| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Toilet Tissue...
Single Ply? Gotta use a ton of it to be of much use...
|
obiwancanoli
|
07/29/21 08:10am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Solar panels
10W of Solar is probably for the chassis battery. Adding a 100W solar panel is a start, but better you should be thinking 400-500 W (3-5 panels). These would recharge your "House" batteries, which power your electric needs.
There may be some small charging going on if the panels are under shade, but for all practical purposes, parking in shade won't do much to charge the batteries without some kind of portable panel you can place facing the sun.
|
obiwancanoli
|
07/29/21 08:06am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: East Side of Sierra options
That doesn't look very passable for my 35' Class A and toad...
|
obiwancanoli
|
07/27/21 05:33pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
|
|
East Side of Sierra options
Hi!
Planning to boondock the East side of the Sierra, anywhere from Lee Vining to Bishop...
Never been to this area before, any suggestions for a great site?
Thank you!
|
obiwancanoli
|
07/26/21 07:30pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
|
|
RE: Dedicated Battery to power cooler, solar re-charged
Thanks
|
obiwancanoli
|
07/15/21 12:21pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Dedicated Battery to power cooler, solar re-charged
OK, it seems I'm not being clear in describing my need here. Let's try it this way...
Assume the MH is not in the picture... just me, my SUV, and the portable/mobile fridge/freezer. I have a lighter-type plug in the cargo section which the portable will plug into, and it will run the cooler no problem while the engine is running. When the engine is NOT running, I could power the cooler via the plug, and the cooler has a battery protection system which shuts down the power draw when the battery gets to minimum SOC. In this case, the portable will keep things cool or frozen, losing about 1 degree per hour.
My goal here is to set up a separate battery from which the cooler can be powered, and, to recharge the battery, I would employ a portable solar panel(s) with sufficient capacity to recharge the battery everything's attached to. If it's relatively easy to do so, perhaps a system which ties this independent battery to the alternator so that when the car is running, it will also charge the independent battery might also be worth considering...
That help?
|
obiwancanoli
|
07/15/21 10:56am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Favorite foods to make bulk and freeze for the road?
Update: I opted for the Instapot Duo Crisp, which comes with an Air Fryer lid, and so far, have made Chili, Beef Stew, Goulash, and Cabbage Rolls... a flat of locally grown strawberries also included for something sweet... Also found the Instapot will fit within my sinks, so, there's the option of taking it along when on the road. Probably not necessary, considering the amount of food I've made, and filled my Dometic 75DZ with - about a month's worth of prepared foods, not including what the MH's fridge/freezer will hold... I think I've got this pretty well organized, and appreciate everyone's help and suggestions.
Though one doesn't really NEED the Instapot for most of these things, it does make the process easier, and takes much less time. And while I reluctantly committed to cleaning up my home kitchen, I'm much less desirous of this when on the road. If I can keep the ice cream from softening or melting, I'm good to go!
Thanks to all for your contributions!
|
obiwancanoli
|
07/15/21 09:06am |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
|
|
RE: Dedicated Battery to power cooler, solar re-charged
Agreed on the variables, and considered that... using house batteries would otherwise be workable, but in cases where vehicle isn't situated for easy access, I'd need a pretty long connection to reach those batteries, an inconvenience I'm hoping to avoid... installing a separate battery, say, in close proximity to the cooler using it, would require no more than the connection that comes with the portable solar panel. Further, when the vehicle is being used and driven, the connecting & disconnecting of said house battery connection would be unnecessary. Greater portability and access to sunlight of the panel is also a potential advantage
|
obiwancanoli
|
07/13/21 07:11pm |
Tech Issues
|
 |
Dedicated Battery to power cooler, solar re-charged
This topic has been moved to another forum.
You can read it here: 30260616
|
obiwancanoli
|
07/13/21 06:07pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
|
|
Dedicated Battery to power cooler, solar re-charged
I recently acquired a powered mobile cooler/freezer which I plan to house in one of the storage bays in my Class A. In this configuration, it can be powered by an accessible AC plug, and will sit on a slide-out tray for ease of access. The cooler measures 33 L x 20 H x 19 Deep.
It can also be powered via DC, and would be an easy fit for the back of my SUV, where I have a DC lighter-type plug for access. DC rated consumption is average of 1.43 Ah/h, and includes 3-stage battery protection system, preventing deep draw, and dead battery.
I'd like to install a separate battery, to power the cooler when vehicle is not running, and set it up so that this battery may be recharged via a portable solar panel (120W). The battery would be encased in a plastic case designed for such purpose, but I'm unsure how to put something like this together. Doesn't seem difficult, just need to know the right components to do so... I'm considering AGM, but open to Lithium for all the reasons one would want it, including fast recharging.
Cooler manufacturer offers a LI 40Ah batter for $850, but for that, I can pick up a 100Ah and hopefully secure the components to achieve my objective...
Anyone done something like this? Sure would appreciate the many voices of experience here... thanks!
|
obiwancanoli
|
07/13/21 06:07pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: time to renew
All I can say is my experience.
3 years ago we had a neighbors tree fall and total our 4 year old Redwood Fifth wheel. We had Progressive and boy were they awesome to deal with.... Within 3 weeks, we had a check in hand with ZERO arguments... Well worth it.
