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Date Posted |
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RE: Problem with Suburban SW6DE water heater
At that time it was switched off and the water was drained through the low point drains. I also took out the anode.
The heater was never without water.
This is a bit confusing-- How can you drain via the low point, remove the anode and have the heater remain full of water ???
It would seem that you may have applied power to the element w/o water which will destroy it in seconds-- Btw THANK YOU for not calling it a "HOT" water heater:)
ReM
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Electronpusher
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08/18/08 05:02pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Gold Beach OR to Lincoln City OR
Yes--
ReM
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Electronpusher
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08/15/08 02:17pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: InverterQuestion
First off thanks for all the replies. I tested the batts while plugged in and it was about 13 volts then i tested them while unplugged and i got just under 13 volts. then i turned on the inverter and checked again and it was just under 13 volts. the inverter has a readout that shows the output and it reads 0.0. so i dont think the charger runs off the inverter.
Hmm-- sorry I don't think I know what you are trying to say here--
If the inverter is providing AC input to the charger that circuit must be defeated in some fashion-- Perhaps your RV has only the TVs and one dedicated outlet connected to the inverter as you described and that would be fine--
I can't tell just by looking what the wire size is but it looks pretty big. bigger than a pencil, maybe the size of my pinky finger. I plugged in a toaster and tested it at full batt strength and i got an error message for "under voltage". The solution it says is to reduce the load. My batteries are 2 months old.
The recommended wire size for the inverter is 12awg(note sure what size that is)
That (12 gauge) would be for the AC output not the 12 VDC input--
As I thought it might, the Xantrex manual specifies 2/0 cable not 2 gauge and specifically limits length to five feet or less--
Xantrex
4/0 cable would be better-- With high loads and a marginal battery capacity the size and length of the input cable become critical--
.the distance from the inverter to the batt is only about3 or 4 feet however the wire run is more than that maybe 5 to 6 feet.
As far as checking the appliance requirements to figure out the needed watts how do you do that? Does it say it somewhere on the appliance. I looked all over the toaster and didnt see anything.
I plugged in and ran the toaster just fine but the a/c power runs straight through the inverter and powers the entire trailer
Which is it ? Does the inverter power "the whole trailer" or just the TVs and one outlet ? Earlier i think you said this was the case and now you are saying you wired the inverter using its internal transfer switch so that it will power everything ????????
so i am not sure what that test will show. anymore help you guys have i really appreciate it. This is my crash course in electrical equipment!
ReM
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Electronpusher
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08/07/08 07:27pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: InverterQuestion
As others have pointed out wire size and length are very important to inverter performance--
It sounds as though your trailer was pre-wired for maybe only a 300 -600 watt inverter-- That is all that is needed to run a couple of TV's and a DVD player , etc.--
Your Xantrex installation manual will specify input wire size and length limits-- (most inverter web site tables will recommend 4/0 cable and specify less than a ten foot length)
My guess is that Xantrex will recommend at least 2/0 (not #2) and 4/0 would be much better-- It is always better (and cheaper in the long run) to use larger cable.
(BTW Inverter cables are generally extremely flexible-- They are actually used primarily for welding and are comprised of hundreds of individual strands-- )
If the input cables are too small or too long the voltage drop across them will such that even though the batteries may be at full charge there will be insufficient voltage available for the inverter--
The suggestions to check your existing converter/charger configuration are valid also-- If the Xantrex is an inverter/charger then you could simply un-plug the converter/charger-- If not it must be un-plugged or switched off when using the inverter and re-connected when you are charging the batteries.
ReM
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Electronpusher
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08/07/08 10:08am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Inverter installer in Oregon?
This is such a simple DIY project it makes me wonder why you don't do it yourself?
Having just done this to my coach which did not have a factory inverter I must respectfully disagree:)
Every coach is different of course but pulling control cables into the proper area for the remote and pulling 4/0 from the batteries to the inverter is a real bear--
Then rewiring the main panel and installing a sub-panel for the inverter is not piece of cake either--
Oh yeah-- You are probably installing an inverter/charger (which is usually far better than your "converter" BTW) so don't forget to remove the converter and clean that area up-- Or you could just disconnect the input and leave it for a spare I suppose--
Mine (Prosine 2K) works great and looks like the factory install but I wouldn't personally do it for someone else for a thousand dollars--
(Maybe be a different story if I did two or three a week)
It's not rocket science but its not fun either and you will leave a lot of DNA samples scattered around:)
ReM
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Electronpusher
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07/25/08 09:36pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Southern Oregon & Coast - Campgrounds/Attractions
For Gold Beach I recommend a somewhat funky place called Arizona Beach, about 15 miles north of town. The RV sites there are literally on the beach and there is no traffic or train noise. They have water and electric but no sewer hookups and no dump station. Check before going to see if they are still open. The owner has been trying to sell the property to developers.
Unfortunately the state has purchased this property and has shut down the RV park-- Because it is so close to the Humbug Mtn. State Park it is to be a day use only park--:(
ReM
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Electronpusher
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07/21/08 08:36am |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: highway 101 in northern CA
101 is fine-- Presume you know that Grants Pass is on Interstate 5 about 100 miles East of 101--
ReM
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Electronpusher
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07/20/08 05:41pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: "Multiple" fuel filters on Diesel engines.
