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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Running Lights
Top notch response Mike. Just what the poster needed.
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YC 1
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02/05/12 08:39pm |
Tech Issues
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New toad
Just bought our new toad. A 2012 Edge. Lighter than the H3 we tow and has an amazing amount of bells and whistles. Ford built a little Cadillac and is not telling anyone. Actually we traded in our Cadillac Escalade because it is not towable. The H3 tows nicely but is not a great touring vehicle. Bad mileage and the visibility is not great.
Now for installing the base plate in a couple of weeks and all the fun of wiring. Another fun project.
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YC 1
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02/02/12 06:58pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: 15 amp appliance fuse
The fuse is doing the proper job. You have a short that is drawing more than 15 amps. Since it only blows when you start the furnace find the power wire that goes to it right at the furnace and disconnect it. Try turning it on again. If the fuse does not blow pull the furnace out. Inspect for any mechanical wiring issues.
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YC 1
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01/29/12 04:14pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Horton Fan
YC 1 can you tell me what type of performance chip, I also have a 400 ISL and would interested in that modification?
Parleys Diesel Performance
They will tell you the model when you call. Mine is a DIGI CR TV. Their web page does not reference the 400 ISL but you can call them. The install was incredibly simple. Unplug one connector and put a Y connector in line with it. Added some velcro to the box and mounted it in a convenient place. I started at level 8 on the box with no issues. I then turned it all the way up and the check engine light came on when I accelerated hard. I settled in on the 9 setting and will give that a thorough test next week. Initial results are incredible.
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YC 1
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01/29/12 04:04pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: RV Protocol - Unwritten Rules of Conduct
If we are boondocking I ask that they use the other facilites because we fill quickly. If we have hookups they are welcome to use it but with one caveout for the gentlement. It is strictly a sit down device. One, we don't care to hear a water fall and two, my wife or I do not want to wash the walls. I have never had an issue.
Oh, and be careful about moving the lever on the side. That is not the flusher. It will be the face washer if you move it so be sure to use the button on the wall to flush. :B
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YC 1
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01/29/12 09:52am |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Horton Fan
I will try. The fan is a two speed fan. Some are controlled by the engine computer and I believe others have a switch option. The engine fan draws a tremendous amount of power from the engine. Some have shown as much as 75 hp. I was offered the upgrade when I bought my mh and wish I had gone for it. However, if I had I wouldn't now know what a difference a fan can make. To install one on my engine, (has to be rear radiator), would have taken a mechanic and some computer programming. I believe around 12-1500.
The increase in mileage, about 1-2 mpg is coupled with a huge reduction in noise. I measured my fan noise and when I change my fan (not to Horton), the noise dropped to more than half as measured by my ear and my meter. Actually 5 db to be precise.
I opted for a fan made by Source Engineering. It was around $600 and I changed it myself in a couple of hours. What a difference in acceleration and engine noise and improved mileage by about 1-1.5 mpg.
The only negative aspect is the new fan does not provide as much engine braking capability as it did. The loss of drag is the issue. I believe with the horton fan you might be able to turn it on and keep the engine braking the same. In any case it is not a big deal to touch the service brakes once in awhile.
I have much more information on the install if anyone is interested.
My most recent mod this week was adding a performance chip to my 400 ISL. More power and an immediate gain in mpg. I don't have a lot of testing on that yet.
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YC 1
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01/29/12 09:39am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Going from gas to diesel
I wear disposable gloves when fueling...I fully realize that this is not "manly" but most diesel pumps are nasty and I don't like to get the stuff all over my hands and then all over my steering wheel.
Ditto: And I use paper booties as well. You will be amazed at the oil they pick up. I take them off at the door.
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YC 1
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01/25/12 10:32am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: 2012 Ford Edge
We don't have an Edge yet but have been looking at them. I looked at the operator manual the other day but can't remember the exact procedure for the 2012 but it was very simple. In any case I will run a charge line.
