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RE: Tank cleaning solution
Thanks to everyone who responded.
We have had minor problems with the gray tank and the black tank. It is the galley tank that is giving poor readings.
One of us likes to use water in the kitchen area as if there was no limit. Only with the sensors can the other party say “what are you doing …”.
The sensors do not need to be accurate, just an early warning device.
I got some Cascade powder dish washing soap with Dawn added – about $8 for a large box. I put about 1 cup in each tank with a 4 gallon chaser. Drove about 300 miles on a hot day. The black tank is perfect – not even any residual odor. The gray tank smells like a spring day. The galley tank still reads improperly – probably grease and food residue buildup.
Looks like I will be using external sensors on the galley tank.
Also, do not waste your money on any specialized solutions – not effective and the dish washing powder seemed very effective on the black and gray tank.
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bains
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07/30/08 08:27pm |
Tech Issues
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Tank cleaning solution
A recent extended trip has resulted in all of our tanks, (gray, galley and black), giving false readings because of ‘dirty’ tank sensors. I purchased some Camco tank cleaning product.
The MHDS says that it contains Tetrasodium Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetate at concentrations of 5 – 10 %.
It is reasonably expensive so like all frugal (cheap) folks I am looking for an adequate substitute.
Tri Sodium Phospate (TSP) looks like a reasonable substitute at about 2% of the cost. Does anybody in the group have a comment on this approach relative to chemical suitability, equipment damage or possible adverse side effects?
Nothing will be added to the fresh water tank.
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bains
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07/26/08 04:28pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Battery chargeing advice/question
Thanks to all who responded. What I concluded is that everyone has different objectives. Some folks want to maintain the longevity of their batteries and manage their use accordingly. Others, like me, use marine batteries and get about 3 years of use prior to sulfication (sp?).
My prime objective is to enjoy some time away from large commercial campgrounds and at the same time have a happy wife which requires the use of a furnace, water and a few lights. Cost is secondary, especially if the consequence is a grumpy wife.
chuck4788 provided a reasonable approach by pointing out that more current is available for charging and the load each charger sees is less for the two charger approach. Nobody pointed out any downside.
Thanks to everyone
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bains
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05/11/08 12:29pm |
Tech Issues
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Battery chargeing advice/question
Our TT has a WFCO 8855 converter. It draws 900 watts and in theory will charge according to its 3 stage charging algorithm at a maximum rate of 55 amps. The charging algorithm supports charging at either 14.4 V DC or 13.6V DC or 13.2V DC and tempers the amount of charge based on voltage level.
In February 2006 I asked a question about battery charging and boon docking. The collective wisdom of the group was that a generator supplying current to the TT would allow the converter to charge the batteries but the charge rate would be tempered/slowed by the size of the converter and the charging algorithm in the converter. The suggestion was to power a regular battery charger and charge at a high rate. Care would need to be exercised about overcharging but the trade-off was a faster charge cycle with less use of the generator and gasoline.
The arguments seemed reasonable and I have a reasonably robust charger that can deliver a constant 35 amp current.
The battery bank is two Group 24 batteries.
So my question is why not do both – power the TT converter from the generator and charge directly with the battery charger. The generator has adequate power to do both and the charge cycle would be faster with less use of the generator and gasoline.
Is this thinking reasonable?
Opinions?
Laughs or other sounds?
Seriously, what is the opinion of this group.
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bains
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05/10/08 05:37pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: National Parks, Are visitors paying....
Thanks to all who responded, especially larryandpaula. We also located some web sites. It looks to me like even though we are traveling through, we will pay the Park ‘road tax’.
The various Park web sites indicate the rules and fee schedule. For Americans the notion that it costs $9.80 per person to drive on a provincial highway seems unusual, especially when the highway is the only mode of transportation for some communities in the area. Although America has toll roads, there is always an alternative for the local traveler who is unconcerned about speed or traffic issues.
The Canadian folks seem to be paying a high price – my condolences to them for this type of behavior by their government.
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bains
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05/10/08 08:34am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: National Parks, Are visitors paying....
Let me understand something please.
We are US citizens currently planning on traveling on Highway 1 to Castle Junction and then on #93 up to through Lake Louise to Jasper to connect with #16 and then going west to Valemount.
