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RE: 30 Amp docking station and TC carport installation
When you installed your 30 Amp recepticle in your driveway to plug your camper's crows foot plug into for shore power.....
Did you use a 30Amp 110V ground fault breaker in your houses main panel?
Or did you use a 30Amp 110V regular breaker in your houses main panel?
Which one and why?
Do you happen to know the electrical code for yor area?
Thanks for your help in advanve.
Sleepy
It should be a 120 volt - - single-pole breaker. (_Not_ the 30 amp, 240 volt breaker used on a clothes dryer circuit.)
By code, a garage circuit _should_ be 20 amps (minimum). If your usage is light or you care to manage your power usage while hooked up, you can install a 30 amp receptacle in a 20amp outlet box. That's what I have in my garage (mark it as "16 amp max."). The alternative is to run a thirty amp cable from your main panel -- certainly not too convenient if you are trying to run it in a finished house and your panel is far from the garage.
If the receptacle is outside, it should be on a GFIC protected circuit (I have my garage circuits GFIC protected - - above code). A GFIC protected outlet - - upstream from the outlet you want to protect, is cheaper than a GFIC circuit breaker. But it doesn't matter how you achieve GFIC protection.
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Testudo
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11/03/11 01:19pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Carcassonne France, (lot of pics !)
Thierry brings back memories for me. Carcassone Castle I think was renovated in the early 1900's.
I was wondering about the restoration of the fort/castle. In some of the photos taken behind the crenelations, the parapets and corbels looked in extremely good shape. I assume that the French government, at some level, has attended to these battlements for a long, long time. I assume in the beginning because the region's defense depended upon it, later because of the nostalgia and memory, and still later because it enhanced tourism. But, I wonder which was the motivation in the "early 1900s"? Perhaps it was after WWl?
Thanks for the tour.
Carcassonne was restored by the great architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc. Many of the great State properties were in ruins long after the revolution and Viollet-le-Duc was reponsible for restoring many. His work on Carcassonne dates from 1853.
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Testudo
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11/03/11 01:08pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Carcassonne France, (lot of pics !)
Wow! I love Carcassonne. I think it's been twenty years since I was last there (all travel in Europe ends when you marry a European).
Lots of great pictures of the A20!!! And what a great picture of the famous Viaduc de la Dordogne! ...(Okay, I'm giving you a "hard time" for photo selection).
There are some great CASTLE CAMPING & CARAVANNING properties along that route - - mostly on the grounds of magnificent Chateaux.
I enjoyed your tour. it really brings back memories. Another interesting place of similar ilk is the nearby fortification at Aigues-Mortes in the Carmargue. I recommend to anyone driving over from North America to visit both when in that area.
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Testudo
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11/03/11 01:02pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Converter advice needed
We keep our camper garaged when we aren't using it. I put a 30 amp receptacle on a 20 amp circuit in my garage to conveniently supply power through my MARINCO PARK POWER cord.
The primary reason is to manage my batteries when the camper isn't in use. I check the water level every couple of months. I'm partial to PROGRESSIVE DYNAMICS converters. We have 45 amp version with an external CHARGE WIZARD pendant. A side benefit is that we keep our refrigerator going and that keeps it ready to go without having to worry about mold formation. (You must leave the refrigerator door _open_ if you are going to take it off line while in storage).
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Testudo
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11/03/11 12:36pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: rear end ratio
Go for what GM recommends (that will be the 'standard' gear ratio). The maanufacturer tunes for best gas mileage. (That will probably be the 4.10). The 3.42 end will do nothing for you hauling a truck camper. It would only benefit you if you were in the upper range of your _towing_ capacity. Generally, people are led to believe otherwise and just end up spending more on fuel.
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Testudo
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11/03/11 12:27pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: our trip to the deserts...
Hi Flaxi:
I'm following your trip between my house renovations :)
Just MHO (my humble opinion): I would cancel all your destinations, and just do the following:
-1 week at Chaco Canyon, Cultural National Historical Park (our Chaco expedition for your reference, here-->)
-then, 2 days at Hovenweep National Monument (spectacular camping & hiking experience);
-then, drive through the near-by Monument Valley;
-then, drive to near-by Page, Arizona (perhaps Whazoo will link up with you near here?) and visit Lake Powell and do a 3 or 4 hour cruise through water-filled canyons you'll talk about for 20-years, then go to near-by Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park Antelope Canyon to see sandstone formations so incredible, you'll never want to leave.
