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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Inverters
I have a 400 watt MSW (modified sine wave) inverter that is wired through a relay to my AC outlets. It is more than enough for my typical needs. My main use is for TV, notebook computer, and a small table lamp with 13 watt CFL bulb. I seldom use more than 100 watts. For larger loads I fire up the generator. Keep in mind that inverters are most efficient when working close to maximum load and large inverters can draw quite a bit of current even with no load.
Small MSW inverters are cheap. I would suggest buying about a 200 watt unit and try it out. There are risks with MSW. I've heard that electric blankets and printers have had problems. I've used MSW inverters for years and have had no issues at all. If you are the super cautious type, you can opt for pure sine wave, but they are quite a bit more expensive. It's best to hard wire it to a 12 volt source rather than using a cigarette lighter plug. Inverters can draw quite a bit of current and will heat up the plug. After extended use the plug tends to melt.
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Tom_M
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05/21/12 08:07am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: No signal to tv.
The Jack antenna needs 12 volts to power the built in amp. The Jack has an LED light on it to indicate that it is getting power. If it is not lit you will need to install the power injector that came with the antenna.
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Tom_M
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05/15/12 08:02am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Solar Panel Positioning Question
I mounted my panels on the side of my coach:
http://i1095.photobucket.com/albums/i468/tomzpix/SecondPanel.jpg
Panels can be tilted up or removed and plugged into a 50 ft. extension cable.
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Tom_M
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05/14/12 08:03pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Kreg jig
Harbor Freight has a pocket hole jig kit that looks more robust than the Kreg and is cheaper:
Harbor Freight jig
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Tom_M
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05/13/12 07:22am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS
Yes indeed the pump is inside the tank. In my coach the tank must be dropped to get at the pump. I was at a campground the first time and managed to do it myself. The pump is located at the bottom of the tank, so not going below 1/4 tank is good advise.
After I removed the original OEM pump, I applied power to it and it would not spin up. On the third try it broke free and spun up. I could have put it back in, but had no way of knowing if it would fail again. In hind sight, it probably would have lasted longer than the aftermarket pumps.
The ruptured tubing most likely was caused by high fuel pressure, but a pump should be designed to handle that scenario.
The V10 engine in my coach has a fuel pressure sensor. If this is bad it could cause high pressure.
A plugged fuel filter could also cause high pressure. After the failure of the first new pump I replaced the filter. The second new pump failed.
After installing the OEM Ford pump I checked the fuel pressure and it held steady at about 32 lbs.
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Tom_M
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05/08/12 09:14am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS
I feel your pain. I got stranded in Florida last winter with fuel pump issues in my 2005 Born Free on Ford E450 chassis with V10 gas engine. I replaced the original pump and made it 25 miles when it failed. The 2nd replacement got me two miles. The replacement pumps where aftermarket Airtex brand purchased at Advance Auto. Both had ruptured tubing in the pump assembly. I then purchased a pump from a Ford dealer and that one got me back to Minnesota. To their credit, Advance refunded me for both pumps.
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Tom_M
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05/08/12 07:44am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: UHF antenna problem
There is a lot of confusion about broadcast TV today. Here are some points to consider:
Any antenna that worked well for analog will work for digital. There is no such thing as a digital antenna. "Digital" has become a buzz word to boost antenna sales.
Most OTA (Over The Air) TV is UHF, but some are VHF, therefore it is important to have a broadband antenna capable of receiving both VHF and UHF . Probably the most common RV antenna is the Winegard Sensar(batwing). This antenna works well, especially with the Wingman attachment. Another antenna that is becoming popular is the King Controls Jack. I have used both and the Jack seems to perform a little better than the Winegard.
Probably the most common problem is bad or corroded connectors. This is especially problematic with the UHF band. Make sure all connections are tight and clean. Connections tend to loosen up especially when subject to the vibrations of an RV.
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Tom_M
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05/05/12 05:36am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Replacing Suburban cooktop
Larry,
I'm sorry if I offended, but if you check my original post, that is exactly what I asked. I'm just trying to find out if anyone has had any problems.
