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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: TV (batwing) Antenna, reception BAD
I have a 1999 Cardinal fifth wheel that I bought in 2004. The camper had an Antenna-Tek batwing type antenna with an amplifier built into an outlet in the bedroom. The TV reception was bad from the start (2004). It didn’t seem to matter whether the antenna was raised or lowered or what direction the antenna was pointed, the reception on my TV didn’t change.
I finally started trouble shooting. I climbed on the roof and disconnected the 75 ohm coax cable from the head of the antenna. I connected a 25’ length of 75 ohm coax to the cable that was disconnected from the antenna. I took the other end of the 75 ohm coax cable and fed it through the bedroom window and had it beside the cable outlet in the bedroom. I removed the cable outlet and disconnected the 75 ohm cable that led to the antenna. Now I had both ends of what should have been a 75 ohm cable loop. I put my multi meter on resistance so I could measure for continuity and there was none. I measured the center wire and the outside mesh and neither showed continuity. I now knew that I had a break or disconnect in the cable.
Upon further investigation, I found that the 5’ coax cable lead, from the antenna head, connected to another section of coax cable in the ceiling right below the roof mounting plate. This connection was badly corroded. The center wire was completely eaten away at this location. The ceiling and roof were not damaged by the moisture that evidently caused the corrosion.
I replaced the 5’ antenna coax lead and the approximately 8’ inside coax cable to the booster and this fixed everything. I got quite good TV reception or at least as good as anyone else. The original Antenna-Tek batwing head was painted white and it had a crease on the front blade, probably from an encounter with a tree limb, but I continued using it. Recently the front blade broke in two during a very hard wind. I ordered a replacement from Antenna-Tek and the new one sent was shiny metal. The new one works just as good as or better than the original one.
Good luck on your trouble shooting.
Mike
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Mike_5667
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02/21/08 02:57pm |
Technology Corner
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1995 Coleman Hatteras Camper
Hello Folding Camper Owners,
I have been a fifth wheel camper for several years and I know a little about fifth wheels, but I know very little about folding campers. My son is thinking about getting a folding camper and he is looking at a 1995 Coleman Hatteras camper (hard sides). I’m not sure what the final price would be.
Are there any pointers, comments or warnings you have on what he should be looking for?
Thanks for your input.
Mike
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Mike_5667
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02/13/08 05:53pm |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Atwood 10 gal no hot water on electric
I have a Suburban 10 gallon water heater in a 1999 Cardinal fifth wheel and I recently replaced the heating element. Here is what I found in trying to diagnose the original problem of not heating on electric.
1. Of course the water heater circuit breaker on your circuit breaker panel has to be on.
2. The small rocker switch on the outside of the heater turns 110v power on and off to the heating element. The electric heating element is independent of the inside switch that activates the LP gas system.
3. The heating element in my water heater is 1600 watts which pulls about 11 amps. If you have a volt/ohm meter and are comfortable using it you should be able to do some testing.
4. Again if you feel comfortable with using your meter, you should see nominal 110 to 120 volts at the head of the heating element. You can turn the outside rocker switch on and off and observe the voltage. However even a bad element will show 110 to 120 volts. You need to either check current (amps) flow with a meter or check for a voltage drop in the coach when the power is switched on and off.
5. You might be able to lift the leads on the heating element head and check resistance. A very high resistance would indicate a burned out element. I my case, however, the element was burned out and the sheath split so the water in the tank provided enough conductivity to show a low resistance which gave me a false indication of a good element.
6. Since a good heating element when working properly pulls several amps (11 amps in my case), you should see a drop in your camper’s voltage when the electric element kicks in. You would have to connect your meter to a 110 volt outlet and turn the heating element on and off and if the element is good you should be able to see a voltage drop.
7. Having said all this, you probably have a burnt out heating element. If you can remove the element, you can check for obvious physical damage and also do an accurate resistance test with your meter. I had to go through all my testing because my heating element was stuck in the water heater very tightly and I couldn’t easily remove it. Removing a stuck heating element is information for another post.
I hope this helps.
Mike
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Mike_5667
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02/09/08 08:52am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Build Your Own Bedsaver
Signature series Reese hitch owners: There is now a bedsaver for the signature series at least I have one. I called the factory to check on it and they DID NOT have one. They then ask me if I could part with my hitch for a little while and they would return it with a free bedsaver installed (after they design it) and I said yes. Their factory rep happened to be in the area so he picked up my hitch although they did indicate they would pay all shipping costs if I shipped it. I now have it in my frozen garage with the bed saver installed....FREE! This factory seems to want to do it right
Ken
Below are pictures Ken took of the Signature Series Bed saver. The bedsaver really looks good to me.