Are we going to pay $9.80 per person to drive on these highways since they are in the park?
Any help would be appreciated.
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bains
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05/09/08 08:38am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: how do you make phone calls in BC and Yukon?
Here is a long post from about two months back. It is fairly technical. PM me if you have any questions.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21011683.cfm
I am sorry, I do not know how to make it clickable in this response. Just cut and paste the URL.
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bains
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05/09/08 08:19am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Describe your experience at border crossing
You are getting poor advice on this passport issue.
This summer, you may enter/leave Canada with picture ID only. You should have that with your drivers license.
If you need to fly back to the US from Canada for some reason -- death in family, medical emergency, etc. then you will need a passport.
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bains
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05/07/08 06:14am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Filling the Fresh water tank
I had a Dutchman -- same exact problem. Very slooow fill and never get to top and very slooooooow draining of fresh water tank.
Turns out that as you fill the tank you need a vent to let air escape. My vent was plugged. Took a compressed air hose with a rubber tip thingy on a blower device and blew into the tank. Took several times and then the obstruction was apparently cleared -- probably blew into the tank.
Tank draining was really slow. Took off valve under the trailer and let it drain. Had to use a piece of wire and constantly keeping fishing out stuff in the hose. Took about three fills before water started to come out with some degree or regularity.
After all that, fill add come bleach and drive around a while. Drain 'er out and yo should be OK.
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bains
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05/04/08 08:06am |
Beginning RVing
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Sealed container transport for goods through Canada
I was reading the Canadian regulations for allowable goods ‘imported’ into Canada and came across a paragraph regarding In-transit Travel Through Canada. The essence was that Americans can declare merchandise, have it in a container that can be ‘sealed’ by Canadian Customs and then transport that container through Canada.
You have to have a ‘declaration form’ available in duplicate – one for the customs person and one for yourself. I made up a form in WORD – article says it will be OK.
Routinely we have a box of wine and several bottles of alcoholic beverages in our TT that will be consumed over many months. The total exceeds allowable amounts for import. Apparently this merchandise can be transported through Canada on the way to Alaska without any issue by declaration and having the container sealed.
Have any of the readers of this forum used this method or have an opinion/experience to share?
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bains
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04/20/08 07:03am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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Boots and rain gear
Lots of posts recommend good rain gear so we got some. Another post alluded to 'good waterproof boots'.
From my perspective there are four types of boots:
There are good leather hiking type boots that may be water resistant There are good hiking boots that are made of synthetic material and are waterproof but not breathable There are jungle type boots that anticipate slogging through mud/water and allow the water to 'flow' through -- they provide protection against predators and snakes, etc. There are full rubber boots like concrete workers wear -- not comfortable for walking a lot but very waterproof
What is the recommendation of the experienced folks who have been there?
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bains
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03/17/08 11:16am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Internet, Cell Service in Yukon/Alaska
Everyone likes to save $$.
If you need cell phone coverage in Canada and Alaska here are some hints.
Background
The notion is to point out a common platform that will work for the US travelers in Canada at low cost with no ongoing commitment in terms of contracts. It requires GSM technology type phones.
AT&T is the dominate provider in Alaska – if there is service available at a location then AT&T will be the local provider of choice.
Roger's Communications is a ubiquitous provider in Canada for cell coverage. Their coverage map is fairly extensive but apparently they do not cover more remote areas.
Make sure you have at least one unlocked GSM cell phone capable of at least 850/1900 MHz reception. That phone will work in big city America, rural America(850 MHz is used here) and Canada.
Rogers is an AT&T roaming partner for AT&T monthly plan customers but you will not like their dollars per minute charges for calls from your AT&T phone used in Canada. The key is to get ‘local’ coverage and the least expensive way is to have a pre-paid phone account with the local provider.
Once you have your unlocked GSM phone, then you can purchase a Rogers SIM card with your own Canadian telephone number, voice mail etc.
Details
Purchase an unlocked GSM cell phone capable of at least 850/1900 MHz reception. That phone will work in big city America, rural America(850 MHz is used) and Canada. It must be unlocked so it will work with AT&T and Rogers Communication.
The SIM card in the phone has your carrier identity and the electronic info to’ know’ your phone number and register it with the carrier and make calls. It is a little device inside your cell phone that is easily removed/replaced.