So how is the Edge for power and ride? We haven't taken one for a test ride yet. Currently we tow an H3 Hummer. It is a gas hog, heavy, has average performance, poor visibility, but rides like a Cadillac. And it will climb a tree.
We have been looking at the Chevy Equinox and Caddilac SRX but found the Edge to have more features, better visibility and overall better bang for the buck. Not cheap though when looking at the limited version.
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YC 1
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01/24/12 05:58pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: West Coast trip?
Take your time and be sure to travel short distances and spend a few days at each stop. You will be amazed at how many places and things there are to see. If you get a chance to take the jetboats up Rogue river be sure to do so. If you can spend some time in the Monterey area which is South of San Francisco you can visit the Monterey Aquarium. The history of California is amazing. The food is wonderful, and the folks really are quite friendly. You can easily spend a month on that trip. Three months would be better.
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YC 1
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01/24/12 05:45pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: first Class A, considering length of coach, help!
Hi Lisa, another Northern Californian here that went from a 30 ft A to a 41.5 ft (40 footer) too. Many years of driving C's and the last A and yes I was a bit nervous for the first year. We didn't put a lot of miles on it so driving experience was slow to come. I am very confident now but take it much slower in tight places. The huge disadvantage to a long motorhome in California is it will not fit in a lot of state parks and you need a toad to drive around when you go somewhere. We plan on full-timing so my wife made the decision on the length. At 41.5 feet long a tag Axel would be nice but that would take up some storage and defeat the length. My parents full time in a 35 footer with two slides and love it. I miss my A because I was able to park it next to the house. The 40 footer is a bit large.
If you really like a certain floor plan and it is close to 40 feet then go for it. You will learn to drive it easily. Find a local parking lot and practice in the evenings. You will regret not getting what you want as you have already found out. Taking 18 months to research it is a great idea. Find an rv sales lot and take one for a test drive. But be ready to buy once you find out how quiet, smooth, and fun they are. The height above the traffic gives you front row seating.
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YC 1
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01/22/12 11:09am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Cell phone booster
Yes they work if installed correctly which is simply followning the instructions. Most critical is internal and external antennas need to be far enough apart or seperated by the roof of a metal car for example. They will go into self oscillation (like feedback from a PA system) and should shut down.
I have tested many in my service facility. Thirty five years in the telecommunications business, some very expensive test equipment, and several years of personal rv experience with them. I recently installed one for a local Sheriffs' dept. The state of Ca. uses them.
Even at $300 they are a bargain for such great improvements. Using an outside antenna by itself makes a world of difference but adding the amp wakes them up. You do need about 1 bar on the outside of your rv to get good performance.
I have a cradle and a patch type antenna for the inside. I change them depending on what I need. The patch antenna will feed multiple phones. The cradle will only feed one phone.
The Link to the article in previous posts is outstanding.
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YC 1
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01/21/12 06:04am |
Technology Corner
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RE: need satellite dish to standard def receiver help
Good eye, Mr. Wizard!!:C
Ditto Mr. Wizard.
Take a look at the plastic plate hanging on the left. It looks like it has a battery attached. If so it is a device to display your elevation on the dish. The one I had ate batteries and I installed an on/off switch for the battery.
That said, if you have never used a crank up it will take some practice. Be sure you have an absolutely clear shot of the Southern sky. Not one twig or branch in the way. Turn the crank up and count the turns. Be sure your rv is level to or it will drive you crazy. I used 17.5 turns out here in California. Youre mileage will vary. The up and down is the most critical and a half turn can drop the satellite out. The right left turn usually allows you a few inches each way. So crank it up to what the digital readout says and then turn it slowly left and right. If no joy, turn the crank to raise or lower the antenna but only 1/2 turn and scan right and left again. Go slow. Once you have signal lower the antenna and count the turns. You will be glad you did.
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YC 1
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01/19/12 06:58pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Heat from winshield
Order you a Prompt Screen. Works great and you can still see out.
