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Subject |
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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: What is It?
I think it's the top half of a cake ball pan/mold...
https://www.cakecentral.com/tutorial/39221/make-polka-dot-surprise-inside-cake
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rdhetrick
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02/28/21 09:26pm |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
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RE: Electrical Wire Identification
OP here, to make a short story long...
Dad's coach is a 07 or 08 Fleetwood Bounder Diesel.
He recently had the 12v JC Refrigeration compressor unit installed and has had several problems with it. I've been helping him troubleshoot the problems.
The latest problem could possibly be a result of excessive voltage drop in the 12v supply to the JC unit. The JC unit is supplied with a connector that plugs directly into the 12v supply wires to the original Norcold unit after the Norcold is unplugged. They also state that the 12v supply wires should be minimum 10 gage. I have doubts that the original factory wiring to the Norcold was 10 gage, thus the question about the markings.
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rdhetrick
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02/22/21 06:14pm |
Tech Issues
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Electrical Wire Identification
Hi all,
Trying to help my dad identify some wiring in his coach for a project. Manufacturer hasn't been any help so I thought I'd try here.
He has two wires that we are trying to identify the wire size. Seems the obvious method would be to use a set of calipers, but he doesn't have any.
Anyway, there are two stranded copper wires, each with different markings. Anyone recognize the markings or format?
Wire 1: "150 FA Ground"
Wire 2: "603c GLY LPS"
I've not been able to find anything.
Thanks in advance!
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rdhetrick
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02/22/21 12:51pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Jeep towing questions.
Might depend on which Jeep you're interested in - Wrangler, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Compass, etc....
I've got personal experience with the Grand Cherokee, and can definitively say that some, but not all, automatics are flat towable. It depends entirely on the transmission. I suspect this to be true with other Jeep models, but I'm not certain. If you let us know what model you're interested in, we can give more advice.
No vehicle comes from the factory with the necessary baseplate installed, or wired for the rear signal lights. The baseplates vary by manufacturer - Blue Ox, Roadmaster, etc...I'm partial to Blue Ox, but there are others available.
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rdhetrick
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02/21/21 07:25am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: JC refrigeration AC or DC upgrade?
I think that's true if the inverter only has the losses when the compressor is running, but there is a dead load to the inverter even when it's doing nothing. I admit I haven't ran the numbers, but I've got to believe that unless you're turning the inverter off when the refer doesn't need it and on when it does, it's got to use more power over the course of a day.
Of course, but we haven't turned off our inverters except for firmware updates. Our systems (and I guess I should be abundantly clear that this is in no way unique to us) are designed around 24/7 operation in both rigs. If you don't have such a system, then DC makes more sense.
Gotcha. I don't have solar on my coach so when I'm boondocking, I turn the inverter off unless I need it.
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rdhetrick
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02/04/21 09:13am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: JC refrigeration AC or DC upgrade?
I'm late to the thread, as it looks like you've already made your purchase.
I have the 120V version in my truck camper, which uses 1.0-1.3kWh per day. I chose it because I have a native 48V bank, so it's being converted one way or the other, and I wanted the slightly extra cooling capacity.
The following is directly from their FAQ:
Q. what is the duty cycle (run time) A in our testing @ 80F the AC compressor will run approx. 56% and the DC approx. 64%, that is not opening and closing the doors. So, this will vary some according to your usage
Q. which is most the power efficient 120V or 12V A. on paper the 12V is the most efficient @ 7.5A 90W, but it runs some slower than the 120V, so in the end they are practically the same. But if no inverter is on board then the 12V is still much faster than your gas/elect.
Our compressor pulls 90W on the AC side (not 96W). At the 56% duty cycle mentioned above, that works out to 1.209kWh/day, which is in line with what we've observed.
The DC compressor is advertised to pull 90W. At the mentioned 64% duty cycle, that's 1.382kWh/day.
By those numbers, the AC version is 13% more efficient. Inverter losses are usually a little under 10%. That indicates the AC version may actually be more efficient overall, even accounting for the inverter, but just like their FAQ says, it's more or less a wash.
I think that's true if the inverter only has the losses when the compressor is running, but there is a dead load to the inverter even when it's doing nothing. I admit I haven't ran the numbers, but I've got to believe that unless you're turning the inverter off when the refer doesn't need it and on when it does, it's got to use more power over the course of a day.
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rdhetrick
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02/04/21 09:08am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: JC refrigeration AC or DC upgrade?
Why convert is my question!
In my dad's case, it is for performance reasons - his current absorption unit doesn't work great, can't get his ice cream cold enough!
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rdhetrick
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01/30/21 02:15pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: JC refrigeration AC or DC upgrade?
Why not just run on propane?
Because the conversion isn't an absorption refer - it's a compressor similar to a household refer.
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rdhetrick
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01/30/21 01:12pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: JC refrigeration AC or DC upgrade?
My Dad just got one this week, it's not installed yet so no feedback on that, but we talked it through and he went with the 12v version on his coach.
Reasoning was that when connected to shore power, the converter will provide the power, and while on the road or boondocking, he wouldn't need to run the inverter with it's losses. If by chance, the refer draws the batteries down faster than the alternator can recharge them (doubtful because I think it draws 7 or 8 Amps only when the compressor is running), he can always start up the generator.
