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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Anyone using Lithium batteries? Comments?
There are some top end manufacturers/retailers that offer models that can be charged down to -4F/-20C without damage, by borrowing some of the charging current, and self heating the batteries. Both Relion and LifeBlue make such a battery. There may be others.
I have 2 X 100 Ah Relion RB100-LT batteries (charged by 3 X 100W ZAMP panels off grid) and so far so good. We don't worry about running out of power any more.
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MDKMDK
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09/29/20 10:01am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Food Storage
Good place to chill the fresh venison.
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MDKMDK
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09/29/20 09:42am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: House batteries
Some more good reading (marine and RV batteries are similar in terms of the electrical info), and a chart of State of Charge by voltage if you have a digital multi-meter, and specific gravity, if you have wet cell batteries and a hydrometer.
https://www.emarineinc.com/Marine-Batteries-Maintenance-101
As you can see, you've hit on a very popular topic, with many and varied opinions. Hope some of it helps.
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MDKMDK
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09/26/20 12:31pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Dirty water in toilet bowl after sitting
You left the ceiling vent open and it’s been raining?:)
Good one. :B
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MDKMDK
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09/19/20 02:50pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Dirty water in toilet bowl after sitting
RV A/F (the pink stuff) with propylene glycol makes a good winterizing bowl seal when not in use. It won't evaporate like water, and usually provides some degree of lubrication.
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MDKMDK
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09/18/20 07:36pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Dirty water in toilet bowl after sitting
Probably drainage from your (dirty smelly) fresh tank and water lines.
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MDKMDK
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09/18/20 10:08am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Changes to Snowbird lifestyle and Snowbird communitiess
MKDMDKDMKD: what ever happened to civic responsibility? Your last post is very negative and worded pejoratively. I wear a mask because I fear giving COVID-19 to YOU not the other way around. You might welcome getting it now because "you're eventually going to be exposed to it somehow".
If EVERYBODY gets exposed eventually, that will be about 380,000,000 deaths worldwide. I'm not prepared to accept that. I'll do what little I can to avoid spreading to others, even you.
I appreciate your concern, but please stop preaching to me about civic responsibility. I follow (grudgingly) all the current mandated rules to the letter, which are designed to diminish (not completely prevent) the chance that I might infect you or anyone else. What more do you want me to do? We could all drop dead tomorrow from any number of worldy perils, but to live the rest of your life in fear, again, isn't living at all.
If you're afraid of dying from Covid19, or infecting someone else with it, assuming you've got it asymptomatically which none of us knows, then by all means stay home and stay safe and keep others safe, but please don't tell me how to live my life, or what I should think or do, just because it's not in your playbook.
Peace.
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MDKMDK
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09/10/20 02:59pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: Changes to Snowbird lifestyle and Snowbird communitiess
We are banking (er, the right word?) on the US side opening for Canadians by October/November, regardless what Canada does. What would it matter to Canada anyway, as only Canadians would be allowed back into Canada under that new reciprocity.I'm hoping that Canada can implement some sort of rule like for Canadians who went to Syria to fight for ISIS: go to a COVID-19 infested country and you can't come back.
Um, didn't the current PM let all the former Canadian ISIS fighters return to Canada, and give them the equivalent of the anonymity in a witness protection program, no questions asked? There's at least a few living the GTA. Google it, you'll be surprised.
I'd be OK with that degree of punishment. Might even get a $10.5M cash settlement to boot.
Peace.
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MDKMDK
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09/10/20 02:38pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: Changes to Snowbird lifestyle and Snowbird communitiess
It's apparent to some that the polls up here are asking Canadians who never cross the border anyway about it, and they are the ones who want to keep it closed, as it doesn't affect them either way.I've been snowbirding every year (except 2017) for the last 17 years and I don't want the border to open. I was in the States when the pandemic was ramping up and obvious (to me) that a very dangerous problem was coming. My neighbors (the ones without the 'u') were engaging in what we considered to be very dangerous behavior (again without the 'u'). They still are from reports in the park.
Nope nope nope. Keep the border closed both ways. I'm skipping at least this year.
Again, directed at me.
I respect your opinion. I just disagree with it.
Peace.
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MDKMDK
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09/10/20 02:27pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: Changes to Snowbird lifestyle and Snowbird communitiess
It's up to the individual to decide what's right or acceptable for themselves.
And that would be well and good EXCEPT the act of simply breathing out, if you are infected and contagious (usually before symptoms show) means that you can infect every individual within 4-5 meters of you. You might feel you are able to handle the disease. At 75, I am reasonably healthy, but know I'd probably get pretty sick. Hubby had quad by-pass this year with complications (why we spent the summer in AZ), and he's diabetic with only ~30% kidney function left - - it I get sick because I was near you, and give it to him, then he will die.
