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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Generator pros and cons
I use my Honda 2000 once or twice a year. Does what I need. I follow the manuals instruction for storage; full gas tank with stabil, drain the carb, and it's good for up to a year. Pull a few times to get gas through the carb & she starts.
Also used it when my house lost power for 3 1/2 days. Ran extension cords to power fridge, sat tv, computer, lights, and my neighbors fridge and a light. I used an extended tank to run it for over a day before refueling. I'm thinking of having a transfer switch installed or getting the furnace powerline altered to have a plug end so I could use an extension cord for it.
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steveh27
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10/12/19 12:28pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Comments on cancel your car Insurance
I have AAA insurance. In Early Dec I park the rv and will not drive it for months. I have AAA cut all coverage except comprehensive which covers damage to a 'stored' vehicle. I reinstate full coverage when I head to FLA in late Jan. That's when I cut all coverage to my car except comprehensive and leave it in Michigan. This saves almost $100/month, course Michigan has the highest insurance rates.
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steveh27
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10/01/19 07:40am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: RV toilet with a self contained holding tank
I have Thetford's recirculating toilet with it's own black tank.
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steveh27
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09/26/19 05:14am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: propane tank removal
rv jj,
I see you are in my neighborhood. am interested in this as well. I have a 1997 Xplorer 230XL. I sand and paint my propane tank under the van every 2 years or so. But I'm thinking I should have it replaced. It seems only RV shops do that. None of the propane or tank places I have called do that. I would not try this myself. I found the tank for $470 or so, but the one rv shop, Klines in Warren, said they would supply the tank (to make the profit on it) and would charge $130/hour for the labor.
Here is the tank. You can see where it is mounted.
https://www.rvautoparts.com/6814-Manchester-Tank-Propane-Tank-ASME-Permanent-Mount-Tank_p_34213.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI38e8-trz4wIVy8DACh0sygokEAQYBSABEgIZMPD_BwE
We should meet to show each our Xplorers.
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steveh27
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08/17/19 05:29am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Class B on a Dodge Chassis - When did they go bad?
I have a 1997 Xplorer 230XL on a Dodge chassis. I put rear wheel spacers on it. I love it and it runs well and I'm keeping it forever. I got it in 2000 and now have 192,000 miles on it.
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steveh27
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08/06/19 05:39am |
Tech Issues
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RE: A new trend in RV fridges?
Yesterday I sent Dometic a request to go back to making at least one model 3 way small fridge without electronic controls so when boondocking on propane it will not draw power from the house battery. My 1997 has a Dometic rM 2310 which does not draw power. But it's getting old & I had to repair it this summer. When I checked into replacements they drew so much power when on propane that I could not camp anymore. My Class B does not have a built in genny & I usually do not drag along my Honda 2000. I do have a portable solar panel which worked well in Fl for 33 days this winter, but that would not have kept up with the newer fridge draw. Hope mine holds together as I doubt Dometic will see the needs of a few boondockers.
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steveh27
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08/02/19 05:26am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Hehr window replacement for an older Roadtrek
I just replaced my Hehr window operator. I think I got it from Lippert, but there are some on ebay. If that is what you need make sure you get the right one.
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steveh27
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08/01/19 05:38am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Real small motor homes; value?
I've had my Class B, a 1997 Xplorer 230XL, the best of the B's when it came out, since 2000. I got it for $27,000 and will never sell it. I sleep in it 60-75 nights a year, and full time in FLA for Feb-Mar. I am single & usually travel solo. I usually stay in one spot for 6 days or so.
I do not like the Sprinter vans for several reasons; diesel not gas, seem too narrow and tall, and too expensive.
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steveh27
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07/28/19 07:00am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: LIFePO4 batteries - interesting challenges
SOC seems to work OK with the Trimetric and my lifepo4.
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steveh27
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07/24/19 05:18am |
Tech Issues
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RE: LIFePO4 batteries - interesting challenges
My invertor is only 400 watts, so I'll not be having a huge draw, but will have much more usable power. I'll try to attach a pic. It's not pretty, but it's working.
https://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/media/img_2664-1.121275/full
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steveh27
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07/23/19 10:37am |
Tech Issues
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RE: LIFePO4 batteries - interesting challenges
I just installed my 2 Lifepo4 batteries, each 100 ah to give me 200 ah in my very small space battery box in my Class B. They have BMS which I cannot see or change. I have the PD4635 charger and they told me to just keep it in boost mode while charging. I have Trimetric 2025 meter & they gave specs for me to use:
For Lithium LFP batteries, the changes needed are as follows:
P1 - 14.4 Volts.
P2 - 2% of P3 (battery bank capacity)
P3 - Battery Bank capacity in Amp-hrs
P7 - L3
P10 - 98%
P14 - 0.00 hrs
When pugged in all went well with these settings. I now have it unplugged. Probably will not boondock until October 20. That will tell me a lot.
