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Forum
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RE: RV decision
That said, if you are reasonably handy, it's not nearly as big of a deal as they make it out to be. Biggest thing is to keep it sealed up so water doesn't get in.
That can be very difficult to do !
The typical rubber membrane roof deteriorates in direct sunlight. It needs to be washed at least once a year and sprayed with a UV protectorant (twice a year if you live in the southern US and store outside).
Despite what manufacturers will tell you, no caulk/sealant lasts forever.
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theoldwizard1
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06/04/23 06:10pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Charging batteries with a small generator
Until the batteries are fully charged. :B
With that small genny and electric fridge plus other power usage, I would say the genny needs to run most of the day.
Some small generators have a 12V DC output. DO NOT USE IT !! Use a standard AC powered charger.
The original question is too vague. Too many variables.
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theoldwizard1
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06/04/23 06:04pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: RV decision
... after reading numerous comments and articles on the quality and reliability issues with newer travel trailers we have begun to rethink doing this. I’m a fairly good carpenter, woodworker and shade tree mechanic. So, repairing minor issues wouldn’t be a problem. Structural issues on the other hand scare me. Would a motor home be more reliable than a travel trailer or similar?
No ! Class C motor homes are built using the same structural design. (Plywood floors. Wood wall studs. Wood ceiling trusses. Plywood roof and side sheathing.)
Would an older travel trailer be more reliable (pre-COVID years)? Thanks for any input.
A couple of years is good. Big price drop. Not necessarily a big quality improvement.
You are hitting on the reason why I am currently out of RVing (plus age) ! IMHO, for a $20,000 travel trailer, I would gladly pay an additional 10%-15% for better materials and workmanship. Rot proof floors. Commercial grade TPO roofing (zero maintenance). Better/more insulation. All electric, no propane. Residential mini-split heat pump.
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theoldwizard1
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06/04/23 07:39am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Camping World or not?
Shop around -- look for the best deal.
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I would NEVER purchase a new RV. Let the first owner suffer the large first year deprecation and new RV service problems.
Excellent advice !
Better yet, rent for a weekend trip close to home. You may decide that RVing is not for you !
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theoldwizard1
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06/04/23 07:26am |
Camping World RV Sales
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RE: F150 5.0 V8 or V6 Twin Turbo
I have a 2022 F150 2.7L Ecoboost twin turbo. Plenty of power for light towing. Non-towing fuel economy is wrong 20 mpg !
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theoldwizard1
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06/01/23 12:33pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: getting thru Atlanta
Assuming no construction ...
Take I-75 straight through before 6AM or after 8PM. Check the events calendar for sports or concerts.
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theoldwizard1
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05/31/23 07:11pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Should be simple WiFi question, but???
On the router change the name of the 5 GHz to same name CAPITALIZED.
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theoldwizard1
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05/24/23 02:03pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: New Super Duty on order
We just finished our 1st year towing with a F350 Lariat SWR with the 7.3 gasser. Our 5th wheel has a dry weight of 12,175 lbs. & is almost 35' long. The truck does not struggle towing our rig at all - the 10 speed automatic transmission will downshift when pulling uphill, but that is normal for this truck.
I assume the transmission is in tow mode. What gear does it hold on a flat level highway ?
What kind of fuel economy are you getting ?
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theoldwizard1
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05/05/23 05:47pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Lighter weight power cord
Well we built our own with correct ends for 50 amp cable. The cable is 6/4 SOOW electrical cable. It is rubber insulated rather than PVC. Stays flexible even below freezing.
6/4 SOOW cable
There is no need to use SOOW cordage ! It is rated for 600V. SJOOW is rated for 300V. Also rubber insulated.
Depending on the length, you probably only needed 8/4.
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theoldwizard1
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05/02/23 11:08am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Got a Amazon fire TV stick
Why do you have to have a firestick to download them to your phone?
You can just download them right from the app on your phone, then just use an HDMI from the phone to the tv.
