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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: How long should a battery last?
If he's boondocking the way I think of boondocking, he won't be in a campground with rules but rather a dispersed spot with only the neighbors he traveled with. I do realize there are campgrounds without hookups so valid points on generator hours/rules.
ahh that's where you Americans have a huge advantage. We cannot just drive a unit onto government land unless it is designated for "camping" and in that case it is called a recreation area or some other name and there are rules and fees of some sort... Sometimes they are free. Otherwise, you're limited to provincial or private campgrounds. Maybe Ontario is different. I do know some private campground where you can run your genny during daylight hours but those are becoming extinct out here anyways and I am thankful for that. To me a genny is for emergency use as there's nothing more anoying than hearing a genny fire up when you're trying to enjoy the fire and drinks. and yes, even the quiet ones carry the sound a long way in the woods.
This can vary a bit with different areas I just know about BC and Alberta. There are places you can go in BC for free and on government lands, but you are limited to hiking and tent camping. there are ways to camp for free in places but it's a gamble if you're going to get woken up and told to move along and its definitely not light a fire and start drinking type of camping haha
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StirCrazy
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03/28/23 09:53am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Help with Trailer legalities, Nova Scotia
Hi all, new guy here, needing some guidance. Now this will perhaps seem incredulous or irresponsible, but please bear with me!
About 13-14 years we bought a 1992 Terry 28 foot trailer to use as a summer place, parked on the property of my in-laws' cottage in River John, Pictou County. (We live in the States.)
We now need to sell it and bottom line is I don't believe we have any papers. My recollection is that we did need to get some sort of temporary plate to transport it from our seller's home to our property. We did that, took the wheels off, used it most summers since then except for the last three, and forgot about anything legal or DMV related. That's the irresponsible part, I know.
Now I honestly don't remember as noted. My wife thinks we may have left some related paperwork there in NS. I don't recall that but hey, she may be right. We won't be going until at least June.
But if not, and we really don't have anything, where would I start to be able to legally sell it? We bought it from a retired RCMP officer so no doubt all was done up to snuff at that time. I just don't remember a title, registration, etc.
Thanks in advance!
Jim
if you got a temporary plate you had to register weather it was in the US or in Canada. if you got it in the US, you would have had to get the paperwork and such for the import, and if you got it in Canada, it would have had to be registered to your name. Either way you would have had to use the vin number of the trailer. so, you have to figure out whether you did Canadian or US insurance on it and call that registration office with the vin number and ask them for a proof of registration.
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StirCrazy
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03/27/23 09:30am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: is anyone using one of these AC units?
Please check out https://www.turbokool.net/Default.asp . Never used one, but thought this style was better than the Fresair version, and less money.
I don't think I would even consider that unit. First, it's a lot taller (over twice the height), but the main reason is it doesn't keep the moisture and air separated. It will put moisture into the air you are putting into the camper. This is why it is so cheap, it's just a humidifier in an airpath. The one I originally looked at said they can make the air colder but not pass the humidity over to the air which ensures you're not pumping wet air into your unit. To me that is worth the extra price if I end up going in this direction. but I will have to check into that more also. but the height difference alone would be my deciding factor.
Steve
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StirCrazy
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03/27/23 09:18am |
Tech Issues
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RE: No gas to cook top
the main RV regulator was replaced with a Marshall 253H, which a Marshall engineer said was fine. Did a manometer check on the Marshall with stove burners and water heater running. It showed 11.5 at home (2500 feet elevation).
That's the same regulator I put in the camper 2 years ago. now the literature says it should be set for 11" WC from the factory not 11.5 so I wonder if they set them a little high on purpose. Which Manometer did you get?
When I bought mine to replace a failed one the spec, I was looking at was the BTU output as it was 350000 instead of 220000 so I figured having more volume would help prevent pressure drop better if you were running a bunch of stuff.
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StirCrazy
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03/27/23 09:10am |
Tech Issues
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RE: How long should a battery last?
