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RE: Battery: Checking specific gravity
Water should be filled to 1/8" below the plastic ring down in the fill opening.
Yes that is how I took it as well. I have purchased a different cable end and will install it and top the water off to 1/8" as measured by my calibrated eyeball. :)
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Wrace
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05/23/12 04:43pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Battery: Checking specific gravity
Ok thanks for the replies. I pretty much followed the instructions in SCR's link. Here is what I found:
Previous data from install date of 7/23/10 according to my notes.
Batteries installed, trailer plugged in, let charge for one week.
Batteries fully charged according to charged wizard.
Disconnect trailer from 110, disconnect battery cables from batteries.
Water level on all cells above the plates.
Batt #1 6.44v. Cell #1= 1.280, #2 = 1.280, #3 = 1.280
Batt #2 6.43v. Cell #1= 1.280, #2 = 1.280, #3 = 1.278
Note: The hydrometer I have uses marks for 1250, 1265, 1275, then a big jump to 1300 (highest). Each of these marks has a range for each of the numbers that the needle can be inside. All of these are in the "good" zone. As you can see there is no mark for 1280 so I suspect the needle was somewhere between the top of the 1275 range and the bottom of the 1300 range and I just guesstimated.
5/23/12
Batteries full charged. Disconnect trailer from 110, remove battery cables.
Water level on all cells above the plates.
Batt #1 6.64v. Cell #1= 1.300, Cell #2 = 1.300, Cell #3 = 1.300
Batt #2 6.63v. Cell #1= 1.300, Cell #2 = 1.300, Cell #3 = 1.300
All readings right near the bottom of the 1.300 scale. Checked several times with repeated 1.300 readings.
The batteries sit in the tongue like this. Battery #1 is on left side in all pictures. Note the very small vent on the right side of the cover on the #1 battery.
http://jacksonii.smugmug.com/Other/Nash/IMG0781/934019662_bBeV4-M.jpg
Now, there is this corrosion issue on the positive cable of the #1 battery.
From Sept. 2011. Note that in this picture I had installed washers under the cable ends at the time of install in 2010. I have done this on my 12v deep cycle maintenance free batteries as well in the past. I've never experienced any corrosion like this on any of my previous 12v maintenance free batteries. Also note the brass cable end, which is the only brass end of the bunch. Hmm
http://jacksonii.smugmug.com/Other/Nash/i-RFrspbM/0/M/IMG1713-M.jpg
So I removed the washers and cleaned the corrosion off the cable end and reinstalled.
Forward to today. 5/23/12
More corrosion on that same cable end. There was a little bit of fluid on top of the battery in the area as well but that may have come through the little vent slots in the battery covers, and it has been raining here. On the other hand I shined a flashlight down in the battery box and could find no fluid on the sides or on the bottom of the box.
http://jacksonii.smugmug.com/Other/Nash/i-kJPnRZS/0/M/IMG2358-M.jpg
So what is the deal with the corrosion, am I not supposed to be using the brass cable end or is something else going on?
Edited to add another question. The trojan link says the water should be 'above the plates' in each cell and to an 1/8" below the fill openings. The water is definitely above the plates in these cells but certainly not to an 1/8 of an inch below the fill opening. That seems like a lot of water and 1/8 of inch is not much room, particularly when traversing some rough roads or even some unlevel camping spots.
Do you guys run your water levels an 1/8" below the fill openings?
Thanks
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Wrace
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05/23/12 03:21pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Protectant for hardwood cutting board stove topper?
Thanks for the replies. I found some watco butcher block oil while in Lowes yesterday so I got a can of that and put the first coat on yesterday.
I doubt we will use the board itself for much if any cutting but I wanted to get some type of preservative on it just in case. We will likely use the plastic mat on top of the board most cutting chores if for no other reason than it would probably be easier to clean.
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Wrace
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05/23/12 09:48am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Generator Adapters
Having said this I do use a RV30A-15A HONDA DUAL adapter (AMAZON) that plugs into both of the standard 120VAC receptacle on my 2KW Honda EU2000i generator. Since this plugs into both sides of the receptacle it runs very cool. I have never seen one of these for a RV50A connector.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41X9EBPG6ZL._SL500_AA300_.jpg height=200
I've been wondering about these as I've seen a couple of them in use on the 2000. Is the 120VAC receptacle on the EU2000 only 15amps as well?
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Wrace
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05/22/12 10:28am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Speed controller for Vortex fan
There is also the micro-switch option if you are not wed to the variable speed control.
The thread on it should be in the archives somewhere and includes the radioshack part numbers and a simple wiring diagram.
