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RE: atlanta traffic
I-285 can be terrible. We always drive straight through going either east/west or north/south.
True for most big cities.
The trick is to avoid rush hour. If you can hit the city before 6AM or after 7PM (assuming no big evening events) you should be able to sail right through.
Some cities are not real bad in the middle of the day either.
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theoldwizard1
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08/15/20 08:09am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Battery powered portable fuel transfer pump
Have an almost identical syphon except it's a large squeeze bulb instead of a battery operated pump.
Probably 15yr old. I prefer manual because if it's stuffed in a compartment for months, I don't have to worry about if the batteries are dead.
Valid point !
TRDP14 Siphon Manual Liquid Transfer
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theoldwizard1
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08/14/20 03:29pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: A/C in a garage?
...can I run my A/C in the garage? Is there enough air volume to exchange heat?
In Texas ?
A/C tested/rated with the ambient air somewhere around 85F (?) How well do you think it is going to work with your garage is over 100F ?
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theoldwizard1
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08/14/20 03:24pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Li recycling 2% old fashioned lead acid 98%
The amount (both tons and percentage) of lithium recycled each year is still very low, because not that much is going to landfills. Two reasons
- low quantity (not many EV and handheld devices are probably not worth the hassle)
- lithium cells last much, MUCH longer than lead acid battery
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theoldwizard1
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08/14/20 03:21pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Li recycling 2% old fashioned lead acid 98%
100,000,000 tons of toxic Chinese chew and spit garbage 98%
If you are talking about "garbage" in general, like plastic waste, the vast majority of it comes from a relatively small number of rivers in SE Asia and a few countries in the Caribbean and North and Eastern part of South America.
Research on River Polution
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theoldwizard1
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08/14/20 03:17pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Max heat to leave propane canisters inside of trailer?
what if it does get too hot, will it explode or just vent a bit?
They have a vent (the odd looking thing near the top).
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theoldwizard1
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08/14/20 03:09pm |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: Queen and bunk lengths
The Rockwood 2509s really seems to fit the bill but I'm really not sure my hubby would be comfortable with the short queen.
Your son won;t be happy either. The double bunks are listed as 48"x72". Fine for 2 pre-teens !
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theoldwizard1
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08/14/20 11:33am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Battery powered portable fuel transfer pump
I used to have one of those when I had a kerosene heater years ago. If I remember correctly, it worked great for a while and then bit the dust. But you're right. At the $10 price point, it pays for itself in a few uses. I recently bought one of those shaker siphons. I've only used it once but I was able to fill my garden tractor very easily.
I like mine but don't use it too often.
The biggest problem with them is that the hose comes PRE-KINKED ! There are a few places that sell them without a hose (eBay) so you can buy what you want at your local hardware ware store.
I bought two 5' sections and a nylon splice. If the one is not long enough then add the splice and another 5', no clamps necessary !
Remember that with a siphon, the tank you are taking fuel FROM, needs to be higher the the tank you are sending the fuel TO ! When putting fuel in the car or boat, I place my 5 gallon fuel jug on a tall step stool or step ladder.
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theoldwizard1
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08/14/20 11:28am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Electrical question 2018 F350
I'm trying to find the best place to connect 4 gauge wire to run directly back to my Lance camper's charging relay for more charging from the alternator.
I have a connector and plan 4 gauge all the way to the battery after the blue seas 7610 and of course a fuse right of where I tap fpr the power from the truck.
Waste of time and money !
Your truck uses a "smart charging" system. A few minutes are starting the voltage get reduced to about 13.2V. Even with a 4 gauge wire to the camper and assuming ZERO voltage drop, 13.2V is not enough to RECHARGE a lead acid battery. Yes, it will prevent it from discharging, but it will NEVER FULLY RECHARGE !
Buy a DC-DC battery charger and use the stock wiring.
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theoldwizard1
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08/14/20 11:19am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Solar generator and truck camping
What's wrong with normal RV batteries recharged by portable solar panels and a $100 controller? And what good is a micro system? Either your RV batteries (or "generator") are recharged or they aren't. If they aren't recharged you need more panels, a sunny day, a better location etc.
My TC only has one battery and room for only one battery in the provided space..If you burp wrong,the battery drains (in humor) and yes,a portable solar setup would work if I was always camped in the sun but just one battery is hard to keep charged using it all the time.
Yep, space is ALWAYS a big issue with TCs ! Time to go lithium !
DIY 280Ah LiFePO4 battery
Remember, the discharge rate for lithium vs lead-acid are different. You can take a lithium battery to a much lower state of charge without damaging the battery and still have sufficient voltage to run 12V appliances and an inverter.