Mike
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Bedsaver/topview.jpg height=480 width=640
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Bedsaver/sideview.jpg height=480 width=640
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Bedsaver/bottom_view.jpg height=480 width=640
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Mike_5667
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02/04/08 02:19pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Build Your Own Bedsaver
Signature series Reese hitch owners: There is now a bedsaver for the signature series at least I have one. I called the factory to check on it and they DID NOT have one. They then ask me if I could part with my hitch for a little while and they would return it with a free bedsaver installed (after they design it) and I said yes. Their factory rep happened to be in the area so he picked up my hitch although they did indicate they would pay all shipping costs if I shipped it. I now have it in my frozen garage with the bed saver installed....FREE! This factory seems to want to do it right
Ken
Ken,
Can you post pictures of the factory bedsaver for the Signature Series hitch? I have an 18K Signature Series hitch and I am quite interested in getting a bedsaver for it.
Thanks,
Mike
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Mike_5667
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02/03/08 08:27pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: camp ground suggestions Mammoth cave area
We stayed at Nolin Lake State Park about 5 miles north of the Mammoth Cave Park boundaries. Nolin lake has 32 campsites with water and electric. The sites were large, graveled and level. Several of the sites are right on Nolin Lake. This location suited us well and it was less than a 1/2 hour drive to the caves using the small ferry over the Green River.
Happy Camping,
Mike
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Florida%20Nov%202005/01NolinCampsite.jpg height=480 width=640
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Florida%20Nov%202005/03MammothCaveFerry.jpg height=480 width=640
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Mike_5667
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01/18/08 03:33pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Kettle Moraine Northern Unit WI
We stayed at Long Lake Recreation Area Campground (site #705) in the Kettle Moraine State Forest in September 2007 for two nights. It was a nice campground, but there were no hook-ups in the campground. We were in a 30' fifth wheel and we were one of the largest units in the loop but we fit just fine. We enjoyed our visit to the Kettle Moraine State Forest.
Happy camping.
Mike
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Miscellaneous/KettleMoraineSite.jpg height=480 width=640
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Mike_5667
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01/13/08 04:18pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Sequoia NP last week in March?
We stayed at Kaweah Park Resort in Three Rivers, CA on 4-2-06 and 4-3-06. There were only a couple of campers in the park at that time. The campground was fine for us; right next to where the three rivers come together and just outside the entrance to Sequoia National Park. We were able to drive up to the giant trees but the snow beside the road at the top was several feet deep and the roads to Kings Canyon were closed because of the snow.
Mike
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Southwest%202006/071MikeatKaweahCampground.jpg height=480 width=640
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Southwest%202006/075MikeatGeneralSherman.jpg height=640 width=480
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Mike_5667
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01/06/08 08:36pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Garmin Nuvi 650 in truck mode DOES cause routing differences
I have a Garmin Nuvi 650 and I love it. I keep it set on “Truck” and “Fastest Time” and it almost always gets me where I want to go without any problems. However, you have to pay attention to what is going on. As I was driving south on I-75 nearing Atlanta, the navigator was directing me to stay on I-75 through Atlanta. I could read the signs that said no vehicles over six wheels on I-75 so I took the I-285 bypass that I planned to take all along. That wonderful little navigator just recalculated and everything was fine.
I did some minor programming during my work life and my hat is off to those programmers that provide the algorithms for the navigators.
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Mike_5667
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01/03/08 06:08pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Campground near Voyageurs NP
We stayed in a Minnesota State Forest Campground (Woodenfrog Campground) a few miles from one of the Voyageurs National Park Visitor’s Centers on 9-27-07. There were only three campers in the 61 site campground. The campground was beautiful. The sites were wooded and well separated from each other. There were no hookups and of course the temperature was plenty cool at the end of September. With all the shade, it might be bearable in August. The below picture, with a double rainbow, was taken on the walk back to the registration booth from our campsite. There were campsites on both sides of this gravel road. The campground was elevated on a little bluff where you could look across the water and see Voyageurs National Park.
Happy Camping,
Mike
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/WI-MN-MI%202007/18DoubleRainbowWoodenfrogCampground.jpg height=640 width=480
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Mike_5667
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12/31/07 07:17pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Garmin 650 shortest route?
I have a Garmin Nuvi 650 and I love it. I have it set on "shortest time" and "Truck". I know that it can take you on some quirky routes, but in general it works very well. When we know the route, we are always critiquing the navigator for not going where we would have chosen, but the navigator will almost always get you there.
For me the true value of these tools are when you are in new areas. I recently took a 4,000 mile trip through Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan into the “North Woods”; places I had never been. I’m sure a local in some of the areas we went would have shaken their head as to why the navigator did what it did, but it got us to where we wanted to go with very little stress. Like I said, I love this remarkable tool.
Happy Camping,
Mike
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Mike_5667
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12/27/07 06:42pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Buying used Cardinal RK28D
I have a 1999 27LX Cardinal with one slide. I bought the trailer in 2004 from the original owner. This was my first venture into campers of any kind and I have been very satisfied. The camper is well made and comfortable. I have pulled it thousands of miles all over the country with no major problems and camped over a hundred nights in it.
