Handy Hints, Gadgets, Products & Gizmos

[GizmosMom]

Another member suggested a new forum section with new products but it doesn't look like it will be feasible. So I thought I would post this here under General RVing Issues. If enough people post (even if you have mentioned it before in another post) we can keep it near the top?

Do you have a handy hint, a new product or an old product that makes your RVing or Camping much better?

(Sorry, no commercial advertising allowed)

I'll start:

Someone in the Camping Van posted a reference to using a Super-Chamois to wipe down their shower. I have been using an icky old thick sponge and I like the chamois idea so much more.

Now I want to hear what works for you

[ladymc53]

Don't know if this is the place for it, but the new iphone! There is an application (app) for it called facetime that you can see who you're talking to and vice versa if they have a 4G iphone with the same app! This will be great for RV'er's on the road who don't get to see their family for long stretches of time. You can see the grandkids grow and they can see who you are and hopefully not forget you! I currently have the 3 G and will upgrade to the 4 G soon and I can't wait!

[jagco]

paulb4333, could you post a link to what kind of fan you are talking about? I went to Lowes web site, and squirrel fan got no results. Floor fan brought up 77 results. One was a fan that I really don't think is what you are talking about. The other results were, oddly enough, floor lamps.

[paulb4333]

In our stick and brick home we love sitting outside even in HOT southern weather since our ceiling fans help us keep cool.
On the road sometimes it gets too hot outside...but no ceiling fan of course. We've tried portable fans but they are either too loud or don't have enough volume.

We finally found the perfect answer in a "floor fan" or squirrel fan from Lowes. It is the kind used to dry rugs or floors, is compact, inexpensive and produces a huge volume of air ( we seldom turn it past 1 of 3 speeds.

Has really added to our outdoor time.

[jagco]

Denise, you're going to have to get your hubby on the ball and get those pics off that samsung! Afterall, it's his work that you want to share with us. Tell him you've been bragging about him and we want to see the fine work he's done 🙂

[Denise_in_Ark]

shadows4 wrote:

Sounds cool, BUT if your going to brag like that lets see PICS!!!! Surely you don't expect us to take your word for it do you?:W

Happy Camping, John

...yyyyeahhh...that would mean I'd have to get the pics off of my samsung Jack. Last time I tried that, I lost every pic on my phone! But if DH will help me figure out how to make it happen, I'll be happy to share. I knew nobody would believe it, so I took pics at every stage.

[shadows4]

Denise in Ark wrote:
We are redecorating our new-to-us 5th wheel and I couldn't find any light fixtures that are what I really wanted. Besides, they were all pretty expensive but looked kinda cheap. DH cannibalized the existing 12v light guts and rewired some 110 fixtures that I liked and got for a reasonable price. It took about a half hour per each. Anyone that knows how to install a ceiling fan can probably figure out how to do it. The shiny brass-and-plastic satellites are now gone and the new tuscan fixtures look fabulous.

Sounds cool, BUT if your going to brag like that lets see PICS!!!! Surely you don't expect us to take your word for it do you?:W

Happy Camping, John

[Denise_in_Ark]

We are redecorating our new-to-us 5th wheel and I couldn't find any light fixtures that are what I really wanted. Besides, they were all pretty expensive but looked kinda cheap. DH cannibalized the existing 12v light guts and rewired some 110 fixtures that I liked and got for a reasonable price. It took about a half hour per each. Anyone that knows how to install a ceiling fan can probably figure out how to do it. The shiny brass-and-plastic satellites are now gone and the new tuscan fixtures look fabulous.

[Roadtech]

I love using Weber Firestarters and lump charcoal in my little camp grill. The Firestarters are small white cubes that really get the coals going without any of the taste of lighter fluid or messing with charcoal chimneys. I stack up the lump charcoal in a pyramid in the grill and place 2 or 3 firestarters under the pile with one edge showing for lighting. It is simple, compact, and helps to make the food taste great.

[scootsk]

Wow, 4 days I will never get back. Well worth it though.

Thanks to all. Will post some of mine when I return from my trip this weekend. I have forgotten the thing I have done. The trip will remind me.

Oh yeah, I built a dimmer switch with an extension cord so that my awning lights could be dimmed. Probably the best mod I've done.

Also, a two gang box with four outlets with a plug on the end, from my PUP dsys, still use it many years later.

[M00d]

I couln't get my fellow to make one so I bought one from Camping Bucket Light. I'm very happy with it.

[LarryJM]

purdum wrote:
How is the power switched on to the fan. Is it a switch you have remember to turn off.

I took one of the small brushless 12 computer cooling fans mounted two strips of al. and covered it with some screening and attached a micro switch to it and put the power on a small stereo plug. That way I can turn it on when needed and remove it when not neeeded. This also allows the air to flow directly over almost all the cooling fins.

I also have one of the battery frigmate fans that I put on the middle shelf in front that is usually all I need. With the frigmate fan near the door there is more air around the door to circulate and it helps. Below are a couple of pics of the powered fan I installed.





Larry

[revrnd]

If you're in Canada looking to replace your WaterPur filters found in Forest River units, Lowe's & Canadian Tire sell active charcoal Rainfresh brand filters that are direct replacements.

[Jeanne_M]

Cyndi H wrote:
I took a 3-tiered wire basket - the kind for hanging with fruits and vegetables - and separated it into 3 separate hanging baskets. They now hang from my kitchen cabinets in the sink area - freed up a lot of counter space where I used to have bowls of onions, potatoes, and fruit.

Good idea! But what do you do with the baskets when you're on the move? I don't really have the space for baskets over my sink area, but this would be great for tossing in leashes, keys, flashlights, gloves, hats...etc., in another area. Like over the driver's seat when not in use!

Thanks for another great idea!!

[Cyndi_H]

I took a 3-tiered wire basket - the kind for hanging with fruits and vegetables - and separated it into 3 separate hanging baskets. They now hang from my kitchen cabinets in the sink area - freed up a lot of counter space where I used to have bowls of onions, potatoes, and fruit.

[Dutch_12078]

JimBollman wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:

JimBollman wrote:
I have used one that ones run off 2 D cells for several years now. I find that if you slide a thin piece of plastic into the battery contacts to turn it off when you turn the frig off the batteries are good for a whole season, got two years out of the last set. Not worth all the hassle wiring in a fan for the cost of 2 D cells every year or so.

It does help.

All what hassle? It took less than 10 minutes to hook up my wired double fan to the light power source in my Norcold. No hassles with remembering to slip little plastic things into the battery contacts either. :B

Dutch

Sorry, I should have mentioned My frig does not have a light so I would have to feed power in from somewhere outside.

I did mount 3 fans on the coils outside the frig to help in the cooling. They are connected to a temperature switch so the fans are disabled when the coils are cool (frig off). I added a switch in series so I can turn them off when I really don't need them (cool days/evening). I have it setup so I can run on one or all 3, depending on need and how much I'm trying to conserve battery.

Jim...

Ok, yep, that does add to the wiring complexity a bit. 🙂