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Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: How much SOLAR?
After you cart around panels for a year you may rethink putting them on the roof.
X2
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pianotuna
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11/12/19 11:09am |
Tech Issues
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RE: battery charging
There is some evidence that cycling helps batteries last longer. I'd suggest that one day per week you run from the battery bank.
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pianotuna
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11/11/19 09:48pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: How much SOLAR?
Hi Gulfcoast,
I have 256 watts and that is NOT enough to run the items you have mentioned. I'd go for 400 watts.
I never thought 100 watts would be enough, but I will probably try 200 the first trip. I can always add more easily.
The only thing, I sure don't want to get out at 3am to fire up the champion inverter to run the furnace.
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pianotuna
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11/11/19 08:59pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: How much SOLAR?
Hi,
Do an energy audit using a kill-a-watt meter. Measure what you use in 3 days, running only those items you intend to use in Arizona. From that calculate the battery bank size. Then get enough solar to completely recharge the bank on a good solar day.
For further thoughts, surf here:
https://freecampsites.net/adding-solar/
I much prefer fixed installations. They don't grow wings.
Another kinda vague solar question... but it's about the best I can do.
If a guy headed to southern Arizona in the winter months and wanted to have enough solar for a TV, travel trailer furnace, lights, to charge a laptop daily, and keep the trailer electronics going....
On average, how many watts would I need? 200 - 300 - 400? I will use 6-volt golf cart batteries.
You guys that do it often have some idea on what is needed.
Thanks for your help.
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pianotuna
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11/11/19 05:52pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Strange house battery issue
Make and model of converter?
Use a volt meter to check voltage under load.
How old are the batteries?
How long to you charge them before a trip?
Have you ever equalized the battery bank?
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pianotuna
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11/11/19 05:43pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Propane Tank Gauge,recomendations please
Hi,
It boils at -43.6 F but at -40 you won't get much vapor. I do carry a tank heater, but have never had to use it.
To expand on what's stated above, the cheap screw on gauges are absolutely worthless. Propane is stored under pressure as a liquid and it boils off at -22f creating the pressurized gas at the top of the tank.
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pianotuna
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11/11/19 05:37pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Hearing problem need wireless mic and ear piece
Handling improved. Mileage only if a tail wind. The biggest difference was noise level. Laminar flow improvement???
When I added Air Tabs the noise level in the cab dropped dramatically making speech at normal volume possible.
Interesting. The airtabs I have scene are located on the rear of the rig and owner comments are generally focused on handling and mileage. Any thoughts on why sound levels in cab are lower?
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pianotuna
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11/11/19 03:38pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Hearing problem need wireless mic and ear piece
When I added Air Tabs the noise level in the cab dropped dramatically making speech at normal volume possible.
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pianotuna
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11/11/19 08:41am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Is a fuse a fuse?
Hi,
There is no need to fuse the panels at the combiner box. In fact it is undesirable to do so.
A switch after the combiner box close to the charge controller is a good plan.
If using MPPT controller, wire for highest input voltage and use a DC rated switch or circuit breaker.
I'm fusing my solar panels individually in the combiner box before they are combined. Initially, I purchased the 15a MC-4 fuse holder and the connectors. This came out to about 6-1/2" long. Too long for my combiner box with all the other hardware in there. So, can I use any automotive inline type fuse and fuse holder so long as the the fuse size is right and the wire size(10ga) is the same? The reason I ask is the conductor/fuse is real small on an automotive 15a and I always concern my self with not carrying as much juice cause of the small fuse link compared to the 10ga wire? Meaning, is there a "special" solar fuse that carries more juice?
Thanks,
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pianotuna
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11/10/19 11:12am |
Tech Issues
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RE: No one is heading south?
Heading south on Nov 20--later than I would prefer. 3700 k to Florida.
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pianotuna
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11/08/19 11:35am |
Snowbirds
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RE: Sticker shock
my most recent bill:
1,736.45 for parts
560 for labor (8 hours)
56 for shop materials
126.18 federal sales tax
151.42 provincial sales tax
2801.24 total.
new leaf springs, with extra leaf on both sides, new monro shocks, timbrens, various small parts such as u bolts and nuts. I'm exceedingly happy with this.
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pianotuna
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11/08/19 11:20am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Help and Advice on a badly placed 5th wheel
Consider using a skid steer or small tractor.
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pianotuna
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11/07/19 06:53pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Bizarre text this morning at 1:48
You don't need to worry until you start receiving messages before they were sent. LOL
When we travel it's common to get some prior messages. Might be due to different computers serving different locations and not being in sync.
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pianotuna
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11/07/19 06:39pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Battery storage
Hi profdant139,
1% per day for an old tired worn out jar.
6% per month for a brand spanking new battery.
The colder it is the slower the chemical reaction--so cold storage is better so long as the battery is fully charged to start with.
That said, I will leave my car on a 1 amp charger for 3 hours per day for the next 120 days. But that is because of parasitic loads from the vehicle.
So I am going to display my ignorance, once again -- I had thought that if a battery is left disconnected, it will discharge about one percent per day. And after a couple of months, that discharge could shorten the battery's useful life.
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pianotuna
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11/07/19 04:33pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Does anyone use Google FI for their cellular service?
HackerAce,
What is a burst over?
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pianotuna
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11/07/19 04:27pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Sticker shock
I believe the mechanic should get the lions share of the service fee. Unfortunately the opposite is a fact of life.
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pianotuna
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11/07/19 11:52am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Battery storage
so long as battery is fully charged and disconnected the colder it is the better for the battery.
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pianotuna
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11/07/19 11:40am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Loose doors and cabineet panels
I used water thin CA glue for wood to deal with loose panels. That was in 2009. They are still just fine.
A bungee cord on the bathroom door works for trundling down the road.
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pianotuna
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11/06/19 05:03pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Extended Warrantee?
Put the money aside and start a reserve fund for future repairs and replacements such as tires.
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pianotuna
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11/06/19 04:58pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Last Post, DW has died
Ron,
It's wonderful that you did not "put things off".
I'm going to be in the same circumstance as far as a partner goes. I hope to do LOTS before the end. Thanks for the inspiration.
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pianotuna
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11/06/19 03:39pm |
General RVing Issues
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