If you have time left, visit Zion National Park from Page Arizona (a drive through a very famous and often talked-about tunnel through the mountains to get there), where the entire park is serviced by public transit (just walk to the Visitor's Center, and jump on a free shuttle to any part of the Park you want to visit or hike in!). You'll never want to leave Zion-- we didn't. We seriously started looking for a 2nd home in the area after our 10-day visit there.
Silver-
And while at Page, try see Antelope Canyon (rather commercial)in the Navajo Tribal Park, and/or, try to get a walk-in lottery ticket for the _Wave_ (at the Paria Contact Station). Note that there is a one hour time difference between Page and the nearby Paria Contact Station.
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Testudo
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11/03/11 12:11pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Just bought the AGM 6 volts Sam club batteries
Make sure your converter is rated to handle AGM batteries. They have different requirements than lead acid batteries for charge rates.
Yeah, the lead-acid and AGM charging parameters are the _same_. Gel batteries call for a different charging program.
Companies like PORGRESSIVE DYNAMICS make two models of their pendant "Charge Wizard" - - one for lead-acid/AGM and a separate one for gel cells. Most converter/chargers with built-in programs are going to be aimed at lead-acide batteries and are just fine for AGMs.
AGM batteries are the wave of the future. Expensive, but flexible.
I wonder how much SAM'S sells those AGMs for??? (Better quote the price in ounces of gold for the December futures market - - the currency exchange rates are fluctuating so fast!)
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Testudo
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09/10/11 12:34pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Squeaking Camper
I carefully listened for tie-down barrel squeals, and lubricate them (inside) with motor oil regularly, and never had a noise coming from those (when new, before I ever applied in-barrel lubricant).
Hey Chief: sounds like a good idea but how do you access the inside of the FAST GUNS??? I don't remember any access holes or ports. Do you pry out the plastic end piece?
...I think I see, now. The plastic stopper at the hasp-end can be removed quite easily. ...And TORKLIFT is good with 10W-30 for that???
I'm wondering if a heavier grease would be better. Harder to get in there but potentially less messier than motor oil. What do you think???
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Testudo
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09/10/11 12:24pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: My new 2012 F-250 arrived.
I would love to hear what you think of the transmission. We have the 2006 six speed manual with FORD's smallest engine, that year - - the 5.4 liter. Before that we had the zippy 3.0 liter Ranger so all I cared was that the F-250 had a weight to horsepower ratio better than the Ranger. I've absolutely loved our F-250 configuration.
But manual transmissions were becoming as rare as hen's teeth, even back in 2006. FORD has dropped the manual transmission due to disinterest on the part of buyers, but, the new F-250 automatic has paddle shifters and lock-out buttons to get back some of the utility of the manual transmission. I'm just wondering how practical it is in 'real life'.
ON EDIT: I didn't realize you got the diesel. I though it was a "gasser" at first.
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Testudo
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09/10/11 12:12pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Trip Report: Shipping a new Outfitter to Germany
I wonder if you can get a break on the VAT tax if you used the camper in the states, first? You'd also save on shipping by delievering it to the port in the U.S. or Canada, yourself. Since most Europeans are entitled to long vacations, it is feasible to pick up a camper and tour the U.S. and Canada without even being in retirement.
The obvious problem would be having the camper prepared for European use, from the factory. I'm not sure you could fill the propane tank, here and it isn't too easy to get a voltage converter here (to convert 120V, 60hz to 230V, 50hz), let alone a voltage converter that is built for outdoor use! The twelve volt equipment can usually be switched to accept either current. It is mostly a matter of the line equipment.
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Testudo
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09/10/11 11:48am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Trip Report: Shipping a new Outfitter to Germany
silversand: merci beaucoup! I speak some french, living on the border and all. When I go shopping in France I prepare my line of text in french, but the first question of the shopkeeper will throw me off completely ;-)...
