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Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Sun angles/Solar panel roof angles?
This SITE will give you the optimum angle for tilt.
However, if you run through a bunch of tilt angles, you will see that being 10 degrees from optimum loses only 1.3%, so accuracy is not terribly rewarding.
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bill h
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02/09/12 10:47pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: kill-a-watt that sends information?
Considering the inaccuracy, erratic readings and failure rate, I can't imagine getting involved in a project like that.
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bill h
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02/09/12 10:38pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: 3000W Chinese Gensets Info.
There is always one use for this type of generator: Add the carb Venturi extension and regulator, and make the genset a tri-fuel model. This is something I'm planning to do to all my generators once they are out of warranty.
What this gives is not just the option to run on propane, but if you have access to CNG, you can use that. To boot, in a lot of disasters (power failures), the gas will still be pressurized, so might as use that for pennies on the dollar compared to propane or gasoline.
I'm working on this now. I have it working on propane, but haven't added a natural gas line yet.
It's much nicer running the generator every few weeks off propane. Just hook up the propane tank, run it, and put everything away. No draining carbs and fuel lines, etc. :-)
I hope you propane converters can share some information here, as I use ours to power the well when power goes out.
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bill h
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02/09/12 10:28pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Trac bar (panhard bar)
On P30s, the ones with fewer leaves benefit the most. The ones with 12 leaves benefit less, and on a tag chassis with 12 leaves, the improvement is slight.
It all boils down to how much slop you have back there to start with.
If possible, a Panhard bar should be full width. It forces less of a geometry change owing to its longer length and less angular displacement during suspension. However, with the limited suspension travel of most RV rear axles, the difference may be mostly theoretical.
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bill h
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02/09/12 10:06pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: K&N Air Filter
K&N lets more grit in. Oil analysis will tell you that. So will a white Kleenex wiped inside the air tract right after the K&N. Sometimes you can feel the grit with your fingers.
Two-stroke desert motorcycle racers really didn't like the grit in their needle wrist pin bearings.
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bill h
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02/09/12 09:59pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Sound Proofing generator space
Use the material that has the highest NRC factor for your bidget. It will absorb the sound and keep it from getting out the necessary openings for air movement.
You can baffle those openings with a high NRC material, forcing the sound to hit the material and then go around a corner. However, be sure to allow enough area for air to move well. Air goes around corners fine, but sound does not, especially if the baffle is high NRC rated.
STC rating is not worth much to you, nor is vibration damping.
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bill h
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02/09/12 09:50pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Personal question re retirement
Hi folks,
Here's my question to those who have retired (especially from jobs they loved): do you regret the decision?
Nope. I liked the work and the people, and I miss both a little, but, do not regret the decision.
If not, what do you like best about retirement?
Free time. No schedule, no rushing back to town to go to work when would rather spend a day or so longer where we are.
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bill h
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01/26/12 10:01pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Interesting Black Tank Fix
Just a quick update.
Updates are appreciated.
The vent pipe was completely blocked by roofing material.
Now, how in blazes did THAT happen?
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bill h
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01/26/12 09:56pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Campground Etiquette
I travel with an old tuba. I leave it sitting out on a table, with a Polka Party sign.
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bill h
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01/23/12 11:31pm |
Public Lands, Boondocking and Dry Camping
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RE: Do MHs need more torque, or is my 2011 F350 overpowered
Any gas train locomotives?
Yes. But only smaller ones. Railroads, like trucks and motor homes recognize that diesel is more efficient for heavier loads.
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bill h
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01/17/12 09:35pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Portable Propane Grill
We love our Porta Chef.
Amen. I have mentioned the Porta Chef in several threads on this topic and they always got obliterated by "Weber mania". Glad to see someone else sees the logic in a high quality Canadian made cast aluminum 14000 BTU fully portable BBQ at close to half the price of an equivalent Weber Q. And it comes with legs too.
Rick in Cobourg
The legs are not the grill's best feature. Being tapered, they get jammed in the tapered sockets and can be a bear to remove. I deburred, polished and even waxed, to no avail. Heat expands the aluminum and the steel settles in deeper and becomes very tight when things cool down.
The sockets in the casting are a little thin, too. If the wind, a dog or grandkid knocks the grill over, the leg sockets will probably crack. Mine did.
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bill h
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01/15/12 02:32pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Connecting a external propane tank to my class c motorhome
unlike some "home brew" concoctions I've seen no chance of venting propane
When I put in the longer hose, I put a ball valve right at the end to prevent air entering he line and venting of propane. I probably vent less propane than I would if I used an Extend a Stay or similar.
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bill h
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01/15/12 02:23pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: RV Plug Replacement
I am having my plug on the TT electrical cord separating from the cord itself. Originally they look molded together and now the outer cover is coming back and exposing insulated wires.
Close the gap as much as you can, filling the gap with RV Goop as you go. I like it for its flexibility and UV resistance. Let it dry (and shrink) for a day or two and repeat until it looks right. Then shoot it with satin black Krylon Fusion.
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bill h
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01/15/12 02:15pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Finished Plexiglass Storm Window Project
A belt sander will also round corners. Holes can start cracks because of the roughness of the drill holes. After the hole is drilled, use a hot nail to slightly melt the inside of the hole. That will relieve a lot of the stress where cracks start.
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bill h
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01/15/12 02:06pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: fuel tank filler hose?
An approved marine grade hose will self seal when in a fire to reduce or eliminate fuel or vapor from escaping and fueling the fire.
Thanks for that info, every time I come here I learn something new.
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bill h
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01/15/12 01:58pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: charging deep cycle battery
Alternator charging is hindered by any temperature compensation built into the regulator and by the fact that the coach and chassis batteries are usually in parallel.
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bill h
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01/15/12 01:56pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Line Voltage Monitor?
I like the Kill a Watt when it works. I am on either my third or fourth one now.
Before anyone asks, they have never been used with an inverter.
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bill h
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01/15/12 01:49pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Any way to recover these batteries?
THIS has worked for me on motorcycle and jet ski batteries. But not every time.
My take on this is that it will help sulfated batteries, but not batteries that have failed for other reasons. This process seems to work best on batteries that slowly diminished but not so well on batteries that suddenly failed. Results are in-between on batteries that sat and discharged or got dry.
Some of the result you get from this will depend on the quality of your previous desulfation processes.
Never tried it on RV batteries, though.
If you have more time than money, you might get some more life out of them this way.
OK, all the usual naysayers who have not tried it go ahead and call it snake oil and beat up on me. :)
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bill h
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01/15/12 01:44pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: 12-volt plug for C-Pap
If you tap into water pump wires, you should be good to go.
+1. Use wires heavy enough for the load.
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bill h
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01/15/12 01:31pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Generators...why the difference in $ ?
I'd much rather have a new high efficiency 13.5Kbtu A/C on our rig that a single Honda 2000 could run .
So would I. What make and model would that be?
Any idea how it would work at altitude?
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bill h
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01/15/12 01:16pm |
Tech Issues
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