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RE: Check Engine Light...Going on 5 years & 20,000 miles...
I can (and have) changed the oil. I've also recently changed (actually, reconditioned, the K&N air filter).K&N filters are known to cause problems with MAF sensors. As mentioned, clean it !
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theoldwizard1
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01/27/21 07:36pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Cost of new fiberglass roof on a 32' Winnie
Fiberglass and epoxy must be painted as the epoxy will deteriorate with UV exposure.
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theoldwizard1
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01/27/21 07:34pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: SiO2 Batteries
Battle Born is still charging a premium price for their LiFePO4 batteries (they do have built in BMS), but the price of 200 Ah and 280 Ah individual cells has dropped. Yes, you have to order them directly from China and they take 4 to 8 weeks delivery.
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theoldwizard1
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01/27/21 10:12am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Check Engine Light...Going on 5 years & 20,000 miles...
Although the error code indicates a problem with the O2 sensor experience say that is NOT the real problem. It is likely a "vacuum" leak. There are many different places that could be leaking.
Find a good mechanic. It should not be that expensive to repair. Typical O2 replacement should be <$200.
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theoldwizard1
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01/27/21 06:14am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Calling on Solar Techies
My battery monitor is not that sophisticated. When the lights don't come on it will tell you the batteries are dead.
I am in the market for a good battery monitor. Victron makes two excellent battery monitors. They are relatively inexpensive. They do require the use of a shunt.
I second Victron. They have several models to chose from with different "bells and whistles".
This one is "plain vanilla" Victron Victron Energy BMV-700 Battery Monitor - Amazon $143
Not cheap, but worth it.
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theoldwizard1
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01/25/21 10:09am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Calling on Solar Techies
Waiting for my Panels to arrive been researching placement and wiring.
Sigh. Other said it before. When you buy a kit, you are not getting the best bang for the buck !
Grape Solar - 400-Watt Off-Grid Solar Panel Kit - $586 Home Depot
https://i.imgur.com/stN46rwl.jpg
Note that it comes with a PWM charger, NOT MPPT !
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theoldwizard1
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01/25/21 10:05am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Calling on Solar Techies
What stops me from going to 48 volts is the inverter, and charge controller.
Unless you can get a good price on your current equipment, I understand completely !
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theoldwizard1
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01/25/21 09:52am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Travel Trailers for large families
Thank you all for the help. Our kids are 17, 15, 13, 10, 6, and 1. The total weight of the family is less than 1000 lbs. The Nissan NV 3500 is basically a Nissan Titan pickup, it has a V8 and heavy duty transmission.
My daughter's family has a Expedition which has a slightly higher towing capacity. 4 kids under 12. They are right at the limit towing a similar TT.
Some of the kids could definitely sleep in tents but we were looking to avoid this as being necessary. We have looked at the floor plans in question and everyone would fit. The 17 YO is about 6 ft tall, but each one has a place for him.
Those double bunks are ridiculously small. No 6' teenager will fit in one unless they curl up.
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theoldwizard1
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01/25/21 09:50am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Travel Trailers for large families
First, you are probably going to need a bigger tow vehicle.
Second, get a true "bunkhouse", 4 beds in the rear. Your kids will out grow those double bunks in a couple of years. No outside kitchen !
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theoldwizard1
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01/24/21 03:44pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Quest for Quality Small RV
Most of the smaller motorhomes are now built on the Transit or Sprinter platform. Neither are as "robust" as the E450.
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theoldwizard1
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01/22/21 05:23pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Calling on Solar Techies
$1200 and you haven't even got to buy solar panels. You are also forgetting that shipping solar panels IS expensive. They don't ship em for free.
You are 100% correct ! Shipping panels will kill any online "discount" price.
OP WANTED to keep the "cost" at $1500, now you are encouraging them to sink even more money into a system that is going to cost $2500 and more.
If you live anywhere near a big city, I'll bet you can find 400W worth of polycrystalline solar panels within 100 miles for under $300.
