RE: 08 Ram 2500 CTD Recall>>>>Anyone Else??
Weird. I've only had my truck just over a month, but I've haven't heard anything about a recall on it yet. No mailings, no phone calls, etc. I've only got a little over 3000km's on it so far. The only thing I know I have to do now is at 5k is take it back to the dealer so they can change the filters (check for fine metal particles in the oil).
Cheers!
Mike
RE: AC power warning
We have a 2000W Inverter/Charger that powers most of our AC outlets in the coach. This is real convenient, but does cause a problem. We can lose shore power with out realizing it. Lost power today because the pedestal breaker tripped. First indication I had was the Inverter beeping a low battery warning. Any ideas how I can rig a AC power loss warning before I discharge the batteries low enough to kick off the inverter??
Thanks
Does your inverter not beep when transferring between shore power and battery? I ask as I've been on larger power yachts that use inverters for the house section and they all beeped when the shorepower was disconnected. Check your manual for the inverter and see if it can alert you to shorepower loss.
Cheers!
Mike
RE: Alternator Charging at Start Up
This behaviour is completely normal for the newer diesel engines. My new 08 CTD does it for the first few minutes of operation after startup. Mostly when the engine is cold, but a few times when the engine is warm. As stated above, it is air intake grid heater cycling to assist with engine warmup. If you have an operation manual for your vehicle, it should tell you in there about this behaviour.
Cheers!
Mike
RE: well that ain't camping
As to the subject of whether it's CAMPING or not, a 35 foot trailer set up beside a mountain stream 5 miles from the nearest neighbor is a lot more like camping that a pup tent in a KOA next to the Seven/Eleven store. No comparison :)
I couldn't agree more! Even though we now have a 24ft cargo conversion for camping, we still commune with nature. Heck, we spend more time outside enjoying the day than we do inside! The kids aren't even allowed INTO the trailer until bedtime, or to quickly change clothes for whatever reason. Otherwise, they're outside!
Cheers!
Mike
RE: ScanGauge II vs. Trans Temp Gauge
I have the Xgauge function, and I have programmed it to read horsepower at the crank for example, but unless I'm just thick, it won't do trans temp on the Dodges.
This is a list of Xgauge commands if your version of ScanGauge supports them. But Dodge is not included. I sent an e-mail to ScanGuage asking them if they intended to support Dodge vehicles with the Xguiage function. I will post their reply when I get it.
This is one reason why I didn't buy a ScanGauge. I just purchased an Edge Insight for my truck since Autometer gauges are more trouble to install than I thought.
I was speaking with a Dodge technician the other day, and the only reason that any of the digital monitors cannot read trans temps is due to the manufacturer not knowing the data header for the sensors. The StarScan tools that the dealers use can read the trans temp data easily. In fact, any sensor actively sending data to the PCM can be read by a scan tool or monitor, IF the device knows the data header for that sensor.
Anyway, maybe if someone can figure out what the data header for the Dodge trans temp sensor is, then send that information to ScanGauge and others.
Cheers!
Mike
RE: Dodge1500 4.7 or 5.3 Tow Capacity
Yup, bad case of Thunder Thumbs, post corrected to 295 ft/lbs torque.
I saw that.
Your limiting factor probably was the manual tranny instead of an auto. When I was specing out pickups last year, it seemed that ALL the manufacturers severely downgraded towing capacity with the stick vs the auto, often to the tune of thousands of pounds. Also, if your truck didn't have the FACTORY tow package, you wouldn't have the HD cooling system.
I've heard that, but I think Dodge was the one manufacturer that didn't downgrade the tow capacity of stick shifts.:@ I did have the factory tow package on the 2004 as well, which had me mystified as to why the cooling system couldn't keep up with the engine during those hard pulls up big hills.
Anyway, all those problems are behind you now, you are now a member of the total overkill crowd with that new RAM 3500 with Cummins. :W
You bet! So far our mileage has been hanging around 17 - 19 MPG. And that's with only 2000km's on the truck so far. I pulled my DJ company trailer yesterday (probably around 4000lbs total), and the truck still didn't even grunt! :B:B
Cheers!
