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Solar Install Rally,  Jan 19 – 25, 2015,  in Mayo, FL


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Today is the deadline to let us know that you definitely want to participate in this solar install rally. So by my count we have 5:

ramblin reck - George and Ann Marie
Travelinfool - Richard
Ronbo – Ron C.
Jim & Wilma
Cathy and Jim (me)

 

 

Because we are right at the 5 minimum, I want to confirm that everyone is indeed still interested. I will try contacting each of you today, but if you see this please make it easier for me by giving me a call at (917) Eight One Seven 9692, or email jimgell517 at gmail dot com today. I would prefer the phone call so we can chat a bit about your system.

 

In addition to saying your are "in", also let me know if you would like to boon dock at John Palmer's, or stay next door in a private campground with hookups.

 

Thanks.

 

Jim

Volvo+and+Travel+Supreme+400+x+103.jpg

 

2001 Volvo 770, Detroit 60 Series, Gen 2 Autoshift

Passenger assist elevator to enter cab - for when we need it, or sell it?

'05 Travel Supreme Select 40 RLQSO 5th wheel

2016 smart car

 

We started full timing on December 1st 2014

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness - Mark Twain
Not all that wander are lost - J. R. R. Tolkien

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Hurrah! We have the 5 participants we needed.

 

I am re-chalking and installing Eternabond on my roof today. With rain in forecast for 8 PM, I need to get the job finished now that I started it. I will work on rally organizing more tomorrow and find and send out the info on the campground for those who want to stay there.

 

It's not too late if anyone else wants to sign up.

 

Jim

Volvo+and+Travel+Supreme+400+x+103.jpg

 

2001 Volvo 770, Detroit 60 Series, Gen 2 Autoshift

Passenger assist elevator to enter cab - for when we need it, or sell it?

'05 Travel Supreme Select 40 RLQSO 5th wheel

2016 smart car

 

We started full timing on December 1st 2014

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness - Mark Twain
Not all that wander are lost - J. R. R. Tolkien

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There are 3 of us who want full hookups at the Suwannee River Rendezvous Resort next to John Palmer's rather than boondocking. John recommended I speak to a specific person at the campground about getting a discount for us. That person is not available until this evening, but I was told by the person working the office that they have plenty of campsites available when we will be there, and all of January if you are considering a monthly stay ($350 + Elec). I suggest you wait one more day or two to make a reservation until after I get to talk to the person most likely to grant us a discount to get the best price we can. Maybe we are too small a group to get a discount, but it does not hurt to ask.

 

Jim

Volvo+and+Travel+Supreme+400+x+103.jpg

 

2001 Volvo 770, Detroit 60 Series, Gen 2 Autoshift

Passenger assist elevator to enter cab - for when we need it, or sell it?

'05 Travel Supreme Select 40 RLQSO 5th wheel

2016 smart car

 

We started full timing on December 1st 2014

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness - Mark Twain
Not all that wander are lost - J. R. R. Tolkien

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Solar rally participants:

 

I tried, but Suwannee River Rendezvous Resort will not discount their rates for our group, that was even before I told Susie how small a group we are. But she said many people will qualify for one of their discounts on the daily rate. (I reserved for 7 nights to get the $175 weekly rate starting on Sunday 1/18.) She asked that we make our reservations individually. If you call soon we could all be close together. But even a month before she should have a site someplace in the campground. I am on a long pull through, site # 133. I would ask for Susie when you call. If you tell her you are with the solar rally she will try to put you close. If you don't tell her your with the solar rally, because she will be trying to leave those sites open, you may not get a site very close.

 

From my conversation with her:

 

There is no problem with us working on our rigs in the campground.

 

Expect limited bandwidth adequate for e-mail and a little browsing only on WiFi.

 

Should get a "couple bars" on Verizon and AT&T cell service.

 

50 amp full hook ups.

 

80 foot back ins and 90 foot pull thrus in the upper area ( lower area for rigs under 25 or 30 feet)

 

29 cable TV stations.

 

We will be out in open...bad for shade but good for sat TV

 

They have a room we may be able to use to meet in.

 

Park your rig on reserved site then walk down to office to register.

 

They have a large area to unload toads etc near entrance.

 

They only charge for one night IF you call less than a week in advance to cancel, (But we won't be doing that unless something serious comes up like a breakdown...right)

 

That's all I remember for now.

 

I will be getting something out soon to get you started on your solar planning process.

 

Jim

Volvo+and+Travel+Supreme+400+x+103.jpg

 

2001 Volvo 770, Detroit 60 Series, Gen 2 Autoshift

Passenger assist elevator to enter cab - for when we need it, or sell it?

'05 Travel Supreme Select 40 RLQSO 5th wheel

2016 smart car

 

We started full timing on December 1st 2014

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness - Mark Twain
Not all that wander are lost - J. R. R. Tolkien

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What a great idea. Thanks for sharing.

 

Safe Travels!

SKP #89742 - Lifetime membership - Member of the SKP Class of 2007
Good Sam Club - Lifetime Member
DataStorm #5423
Passport America - Lifetime Member
Sons Of The American Revolution (SAR) - Lifetime Member
American Legion - USAF - Lifetime Member
Rotary Club Member - 30 years

Escapee CARE Supporter

National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer

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I think I sent an e-mail to everyone who is participating that I have an address for, with the first planning assignment. If you did not get it, have questions, or can't open the attachment, let me know.

 

While I think it would be best to post our conversations on this forum for the benefit of folks who are not participating, I sent the e-mail because I was not sure how to attach a document file to a post.

 

Your first assignment is due by the end of August.

 

The fun begins!

 

Jim

Volvo+and+Travel+Supreme+400+x+103.jpg

 

2001 Volvo 770, Detroit 60 Series, Gen 2 Autoshift

Passenger assist elevator to enter cab - for when we need it, or sell it?

