| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: My first Diesel - Newbee Question
I guess I'm more patient when it comes to jump starting vehicles. 1st, I connect the two vehicles with both cars powered off. Then I start the vehicle giving the jump and let it idle for 5 to 10 minutes before attempting to crank the dead vehicle. There are quite a few variables as to how well a jump will go. In my opinion, smaller cables are better, because they push fewer amps through the cables causing less drain on the vehicle providing the jump. This just means that it will take longer to charge the dead batteries. If the batteries in the dead vehicle are "Bad" rather than just "Drained", then small cables will not do the trick, but I wouldn't want to jump start a vehicle with Bad Batteries anyway.
For the record, I have jumped my 7.3l F-250 from my Honda Accord with no ill effects. One of the two batteries in the truck had gone bad and was pulling the second battery down after a few days. I have noticed in my truck that the passenger side battery (the one with the cable that goes to the second battery as well as to the engine) uses considerably more water than the drivers side battery telling me that it is seeing a higher voltage when the truck is running. I plan to rotate the batteries annually to help balance this out.
|
riddellr
|
08/29/08 09:00am |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: HHO/hydrogen generator sys
Whether the systems works or not is a big question, but my question is what does it do to the engine over the long-term? I will not try this until I've personally known someone with the system install that has gone 100k plus without related engine problems before I try it. My lowest mileage vehicle is my F250 SD with 120,000+ miles on it so it would have to work well without damage for 200,000 miles or more for me to be interested.
|
riddellr
|
08/21/08 02:07pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Bicycles in truck bed with fifth wheel?
We carry two kids bikes in the front of the bed on a ShortBed with no problems. As the others have said, watch when in a sharp turn, but other than that, "Full Speed Ahead".
|
riddellr
|
08/20/08 11:35am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: what just happened, 5er lights went real dim
I'm thinking that the battery, which has been on charge from the converter and possibly has not been checked for water lately, has dried out and shorted. I would also speculate that the converter is either overheating or shutting down due to the battery problem. If it were me, I would start with the battery based on the fact that you mentioned always being plugged into shoreline. Good Luck.
|
riddellr
|
08/12/08 02:05pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Did I Fry My Inverter?
I'm going with a previous poster and believe that one or both of the fuses on the actual converter is blown. The converters have these fuses precisely for this purpose. My best guess for the converter location, would be directly behind the power panel where you tested the fuses. In my jayco, I have an IOTA power center & converter, and the converter is physically bolted to the back side of the power center. Good Luck.
|
riddellr
|
07/03/08 02:32pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: back of pickup bouncing while backing
I had the same problem with my truck and replaced the clutch only to still have the same problem. Mine ended up being a tired left leg . After paying more attention after the expensive new clutch, I noticed that when I released the clutch in reverse, my left leg would shake a little. Once the bouncing started, my leg would amplify the problem by bouncing the clutch pedal while backing uphill into the driveway. I solved the problem, by resting my left heel on the floorboard while actuating the clutch with my upper foot/toes. Now when I notice the truck starting to shake, I simply lower my foot to the carpet and all is well. I sure wish I had discovered that before the clutch replacement.
Take Care,
Bob
|
riddellr
|
07/02/08 09:26am |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: fresh water holding tank
Try capping the overflow hose while traveling. I have a Jayco Qwest 265 and once water starts flowing out of the tank vents, they act as a siphon and drain the tank considerably while traveling. This may be happening to you. I recently tested the siphon theory by filling the tank until the vents overflowed, then blew air back up through the two vent lines. Once the water stopped flowing the siphon was broken and nothing more leaked out, until I went around a corner and started the siphon again. I plan to put valves on the two problem vent lines and close them when traveling. Good Luck.
Bob
|
riddellr
|
07/02/08 09:04am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Yellowstone East entrance
We'll be in Yellowstone (coming from Badlands) on the 18th of June. See you there!
|
riddellr
|
05/23/08 01:23pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
|
|
RE: Conflicting info for Jayco and Dealer
My jayco outlet states 6 amp max.
|
riddellr
|
05/21/08 02:10pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: need help with boat trailer wiring!
Have you checked the fuses under the hood? I'm not sure if your truck has this, but my '99 F-250 has a box on the driver's side wheel wheel under the hood that has separate fuses for each function on the trailer plug. The trailer wiring was bare on the truck when I purchased it and several of the fuses had blown in this box. Good Luck.
|
riddellr
|
05/21/08 02:07pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Perko Switch Mod - Wire Size??