Mike
RE: Dodge1500 4.7 or 5.3 Tow Capacity
Mouse,
I think you had fat finger syndrome - the older 4.7L engines were 235hp and 295ft/lbs torque, NOT 195. At any rate, they are a good engine. I've owned 2 trucks with them.
BUT, while the 4.7L V8 may be able to move up to 7000lbs of trailer, I wouldn't trust it for long doing that. I was finding with my 2004 Ram that the bigger hills that we have to scale to get from Ucluelet to Nanaimo were enough to overheat the engine. It is possible there was an issue with the cooling system, I don't know. That truck was also a 5-spd manual, so I didn't have the advantage of the extra torque from the TC. At any rate, a couple hills required 1st gear to climb. And at that point, if I got stopped for whatever reason, my only alternative was to use 4lo; not a good idea on dry pavement.
I have since moved to a 2008 3500 QC with the Cummins under the hood. I haven't moved the big trailer yet, but both little trailers didn't even phase it. :B:B WE're actually contemplating a camping trip in November to test the truck out. ;);)
Cheers!
Mike
RE: Could it be dirty solar panels?
Thanks JIM... no, there has not been any changes... but this is what I am thinking...
"Maybe I need to understand better what solar and power (s) are all about as truthfully I cannot continue looking at the gauges like an ignorant…
I am going by the Solar Boost 2000E, I am sure others are similar.
1.) Battery voltage : this would be the voltage that is in the batteries. Today by noon already there were fully charged (14V). Surprise.
What I do not understand, as I am probably not understanding “voltage”, is why as soon as I use the inverter it will drop to for example 13.18... Did it use that much as soon as I turn it on?
Nope. But when you add a load to your system (ie - turn the inverter on) the voltage will drop some. For a better analogy, think of your electrical system like a water system for a moment. The batteries are the tank, the wires are the pipes, switches = valves, etc. The batteries (tanks) can provide power (water) at a certain voltage (pressure). When you switch something on (open a valve) the voltage (pressure) drops while the current (water flow) flows.
2.) Solar panel current: this should be the “amps” (per hour?) that the solar panels fill into the batteries. Lets say it is 5.0
My batteries being total 900 amp/hr, this would mean if I use 1/3rd of my battery power it will take? 300 amp divided by 5? If correct it seems to be a long time.
That's about right. If your panels are putting out 5Amps, then if they hold that current for 1 hour, they will have output 5Amp/Hrs. And yes, if you held 5Amps for charging, replacing 300Amp/Hrs would take about 60 hours, actually somewhat more.
3.) output charge currant: this means the power the batteries are using while the inverter is on? 5.4 it says. More than the input.
Nope, this is the charge current being sent into your electrical system from the controller. And if your panels are pumping 5.0Amps into the controller, your MPPT system is operating normally and you're seeing just under a 10% boost.
By only looking at # 3 how would you know when the voltage of your batteries are depleted by a third which is when I was told to stop using the inverter?
Only a third? You've still got some power left in the bank. You can safely use 1/2 of your battery capacity. So if you have a 900A/H bank, you can use 450A/H before you need to recharge, IF you don't want to damage the bank. Some batteries can for longer, like 80% discharge.
Anyway, to answer your question, don't go by voltage alone. If your bank is loaded down, the voltage will be lower than if there is no load. To properly keep track of when you need to shut everything down and recharge, you need a battery monitor, such as the Xantrex XBM, Trimetric units, etc. They are pricey, but they will keep track of your A/H used, and even tell you how long you have til empty.
If you know of a site I can read all this please let me know as I am sure explaining is going to take some effort, but will be very much appreciated…
My own profession? I have been a Chef for 40 years… maybe that explain!
Thanks and be well…
Ara & Spirit"
The 12V Side Of Life Parts 1 & 2 are good reading. I don't have the links available, but someone else here might. And don't feel bad about not understanding electrical. Even the experts sometimes get a little "confused"! ;)
Cheers!
Mike
RE: Test Driving
Sorry bout the picture I still don't know how to change sizes???
Not sure what you mean by all hemi trucks but I'll take a stocker.