It provides two switches that are added to the fan housing. One that reverses the fan direction and one that provides a low speed for the fan. The regular speed on the one speed vortex fans is not that much quieter than the stock jet engine fan in my opinion. However, the low speed with the micro-switch mod is really nice and quiet, yet plenty powerful enough for pulling the stink out when making a deposit or leaving it running on low speed to keep cool air circulating through the rig at night.
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Wrace
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05/22/12 12:33am |
Tech Issues
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Protectant for hardwood cutting board stove topper?
I have just purchased this hardwood stove topper cutting board and am wondering what I should treat it with to preserve/protect it? The directions just say to use a wood protectant.
What type of food safe protectant should be used?
Thanks
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/hardwood-stove-toppercutting-board/8648
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Wrace
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05/21/12 11:05pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Anybody use these awning rope light hooks?
Thanks for the replies. I was on my way toward ordering a couple sets of the hard plastic type that are in my OP when I happened to read the comment from a reviewer about the canvas type that can be rolled up in the awning so thought I'd look into it. I would not dream of rolling the hard plastic type (or most other types I've seen) up in the awning, which is why the reviewers comment piqued my interest.
I suspect the reviewer was talking about the canvas/s-hook type in StevenH's post or maybe the velcro type in bsbeedub's post. I'd not roll the canvas/s-hook type up unless I removed the s-hook first and that kind of makes things more complicated as it's just one more separate thing to keep track of.
I currently have a version of the canvas/s-hook type except instead of the canvas it is a plastic tab/s-hook, These work sort of ok for the Christmas lights each year but for the rope light I've recently purchased I wanted something that held the rope as tight against the roller tube as possible so as not to have any type of sagging in the rope. Thus the type in my OP. One thing I was wondering about is if these fit tightly enough on the rope light that they could just be left on the rope and the whole assembly slide in and out of the awning tube as needed.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/awning-rope-light-hooks-10-pack/27913
The Rollumup Party Light Holder - Pack of 7 that bsbeedub posted is an interesting style that I've not seen before.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31EFD5PRSVL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
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Wrace
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05/21/12 08:35am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Assist handles for entering/exiting shower?
Have you checked that wall for how well it is attached to the ceiling and floor? You may need to reinforce.
Seems to be pretty stout, you can get it to flex a little if you really lean on it hard but I think it will be ok. I think having the vanity below and against it helps to give it some rigidity.
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Wrace
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05/20/12 02:15pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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Anybody use these awning rope light hooks?
The reviews section has a review that says these hooks need removing before rolling up the awning, but the 'canvas' hooks do not. Anybody know what canvas hooks are they referring too?
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/awning-rope-light-hooks-10-pack/27913
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Wrace
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05/20/12 01:39pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Assist handles for entering/exiting shower?
There should be no interference with the shower curtain but I don't understand what is the fold in/out rod?
One of these gizmos.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/extend-a-shower-expanding-shower-rod-white-finish/44143
Thanks for the reply.
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Wrace
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05/17/12 03:59pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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Ways to make the jack-knife sofa/bed more comfortable?
Our TT has the jack-knife sofa/bed and occasionally my wife or I need to sleep on it. It's not the most comfortable thing to sleep on with the split down the middle between the sofa back and the sofa bottom, and all the various rods and such.
What can be done to make it more comfortable to sleep on, and preferably something that is easy to store away and doesn't take up much room when not in use.
Thanks
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Wrace
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05/17/12 02:04pm |
General RVing Issues
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Assist handles for entering/exiting shower?
Our trailer has the bathtub deal going on and stepping into and out of the shower can get exciting, especially at our age.
I am looking for some ideas for mounting an assist handle inside the shower, or outside the shower, or maybe both inside and outside at roughly the location indicated by the red-lines in the pic at the bottom.
I don't want something too large, like some of the residential styles, nor too small that it is difficult to get ones hand inside the handle to grasp it.
Also with an inside mounted handle I'm not sure how it will interact with the shower curtain. Further, I have purchased one of those fold-in/out shower curtain rods that I've yet to install and am not sure if an inside handle will hamper the operation of the shower curtain. I assume that the shower curtain will need to be pulled back (to the left in the picture) behind the wall a sufficient amount such that the entire curtain is behind the inside handle. Or I guess there is nothing saying the curtain could be pushed all the way to the right, though it seems cleaner if it's tucked in to the left, it's not like the width of the shower opening is that big.
