Matt_Colie
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Joined Oct 09, 2011
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Re: Which is the better battery configiration
Canpin, After you get your arithmetic correct and look at the cost/life of each, then seriously going over to FeLiPo4 and the required hardware. While I can tell you from personal experience that pairs of golf cart batteries will far out perform a collection of 12V jars, they still leave a lot to be desired. Matt_C592Views0likes0CommentsRe: An EV motor home/van?
For travelers (like we are), this holds no charm at all. Yes, co-driving we did do a single pull of 1106 miles in a "day", but we don't regularly do this. We do regularly do 350~400 mile days to get places we really want to go. We are old and so is the coach, but we do not let that slow us down at all - ever. Matt_C1.3KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Custom plastic ice box for Dometic freezer
Stacaz, You could do what I often do for special containers... Go to Dollar Tree and find something that is not quite, but you can cut it up, only use half or be otherwise creative. If you get it wrong, you are out 1.25 (or 2.50 if you had to buy 2). Matt_C1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: What to do when you are not camping for awhile
Camp, I live a little west of you just off on I-94, and we have had the same small A for 18 years. I am an "engine guy" and have also done a lot of boat work for others (and Money). As far as the engines go, fill the fuel after the last excursion of the year. This is to limit the air space in the tanks that will both lessen the evaporation of the lighter parts of the fuel and limit the tank's "breathing" that brings in moisture. If you might be laying her up for longer than an SE MI winter, learn how to "Fog" the engines to prevent internal corrosion. Once done, LEAVE THEN ALONE. This is not really all that important if she is just to be quiet from October to February. The humidity here gets real low. Boats usually have to sit through April. If you do not know all about winterizing the potable water and waste plumbing. Best learn that now. There are two ways to do it. Blow the water out with compressed air or buy lots of Red Pop and fill the system with that. The water heater is a chronic issue, but it can be managed too. I like the air method because I only have to buy about a gallon a year and that is cheap at Menards. If the water heater doesn't have a by pass, consider installing one. Lastly, the people that say to "exercise" the generator are the same people that sell parts. Best thing for that is to fog it and then drain the fuel out of the carburetor. Many small carburetors have a screw at the bottom for just this purpose. If it does not, clamp off the fuel line and run it until it stops. The varnish in the windings has been moisture proof since WWII. Matt_C643Views0likes0CommentsRe: Wifi a long way away from RV site.
In the time before tethering from a phone worked well, I used the Alfa network adapters. Usually purchased from Ebay suppliers. Not only do these run a transmit power that is multiple of what ever, but the receiver sides are equally as good and I have some high gain antennas that can be aimed at the source. I still use them sometimes if I get in a position that I don't want to burn phone data. Matt_C1.1KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Go around northeast Ohio
If retained by an Ohio LEO, you have to arrange to pay the costs and fines before you and you credentials are released. So, Drive Slowly, Stop too soon and avoid the rest of Ohio. Works for us. The other answer if you can do it is to buy fuel at the bridge. Drive across Canada (they aren't sneaky) and cross the other bridge. Matt_C720Views0likes0CommentsRe: Go around northeast Ohio
While Haste is close, Ohio is still a problem. In spite of what they do say, they have always targeted out of state plates. Years back, I had a Ohio trooper tailgate me (I mean like read the hood ornament tailgate). I just kept slowing down. He finally hit the lights and I pulled over. In very sarcastic tone he asked what I was doing. I told him that I thought my speedometer was bad and he was going to pop me for speeding if I didn't slow down. So, when in Ohio, we cruise at Speed Limit ~ -1 or 2. The people behind us get all POd and I don't care. They picked it. If you think a traffic light might have a camera, panic stop a length short of the stop line. Again, this upsets the natives. I would like to say I am sorry, but I am not good at lying. Matt_C709Views0likes0CommentsRe: Camping Recommendations For Yellowstone
Dave, Time to get out your fuel logs and a spreadsheet. When we were last in Yellowstone (fall of 2014), I really did not want to pay the tariff for a camping place in the park. Both ring roads were partially closed. Being an east coast person, I had no concept of how large YNP truly is. We don't have a towed. We do carry a pair of bicycles (for reference, bicycles are about useless in YNP), so we would have to drive our small Class A every where (at about 9MPG). The fuel cost to get into the park (not counting the lost time) about made up for the price of a space at Fishing Bridge (the most central place in the park). Fuel in the park is really expensive, but we fueled before entering and only had to buy more (because I am paranoid) once in the four full days we were in the park. If I get the time (and money) to ever go back, we will plan at least eight days. This time I was hampered by a leg problem that has since been repaired. Matt_C1.1KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Power Gear leveler hoses
Brian, That price is real high unless the hoses are really long. Without the length, one can only guess. If you can locate a local Areoquip dealer, he can sell you both proper hose and reusable fittings that you can assemble yourself. And, If you buy those and hose goes bad again, all you will need is the rubber hose by the correct number. Matt_C647Views0likes0Comments
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