Good Sam Club Open Roads Forum: Search
Open Roads Forum Already a member? Login here.   If not, Register Today!  |  Help

Newest  |  Active  |  Popular  |  RVing FAQ Forum Rules  |  Forum Posting Help and Support  |  Contact  



Open Roads Forum  >  Search the Forums

 > Your search for posts made by 'theoldwizard1' found 259 matches.

Sort by:    Search within results:
Page of 13  
Prev  |  Next
  Subject Author Date Posted Forum
RE: Got forced into MS 365

Re-install Windows AGAIN ! First download Windows from Microsoft and put it on a USB thumb drive. Turn off your WiFi. When it asks you to register your license just say you will do it later. Your best re-install option is NOT to use the built in recovery partition. Use the "retail" version you put on the thumb drive. Go through and uninstall all of the Microsoft apps you do not want. Now turn on your WiFi and connect.
theoldwizard1 01/30/23 03:09pm Technology Corner
RE: Dinghy charging from MH

The only way you will ever be able to maintain/charge a "toad" battery is with a DC-DC charger. Have it permanently mounted in the toad, close to the battery. You can pick up B+ from the tow vehicle via the standard 7 pin connector. You need to be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that B+ from the tow vehicle does NOT connect to B+ of the toad ! Thus way require some relays to keep these two systems isolated ! Using separate brake/turn signal lamps is a good first step !!
theoldwizard1 01/25/23 01:12pm Dinghy Towing
RE: Are the new WFCO's as bad as the old ones?

Buy a GOOD quality inverter/charger/automatic transfer switch. Remove the converter and wire the DC fuse panel directly to the house battery bank (using a large fuse close the the battery bank). Wire the shore power cable directly to the inlet of the inverter. Wire the outlet of the inverter to your AC breaker panel. DONE !
theoldwizard1 01/25/23 01:02pm Tech Issues
RE: Generator Gas Storage

Also for your small qtys non ethanol is not expensive ... Not where I live ! E10 is NOT as bad as people make out ! Just don't store it more than 2-4 weeks and make sure to run the carburetor dry after every use.
theoldwizard1 01/13/23 05:54am Truck Campers
RE: Inverter install

The easiest solution is to purchase an inverter/charge/automatic transfer switch. Remove the existing converter. Wire the DC fuse panel directly to the battery bank via a large fuse. Your shore power cord now connects directly to he inverter. The output connects to the AC breaker panel. Done !
theoldwizard1 01/13/23 05:50am Truck Campers
RE: Battery

Rolls and Trojan are the Cadillac and Lincoln of deep discharge batteries. Excellent quality and durability but they are expensive and difficult to locate. A pair of "name brand" GC2 golf cart batteries are a good alternative at much lower cost and can be located at most "club" stores.
theoldwizard1 01/08/23 08:17am Fifth-Wheels
RE: Why consider 12v fridge for boondocking?

Compressor fridges have become almost standard on camper vans, because they rarely stay stationary for many days at a time. Even a short drive will restore muc hsh of the battery bank if you have something like a Transit with dual 250-amp alternators or a Sprinter with an aftermarket 2nd alternator. The primary reason anyone would choose a a compressor refrigerator or and absorption refrigerator is that they do a much better job of keeping food cold/frozen. The down side is batteries need to be recharged much more often than a propane tank need to be refilled. While I agree with the first half of carrinb's post I DISAGREE with the second half ! You do not need second alternator to recharge even a moderately large battery bank. A good 40A DC-DC charger will fully recharge most battery banks after driving a couple of hours. Even if you have solar power, a small generator and charger is a good back up.
theoldwizard1 01/08/23 08:12am Travel Trailers
Nomad Internet

Has anyone tried this service since they have introduced their new Nomad Air hotspot ?
theoldwizard1 01/06/23 01:48pm Technology Corner
RE: Why consider 12v fridge for boondocking?