Ditto: I have been in some severe winds and the screen never moves. I do like the bubble stuff in windows I don't need to see out of. They are really great in the bedroom to keep it darker than the day night shades can.
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YC 1
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01/17/12 05:54pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Heat from winshield
hey man we tryed the inside curtian for a while, noticed at some point the heat waz too much, once we got a windshield bonnet, wow all the differance in the world. happy-camping
Ditto: The inside curtain came with our and is long gone. The outside one is easy to see out and makes a world of difference on the inside.
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YC 1
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01/16/12 08:09pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: My First Generator (sounds like a book for 1st graders)
I checked the specs on your charging system. If I found the correct one it is 35 amps DC. My calculations show the 1000 will handle it easily. If your batteries are low, run the generator with the ECO button off so it is running full tilt. Plug it in and listen. If it sounds like it is loading up leave it that way for 30 minutes then push the ECO button and it will slow down as the batteries come up to speed. If you have 1 battery it can take 2-3 hours to completely fill it. I like to run mine a couple of hours in the morning and a couple in the evening. I do have an onboard 8KW but that is overkill for topping off batteries when the weather is nice.
Do NOT try to run the microwave, blow drier, or air conditioner off that generator. You might be able to run the Refrigeraton on the generator (auto mode if you have it) once the batteries are filled up but you will have to experiment with that.
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YC 1
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01/16/12 08:07pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Need roof hole
Take a look at your crank up tv antenna if it is near that area. You might be able to run the coax next to the tv coax and reseal. You can then mount the directional antenna on the crank up mast and turn it. I have never used the tv antenna except for testing so it does not matter that the directional antenna might be different than stront tv channels.
I use a omnidirectional antenna that has gain and does an exceptional job. No need to turn the antenna. I have used the yagis and really did not find any major increase in signal. I highly recommend the omni because it is very easy to use, no pointing, and it lays down easily with the antenna when traveling.
Here is an example
I have 35 years experience installing radios and antennas in every imaginable vehicle made. Sometimes certain antennas are impractical or just don't work as well as you might think. In the real world of mountains often the strongest signal might come from a different direction due to reflections or bounce. We have found on many occassions a non directional antenna works better. Directinal antennas are designed for straight line nothing in the way signals.
Not trying to get anyone in an argument about antennas. I have an FCC 1st class license and am a certified tech with 17 yrs of Motorola communications training and 18 more owning a center that does installs for a living. We build communications centers, command vans, and all kinds of public safety vehicles.
In any case it can be a struggle to get the coax where you want it in an RV. You can take the corner post covers off to try and get a better idea of the structure. If you have a really strong rare earth magnet you can use lamp pull chains to drag the chain to the corner. You really need the proper tool for this but it is an amazing tool.
Old speedometer cables are great pull wires. If the tv coax is not tied down which is not likely you can disconnect it, tie a string to it and pull it out then back in with both coax's. An old metal coat hangar can be very effective as a fish rod. A "fish tape" can be used but often is not soft enough to go in tight places.
Take your time, take lots of things apart to increase your view, and take pictures.
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YC 1
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01/15/12 09:23am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Saints game day cooking
Pork fat Rules.
Fresh gator on a stick is yummy.
Don't fret when the 9ers eat your lunch though.:B
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YC 1
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01/14/12 09:24am |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
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RE: Battery Operated Grease Gun
I have never seen one. With hands that don't work like they did once that would really help.
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YC 1
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01/14/12 09:21am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Installing car stero in RV. Mulitple speaker hook-up
Hook it up and let it play. Certified Senior Tech here. Don't run it full blast.
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YC 1
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01/14/12 09:18am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Battery voltage during charging?
No. 15.9 is very high and will cause the batteries to boil and that is not good. I would get nervous if the voltage goes over 14.5
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YC 1
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01/14/12 09:16am |
Class A Motorhomes
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