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RE: I didn't make it~~ Mount St Helens Windy Ridge
I definitely want to go back someday in the Jeep, this is one of the few MSH areas that I haven't been to.
Having my wife and 2 little kids aboard factored heavily into my decision to turn around. I probably would have gone for it if I was alone. And, my decision was also influenced by the runaway motor home incident at Hurricane Ridge near Port Angeles not too long ago.
I just wasn't sure how bad the road would get, so when a turn-around presented itself, I took it.
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enskpo
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08/30/09 12:55pm |
Roads and Routes
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I didn't make it~~ Mount St Helens Windy Ridge
I had recently heard about the Windy Ridge lookout on the eastern side of Mount St Helens and wanted to go there in our 34 foot motorhome since I was in the general area.
Just south of Randle you get on Forest Service Rd #25 to start the approx 25 mile drive. This road was really steep and curvy. I finally turned around after a loooong 4 miles, thinking that the road was not going to get any easier. Plus, it was 90 degrees and my temperature gauge was pushing 230F. I took it nice and slow coming down, actually using LOW gear for the steepest sections. I wasn't the only RV on the hill though, having been nearly sideswiped by a short 5-er coming up around one of the switchbacks while I was going down.
Have you been there before? In your RV? Did I turn back just before things got better? Or, am I a sissy? :)
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enskpo
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08/29/09 10:24pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: RV site for Mt St. Helen's & Seattle
We just came back from a few days at Seaquest State Park, just across the street from the MSH visitor's center and 5 miles east of I-5. The "must see" visitor's center at Johnston Ridge is 42 miles from the park.
The "T-" sites are almost like a parking lot with very little space or privacy.
Site #15 (NOT "T-15") was nice with water & electric:
http://oldnintendo.com/site15.jpg
The park is older and a little tight, but we did fine. It's not perfect, but we had a great time there.
Other than the volcano, there's not much to do. Our little kids love to ride bikes. The nearby town of Castle Rock has a nice, flat 1.5 mile paved bike trail along the river that goes from a small roadside park into "downtown". Plenty of volcanic ash piled high along the river there; bring your own vial:)
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enskpo
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08/27/09 10:09pm |
Toy Haulers
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RE: December Trip. Seattle to? Suggestions
I'd make the Oregon coast at least part of a trip like that. You pretty much have the run of the place in December compared to the crazy crowds and HEAVY traffic in the summer. There's a great oceanfront RV park in Yachats that you could probably get a front row spot without reservations. A storm makes it even better.
Assume long-term that the weather will be wet and cold, you aren't LIKELY to encounter snow or extreme freezing conditions. We went one December and encountered severe ice in Portland- we had checked the coast weather, but not Portland. Some of the tourist shops are closed for the winter
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enskpo
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08/12/09 10:42pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Excursions in the Yakima, WA area
Wow, you're right! I knew it was hot there, but not THAT hot. I checked the average high temps for the days we're going to be there and I get 100, 103, 105, 105. Ouch!
We're now in the middle of a sweltering (to us) heat wave here in western Washington with 104 yesterday. I don't like it.
Maybe we'll take an antarctic expedition in my tracked vehicle:)
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enskpo
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07/30/09 06:32pm |
Roads and Routes
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Excursions in the Yakima, WA area
We'll be staying a few days at Sportsman State Park in the middle of August. Are there any good 1/2 day or full day activities you can recommend? We have 2 younger kids, 4 and 6. We're initially going to Yakima because we heard they have a neat bike trail that we're going to stroll on for half a day. Any ideas?
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enskpo
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07/30/09 05:52pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Getting my electric steps to stay open for extended stays
Okay, I get it now. Thanks!
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enskpo
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07/22/09 12:07am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Getting my electric steps to stay open for extended stays
So, if it's wired properly the steps won't extend if the engine/ignition is on? This seems dangerous for passengers offloading while the motor is running as often happens when I drop people in front of the store.
With the current wiring configuration, I'm not concerned with someone accidentally opening the door and deploying the steps while driving. I guess the door switch COULD malfunction while driving down the road, causing the steps to deploy if there's no ignition interlock.
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enskpo
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07/21/09 10:00pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Getting my electric steps to stay open for extended stays
When that switch is on and the engine is not running the steps should stay down...
My steps have never been tied to the ignition- at least since I've owned them.
I just repaired the switch inside the door frame- it was all corroded (but easily disassembled and cleaned). While fixing it, I jumpered the 2 switch wires temporarily, causing the steps to stay out all of the time. That sure was nice while camping, instead of having the step activate every time the door opened.