Since this is directed at me, I'll respond.
In my opinion, you should both avoid going anywhere at all, then. Masks aren't 100% effective in preventing transmission, or no one would ever die after a simple sugical procedure from sepsis, but it happens.
I also believe you can't penalize the vast majority of people because they "might" infect you, because you're more susceptible to catching something including coronavirus infections (like the seasonal flus and colds). If you're that fearful of catching it and dying, it's up to you to decide what level of risk you're comfortable accepting before you leave the house, knowing what you know about your own personal health situations, and what the "experts" have told us about CV19. You can't force otherwise healthy people to "coccoon" themselves forever because of your personal situation.
While I understand your concerns over your health, you can't hide under the bed forever, nor can you expect the rest of the world to accomodate your fears. It's also my considered opinion that even if you completely withdraw from society in an attempt to protect your self from the virus, you'll still eventually be exposed to it somehow, more than likely by that Amazon order you just received, or that pile of junk mail you just opened, or just something you ate or drank, or through some other chink in the armor, but it will happen eventually.
I've said it before, living in fear isn't really living at all, and that comes from a senior citizen with a compromised immune system .
Finally, before you go telling me how selfish I am, reread your post and tell me how we're different, in that respect.
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MDKMDK
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09/10/20 02:25pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: Renewal
They ask you for identifying info when you call them for service. Usually name and phone number is all. I have asked the agents once or twice if I need to present my card or other id to the tow truck operator, and have been told "no". They tell them who you are, where you are, what you're driving, and what the problem is before they arrive at your location. It's never been an issue for me. I've asked the tow driver if they need to see my card, and thay also say "nope".
That said, I like the plastic cards, and have kept some to carry, just in case. :W
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MDKMDK
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09/10/20 06:36am |
Good Sam Roadside Assistance
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RE: Poor roadside assistance
Correction..the GS rep was Kim.
Yeah I almost did it all. I'll just be honest..that 16 ply H rated tire on a 17.5" solid steel wheel is more than I want to pis* ant around if I don't have to. In October I'll be 70 and with 3 back surgeries. I do need to get a pipe or something to lever the spare off the carrier, rather than rely on GS.
I carry a torque wrench and DeWalt 20 volt 1/2" impact, drill, recip saw, and 1/4" driver.
I hope I'm qualified to change a tire. 20 years a Millwright and 20 more as a Machinery Specialist for the biggest oil company in the world.
I actually had my 9mm in my pocket and when the dirt bags drove up I had my hand on it thinking we were getting robbed. Yeah they were that bad looking.
Yikes, they must have been rough looking.
I get the weightlifting part, I'm getting up there, too.
It just sounded like you had it under control, except the finish.
Good luck next time out. We've always had pretty good luck with GSERS the few times we've had to use it.
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MDKMDK
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09/08/20 11:42am |
Good Sam Roadside Assistance
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RE: Changes to Snowbird lifestyle and Snowbird communitiess
MDKMDK:
I agree completely with every one of your points. We are banking (er, the right word?) on the US side opening for Canadians by October/November, regardless what Canada does. What would it matter to Canada anyway, as only Canadians would be allowed back into Canada under that new reciprocity. I hope that the "concept" of (strict) land border reciprocity drastically evolves, in light of the "one covid plan fits all" approach that Canada has taken up till today, with absolutely no hint of engaging the US side (border opening) proposals already on the table.
And, I agree that a near-term "vaccine" is not a guarantee, and because of this, a Plan B to open the land border(s) has to be done now. I think there has been too much foot-dragging on this front "up here".
We had booked our return to the US (Florida) during the "pandemic", when we were assured by our health insurance company that they would honor our policy no matter what, and were, um, forced to return at end of March (despite our Florida community and management practicing fairly strict pandemic protocols quite before a pandemic was "declared"). We were supposed to be back this November, however, because of refund rules, I had to prune-off November and December, and fall back to 2021 January to March (grrr !).
We're in a similar holding pattern, having planned for our winter trip to begin in December, and run to end of March, but the border closure has put it all on hold. We had to cancel our plans last winter for some unexpected medical issues (refund rules considered), but were prepared to pick up where we left off this year, and then CV19 happened.
So, it's wait and see. Just got a flyer from our local MP, and she says in it that the border isn't likely to open soon, essentially "out of fear" of the number of CV19 cases (with very few fatalities or ICU trips) in the US, and that they "have to protect the safety of Canadians" during the pandemic, which I personally believe is categorically false. It's up to the individual to decide what's right or acceptable for themselves. On one hand, I'd like them to stop treating us like children, and on the other, I actually wish they'd treat everyone like children, because they're almost immune to the virus. We could just get on with life again. We've got to stop being treated like we don't know how to take care and reasonable precautions towards not getting sick from this virus, like we do for seasonal colds and flus. Your point about a "one size fits all" solution to all these complex issues, is bang on. It simply doesn't work. The foot dragging up here has been another puzzling aspect of the border traffic issue.