In Alaska use an AT&T SIM card since they are the dominate provider in Alaska. In Canada take out the AT&T SIM card in the phone and put in a prepaid Rogers SIM card. Now you have native Canadian telephone number and service. This only works if the phone is unlocked.
If you are a monthly AT&T customer then you can take the SIM card out of your current phone and put it in your recently purchased unlocked phone – same plan, just a different phone. If you are not an AT&T monthly plan customer then you should purchase an AT&T “GO Phone” SIM card – a prepaid plan type approach.
You have reasonable cost cell service in Canada and America.
More Details
Go to ebay, and search for “unlocked cell phone” – the last search had over 12,000 hits. I use a Nokia 3150 – it has 850/1800/1900 MHz reception, is inexpensive, rugged and readily available for about $25. Unfortunately it is only good for talking – text messaging is almost impossible, it has no camera, no Internet browser, no RSS feeds, no nuthin but talking.
On ebay search for “rogers SIM card” – you should get about 50+ hits. Buy one that is not activated. Should cost about $10 or so. Rogers will sell them to you for about $49.
You now have an unlocked phone and a Canadian SIM card.
If you do not have AT&T service as your native service in the US, then you will probably need to buy an AT&T ‘GO phone’ SIM card or pay for roaming charges in Alaska. That will allow your unlocked phone to work in Alaska. On ebay search for “AT&T SIM card” – you should get about 700+ hits. Buy one that is not activated. Should cost about $10 or so.
Your existing AT&T phone will not work with the Rogers SIM card because the phone is locked to the AT&T network – that is why you bought an unlocked phone. Did I mention that you need an unlocked phone?
You now have all the pieces – use the AT&T SIM card in America and the Rogers SIM card in Canada. Since they are associated with prepaid accounts, you have no contract or other issues. Cost for service vary but will be about $ .25/minute for America and about $ .20/minute for Canada.
Use the prepaid account phone to make calls and also call your ‘regular’ cell/home number, pick up your messages, and return calls.
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bains
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03/08/08 09:26am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Cell Phone Coverage -- Canada & Alaska
My apologies to any who were offended by my statement that Rodgers is the dominate provider in Canada -- that statement has been amended. The notion was to point out a common platform that would work for the US travelers in Canada at low cost with no ongoing commitment in terms of contracts.
I stand sort of corrected. BTW, I am not a Rodgers sales person.
I selected an approach which would work in both Canada and the USA and that required GSM technology. CDMA technology is being phased out in the US and aside from some minor carriers conversion to GSM is almost complete. It is not used, to my knowledge in the EU, and is the technology of choice in the Far East and Mid East.
Here is a Wikipedia discussion – with an estimated 82% worldwide coverage, that is what drove my thinking – that and European travel.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM
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bains
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02/18/08 02:18pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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Cell Phone Coverage -- Canada & Alaska
Everyone likes to save $$.
If you need cell phone coverage in Canada and Alaska here are some hints.
Background
The notion is to point out a common platform that will work for the US travelers in Canada at low cost with no ongoing commitment in terms of contracts. It requires GSM technology type phones.
AT&T is the dominate provider in Alaska – if there is service available at a location then AT&T will be the local provider of choice.
Roger's Communications is a ubiquitous provider in Canada for cell coverage. Their coverage map is fairly extensive but apparently they do not cover more remote areas.
Make sure you have at least one unlocked GSM cell phone capable of at least 850/1900 MHz reception. That phone will work in big city America, rural America(850 MHz is used here) and Canada.
Rogers is an AT&T roaming partner for AT&T monthly plan customers but you will not like their dollars per minute charges for calls from your AT&T phone used in Canada. The key is to get ‘local’ coverage and the least expensive way is to have a pre-paid phone account with the local provider.
Once you have your unlocked GSM phone, then you can purchase a Rogers SIM card with your own Canadian telephone number, voice mail etc.
Details
Purchase an unlocked GSM cell phone capable of at least 850/1900 MHz reception. That phone will work in big city America, rural America(850 MHz is used) and Canada. It must be unlocked so it will work with AT&T and Rogers Communication.