This thread reminds me of a friend who bought an EV and wanted to take a road trip. In theory they should be able to drive a couple hundred miles before charging so not much of a road trip. To make it worse they wanted to travel in the winter months. The batteries are less efficient in the cold and battery power is needed to heat the interior of the car. So no road trips in that car.
They had great intentions. First they thought they would save on operating costs. We live in an area where electric rates are way, way over the national average so that is not going to happen. Next they thought they were helping to keep pollution down and doing their part to reduce global warming. That electric power did not come free. It comes from a power plant burning natural gas or an older plant burning oil.
Sometimes there just isn't a good fix after buying the wrong thing.
I have plans of getting a generator in a year or so, so it is not that I bought the wrong equipment, but that I am not yet prepared for what eventually I will be for.
I don't know what the genny rules are like in Ontario but if you ever do a trip to BC all the provincial parks and such are limited to 8am to 10am and then again at usually 6pm to 8pm, not enough for the average person to recharge their batteries. yes, you will extend your power a little, but for the price you're going to pay for that generator you could put a decent solar setup in so that you could run all day and even charge while you're driving. if you can install it yourself you can have a great setup for about 6-700 dollars cdn (not including your batteries) that will be 6-700 watts of panels. to give you an idea I got a system installed in my 5th wheel as part of the purchase deal before I knew how easy it was to do it yourself so I spent way too much money, but it is a 480 watt setup and four 6V GC2 batteries (the new ones are only 420AH capacity as I finally retired my old batteries last spring after almost 14 years.
With that set up I can turn on the inverter and make coffee with the Keurig and toast for breakfast, then after super make coffee again. a few minutes of microwave time, and let the kids watch a movie before bed (when they were young and liked coming with us haha. I also have run the furnace all day in the fall where it was getting close to freezing at night and the batteries would be at 100% when the sun went down every night. the next day it would recover the evening/night usage by around 1pm. I have a generator at home, but it has never left home, and there has been only 1 time in the last 10 years that I wish I had one and that was so I could run the ac during the heat wave two summers ago. 48C wasn't fun but it cooled down enough to sleep by midnight... The money I spent on that genny was wasted and I could have done my full set up on my little truck camper I bought 3 years ago.
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StirCrazy
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03/27/23 09:01am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Harvesting Solar
StirCrazy, solar and batteries are kind of like fun, mayo and butter & sour cream - there's no such thing as too much. :) :)
I kinda look at it the same way, but my wallet will argue with you :)
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StirCrazy
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03/26/23 08:26am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Replacing solid steps with folding steps
Almost all newer fifth-wheels have the steps that lift up into the door for storage. If the set of glowsteps you have is made for under door storage, they will not be compatible with most newer trailers.
not seeing them very much on new trailers or 5ths up here. maybe 10%. I think there used as a dealer upsell for people they know will be snowbirding, but few come from the factory with them from what I have seen in the last two years.
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StirCrazy
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03/26/23 08:02am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: How long should a battery last?
Typical code 24 battery, how long should it last with lights and electric RV fridge? I am only getting about 24 hours before it gets under 11.5V. Also, would a battery shop have a way to properly test the battery to see if it is actually any good? Would an RV shop be able to properly test it?
if you have drained it down to 11.5, that battery is done. if you put more group 24 batteries in there, you'll just kill them also trying to make it through a weekend.
Like others have said you should only use 50% of the capacity of a lead acid battery MAX, for a lighter dual purpose I would never use more than 40% of its capacity if you want it to last.
What I did with my camper was install four good 6V batteries which gave me 470 AH total and because they are a heavier built battery, I was able to use 50% capacity and still get excellent life out of them. so that gave me around 235AH I could use before charging. that's about 3.5 times what you use in 24 hours, but you won't kill your battery. for boon docking that alone won't be enough, solar panels can help here. with my 5th wheel, those same 4 batteries and 480 watts of solar I don't worry about power, but I don't use a lot of 110. you having that compressor fridge it might be enough, it might not. I would start out with a single 400 watt panel, make sure there is enough room to add a second if you need to and see how it does.
