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Forum
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RE: Dinghy charging from MH
The only way you will ever be able to maintain/charge a "toad" battery is with a DC-DC charger. Have it permanently mounted in the toad, close to the battery. You can pick up B+ from the tow vehicle via the standard 7 pin connector.
You need to be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that B+ from the tow vehicle does NOT connect to B+ of the toad ! Thus way require some relays to keep these two systems isolated ! Using separate brake/turn signal lamps is a good first step !!
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theoldwizard1
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01/25/23 01:12pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Are the new WFCO's as crappy as the old ones?
Buy a GOOD quality inverter/charger/automatic transfer switch. Remove the converter and wire the DC fuse panel directly to the house battery bank (using a large fuse close the the battery bank).
Wire the shore power cable directly to the inlet of the inverter. Wire the outlet of the inverter to your AC breaker panel.
DONE !
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theoldwizard1
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01/25/23 01:02pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Generator Gas Storage
Also for your small qtys non ethanol is not expensive ...
Not where I live !
E10 is NOT as bad as people make out ! Just don't store it more than 2-4 weeks and make sure to run the carburetor dry after every use.
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theoldwizard1
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01/13/23 05:54am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Inverter install
The easiest solution is to purchase an inverter/charge/automatic transfer switch.
Remove the existing converter. Wire the DC fuse panel directly to the battery bank via a large fuse. Your shore power cord now connects directly to he inverter. The output connects to the AC breaker panel. Done !
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theoldwizard1
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01/13/23 05:50am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Battery
Rolls and Trojan are the Cadillac and Lincoln of deep discharge batteries. Excellent quality and durability but they are expensive and difficult to locate.
A pair of "name brand" GC2 golf cart batteries are a good alternative at much lower cost and can be located at most "club" stores.
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theoldwizard1
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01/08/23 08:17am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Why consider 12v fridge for boondocking?
Compressor fridges have become almost standard on camper vans, because they rarely stay stationary for many days at a time. Even a short drive will restore muc hsh of the battery bank if you have something like a Transit with dual 250-amp alternators or a Sprinter with an aftermarket 2nd alternator.
The primary reason anyone would choose a a compressor refrigerator or and absorption refrigerator is that they do a much better job of keeping food cold/frozen.
The down side is batteries need to be recharged much more often than a propane tank need to be refilled.
While I agree with the first half of carrinb's post I DISAGREE with the second half ! You do not need second alternator to recharge even a moderately large battery bank. A good 40A DC-DC charger will fully recharge most battery banks after driving a couple of hours. Even if you have solar power, a small generator and charger is a good back up.
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theoldwizard1
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01/08/23 08:12am |
Travel Trailers
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Nomad Internet
Has anyone tried this service since they have introduced their new Nomad Air hotspot ?
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theoldwizard1
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01/06/23 01:48pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Why consider 12v fridge for boondocking?
Yah I hear you. Hence our back up plan with our little propane generator. :).
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52387204385_ee9895e00a_c.jpg
Curious. How many hours do you get on that generator on that small propane bottle ?
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theoldwizard1
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01/02/23 04:17pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Three-pronged plugs
I make my own extension cords up. Usually with industrial spec or green dot hospital grade plugs and receptacles.
I hear what you say, but those are hard to find and EXPENSIVE!
I have found that the Leviton Clamptite 3W101 plugs and 3W102 outlets are adequate for up to 16/3 SJOOW cordage. Reasonably priced.
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theoldwizard1
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12/28/22 03:51pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: No scheduled maintenance on Ford Superduty
Wow! That is an interesting and expensive situation. Reading that little book in the glove box is getting more and more important.
My 2022 F150 came with a "Cliff Notes" edition of the owners manual. The real one is on line, or you can request they send one to you.
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theoldwizard1
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12/28/22 03:48pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: No scheduled maintenance on Ford Superduty
Transmission being "filled for life" is not a new thing. That has been the "spec" in many vehicles for over 20 years. I am sad they removed the dipstick tube (there is still a very short dipstick you can get to from underneath). The color and smell of ATF will tell you if you have a problem. Of course, by then, it is probably too late.