Heck the "puresine" inverter that you pointed out alone ate up HALF the OPs budget..
Quality and easy of installation and operation, as you have pointed out, aren't cheap !
Haven't even got to the batteries yet.
OP said they were going to be replaced and inferred that was not in the solar budget.
OP will need at a min of 500W-600W of panels to pull off using a microwave and coffee pot.. The two highest power draws.. And I suspect that is not enough..
Or run the generator for an hour or two a day. You just have to make sure there is enough energy left in the AM for that first shot of caffeine !
That is a great thing with solar, you can add on when ever you get the money, you do not HAVE to lay out a lot of cash up front, ...
I'm not sure I agree with that statement. Sure you can add panels, but if you bought an inexpensive charge controller, you will be replacing it. Same for the inverter.
You can buy an "off brand" 2000W inverter for around $300. Will it last ? Transfer switch, under $100. 60A "smart" charger, about $250 Lots of wiring !
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theoldwizard1
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01/18/21 03:37pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Calling on Solar Techies
If I were starting over I would go to 48 volts.
Interesting !
48V is expensive because of the number of battery cells required. At 48V that charge controller has PLENTY of expansion capability.
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theoldwizard1
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01/18/21 03:13pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Calling on Solar Techies
Takes a lot of solar, battery AND MONEY to make the system you long for, way above your budget.
Why does everyone keep saying this !
Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/50 Charge Controller - $325 Amazon
Victron SmartShunt Battery Monitor - $130 Amazon
Samlex EVO-1212F-HW Pure Sine Inverter/Charger - $745 Amazon
That is $1200 ! If you shop hard, you should be able to find 200W polycrystalline solar panels for under $200 each. ($150 a piece would be a very good deal at 75ยข/watt, but do-able) Add mounting hardware and some wiring and yes, you will probably be up around $1700
(If I was building this for myself, I would want 600W of solar and a 2000W inverter and I would use a 24V battery bank but that would be over $2000.)
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theoldwizard1
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01/17/21 10:44pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Calling on Solar Techies
You can do it for $1500 provided you give up the inverter/charger and just have a 2000 watt quality inverter. That means no transfer switch, and no hybrid 'load support' operation, either.
In 2005 I was able to do 256 watts for $1700.00. I had to cheap out on the inverter, using a Cobra 2500 msw that was rated to run motors. It was an additional $199.
Are those US or Canadian prices ?
The cost of solar panels has come down a lot since 2005.
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theoldwizard1
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01/17/21 07:00pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Calling on Solar Techies
Kits are a rip-off if you are the least bit handy and get the parts yourself. Panels where you can pick them up yourself and not pay shipping too.
Concur !
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theoldwizard1
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01/17/21 06:22pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Calling on Solar Techies
WOW ! We have a bunch "negative Nancies" here ! The "devil is in the details".
Must haves are.
3 minute electric coffee maker once a day
Small microwave 2 minutes 3 times a day
satellite dish 4 hrs a day
40" tv 4 hrs per
24" tv 4 hrs per day
Led lighting
The heavy duty loads are the coffee maker and the micro wave.
The basic Mr. Coffee 12 cup coffee maker draws 900 watts. The 6 cup, only 600 watts.
A full size microwave uses about 1200-1500 watts. Smaller ones can be under 1000 watts. Most microwaves draw full power for some period of time even when set at 50%. They then shutdown for some period of time so the item being cooked does not overheat.
A couple of years ago, Panasonic came out with an "inverter" microwave. Its benefit is 50% means 50% power consumption continuously ! So if you want to cook something on full power, you will have to use your generator.
I would have to run the generator 4hrs a day to maintain batteries.
That sounds like a long time. I would expect with your current batteries that they should be fully recharged in less than 2 hours. If you have the original converter/charger, I'll bet there are better ones out there.
If I can't do a solar system under $1500 to power my basic needs I may have to go with a hybrid plan of solar plus generator.
