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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: New to Solar. Conect directly to battery ????
The most important thing about solar is to be flexible with your listening.....There are those that say, "you're wasting time not having tilting panels".......Or, here's an old favorite"PWM controllers vs MPPT controllers, PWM's are useless".........If you're buying new, I fully recommend a MPPT. If you want to and have the coin, tilting panels will aways give you the most harvest. But I've had panels screwed to the roof and a PWM charging four six volt batteries for 6 years and never want for power and never need the emergency genny I have on board. I think the most important thing is to have the controller as close to the batteries as possible to minimize charge voltage loss.
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Vintage465
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11/09/23 09:51am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Recommendations for solar charge/controller
I think you need to get the spec's on the panel output to size the controller correctly. In my case, my panels provide just a bit more than 8 amps(best case), time three panels equals around 24v +/- a bit so I have a thirty amp controller. I think Victron is the top of the line and if you can afford it that's the way to go. Also, if you plan to increase, get a controller to match the possibilities.
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Vintage465
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10/24/23 08:32am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Looking at used 2023 Chevy HD 2500, Duramax
First, I hate like he!! to hear someone slam ALL salesmen as liars. Really? I was in the automobile business for 30 years, and I employed scores of honest, hard-working, straightforward salespeople that I'd entrust with my life. Get off the insults. I'm sure "your" profession (or former profession) was made up of nothing but choir boys, right? ;)
Now, on to the truck. Is it a CPO unit? (certified pre-owned). If not, there's a reason, and I'd walk away from it. The year & mileage qualify it to be one, and in being so it would have a CPO warranty, which in many cases, is far superior to the original factory warranty. I'd check out that fact and make my decision accordingly.One question:
Would you walk on to any car lot at random and ask the salesman for the "back story on a vehicle,,,,,and trust the answer to be true?
I'm with you all the way on this. Good and bad in all camps, everywhere....even here! And everything you say makes sense regarding the CPO info. Thanks!
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Vintage465
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10/21/23 08:51am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Strong urine smell in bathroom
Vintage465: "With the Dometic plastic toilet I've found that if there is more than and inch or sow of liquid in the bowl, it will seep into the area between the outside of the toilet and the bowl and just sit there and ferment." It's amazing that a toilet could even be engineered with that seeming design flaw, a real oversight. If you could seep antibacterial cleaner (no bleach) past that seal, that could counteract odors emanating from that hidden area until you replaced the seal.
As an aerospace safety/environmental manager, I can relay a phrase from my industry: "Dilution is the solution to pollution." True for liquids, solids, gases. So yes, more water, along with blackwater chemicals, can help, although it can be tough to conquer odors when it's truly hot outside. And an effective toilet "flush" can be just a film of water rather than a bowl surge. After use I briefly spray the entire toilet bowl with a generic household cleaner, which effectively rinses (and also detergent-soaks) the entirely of the toilet interior. Therefore no surface odors. I also do a "hillbilly tank flush" when draining. Drain blackwater, close valve, dump two buckets (7 gal) freshwater down toilet, drain again. You can see the effect by watching the clear elbow in the drain hose.
But the problem is the seepage from the bowl that gets into the space between the outer and inner bowl. No dilution is going to happen there. It's gonna seep in there to some degree no matter what due to the flawed design. And the only way to for it to be discharged is to remove the toilet, carry it outside(vertically) and dump it....my conclusion is this: The toilet is a piece of junk and needs to be replaced........so I did.
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Vintage465
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10/21/23 08:38am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Travel Trailer Tires
Reading the posts...........is there any reason for me to suggest Goodyear Endurance tires? I've heard good things about Maxxis tires, but I'm gonna hang with Goodyear.
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Vintage465
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10/21/23 08:29am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: DEF fluid
Bad def at the pump is about as likely as bad fuel.
If one gets bad fuel, do you start buying fuel pre packaged in sealed containers?
Same difference.
Well, I didn't say it made the most sense......Aparenetly lying down in the snow to drain the DEF tank scarred my brother. My GMC has the DEF fill under the hood so packaged DEF is easy for me.
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Vintage465
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10/06/23 06:22pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: DEF fluid
Many people have many different opinions on this subject. The only factual info I have regarding pump def is I know my brother got some bad def from the pump once(his computer told him on the dashboard) and had to drain it in the snowy parking lot. He now only buys jugged def. But you have to think that's an unusual case as millions of gallons of this stuff is used daily by long haul tractor/trailer rigs. Besides that, instance, I buy what cheapest at Tractor Supply or Walmart.
