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RE: Securing Batteries
I have used those fittings that secure the strap for years on both our TCs and on several sailing vessels with no problems. My only concern would be with how to secure the fittings to the compartment. If there is a solid base use screws, but not screwing into a flimsy composite shell. 0therwisw It would be advisable to use bolts, washers and nuts IMHO, if the space below is accessable. It is a necessity to have the batteries very soundly secured.
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skipbee
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05/19/12 11:12am |
Truck Campers
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RE: best batteries for us
Raften.
Yep, I have the last 1121 built , I had a 2003 that had a single battery, this present one, a 2005 model 1121, has a double slideout tray that handles the 2 type 29's with room to spare. The way we operate the three battery system fulfills our needs. We have yet to have a power failure.
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skipbee
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05/16/12 08:57am |
Truck Campers
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RE: power question
There is a digital voltmeter that plugs into a lighter type receptacle. I got one from Camping World for less than $10.00. I have found this voltmeter very helpful in keeping the batteries up to snuff. The batteries should not discharged (run dow) below half capacity, which is about 12.2 volts. When the meter shows 12.2 volts its time to charge them. Depending on your charger/converter they will be full when the voltage is 13.3 volts. I have found that the digital voltmeter is a simple inexpensive way to keep track of the battery condition.
I added an extra lighter type receptacle to our rig, installing it in a location easily seen and close to the batteries, which happens to be below our sink. There is alot of data available on this site which explains, in easily understood language, how the basic 12 volt DC and the 115 volt AC electrical systems operate. With a little care and attention, the batteries will last for years and keep your TC operating safely and comfortably. Asking questions here will get you on the right track also. It may seem a bit complicated, but like most things, a step by step inquiry will clear up the confusion.
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skipbee
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05/15/12 11:01am |
Truck Campers
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RE: best batteries for us
We too have and an 1121, I have 3 type 29 Deka AGM's from Penn Mfg. I found a factory store in Baltimore and negoiated a deal with a decent discount, I think is was about $165.00 per, three years ago. The AGM's have been excellent, no maintainence, I clean the terminals annually and coat with dielectric grease. I fitted the third battery in front of the drivers side wheel well. I used a hi amp connector, the type many golf carts use, I found in a Granger catalog. The third battery extends the time between recharges. I have 120 watts of solar and a propane powered Onan built in Generator. As we boondock frequently, we run a satellite system nightly, use a laptop daily and keep our cell phones charged along with lights, fridge and the other TC appliances. We've learned that the batteries should not be run below 12.2 volts, about 1/2 capacity, in order to get the longest use possible. I have a simple digital 12 volt plugin meter in a receptacle I fitted a short run from the batteries, under the sink.
So far this system has worked flawlessly, I will never go back the water filled batteries, after having the AGM's, they are worry free. The charger system in our TC has handled them with no problems.
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skipbee
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05/14/12 07:22am |
Truck Campers
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RE: !000 nights in our TC, all boondocking and traveling
1000 nights! That should be illegal, y'all are having too much Fun.
You two are seriously, very good role models for we who are the elder wanderers. It is said "If you don't use it you lose it." So many folks we know in the"Retired" catagory are sitting around complaining and moanin and groanin, whilst your type moves and shakes and bakes, hopping and skipping to your different drummer. We are in admiration, and wish you continued good luck and good health.
Love to all,
Linda & skip
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skipbee
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05/14/12 06:13am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Has anyone looked inside their Weingard Sat Antenna?
I agree with Hey There. Clean and redo all connections and paint.
That did wonders for our OA antenna. I used dielectric grease and then shrinkwrapped the conections on both antennas, this past fall.
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skipbee
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05/14/12 05:54am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Tell me about for camper and SRW truck
woodhog,
I referred to Mike from Extreme Campers of Highpoint NC, recommendation to me of "Performance Friction" brake pads, in our earlier post. Mike was a NASCAR tech in the past. He said that PF pads were Nascar rated pads. We have been using them since, and have found them to be a noticable improvement, well worth the slight cost increase.
