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Forum
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RE: Batteries setup for boondocking
To those concerned about placing batteries and inverter/charger in the same bay or compartment:
I knew that before we started. I did not go into much detail but each divided section was well sealed and vented and we have had no problems in five years.
I did ask the OP not to do this himself but by someone who knows what he is doing.
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Noel
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11/20/09 07:34am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Batteries setup for boondocking
You don't give us a lot to work with. But how about this: Empty out a storage compartment and install a slide out battery holder that will hold four or more 6 volt golf cart batteries and buy your self a 2000 watt or more inverter/charger and cram that into your new battery compartment. Seal your batteries off from the inverter and vent the new battery compartment. Get a Link 1000 battery read-out and two or more 120 watt solar panels and a charge controller.
Find a qualified person to smooth out the above and install for you. Do not do this yourself.
After you figure out your amp hour usage you can figure out exactly what you need. Then add on 20% more.
Parts and labor will be north of $2500.
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Noel
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11/19/09 02:36pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: GPS street directions work OK over your FM radio ?
Here is what we did: Bought a new Garmin 755T from Costco for $200. Bought an Altec small battery powered speaker from Radio Shack for $39 which will connect to the 755T to boost the spoken instructions.
We shall see.........
Thanks for your inputs.
PS: The 755T takes SD cards.
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Noel
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11/16/09 08:07am |
Technology Corner
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GPS street directions work OK over your FM radio ?
Our RV up front is noisy. Our Garmin 255w does not put out a lot of sound and it is easy to miss what she is saying.
Garmin (and TomTom) have units that will hook into your FM radio and permit louder volume. We were looking at the Garmin 755T.
Garmin tech tells me you have to tune your FM radio to an "empty" frequency/station (lots of static) for this to work. So, as you drive and more FM stations come in on your radio, you have to keep tuning to an "empty" frequency/station.
So, who has any brand of GPS that has the FM radio option and how do you like it?
Did you have to upgrade your FM antenna on your coach? Are there any tricks we need to know about?
Thank you
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Noel
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11/05/09 09:45am |
Technology Corner
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RE: New "clean air" gas pump nozzles: Too big for filler opening
I faxed Robert Olson, CEO of W/I about this problem. Got a call today from Troy at W/I in response. Not much info except that a few RV'ers in CA are using the McCuff but W/I has not yet received any feedback from them.
So........you CA owners: Have you used the McCuff and what were the results?
Olson's fax is 641.585.6806. Troy's # is 800.537.1885.
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Noel
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10/28/09 01:55pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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Question about ShurFlo 2088 water pump
I wanted to check the strainer and removed the clear oval fitting but could not get it apart. Peering through, the strainer looked fine. But......is there a way to pry the fitting apart to get a better look or clean/replace the strainer?
Thank you
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Noel
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10/28/09 07:08am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Adding Brake Fluid to 1982 Holiday Rambler Class A
You might be able to hold a flashlight on the back side of the reservoir with one hand and hold a mirror near the front side. You should be able to see through and check the level.
If you need to add fluid be careful not to get dirt/dust in there.
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Noel
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10/16/09 07:58am |
Tech Issues
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Need a new toilet. Plastic or China best ?
Our 2004 Thetford AquaMagic IV plastic toilet has broken down. RV service center who handles Thetford tells me THERE ARE NO SPARES AVAILABLE. Part is called a "knife valve" and it will permit the blade at the bottom of the bowl to come back out after a flush. As of now, after a flush, the blade will not come back.
Are not mfrs. required to keep 10 years of parts available? Can I ask Thetford to send me a complete toilet, free?
If worse comes to worse, is a new plastic or china toilet preferable?
Thank you
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Noel
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10/14/09 06:18pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: New "clean air" gas pump nozzles: Too big for filler opening
I took Firemane's suggestion and called McCuff (Greg @ 1-888-762-2833) who advised it would work as W/I corporate had talked to him about his device. So I ordered one. Greg said I could get a refund if necessary and that about 80 W/I owners had bought from him, so far.
Go to www.mccuff.com. About $24, shipping included.
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Noel
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10/14/09 10:08am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: New "clean air" gas pump nozzles: Too big for filler opening
UPDATE:
This subject was in November 09 MOTORHOME mag on page 56, TechSavvy "Fuel Fill Opening".
Not much of a solution offered except pull the gas nozzle rubber boot up with one hand and press the trigger with your other hand.
So.......anyone in CA reading this post and what has been your experience and/or solutions?
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Noel
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09/28/09 11:35am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Time to replace ALL our coolant hoses?
Thank you for all the prompt responses.
The problem was not a hose but a leaking "heater valve" connected to a 3/4 inch or so hose, high up on the passenger side.
I did have brake fluid changed out few weeks ago and last year had power steering, transmission fluids changed as well as coolant. Belt is three years old.
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Noel
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09/15/09 07:36am |
Class A Motorhomes
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Time to replace ALL our coolant hoses?
Found a dripping coolant hose leak yesterday. GM 8.1 L gas engine on our 2004 Sightseer P32 chassis. Small diameter 1/2 or 3/4 ???
Am thinking it would be a good time to replace all the hoses. And get new clamps (maybe stainless steel). This are original hoses.
MH at a repair shop now. Whadda you think?