Never heard of a phone with an HDMI connector.
Never heard of a phone that can video out of a USB-C through an adapter to an HDMI connection.
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theoldwizard1
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04/28/23 07:57pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Square wave inverter to LFP battery?
I would be interested in something over 1000W if I get around to adding a residential fridge and possibly a separate small freezer. I hear that compressor start-up wattage could exceed 600W - and if both machines start at the same time and I happen to run a small microwave at this exact moment (1400W input), I don't even know what could be the total wattage, 3000W?
First, refrigerators, freezers, A/C and microwaves do NOT do well on MSW inverters. They will run hot, and are less efficient.
Sizing an inverter and battery bank for "worst case" starting current is not logical. Unplug the 'fridge when you want to run the microwave and vice-versa.
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theoldwizard1
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04/26/23 08:00pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: telcom battery bank
Hi all,
... I'll be able to rescue the telcom jars.
Some telecom jars were about 4' tall !
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theoldwizard1
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04/26/23 07:49pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Square wave inverter to LFP battery?
If it works for the loads you have (which never run very long) stick with what you have !
If you are looking for something that will run a heavier load (more than 500W) then get a true sine wave.
The sad thing is, with modern electronics, for inverters under 1000W, there there is really only about $10-$20 more parts going from a MSW to a pure sine wave. Even for BIG ones, the additional part are under $50 (unless you are going with a low frequency inverter).
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theoldwizard1
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04/23/23 07:39pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Micro Air
... my view is that the Autoformer is no substitute for a Micro-Air, because of it’s slower response time, a characteristic of it’s slower transformer based induction response time versus the MicroAir’s near light-speed response mosfets…
Here is the short electrical engineering of what is happening.
All electric motors that power heavy loads have a "starting capacitor" (there is a mechanical switch that cuts out the capacitor once the motor is "up to speed").
When a capacitor is fully discharged (before the motor starts), it "looks like" a short circuit when power is first applied. Additional/larger starting capacitors just make this worse. The MicroAir actually "limits" (slows down by a few hundred microseconds) how fast that capacitor charges up eliminating the current spike.
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theoldwizard1
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04/18/23 08:49am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Micro Air
“Well you look at them with a proper scope you feel the need to change underwear they are that scary”……
Now that some advice that’s well worth following ;) !!
Brushless generators are notoriously BAD ! Stay away from them !!
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theoldwizard1
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04/18/23 08:37am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Honda EU3200 - 15k BTU AC Unit?
My issue with the EU3200 is size/weight !
Personally, I would buy a second EU2000 and parallel them.
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theoldwizard1
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04/14/23 03:45pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Honda EU3200 - 15k BTU AC Unit?
Is this *Supco* Soft Start you're referring to an aluminum-cased electrolyitc capacitor? If it is, they're only capable of reducing inrush current a few amps---very ineffective. A Micro Air Easy Start, a plastic box with circuitry inside, can reduce inrush current (LRA) as much as 25-40 amps. This is a massive, huge difference in capability.
I have to reinforce what otrfun said. Micro Air Easy Start IS the industry standard for a good reason ! It works !!
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theoldwizard1
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04/14/23 03:43pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Stuck in yard, ruts. Install driveway? Ideas please.
I did it, rather had it done. Scraped the grass off the top, put down driveway cloth, had 6 tons of crusher run spread and compacted, then another 6 tons. It is SOLID!
Very nice !
Probably not cheap, but MUCH CHEAPER than asphalt or concrete
Every 5-10 years, you probably need to compact it. Maybe add a bit of gravel.
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theoldwizard1
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04/06/23 07:20pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Some TV's get cable, some do not...WHY?!?!?
How is the signal split between the TVs ?
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theoldwizard1
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04/06/23 07:16pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Just Switched from Verizon to T-Mobile
I switched to Visible for my phone service
Visible is owned by Verizon.
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theoldwizard1
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04/01/23 10:54am |
Technology Corner
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