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StirCrazy
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03/25/23 09:09am |
Tech Issues
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RE: LiFePO4 Converter Change?
snip.... the charger reverts back to and holds at 13.6v…Charger stays at 13.6v to again repeat the 14.6v charging cycle in 8 days, or presumably triggered upon reaching a voltage somewhat lower than 13.6v…I would not want to float an LFP above 13.4 volts. 13.2 - 13.3 is better. I don't know anyone that recommends holding LFP long term at 100% charged.
14.6 is also higher than necessary and is more likely to cause a fault in some lower cost brands from CN that many look at.
This generally gives the standard PD or the PowerMax with adjustable voltage an advantage. Both drop to 13.2 volts for long term.
That is my opinion. Good luck to the OP.
I am not sure I agree with 8 days being considered "Long Term" , and every cell I have looked at uses the 14.6 as the recommended voltage for charging to 100%. I think the 13.6 has come about, as after a rest period off the charge that is considered a 100% resting voltage for the purpose of capacity checking, and like you said should be a max.
when I am camping I set the voltages for 13.3 which during the day will charge back up to 90% and hold so I don't use the two stage at that point but once a week I do use the profile that will charge to 13.9, hold for 1 hour as My BMS will start equalizing at 13.6V. I then have it drop to 13.3. I do have to change back to the normal one in the app but its easy.
as far as a two stage converter..
I don't know if I even need a dual stage converter I think because of my ability to bluetooth into my battery and set charge limits, discharge limits and charge start limits I could just plug it into a normal single stage charger, but I would have to test that, or maybe someone here has and can let us know. right now, since I installed my LFP batteries I don't plug it in at home.. just the solar is hooked up as I don't have a LFP compatible converter... well, it was supposed to be, but it is old stock they set me which doesn't have that function. I'll have to try messing around with that and do some testing... once I get a converter.
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StirCrazy
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03/25/23 08:51am |
Truck Campers
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RE: LiFePO4 Converter Change?
Power factor on PD units is 0.7.
Power factor on powermax is 0.85. (they call it efficiency)
https://www.boatandrvaccessories.com/en-ca/products/powermax-pm3-75-12-volt-75-amp-converter-charger
you couldn't even link to one that is a LI converter eh haha
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StirCrazy
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03/25/23 08:20am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Water saver for shower.
I don't think I would ever recirculate my hot water back to the freshwater tank, but if you can do it, it might be an idea to circulate your shower hot water line to the inlet of the hot water heater. just have to add a check valve so it can't back flow to the water pump. that way you could tune it on for 30 or 40 seconds and it would preheat the line all the way to the shower valve, turn it off and start having your shower.
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StirCrazy
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03/24/23 08:38am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: LiFePO4 Converter Change?
power max is top of the line.I don't know about that.. I have been looking at it and I see a lot of mixed reviews and their power factor is commonly referred to as being bad. I do like the fact that you can fine tune the top voltage but I wish you could tune the 2nd stage independently.
With some solar controllers you can program everything. Why hasn't anyone done this for converters yet?
SteveDo you have one? I don't think the adjustment holds for the multistage. I read PM is either fixed voltage adjustable or preset multistage.We just purchased a new 75a Powermax. The unit can be switched to operate as a single-stage charger (i.e., power supply) or 3-stage charger.
There's a very small pot that adjusts voltage for *both* the single-stage mode and the *bulk* stage when in 3-stage mode. It can be adjusted from 13.0 to 16.5v. Comes from Powermax preset for 14.6v. Haven't confirmed it yet, but I believe the float (13.2v) and absorption (13.6v) voltages remain fixed and are not changed by this pot. I was reading about that I believe the manual I was reading on line said it lowers the secondary voltage also and will work in single dual or three stage, just has to be adjusted in single and the amount the other stages change are directly related to the adjustment of the 1st stage. I want three dials and to be able to adjust them independently. the only bad thing I have seen about power max has to do with their Power factor, apparently it isn't very good, so they use more power to output the same as say PD
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StirCrazy
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03/24/23 08:32am |
Truck Campers
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RE: LiFePO4 Converter Change?
power max is top of the line.
