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RE: Gas Generator vs. Propane
IMHO you don't need a generator unless you have to leave an animal in the van when parked in hot weather. A generator is just another thing to maintain.
I've never had to use mine for the normal trips I take in my van since I always have access to power. But when I've had to evacuate for a hurricane with 2 dogs, and I have to stop in 90+ degree heat, I need a generator to run the ac.
Its also come in handy when my power goes out for days and the dogs and I just need a place to cool off. So for those reasons alone any future unit I get will have a generator.
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dombodals
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10/03/08 06:31am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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Gas Generator vs. Propane
For my next RV (in 5 years), I'm comparing two Leisure Travel Vans - one with a gas generator and one with a propane generator (one is gas and one is diesel). Anyone have any preference? I'm not at all familiar with propane's. Do you have to exercise them as much as you do the gas gens?
Right now in my rig, I've only had to fill up the propane tank once a year as I only use it for hot water heater and occasional heat. How quick does the propane generator eat up the propane?
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dombodals
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09/16/08 05:26am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Ford Emergency Service
ChiMom - the best thing about a Ford is what Mumkin said - run - don't walk to your Ford dealer and get them to install a combination keypad on your rig. I had one installed on the side door (just have to hit the last number twice to open all doors). Its a wonderful feature and will save you from those sneaky dogs. I use mine at dog shows all the time when I need something from the rig and my keys are in the building.
And Ford Emergency Service came through for me last year when I had a blow-out on the interstate. They were great!
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dombodals
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09/15/08 08:47pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Does anyone use the outside shower?
Yep - when pup had accident in her crate. Since then no but its there if I need it.
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dombodals
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09/09/08 05:35am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Blown fuse?
Starting the van shouldn't have had any effect. Check the breaker inside the generator's box. It's located on the right side of the little control panel, and feels ~like a toggle switch. And yes, it's hard to see, and a very poor design. That's the most likely culprit, but there are also breakers inside the the electrical panel, tho' it sounds like you've got no power to them.
Jim, "There's no right way to eat a rhesus."
Found the generator breaker - flipped it up - no luck. Flipped it down - no luck. My neighbor looked at the fuse and said its not blown. Appliances/ac run with shore power so can't be the inside rig breakers....
Any other suggestions? I dont' see any wires hanging down which could have been disconnected.
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dombodals
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09/07/08 03:08pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Blown fuse?
Nothing to do with your generator...
...but I was thinking of you when Gustav passed through. I hope your place was an unscathed as it was after Katrina's visit.
Yep made it through the storm with no problems and my power came back on last nite. The GWV was home away from home during the evacuation yet again.
Gotta go look for that breaker switch in case we have to leave town for Ike.
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dombodals
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09/07/08 11:58am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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Blown fuse?
My Onan Microlite 2800 gas generator starts and runs. But its not sending power to anything. My ac/microwave work fine with shore power - but not on generator power. Did I blow the fuse in the generator? Would the generator run with a blow fuse?
(ps - when running on generator power, with the ac on, I forgot to turn off the ac when starting the van.)
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dombodals
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09/07/08 06:30am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Newbies still researching: Chevy, Dodge or Ford?
Test driving each is a great way to help decide. 4 years ago when I was ordering my GWV, Ford was the only option from that company. It was a battle in even the slightest wind until I replaced the tires and put a rear stablizer bar. Now its much easier to drive. The Chevy RT I test drove handled nicely but I don't remember if it was windy that day.
Ford has the great option of adding a combination door lock/unlock. I LOVE that feature. But the steering wheel middle (where I usually put my hands) is very thick and uncomfortable to drive for long distances.
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dombodals
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08/10/08 03:32pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Rolling with Refer - Propane or DC?
Here is a question I have:
When on the road, how many of you actually turn off the main gas at the tank area (at the rear of the RT in my case), rather than just shut off the reefer gas and switch to DC? This question may have been answered already in this thread but I am a little lazy to read the whole thing tonight. :Z
I use to drive with the reefer on propane. Then I had a rear tire blow-out which destroyed parts of the reefer. Fortunately nothing blew up. Since then I've decided to keep the propane turned off at the main valve and use my 12V to power the reefer when driving. I've not had problems with it discharging the batteries while driving but I only travel at most 4 hours away.
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dombodals
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06/11/08 05:38am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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YIPPEE My new 12V digital 15" tv works!