Bye the way I didn't mention that mine isn't exactly stock.:B
My only problem is hooking up cause I have 2 wheel drive. It's posi but still burns em up.The guys with these trucks with 4 wheel drive can holeshot in 4 hi and leave em wondering what hit them.:E
Not sure I'd want to holeshot in 4hi on dry pavement! :E:E But I did top the tank off today. 14.8mpg or 19.1L/100KM for the first fill. And even though the needle was just shy of the 3/4 mark, I put almost 50 Litres into the tank?! Should've been only about 30 litres, maybe 35. Me thinks the tank wasn't fully filled by the dealer on Tuesday. Anyway, given the running around town the past few days, I can understand the low mileage. And I still have to break everything in too.
Anyway, I have a trip to Nanaimo tomorrow morning to get the box Line-X'd, then back to Parksville to get an aluminum headache rack installed.
Cheers!
Mike
RE: Test Driving
Well, it's update time. As you remember I test drove a 2008 1-ton CTD on Friday. Weeelllll......
That truck is now sitting in my driveway.:B:B:B:B We brought it home today, and man was I impressed how it handled our road. That tranny is gonna take a little getting used to, but handled the road (all the twists, turns, and hills) with aplomb. All along Sproat Lake she was in 6th no matter what part of the highway we were on. Going over Sutton's Pass, and through the hills I mainly limited her to 5th, and a few times 4th, to handle the hills, and allow the EB to do its job properly. In fact only Hydro Hill required service braking. Everything else was handled by the EB.
Anyway, pics will be forthcoming (they're still on the camera). You'll be able to see them at this clicky. I'll have the pics on later this evening (Sept 30, 2008).
Cheers!
Mike
Test Driving
So I test drove a 2008 Dodge 1-ton SRW yesterday. 6.7L CTD, 68rfe tranny, almost fully loaded. Took it out on the highway for a quick test, as we're getting serious about upgrading our truck.
All I can say is WOW!!!:E:E Got up on the highway and laid the boot to her for a second. Took the engine about a 1/2 second to respond, but when it did, that turbo screamed, the tranny dropped 2 gears and I suddenly found myself sitting with my kids in the back seat! :E:E Then, as we got up to the next turn-off, I took my foot out of it, the engine brake took over, and with the sound of a big rig Jake, the speed bled off quickly enough that I didn't need the service brakes.
Let's just say that the DW had to get a towel out to wipe the drool off my chin! I was lovin' that truck! Heck, the Low Fuel warning dinged at me on the highway - I checked the overheard and saw that we still had over 50 km's (30 miles) to go before empty. Not sure how accurate that is, though.
The salesman ran some numbers for me. It's gonna be a tad expensive, but I think I might call him on Monday and say "Let's Do It!" (to quote Tone Loc). Heck, I've already got most of my radio gear out of the current truck
Cheers!
Mike
RE: Solar + shore power
Depending on the state of your battery bank, BOTH sources (solar and shorepower) may be charging the batteries. Then, as stated above, whichever source has the higher voltage will take over, and the other one should indicate a fully charged bank (based on voltage).
I have a sb2000e in my trailer, and I have noted on many occasions when boosting the bank from the genset, that both the sb2000e (250W of solar) and the PD9280 will put power into the bank (4 T-105's) until the voltage gets up to 14.0V, in which case the sb2000e backs off and shows a CHARGED light and 0 solar charge current
Cheers!
RE: SeeLevel Tank Monitor
I installed the SeeLevel system in my conversion, and glad I did. Installation was easy, even with running 24/2 for the senders. I found that using rubbing alcohol to clean the tank sides prior to sticking the senders on seems to have worked well. I do get a laugh at the propane level indication though, it shows anything from 101 to 107 percent even though I don't have a sender hooked up.
Cheers!
RE: Can I replace an RV refrigerator with a regular refrigerator
I went the route of a bar style compressor fridge in our cargo conversion. It's a Salton 4.6CF unit (model number escapes me). The startup draw peaks at 5Amps, and it quickly settles down to 1.44Amps while running, 1.48Amps if you open the door (light bulb).
When dry camping we run the fridge on a ProSine 1KW TSW inverter supportd by 4 T-105's and 250W of solar. Our last trip, first with the solar, needed the genset for only 2 hours on the 3rd day, only because it was so hot that the fridge compressor ran non-stop for 8 hours trying to keep the fridge cool (it was 34C in the trailer in mid-afternoon!:E:E). Hence, I had to boost the bank to assist the solar system in keeping the battery bank up to snuff.