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skipbee
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05/13/12 02:40pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Tell me about for camper and SRW truck
Because one of our main objectives with our TC was operating on the sand on Assateague Island, a barrier island along the Atlantic coast of Maryland and Virginia, we are required to use a SRW, self-contained, 4X4, by US Park Service Regulation. Our LB, Crew Cab, F-350, Diesel, with I think , the Camper Package, has carried our Lance 1121 for now, 90,000 trouble free miles, from the Florida Keys to Alaska, and on several other cross-country trips. Among the upgrades that were added are: first and foremost, 19.5" "H" rated wheels and tires that have 5000 lbs rating each, and also, air bags and Rancho 9000 Adjustable Shocks along with heavy duty bump stops. On our Alaska trip, fully loaded, we weighed a little under 14,000 lbs. When the truck was delivered it had an increased load capability of 1000 lbs. for which we paid $1000.00 extra. I think that it was the "Camper Upgrade". If you go to- You Tube, Living the Lance Life, we are 3 of 4, you will see our rig, with which we have experienced so much of this beautiful land, safely and comfortably. We learned that the 19.5" tires, which are steel reinforced delivery truck tires, do not"Air Down" which is required on the sand of Assateague. We have a set of Nitto Dune Grapplers that we use for over sand travel and on the 150 mile trip to the beach from our home.
We also, on advice from Mike at Extreme Campers of N.C., upgraded our brake pads to Performance Friction Pads, which he likened to the quality that NASCAR uses, Mke was a Nascar Tech in the past.
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skipbee
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05/11/12 10:33am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Air hose fix for furnace...
We were advised by a Lance Tech that it should be part of the annual service to do exactly what you did. So it's now part of our regular service program. Also a good idea to have screens over the furnace exhaust and hot water heater vent to keep the daubers and spiders out
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skipbee
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05/08/12 03:09pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Fuel Mileage
On a trip to Alaska, just driving and usually running at or above the speed limits we averaged 11.5 mpg for the entire trip. Last year on a cross country trip, by paying attention keeping at or below 62 mph. Accelerating by not going over 2000 rpm, letting it build up speed going down hill and slowing going up. Along with pretty much no cruise control we averaged 13.5 mpg. When we slowed we discovered a pretty large group that were operating at the same speeds RV's, big trucks,and cars. It was a worthwhile saving on a 8000 mile trip. The key is staying at or below 2000 rpm at all times.
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skipbee
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05/08/12 06:40am |
Truck Campers
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RE: The Whazoo's trip of many colors...Or...Brokefoot Mountain
Hodaka! I havn't heard that brand name in years. It was a terrific little machine. Linda and I wound up our dirt bike days riding a pair of Bultacos She on a 100CC me on a Pursang which was a 250 if I remember right. Our swan song involved her coming up a trail to get me for a job for Triumph involving some pictures. I was coming down the same path very quickly. We met head on, while rounding a big bush,the bikes were basically totaled , we struggled to finish the day for pay. At the hospital later, no major damages were found, we both felt like a ton of bricks had hit us. Alas we never rode again.
When ever I get that yearning to tear off on a hot bike, a bolt of heat lightening fires off in me brain reminding me of flying thru the air and meeting Linda helmet to helmet, belly to belly, and then a heap of hurtin and a that a great deal of luck, allowed us to continue to breath upon this planet.
I have been musing about getting back to having a Trail 90 on the front rack, prolly a Hodaka has no chance of finding any parts if needed, I mean I'm not thinking of a Husky 400 or anything like that,
just a little honda 90. That wouldn't hurt much would it?
In the days of yore I got to follow. never to pass, Gary Nixon and Sonny Creswell, on many wild woodland wides. I guess I started too late. Triumph used to have a factory not far from us, Nixon was AMA#1 as their factory rider for a good while, until Honda appeared.
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skipbee
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05/04/12 08:57am |
Truck Campers
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RE: which tv for tc to buy
dbl post
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skipbee
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05/03/12 11:22am |
Truck Campers
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RE: which tv for tc to buy
I bought a 15" LCD from Walmart which is AC or 12 volt DC. It has performed well in all conditions, EXCEPT, it is too small and does not have a built-in digital tuner. I intend to replace it with a 22" LCD/LED Vizio, I don't usually get one with a built-in DVD, because in my experience the DVD devices fail early. I now run the satellite reciever and the DVD on a small inverter. When I add a new 22" Vizio I'll have to use the inverter for it also, when off the grid. A good quality 300 watt inverter, wired directly to the battery bank, has worked well for us. Use heavy guage wire with the shortest run to the inverter possible, fused.