The SIM card in the phone has your carrier identity and the electronic info to’ know’ your phone number and register it with the carrier and make calls. It is a little device inside your cell phone that is easily removed/replaced.
In Alaska use an AT&T SIM card since they are the dominate provider in Alaska. In Canada take out the AT&T SIM card in the phone and put in a prepaid Rogers SIM card. Now you have native Canadian telephone number and service. This only works if the phone is unlocked.
If you are a monthly AT&T customer then you can take the SIM card out of your current phone and put it in your recently purchased unlocked phone – same plan, just a different phone. If you are not an AT&T monthly plan customer then you should purchase an AT&T “GO Phone” SIM card – a prepaid plan type approach.
You have reasonable cost cell service in Canada and America.
More Details
Go to ebay, and search for “unlocked cell phone” – the last search had over 12,000 hits. I use a Nokia 3150 – it has 850/1800/1900 MHz reception, is inexpensive, rugged and readily available for about $25. Unfortunately it is only good for talking – text messaging is almost impossible, it has no camera, no Internet browser, no RSS feeds, no nuthin but talking.
On ebay search for “rogers SIM card” – you should get about 50+ hits. Buy one that is not activated. Should cost about $10 or so. Rogers will sell them to you for about $49.
You now have an unlocked phone and a Canadian SIM card.
If you do not have AT&T service as your native service in the US, then you will probably need to buy an AT&T ‘GO phone’ SIM card or pay for roaming charges in Alaska. That will allow your unlocked phone to work in Alaska. On ebay search for “AT&T SIM card” – you should get about 700+ hits. Buy one that is not activated. Should cost about $10 or so.
Your existing AT&T phone will not work with the Rogers SIM card because the phone is locked to the AT&T network – that is why you bought an unlocked phone. Did I mention that you need an unlocked phone?
You now have all the pieces – use the AT&T SIM card in America and the Rogers SIM card in Canada. Since they are associated with prepaid accounts, you have no contract or other issues. Cost for service vary but will be about $ .25/minute for America and about $ .20/minute for Canada.
Use the prepaid account phone to make calls and also call your ‘regular’ cell/home number, pick up your messages, and return calls.
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bains
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02/18/08 09:48am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: AT&T Regarding Coverage in Alaska
Cell phone coverage was important to us as we planned our Alaska trip. AT&T has good coverage in Alaska according to this RV Forum. A look at their map shows coverage where you would expect it in terms of cities. Rural areas are SOL, but that is the case in the rest of the US as well.
Roger's Communications is the dominate provider in Canada for cell coverage. Canada, most of Europe and the world at large has pre-paid phone plans that work well. Although Rogers is an AT&T roaming partner for US based AT&T customers that have monthly plans, you will not like their charges for calls from your AT&T phone. US based pre-paid phones do not work at all for any form of roaming in Canada.
You can purchase a Rogers SIM card with your own Canadian telephone number, voice mail etc for an initial cost of $49 and about $ .15 per minute usage charge. You can purchase before you leave – google “Canada prepaid cell phone”
We long ago elected a pre-paid AT&T (Cingular) account since we live in rural America and coverage is not good – we seldom use more than 30 minutes a month. With that plan, we pay $8.33 per month for cell coverage and our unused minutes accumulate. Currently we have several hundred minutes in the cell phone ‘bank’.
More importantly, since you have minutes in the bank, AT&T cannot cancel your plan/number since it has an account credit.
When we get to Canada, we take out the AT&T SIM card in the phone and put in a prepaid Rogers SIM card. Now we have cell coverage throughout Canada from the dominate provider.
Make sure you have an unlocked GSM cell phone capable of at least 850/1900 MHz reception. That phone will work in big city America, rural America(850 MHz is used here) and Canada.
Go to ebay, and search for “unlocked cell phone” – the last search had over 12,000 hits. We use a Nokia 3150 – it has 850/1800/1900 MHz reception, is inexpensive, rugged and readily available for about $25.
You now have a phone. Buy an AT&T ‘GO phone’ SIM card and it will work in Alaska. Buy the Rogers SIM card and it will work in Canada. Use the phone to make calls and also call your ‘regular’ cell/home number, pick up your messages, and return calls.
Inexpensive and reliable. The phones are so inexpensive that we purchased several – we have a Canada phone and an America phone – and one backs up the other in case of an accident.