It seems a lot of people in the south-west like to go to Strassbourg to shop. When I visited my wife in Villingen, we would drive over the "Black Forest" to shop in Strassbourg. The 'princesse caribou' is French so the trip was necessary to obtain certain delicacies that weren't avaialable in Baden-Württemberg.
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Testudo
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09/10/11 11:21am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Trip Report: Shipping a new Outfitter to Germany
Joerg:
Cheers, and Salut from near Montreal ;)
I wonder what it is with the name and Outfitter campers: Princess? Testudo named their camper: Princesse Caribou, now you're naming yours: Pop up Princess :B
Actually, it is _Martine_ that I christened "Princesse Caribou" (with apologies to the Phoebe Cates film of the same name).
I realize that I might have confused everyone on that point. We just call our OUTFITTER Caribou, "The Caribou".
By the way, I caught your recent trip report and really enjoyed it, 'silversand'. I've been so busy I can't seem to manage much participation - - I'm supposed to be doing something else, right now!
By way the Joerg, my wife, the 'Princesse Caribou' lived in the southwest of Germany for nearly half her life (at least by the time that we finally married) - - Villingen (Schweningen).
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Testudo
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09/10/11 11:13am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Trip Report: Shipping a new Outfitter to Germany
Herzlichen Glückwunsch!
It would be so 'hot' to use an OUTFITTER in Europe! I'm so jealous! The only thing I would be nervous about is having a full-size truck and cargo while trying to get through villages. The width of a Volkswagon bus is about my 'speed'.
Thanks for all the great photos you posted.
I'd bet the camper sailed from Baltimore and they probably 'smacked' the jacks while moving it with a forklift - - not much care in American ports. Be sure to re-seal against water around the edges of the brackets. ON EDIT: Okay, after reading more carefully, it seems to be Hamburg related damage - - they should have abstained from St. Pauli Bier before unloading your camper!!!
If you have some screws that insist on backing out, Brian at OUTFITTER suggests to dip the threads of the screw in some urethane glue. The urethane will expand as it cures and lock the screw in place. In many cases, the screws are only there to hold the parts together until the adhesive cures, anyway. The screw that you depicted appeared to be on a jack-bracket so that is a little bit different and the urethane should keep the screw secure.
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Testudo
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09/10/11 10:40am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Kayaks
I desperately want a pair of roto-molded kayaks. The problem is that my wife can't crank up the roof with that amount of extra weight on it. The camper has made me lazy (I used to be a tenter and _worked_ on my vacations). The logistics of me having to stop and raise the roof, myself, or to remove some of the weight each time kind of dampened my spirit. So maybe I will wait until we get a pop-top with an electric lift system...
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Testudo
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09/10/11 10:26am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Trip report: Short trip to Wales (with predictable weather)
DJ: Poet Laureate - wow, that is some proper Welsh blood you've got there.
After bragging on my own Welsh roots, I should point out that we American's are "mongrels". If I had nose-bleed, I might not have enough Welsh blood left to be allowed to enter a Welsh pub!
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Testudo
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09/10/11 10:22am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Trip report: Short trip to Wales (with predictable weather)
Nice trip report, Steve. I'm getting off topic, a moment, but I _also_ really enjoyed 'silversand's recent "local" trip in Quebec. I didn't have a chance to comment on it, though. So many places to go; so many places a truck camper can infilitrate; so little time.
I've had the opportunity to camp a little bit in Britain (in a mountain tent!) so I can appreciate the weather. The last time I camped in Britain it had started to rain after a long dryspell - - people had stopped carrying "brollys" it was so dry! Boy did it get wet when the rains returned! I'm not sure if I was on solid ground or just floating! I've also tent camped (or under a tarp) in the Pacific northwest so the weather isn't all that different.
I used to be Welsh (before Henry the VIII made my family 'denizens' of England). The weather actually looked pretty good in Wales - - at least when _you_ were taking pictures. At least it is a west-coast climate so that the precipitation doesn't usually come down in sheets. We have just had a tropical storm and a bunch of regular storms on the east coast from Florida to Quebec and the second more docile weather system actually caused more flooding than the hurricane.