After sitting in the storage area for the last two months any water should have evaporated so I was looking forward to no problems last weekend on our trip.
Water is never going to evaporate from your fuel system--
It will remain under the fuel and be picked up and drawn through the filter system where, depending on the filters and the amount of water, it may or may not travel to the injection system and cause damage.
ReM
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Electronpusher
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07/20/08 09:15am |
Tech Issues
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RE: poping sound under floor at base of range
Hmmmm-- Not sure what kind of specific sound the Pope makes-- Does it sound like Latin ?:)
ReM
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Electronpusher
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07/19/08 07:07pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Brookings, Or to Eureka, Ca and Eureka, Ca. to Redding Ca.
There is no alternate-- 101 is the only route from Brookings to Eureka and it is just fine--
As for 299 over to Redding-- There is nothing horrible about the road but it seems as though it takes a week or more to get across there--
If you don't need to go through Eureka enroute to Redding I strongly suggest 101 south to 197 which meets 199 east to Interstate 5 and south to Redding-
If you are going farther south and don't need to go through Redding then take 101 south to 20 and then east to Interstate 5 at Williams--
ReM
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Electronpusher
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07/14/08 12:54pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: CA 89 & 44 to Susanville
From I-5 near Dunsmuir via 89 & 44 to Susanville.How is this route for big RV??
Any good Rv parks??
thanks
jmac
Road is fine-- We enjoy staying at Burney Falls-- Quite spectacular-
ReM
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Electronpusher
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07/10/08 08:44pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Safari Backup Monitor
What year/model Safari ?
My 1996 Sahara used a standard tv receiver (110v ac only )-- the camera provided the reversed video signal--
Much different than the Continental model info above-
The "rear monitor" switch turns on the inverter and the camera--
ReM
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Electronpusher
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07/08/08 06:52pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Gold beach oregon to I-5 hwy 42 or 101-199
I would take 101 South to 197 which meets 199 and West to the 5--
Makes no sense to go 80 miles North to Coos Bay--
You will have to loop back North a bit but the alternative (299 West)
is a real grind. Nothing really wrong with it-- Just seems to take an eternity.
If you are headed farther South, Sacramento or below, then the best route is 101 South to 20 and then West to the 5 at Williams.
ReM
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Electronpusher
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07/05/08 08:55pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Motorhome Route in California
Since we live on the Southern Oregon coast and have relatives in Sacramento we travel South regularly--
This is written for traveling South but the info is the same for you
(I am just too lazy to re-word it)--
HWY 197/199 to Grants Pass and South--
OK but makes a big loop to the South then North before heading West to Interstate 5 (and takes you farther North than you need to travel)-- also less scenic--
HWY 299 West to Interstate 5 --
Arrrgh-- Nothing really awful (except right now there are fires and smoke) but it seems to take a week to get across there--
Hwy 101 South to HWY 20 and across to Interstate 5 at Williams--
This is the preferred route for most of us who live up here--
ReM
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Electronpusher
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07/04/08 12:12pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: best route to So. I-5 from Gold Beach, Or to Chico.ca
From Gold Beach the only reasonable route (even though there is a loop South and back North) is South on 101 to 197 which meets 199 then East to 5 --
If you don't need to get across until Sacramento or so the preferred route is 101 South to 20 and across the the 5 at Williams.
299 is passable but a real grind--
ReM
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Electronpusher
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06/28/08 06:57pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Northern CA/Oregon campgrounds & route
If you can---- reconsider your route and pass thru Shasta first continuing north as far as you have time for on 5 before cutting west to the coast--- you will have a much nicer trip.
Traveling south all the scenic turn-outs will be on the correct side of the road for you to slow down and stop. Going north you will miss most of the scenery.
BTW-- We think the last hundred miles or so southbound before the CA/OR border is some of the most spectacular.
ReM
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Electronpusher
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06/24/08 11:21pm |
Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions
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RE: Will I get the HughNet Speed on Old Computer
If you can get your old Windows 95 system connected thru your router either wired or wireless it will be just as fast on Hughesnet as any other machine or OS. At its best Hughesnet is as good as an older slow DSL connection-- there will be times when it is not that good.
The good news is that it works where other systems don't.
ReM
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Electronpusher
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06/24/08 09:33pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Honda Generator
Email sent-- You might check your spam filter--
ReM
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Electronpusher
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06/17/08 09:37pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Botched water heater repair? How to fix?
THANK YOU for not calling it a "hot" water heater:)
It is difficult to tell from the picture but if the heat occurred where the two white wires connect it may have simply been a loose splice.
This is not as un-common as you might think-- Simply cut the wires back a bit and re-do the connection with a new connector making sure the wires are scraped clean and the connection is very tight.
Check the other connections for mechanical integrity also.
(If it were mine and both wires were solid conductor I would probably solder them anyway)
If that little box under the wires is a relay it appears that the problem
was between there and the heating element and thus it is not the problem.
BTW-- The heating elements will burn out immediately if dry fired but it is very unlikely for them to provide any substantial long term "short"--
ReM
edited for typo's
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Electronpusher
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06/17/08 09:22pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: relay for headlights
There is some good info here.
ReM
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Electronpusher
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06/16/08 10:18pm |
Tow Vehicles
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