk spinning, etc.
When I worked in the drive industry the drives were hardy enough that vibrating/bouncing down the road were very unlikely to bother them.
Ditto for those using laptops for the internet and/or navigation while vibrating/bouncing down the road.
So do only DVR drives fail while traveling down the road?
Could be thermal. RV AV compartments aren't always the best ventilated spaces.
|
TechWriter
|
05/17/13 02:26pm |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Campgrounds
I hope this isn't improperly "hijacking" this thread but I thought it might be relevant enough and the folks reading this thread may offer some tips on how to keep the campgrounds enjoyable for everyone- both with and without kids.
Yes, it is hijacking, but so are a lot of the other posts in this thread, so don't worry about it. The "my kids are great" posts make for great reading.
I think downtheroad's comment
. . . as a general rule, we have found that the more expensive the campground is the few kids there are ...
is spot on. Reminds me of the old airline seating joke: First Class or Kids.
|
TechWriter
|
05/15/13 12:56pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: What did you do to your Class A MH today???
Nothing -- I'm retired now.
|
TechWriter
|
05/13/13 06:14pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Basement rollout trays
Not what you're looking for . . . I replaced a homebuilt with a commercial slide out. The homebuilt had no real locking mechanism and actually started to slide out while we were in motion.
I'm sure you can make a DIY slide out tray, just make sure you can lock the thing.
|
TechWriter
|
05/11/13 04:34pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
 |
RE: the worse built motorhome you can think of
It is HOW an owner takes care of an RV that is the answer to your question. Not the name of the maker of an RV.
This may be true, but not in the way you intended. That is, some manufacturer's motorhomes may require much more care than others because I don't think all brands are essentially the same.
Several years ago when I looked at OSHA recall data for a number of major Class A brands, it was clear to me that a couple of manufacturers consistently made inferior-quality units.
Maybe that's changed over time, but I doubt it.
|
TechWriter
|
05/10/13 04:46pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: The best photovoltaic solar panels
Thought I would share some information on what are rated as the best/most efficient panels available.
Sanyo HIT Power N Series.
I think a more realistic measure of PV panel efficiency is the PTC standard that CA uses in thier List of Eligible Panels.
The most efficient Sanyo panel is 93.2%. Not bad, considering the average panel was 89.3% (BTW, 11,932 panel models were tested.)
However, there were still a number of panels that tested higher than your Sanyos.
I think that information is not all inclusive of the latest technology.
Neither listing shows the Sanyo HIT-220A01.
They're in the list and no better than 93%.
However, let's look at the latest Sanyo panels (235S & 240S) which claim over 21% cell efficiency:
Both the 235S (model VBHN235SA06) and 240S (model VBHN240SA06) have been PTC tested and these also just have 93% ratings -- and this is Sanyo's latest technology.
|
TechWriter
|
05/03/13 12:16pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: The best photovoltaic solar panels
Thought I would share some information on what are rated as the best/most efficient panels available.
Sanyo HIT Power N Series.
I think a more realistic measure of PV panel efficiency is the PTC standard that CA uses in thier List of Eligible Panels.
I loaded the list in Excel and compared manufacturer label ratings to their PTC test readings and found that the most efficient PTC panel was . . .
United Solar Ovonic 11W panel at 98.2% (label wattage/PTC = 11/10.8). However, United Solar makes "building-integrated" panels which would probably not work on RVs.
The most efficient Sanyo panel is 93.2%. Not bad, considering the average panel was 89.3% (BTW, 11,932 panel models were tested.)
However, there were still a number of panels that tested higher than your Sanyos.
|
TechWriter
|
05/03/13 09:39am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Apple accounts getting hacked
My card was NOT hacked, Apple was hacked.
Just to be sure you may want to check your credit reports (TransUnion, Experion, and Equifax). See FTC Consumer Info.
|
TechWriter
|
05/03/13 07:22am |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Changing out the Duo-Therm thermostat?
I'm thinking of changing out both ACs anyway to the new 15K units . . .
If you're talking about Penguin IIs, they only go up to 13.5K. And when you upgrade to PIIs, they have the new control boards built in.
Not Correct. They have what they call "Hi Capacity" units which are larger than 13.5 but less than 15k. They will NOT state what the BTU is , just that it is more than 13.5 btu. Doug
The "high capacity" unit appears to just have more refrigerant. See Product Sheet.
Didn't you get this wrong before, Doug?
|
TechWriter
|
05/02/13 04:50pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Best source for RV reviews?
Vehicle Recalls
|
TechWriter
|
05/02/13 04:44pm |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Remmeber this topic?
This happened on my former 2004 SeaBreeze. I think the water was coming in via a wiring harness that went through the wheel well into the basement compartment.
