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RE: Sufficient Diesel pucher HP ?
That kind of grade with a 330 cat and that coach will get you down to 4h or 5th. You'll be on the cusp of the two gears. I never keep it to the floor so I would let it find fourth and keep it there manually. Don't sweat the altitude as thats what the turbo is for.
We have done similar grades with our combo and are always in fourth and sometimes have dropped back to third but then again our rig is 31000 lb and my toad is a little heavier. :) We have the Cummins 350 and it has a little more torwue but not much. 1050 pounds.
Heres our combo. :) Evertthing is within specs for towing...barely.
http://johnandangela.ca/images/wpe68875logo2.jpg
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John & Angela
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03/16/10 07:09pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: US Drug Problem
There is a school of thought out there that says the smuggling problem may start to sort it self out sooner than later. Parroting what I read and saw here but as little as 10 years ago 70 percent of marijuanna had to be imported in to the US. That is now down to 50 percent and may be as little as 30 percent within the next 10 years. Apparently most is grown in state and national parks and self sufficiency is not a long ways off. The benefits of this are obvious but the down side is the clandestine operations are obviously putting a strain on the DEA. California is on the right track and is already reaping tax benefits with the controlled sale under "specific" circumstances.
I suspect as more of the border patrol and homeland security staff get on cartel payrolls the difficulty of getting product to customers will decrease and along with it the violence.
It's going to be an interesting decade or two.
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John & Angela
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03/15/10 08:45pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Pre-Wired for Solar Wiring Question
It sounds like a fun project and wish I could help. If there is anything else I can do let me know. Good luck on the project and let us know how it goes.
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John & Angela
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03/14/10 07:58pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Pre-Wired for Solar Wiring Question
Sounds like a project. :)
Did you ever find a sticker marked "solar pre wire" or "solar ready"
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John & Angela
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03/14/10 07:08pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Pre-Wired for Solar Wiring Question
Good morning. From what I can see the Blue Sky is all wired in. The previous person wired it to the output of the converter which of course is connected to the batteries. Nothing wrong with this.
The only thing you should have left to do is install the solar on the roof. From what I gather you have already found the termination of the wire pair up there.
Re your question on the blue sky. It is considered to be a top end unit. It is a combination of digital and analogue technology that is less than main stream in the industry now but has a following as they tend to be very reliable but slightly pricier. They are "clicky" in the sense that they use relays for disconnecting the output when the sun goes down. (this is the analogue side of things). The make an audible click or sometimes a series of them as the threshold level is approached.
We have 2 blue sky controllers in our two motorhomes and they have worked reliably for us for years. One is the same as yours and the other is a 50 amp.
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John & Angela
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03/14/10 10:02am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Pre-Wired for Solar Wiring Question
I'll check back here tomorrow. I checked out the picture you posted. I am not usre if this is your rig or an example of what you would like your project to be. I'll reserve furtheer comment until I hear back. Headed off for bed.
TTYL
John
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John & Angela
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03/13/10 10:34pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Pre-Wired for Solar Wiring Question
Do you have one of those labels on one of your walls. Something like, "Solar Ready" or something to that affect.
If so I honestly think you won't be touching any of the wires you found by your converter. Remember I am not familiar with Komfort so I am speculating somewhat here but in any "solar ready" trailer or motoorhome I have dealt with there were never any connections in or around the converter.
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John & Angela
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03/13/10 09:48pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Pre-Wired for Solar Wiring Question
Normally the two wire pairs to be connected to the controller are directly behind the label on MOST manufacturers that I have dealt with. They are usually labeled clearly once you can see them. Now if you want to be sure before cutting talk to your dealer. Specifically to a technician who works on your manufacturer. They will have installed panels and controllers on your brand. (KOMFORT). Your salesman may know as well but it's best to talk to either the tech as us salesman can be less than up to date on the techy stuff. Komfort themselves may also be able to help as well. They have a good rep.
Remember. One pair goes from the panel on the roof to the input of the controller.
The other pair goes from the output of the converter directly to the battery.
Sorry I can help you with wire pairs you found at your converter but I doubt they have to do with the solar system. Maybe they are for holding tank warmer option.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes as this question will undoubtebly come up again.
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John & Angela
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03/13/10 09:35pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Pre-Wired for Solar Wiring Question
Our trailer came pre-wired for solar and I have no info on what the wires are for or anything, should I want to install any solar.