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theoldwizard1
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08/14/20 11:15am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Solar generator and truck camping
I'm thinking maybe a DC-DC charger would be a good addition to my camper rig to provide efficient charging from the truck alternator as well.
Some models also have solar controller function.
DC-DC chargers are great if you tend to drive several hours between campsites.
If you buy a pre-packaged solar generator, you need to check the compatibility between the DC-DC charger and the solar generator. The DC-DC charger is design to connect directly to a battery, not a second smart charge controller.
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theoldwizard1
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08/14/20 11:05am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Solar generator and truck camping
... I realized I can build my own portable solar generator for a lot cheaper than a manufactured solution.
Concur !
The Jackery is a very nice, pre-packaged system but (IMHO) it is over-priced, especially compared to a DIY solution.
Anyone thinking about building their own "solar generator" really needs to look into the 200AH - 280Ah LiFePO4 individual cells. Great bang for the buck.
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theoldwizard1
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08/14/20 10:34am |
Truck Campers
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RE: keeping the bugs away while Rving
Perhaps a freestanding screen room like a Clam Quick-Set, a Gazelle, or a Coleman Instant?
Screen rooms are great, but you do need to spray inside to get rid of the bugs that sneak in !
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theoldwizard1
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08/13/20 05:52pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Battery powered portable fuel transfer pump
Looks pretty handy ! I prefer a jiggle siphon if I can place the gas can on a stationary platform, ABOVE the item I am filling.
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theoldwizard1
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08/13/20 05:49pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: How does this work?
I can't say I have ever seen a TC "unload" at any campground. Maybe if you were going to stay for a week or more.
TCs (that I know of) don't have a black water tank and some (most ? all?) have external gray water so about the only thing you have to disconnect is power and pack up any loose items before running on a side trip.
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theoldwizard1
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08/13/20 10:30am |
Truck Campers
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RE: RV Batteries - Lithium as Option
DIY LiFePO4 banks, made with 200+ Ah cells are getting to be cost effective. You can build a 280 Ah bank with a charge controller for under $500 !
Besides higher energy storage per pound AND per cubic foot, the other big benefit is you can run them down to a very low SOC without damage. They have a very slow "self discharge" rate. Like any other battery they should be stored at 100% SOC, but do NOT require any trickle charging, even when stored for months.
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theoldwizard1
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08/13/20 10:24am |
Tech Issues
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RE: keeping the bugs away while Rving
Many, many years ago when we camped in a pop up with our pre-teen children (they are in their 30s now) we used to use Shell No Pest strips inside. Always had quite a few bugs to sweep up in the morning but you did not have mosquito buzzing in your ear while you were trying to sleep !
Anything on the market these days for indoor use ?
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theoldwizard1
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08/13/20 10:06am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Engine repair / upgrade after road trip
It's no modern 6.7 of course but that ain't to bad for an engine that started at 210hp and 425lb of torque (early 99).
And no DEF !
My question to others is, just like we all like to tinker and upgrade our camper, how many of us are modding our trucks as well and to what extent?
In the Midwest/Northeast (a.k.a. The Rust Belt !) any Ford that has a 7.3L PowerStroke probably has huge hole in the body and some parts of te frame made be rotted through. All fuel and brake line have been replaced, some probably twice.
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theoldwizard1
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08/12/20 06:33pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Delamination Class A or Class C?
Both can have delamination. If you find one with delam keep looking. Nice ones without delam are out there, you just have to look.
Delam can be fixed, but it is not cheap.
Besides fixing the delam, you have to find and fix what caused it !
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theoldwizard1
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08/12/20 01:44pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Delamination Class A or Class C?
IMHO, most delamination issues are from a lack of good maintenance, A or C-class.
I will disagree ! Delamination is caused by water, typically from the roof or around the windows) getting behind the fiberglass skin or soaking into the plywood sheathing (on aluminum sides RV).
I don't believe that an owner should have to apply layer after layer of expensive caulks/sealants for a rig to stay water tight IF IT IS DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED CORRECTLY !
The typical EPDM roof fails around hole that come through the roof. At best, it has a life expectancy of 10 years (yes, you can get more if you regularly wash it and apply UV protectant or store under a roof).
TPO, especially commercial grade TPO, is more durable. Mounting things on the roof (A/C, vents. antennas, etc.) should be done on top of curbs made with pre-molded TPO corners and plastic welded to the rest of the roof.
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theoldwizard1
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08/12/20 01:42pm |
General RVing Issues
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