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Vintage465
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10/02/23 08:10am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Truck was totaled, looking at GM 6.6 Gasser
Vintage,
MTN towing in my mind is subjective. For me it is over 6000' elevation. The 3-5K foot passes here in the NW US, a turbo or forced induction motor, while nice, not needed generally speaking. Over 6000', with an HP loss of 18-20% and higher above this elevation, this is where a turbo diesel, one of the turbo gas units, ie an Eco boost as an example help.
Newer gas rigs are better at keeping their HP/torque at elevation than a carb rig, or even TBI rigs, which are nothing more than an electric controlled carb.
Forced induction motors are nice options I admit. The trailer size etc Mike is pulling, he'll be fine with ANY of a gas rigs generally speaking. Along with a $6-10K hit for a diesel, it'll take awhile to pay off the difference in fuel mileage, yeah one gets a higher price on resale.....
Marty
I'd say you're correct. Everything is subjective in one way or another. And the new Gas Rigs are better than ever. But, I've been all across the US at every elevation and I never notice a difference in performance. Could be because I'm only hauling 7000 pounds though!
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Vintage465
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10/01/23 05:25pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Truck was totaled, looking at GM 6.6 Gasser
Mike
Not too many folks posting recently. The few that have posted about them like them. Better than the 6sp you have.
Being as the 10 sp has a 4.5-1 fist gear vs the 6 @ 4.1-1. Going with a 3.73, ene a 3.42 will have as much or more go power as you current rig. Lower rpm at 60....
I'd probably choose a 3.73, or the 4.1, only because I've put a 1-2" larger diameter tire on the last few I've owned. That 2" tire changes GR from a 4.1 to an effective 3.73. An inch to a 3.95'ish ratio.
Go buy one, don't look back!
Marty
Thanks Marty.
Looks like the only gear ratio available for 2024 is the 3.73. Everything I have seen or read says good things and MPG is way better than my old 6.0. I am bummed the 17 got wrecked I looked for that truck for 3 years. I wanted a long bed with rubber floors and limited options. Hard to find rubber floors and a long bed right now.
So I am looking at 2 3/4 ton on LT one custom and on 1 ton custom. Both out the door for under 63,000. Truck prices are stupid. :( Which hurts my soul as I am not a truck guy and don't daily drive it. Maybe it gets 3000 miles a year on it, 5000 on a heavy year.
I was out camping when this happened. My 17 year old son has a 2003 LB7 Duramax he came out and towed the trailer home. To be honest it is a good truck with 227,000 miles on it, but it really didn't tow the trailer much differently then my 17 did. So I decided I just don't need a diesel. 401 HP and 464 FT/lbs of torque should be plenty for the trailers I tow. The heaviest being about 8200lbs.
Regarding the horsepower and torque figures you mentioned. Those are good numbers. The big difference between gas and diesel is where the torque is developed in the RPM range. My 2013 Duramax developes 765 lb/ft. of torque, but it is at 1600 RPM. That's called real easy and quiet uphill towing. And the exhaust brake is nice going downhills. But if you don't do a whole lot of mountain towing, the gas engine should be great. Please, no one get mad here, just my thoughts and opinions.
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Vintage465
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10/01/23 08:34am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Strong urine smell in bathroom
Our new to us trailer on it's first voyage has a strong urine smell beginning in the bathroom and after pumping permeates the whole trailer. It's a dometic toilet. It appears to be tight and no seal leaks, I could find. I suspect it's a venting issue. Granted, it was 90 and we stayed hydrated so there is that. But black tank level was 1/3 full. We have not used any tank chemicals other than Galgon to this point.
help please.
So, had the same problem and after much washing, sanitizing, dumping, cleaning I found the problem...well, at least, our problem. 1st question, is your Dometic Toilet all plastic. 2nd questions, do you flush the toilet after every use-ish. Asking, because, we have a plastic Dometic and while we were boon docking we got into the habit of not flushing the toilet after urinating a few times in a row. With the Dometic plastic toilet I've found that if there is more than and inch or sow of liquid in the bowl, it will seep into the area between the outside of the toilet and the bowl and just sit there and ferment. I found this out when the smell just recently got so bad I removed the toilet and took it outside and when I tipped it back to check the bolt down flange seal all this nasty yuk came pouring out............thank goodness I did this outside! I took the toilet all a part to investigate the cause and the seal that the flush gate seal to is only for that and not to prevent liquid from getting into no-mans'-land between the bowl and the outside. Yes, I'm going back to the Thetford Aqua-Magic Toilet with a China Bowl. Never had this issue til we replaced the Aqua-Magic......cause I broke the bowl on the Aqua-Magic.
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Vintage465
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09/27/23 12:03pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Show us what you cook on!