Anyway, keep your fingers crossed and maybe we'll see a unilateral border opening. You're right about the return to Canada part. A 2 week stint in quarantine is a small price to pay for a few months in the sun. The alternative is a seemingly endless virtual quarantine, stuck in Canada in the snow.
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MDKMDK
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09/08/20 10:21am |
Snowbirds
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RE: Poor roadside assistance
So, you pretty much did the entire job yourself, even had an impact gun to remove the flat, and then waited for the "dirt bags" to put the spare on? When I read that, I thought, why didn't you just finish the job. You were almost done. Get yourself a decent torque wrench for the next time. Sounds like you're more qualified and capable than the tow truck guys.
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MDKMDK
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09/08/20 10:01am |
Good Sam Roadside Assistance
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RE: Changes to Snowbird lifestyle and Snowbird communitiess
I'm of the opinion that reciprocity is just an ever weakening dam between us, and is there as a courtesy, for now. Recent unilateral aluminum tariffs are one example of the coming cracks in the reciprocity wall. It wouldn't surprise if the US did unilaterally open their side to us on purely economic grounds. Every US border state has petitioned their side and ours to resolve the closure into some sort of expeditied but controlled reopening, with or without vaccines, which may never happen before the virus has run it's course. It's apparent to some that the polls up here are asking Canadians who never cross the border anyway about it, and they are the ones who want to keep it closed, as it doesn't affect them either way. Poll people in border cities that used to cross daily or weekly what they think, and I think your responses would be different.
If all else fails, and the border remains closed for the longer term, we'll have no choice but to fly and rent for winter warmth, as we aren't too worried about catching it, either, and we've not followed any sort of exaggerated covid protocols throughout this entire saga, unless mandated to do so in public places.
The unfortunate truth is, you can't "snowbird" in Canada in too many places that I'm aware, so if flying south is the only remaining option by the end of this season, the airline industry may see a spike in their winter business next season, too. If they survive.
Book early, as spots in the warmth may be harder to come by, as this situation evolves?
Peace. :)
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MDKMDK
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09/08/20 07:34am |
Snowbirds
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RE: Exterior storage cu.ft. Lazy Daze?
http://www.lazydaze.com/
They have email contact addresses. Why not send them a note and ask?
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MDKMDK
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09/06/20 09:50pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Changes to Snowbird lifestyle and Snowbird communitiess
Good info. Thanks.
According to the RV industry sales folks, there has been a surge in US newbies entering the RV arena, as a result of the fear of picking up the virus on a more typical drive/fly/hotel/resort style vacation. Some RV retailers can't keep inventory on their lots has also been mentioned. Maybe the lack of us northern snowbirds won't be that big a deal, after all, if the newbies backfill the vacancies left by our absence. I hope it all works out for everyone, and resuts in a win/win outcome for all. Maybe the demand will lead to some new RV parks cropping up everywhere to answer the call?
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MDKMDK
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09/04/20 07:11pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: Class C Rocky Mountains ??
I'll assume this is for a future trip. Border is still closed.
You're probably over thinking it.
Not knowing exactly (year/make/model) what you're driving or pulling, I would have the brakes, transmission, and cooling systems serviced before heading out, and change the engine oil before tackling any major uphill grades. As far as the actual driving, you'll figure it out. I find that down hill grades can be a little more challenging, and it's better to down shift early, than to risk losing control. 4-way flashers are a must when going much slower up hill and down.
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MDKMDK
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09/04/20 05:20pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Changes to Snowbird lifestyle and Snowbird communitiess
No Canadians so far so maybe not as usual at Q. But I'm thrilled that Imperial Dam is open and I know many others will be also. I need the services as I have a simple pop up FWC truck camper.
In that case, it's all good.
Enjoy!
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MDKMDK
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09/03/20 07:52pm |
Snowbirds
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RE: Changes to Snowbird lifestyle and Snowbird communitiess
Canada has a deal for 20 million doses from Pfizer (and others). There isn't going to be a vaccine properly tested and ready for distribution this year. I'm all in favour of vaccines but would I take one this year? - nope nope and nope.
I'm taking at least a year off snowbirding to be safe.
Also, Pfizer may be blocked from exporting their vaccine to Canada. It happened with PPE.
The Moderna vaccine sounds like it's more stable at higher storage temperatures than the Pfizer version, so maybe that one will work better for us. It's also produced similar preventative antibody production in a wider range of age groups, from younger kids and adults, right up to older folks over 70 years old. I'd take it, if the phase 3 trials warrant distribution, and it's approved for general use.
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MDKMDK
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09/03/20 07:51pm |
Snowbirds
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