-There are some wires dangling near the battery box which are supposed to be part of the solar wiring, I was told. One of those is a red #10 gauge with a 30 amp fuse in it.
-In the fridge vent area at the top there is a bundle of thin wires with two fatter ones (maybe #8 or 10 can't see) that hang down from that bundle almost to the opening at the back of the fridge. Those two are red and white so must be for pos and neg to something except they go nowhere.
-Under the fridge is the converter, and it has the usual converter DC wiring, with #6 red and white in the lugs to the battery and frame, but behind the whole thing are two coiled bundles of white wires strapped to the wall to keep them out of the way.
-One coiled bundle has a couple of #6 and some #10s (? thin anyway) and the other coil with it has a #6 and some thin wires too.
Could those coils ( handy to the converter ) have anything to do with solar? The wires from both coiled bundles all disappear into the wall and go upwards somewhere and do not re-appear anywhere I can find.
Not asking for a detailed wiring explanation, but in general, what solar components would need those wires in those locations and perhaps what should be there I haven't found?
(Actually, I was hoping to use the solar wiring instead of the existing converter-battery wiring since it might have a more direct route and half the distance, but it doesn't look good with that skinny #10 by the battery. I would try those nice fat #6s in the mystery coils if the other ends of those came out by the battery, but no such luck.)
Thanks for any help on what all those wires might be for.
Here we go. I'll do my best for you.
There is probably a wire pair going from your roof to a point inside your rig. The point inside your rig will probably have a label like "solar ready" or something like that. Immediately behind the label (yes you will probably have to cut) there will be a wire pair coming from the roof. These wires are meant to be hooked to the solar panel on the roof. The roof will probably have either an exposed wire pair or some type of connector that you will connect to the solar panel. The other end of the pair that you will find behind the label will be connected to the input of a solar controller or regulator that you will have to buy. (they sometimes come with the solar panel).
Now, there will also be another wire pair behind that label. These will be connected to the output of your solar controller or regulator. The other end of these wires you have already found and terminate at the battery. Easy hookup.
How did I do. Any questions?
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John & Angela
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03/13/10 08:34pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: No Hassle Zone
I believe it has to do with requirement for vehicle permits. Moisheh will hopefully jump in here and get us on track.
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John & Angela
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03/13/10 08:25pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Telcel 3G Internet
What I like about this is it is buy as you go. The majority of the time our Wifi antenna gets us on a signal so we don't need it but it would be nice to have that as a backup. Overall though we still find WIFI in Mexico more reliable and available than campground WIFI in either Canada or the US. We use an external antenna.
Thanks for the informative report.
John and Angela
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John & Angela
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03/13/10 09:48am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Mexico for the winter
Not to over blog you but here is Angelas picture tour. Not really a Blog, just lots of pictures by location...lots of me eating, gotta talk to her about that. There is three winters of pictures there.
http://johnandangela.ca/
and another mexico RVing resource.
http://www.mexicorvforums.com/
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John & Angela
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03/13/10 09:05am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: best tow 4 wheels down
I tow a smart car. It is great. auto/mannual tranny combo. Just hookup and go in about two minutes. 1670 lbs.
And dagnamit they look cool. :)
http://johnandangela.ca/images/smartcar/img_3384.jpg
Not sure what the American smarts are getting now but our diesel is getting about 72 MPG. Yee ha.
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John & Angela
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03/12/10 03:30pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Caravaning in Mexico
Our first exposure to Mexico was with a Caravan 3 years ago. What a hoot. We went down with John and Becky from Baja Winters. There were 18 rigs and it was a blast. Also the best crash course on travelling and living in Mexico we could have ever had. We are more exoerienced Mexican travellers now but wouldn't hesitate to go with these two again. It was cheap too. We made memories and friends that will be with us for a long time.
To each his own.
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John & Angela
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03/12/10 02:18pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Walmart Parking Lot Courtesy?
In our case when we pull our little C we would need to reconnect the driveshaft everytime so that solution woudln't work for us.
Sounds like a personal problem. Just because it's difficult to disconnect does not make it Walmart's problem. Same goes for the rig with slides out on both sides because it's unlivable otherwise. Walmart customers trying to find a parking spot wouldn't appreciate it, and might be inclined to complain to the store manager. If the manager gets enough of those kinds of complaints, the privledge could be revoked for everyone.