Considering how clear the damage, and fault, was, it was a slam-dunk claim. Paying quickly was in their best interests... It was a legitimate claim
|
obiwancanoli
|
07/12/21 09:43am |
Good Sam Insurance
|
|
RE: 12v coolers
Dometic 75DZ Update: Had it running for 11 days now, filling it up with some of the bulk food items I've been busy in the kitchen with. Just a few items, a few of which I put in thawed, to see how the unit would perform in freezing... I must say, I'm very pleased with this mobile fridge/freezer. Been holding steady at 5 degrees since the beginning. Not as cheap s the ICECO, which I'm sure is a great unit, just noting my Dometic appears to have been a wise and prudent purchase. Very happy!
|
obiwancanoli
|
07/11/21 09:48pm |
General RVing Issues
|
|
RE: 12v coolers
Hello everyone, our last camping trip into the Eastern Sierras where the temp stayed near 92 for a week and a half has caused my to look into buying a 12v freezer/fridge cooler. Such as: Dometic CFX75DZW 12v Electric Powered Cooler, Fridge Freezer. We spent a lot of money on ice, and I want peace of mind that our food won't go bad. So I was hoping to get some insight from anyone here who has experience with this type of product. We have a tent trailer with no real means for refrigeration, and so must rely on a cooler. We go for multiple weeks when we go so I think I need a cooler that is at least 75 qts, since our current cooler is around 110 qts. So what should I be looking for, any thoughts? Thank you for your help.
Eric
How coincidental...
I recently (Memorial Day sale) bought the Dometic 75DZ, and as a test, set it for 5 degrees, and threw in some foods I planned to freeze... sure enough, the next day, food was frozen solid. I like the dual-zone idea, and was looking for something to use much as you do. I also like that it runs on both AC and DC, with long enough cords for any plug.
It's been 6 days since I put food to freeze in it, including ice cream, and so far, I am not disappointed. Pricey, yes, but to me, worth every penny if it does what it's advertised to do. I bought it mainly for boondocking applications, and the preparation of bulk food in preparation for a trip, so I have plenty of room for food storage.
|
obiwancanoli
|
07/07/21 09:51am |
General RVing Issues
|
|
RE: Cost to have someone wash your FW
The guy I use has a mobile wash business... last time charged $90 to do complete wash, including roof
|
obiwancanoli
|
07/05/21 08:37pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Dometic portable fridge/freezer
Well, after having the unit plugged in for 3 days, it has easily maintained the 5 degree temp I set for both sides/zones. While only put frozen food in one side, I wanted to see how both would do. Yes, I can turn off one side or the other, but it looks like this one's gonna make me glad I picked it up... on sale!
|
obiwancanoli
|
07/02/21 07:56pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: My Newmar 3436 Fridge - 120 Vs. Propane
Also, by the way, I learned that stuffing my freezer to the gills was the primary culprit, since it did not allow much air space for cold air to circulate. I had the thing packed full and tight... no wonder... another reason I recently picked up a Dometic Dual Zone 75DZ to accommodate the additional space needed for the frozen goods
|
obiwancanoli
|
06/29/21 11:36am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Dometic portable fridge/freezer
Its the greatest thing ever!
The only issue is where to locate the chest as your RV is made for a front-opening fridge, not a top-opening...
Actually, the plan was to store in in one of the storage bays, AFTER I install a sliding tray to house it There's a plug on the wall behind where it will sit.
|
obiwancanoli
|
06/29/21 11:26am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Dometic portable fridge/freezer
I'm planning to install a sliding tray for the pass-thru to hold the fridge/freezer, as there's a plug in there I can tap into, and it would be convenient to have it stored in the RV... but, until I do that, I'm probably going to put it in the back of my SUV, as I've got a 12V plug I can run it off there, too.
One of my concerns here is how much power it may draw if left powered by the SUV's battery system... from what I can surmise, it doesn't draw a lot of juice, but of course, I don't want to drain the SUV battery either.. any thoughts out there as to the workability of my plan?
|
obiwancanoli
|
06/27/21 11:45pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Sliding Storage Tray
When we upgraded to our current coach I did not skimp on storage. spent several days perusing data and measuring then bought 2 full slides for both of my pass throughs. Truck shipped - heavy but easy to maneuver and install. Came completely ready to bolt in place. Great quality and I have enjoyed the access. MORryde - found them at a great price on amazon $600/ea buy well worth it to me.
Just the kind of input I was looking for - thanks for your post
|
obiwancanoli
|
06/25/21 11:20pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
|
|
RE: Smaller Holding Tanks...What to do when NO hookups??
As Mitch says, sponge baths.
Use baby wipes to clean up.
Use the campground bathrooms as much as possible (save the RV toilet for middle of the night needs).
See if showers are available at nearby campgrounds (in California, the USFS campgrounds are often in groupings and at least one will have showers that you can use).
If there is a dump station nearby, you can use a portable waste tote to empty tanks as needed.
This might work... Epic Body Wipes
|
obiwancanoli
|
06/25/21 01:25am |
Travel Trailers
|
|