For anyone that is planning to be mobile, I don't see a compelling reason to go with the 120v version.
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rdhetrick
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01/30/21 01:10pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Toilet Mystery
I'd guess the water pump was left on and the toilet fill valve was leaking by.
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rdhetrick
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01/07/21 09:38am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: When a sale is not a sale
Sorry it was a mess. I would consider driving it over to them if they were willing to pay a delivery fee in advance. Enough of a fee to cover fuel both ways plus a little for my time. But hooking up the Jeep is no big deal for me. There's always a Walmart or Home Depot or even a truck stop that you could park it at for a few hours
None of that intended to criticize, just offer an idea should a similar situation arise the next time...
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rdhetrick
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12/03/20 12:35pm |
RV Lifestyle
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RE: Travel Trailer Insurance
It appears I was partially wrong - when parked at home, the liability is covered under the home insurance, when parked at a campground, the liability is probably not covered under the home insurance, and when being pulled down the road, it's covered under the auto liability.
Bottom line is still the same - determine what you want protection for, see if it's included in your existing policies, and if not, start shopping.
https://www.insuramatch.com/blog/2019/04/my-camper-covered-homeowners-insurance#:~:text=When%20an%20RV%20is%20sitting,typically%20cover%20the%20associated%20expenses.
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rdhetrick
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12/03/20 06:49am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Travel Trailer Insurance
Typically, there is no liability on a travel trailer unless you're a full-timer, and that's to cover someone getting hurt while it's parked and suing you - liabilities that the normal person's home insurance would kick in for. While being towed, the two vehicle's liability kicks in and covers damage the trailer causes in an accident, up to the limits of the policy.
To be sure, your son should first check with his insurance companies (auto and home) to be sure what's covered, if anything, with respect to the trailer. If it's lacking in something specific he wants protection for, then it's time to start shopping.
I'm not an insurance agent, so I won't say I am 100% correct, but the above is my understanding.
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rdhetrick
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12/03/20 06:12am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Why are the Mr Heaters cheaper in price?
Many will go to sleep this winter with a gas heater, especially Catalytic types. And wake up... NEVER.. thanks to the heater.
I'm really curious to know actually how many people have died from this. I hear it repeated all over, but I wonder how much truth is behind it.
I came across this video a few weeks ago, for anyone using or considering using one, I think it's worth watching...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVsfXuq1KFA
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rdhetrick
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12/03/20 05:02am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Reliable Walkie Talkie?
If what you want is something better than the typical box store walkie talkie programmed for GMRS or FRS channels there are a couple of options.
Pick up a pair of Baofeng UV 5R 5W programmable units and a programming cable (ebay, amazon) and go to the chirp website to customize the radio. Many ham radio operators use these radios on ham channels as portable units,
Then program the radios to use digital keying so you won't need squelch and program them for GMRS and FRS channels along with the 5 MURS channels.
For a few more bucks you can get the rugged radios version of the same units that are much more robust, but more expensive. Rugged radios periodically puts their units on sale. Again, you'll need a programming cable and chirp website to program them.
We've used baofeng and rugged radio units for year with good luck. Available as accessories for both are larger battery packs, along with a plug in car charger unit and longer whip antennas.
As a licensed HAM operator, I can say it possible to do what was suggested above, but it's NOT legal on the FRS frequencies. Hardware is ok on the GMRS requires licensing. MURS doesn't require licensing, but I'm not sure if the hardware is allowed.
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rdhetrick
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11/22/20 10:35am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Recomendation for campground near Memphis.
I stayed at TO Fuller State Park, it was nice and close to 40. I'd stay again if I needed to be in the area.
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rdhetrick
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11/20/20 07:07pm |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Is there any difference in DRIVING a gas class A vs diesel?
I've never had a gas A, but had a 32' C. For me, the diesel A has been soooo much better in all regards.
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rdhetrick
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11/20/20 01:09pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Battery Disconnect... What does it disconnect??
Yes, the converter powers up the system even with battery disconnected.
I'll add that this is normally true, but not always. I had a 5th wheel that HAD to have a battery installed and connected for the converter to work. Without the battery (or with the battery disconnected), and while plugged in to shore power, no 12v anywhere but 120v was fine.
Didn't make any sense to me, but it was true. I'm not certain it was like that from the factory or if a previous owner did some re-wiring.
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rdhetrick
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11/19/20 06:11am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: RV GPS
Garmin RV 770 user here. I travel a lot (30,000 miles a year) and love it. Don't have to worry about having cell signal and don't have to remembering to download maps ahead of time. I like that it avoids low height and weight roads. I have lifetime map updates, seems like the updates are available about every 6 months. The only downside is the traffic feature doesn't work as well as google maps on the phone.
I set the Garmin to the destination for the day, and have free use of the phone. I'll use the phone to navigate to stops during the day like fuel and rest areas.
If you're on the move a lot, I'd recommend a dedicated RV GPS. If you just travel occasionally, you're probably fine with just a smartphone.
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rdhetrick
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10/31/20 05:39am |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Air for tires on Type A
You could try squirting it with some penetrating oil...that might loosen it up.
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rdhetrick
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10/22/20 06:52am |
Class A Motorhomes
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