Could I install a secondary switch under the body that would somehow "jumper" the switch wires, causing the steps to stay out all of the time? Or something like that? Sorry I'm not more clear!
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enskpo
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07/18/09 10:33pm |
Tech Issues
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Getting my electric steps to stay open for extended stays
They open and close every time the door does. There is a switch inside the door frame that activates the steps. I'd like to be able to KEEP them extended when we're at one site for an extended period. Any ideas?
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enskpo
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07/18/09 10:19pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: engine stumbles when hot
I had the same problem once and it turned out to be a faulty gas tank switch-valve for the dual tanks. Good luck!
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enskpo
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07/06/09 05:19pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Problems setting up water expansion tank
Just to follow up, I received and installed the new pump today. It comes on at 28 psi and turns off at 40 psi. I set the expansion tank to 26 psi and it works great. Lots of water available from the expansion tank without the pump coming on. :)
It sure is quiet compared to the old pump! Also, the new pump has a really soft rubber base that you screw down. My old pump had a metal base with rubber grommets in the screw holes. No need for a plywood and foam sandwich to isolate the pump vibration.
My old pump must have had a bad limit switch. I hope to use it again someday for water transfer or something. I'm still going to let it ride along with us, it's given good service for 25 years.
Thanks for all of the help!
Erik
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enskpo
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06/23/09 07:56pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Problems setting up water expansion tank
I have a real small expansion tank. I have never checked the air pressure in it. Should I?
From the Shurflo site linked earlier:
It is recommended the pre-charge be checked on a monthly basis.
Its good to get in that compartment once a month anyway to keep an eye out for leaks.
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enskpo
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06/21/09 10:12pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Kitchen sink- drain to the outside?
When I noticed the pup campers dumping their sink water through the side drain, we were all at a VERY cramped state park almost camping on top of each other.
In that situation, I would feel weird draining the greywater from my big motorhome out of the dump valve, into a bucket, and then into the nearby public drain. I don't know, the pup way just seems "cleaner?" and it's more obvious that it's grey water coming from the sink.
While I like to keep up appearances, I would do it if it were necessary.
When you see a leaking dump valve at the rest stop, do you assume it's the grey leaking? Or the black? Do I know what I mean? :)
Of course, other situations would be different. For example, I don't have a problem dumping grey water on my own property at times.
Now I'm rambling, but that's kind of why I thought it was a neat idea to have that side drain.
A big wave to all of you pup owners out there!
Erik
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enskpo
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06/21/09 01:37pm |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Problems setting up water expansion tank
I installed a Square D home type pressure switch on my trailer to control the pump. The switch on the pump was too jittery when I installed the accumulator tank. The SqD switch has separate low and high adjustments. The SqD has heavy duty contacts. No need for a relay. It can tee into the water line.
Nice set-up. I like the Square D quality. That and a couple of $8 Quest/Sharkbite fittings would fix my old pump (note to self: BUY A PEX TOOL SET!) With the cost of the switch and fittings, I'd be close to or past the threshold of not being worth the cost of repair. But, the Square D switch would probably last a couple of lifetimes in an RV. Here's one I saw for about $20 + shipping:
CLICKY: 20-40 PSI SQUARE D Pressure Switch
http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/imagemagic.php?img=images/406993.jpg&w=75&h=93&page=
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enskpo
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06/18/09 10:43pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Kitchen sink- drain to the outside?
Most of the valve covers I've noticed that are on your holding tank valves have a hose connection built into them so that you too can connect a water hose to empty your gray water into a bucket or whatever. ...
I'm enlightened. I haven't seen those. I have to get out more often.
I don't know if I'd want to cut a hole in the side of the RV.....one more thing to worry about.
Yeah, maybe that IS a bit extreme :)
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enskpo
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06/18/09 10:26pm |
Folding Trailers
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Kitchen sink- drain to the outside?
Hello! I'm embarrassed to ask a most likely "silly" question, but I'm so curious! I'm in a motorhome and we camped next to a nice pop-up recently. What caught my attention was that the kitchen sink drained through a small pipe that stuck out of the pup exterior a few inches, where it was caught by a 5 gal. bucket sitting on the ground. After doing dishes, the owner would take the bucket and dump it down the nearby shared water post/sanitary sewer drain where all of the tenters were dumping their dishwater.
I thought this was a great idea for saving grey water capacity in the holding tank.
Is this a newer (or even a standard) feature? I have never noticed this before.