You are ALWAYS going to need a generator as a backup ! Don't leave home without it ! The question is, how much will you need it ? This is where a good battery monitor (like the Victron I linked before) is important.
With 480 amp-hours of battery, you should have enough energy left in the morning to make coffee and warm up some pastries WITHOUT having to fire up the generator. Late afternoon/early evening, check the monitor. If your batteries are not 100%, fire up the generator.
Here is an important detail about the Samlex EVO 1212
https://i.imgur.com/e37B9acl.jpg
I will also do a 3 step "smart charge" at up to 60A !
Sorry I can not be more helpful on recommending solar panels, but Victron makes very good charge controllers. Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75V 10 amp Solar Charge Controller with Bluetooth
Those two items would cost you about $830. That leaves you $670 for solar panels and wiring.
EDIT :
I forgot the Victron SmartShunt Battery Monitor - $130 Amazon
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theoldwizard1
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01/17/21 06:20pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Calling on Solar Techies
We do all most all our dry camping in Wyoming in the summer
Good ! Lot's of sun but I am sure it is chilly in the morning.
I would like to switch the conversation to best product for the least cost. Research on inverters shows a wide price variation $200 to $800 on 1500/2000 watt inverters with comparable reviews?
TRUE !
The common brand names (Hart, Xantrex, Samlex) command high prices but put all the functionality you want in one package (ease of installation and operation)
This one is a bit small (1200 watts), but it still does everything you want, without the generator start function. Samlex EVO-1212F-HW Pure Sine Inverter/Charger - $744 Amazon
Only one review on Amazon, but it is 5 star. Most other Samlex products also got 5 star reviews.
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theoldwizard1
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01/17/21 12:59pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Calling on Solar Techies
I will forget the idea of electric heat but would like to be able to power Tv's, Satellite, USB charger, Furnace if needed and a coffee maker once a day plus a small microwave for 10 minutes a day.
I will research a 1500 to 2000 watt pure sine inverter with smart charger and built in transfer switch.
This one is a bit small (1200 watts), but it still does everything you want, without the generator start function. Samlex EVO-1212F-HW Pure Sine Inverter/Charger - $744 Amazon
Is a all in one inverter the way to go or would going with separate units be more practical for purpose of replacement and cost?
For ease of installation and operation an "all in one" is the way to go. I would not be concerned about replacement if you buy a good quality unit.
Standalone units from less common companies (Chinese) are much cheaper Reliable 2000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter - $309 Amazon. (Yes, this is direct from China, but is gotten a lot of good reviews on YouTube.)
No automatic transfer switch and you have to rely on your solar and converter to charge the batteries. An automatic transfer switch could be added but the wiring is non-trivial.
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theoldwizard1
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01/17/21 12:38pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Calling on Solar Techies
I have been thinking of going solar for some time and decided to pull the plug.
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I wanted to build the solar system with that option open and reduce the consumption of propane and the need to frequently refill the tanks.
Stepping back and looking at the "big picture".
What 1L243 needs to understand is that any solar power system needs to have a backup !
Propane is NOT a good backup for electric power unless you have a propane powered generator.
A good backup would be a generator OR a DC-DC battery charger so you can recharge your battery bank from your tow vehicle. Either should charge a depleted battery bank !
I would like a blue tooth controller and a automatic transfer switch and a auto smart charger.
With automatic transfer switch and smart charger, the only other thing you need is a Bluetooth battery monitor like Victron SmartShunt Battery Monitor
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theoldwizard1
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01/17/21 11:03am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Calling on Solar Techies
I wish, that instead of getting a generator when I went full time, that I had redone the solar with a massive upgrade.
The OP would have to at least DOUBLE his solar charging and battery storage in order to run that heater. Even then, he may not have enough power left at the end of a cloudy day to run his furnace.
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theoldwizard1
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01/17/21 10:34am |
Tech Issues
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