Not having an electrical plug near the tv to hook a digital converter into, I went on a quest to find a 15" digital 12v tv to replace my analog. I found one through google and decided to give it a try.
I'm proud to say its in and it works! And its digital and High def. A Jensen 1508.
My only problem with it is the cords hang down instead of fitting nicely behind the mount. But at least I'll have digital! Slightly more than the cost of a converter box! Its in the 400$ range. But i'd have had to pay someone to hook up electrical for the converter box and this was a lot easier.
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dombodals
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05/30/08 08:00pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Digital TV converters for a B
The problem with my GWV is it has no electrical plug in the back area to hook up a converter. I even called GWV to ask what they suggested and to see what kind of 12V tv's they were using that were digital. They had no suggestions and said they went to a 19" regular tv (no 12v). They said i should pay an electrician to hook up an electrical plug in the back or get an inverter installed.
I found one 12v digital on-line and ordered it - something that I can change out easily in my B but its currently on backorder.
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dombodals
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05/22/08 06:49pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Digital to Analog TV Converter in RV --- Wow!
I just ordered a Jensen 1508 15" 12v digital tv for the RV to replace my analog. No electrical plug for a converter box near the tv and didn't want to pay for an inverter to be installed. So I found this tv and am hoping it works.
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dombodals
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05/16/08 06:02am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Need new Digital TV that is 12v?
I bought one last year at Circuit City on sale for around $250 or $300. I think it is either 15" or 17" with a built in DVD player. Comes with two power cords, one for 120V AC and one 12V DC with a Cig lighter adapter on it.
Can you tell me the brand and model number so I'll know what to look for? Thanks.
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dombodals
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05/13/08 06:43pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Need new Digital TV that is 12v?
Probably cheaper to buy a small inverter, than a 12vdc tv.
{Get a 120vac tv}
I would actually be easier just to get a 120V tv and leave it that way if you dont need to run it off the house batts...just find an AC plug to hook into
Ok what's an Inverter....
and my problem with plugging it into an ac plug is there are no ac plugs in that area.....so that's not an option.
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dombodals
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05/13/08 06:42pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Need new Digital TV that is 12v?
Just looked in the TV manual and it shows "power input terminal DC 12v". Just below that it has a section on "using the AC Adapter".
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dombodals
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05/12/08 08:28pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Need new Digital TV that is 12v?
A 12 volt tv would have a power plug like a cigarette lighter and in all cases I've seen plug into the antenna lead plate ... the same plate on the wall as the antenna. unless you have some homemade setup. Have you removed the television and looked at the power plug??? the connectors you describe sound like the sound out connectors to a stereo system. sometimes power outlets are behind or in the cupboard near the tv.
I'm not sure about anything! I've looked and actually had replaced the tv myself when the first one broke. The only plugs were the stereo type. The TV i have is a Sharp Aquos with AC adapter. The ac adapter is still sitting in a bag in the cabinet. I looked in the cabinet and see a black box which cords plug into (inverter or antenna?) but don't see any electrical plug back there or electrical outlet. But no its not a cigarette lighter type of plug.
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dombodals
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05/12/08 08:18pm |
Technology Corner
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Need new Digital TV that is 12v?
I'm a voltage dummy. My RV TV needs to be replaced. I don't see where its plugged in to a real electrical outlet. As best I can tell its plugged in to a box in the rv using plugs like you'd connect to a stereo system.
Is this what you call 12v powered? If so does anyone know what small 13 - 17" tv's come with that option that I can get one that is digital.
I don't see where there's an electrical outlet around there to plug in one of the converter boxes to make my existing tv digital.
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dombodals
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05/12/08 03:56pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: how to make area rugs stay put
I use bath mats. They work great even with the dogs running (well as much as they can in a B) up and down the aisle.
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dombodals
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04/27/08 08:28pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Hankook Tires
If you review the posts listed that 2oldman posted you'll see my recent experience with Hankooks. I had a blow out for no reason with properly inflated tires that had low miles on them. I've switched to Michelin RIB's and have a much better ride. I realize a blowout can happen with most any tire but you asked for recent experiences. (ps the blowout caused over $4,000 worth of damage to my B.
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dombodals
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04/20/08 07:14pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Insurance
Progressive had the best rates by far when I was checking and I used them once after a tire blow out did some heavy damage. They were great to work with.
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dombodals
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04/01/08 06:49pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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