randallb
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Re: Best PEX fitting system?
Brass fittings are expensive but plastic break. Brass fittings are expensive but shark bite, etc are even more expensive. I purchased my crimping tool about 5 years ago for a raised bed garden irrigation system and later used it to rebuild my new trailer's plumbing from the pump all the way through the H2O heater and drains when I installed the outdoor shower. The best investment in a tool for quite some time. A crimper can be tough to use in some areas but with a little thought you can pre-build assemblies so that the install crimps are in an open area that allows good access for the crimp tool.1.1KViews0likes0CommentsRe: 2004 differential goes out
In this day and age a lot of manufacturers of vehicles and or vehicle components do their development work with an oil supplier and this supplier makes additive changes to their product for that manufacturer. Even without government mandates purchasers of OTR vehicles are looking for mileage improvements. Do the math on 15 trucks running 100s of thousands of miles per year and a .5% increase in fuel mileage enhances the bottom line significantly. So, unfortunately, using an aftermarket/non-approved oil can have detrimental effects on the life of a component. I can give you one example that will never leave my memory banks. Our shop had an area referred to as the penthouse. It was on a separate level and accessible through a single door. The guys that worked up there never knew that there was a reason for having 2 gear oils in the overhead and only used one for diffs and transmissions. All of the differentials serviced in the penthouse started to make noise. They were putting the non-hypoid gear oil in diffs and the gears would gall slightly. On the other hand I have seen guys put hypoid oil in a manual transmission and wonder why they no longer shifted smooth. The syncros would notgrab on the gear face. One simple additive can have a profound effect on the service life of a component.568Views0likes0CommentsRe: Battery Minder
I use BT Jrs., .75A on everything I own. Had 2 on the Class A. I would turn those batteries off because they had disconnects and then plug in the Jrs. On everything else they just get plugged in and left to run. In the shop right now there is one on the hybrid trailer, the tractor, the DR grader, the mower, both boat batteries and the 03 Santa FE. In the house garage there is one for the UTV I use to run around the property. Everything but the SF and the boat have original batteries and the boat batteries were 5 years old before they got replaced. Best thing you can do to extend the life of a battery is to charge it slow and keep it maintained.715Views0likes0CommentsRe: RV Outlet NEC Code Question
Do it correctly the first time and in the long run it will be a lot cheaper. You can buy a good 50/30/20A breaker equipped RV box for about $120. Add the appropriate size direct bury cable with plastic conduit as it comes out of the ground (this should be legal in most areas but check your local code) and be done with it. You will always find that saving money up front will cost you more down the road. With the job done like you were setting up a new RV park it will last you for the rest of your life and will be there if you upgrade to a 50A RV. I myself always use a 50 to 30 adapter cord to my 30A EMS if the park has 50A outlets in the pedestal. The 50A outlets are always in better shape and much less likely to be burned up compared to the 30A outlet. If you can not afford it right now wait a little while. You will be much happier in the long run.556Views0likes0CommentsRe: Blue genny guy did the unthinkable!
I picked up a clearance Sportsman 4000W propane from HD a few years back and love it. It is a little noisy, <68db, but I do not use it near other people. I paid $169 shipped to the house. The best generator deal I have ever found. If my propane Generac 65kw was a little lighter I would have never purchased the Sportsman but now I do not have to unplug the Generac from the house, it is back-up.427Views0likes0CommentsRe: 50 Amp Power Panel
I do not know the length of your run but you can buy 6-2 direct bury for 2.99/foot roughly. I am sure with some shopping you can do better. A ground is normally 1/2 the size of the powers and a 6ga would give you a little extra load capacity on the ground circuit. Just bury it separately from your current run and then tape the unused wires back inside the main panel and the tombstone/sub-panel. These 2 extra wires will give you the ability to add a light or other power source near the RV panel. Remember that a little white phasing tape will allow a red or black wire to be used as a neutral.588Views0likes0CommentsRe: Fresh water tank-is it needed?
We always travel with 1/2 to 2/3 of a tank of fresh water. When we stop at a dog park it allows us to rinse off the dog if she decides to go swimming. It is also really nice to be able to pull in to fill the gas tank and then pull over to the side of the station parking lot to use our own facilities. Have you been in to a Love's, Pilot, Flying J or TA bathroom lately. I would much rather use my own toilet than to enter one of the disgusting bathrooms offered by these major corporations.548Views0likes0CommentsRe: Help understanding Stereo Power
A quick primer. You said you have 4ohm speakers. Ck the spec sheet of the head unit and you will find output with THD listed. I just finished my 03 Santa Fe, my wife would not let me have a new truck, and I started out simple. Use the OE amp with a new head unit and 2 sets of 4 ohm 2-ways. I could not get rid of the alt whine with this set up. Threw the factory amp out, a Monsoon, and install an MB Quart 90W, 4 channel for a UTV. The amp was $60.00 online and MB makes great stuff. The reason for the small amp is the lack of space in a Santa FE. New direct power to the amp from the battery and then up to the head unit. Whine gone. The sound is much better but not quite right. Memphis Audio 2.75" midranges added to the front doors. Still not happy when the dog is in her kennel in the back and I am running just the front doors. Change to 3.5" DS18 in the front doors and moved the 2.75" to separate pods in the rear. I now have 3way front and rear crossed at 1975 hz and 15.500 hz. Sounds great and just needs a little more EQ adjustment. Be careful what you start as it most likely will snowball. Most aftermarket head units will provide you with 40 watts power and should be good for your application. For around $150.00 you can get almost any name brand with a 10 to 13 channel EQ. If you do not want bluetooth capabilities you can find a good head unit for around $100.00372Views0likes0Comments
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