Technical Questions on New RV Hardware

Q1. No electric on site. We are powering the unit with a portable inverter generator. How can I tell if the 12 v battery is being charged? Should the battery show 13+ volts with the gen on?

A1: Yes, 13.6 give or take a very small amount is the float voltage, if you have a 3-stage converter it may show higher on the monitor panel during bulk charge but lower at battery terminals. But if it is over 13 it is likely either charged or charging.

-

Q2. The fridge and water heater vents have large openings. Our RV is set up basically in the woods at our camp property and we are there only on weekends. Can I put a screen door type metal screen on the plastic vent covers to prevent ants and spiders from entering?

A2: They actually make special screens for that already cut to fit you can get 'em at most any RV store.

-

Q3. We have a beautiful retractable TV antenna. Can I leave it up permanently? The trailer is permanent and won't be driven. I'm afraid if we go in the winter when snow is on the roof and try to raise it the ice will break it.

A3: Should not be a problem less a tree fall on it.

Q4. How level does the unit have to be to allow complete draining of the gray, black and fresh water tanks? If it is off a little, would it be better to tilt toward the right side (drain side) or away from it (door side)?

A4: Well I'd want it tilted no more than a quarter bubble and toward the drain. How level, there is information in your REFRIGERATOR's owner's manual on that for it is the device that needs to be level But 1/2 bubble is uaually ok on a bubble level or comfortable sleeping.

NOTE: once you use it, the tank sensors will likely never again show empty.. Even if you take a flashlight and visually verify it's empty.. Such is the nature of those sensors.

The holding tanks are usually designed with the valve lower than the lowest liquid level possible in the tank. If the trailer is level the tanks should drain completely.

1. No electric on site... sorry, can't help with this one

2. Can I put a screen door type metal screen on the plastic vent covers to prevent ants and spiders from entering? .... it would be better to use Camco Flying Insect Screens .... any screen material used has to have a small enough mesh to keep bugs our but not so small as to hinder the exhaust gas/heat from getting out .... over heating can really have a negative impact on the appliances

3. We have a beautiful retractable TV antenna. Can I leave it up permanently? .... leaving it up is fine .... the most likely place it would leak is the rugger boot where the coax passes through the antenna base

4. How level .... the closer to level the better .... if off, tilted slightly to where the shower will drain

hope this help

Jim

1) No electric on site/using an inverter gen......converter DC output should be 13.2V minimum to charge battery

2) Yes you can install screens........just make sure they stay cleaned or you will have issues with fridge cooling/water heater lighting off--staying lit. Air flow is critical to proper operation of RV propane appliances

3) Yes you can leave antenna UP

4) Rig level is critical to proper FRIDGE operation and long life of it's cooling unit. Level trailer for fridge and then dump/rinse waste tanks as needed.