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Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Wolf Creek 840 Goes Lithium
Hi,
A nice clean install. I hope it will serve you well.
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pianotuna
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06/04/23 10:01pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Charging batteries with a small generator
OP here.
If while the generator is running, I turn off the fridge (pulling the fuse if need be) would that give me a better charge?
If the generator is able to power both the fridge and the converter (rv speak for battery charger) then shutting off the fridge will make no difference except for a tiny bit more fuel used.
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pianotuna
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06/04/23 09:56pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Charging batteries with a small generator
1 or 2 batteries is minimal for boondocking. I started with 7.
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pianotuna
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06/04/23 06:23pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: RV decision
Buy privately. Spend the money needed to have an RV mobile repairman inspect and test all the various systems. Look for water leaks. Look harder for leaks. LOOK HARD FOR LEAKS.
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pianotuna
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06/04/23 09:54am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Camping World or not?
Do a private sale deal. Do hire a mobile home travelling mechanic to check over any unit that is being considered for purchase. Look for water leaks. Look harder for leaks. LOOK HARD FOR LEAKS.
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pianotuna
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06/04/23 09:51am |
Camping World RV Sales
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RE: Voltage protector 110V?
A curve-ball question: 1000-1200W PSW inverter with auto transfer switch that transfers when AC drops to adjustable 90-105V, not when AC disappears. Long recovery delay would've been nice, I'd rather keep it on inverter longer than switch on-off repeatedly. Is there such a thing, or at least a 30A switch with these features?
Hi Almot,
There are "load support" inverter chargers. Unfortunately they are not "voltage support". That's how I ended up with an autoformer.
Mine is a Magnum 3012. Perhaps some kind soul with a Victron inverter can check to see if they do "voltage support" rather than "load support".
I can "force" the Magnum to do voltage support--but only if I lower the input amperage a GREAT deal. I don't remember the actual numbers but on a 30 amp supply I seem to remember I could set it to limit the shore power to 8 or 9 amps--which then "forced" voltage support.
The Magnum didn't like being "forced". DAMHIK
Another way to protect the RV is to plug in ONLY the converter, and then plug the RV into the output of the inverter. This is known as double conversion. I used to do it regularly when I had a 2500 watt inverter. One of the locations I would visit had a 15 amp breaker that would trip at 8 amps. So would avoid the trip by using double conversion. This trick doesn't work with the Magnum. It has a large surge when it is first plugged in and that blows the reverse polarity fuses. I guess I could try turning on the inverter first--and then plugging in the converter. I wanted to do that when the Magnum would trip GFI outlets.
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pianotuna
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06/03/23 08:37pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Feedback on 12V water heater element as solar diversion load
Question: what would happen if it was a 500 watt element for 24V DC?
500 watt 24V DC cartridge heater 1/2 inch NPT
The output will drop by the square of the voltage.
24 x 24 = 576
12 x 12 = 144
So with a 24 volt element running at 12 volts the wattage would be 1/4 of 500 watts, i.e. 125 watts.
If you could find a 24 volt element that was 2000 watts @ 24 volts and run it at 12 volts then the output would be 500 watts.
I expect you would find you need the element called "unobtainium" to get the results you are hoping for.
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pianotuna
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06/03/23 08:28pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: What is the lowest voltage you have seen?
My lowest is just below 100. That is when the AC fan is set to auto, and both the fan and compressor start up nearly the same time.
However this low voltage, is just a second or two, so you'd have to be watching the meter closely. It quickly returns to 112-116, depending on other electronics running.
I don't feel this quick spike is hurting anything, and is normal.
What are others thoughts, as to very brief low voltage, on AC startup?
Jerry
I think that there will be spikes. Some folks on other threads have mentioned as low as 65 volts (iirc). That would concern me. And other campers on the same loop would have the spike/brown out happen to their RV's too.
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pianotuna
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06/03/23 01:23pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: What is the lowest voltage you have seen?
The lower the voltage, the higher the current draw... Things are cooking somewhere! Maybe - resistive loads will have lower amps with lower voltage. Inductive loads like motors will have higher amps if they maintain the same horsepower.
Years ago I measured my A/C, lower voltage resulted in lower amps because the motor produced less HP. Several others reported the same.
Not suggesting low voltage is OK...:B
92 is seriously LOW!
Interesting on the measurements. I've not seen that happening--but to be fair I was not looking either. I merely suffered without roof air.
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pianotuna
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06/03/23 01:20pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: What is the lowest voltage you have seen?
That's tough on electronics. The lower the voltage, the higher the current draw... Things are cooking somewhere!
Only inductive loads are bothered.
Which is why I invested in an autoformer. Lowest I've seen with the autoformer is 108. I have it set to cut in at about 113.
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pianotuna
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06/03/23 01:18pm |
Tech Issues
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What is the lowest voltage you have seen?
For me, 97 volts.
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pianotuna
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06/03/23 07:55am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Voltage protector 110V?
Almot,
Nice find! Thanks.
I do wish it were a 30 amp unit.
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pianotuna
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06/03/23 07:40am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Water pump sucking air
replace the hose between the pump and the water tank. The other possible cause is the pick up tube inside the tank.
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pianotuna
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05/30/23 09:52am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Honda 2200i travel
A non issue if the genny is secured.
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pianotuna
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05/30/23 09:50am |
Technology Corner
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RE: towing with a Tesla
BTW, btw, the powers that be said they will not make a new battery for my plug in electric car, and they won't fix it even though it is under warranty. I will learn how much money I will receive this week.
Fun times for sure.
Hi,
What vehicle is that?
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pianotuna
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05/30/23 09:16am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: House Battery charging
OK, I don't see how I reply to everyones Individual posts so thanks to all who responded. My electrical panel shows Model number WF8914. Yes, I do have the exact same BiRd unit on the side of my battery unit. Your photo looks exactly the same as my Jambroee. I would post a picture but I don't see how I show a picture in my post like you guys. Maybe someone can point me in the right direct. TU agn for your help.
Alan Zack, CWO, USCG, Ret
The WF series are not good. Consider replacement with something else.
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pianotuna
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05/29/23 10:15pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: House Battery charging
How old were the batteries?
Another option to storage charging is a modest solar charging system.
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pianotuna
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05/28/23 09:43am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Bad Experience at Little Dealer Service Department
I need a service department rarely. However, I do bring in a treat for the staff once per year.
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pianotuna
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05/26/23 07:59am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: towing with a Tesla
Regardless of its 'ability' to tow, it's still a pretty lightweight vehicle for the job. I'll take a hard pass on that one.
base model 3,582 lbs.
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pianotuna
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05/23/23 11:26am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Is it better to be hooked to short power in storage? or not?
It depends.
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pianotuna
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05/22/23 09:20pm |
Travel Trailers
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