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skipbee
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05/03/12 11:10am |
Truck Campers
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Free Severe Weather Alerts via Cell Phone
It was recently announced that all of the major cell phone carriers are participating in this service to provide in all locales, text messages for severe weather alerts and or other emergency information.
That where ever there is cell phone service a text message will be sent warning of tornados, wild fires, or any other dangerous conditions in that local area. The service is free, except you pay the text fee, ours is .15 cents per text message recieved. We needed to authorize our service to send us text messages. It seems like a reasonable subsitute for an auto alert radio which has to be turned on and retuned as it goes from county to county.
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skipbee
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05/03/12 10:40am |
Truck Campers
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RE: The Whazoo's trip of many colors...Or...Brokefoot Mountain
Dear Dave,Lynn and o'course Bear (burp).
You make it so tempting. We've never experienced this type of ruins and petroglyphs. Back in the day, when we were sailing in remote waters, it was the thrill of imagining what it must have been like to have come upon such beauty, being able to work out the way into and around atolls and reefs. To speculate on how the original inhabitants lived and loved and dined and danced,was and is,for us, some of lifes best benefits. Along with afternoon cocktails, of course!
We, Linda and Marley( the well travelled Labradoddle) and I are putting strong intentions into pulling off a trip to Glacier NP and the Montana Truck Camper Rally. It's a definite maybe. If when we shake de money tree,de money falls to she and me. Back on the road to adventure we will be! And maybe a peek into your world of canyons and buttes, we shall see.
Thanks a bunch for sharing your skills and views.
Love to all,
skip
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skipbee
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05/02/12 10:09am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Trip Report - Maine to ???
Thanks,Anne, for all the great Glacier stuff. It's awful that we are so brainwashed that we now can think $3.87 as a good price for diesel.
The prices here are down a bit, when I do an estimated fuel cost to the West Coast and return, it causes a mighty wince! But it ain't brain cancer(A serious problem) and "You can't take it with you." So we'll bite the bullet and plan for a visit to the Glacier/Montana TC Rally. It'll be virgin territory for us. The opportunity to get some fly fishing tips from the locals is a great draw along with experiencing some of the views not yet seen.
There is a new free app for all the major cell phone services. Free text messages for local severe weather reports and any other emergency info, country wide. This was just reported a few days ago. We had to allow text messages to recieve the service, a call to your cell service should provide the service.
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skipbee
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05/02/12 08:08am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Are my 6V batteries toast?
My motto on our TC and our former live aboard yacht was "When ever you bring a gadget on board you know it will fail, but just not when".
You may assume these batteries will fail soon. Replace them now, why have it happen in an inconvenient spot? As has been stated, 5 years is reasonable life span, they have been stressed with uncovered plates, replacement makes sense.
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skipbee
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05/01/12 06:33am |
Truck Campers
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RE: How to remove curtains on lance 845
There should be just a couple of screws holding them. I used a portable drill with and extension, you also will need to release the string which adjusts the tension. I just replaced the strings on two of mine that were broken, a google for RV day/night curtains will provide a source for string, and stringer tool, and instructions. It was not difficult.
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skipbee
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04/30/12 06:50am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Broadband2Go
We have utilized Verizon Broad Band for 5 years from the Florida Keys to Alaska. For the most part it has been satisfactory. It is line of sight, the antennas must see each other so in so very remote spots reception is spotty sometimes. Along most well traveled roads reception is excellent. We use a Wilsons Truckers cell phone Antenna which is a big help. Verizon seems to have the most coverage.
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skipbee
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04/26/12 04:19pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Question for the battery experts?
Granger has a connector used on golf carts, it's high amp, and should be used with battery cable guage wire, fused. I keep the connectors coated with dielectric grease. It is reccomended that the batteries be of the same type and age.
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skipbee
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04/26/12 05:12am |
Truck Campers
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