If parking there without inconveniencing Walmart or its customers is not possible, no matter what the reasons, just don't park there.
WOW!!!! :E
Heh heh. Yah sounds like he is having a bad day. :)
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John & Angela
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03/12/10 02:10pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: 2 fast questions
Make sure you get accurate conversion rates on the dollar. Contrary to popular belief there is still a difference. No problem as long as it is calculated in there. Don't use the conversion rate on the internet, talk to your bank.
I was quoted today 1.06 to buy USD... then I told them I wanted 250k USD & the price went to 1.0341. Pretty big difference ya.
Good on ya for checking. Wait a little longer and it will probably get better. :)
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John & Angela
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03/12/10 09:34am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Walmart Parking Lot Courtesy?
One other thing to keep in mind is if a motorhome is pulling a toad 4 wheels down it is not possible to back up into a spot which of course can cause problems.
Very true. But it only takes a few seconds to disconnect the toad. :W
And of course you are right. In our case when we pull our little C we would need to reconnect the driveshaft everytime so that solution woudln't work for us. Many use drive shaft disconnects but there are more than a few of us who don't for various reasons. It takes Angela about 5 to 10 minutes to reconnect the drive shaft and about the same to disconnect again. We only pull this when we are dead heading somewhere. The majority of campgrounds don't want to see us...understandable. We tend to stay at truck stops, casinos and walmarts. We are self contained and don't need services for long stretches so campgrounds are out of there for us. I am still amazed that some people feel it is a money thing. I guess my point is every one has their reasons for doing things. To generalixe and lump people together as lazy, cheap, inconsiderate or whatever is wrong in my opinion. Heres a pic of our Toad. Not all the time but at least the years we travel in Mexico.
http://johnandangela.ca/images/wpe68875logo2.jpg
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John & Angela
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03/12/10 09:25am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Walmart Parking Lot Courtesy?
Can't believe how selfish RV'rs are in Walmart Parking Lots!! We'll all be lucky if we aren't forbidden to park in them.
We "park" in one many nights while traveling the US. Right now we are in Ft Stockton, TX. It is the ONLY place to stop on I-10 for many miles. As we thought, the lot is starting to really fill up with all types of RV vehicles.
My point is how thoughtless drivers are about where they park and stop. Some actually block aisles near entrances, some just pull in and take an entire row the long way and stop in the middle of it, rather than an end so another RV'r could also park there.
This Walmart is a tiny parking lot and becoming extremely abused by thoughtless RV'rs! One big 5th wheel just pushed out sliders on both sides and parked in the middle of the row so no one can park anywhere near him - how thoughtless!!
Can't we all get out, walk around and perhaps look the lot over before just parking without any thought to how can I not hurt the Walmart business while helping my fellow RV'r??
We better ALL start to think responsibly and remember it is a PRIVILEGE to park in a Walmart - not an RV'rs right!!
I don't want to get kicked out of Walmart parking lots because nobody bothers to "think" before just "parking"!!
I hear ya guys. Some of the opposing slide fifth wheels are unusable when the slides are in. I imagine some motorhomes are as well. Not an excuse, just an observation. We are too afraid to put ours out for getting them whacked but our coach is pretty well all useable when they are in. One other thing to keep in mind is if a motorhome is pulling a toad 4 wheels down it is not possible to back up into a spot which of course can cause problems.
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John & Angela
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03/11/10 06:32pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Caravaning in Mexico
Greetings,
Seems like years ago when I explored the subject of RVing in Mexico there was an organization called The Caraveeners or something to that effect. In doing a web search now it only shows a group in Europe.
Is there a group of independent RV owners that band together, for safety and companionship, that travel together to various Mexican destinations?
TIA
There is a dedicated Mexico RV forum that just opened up that has a section for those wishing to travel with others.
Here you go. http://www.mexicorvforums.com/forum/
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John & Angela
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03/11/10 06:23pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: 2 fast questions
Make sure you get accurate conversion rates on the dollar. Contrary to popular belief there is still a difference. No problem as long as it is calculated in there. Don't use the conversion rate on the internet, talk to your bank.
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John & Angela
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03/11/10 06:19pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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