After I caulked around and in the cable harness, the leak stopped.
|
TechWriter
|
05/02/13 08:48am |
Class A Motorhomes
|
|
RE: Dish 1000.2
Yes - I understand and agree that 233 is where you point the dish. Question is what is the actual location of the 129W bird?
From my current location N33 27.164 W86 08.053:
110W is Elevation 43.4 Azimuth 218.8
119W is Elevation 37.6 Azimuth 229.5
and the 129W bird is where?
And where do you find that information?
I've never tried to aim each sat. I've used DISH's published numbers (1000.2 Install Guide (PDF)) with great success.
For your ZIP of 35160 that's 228 azimuth, 37 elevation, and 128 skew.
A couple of questions:
- Have you checked your tripod level?
- What are you using to point the dish? Compass?
- What are you using to measure signal strength?
|
TechWriter
|
05/02/13 06:46am |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Changing out the Duo-Therm thermostat?
I'm thinking of changing out both ACs anyway to the new 15K units . . .
If you're talking about Penguin IIs, they only go up to 13.5K. And when you upgrade to PIIs, they have the new control boards built in.
|
TechWriter
|
05/01/13 02:52pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Changing out the Duo-Therm thermostat?
I see that they now have a Comfort Center II but I don't know if it's 'plug compatible' with the old one, nor can I see how programmable it is (the web site dishes up the manual for the old one only!)
Also it's horizontal rather than vertical and as ours is mounted inside a wall box I don't think it will fit
But I might not have any other choice.....
I have the CCII, but it came with my new Penguin IIs. I think the only way to use a CCII with older units is to replace the control boards for both Acs.
Anyway, the CCII is a cut above the 4- and 5-button thermostats. The CCII is easier to use and it more like a house thermostat.
|
TechWriter
|
04/30/13 08:03pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Dish 1000.2
I am not suggesting he align with a smartphone. He's obviously already aligned . . .
Hardly. Those are low numbers the OP listed.
Why in the world won't the Western Arc sats work for him there????
I didn't say his 1000.2 wouldn't work. He can make WA work. I've heard folks acquiring sats with elevations < 20 degrees.
However, in his current location, EA sats are significantly higher and thus probably easier to shoot, don't you think?
|
TechWriter
|
04/30/13 12:33pm |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Dish 1000.2
After third try in trees last night I have low signal strength as follows (110W - 20; 119W – 24; 129W – 0) I do not have a smart phone – thus not their application. I am trying to shoot through hole in trees. I use web site - www.dishpointer.com to get information which is Elevation 37.6 . . .
Good luck aligning your dish with just a smart phone. I don't have those kind of skills and use a good sat meter.
Anyway, you're using the wrong dish (1000.2) for your location. The 1000.2 is shipped as a Western Arc (sats 110, 119, 129) dish which is generally good for west of the Mississippi (a generalization).
However, for your location you should be using the Eastern Arc sats (61.5, 72, and 77).
Why?
Elevation -- for Wedowee, AL the Eastern Arc sats are at about 49 degrees while the Western Arc sats (what you're using) are at 37 degrees. That's a 12 degree difference -- making it easier to aim over trees.
Don't change to DirecTV, change you 1000.2.
It can be "upgraded" to use Eastern Arc sats. Check eBay. Here's a description of the Eastern Arc Twin LNB upgrade.
|
TechWriter
|
04/30/13 11:47am |
Technology Corner
|
|
RE: Jackhammering water pump
I'd try isolating the pump on a set of rubber bushings before messing with the plumbing.
The pump already has rubber feet.
From the 2088 installation manual:
Choose a solid surface (thick plywood) that will not amplify pump operation. The mounting feet are intended to isolate the pump from the mounting surface; overtightening, flattening, or use of oversized
screws will reduce the ability to isolate vibration and noise through the lines.
SHURflo recommends at least 1ft. of ½" I.D. flexible high-pressure tubing to both ports.
The pumps ports/strainer should not be connected to plastic or rigid pipe.
The pump's normal vibration may transmit through rigid plumbing causing noise, and possibly loosen or crack components.
The manufacturer installed the pump INCORRECTLY -- the pump should not have been directly connected to rigid PEX as it is.
OP is totally correct in his plan to attach pump to flexible pipe.
|
TechWriter
|
04/29/13 08:17am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Jackhammering water pump
Our pump does the same thing up until we rid the inlet filter of any air AND that is not as simple as it sounds on our unit. I would not waste the time and effort of replumbing as you plan unless it includes a means of passing the air in the filter through the pump quickly. In order to make that happen the pump would need to mount on a vertical surface (ie rotate 90 degrees) with the inlet filter on the bottom. JMO.
Not true. This pump can be mounted in any position.
|
TechWriter
|
04/28/13 05:38pm |
Tech Issues
|