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steveh27
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07/23/19 08:47am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Fridge On Propane Battery Amp Hr Draw??? How Much
I wish Dometic would still make a fridge without electronic controls which draw electricity. My 22 year old RM2310 draws no power when on propane. It's new replacement draws around 2.5 amps which would kill my battery when boondocking.
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steveh27
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07/17/19 05:01am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Switch to LIFePO4?
I have some LiFePo4's on order. Here is what Trimetric told me:
We have a link below to the TM-2025's User Manual. In it you'll find, on pages 6 & 7, a description of all the 'P' parameters.
For Lithium LFP batteries, the changes needed are as follows:
P1 - 14.4 Volts.
P2 - 2% of P3 (battery bank capacity)
P3 - Battery Bank capacity in Amp-hrs
P7 - L3
P10 - 98%
P14 - 0.00 hrs
http://www.bogartengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/docs/TM-2025%20Users%20Instructions062017.pdf
I also talked to PD re my PD4635 charger/converter. They said I should keep the boost mode button on.
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steveh27
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07/01/19 05:44am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Change to Lithium-ion?
The link shows 100ah. Op is gone.
Yes it does, but as my earlier post stated, I contacted them via email and they constructed 2 to meet my batt box size requirements and give 200AH.
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steveh27
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06/28/19 10:38am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Change to Lithium-ion?
I wish I had room for 2 gc batteries, but I do not even have room for one, too high. The one I have on order comes with the BMS. I was thinking of buying Walmart's 135ah agm for $400, but this 200 ah lifepo should give me much more usable ahs.
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steveh27
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06/28/19 04:58am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Change to Lithium-ion?
Those chinese batteries sure look interesting. Interesting is a good word. I don't know what the cable size is, and I guess you have to install your own connectors.
They're including 2 terminals with 4 connections each. Also sent a wiring diagram.
I'll post how the hookup goes when I get it.
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steveh27
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06/27/19 01:32pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Change to Lithium-ion?
I am awaiting delivery of 200 ah of these batteries for my Class B. They come with BMS and mounting terminals.
https://www.amazon.com/3-2V100Ah-Lithium-Power-car-Radio-3-2V100AH/dp/B07LBFQGKX/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3QDVAKORNTUG0&keywords=lithium%2Brv%2Bbattery%2B200ah&qid=1560184054&s=gateway&sprefix=lithium%2Brv%2Csporting%2C175&sr=8-1-spons&th=1
They said all my wiring and charging systems will work. I have a PD4635.
I only have room for 1 lead acid battery of 105ah. So I should have much more amps to use 80% of 200 = 160, vs 50% 0f 105= 52. They're supposed to charge faster and better so I will not be adding to my 120 watt portable solar panel. My only concern is Using it in the 1st week of December can be cold. This is their reply:
Our LiFePO4 battery working temperature is -20 to +60 Degree C for discharging, and 0 to 60 Degree C for charging, -10 to +45 Degree C for stock. And we have done testing at -20 Degree C, the result should make sure battery have 60% more capacity under this condition.
I hope my Trimetric meter will give good info on it's status.
I emailed with the factory to meet my small battery size for 200ah and they came up with a set. They had me buy through Alibaba (a first) for $1,400.
I spend at least 30 days snowbirding in FLA without hookups and some here in Michigan.
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steveh27
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06/27/19 06:15am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Home monitoring system?
I do not have a smart phone, saves a lot of money but means most of those discussed things do me no good. But I do have a great neighbor who gets my daily mail & waters the plants. I leave the temp at 52 and the water heater on pilot.
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steveh27
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06/21/19 06:12am |
Technology Corner
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RE: LiFePO4 Battery
I went with these:
https://www.amazon.com/3-2V100Ah-Lithium-Power-car-Radio-3-2V100AH/dp/B07LBFQGKX/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3QDVAKORNTUG0&keywords=lithium%2Brv%2Bbattery%2B200ah&qid=1560184054&s=gateway&sprefix=lithium%2Brv%2Csporting%2C175&sr=8-1-spons&th=1
I emailed with the factory to meet my small battery size for 200ah and they came up with a set. They had me buy through Alibaba (a first) for $1,400.
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steveh27
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06/20/19 05:25am |
Tech Issues
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LiFePO4 Battery
I just ordered 200 ah of these batteries for my Class B. They said all my wiring and charging systems will work. I only have room for 1 lead acid battery of 105ah. So I should have much more amps to use 80% of 200 = 160, vs 50% 0f 105= 52. I will not drain them that much. Usually kept the lead acid above 70% SOC so will do the same with the lithium. They're supposed to charge faster and better so I will not be adding to my 120 watt portable solar panel. My only concern is Using it in the 1st week of December can be cold. They may not charge much below freezing.
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steveh27
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06/19/19 01:51pm |
Tech Issues
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