We are leaving on a 2 night trip tomorrow (Sept 09). I'm not even going to take the genset, even though it's a dry camping trip. We won't be far from home, either, but I suspect that we should be good to go for 2 nights (I hope).
Cheers!
Mike
RE: Dodge heating up when towing
Just an update for everybody. I had the rad flushed and replaced fluid. I also pressue washed the rad (not to close) although after reading some posts, maybe I shouldn't have :? Although I didn't wash from the inside out, will try that. I also left the thermostat as is.
There was little change. It seemed to run a little cooler from the gauge position, but still running between the mid and hot point on long pulls up the hills and speeds at or over 60 mph, but never overheats. As you all said, I'd expect it to run a little hotter because it is working (over 4,000 rpm sometimes), but to me it runs a little too warm and can't be good for the engine. I am pulling around 5,000 lbs, hate to see it if I was pulling it's rate 7300 lbs!!!
My thought exactly! My trailer is probably pushing 6,000lbs total weight once we're loaded up (excluding water). ON cooler days it's not to bad, but a warm day can really move the temp gauge.
I suppose I will try the thermo replacement, and get the dealer to test the clutch fan if it's working properly. I would imagine with the HEMI shouldn't have this problem if I upgraded?
Not sure if the HEMI would have the same problem. In theory, it shouldn't as it does put out more power/torque. But, the problems we are having could be vehicle specific, too.
Also for those that have their Dodge rear end sagging down, I bought my truck used off a lease, with the 20" rims and noticed that the back end sat up quite a bit higher, at least as high as the 2500. I checked the rear leaf springs and notice they are 2 or 3 more springs than other 1500 RAM. I have the full towing package with the flip up mirrors and all, so I am not sure if this was a Dodge option in 04 or if the original owner added this on?
Anyway it makes a big difference, when I load on my trailer it just barely levels the truck out and I run without weight distribution (the topic of whole other thread I'm sure!!)
I would say that the previous owner had leafs put in. Mine only has 3 leafs in each side, and after I've loaded 2 barrow of firewood, pump box, propane tank, waste bucket, hoses, genset & fuel can, then drop the trailer on the hitch, the rear is sagging quite low. In certain spots where the road surface suddenly changes (bumps, dips, etc) the chains actually drag. If I keep this truck, I may invest in air bags, or similar.
Cheers!
Mike
RE: Need advice on dodge 1500 Hemi
Didn't calculate the MPG, but went 100 kms (60 miles) pulling a 7,000# trailer with a 08 Dodge 4X4 3.92, with the Hemi, in Tow Mode. Took half a tank! Can almost watch the gas gauge move before your eyes.
With all due respect, you have to figure the mileage when you refill the truck. Your fuel gauge may be inaccurate and you can't rely on that to tell you what kind of fuel mileage you got. You can also reset the mpg calculator and watch it, but those can be inaccurate as well. My old truck doesn't have an electronic mileage calculator, so I figure my mpgs by hand.
Even so, I can tell you that if FortKentDad has a 100L tank, he's got a serious problem. Even my 4.7L engine does better than that! My 24ft cargo conversion at 80-90kph (50-55mph) only sucks back a 1/4tank for 100km's. And I have a 100L tank, too. Mostly, when towing I average about 11-14mpg with the big trailer, depending on the road, and how hard I push it. Usually, I see closer to 12mpg than anything else.
BTW, I'm not towing on flat, straight, and level. I'm towing up and down, round and round. If you've ever been to Tofino, BC, you will know the road I tow on.
Cheers!
Mike
RE: Back-Up Camera Reversed
I just installed a SAVV RV7000 camera on my trailer yesterday. It was specifically designed as a back-up camera as the image it outputs is already reversed. I punched the output into two separate LCD monitors and got the same picture. I got mine at www.mobilevideo4less.com. Cost me about $230 for the camera, another $250 for a rear-view clip-on monitor and cable. Total cost was $566USD, shipped.
Cheers!