Yah I hear you. Hence our back up plan with our little propane generator. :). https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52387204385_ee9895e00a_c.jpg Curious. How many hours do you get on that generator on that small propane bottle ?
theoldwizard1 01/02/23 04:17pm Travel Trailers
RE: Three-pronged plugs

I make my own extension cords up. Usually with industrial spec or green dot hospital grade plugs and receptacles. I hear what you say, but those are hard to find and EXPENSIVE! I have found that the Leviton Clamptite 3W101 plugs and 3W102 outlets are adequate for up to 16/3 SJOOW cordage. Reasonably priced.
theoldwizard1 12/28/22 03:51pm Tech Issues
RE: No scheduled maintenance on Ford Superduty

Wow! That is an interesting and expensive situation. Reading that little book in the glove box is getting more and more important. My 2022 F150 came with a "Cliff Notes" edition of the owners manual. The real one is on line, or you can request they send one to you.
theoldwizard1 12/28/22 03:48pm Tow Vehicles
RE: No scheduled maintenance on Ford Superduty

Transmission being "filled for life" is not a new thing. That has been the "spec" in many vehicles for over 20 years. I am sad they removed the dipstick tube (there is still a very short dipstick you can get to from underneath). The color and smell of ATF will tell you if you have a problem. Of course, by then, it is probably too late. Almost all modern transmissions have a temperature sensor. This is the most important thing to be monitored. If you are still not happy, ask to see the official "severe duty" maintenance schedule. Or drop the pan (but not the filter) every 25K-50K, measure what you took out and replace it with the exact OEM ATF.
theoldwizard1 12/28/22 03:42pm Tow Vehicles
RE: Snoozy Resurrection

I was happy to see that the Snoozy was resurrected ! I hope they can keep going as I would really like to see a slightly longer model. My big objection is the front end design. Looks nice from the exterior, but you lose too much overhead and under bed storage. Mounting solar panels would be a challenge. The rear door needs some kind of an awning. Personally, I like the all electric design. Only a few people actually boondocks, except for overnight at a Walmart or Cracker Barrel. If you have to have your morning coffee, get a 12V coffee maker.
theoldwizard1 12/26/22 09:07pm Travel Trailers
RE: 12 volt fridges and boondocking?

... I'm unsure if the 600 watts of solar would be enough for us when boondocking for 3 or 4 weeks at a time. Will Keep your generator ! You won't make it through multiple low solar input days. You will love having a compressor refrigerator! Segue - Think about eliminating propane. Save space and weight ! How often do you use your furnace ? Small counter top butane burner or outside portable grill/stove. Making coffee could really drain the batteries and forget about an electric frying pan or even a slow cooker unless you are willing to run the generator.
theoldwizard1 12/24/22 09:15am Tech Issues
RE: Shore power question

IMHO, if you are storing for more than a month, disconnect the battery. For best life, lithium batteries should not be subject to below freezing temperatures.
theoldwizard1 12/20/22 09:20am General RVing Issues
RE: Heated Floors

Best option for heated floors is a his n hers pair of heated socks or slippers…. Heated mattress pads and a extra blanket worked better than an electric blanket. If you are really "roughing it" and sleeping with no heat, a knit hat makes a huge difference (old Boy Scout lesson learned)!
theoldwizard1 12/18/22 07:57pm Tech Issues
RE: Heated Floors

Heated floors,(liquid or 120 volt grids), ARE NOT designed to heat an RV. They are designed to keep the cold floor from bothering you. The ONLY heated floors I have seen are under tile floors. Doug True, but if you have power (not generator or battery) a heated floor mat and a couple of 1500W heaters would definitely keep a 20+' RV warm down to freezing !
theoldwizard1 12/18/22 07:54pm Tech Issues
RE: Lithium for dummies: need advice in simple terms

I don't know for sure but I would expect it would take a few hours below ambient freezing for the cells to get to freezing temperature. Therefore, I don't see the need for a heater. Charging and discharging will produce some heat.
theoldwizard1 12/14/22 03:36pm Tech Issues
RE: Renogy 20A dc to DC report

I have seen 16 amps going to the house bank at idle. The highest reading noted was 19.6 amps, when driving. I don't have an easy way to measure input amps to the unit. I keep thinking about this. It is possible that the charger is limiting the output current when there is lower input voltage because of internal heat. In other words, it is protecting itself from over heating.
theoldwizard1 12/11/22 03:15pm Tech Issues
RE: Major Ecoboost repair, long delays

bad luck for early adopters. never seemed practical to me. too much heat and stress for small engine. EcoBoost (turbo, direct injected gas engine) has been around for over 15 years. The technology is well proven !
theoldwizard1 12/11/22 08:38am Tow Vehicles
Sort by:    Search within results:
Page of 13  
Prev  |  Next


New posts No new posts
Closed, new posts Closed, no new posts
Moved, new posts Moved, no new posts

Adjust text size:




© 2023 CWI, Inc. © 2023 Good Sam Enterprises, LLC. All Rights Reserved.