Be sure that you purchase an UNLOCKED cell phone.
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bains
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02/17/08 07:06am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Gasoline can usage
Tee Jay mentioned that the gas cans may have to be unused. As I mentioned under some interpretations of the regulation they could be considered as requiring a purge process and label by an approved agency but apparently this is waived for 5 gallon containers.
My sense is that the InterIsland Ferry regulation are more forgiving since that transportation method is a local transportation infrastructure funded and supported locally. The Alaska DOT ferry may be more hidebound but during the telephone conversation they said it was OK.
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bains
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02/16/08 08:54am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Gasoline can usage
The actual answer based on telephone discussion with folks is dependent on the ferry system and how the material is carried:
Alaska Marine Ferry (DOT) considers gasoline a hazardous material
• Two each 6 gal containers of gasoline are allowed. The containers must be marked with the owners name and contact information and will be stored by staff while underway.
• There is no limit on the number of empty 5 gallon containers allowed according to Jeff, a supervisor in the Juneau office. It is not clear whether these containers must be marked with the owners name and contact information. Under some interpretations of the regulation they could be considered as requiring a purge process and label by an approved agency but apparently this is waived for 5 gallon containers.
• Boat gas inside a self contained container for the boat is OK but any external tanks are covered by the 6 gallon container rule mentioned previously.
Alaska Inter-island Ferry has different regulations
• 30 gal of gasoline in containers is allowed. The containers must be marked with the owners name and contact information and will be stored by staff while underway. The effect is that six each 5 gallon containers with fuel are allowed.
• There is no limit on the number of empty containers allowed. It is not clear whether these containers must be marked with the owners name and contact information.
• Boat gas inside a self contained container for the boat is OK but any external tanks are covered by the six container rule mentioned previously.
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bains
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02/11/08 10:31am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Describe your experience at border crossing
You are correct, you probably have more experience at the Canadian border that I do. That said, my experience has been forged at literally dozens of countries over four continents.
Most border personnel are nice polite folks but they always slavishly follow the rules – it’s their job, retirement and pension on the line. Their latitude in decision making is very narrow and from their perspective there is no reason to get in trouble. The only exception is for borders where financial arrangements are common.
My opinion was for the folks in Texas, Arkansas, Nebraska and all the other spots that have to drive literally hundreds of miles to be stopped by a boarder person with no latitude. To my knowledge you cannot phone ahead to see if you are OK, you just have to present yourself and then rely on their clearance procedures and database information.
The US government just gave Canada all of the info for US citizens. I am sure it came with an understanding that it would be kept confidential since the TSA will not tell us what it knows about us, I am certain that the same holds true for the Canadian authorities.
If you have an actual Canadian number to call, help us all out and tell us what it is.
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bains
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02/09/08 12:55pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Gasoline can usage
Well I was more interested if they could more than two if they were empty? Maybe I have to call the Alaska Ferry Folks.
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bains
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02/09/08 11:26am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Describe your experience at border crossing
Everyone is sounding very naive here.
Repeating my prior post again. A boarder agent in Canada or America is a bureaucratic employee of a government organization. He/she wants to get paid, get promoted, send his kids to college, retire and travel in a RV, etc. He/she does not ever get any bonus points for good customer service or points for using creative problem solving skills. They know that they will certainly be citied or written up for not slavishly following the rules. Being nice/reasonable will not help him/her at all – you might be the one problem that will surface two days later and then management will want to ask a lot of questions.
So now he/she is looking at a cryptic database screen that says something not ‘normal’ and the red flags get raised. You are stopped and then the ‘system process’ kicks in. Hours go by and probably you will not be allowed to pass.
If you want to get a criminal background check on yourself, the same check that is seen by the police or TSA folks it is not possible. All of us have read horror stories about some person who is in the system incorrectly. They even stopped Senator Kennedy a couple years ago. Ask the TSA if you have any problems and they will tell you that they cannot tell you because of national security concerns.
Canadian Customs will not ‘phone’ clear you. This would be a really stupid idea since the bad guys could keep trying a new name until it was OK and then make up some matching ID.
My advice is to go try and buy a handgun – they run a background check. If not flagged, then you are probably OK.
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bains
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02/09/08 11:17am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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