I recently performed a similar project, but I used the Interstate US2200 6 Volt Golf Cart batteries. I retained the original 30 amp fuse rating that was on the original battery and kept with the 8 gauge wire that was factory installed in the unit. Last weekend, I was camping and had the fridge, stove vent blower, furnace, 5 lights (bulbs), 9" 12v TV and 13" 120v TV (on 200 Watt Inverter) all powered at once with minimal voltage loss (Fluke measured 12.5 volts under load at the distribution panel). I don't know what your load will be, but I'd say mine was pretty heavy for those couple of hours.
Hope this helps,
Bob
|
riddellr
|
05/16/08 09:02am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Yamaha 2400is generator/13,500 BTU ac
It runs my 03 Jayco Qwest 265 with 13.5K A/C without any problems. If I have the fridge on electric and the batts are low, it will pull the voltage down when the A/C compressor starts so I put the fridge on gas and turn off the converter until the A/C starts and then turn the converter back on. To solve the issue with the Power draw down, and friend and I are going to double the starting capacitors on the A/C compressor to assist with quick starting of the compressor.
On edit: I don't think having this power draw down from the 2400 generator would be any different than being on the end of a leg at a campground in really hot weather. The crappy power that I see at some of the campgrounds make me prefer to run the generator rather than plug in.
|
riddellr
|
05/16/08 08:54am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Dumbest thing you've ever done while RVing with your Rig?
I once moved the 5er forward about 10' in the driveway to make room for something (Don't remember what now). After moving the 5er forward, I couldn't find the wheel locks (units that go between the wheels and tighten). I later found them mangled about 10' behind the axles under the back bumper of the trailer. It seems that I forgot to remove them and the 7.3l Diesel really didn't notice as I twisted them to pieces. The good news is that they didn't puncture the tires.
|
riddellr
|
05/15/08 01:34pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Sub panel question
My TV 12v outlet is rated at 6 Amps Max. I'm sure your 400 Watt inverter was exceeding that rating. If memory serves, my outlet is serviced with a 14 or 16 gauge wire and that is quite inadequate. My solution was to run a 12 gauge wire from the distribution panel up to the TV outlet and not use the "horse hair" wire provided by the Mfg. I also went a step further and wired in Anderson Powerpoles to connect my high draw 12v appliances. http://www.powerwerx.com
Good Luck,
Bob
|
riddellr
|
05/14/08 08:41am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: What to do with old but still somewhat good 12v batts?
When I upgraded to Two US2200 GC batteries, I kept the Group 24 Deep Cycle battery as it was located in a separate compartment of the camper that was dedicated to the battery. I installed an A/B switch and now I keep the Group 24 as a spare in the rare event I run the GCs low. I also switch to this battery when towing the 5er as that is the battery that has the break-away switch wired to it.
Bob
|
riddellr
|
05/14/08 08:33am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Trailer charging system
Do you know if your truck supplies the 12v power at the plug without the truck running? If you plugged the trailer into the truck and the ignition was off, it is possible that there is a relay under the hood that is cutting power to the plug. My 99 F-250 is this way.
On another note, if your battery is too low, you may be simply sending all the amps (not that many) from your truck to the trailer battery. If you recently disconnected the A/C power and still do not have enough DC power, I would probably be investing in a new battery soon. Good Luck.
Bob
|
riddellr
|
05/13/08 01:34pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Gas mileage with your rig alone, and with your fiver?
1999 F250 7.3 2WD Turbo Diesel 6spd Manual
2003 Jayco Qwest 265
19 Empty @ 65 MPH
23 Empty @ 60 MPH
11 - 13.5 Towing @ 60 MPH
|
riddellr
|
05/09/08 02:13pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: mileage on 7.3 diesel
Our '99 F-250 2wd 6spd Manaul 7.3 gets 17 MPG @ 70MPH Empty, 24 MPG @ 60 Empty, and 11-12 MPG pulling '03 Jayco Qwest 265 (8500 lbs) @ 60 MPH. It sounds like you are in the ballpark.
|
riddellr
|
04/24/08 01:33pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Charging battery with alternator
When I added the second battery bank and switch, I ensured that the break-away switch was wired to one of the battery banks before the switch (read could not be turned off). The factory wiring for my Jayco Qwest 265 was to have the charging circuit from the truck wired directly to the original battery. I had to change this setup so that it went to the house side of the switch so that I could control which battery bank (or both) got the charge from the truck.
|
riddellr
|
04/15/08 02:43pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Need help in Minneapolis area: rather urgent!
We had a similar problem with a young teenager and flushable wipes :E We now use a "Flush King". With the flush king, you can close the valve on it, then open your black water valve and force water into the Black Tank using the garden hose attachment on the Flush King. It took several attempts to get all the wipes out, but once cleared, the tank worked fine again..
|
riddellr
|
04/15/08 01:36pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
