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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Remote measurement of fridge and freezer temperatures
If you carry a "Smart" phone, check out the SensorPush (Link). Long range bluetooth connection, logging over day, week, month, etc. I have one in the freezer & one in the refrigerator section. (I also use one for outdoor temperature.)
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vermilye
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05/29/23 08:37am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Micro Air
I have one installed on my Dometic 13,500 BTU AC. The AC runs OK on a Sportsman dual fuel 2200 watt generator running on propane. Another advantage is the "thump" as the compressor comes on is gone.
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vermilye
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04/15/23 08:49am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Best range/oven to purchase?
I know a couple of people that have installed Dickerson combination stove/ovens and love them. Hold on to your wallet!
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vermilye
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04/09/23 02:12pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Smoke Detectors
Just be sure you are replacing smoke detectors, not the propane detector. Detectors that test for gas tend to draw enough current that built in battery versions are rare, which is why they are usually powered by the RV's 12V system.
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vermilye
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03/11/23 10:11am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Are the new WFCO's as bad as the old ones?
According to their ads, the latest version of the WECO converters "automatically" sense what type of battery is installed, and switch to the appropriate voltages. That said, if they do it like they did with the older converters, I'll believe it when I see it.
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vermilye
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01/20/23 09:54am |
Tech Issues
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RE: LTO batteries
Hi all,
It looks as if LTO batteries are becoming available.
I've written to the company below for pricing on a 100 amp-hour nominal 12 volt battery.
They can be charged at 10 C. (i.e. 1000 amps)
They work from -50 c (-58 f) to 60 C (140 f)
The cycle life is 30,000
Assuming a 100 amp-hour jar:
They can be drawn from at up to 10 C (1000 amps or 12000 watts)
They can be drawn continuously at 3C (300 amps or 3600 watts)
It seems to me that they would be a great choice where battery space is limited.
https://www.osnpower.com/12v100ah-lithuim-titanate-battery-lto-12v100ah-deep-cycle-life-12v100ah-lithuim-battery-12v-100ah-lto-battery-pack_p228.html
from OSN POWER
Anyone know much about them?
https://www.osnpower.com/lto-batteries_c10
I'd also ask about the physical size of a 100 amp hour 12V battery. Since it appears that the energy density is close to 1/3 that of a standard lithium battery, it may be impracticably large.
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vermilye
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01/02/23 08:55am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Lithium for dummies: need advice in simple terms
While I did replace my converter with a lithium compatible version, in retrospect, I didn't need to. My 320 watts of solar through a lithium compatible solar controller provides most of the battery recharging. The WFCO probably won't go into bulk so it won't bring the lithium batteries to full, but the solar controller will usually provide the final 20%. Since you primarily dry camp, the converter isn't as necessary as it would be for those without solar that camp with utilities.
As pianotuna said, try it first. I'd only make the change if I had to depend on a generator to recharge the batteries. A lithium compatible converter will shorten charging time.
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vermilye
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12/07/22 06:40am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Lithium for dummies: need advice in simple terms
Many battery users are unaware that consumer-grade lithium-ion batteries cannot be charged below 0°C (32°F). Although the pack appears to be charging normally, plating of metallic lithium occurs on the anode during a sub-freezing charge that leads to a permanent degradation in performance and safety.
You are more aware of battery chemistry than I, so hopefully you can answer this question. I am aware if the cod charging issue, but can you store or discharge LiFePO4 batteries below freezing ? How far below ?It may be different for other manufacturers, but my Battleborn batteries can be discharged down to -4°F. They can be stored well below freezing, preferable at 80% SOC, and they suggest not traveling with them below -15°F because the internal supports may fracture due to the cold & vibrations.
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vermilye
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12/06/22 01:28pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Lithium for dummies: need advice in simple terms
I made the change to lithium 4 years ago and have been pleased with the change. While it is getting a bit dated, here is the documentation of the change, although prices have come down, particularly if you look at sources other than Battleborn. I currently winter camp, but it is at Quartzsite, AZ with temperatures rarely going below freezing, and daytime temperatures in the 50's or above.