Almost all modern transmissions have a temperature sensor. This is the most important thing to be monitored.
If you are still not happy, ask to see the official "severe duty" maintenance schedule. Or drop the pan (but not the filter) every 25K-50K, measure what you took out and replace it with the exact OEM ATF.
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theoldwizard1
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12/28/22 03:42pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Snoozy Resurrection
I was happy to see that the Snoozy was resurrected ! I hope they can keep going as I would really like to see a slightly longer model.
My big objection is the front end design. Looks nice from the exterior, but you lose too much overhead and under bed storage. Mounting solar panels would be a challenge. The rear door needs some kind of an awning.
Personally, I like the all electric design. Only a few people actually boondocks, except for overnight at a Walmart or Cracker Barrel. If you have to have your morning coffee, get a 12V coffee maker.
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theoldwizard1
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12/26/22 09:07pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: 12 volt fridges and boondocking?
... I'm unsure if the 600 watts of solar would be enough for us when boondocking for 3 or 4 weeks at a time.
Will
Keep your generator ! You won't make it through multiple low solar input days.
You will love having a compressor refrigerator!
Segue - Think about eliminating propane. Save space and weight !
How often do you use your furnace ? Small counter top butane burner or outside portable grill/stove. Making coffee could really drain the batteries and forget about an electric frying pan or even a slow cooker unless you are willing to run the generator.
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theoldwizard1
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12/24/22 09:15am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Shore power question
IMHO, if you are storing for more than a month, disconnect the battery.
For best life, lithium batteries should not be subject to below freezing temperatures.
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theoldwizard1
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12/20/22 09:20am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Heated Floors
Best option for heated floors is a his n hers pair of heated socks or slippers….
Heated mattress pads and a extra blanket worked better than an electric blanket.
If you are really "roughing it" and sleeping with no heat, a knit hat makes a huge difference (old Boy Scout lesson learned)!
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theoldwizard1
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12/18/22 07:57pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Heated Floors
Heated floors,(liquid or 120 volt grids), ARE NOT designed to heat an RV. They are designed to keep the cold floor from bothering you. The ONLY heated floors I have seen are under tile floors. Doug
True, but if you have power (not generator or battery) a heated floor mat and a couple of 1500W heaters would definitely keep a 20+' RV warm down to freezing !
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theoldwizard1
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12/18/22 07:54pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Lithium for dummies: need advice in simple terms
I don't know for sure but I would expect it would take a few hours below ambient freezing for the cells to get to freezing temperature. Therefore, I don't see the need for a heater.
Charging and discharging will produce some heat.
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theoldwizard1
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12/14/22 03:36pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Renogy 20A dc to DC report
I have seen 16 amps going to the house bank at idle. The highest reading noted was 19.6 amps, when driving. I don't have an easy way to measure input amps to the unit.
I keep thinking about this.
It is possible that the charger is limiting the output current when there is lower input voltage because of internal heat. In other words, it is protecting itself from over heating.
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theoldwizard1
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12/11/22 03:15pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Major Ecoboost repair, long delays
bad luck for early adopters. never seemed practical to me. too much heat and stress for small engine.
EcoBoost (turbo, direct injected gas engine) has been around for over 15 years. The technology is well proven !
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theoldwizard1
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12/11/22 08:38am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Major Ecoboost repair, long delays
That is what the mechanic told us. I don't want to call him a liar but I have not been able to find this pump or even a vacuum hose going to the area where he said it was.
Older EcoBoost engines DID have an auxiliary vacuum pump. Some were electric, some were mechanical.
I do know that both of my Ecoboost engines have vacuum boost for manual brake applications with electric braking for computer activated brake situations, like collision avoidance or ABS adjustments. I would bet that you still have a vacuum canister right behind the master brake cylinder.
Mine are full electric. No vacuum chamber on the master cylinder. This is pretty new. Only out for a couple of years. The whole assembly is made by Bosch.
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theoldwizard1
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12/11/22 08:34am |
Tow Vehicles
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