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Date Posted |
Forum
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Mt Rainier - east side
I'm heading to Mt Rainier coming in from the east. Our rig is 12' 6" tall and there are some tunnels and signs without reliable height numbers.
Any info on highways 410 & 123 near Chinook and Cayus passes would be appreciated.
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RickLight
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08/08/20 09:25pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Solar panel extension wires
another note: You want (well I say need) the controller to be near the battery, not on the panel. Especially if the cable is very long. A couple tenths of a volt drop in the cable really reduces charge rate.
But most every portable panel mounts a controller on the panel. Consider either removing the controller on the panel and mounting it near the battery, or bypassing it completely and using an onboard controller.
I did that and am glad I did. I also strung a steel cable along the power lines so I can lock my portable panel to the rig.
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RickLight
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08/05/20 04:51pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Solar panel extension wires
The chart above is good info, but going larger will cut the system losses.
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RickLight
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08/04/20 10:53pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Comprehensive mobile app for campsites/grounds/rules
RVLife is pretty good.
It has the Campground Reviews database, off-line RV GPS routing and can import RV Trip Wizard routing.
It uses massive memory to download the Google maps background for entire states at a time.
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RickLight
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08/04/20 10:27pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: The Way “All” 5th Wheels Frames Should Be Built
Modern engineering has routinely made products stronger and lighter using less material.
Yes the frame is critical, but far more than wall thickness is required. The engineering however is only as good as the managers will allow and the warranty will support. Both are powered by money!
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RickLight
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08/01/20 08:52pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Border closure extended
That doesn't sound very closed.
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RickLight
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06/21/20 09:48am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: First Aid Kit Contents
TV CPR is the worst trainer.
They don't want to hurt an actor, they aren't trained, don't show when/where to be careful and when not!
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RickLight
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06/18/20 06:55pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Border closure extended
My wife and I just drove home last week from Idaho to Fairbanks thru Alberta, BC and Yukon. It was very strange as after we got to Whitecourt, AB it seemed like a ghost highway and the further north we got it only got worse. Businesses closed or hanging on by a thread. Traffic was probably half what we normally see in February coming south from Fairbanks. We have done this trip for years.
I don't know the answer but hope we all make it.
Rick
I have to ask; how were the border crossings?
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RickLight
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06/18/20 06:45pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Converting Dual Generator to Run off RV Quick Disconnects
A casual question to my propane service guy garnered a derisive answer.
I don't know much about it, but these generators have an extra stage that apparently lowers the pressure well below 11".
Anybody know more??
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RickLight
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05/26/20 09:31pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Batteries
And 50% (or better) the price. I've seen the Trojans go for $400+ each, though $300 is more common.
For long term boondocking total capacity is a marginal issue. The genny picks up after the first draining, 3-5 days. Then it is just how long vs how often the genny runs.
At $75 each another battery will give you even greater capacity and still cost less. So as I first said, it comes down to your goals. Do you want to spend the cash now for battery life in 5+ years that you might not ever use?
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RickLight
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05/25/20 04:26pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Batteries
Hard to beat $75 for 100AH
https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Lead-Acid-Marine-RV-Deep-Cycle-Battery-Group-Size-24DC/180350522
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RickLight
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05/25/20 10:09am |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: F250 Payload Capacity
There are no weight police, off the internet. But overloading a rig will break something someday.
Based on my used truck experience, I'd take the rig to a scale and see what it actually weighs. Then you can calc the payload available. Brochure numbers are meaningless!
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RickLight
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05/24/20 08:37pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Batteries
In this case, would I be better off getting two new Interstates and wire them to double the amp hours?
Depending on your goals, yes. Cheaper batteries won't last as many years, but they will last as many hours as similarly rated ones. What will you do after this trip?
I wouldn't dream of going to Quartzite without a generator or lots of solar. Remember that lead acid batteries take hours to charge. Without a generator you would have to drive somewhere and spend time to get charged.
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RickLight
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05/24/20 08:21pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Batteries
Nothing wrong with those.
But if you're thinking of a short term or temporary solution there might be better choices. Golf cart batteries are good at charge cycling. They do far better than standard lead acid being deeply drained. They often come in high capacity too.
For a single trip, total amp hours is what you need. For my first long trip I got some cheap Walmart 'deep cycle'. Under $100 each! Granted I abused them and killed them in a season. I did that because like you I wasn't ready to spend big bucks on a long term kit. After that I was ready and just finished a lithium conversion. It's all in knowing your goals!
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RickLight
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05/24/20 04:38pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Want to add solar battery charger for storage use
Last winter I used a 5W panel for 300AH of lead acid. It also powered 2 ultrasonic rodent deterrents. We aren't a major winter sun zone.
You don't need to spend mega bucks!
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RickLight
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05/22/20 08:46pm |
Toy Haulers
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RE: Shore power plug conversion?
There's always these.
https://smartplug.com/rv/
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RickLight
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05/20/20 09:46pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: How to camp with electric only
Back in my backpacking days, water was always an issue. Once Giardia became common, our concerns doubled. Who wants to carry all that weight??
The good news is that it takes very little water to keep you alive and healthy. A gallon per person per day is enough, and you only drink half of that. Though more makes many things more comfortable!
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RickLight
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05/17/20 09:29pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Amp hours
Something to recognize:
Measuring voltage while something else is connected is highly deceptive. The higher the other load, the further off you will be. That includes your gas/smoke detectors.
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RickLight
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04/19/20 03:24pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Solar Charging and Amp Hours
Even those with training can forget the rock bottom basics.
The important thing is that current (amps) is a result, not a force. (Did you know batteries have resistance?)
Resistance is a property of things and as such doesn't vary easily. (Yes, very simplified) Voltage is generated and applied to a resistance. Those fundamental aspects will make current/amperage happen.
When current flows "work" can happen. Watts is a calculation we find useful to describe overall power/work.
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RickLight
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04/19/20 03:16pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Amp hours
There are 2 main ways to determine how much you use.
1. Get a battery monitor and let it measure actual use. There are hundreds of discussions here on battery monitors.
2. Try to figure out how long you use each device and multiply that by the load. This can get pretty hard and very detailed as your uses will vary. The CM detector and fridge electronics are easy, measure them if you can't find the load printed out. Water pump and USB will probably vary widely day to day. Furnace fan is a huge load, but dependant on temps, insulation and how often you open the door! There are some spreadsheets around to get you started (not sure if they are here or on other sites) but the more info you can get from your rig and your use the more accurate the estimate. Guesses by others will be all over the map!
I suppose there is one other method. I assume you have run out lately. If you can charge up what you use in a day, then you have enough solar and more battery is needed. If you only run dry at the end of a trip then more of either will help.
My solution to all this is a small generator to fill in as needed. More solar = less generator time. More battery = less frequent generator time.
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RickLight
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04/12/20 12:52pm |
Travel Trailers
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