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RE: What are these called
First, cigarette lighter plugs are a poor choice for any 12V application! Sadly, there really is no "industry standard" for a 12V appliance or extension cord.
If you want to make your own, I would start with marine, duplex cable. Not cheap, buy you can buy it by the foot on eBay in various gauges up to at least 12 gauge.
Second, find a source for Radio Controlled XT style connectors, preferably XT90. These are small, but very rugged. You can get bare connectors, but then you have to solder and heat shrink the wire to them. You can get them with pig tails so you can crimp them on. Use bare crimps and heat shrink.
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theoldwizard1
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03/24/23 03:49pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: The Bacon Thread
One of the simplest things you can do to make bacon easier to fry is use kitchen shears and cut the strips in half !
You can cook bacon in a microwave WITHOUT making too much of a mess. Start with a large, dished plate. A glass pie pan s even better. Lay down a double layer of paper towel. Add your bacon but do not overload! Add another double layer of paper towel.
Cook for about 2 minutes. This time depends on the power of your microwave and the amount of bacon you are cooking.
Now the messy part. Move partially cooked bacon to another plate with a double layer of paper towel. Place a double layer on top. It should take less than 2 minutes to finish cooking. Adjust time for chewy or crispy.
The bacon grease soaked paper towels WILL ATTRACT CRITTERS ! Dispose f accordingly.
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theoldwizard1
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03/24/23 03:28pm |
Camp Cooks and Connoisseurs
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RE: How long should a battery last?
First, a pair of 6V golf cart batteries will last longer and not cost much more (or possibly less !) than a Marine/RV dual purpose or standard car battery.
You can do a fairly accurate home test on a battery with 3 things. A charger, a meter and a load like a head light bulb (5A-10A).
• Disconnect battery.
• Charge battery for at least 12 hours.
• Remove from charger and let "rest" for 15 - 30 minutes.
• Check voltage it should be 13.0V - 13.2V. If not, repeat step one or replace battery.
• Connect light bulb (or 2) for about 10 minutes.
• With bulb still connected, voltage should be about 12V or higher.
• Disconnect light bulb. Wait 10 minutes and check voltage. It should be a bit higher now.
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theoldwizard1
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03/23/23 08:17am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Propane Powered Engines Featuring a 7.3 Ford and 6.7 Cummins
I worked in that industry for awhile, so I have some experience.
Propane's biggest issue is the space required for the tank the seasonal price. If you have a fleet and have the space for your own refill station and have a HUGE tank, you can negotiate a good price during the off season.
Retail fills will kill you during the heating season !
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theoldwizard1
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03/20/23 07:29pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Electric and ICE forever together?
I am a retired automotive engineer. All of my fellow retired engineer and at least one "youngster" working designing EVs, predict no more than 25%-30% small/medium duty market penetration by 2030.
2 issues. Electric power generation and electric power distribution.
A FEW large cities may ban light duty ICE vehicles (or require that they carry multiple passenger) next decade !
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theoldwizard1
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03/11/23 04:06pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Visible Cell Plans & Service
What about if i need a large amount of data? Any deals?
Ting does not have any really good deals on data. Go with Visible.
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theoldwizard1
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02/22/23 05:22am |
Technology Corner
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RE: Stuck in yard, ruts. Install driveway? Ideas please.
Update, just now had one of the local folks stop by, measured it (12x50) and said 12 tons of crusher run, spread and compacted for $650. I was thinking a lot more than that. And have 2 others coming by Monday and Tuesday.
Remove sod. Lay down "road fabric" before gravel. If not it will just compact into the sub-soil. Plate compact the entire area.
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theoldwizard1
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02/20/23 10:33am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Back in the dark ages !
A shunt is a small resistance inserted in line with the load
Small in "value", but large in size.
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theoldwizard1
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02/20/23 10:29am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Stuck in yard, ruts. Install driveway? Ideas please.
Almost anything you do will sink in, especially in damp/wet conditions unless you dig down (optimally to the frost level) and back fill with gravel. You could try digging down about 6"-8" and making a two layer 4'x4' "pad" out of PT 2x4 for the pavers to sit on. The large pad should "float".
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theoldwizard1
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02/19/23 09:25am |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: New Super Duty on order
The F150 trailer options can be confusing. I hope you had a sale rep who knows his stuff !