'05 Travel Supreme Select 40 RLQSO 5th wheel

2016 smart car

 

We started full timing on December 1st 2014

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness - Mark Twain
Not all that wander are lost - J. R. R. Tolkien

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We are interested in the program. Will call campsite tomorrow.

Thanks.

Von

SKP #89742 - Lifetime membership - Member of the SKP Class of 2007
Good Sam Club - Lifetime Member
DataStorm #5423
Passport America - Lifetime Member
Sons Of The American Revolution (SAR) - Lifetime Member
American Legion - USAF - Lifetime Member
Rotary Club Member - 30 years

Escapee CARE Supporter

National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer

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Von, Welcome! Please send me your contact information including e-mail and phone number.

 

Jim

Volvo+and+Travel+Supreme+400+x+103.jpg

 

2001 Volvo 770, Detroit 60 Series, Gen 2 Autoshift

Passenger assist elevator to enter cab - for when we need it, or sell it?

'05 Travel Supreme Select 40 RLQSO 5th wheel

2016 smart car

 

We started full timing on December 1st 2014

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness - Mark Twain
Not all that wander are lost - J. R. R. Tolkien

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There are several communications issues that need addressing. Posting here is fine, but some of the stuff is too lengthy for a post. Like what I just sent to everyone today.

 

Using a Facebook Group or Google Group would on the surface be more attractive. However neither are dependable for retaining information over time (historic reference). And not everyone wants or is a user of these services.

 

The major info will be captured onto my OneDrive cloud account and made available to whoever has the link. I can also (and will) make it public. I "could" set up a proprietary website/forum for it but that is too much work for this specific Rally. So I'll make the Onedrive info available to all. Any other suggestions are welcome. I'd go for either Facebook or Google + groups if everyone agreed. There would be links to the OneDrive documents.

Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member
Living on the road since 2000

PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail
2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it)
2022 New Horizons 43' 5er
2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 
2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU
No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units
2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar power
www.jackdanmayer.com
Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com

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Jack,

 

Making this info public for us folks out "West" would be awesome!

Thanks for "sharing"!

 

Scott

 

On Edit: I was not taking anything away from Jim and his hard work, I was just

saying "thanks" to all involved and for "sharing" all of the awesome knowledge involved in

installing solar on our rigs.

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One additional item I wanted to make clear for those that may have overlooked it along the way. While I am advising the group and will attend the Rally and help from an advisory role in the implementation, and will provide education events onsite, it is JIM G. that put this together and is running it. He and I do dialog frequently and share ideas but it is his "baby" and he is who you should thank for both the idea and organizing it. We will see if there is a second "Solar Rally"....because it is going to be significant work. But the next one should be easier....

 

Also, do not underestimate the value of doing this at John Palmers location. If things work as they should it will make the implementation FAR, FAR easier. Since we have not done this before that remains to be seen....but I do expect this to be a significant advantage. And if anyone gets into "big trouble" John has the wherewithal to bail them out. But I do not expect that to happen if we plan properly.

Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member
Living on the road since 2000

PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail
2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it)
2022 New Horizons 43' 5er
2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 
2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU
No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units
2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar power
www.jackdanmayer.com
Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com

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  • 2 weeks later...
Well this has been an interesting project. I used the Trimetric and the Kill-a-watt to determine energy usage on every electrical appliance we use. With the DW here, (we are camping) we had many conversations about appliance usage and boondocking expectations as it pertains to appliance usage. Also, we do not have a res fridge.

Here are some basic boondocking assumptions:

Boondocking upto 2 weeks at a time.

We wont use the microwave or coffee pot. We rarely use the microwave normally so not a big deal. Coffee pot, she wants to go back to stove top percolator.

Our a/c loads are 125ahr per day. The 600w toaster is the big hog.... yes we like toast.

Our d/c loads are 60ahr per day. Small duration but high ah is hyd leveling and slides. All lights are led.

So about 200ahr per day is our "magic" number. Does this "fit" the average usage?

Thanks

 

George and Ann Marie

2014 Cedar Creek 36CKTS, 640W of Solar

2012 Ram 3500, DRW, Cummins, Big Horn, Q20, Retrax Pro

Retired US Army

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For the stove top coffee maker go stainless, we tried aluminum and couldn't drink the coffee. They also make some interesting stove top toasters, from a simple one like a hotdog fork to a fancy four slice pyramid.

 

Google images:

https://www.google.com/search?q=stove+top+toaster&safe=off&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=D2UCVITDIIjDigK-iYGoBA&ved=0CD4QsAQ&biw=1321&bih=912

 

 

If you could would you post a list of the power numbers you came up with, it will provide some information for folks doing their initial planning.

First rule of computer consulting:

Sell a customer a Linux computer and you'll eat for a day.

Sell a customer a Windows computer and you'll eat for a lifetime.

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We are all set. Thanks for starting this great program.

 

Safe Travels!

SKP #89742 - Lifetime membership - Member of the SKP Class of 2007
Good Sam Club - Lifetime Member
DataStorm #5423
Passport America - Lifetime Member
Sons Of The American Revolution (SAR) - Lifetime Member
American Legion - USAF - Lifetime Member
Rotary Club Member - 30 years

Escapee CARE Supporter

National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer

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See the attachment for my energy audit.

 

Stanley, As a matter of fact we just ordered a SS coffee pot from Amazon, and we used to have one of those stove type toasters years ago...... back to the future !

 

Thanks

George and Ann Marie

2014 Cedar Creek 36CKTS, 640W of Solar

2012 Ram 3500, DRW, Cummins, Big Horn, Q20, Retrax Pro

Retired US Army

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