I don't know about that.. I have been looking at it and I see a lot of mixed reviews and their power factor is commonly referred to as being bad. I do like the fact that you can fine tune the top voltage but I wish you could tune the 2nd stage independently.
With some solar controllers you can program everything. Why hasn't anyone done this for converters yet?
SteveDo you have one? I don't think the adjustment holds for the multistage. I read PM is either fixed voltage adjustable or preset multistage.
no with my renogy I can customize a three stage set up (well 4 stage if you count equalization but I just set that to my storage voltage as it doesn't have an off feature) so I didn't pick a LI and modified it when you do custom you have to set up full 3 stages so I have it set up to charge to 100% at 14.4 then I drop to 13.6, but I have a second profile for when I get home and I am storing it between trips where it will charge to 14.6 on bulk then drop off to 13.0V which will let it discharge down to 50% before it charges again as nothing is really on at home and normally it doesn't charge between trips till the day before when I bring the battery up to 100% for the trip. the 3d stage I just set the same as the 2nd stage as it isn't needed and I do that with equalization also as you cant shut it off.
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StirCrazy
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03/24/23 08:28am |
Truck Campers
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RE: LiFePO4 Converter Change?
I think part of that is they were waiting for a consensus of what would be good for a second voltage on a two stage and to see which format (chemical composition) was going to become the leader for rv use. There are some companies that came out with 2 stages right off the bat.I'm a bit surprised any reputable converter/charger manufacturer would produce a single-stage 14.6v lifepo4 converter/charger.
The converter/charger industry transitioned from single-stage to multi-stage converters/chargers for lead-cell batteries many, many years ago.
Lead-cell and lifepo4 chemistries share the same, exact charging dilemma. There is no one, ideal charge voltage for lead-cell. There is no one, ideal charge voltage for lifepo4.
Why some converter/charger manufacturers completely ignored this simple concept by introducing single-stage (single voltage) lifepo4 converters/chargers for lifepo4's is beyond me.
wasn't just some, they all did single stage Li output for a bit, some went to dual stage quicker than others.. don't forget LiFePO4 isn't the original LI that the converters were intended for so the second stay wasnt considered necessary as the one voltage would cover the two or three types of Li out there. now that LFP has emerged as the most usual format you are seeing all the two stages coming out at around 14.6 and 13.6. Now would I buy a 2 stage... for me I don't know if it makes any sense. I use my BMS to control my charge so it would charge to the voltage I have set and then shut off the charge so the 2nd stage would never really come into play anyways. all the modern electronics, led or florescent lights will handle a 14.6V no issues. so for me I am not quite sure it makes sense, unless you can think of something I am missing. but for someone who is buying off the shelf batteries and cannot control the charging cut in and outs then ya a 2 stage is great as it will hit 14.6, do its balance thing, then drop off to 13.6 or whatever the second stage is.
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StirCrazy
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03/24/23 08:19am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Happijac issue
People are ignoring that ALL THE JACKS WILL WORK AT ONCE.
That means the jacks are getting power. That means the jacks are NOT stuck. That means the jacks are getting a signal. That means the lever on the side of the jacks are in the correct position.
The problem is either in the remote, or in the jack controller in the camper. The problem is electronic, and for most of us the only thing we can do is replace things until it starts working again.