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theoldwizard1
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02/15/23 04:18pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Visible Cell Plans & Service
The only customer service you get from Visible is via online chat or email.
If you do NOT use much data (like less than 10GB), check out Ting. Also runs on Verizon. 2 iPhones, unlimited talk and text, <5GB data, UNDER $30 WITH TAXES !
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theoldwizard1
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02/14/23 07:15pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Can the grid keep up with EV use?
To answer the original question, we are probably okay in most parts of the US for the next 5 years or so.
You will likely see "tiered" electric rates, meaning to be cost effective you will have to charge after midnight and before 8 AM.
Expect costs at "super chargers" to jump in the next couple of years in big cities.
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theoldwizard1
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02/14/23 07:07pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: 1/2 Inch Drive Corded or Battery Impact Wrench
I got a Milwaukee M12 battery impact wrench last year, and Wow.
I have the M12 3/8" impact. Great for around the house, but don't expect it to do lug nuts !
Look into getting a "system" where the batteries can be used with multiple tools like drills and saws.
Yep ! It's like getting married. Getting out of the relationship will be very expensive.
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theoldwizard1
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02/12/23 11:36am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Laser printer/scanner recommendation?
Rugged enough to survive the rough roads.
This is a BIG issue ! Toner cartridges have very fine (like talcum powder) toner. Bounced around it could leak out making a mess. You can not vacuum toner ! It will blow right through the vacuum bag !
Also, if your cab gets very hot, the toner is likely to clump together.
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theoldwizard1
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02/10/23 05:52pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Battery isolator charge vehicle battery on shore power
First. Battery "isolators" are old school. With modern vehicle charging systems, you will never be able to achieve 100% SOC on your house battery bank no matter what size wire you use.
Get rid of your isolator and replace it with a DC-DC charger. No, this will not charge you vehicle battery. Go buy an inexpensive battery tender or carry jumper cables that can go from your house battery bank to your vehicle starting battery or buy one of those hand held battery boosters.
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theoldwizard1
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02/10/23 05:42pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Help with Lithium upgrade and inverter install. Lance 825
I will need to install an automatic transfer switch, unless I can find an inverter with one built in. The only ones I have found with a built in switch are inverter/chargers. (I also need help figuring out how to wire the AC from shore power to inverter and back to distribution panel). Either that or I just run a stand-along ac circuit to the microwave outlet.
Make you life easier ! Get rid of your current converter and buy a inverter/charger/automatic transfer switch.
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theoldwizard1
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01/30/23 03:39pm |
Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)
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RE: Inverter and battery sizing to power my camper microwave
You folks are very helpful, thanks. I do get it about wiring and will plan to discard what comes with an inverter and oversize the cabling.
A DC-DC charger is a must !
If you have not purchased the inverter, look at inverter/charger/automatic transfer switch. Remove your old converter. Wire the DC fuse panel directly to the battery (large fuse at the battery). Shore power cord directly to the inverter/charger input. Out out goes directly to the A/C breaker panel.
But how do I find out about the inrush current matter? That's a bit concerning to me. I want to do all of this once only and get it right the first time.
No manufacturer specs their in rush current. On refrigeration equipment you might find "locked rotor amperage" (LRA) which would be worse than normal inrush current.
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theoldwizard1
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01/30/23 03:31pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: 8 Gauge Wire
I second the use of a DC-DC charger ! You can use the "stock" wiring (including fuse) from the 7 pin trailer connector.
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theoldwizard1
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01/30/23 03:17pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Got forced into MS 365
Re-install Windows AGAIN ! First download Windows from Microsoft and put it on a USB thumb drive.
Turn off your WiFi. When it asks you to register your license just say you will do it later.
Your best re-install option is NOT to use the built in recovery partition. Use the "retail" version you put on the thumb drive.
Go through and uninstall all of the Microsoft apps you do not want. Now turn on your WiFi and connect.
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theoldwizard1
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01/30/23 03:09pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Dinghy charging from MH
The only way you will ever be able to maintain/charge a "toad" battery is with a DC-DC charger. Have it permanently mounted in the toad, close to the battery. You can pick up B+ from the tow vehicle via the standard 7 pin connector.
You need to be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that B+ from the tow vehicle does NOT connect to B+ of the toad ! Thus way require some relays to keep these two systems isolated ! Using separate brake/turn signal lamps is a good first step !!
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theoldwizard1
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01/25/23 01:12pm |
Dinghy Towing
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