That said, I have followed your adventures, and you do enough cold weather camping that I'd be concerned about charging. While the lithium battery will be OK discharging down to -4*F or so, as others have pointed out they should not be charged below 32°F. Heated batteries are a solution, but you still need to find the energy to heat them.
You mentioned days only going up to 30°F with 10° nights - it may be tough to carry enough solar to bring the battery up to charging temperatures after a 10°F night. Unless you carry a generator, a couple of cloudy days may leave you unable to catch up.
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vermilye
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12/06/22 08:41am |
Tech Issues
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RE: CGs Near Osseo/Eau Claire, WI w/o Minimum Stay Requirement?
You don't say WHEN this summer, and that is the kicker. Many, many campgrounds institute a minimum 2 night stay on major holiday weekends, such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day. It is because demand is so high, they sell out early, and rather than take a loss on a site they could have filled both nights, they make it mandatory. I have never run into a minimum 2 night stay except on one of those major holiday weekends.
So I'm guessing you are talking about one of those holidays, and all I can say is "good luck" finding one. Might just be the night you spend in a Wally World parking lot.
Given how popular camping is on those weekends, you are very likely to find that finding a place to stay at all on the second night of that weekend will be very difficult. If you really want to camp, this might be God's way of telling you to sit still for that second night.
I know, not what you wanted to hear. I wish I could point you to the campground of your dreams for a single night that weekend. Best of luck finding what you want, and remember to stay safe out there.
Good point, however, I am NOT referring to one of those weekends, as of course it would be obvious that such a requirement may be in place, and if so it would probably be three nights. It is possible there is a local festival that weekend, which would be prudent for me to investigate, and a quick search indicated there was no such thing. We travel a lot, and to many places, and this is unique. Generic weekend stay requirements in the middle of WI? Just seemed odd.Not all that unique. Some NY State Parks have 2 day minimums throughout most of the summer.
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vermilye
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12/02/22 08:42am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Leadville, CO
I definitely prefer the Forest Service campgrounds on Turquoise Lake, but they are tough to get into on weekends, and are, of course, not in the city.
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vermilye
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11/06/22 09:39am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Leadville, CO
While it has been awhile, I stayed atSugar Loafin'. As noted on their web page, they don't reopen util May 13th...
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vermilye
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11/05/22 03:14pm |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Visible Phone Hotspot
Just a curious question as to why folks are using travel routers. It seems most phones/mifi devices have a hotspot feature where they can share the connection so I wanted to know of why go through the trouble of all the other setups people have.
One advantage of a cell modem (travel router) is the ability to add an external antenna. In fact, most cell modems have two antenna connections, allowing dual external antennas in a MIMO configuration resulting in considerable data speed increases.
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vermilye
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10/27/22 08:26am |
Technology Corner
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RE: fresh water hose
2X on the RVWaterFilter store hoses. While expensive, they will make any length, have great fittings, don't kink, and well worth the extra $.
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vermilye
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10/23/22 09:28am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Natchez Trace State Park
If you are punching the location in your GPS, don't confuse the location with Natchez State Park, which is in Mississippi...
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vermilye
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08/31/22 04:04pm |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Costco 100W 18V solar blanket: which controller to use?
I used a DOKIO 300 watt folding panel over the winter in Quartzsite. Made a 3/4"PVC frame to keep it tiled in the correct angle. It came with a controller, although I didn't use it - tied it in with the rooftop solar panels.https://www.lakeshoreimages.com/22trip/images2210/IMG_2281.jpg width=640
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vermilye
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06/20/22 03:44pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: New River Gorge NP
Babcock State Park is about 20 miles from the New River Gorge National Park. A campground with electric only first come sites (bathrooms with showers) and a very pretty grist mill:
https://www.lakeshoreimages.com/images148/ASE_1299.jpg height=480
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vermilye
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06/12/22 09:16am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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