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Forum
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RE: RV for Central America Trip
we are taking our kids (ages 5, 7, 11) on a one year trip in an RV from NY to Panama. We have looked at various different RVs out there and we want to make sure the RV is big enough to fit us and and the same time make sure it is not too big for the central american roads. We feel somewhere around 25"-26" is probably our best bet.
Smaller is better, Closer to 20'
Will they survive this trip?
The older I get, the LESS "adventurous" I get ! Will ANY RV survive a trip like that ? Maybe ! I guarantee every major applioance will break down at least once. You will have plumbing and electrical problems. Water leaks could be an issue also.
If I really wanted to do a trip like that, I would have a custom made RV "built like a brick sh!t house" ! Thicker wall and roof with more insulation and structure. Maybe even a "honeycomb" composite (non-wood) floor. Commercial grade TPO roofing.
On most of your trip, if something breaks, it will be up to you to fix it or jerry-rig an alternative. Tools (and the experience to use them) are a must. Spare parts are a must.
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theoldwizard1
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01/24/20 03:43pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Dual Fuel Generators
My plan right now is to get as powerful one as I can afford and put in a transfer switch to run most/all of the house with maybe the exception of the heat pump. We are on a well, so it is critical that I be able to run that.
If you are on a well, you will need at least a 5000W (240VAC) generator. Running one of those on a 20lb (4.7 gallons) BBQ tank is a joke ! 100lb should last 24-48 hours depending on how much power you are using. Forget running the heat pump ! Buy a tank, at least 150 gallons, and bury it.
Also, you don't want a "transfer switch". You want a generator interlock. Cheaper, easier to install and easier to use.
If your electrician doesn't know what that is, hire a different electrician. If you tries to sell you the transfer switch, he is just trying to make more money.
Without the tank, you can easily meet your budget,
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theoldwizard1
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01/24/20 03:29pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Question about PC's..
WITHOUT ! During a Black Friday sale I bought a USB 3 CD/DVD for about $30. You might have to tweak the BIOS to tell it to look there first if you are boot from it (recovery).
If you are going to try and fix the old one, now is a good time to upgrade from an "hard disk" (HDD) to a "solid state" (SSD) one. If you do two, things to watch for.
"You get what you pay for !" Pay the extra for a "professional" version. They have a better warranty. (Most new equipment does NOT come with the "professional" SSD.)
"Bigger is NOT better !" Unless you really need it, don't spend the money on a 1TB drive. 500MB is fine and with a bit of "conservation" 256MB is more than adequate.
Also, if you are buying new, you want an IPS display. MUCH better quality than any other type of LCD display available.
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theoldwizard1
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01/24/20 03:03pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Who can help me pick out a 600 watt solar sytem?
I'm trying to put together a 600 watt solar system for my soon to be purchased 2017 Class A Fleetwood Bounder. The coach is equipped with 4 100ah 12 volt batteries and a 2000 watt inverter. It also has a Samsung residential fridge.
This is a classic case of a RV manufacture trying to "save a buck" !
Four 6v golf cart batteries (size GC2) will give you about 420 AH of storage and well likely last longer and are the same price or less than 12V "dual purpose" batteries. AGM batteries are nice (zero maintenance) but expensive.
Personally, I would want an inverter/charger/auto transfer switch instead of a converter/charger and stand alone inverter. Maybe a bit more expensive, but easier to wire and MUCH easier to use !
If you plan to boondock a lot, a true DC refrigerator is more efficient than a residential unit. You probably will not find one as large and if you are on "shore power" most of the time you are camping, it does not matter.
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theoldwizard1
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01/24/20 03:00pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Who can help me pick out a 600 watt solar sytem?
The Victron Energy Battery Monitoris one of the best you can buy. There are several models, depending on what "additional" bells and whistles you want.
On the panels them selves, the first thing you need to decide is what physical size. "Standard" home panels are 2m x 1m (over 6' by over 3') and 72 cells. These are difficult to handle it you are on a roof. You can easily find 1/2 size panels, 1m x 1m and 36 cells, easier to handle but more connections. The other consideration is monocrystalline vs. polycrystalline. Mono are more efficient but cost more. 200W per square meter is consider "good".
I do not have enough experience to recommend brands beyond the battery monitor. For the charge controller, you probably can not go wrong with any of the name brands.
At the moment, the Chinese built panels have a large tariff. Some distributors are getting around this by purchasing from suppliers in other parts of Asia. There are some solar panels being built in South Korea.
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theoldwizard1
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01/24/20 02:50pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Need Help with Utility Trailer Decision
If you go with a wood deck, I would request 5/4" PT deck boards. They will last longer that even PT 3/4" plywood. Make sure the floor can be replaced without having to dismantle the sides.
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theoldwizard1
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01/21/20 01:59pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Anyone with the Ford 6.2 Carrying TC
Wait and get the new 7.3L !
I am not even sure you can get the old engine in combination with the 10 speed and early reviews call that transmission a "game changer"
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theoldwizard1
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01/21/20 01:56pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: First trip with new baby advice
A "screen house" is a great way to limit bugs ! I would not camp without one !
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theoldwizard1
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01/21/20 04:25am |
Family Camping
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RE: Looking for help on battery charger for 2-3 bank system
It means I will be suing 2 or 3 batteries12 volt batteries wired in parallel. Sorry for the confusion. I did purchase a digital multi meter last year, so I am set there.
