Zulu

Yep, missed those. Great tip, will do. Thanks for link. They wouldn't send me one until I buy a system. So I had to create my own. Yep, my 500A one is arriving today. However, have heard that its Bluetooth range is about 10'. Was aware of this one from reading MidNite Solar ETL Test Article a few years back. Again, much thanks, Chad.

Alrighty . . . I'm planning on adding solar panels, additional house batteries, and an inverter/charger to my RV, but not all at once. To much $$$. So, I figure adding solar panels will come first since it provides some off-grid freedom. Also, since solar systems can be no cheap date, I'd like a system that's as "upgradeable" as possible. In the past I started with a minimal solar system then found myself upgrading PV panels, charge controller, wiring, . . . There was a lot of wasted time and money. I plan to start with a 2-panel 730W system that would be "easily" upgraded to a 1095W system. When I saw your 2-panel Cougar 26RBSWE installation, it looked like a great base system. Also, since I think it's based on Northern Arizona Wind & Sun's 730W Solar Kit, it made for a convenient install since all the system parts are in one kit. However, I'd like to modify the 730W kit so I can "easily" add that 3rd PV panel at a later date. If you could check out my wiring diagram, it would be a great help . . . Northern Arizona's 730W Solar Kit Wiring Diagram Northern Arizona's 1095W Solar Kit Wiring Diagram My Upgradeable 730W Solar Wiring Diagram

Sweet! and it's actually less expensive than the Magnum I was looking at. Chad, I hope you don't mind me asking you some more questions in the days to come.

Yep. Here's the poop.

I'm looking into installing an inverter/charger in my RV. I've done this twice before in my other RVs using a Xantrex RS2000 and a Magnum MS2000. Both of these inverters have 30A internal transfer switches, so you needed to install a sub panel for multiple AC outlets. PITA. However, on first blush I think the Victron MultiPlus II has a 50A internal transfer switch with both L1 & L2 outputs. If so, doesn't this mean that the Victron could be wire right into my RV's 50A main panel with no need for a separate sub panel?

I think there's a bunch of sediment in my 20-year-old Sea View's gas tank. I believe this because since we bought the Sea View, I've been on the Replace-The-RV-Generator-Fuel-Pump about every month. However, to make sure, I'm going to just replace the fuel filter on my gen's fuel pump in a few days (as soon as the filter gets here). If I replace the fuel filter and the fuel pump springs back to life, I think I'll have it nailed. If that's the case . . . How do I get the sediment out of my gas tank (short of replacing the gas tank itself)?

Yikes, Bill, I can think of better ways to spend $4k.

We started with a 35' 340HP 2004 National RV Sea Breeze gasserthat we bought new in 2003. It was the Workhorse/Vortec version. The engine and Allison transmission were great, but driving it was a real chore as it liked to wander. We had the Sea Breeze 7 years. Next, we bought a 41' 350HP 2001 Newmar Mountain Aire DP in 2010 specifically for full timing. The air bag suspension & IFS made it a pleasure to drive, especially compared to the Sea Breeze. However, we often wished for more power and pickup. Towards the last years that we owned it, the Newmar became a money pit. We sold it this year and due to the "COVID effect" we made more money on the sale that we ever thought we would. Finally, this year we bought our current Class A -- a 31' 310HP 2001 National RV Sea Breeze gasser. This is the Ford V10 version. The ride quality surprised the bejeezus out of us and the front engine is very quiet. Most of all it's been a pleasure to drive. No wandering like our old Sea View and plenty of power even when towing our Jeep Wrangler. The V10 is a high-revving engine unlike the Vortec and it always seems have power to spare even when driving on the 7% grades around us in the Sierras. It's too early to see if the Sea View turns into a money pit, but so far the repairs/upgrades have been DIY. Though National RV has long been out of business, their all-steel frame RVs are great. My only advice is don't get a Class A gasser greater than 36' and stay away from Workhorse.

Yep. That’s why I dropped Visible. It appears to use junk Verizon network. Since Verizon unlimited plans like Glenn’s are no longer offered, the better option (at least for me) was one of Verizon’s newer data plans: I opted for the 100GB “Pro” plan. It's $60 because I’m a Verizon customer already. For a non-customer it costs $90, but it’s a dependably fast network, much more so than Visible.

No, several Yosemite campgrounds are being closed for rehabilitation, nothing Covid-related. Talk about beating a dead horse. Sure, also maybe some water slides, ATV trails, lots of concessions, carny rides, etc. As it stands, too many visitors. I'm for limiting access.

What are you doing for health insurance? If you're under 65 and have to buy your own, then SD is not the best place.

My panels were only 65" long, but I attached my Z mounts to an aluminum rail that was glued & screwed to the roof. So if the panels flew off, the roof would come with them.

On re-reading this, I'm thinking 'Boy, was I luck' . . . Anatomy of an RV Water Leak

Starlink Rectangular

You can try. A few people have with limited success. There’s two big gotchas: - The current RV site you moved to may not be served by Starlink yet - Since you can only set up your Starlink dish for one area at a time, you may lose access to your original home area. However, if this doesn’t matter to you, then have at it!

Neat. Was hoping that mobile Starlink would be available this year, but think it's more like 2022 at best. The only info on it is that it's "in the pipe". Keeping my mobile HughesNet Gen 5 equipment until then.

Stow the dish first. Then plug it in again. That’s all I did.

Amazing, isn’t it? Check out STATS in the Starlink app. Very addictive.

Or, it's happening again.

It's not Florida Blue, but I think this counts . . . from Nov 11 RV Health Insurance . . . RVers that domicile in South Dakota and enroll in health insurance are receiving letters from the insurance company, often months after enrollment, asking them to provide a utility bill to verify their residence. If the insured does not provide the documentation requested, they are dis-enrolled from the health plan.

Um, that's not how SEP works. Suggest you read the link I gave above. I think you're asking 'Do I know anyone who was caught with a fraudulent address?' Nope. You (and others) have used this line of reasoning before which goes something like . . . 'Since you (or anyone) hasn't heard of anyone getting caught, then the risk is low or non-existent. Why worry about it?' It totally ignores the issue of right or wrong, just 'Will I get caught?' I find this stance fascinating for an older group of typically conservative people. But to answer your bait . . . I do know someone who committed tax fraud, but I have no idea what happened to him. Nevertheless, I'm not going to commit tax fraud. On the other hand, I do not know anyone who committed murder. Nevertheless, I'm going to avoid killing anyone.

"Basically" is correct. If you are using the ACA, then the ACA is concerned with where you actually reside. If that's your domicile, fine. But if it's a domicile in name only, and you don't really live there, then you should rethink that. However, the ACA allows you to change health insurance if you move to a different location. It's called the Special Enrollment Period. For example, imagine TX was your domicile, but you never actually stayed there. On the other hand, you spend a length of time (beats me what that is) in FL, AK, AL, AR, CA, ND, and/or WY, then you could sign up for a nationwide PPO/EPO health plan in one of those states. While Mr Goldstein (a part-time Escapee Staff Member) has done some health care research, he himself admits that he is not an expert. He proves this by delivering this quote at the start of his talk: "You must get coverage in the zip code of your domicile" For an ACA health insurance plan, this is just not true.

Are you on Medicare? Or under 65 buying your own health insurance?

Check that on Starlink Reddit. I've seen mixed opinions on using this port.

These our crude signal strengths in our Starlink house . . .