I'm assuming that there's a valve that allows you to switch between the outside drain and the holding tank?
Is there a problem with people assuming that since there is an outside drain, that it's okay to dump the kitchen sink water ANYWHERE? On edit, that is a dumb question, but do you know what I mean? This park had a sewage system of some sort that the pup owner was dumping the sink water into. (Just mentioning it again, we always get in fights in the "motorhome" forum when it comes to dumping grey water ) :)
Any thoughts? It would be a neat mod. I'm not afraid to drill a hole in the side of my old motorhome. >)
Thanks in advance for going easy on me! Erik
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enskpo
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06/18/09 09:09pm |
Folding Trailers
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RE: Problems setting up water expansion tank
I went ahead and ordered a new pump today anyway. Got it on eBay for $72 delivered. Model #2088-422-444, a basic pump similar to my old one (2.8gpm). I'm hoping it will more than meet my needs since I've been satisfied (except for the noise) with the old pump for the past 5 years not realizing that it wasn't living up to its potential.
It will also be nice to have a spare pump. I hadn't considered until now how inconvenient it would be to lose the pump while boondocking for a few days.
I couldn't find any parts or kits for my old model #200-210-39 pump. But I only did a simple search.
I did find an interesting suggestion to use an automotive oil pressure switch and "T" it into your pressured water line. Something like this for just a few dollars and some fittings:
http://base1.googlehosted.com/base_media?q=http://www.standardbrand.com/web_app/catalog/images/PS140.jpg%3Fpartinfo%3D1430048CP951014&size=2&dhm=bc0e2efc&hl=en
They also suggested a relay in the circuit? I know nothing about this stuff!! Just passing on the link for your possible consideration if you have a pressure switch problem, the time and the ingenuity:
I tried to post a link to the question/answer but I can't get it to work right. It was an answer from someone at rvcoach.com forums regarding the availability of replacement pressure switches for this old model of water pump, this is the answer:
Yep those are micro switch, but it would be hard to find & replace. The way around, is to put a T in the pressure line & screw a pressure switch N.C. which open at 35-45 PSI(oil pressure switch or air pressure switch) at auto part or truck parts
store. Better use a relay in the circuit as the contacts are at the limit when the pump reach max pressure & draw max amperage.
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enskpo
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06/18/09 08:33pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Problems setting up water expansion tank
All the pressure readings, are they at the air valve on the tank? ...
... Try increasing the air pressure. Of course if it's too high you lose water capacity.
Yes, I was taking the pressure readings from the air valve on the expansion tank.
I tried to increase the air pressure in the tank (to 45 psi) and the pump still runs on demand.
Thanks a lot for all of your help. I'll just keep things the way they are until my pump doesn't work satisfactorily anymore. And, thanks for teaching me something new!
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enskpo
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06/18/09 10:20am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Problems setting up water expansion tank
With the gauge connected to the expansion tank, slowly crack open a faucet and monitor the gauge. At one point the pump will start, that's you cut-in pressure and that is what your expansion tank should be set at.
Now that 24psi (which sounds way low) is your cut-off pressure and is probably why the expansion tank isn't doing it's job. There isn't enough range between the cut-in and cut-off pressures.
O
Well, there is NO difference in pressure. The water pump turns on almost immediately when I slightly crack open a faucet. It turns off a few seconds later with no change at all on the pressure gauge. I get about 3 ounces of water out of the cracked faucet before the pump turns on.
The expansion tank is T'd in right after the water pump flexible output line. It's definitely hooked to the cold-pipe side.
I really hate to buy a new pump! Is something wrong with the pump? Is there a rebuild kit for these older pumps. Do I just need a new limiter switch? This is all a part of my "Water Pump Improvement Project" which includes making a foam and plywood sandwich to mount the pump on, new flexible hoses on the output and input sides of the pump, and the expansion tank.
I think the tank is still a big improvement, even though it isn't functioning properly. If I turn off the water pump switch above the stove, I have use of almost 3 gallons of water before I need to manually turn the pump back on again. I can get more than enough flushes overnight without the pump being turned on- which is the goal of the expansion tank. My wife is impressed already:)
I am a little nervous about leaving that much water charged in the system while I'm away for a while, my plumbing is 20+ years old. Before, I could just turn off the water pump switch. But now I'll have to drain the expansion tank too. There is a low point drain near the tank, but I have to lift up the big bed to get to the drain/pump/expansion tank area. I'm sure it will be no big deal.
Thanks for everyone's help!
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enskpo
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06/17/09 08:36pm |
Tech Issues
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