The UNI-T UT210E is an "amp clamp" meter. place the clamp around a single wire and you can read currentr (amps) flow. VERY handy feature !
I owned 2 other DMM and I still went out and bought one of these.
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theoldwizard1
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01/21/20 04:21am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Question on inner bearing grease seals
Take the National part number and look it up on Amazon and Rock Auto. You will be surprised at the price.
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theoldwizard1
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01/21/20 04:11am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: 5 figure 30 foot
There are Class C and there are Class C ! Anything built on a Sprinter or Transit chassis will be a LOT smaller than on built on a Ford E350/E450 chassis.
If I was shopping, I would wait another year for Ford's new 7.3L gasoline engine in combination with their new 10 speed transmission. I will become the standard engine and transmission in Ford based RVs, but probably not until 2021.
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theoldwizard1
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01/20/20 09:05am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Ford V10 vs Pending V8
I'm happy to wait for the V8 if it will be out the first half of 2021.
You would probably have to wait that long for Class C with the new engine and transmission.
I know I WOULD WAIT FOR IT !
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theoldwizard1
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01/20/20 08:59am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: What is the coldest temp you've started your Honda 2000 in?
There is a YouTube channel where a young couple was using an EU3000i that their only power source in northern Idaho. No warm storage. Frequently used well BELOW 0F. It always started but the RPMs would "hunt" (oscillate) unless it was run on 1/2 choke. After several trip back to an authorized service center, with no success, they stumbled on using Mobil 1 0W-20. Not sure why, but it cured the oscillations.
Once the temps got consistently in the 20s, they switched back to Honda's recommended weight oil.
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theoldwizard1
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01/19/20 04:06am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Looking for help on battery charger for 2-3 bank system
I still have no idea what a "2-3 battery bank system" is !
EVERY RVer should have a digital multi meter with a built in amp clamp like UNI-T UT210E
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theoldwizard1
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01/15/20 06:55am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Warranty coverage
Most warranties do NOT cover the appliances (refrigerator, furnace, A/C, etc) because they are covered by the manufacturer.
You also want to know if there is any reimbursement for hotels if it take days to repair.
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theoldwizard1
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01/14/20 09:18am |
Full-time RVing
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RE: Looking for help on battery charger for 2-3 bank system
I am looking for suggestion on a battery charger I can use for my 2-3 battery bank system that I will be using 5-6 weekends a year in my fish house. last year I was running a two bank system and could get 7-8 hours of use before the batteries fell to 50% charge.
I do not understand what you mean by a "2-3 battery bank system". We need more specifics on how this is actually wired and EXACTLY what kind of batteries you are using.
I am currently using this power converter
That is an INVERTER not a converter.
I did purchase this charger last weekend but am not sure I care for it. It does not show the amps going into the battery as it gains charge. Instead it only shows the percentage the battery is charged.
Buy a digital multi meter with a built in amp clamp like UNI-T UT210E
Two 6V golf carts batteries, wired in series to make 12V, would probably be the best solution.
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theoldwizard1
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01/14/20 09:14am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Towing questions
Sounds reasonable to me, but not to a lot of people.
Limiting real world factors are suspension (easy to upgrade by many different means) and tires/wheels, which you have moderately upgraded.
You need the best shock absorbers you can buy and likely will need to add air springs.
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theoldwizard1
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01/12/20 06:09pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Ultimate power inverter/charger question
I posted this yesterday, but people must have missed it. The pdf manual is linked in this, scroll down. Do what it says.
https://ultimatepower.com/products/inverter-chargers/pcul-series/3000w-pure-sine-inverter-charger-pcul/
It does have an automatic transfer switch built in. You are better off REMOVING the old converter and hooking your 12VDC fuse panel directly to the battery bank.
From the manual
While in the Standby (charging) Mode, the AC input is continually monitored. Whenever AC power falls below the Trip voltage, the inverter automatically transfers back to the Invert Mode with minimum interruption to your appliances - as long as the inverter is turned on. The transfer from Standby mode to Inverter mode occurs in approximately 10 milliseconds. And it is the same time from Inverter mode to Standby mode.
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theoldwizard1
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01/12/20 12:52pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Deciding on Battery Replacement
IMHO, you would be better off with a pair of 6V AGM golf cart batteries, like Trojan T105-AGM. Over 35% more stored power. Not cheap. You would have to order them through a golf cart distributor or solar power store.
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theoldwizard1
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01/12/20 12:44pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Need Audio advice for my build
Sadly, most of the RV specific components are junk. Lots of car audio stuff, but the pricing is not that great and probably over powered for what you want. This of course leads to the large selection of residential, 120VAC equipment. If it has a "wall wart" power supply, you can buy moderately price DC-DC converters and then run everything off of 12V.
If this is a "build from scratch" or major (new walls) remodel it is time to run more 12VDC power lines through all of the walls. Use 18AWG Marine Grade tinned copper, duplex cable and 2 port USB outlet charger
https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/g/EkMAAOSw4FdcnY9w/s-l225.webp
USB Type C with USB Power Delivery (USB PD) is just rolling out. USB PB is capable of delivering 5V/9V/12V/15V or 20V @ 3A to compatible devices There are also inexpensive converter that will allow you to get anything in-between.
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theoldwizard1
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01/12/20 11:30am |
Technology Corner
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