Tom
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Tom_M
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04/30/12 04:26pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Replacing Suburban cooktop
Lets get this back on track. I don't want to fix my present unit and I don't want another RV cooktop. I want to install a residential style gas cooktop. The question is, has anyone installed a residential style gas cooktop in their RV?
Thanks
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Tom_M
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04/30/12 03:11pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Replacing Suburban cooktop
Dan & Jill,
The cooktop I have has sealed burners and has no shutters to adjust air intake. All other gas appliances are working fine. The cooktop has a regulator that should compensate for any variations in pressure. I suspect the cooktop regulator is bad because the flame is not consistent.
The cooktop that I am considering is gas and needs 120 volt just for the igniter. It would use power only when lighting the burners.
I am also a boondocker and spend my winters in south Florida and stay at places with no hook-ups 100% of the time so power consumption is a major issue.
It boils down mainly to the fact that I like to cook and would prefer a better cooktop then the standard RV cooktop.
Thanks for the input.
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Tom_M
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04/30/12 10:14am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Replacing Suburban cooktop
The igniter is one issue, but I think I also have a problem with the regulator. The burners sometimes burn with a sooty orange flame. It is not consistent. Sometimes it's okay. I think I would rather upgrade to a better unit than spend money on something that was marginal from the start.
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Tom_M
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04/29/12 06:17am |
General RVing Issues
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Replacing Suburban cooktop
Has anyone replaced their piece-o-crap Suburban cooktop with a home type unit? I think I can squeeze in a 24" unit with a little modification of the cabinetry. Also a home unit would require 120 volt A.C. for the igniter which can be handled with an inverter.
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Tom_M
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04/28/12 05:00pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: solar connector ????
Here's the Harbor Freight box:
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_20284.jpg height=300 width=400
It does not have the standard MC4 connectors.
MC4 connectors:
http://www.windsun.com/pictures/SL2a.jpg
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Tom_M
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04/28/12 05:16am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Cable TV
Would it be better to make sure the cable is RG6 since you may use that 25' length. It should carry the signal better than the older RG58.
RG-58 is 50 ohm and is typically used for communication devices (CB, 2-way radio, and ham). I should not be used for TV.
RG-59 is 75 ohm which is used for TV.
A good source for most any kind of cable is Monoprice.com
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Tom_M
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04/22/12 06:11pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Made out of GOLD?
I replaced the pigtail cables on my panel with #10 wire and Anderson Powerpole connectors. I bought the connectors and crimper from Powerwerx.
Connectors
Crimper
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Tom_M
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04/22/12 05:11pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Gas prices
According to this inflation calculator: calculate
$.35 for 1970 equals $2.07 today.
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Tom_M
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04/22/12 06:47am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Home cable for the Fifthwheel
It won't screw anything up. Try it and see what happens.
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Tom_M
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04/10/12 04:52pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Google--again
I use Firefox and have used Gmail for years and have never seen this message.
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Tom_M
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03/27/12 04:59pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: TV antenna-do I need to upgrade
The Jack antenna is a TV antenna made by King Controls. It comes in two versions, one that is a direct replacement for the Winegard head. You remove the Winegard head and mount the Jack to the Winegard roof mount. The other is a complete assembly consisting of antenna and mount.
I have the Winegard Sensar with the Wingman attachment and it works well. I recently borrowed a Jack antenna from a friend to compare it with the Winegard. I found that the Jack performs better than the Winegard.
Here's a link for the Jack: Jack Antenna
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Tom_M
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03/27/12 10:33am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: TV antenna-do I need to upgrade
If your present antenna is the Winegard Sensar it will work fine. As stated above, there is no such thing as an HDTV antenna. If it worked fine for analog, it will work fine for digital. It would be a good idea to check the connector at the antenna to make sure there is no corrosion. If you think you might be in some remote ares the Wingman attachment would be a worthwhile investment. It just snaps onto the front of the antenna.
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Tom_M
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03/27/12 06:44am |
Class C Motorhomes
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