RE: I'm In College Football Haven Over Here!
I KNEW there was a reason for NOT playing campground host during September at a campground where there is no wifi, no cell signal, and no way to sneak out to town for a long afternoon at Buffalo Wildwings (or other suitable sports bar). So far this season, I've only been able to watch the opening weekend, Aug 31 games. Booohoooo!
RE: Hot Water Heater Issue
Given that RV water heaters are all poorly insulated, you may find that you'll save a fortune in propane by leaving it off unless you are planning to use hot water in the next 15-20 minutes.
Sounds to me like you have a blown circuit breaker or fuse.
RE: connecting to shore power
Sounds to me like a mismatch between the battery management system that should be built in to the battery and the rv’s converter programming. And absolutely you need to get it fixed pronto before it destroys the batteries. Lithium batteries are very expensive, and while they will last long enough in service to pay for themselves vs lead-acid batteries, the cost to replace ones killed by a bad charger will take your breath away.
RE: battery disconnect in storage
I understand that lead-acid batteries do self-discharge very slowly, which is why there are "battery tenders" that are supposed to keep 'em topped off. I also have read that for maximum service life, a lead acid battery needs to be charged up to capacity at least once a month. With these "details" in mind, along with the propensity noted above to not really fully disconnect the battery in some units, it might be a good idea to take the battery home with you, where you can see to keeping it watered, charged, etc.
RE: Tilting Solar Panel
Yup, what they said. The power output of your panels relative to sun angle is measurable ONLY when they are charging a battery (or running gear that will absorb all the energy they put out), and then you must measure both the voltage and the amperage, as the power (expressed in watts) is the product of volts times amps. Merely measuring the voltage, especially on an open circuit, is meaningless.
At 19.6 volts, full output from a 100 watt panel would yield 5.1 amps. When you tilted the panel the opposite direction away from the sun, you measured 18.4 volts. I would expect you to get at best 1 amp and probably much less, for no more than 18 watts for AT LEAST an 80% drop off in power output. But that's just a guess.
RE: Hooking up to a well
You would need to know if the pump is wired for 240 volts or 120 volts. It could be either. If you can determine who installed it, they should be able to tell you. Ditto the previous owner.
The advice to hire somebody who knows what they are doing is good advice.
RE: Bearings and bad decisions......
Thank you to the OP for alerting us all.
CV boot tears, bearing cap knocked off, same thing: grease OUT, dirt in, bearing failure imminent unless you act NOW.
RE: Flat towing a Mini Cooper
Manual transmissions, pretty much no problem. It's when toads have automatic transmissions that things get, um, interesting.
RE: I have a question too ask
Yes, you should be concerned. While it is possible an honest mistake was made somewhere along the line, my experience has been that payroll checks bouncing are usually a sign of a company about to go belly up. As others noted, time to make sure your resume is current, and while you are at it, start shopping it around. When the boss gets a couple weeks behind on his payroll, you do neither him nor you any favors sticking around. All that does is get you both deeper into the brown and smelly.
RE: Battery or no battery????????
Thank you @wnjj, for correcting me. You are correct. The OP does not need functional trailer brakes on that trailer in Massachusetts. All adjoining states do, however, require them. So, permit me to modify my claim: almost all states . . . .
RE: Battery or no battery????????
State law requires an emergency breakaway braking system and this system requires a battery.
Battery will also supply 12 volts to the fridge and other controls while stopped en route or in process of setting up or leaving camp.
Battery will provide some functions if the utility power goes out.
Bingo! Required by law in every state in the US and probably Canada as well.
RE: Tires
You are indeed lucky that it didn't blow on the road, especially with horses aboard!
Post yourself a sign in the barn to remind you to proactively replace those tires in August 2025, lest your luck run out.
RE: Lesson Learned (fuel station etiquette)
While far from perfect, chip cards are safer....
Chip Cards Are Safer
Yes, they are, but not VASTLY safer. Among other potential flaws, you have to insert your card, which STILL makes you vulnerable to the mag-stripe skimmers, unless your card lacks the stripe, and all my chip cards still have it.
I highly recommend using the near-field abilities built into the latest few versions of your smart phone. At least since the iPhone 6, that means ApplePay, and for the Android universe, GooglePay or SamsungPay.
While I am not familiar with those Android systems, I do know that ApplePay does not leave anything behind at the pump/reader/store that could be used to steal your identity or hack into your account. The transaction is handled via a one-time transaction number that cannot be used again, so whether there's a skimmer present capable of capturing the details or not, the thief at most knows only that $XXX was charged today at ______ store on a VISA/MC/AMEX/etc card.
To use it, you set it up on your smart phone, and when you arrive at the pump, look for the NFC pad/logo. Touch your phone to the pad with your finger on the fingerprint reader of the phone, and the phone will ding signaling you're done. It's easy, it's fast, and best of all, it's SECURE well beyond the chip cards
The NFC readers, while not everywhere yet, are becoming more and more common. I've found them on pay-at-the-pump diesel pumps, in Mickey D's and Burger Kings and other fast fooderies, As well as many store of various kinds. I love those things.
RE: SUV for Towing
BMW X5 diesel, 2012 vintage. Tows 5,000 lbs like a dream, full height/width 21 foot TT. Get years 2012-2018. $20,000 to $80,000. Get one with 3rd row seats to get auto leveling suspension.
RE: Going to the Sun Road
We have debated, on this Forum, the desirability of driving that road with the usual pros and cons. This story illustrates a con.
Well, you can always stay home under the bed.
But, there's no guarantee in that either.
There's always risk of a meteorite coming through the roof . . . . Or a brain aneurysm, heart attack, etc.
This is indeed a sad, sad story. My heart goes out to the family of that youngster. My religious friends would say, evidently God needed her in heaven.