I have a 3/4 ton Silverado Duramax with an 8' bed and all the weights are within specifications. I'm also quite satisfied with the truck. I installed the Prodigy brake controller and this seems to work well.
Overall, I'm a happy camper. Good luck with your venture.
Mike
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Mike_5667
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12/23/07 09:01am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Alafia River SP, Lithia, FL
We stayed in Alafia River State Park near Tampa, FL for two nights last January. It was a nice park with well spaced campsites (open. There were good hiking and biking trails and the little Alafia River running through the park. I wished I had my kayaks with me. Below is a picture of our campsite and a picture of the Alafia River.
Happy Camping
Mike
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Florida%2007/AlafiaRiverStateParkCampSite.jpg height=480 width=640
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Florida%2007/AlafiaRiver.jpg height=480 width=640
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Mike_5667
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12/21/07 06:27pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: replacing water heater element
MikenDebbie,
I had a real problem getting a 7 year old element out, so I attached a 1 1/4 inch pipe nipple, a pipe cap and a nut to the flimsy socket made for the heating element. I tack welded these together and I was able to twist the old element out fairly easily. I put the new one in with teflon tape.
Good luck,
Mike
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Miscellaneous/HeaterElementSocket.jpg height=640 width=480
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Mike_5667
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12/15/07 09:20pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Peoria, IL area CG's
Omrod,
We have a son who lives in Peoria and we stayed at Jubilee College State Park this September. As you can see from the picture, the campground is fairly open. There are some sites against the woods, but I didn't see any sites in the woods. It was a nice enough campground. We had electric only at campsite B6. We didn't checkout the bath house.
Mike
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/WI-MN-MI%202007/01JubileeStatePark-IL.jpg height=480 width=640
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Mike_5667
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11/25/07 09:02pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Camping in West Virginia
We stayed at Watoga State Park (water and electric) near Marlinton, WV right on the Greenbrier River. It was very scenic with good drives, mountains (Cranberry Glades), waterfalls and rock formations nearby (Beartown). We also liked Canaan Valley State Park (full hookups) near Elkins, WV. Again, near this park were beautiful mountains, waterfalls (Blackwater Falls) and wilderness areas (Dolly Sods). There are many beautiful areas in West Virginia.
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Mike_5667
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11/08/07 09:20pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: suburban water heater (propane work, but electric does not)
Start at the element. Turn off the power. Disconnect the wires and check the resistance of the element. If it is open (infinite resistance), You know the element is burned out and there is no point trouble shooting further until you replace the element.
I tried this approach on my trouble shooting and the element was totally burned out and the heater sheath was also split so the water provided some electrical flow and the resistance check indicated that the heater was good when it wasn't good. I guess had I drained the water and let it dry out, the resistance check would have worked.
Mike
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Mike_5667
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10/25/07 10:07pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Kayak Rack
I designed and built a rack to carry two kayaks on the back of my fifth wheel, and it works well. It could have been made it a little longer to hold three kayaks. If you went this route, you would have to weld it yourself or get someone to do it for you.
If you are not into this kind of project, truck roof racks or front racks are probably your best bet.
Happy kayaking,
Mike
More Pictures
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q304/mike_5667/Kayak%20Carrier/KayakCarrier.jpg height=640 width=480
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Mike_5667
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10/25/07 09:52pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: suburban water heater (propane work, but electric does not)
Thanks javaseuf,
It makes more sense to have two high-limit switches, one for the 12-volt side and one for the 110 volt side. I had a schematic but I misread it. I also downloaded the referenced manual for the six gallon units. The six gallon unit looks very similar to my ten gallon unit.
Mike
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Mike_5667
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10/23/07 09:05pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: suburban water heater (propane work, but electric does not)
Hi Lupo1962,
I have a Suburban 10 gallon water heater in a 1999 Cardinal fifth wheel and I recently replaced the heating element. Here is what I found in trying to diagnose the original problem of not heating on electric.
1. Of course the water heater circuit breaker on your circuit breaker panel has to be on.
2. The small rocker switch on the outside of the heater turns 110v power on and off to the heating element. The electric heating element is independent of the inside switch that activates the LP gas system.
3. There are two reset buttons behind the rubber cover. They should be just under the insulation. One is for the regular temperature reset and one is for the high temperature reset.
4. The heating element in my water heater is 1600 watts which pulls about 11 amps. If you have a volt/ohm meter and are comfortable using it you should be able to do some testing.
5. You should see a drop in your camper’s voltage when the electric element kicks in.
6. Again if you feel comfortable with electricity, you should see nominal 110 to 120 volts at the head of the heating element. You can turn the outside rocker switch on and off and observe the voltage. However even a bad element will show 110 to 120 volts. You need to either check current (amps) flow with a meter or check for a voltage drop in the coach when the power is switched on and off.
I hope this helps.
Mike
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Mike_5667
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10/23/07 02:50pm |
Tech Issues
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