I have a Weber Q for pretty much everything outside. I built a griddle for it to cook breakfast outdoors. I had initially kept a Smoke Hollow Vector in the stable for doing real smoke cooking but I've found that the amount of time I use it vs. the space it takes up in my little coach didn't vett out in it's favor. The WeberQ makes GREAT hamburgers. Far as steaks, chops, fish etc, it does a fine job of grilling but the flavor is just not there when you're used to wood...it is just a way to cook outside.
https://i.imgur.com/BNbRa1wl.jpg
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Vintage465
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09/20/23 09:44am |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
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RE: Travel Trailer for Two
Outdoors RV Manufacturing has a pretty good assortment of coaches that have recliners and TV's in the same viscinity. The walk in shower could be a problem though.
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Vintage465
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09/20/23 09:16am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Black Tank only holds 1/2 to 1/3 of capacity
Glad it looks like you're at the end of the issue. I've found a few things that affect black tank performance..........if you can call it that! 1st.....forget about the sensors, as mentioned, they're a sails pitch and will need constant cleaning from jet pressure to even be in the ball park. 2nd, make sure you figure out your "water to solids" ratio. Meaning make sure you're not concerned about conserving water that there is not enough water to help disolve/break-down solids and toilet paper. 3rd, make sure you're dumping on a reasonabley level or leaning to the dump side surface.
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Vintage465
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09/20/23 09:13am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: DEF fluid
Tractor Supply and Walmart seem to have the best prices, even for name brands
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Vintage465
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09/18/23 08:42am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Solar Power forTrailer
I think an energy audit is a worthwhile exercise. I haven't really done one on my coach, but the highest draw we have is the forced air furnace. We had 300w of solar installed with a 30a PWM controller on factory "solar ready" wiring charging two 6v batteries.....barely worked. The I upped it to four 6v, added another 150w panel, moved the controller down to the pass thru closer to batteries and increased the wire from the panels to the controller to #4. Now I have all the power I need. Incidently, we don't have an inverter to run anything 120v/AC. We are all 12v and propane. Never run a genny either. Someday I will upgrade to an MPPT so I'm getting all that the solar is harvesting........but really for us it works good enough like it is to spend the $$$ somewhere else.
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Vintage465
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08/31/23 08:42pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Best Atwood Stove Mod Ever!
Did the grill igniter several years ago and love it. Nice when boondocking if one of us is up early fixing coffee on the stove so you don’t have the loud clicking.
Exactly correct with the loud clicking! And more loud clicking when it doesn't light!
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Vintage465
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08/26/23 12:55pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Best Atwood Stove Mod Ever!
All the wires and igniters in the kit are discarded. And I had to order up a set of 5 wires to get one that I needed to get to the oven pilot.
Grill Igniter kit
My Atwood is three burners too. The igniter has four "ports" for sparking. I used the fourth to spark the oven
Igniter wire and electrode kit
Note: Moderator edit to fix long URLs which made page too large.
I hate to say it but I'm a bit confused. How did you take a 4 wire igniter system and add a fifth wire to it for the oven? When I look at your ebay links it looks like there are only 4 spades on the back of the unit for the wires. Did you just splice two wires together on one spade?
My atwood stove only has 3 burners. If you have a 4 burner stove, You may need to add a second ignitor just for the oven
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Vintage465
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08/26/23 12:51pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Best Atwood Stove Mod Ever!
That's a real neat looking piece. I recently replace our tub/shower faucet with and all brass one. I also hooked up a hot water recirculating system with a 12 volt, food grade, high temp recirculating pump. I turn the pump on for thiry seconds then turn it off. Then I have instant hot water.
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Vintage465
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08/04/23 10:29am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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Best Atwood Stove Mod Ever!
Since the existing Atwood Piezo sparker tends to work only when it likes to. I converted mine to an electronic unit sourced from gas grill replacement. My brother did this to his trailer and I pirated it from him. I used a step bit to enlarge the existing hole so the new pushbutton igniter assy would fit. All the wires and igniters in the kit are discarded. And I had to order up a set of 5 wires to get one that I needed to get to the oven pilot. A very simple bracket needs to be made to attach the igniter to the oven pilot. I used the existing ones from the stove.....I had to love on the connector with needle nose pliers a bit to get them to fit the new ingiter, but worked very fine. It worked the first time with no tuning or adjustments. I think this is a very worth while and inexpensive mod. All you have to be is reasonably good with your hands. I don't think i spent more than 2hrs doing this.
https://i.imgur.com/Lo6W3awl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PSgCasHl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/xGiFJmil.jpg
Grill Igniter kit
Igniter wire and electrode kit
Note: Moderator edit to fix long URLs which made page too large.
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Vintage465
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08/04/23 09:12am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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