I'm curious about one thing on your rig: what are the bars under the wings that run the length of the camper??? Are they some sort of stability system or just another place to tie on equipment externally?
We also have a pop-top like 'silversand's. I've had good success sealing all our seams with a vinyl 'glue' product called VLP. The only place water might come in during a violent storm on our rig is through the Velco window seals (in as much as Velco is a porous product). But that is kind of a rare occurance for us when that happens and it is just a few drops so it is manageable.
Not all pop-tops are alike but we feel very confident when conditions are simply windy. The softwall on our pop-top is very heavy with multi layers so it doesn't move or make noise at all in heavy winds. The metal framing of the lift system is designed to carry much more weight than the roof presents so I can't imagine it blowing down. It can handle anything any other RV can handle - - short of a tornado.
Keep us posted with more of your trip reports.
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Testudo
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09/10/11 10:15am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Residential Fridge
Hi "big Whitey",
"Steve_in_29" turned me on to the Danfoss compressor in the TUNDRA refrigerators back in 2005. Orginally aimed more at big-rig truckers, DOMETIC evenutally bought the company.
While I had no practical experience with ammonia absorption systems when we got our first RV, I had heard gripes from RVers for at least 30 years for the system's shortcomings. When Steve suggested the TUNDRA, it was an instant 'no-brainer' for me. There is no way I would have anything other than a compressor refrigerator. I love being able to have some frozen foods. The company even started making an all-freezer unit. I think Steve may have even gotten a freezer alongside his refrigerator in his last camper design iteration.
Our TUNDRA is 12 volt and 120 volts. It pulls about a maximum of three amps per hour on 12 volts (average is about half that, so, I generally figure no more than 36 amps per day). We don't have solar but we have a pair of six volt batteries that can supply a lot of amp hours and handle the occasional deep-cycling. We have a HONDA EU2000 generator so we can top off our batteries when necessary. The refrigerator is easily the biggest load on our batteries. Lighting _was_ a close second until we opted for LED lights.
Our original batteries are now six years old but they are still going strong. We were just thinking about replacing them this weekend, but as I put a load on them to discharged them for recycling, I found they lasted many more hours than I expected and were holding a charge just fine. Hence, we changed our minds and will keep them until we go on a trip with offroad potential, next year (since the lead plates are probably getting thin by now).
We are more three-season campers but, even then, we generally go a year without having to top off our propane tank. Our propane is mostly used for cooking and a little bit of furnace time.
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Testudo
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09/05/11 11:58am |
Truck Campers
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RE: RV Size
I am an advocate of staying small with an RV.
I'm with you there, 'Jayco-noslide'. But just keep in mind that _women_ are attracted to men with bigger RVs.
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Testudo
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08/30/11 07:17pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: We need a good boondocking toast method
RECIPE FOR BOONDOCKING TOAST
(1) Raise hood of vehicle.
(2) Sprinkle bread liberally with engine oil.
(3) Tape bread to engine block with duct tape.
(4) Close hood of vehicle.
(5) Arrive at boondocking location. Sleep.
(6) Wake up.
(7) Raise hood of vehicle.
(8) Harvest toast.
(9) Eat.
(10) (Lather, rinse, repeat)
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Testudo
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08/30/11 07:13pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Shocked at what people will pay.
I have to agree with a lot of you folks. On one side of this, one thing I have really noticed is the people that have the big 1/4 to a 1/2 million dollar RV's are the ones that scream the most.:R :S
There was a time when you did not have to pay to stay in these parks, or if you did the cost was very minimal,...
Whoa! (Raising my heat shield.)
I just have a 20K RV - - no million dollar rig with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. But I _have_ looked at the budgets for some of these campgrounds. The cost of maintaining these sites are astronomical. The government doesn't actually do much of the work - - they hire contractors to maintain them and haul the garbage and given that these sites are usually so far from anything, well, you can imagine that the contractor bids are pretty high. Clearly the meager use 'tax' that the governement is collecting on most of these sites doesn't come close to covering the cost of maintaining them.
Freedom isn't _free_.
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Testudo
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08/30/11 07:06pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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