BTW, I tried to find a complete hose replacement kit for the 8.1 L. No luck. Can someone post a live link?
Thank you
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Noel
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09/14/09 12:48pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: New "clean air" gas pump nozzles: Too big for filler opening
I called Winne Service and was told that there is a "filler neck extension" that might help. No part # given.
I called David Straw at Lichtsinn (a good guy and always helpful) and told him what Winne told me and he said he would research and call back. He did. He found a "spacer plate" W/I p/n 154223-01-02B. After discussing, it seems it probably would not help me as it is meant to change the angle of the gas pump nozzle.
Anyone out there have a link or a picture to post of this item?
I called a local W/I dealer who did not know about my problem. He said try pushing back the rubber accordion boot by hand and keeping it there while pumping gas. He thought my idea of using a foot or so of the right size PVC as an extension might work.
Any thoughts?
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Noel
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09/12/09 06:21am |
Class A Motorhomes
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New "clean air" gas pump nozzles: Too big for filler opening
We were in CA last week and more than one gas station (Shell, Chevron or Union 76) had the new "EV" clean air pump nozzles that were larger than the old fashioned ones and would not clear our filler opening.
Going from station to station would finally find the old fashioned nozzles. But they will all be phased out eventually.
In other words, the plastic handle/body would not permit the pump nozzle to go into the filler tube enough to push the rubber whatchamacallit back enough to create a seal and let the pump go on.
We have a W/I Sightseer 27C, gas engine. Filler opening to get to the gas cap is 8x8 inches. There is an oval indentation to get access to the filler tube that is 5-1/2 inches tall x 4-1/2 inches wide.
Have not yet asked W/I how to fix the problem. It seems the upper inch or so of the 8x8 opening could be cut away and hopefully allow the larger nozzle body to squeeze in. Not sure.
Then, there is the smaller oval opening to deal with. Not sure about this, either.
OK. Who out there has seen my problem? Is this just in CA that the newer, larger, clean air nozzles are going to be installed?
Is there some way to bring a tube-like device along with me that can push the rubber dohicky back far enough and let the pump go on, without the larger nozzle body penetrating the filler opening? 2 inch PVC or smaller?
Have I missed something and made a mountain out of a mole hill?
Thank you,
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Noel
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09/08/09 02:40pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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Make sense to buy US Mint silver coins ?
So what happens if the dollar collapses in relation to other world currencies? What happens if the world financial markets go crazy? Or the currency traders like Forex end up fleecing the USA like Bernie Madoff?
I have no idea. So......if I buy US Mint .999 silver coins for $20 or so and bury them in the back yard.....is this a good idea?
Can I buy food and gasoline with silver dollars and get a better deal than by using paper money?
Silver used to be a big deal years ago for photography and areospace firms. Now, who wants/uses it? Chip makers? Hi-tech batteries?
I really can't think this out to a conclusion. Any thoughts?
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Noel
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08/27/09 09:57pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Time for new brake fluid ?
Thanks to all for your prompt replies. The fluid will be changed out tomorrow early and my test drive will reveal if all is well. I have Sat and Mon to bring the RV back if there is any problem.
I do use first or second gear when going down a steep grade and stab brake rather than riding the brake. But still, the temp will be about 90 or 95 degrees on 9/3 when we depart and being non-mechanical, I worried about the fluid boiling.
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Noel
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08/27/09 03:40pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Time for new brake fluid ?
Well, Gale you obviously do not know what a klutz I am. I tried a couple of times using the hex wrench to no avail. Did not know there were two hidden screws in addition. Under the carpet. I watched a RV guy try to get it back into place. 20 minutes later it was not 100% sealed. Had to take it back.
BTW, anyone: Workhorse cust service advises DOT 3. They had no info on DOT 4. Local W/H service says use DOT 4 as it has a higher boiling temp. Sound right?
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Noel
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08/27/09 11:01am |
Class A Motorhomes
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Time for new brake fluid ?
We have a 2004 W/I Sightseer 27C on a P32 with the 8.1L. 12,200 miles.
Sorry to relate I have never taken off the doghouse to see what's what.
I have checked the brake fluid level from underneath with a mirror and flashlight. Never checked to see if fluid has turned dark.
Going to CA on 9/2 and just read in MH mag about condensation in brakes causing stopping problems. I can have the fluid changed out tomorrow but was wondering if the job was not 100%, or not bled properly and I am going down the Siskiyou grade from OR to CA and a problem occurs what are my options? I will have spare brake fluid but I can't bleed the brakes. I'm a mechanical dummy.
How about if I wait until our return home to change out the brake fluid?
I don't think there is water in the brake line but I don't really know.
Any advice for this Worrywort? Thanks
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Noel
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08/27/09 09:31am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: new truck for our camper
We sold our Arctic Fox 1150 in 2004 and had carried it on an 2000 F350 and later a 2002 Chev 3500 D/A.
The problem with the F350 with A/T was no matter how careful we were going downhill, the brakes would get hot and smoke.
This problem cured with the 3500 as the Allison trans kept us SLOW, going downhill and seldom had to touch the brakes.
I think Ford now has TorqueMatic shift or something similar which will keep you happy when going down a long grade.
Guess if you got a manual trans all the above is moot.
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Noel
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07/26/09 07:47am |
Truck Campers
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