It would be interesting if you could swap the wires from the front jacks to the rear jacks, and verify that the problem follows the wiring, not the jacks. I will go look to see if I can swap the wires from the front jacks to the rear jacks. I’m not sure if they will reach.
swap them at the control board. just plug the fronts into the bak sockets and the other way for the backs
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StirCrazy
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03/24/23 08:10am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Vancouver, Seward, Anchorage and Fairbanks
Last summer we went to Wells Gray Provincial Park in BC and it was one on the best trips I've had in my long camping years.. There are lots of waterfalls and beautiful things to see, most of which are accessible by short hikes, There are two good provincial campground in the large park and some private ones close to it. Check it out online.
wells gray is a fantastic place to go. I have lived an hour and a bit away since I left Victoria for the last 13 years and last year was the first time I went.
be prepared for Bears to wander around your site haha.. we stayed inside for about 20 min till he moved on the one morning
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StirCrazy
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03/23/23 07:57am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: newer ford and sensing trailer hooked up
I would start by cleaning the contacts on the trailer cord connector and truck receptacle. Do you have both a bumper connector and an in-bed connector? If so, try the other one (which ever you do not normally use).
ya I have both as I still use the bumper one for my camper and the in bed one for my 5th. I'll do that and see if it makes a difference
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StirCrazy
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03/23/23 07:50am |
Towing
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RE: newer ford and sensing trailer hooked up
I would start by cleaning the contacts on the trailer cord connector and truck receptacle. Do you have both a bumper connector and an in-bed connector? If so, try the other one (which ever you do not normally use).
X2 on this above BB_TX.
I have had the same issue; the DOT lights work, but I lose the brake wire connection, and the controller shows the trailer disconnected. The issue on mine was with the trailer plug, and it depended on which trailer I plugged in. On some trailers, the plug fit into the Ford truck receptacle was not tight, and it seemed the brake wire lost the connection, mainly in turn. Or that I never saw the lights flicker as the controller used the brake wiring as the system to detect trailer was connected or not.
And then, on some trailers, dirt was jammed in the cord plug, holding the contacts apart on a friend's trailer I was repairing for him using my truck to tow it.
If you have the DOT lights but lose the brake, it points most times to the plug and receptacle connection.
I have found that using a velcro wrap over the receptacle cover and the trailer plug to hold them tight helps them wiggle loose in a turn situation.
Let us know what you find out. I'm sure there are more ways to have the problem happen. You need to keep those good tips for a day when you might need that info.
John
I'll look into that. I wonder if a bit of dielectric grease would help for trouble shooting.
Steve
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StirCrazy
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03/23/23 07:49am |
Towing
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RE: LiFePO4 Converter Change?
power max is top of the line.
I don't know about that.. I have been looking at it and I see a lot of mixed reviews and their power factor is commonly referred to as being bad. I do like the fact that you can fine tune the top voltage but I wish you could tune the 2nd stage independently.
With some solar controllers you can program everything. Why hasn't anyone done this for converters yet?
Steve
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StirCrazy
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03/23/23 07:43am |
Truck Campers
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RE: LiFePO4 Converter Change?
^ Are single stage battery chargers of any flavor a thing anymore? Whether talking converters, typical automotive chargers, marine chargers or small power equipment chargers/maintainers…
Every charger I’ve bought for the last 20lbs years has been a smart charger (well except the WFCO, it’s the Dollar Store of battery chargers and it came with the last RV I bought and it purports to be a smart charger as well. It’s just learning disabled…hence the recommendations here to get something else).In the lead-cell world, I agree.
In the lifepo4 world, not so much. Look closely at the "lithium/lifepo4 approved" converters and chargers now on the market. Many are single-stage (single voltage) 14.6v chargers. For instance, Progressive Dynamic, one of the largest OEM converter/charger manufacturers for the RV market, didn't start offering multi-stage (multi-voltage) lifepo4 converters/chargers until a year or so ago. There's still a large inventory of single-stage Progressive Dynamic lifepo4 converters still being sold.
I think part of that is they were waiting for a consensus of what would be good for a second voltage on a two stage and to see which format (chemical composition) was going to become the leader for rv use. There are some companies that came out with 2 stages right off the bat.
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StirCrazy
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03/23/23 07:21am |
Truck Campers
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