Some things I've been thinking of is to use one of the RV entry door assist handles for this project. For example I mounted this 18" one at our RV entry door and it has worked excellent but it would take up way too much real estate inside and outside the shower.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/product/18-inch-soft-grab-handles/8251
This 8-3/4 one might work, but if that's the one I'm thinking it is, which is the stock entry handle on many RV's then it can be a bit of a challenge getting ones hand all the way around it unless you approach it square on. But maybe two of these, one on the inside, one on the outside would work? Using two of the same handle would simplify mounting in that I could drill thru-holes and just sandwich the the wall between the two handles.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/product/8-34-inch-entry-door-grab-handles/8345
Then there is this 10" chrome grab handle.
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/10-inch-chrome-grab-handle/49594
What say you about this, anybody done a similar mod or have thoughts on how I should proceed?
Thanks
http://jacksonii.smugmug.com/Other/Nash/i-c8JrPp5/1/M/Shower-handle-redline-M.jpg
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Wrace
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05/17/12 02:00pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Horrible Service
As for dog showing being a commercial enterprise, they must be doing it differently than I did. It was just another way to spend money for me, much like going to RV Rallies. A good place to meet people with the same interest as you have.
Mike
Yes I guess I missed out on that memo as well. I can assure you that any pets we may take to the county fair for the Pet category are not a commercial enterprise. Private loss-leader would be more like it. :)
At least there are no exceptions in the contract for coverage on vehicles that transport Show Produce... ;)
All in good fun. We are happy with GS ERS and feel it provides a good value. And I understand and accept that contractual specifications need to be made and they may or may not be to my liking. Such is life. The coverage is still a very good value in my opinion.
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Wrace
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05/15/12 10:37am |
Good Sam Roadside Assistance
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RE: Horrible Service
My point is that a show dog doesn't deserve any more care than anyone else's family member, pet, or even the RV itself. Care should be taken, and any special concerns should be taken care of at the time. I can't see that anyones show dog should invalidate service any more than someone else's family pet. A mystery to me!!!
Mike
Yes indeed, well put.
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Wrace
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05/14/12 09:09pm |
Good Sam Roadside Assistance
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RE: How long for poop to break down?
I personally do not bother with chemicals anymore because I know now that all I need is a properly vented system, and a lot of water.
You have cracked the code! ;)
I think those chemicals just give many a false sense of security that if they don't use it, the place will stink up.
Plus it gives us something to argue about...
The RVnet Poop Chronicles 2012
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Wrace
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05/14/12 09:07pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: How long for poop to break down?
I didn't know that bacteria, enzymes and dissolution had the intelligence to know the differene between a septic tank and a holding tank.
Despite what we name our tanks, there's plenty of septic tank processes going on in your holding tank. These processes start within 1 minute, and will probably complete their course in 30 days too.
Stuff is breaking down in your holding tank whether you want it to or not.
That's true, and I don't much care what goes on in there because if I do it right (keep adequate water level and head pressure for dumping), the stuff will go in the rv toilet just fine in log form and come out of the tank just fine, whether it's still in log form or in some sort of broken down state.
My point is I think we often spend far too much time trying to make the holding tank of an RV and it's typical use pattern too much like our home septic systems when that's really not needed in most cases.
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Wrace
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05/14/12 09:36am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: How long for poop to break down?
OP, tanks are designed to allow large material to enter and escape easily enough. The trick is to keep plenty of water and fill, if not full, just prior to dumping. It really doesn't matter at all the state of debris whether it's 1 minute old or 30 days old. If there's another reason behind the question, let us know. I know folks talk about chemicals and enzymes, but there's no need concerning break-up because these are holding tanks vs. septic tanks.
And that's it in a nutshell right there. Holding tank.
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Wrace
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05/12/12 10:35pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Time to upgrade my Droid phone. Any recommendations?
So the nexus is rootable?
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Wrace
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05/12/12 10:16pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: New window in door The best !
EDWIN solves a problem I didn't know I had for the last 8 years.
Ha! That's what I was thinking as well.
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Wrace
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05/12/12 09:32pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Horrible Service
I may be showing my stupidity because I don't have the service, but I can see that the OP figured as most dog show people do(I used to show dogs) that because they have show dogs their problems become instantly more important. My question is, why does the fact that you are showing dogs make you ineligible for service on your RV? That is not a business for most show people any more than going to a NHRA event. Just asking, it doesn't matter to me one way or the other.
Mike
I am wondering the same thing as this show dog topic seems to come up with some regularity. What is the issue with folks who take a dog to a show or take their chickens to show them at the state fair, etc? Why is this an issue?
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Wrace
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05/12/12 12:18am |
Good Sam Roadside Assistance
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