Mike
RE: BATTERIES/SOLAR...PROBLEMS...HELP
This is an easy one. You need ten times as much
solar. Get yourself a pair of 150 watt panels.
Problem solved.
Now that's over the top.....300watts of solar to keep two grp 27 batteries charged up....even I know better than that, but thanks for responding....Brian
What's wrong with that? You'd have those batteries up full first thing in the morning, and you wouldn't know what to do with all the power afterward. Frank is almost right, you do need about 5 to 7 times what you have. The rule of thumb is roughly 100W of solar for every 100Ah of battery bank. So for 2 GRp27's you should have about 200W of solar.
My suggestions:
1) Replace that 7A controller with something that has PWM (pulse-width modulation) charging and MPPT (Multi-Point Power Tracking). Blue Sky Energy has the SB2000e, which is a 25Amp controller, and I think MorningStar now has a controller with MPPT.
2) Look into at least 200W of Solar. Or more.
That should keep your bank up to snuff, and should have you mostly recharged after a long night of low-medium power draw.
Case in point, I run 4 T-105 6v batteries. Total Capacity: 450Ah. Usable Capacity (50% rule): 225Ah. Solar: 2 Kyrocera 125W panels, total 250W. Controller: SB2000e. Everything in the trailer is electric, and the fridge requires an inverter. If it's not too hot out, the solar can keep up with the trailer draws and still manage to pump some power back into the bank. And if the solar can't keep up, the bank is good for almost 2 days before the genset is required.
Cheers!
Mike
RE: Dodge heating up when towing
agree with folks you probably need to wash the radiator and tranny cooler to make sure you are getting all the cooling you can. But I DISAGREE with using high pressure. This will fold over many of your rad fins and cause less efficiency. Use a straight hose at full flow and point from engine side out front and wash it. You could even soak with soapy water and then re flush. The reality is a gas motor this small is going to heat up when its working. To really address the issue, you likely do need a larger radiator as you are not able to get enough cooling capacity to keep up to the heat you are generating while towing.
I might look into that in the next couple days. And I do realize the engine is going to warm up when working hard. That's a fact of life. BUT, it should not bury the temp gauge when climbing a hill.
Diesels have huge cooling capacity thats why we dont overheat. We cool the coolant, the tranny fluid, the air going into the turbo.
Hehehehe, I bet a diesel truck has probably the same sized rad as my 1/2ton. Maybe a bit bigger, but not by much. There just isn't that much room under the hood - even with a bigger truck. They DO have lots more coolant in them, though.
Oh yeah, and our brakes dont get hot going down hill because we have engine braking and trannies that help slow us down without heating. In fact, when going downhill, especially the tranny gets cooled down. Some even have exhaust brakes as well.
My brakes don't get that hot either. I don't require an engine/exhaust brake, I just take my foot out of it, and downshift a gear. Engine cools down REAL quick. Tranny doesn't get cooling - it's a stick, therefore no cooler for it.
If you do upgrade to a Hemi 1500 size truck, be sure to order with towing packagge with larger radiator, tranny cooler ect. You will experience less mpg but I believe the newer ones have displacement control which would keep your mileage close? If you go diesel, you are looking at a much more expensive vehicle but with the towing you do, could be worth it.
I wouldn't do without the tow package. My current truck does have the package as well. As for HEMI mileage, I've been hearing that the engines aren't as bad as first thought, even the first gen ones that came out a few years ago. And with putting out more power, a HEMI might even get somewhat better mileage towing my trailer than my current truck does. Though, I do get up to 14mpg towing my trailer, IF I keep my foot out of it (a little tough to do on our road).
However, if I do upgrade my truck, I will upgrade the size of the vehicle, not just the engine. The back of my current one squats a little much when I drop the tongue on the ball. That rear suspension is a tad soft. ;)
Cheers!
Mike
RE: Dodge heating up when towing
I picked up a ScanTool from Innova (through Napa) so I could check on the truck's computer. I did try to grab a snapshot of live data the other morning to see if I can spot anything (the truck hesitates on acceleration for a moment when cold). Alas, while I grabbed the data, it wasn't in the tool when I went to transfer it to the computer. Not sure if I didn't do something right, or if I've only got a short time to make the transfer. RTFM, I guess.
Cheers!
Mike
