Camper_Jeff___K
Nomad III
Joined 17 years ago
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Block Heater Fail. Back To Drawing Board
How A Block Heater And Oil Cooler Work I tried to install a KAT'S Inline block heater. Simply put, it won't work without modification to the cooling system. It is an inline heater that heats to 175 degrees F. The problem is, it needs a flow return path. If you merely install the heater in the lower radiator hose, it won't work because there is no way for heated coolant to flow into, through, and back out of the block. Without a return flow path to recirculate, there is no way the device can work. I may in the future do the modifications necessary but that will be a different video if I ever do it. The oil cooler is setup so coolant will flow through the oil cooler but only when the thermostat is at operating temperature and flowing into the radiator. The oil cooler relies on coolant flow through the bottom radiator hose to redirect some of that flow through the oil cooler. If there is no coolant flowing through the lower radiator hose past the reducer and the two hoses to the oil cooler send and return hoses, there is no flow, so no cooling of oil in the cooler. I hope you enjoyed this video and found it informative and usefulRe: Firestone Airbag Lift Spacers
I put in the heavier springs and airbags could hardly manage the weight of the TC and our stuff. Stock, unloaded, it rode fairly vevel but the front left rode about an inch and a half lower. The front left spring had weakened and has a visibly different, flatter arc than the front right. I do have a rear spring installation video showing all that detail you can watch if you want. I also have a more recent 3 leaf front spring with newer details you can watch too. Unloaded, the truck sat pretty high in the rear. Loaded with the new front springs, it sat sat nearly flat, level, front to back, right to left. The left seemed a bit lower.than the right, half to three quarters of an inch. Installing the airbags with spacers, requires less air pressure to achieve complete level. Unloaded, the truck rides nearly flat, half an inch lower in front. Empty, its a solid ride and can sting like a bee, loaded, it floats like a butterfly. Thank you to "The Greatest" for the quote!Re: Firestone Airbag Lift Spacers
The firestone support extensions are 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 height. Mine are 2" height. Firestone's are U shape with one hole for the bolt. The problem I experienced is the bolt shifts around and works itself lose and has bent. Several times the bottom bracket falls off as the nuts work lose and fall off regardless of locktight, double nuts. Never tried nylock nuts or crushed nuts. My 2" square metal lift brackets have two holes and hold the bolt straight and steady. I have not noticed the double nuts trying to work lose yet. I think the box with 2 holes hold the bolt straight and steady lessening the action that made the bolts work lose. The taller profile puts the airbags in a more desirable position too. The metel was free scrap. All I had to do was cut, deburr, drill myself, saving some bucks. So far, they are working great!Re: Firestone Airbag Lift Spacers
It doesn't need to be a perfect solution, it is a solution that helps in a couple ways, intended or unintended. Intended is to help suppord the weight of the load. Leveling or trimming the ride is another atribute airbags achieve. It is also obvious they mount to the axle which is directly connected to the ground through the tires. That gives the airbags a seperate load path direct to ground becoming a third independent point of support. Since they are airbags riding on the tires, it is also a dampened load point due to the airbags themselves and the tires. The airbags are independent of the springs and shackles.Re: Had To Reset My Victron MPPT Solar Controller
Xantrex makes a 3000 inverter charger too. I believe the Xantrex is solid state and Victron relies on Transformers. Victron is substantially heaver and larger. I like to run the fridge on propane, usually about 5 hours a day. The solar easily keeps up and more with the demand. Just remember to switch back to propane as the sun sets. Over a month or two time, it adds up to a significant savings on propane with free solar. Or actually pays back the solar system cost faster the more I use it to the fullest. I'm coming up on my first Megawatt of solar production soon. May there be many more...Ultimate FORD 5.4L 2V Intake Manifold Repair Guide
VIDEO: Ultimate FORD 5 4L 2V Intake Manifold Repair Guide This Intake Manifold leak problem has been a constant bother. The plastic in all these plastic intakes is steadily degrading. The degrade to a point where the plastic is so soft or brittle, it breaks away at the weakest point and causes a coolant leak on the engine. The Dorman replacement is a poor excuse for a replacement part being louder, failing gasket seals, and costing up to 26 horsepower. Just not a good option. I've spent a fair amount of time dealing with the problem, I've developed a couple fixes that have proven themselves to be reliable. I'm sure there are plenty of folks here with the infamous Triton of varying liter displacements and eventually all of you will benefit from this information. Best wishes on your repairs.Re: Had To Reset My Victron MPPT Solar Controller
The Victron Displays a warning message about if an external charging source with a higher operating voltage is applied to the circuit, the Victron will shut down and go into a safety more from which you need to disconnect the battery and solar from the MPPT controller and remove the over voltage device before the system will restore.Re: Had To Reset My Victron MPPT Solar Controller
I have a reason for 3000 watts. I do run the fridge on electric, grind coffee, run a couple laptops and printer, charge phones and other USB charged devices, then of course lighting. It all adds up. I would also like the ability to run the AC on very hot days. Generally there is plenty of sun on those hot days. The batteries have a full charge of 400 AH and my solar is capable of supplying just over 50 amps. If I had to run the truck, I can generate another 30 amps, 50 when I upgrade to the new Victron 50 amp DC to DC charger, More if I parallel a pair but that shouldn't be necessary. All this has a secondary purpose, if power goes out, I can run a plug from the TC into the house and power a couple items like the fridge, and furnace. If it saves us once, it's worth it.
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