KodiakJack

2X Later, J

Currently we have 4 6-volt FLA batteries and plan to upgrade soon to LIFEPO4 and have a few questions. 1) My EPEVER MPPT solar controller has a low temperature cutout in the programing. Will that be sufficient to prevent low temperature charging? Most of the batteries I am looking at have integral BMS some of which do not provide for this condition. As a general rule when it is too cold to use our blueflame heater due to the moisture it adds we run the furnace, and it keeps the inner basement and battery storage area from freezing. (Found out the hard way that you could freeze up driving down the road and now when very cold just leave the furnace on when traveling.) 2) How best to deal with storing our rig with LIFEPO4 batteries during cold temperatures? Easy enough to shut down the inverter/charger and solar MPPT controller. Will stopping the charging suffice or do I need to plan on supplemental heat? 3) Has anyone have any experience with 'Global Power' LIFEPO4 batteries? There was a thread on the diysolarforum.com where the below link was posted. The ad says these batteries BMS does have a low temperature cutout. This eBay seller has %100 positive feedback BTW. https://www.ebay.com/itm/373490407212 At $342.95 each with free shipping for 100 AH 12-volt batteries I am seriously considering pulling the trigger on 4 but would love to hear comments on my questions. Relatively new to solar so thanks in advance for your thoughts. Later, J

Was researching this recently myself and found this site helpful. Later, J https://www.alternative-energy-tutorials.com/solar-power/connecting-solar-panels-together.html

Lots of services are available. Recall seeing the Schwan's yellow food truck roving through the rigs (assume to make deliveries). They have some great dishes. Later, J

I use remote outlets to shed load from the inverter and batteries, including our residential refrigerator, that will stay cold for long periods. Later, J

Crawled under and checked the DOT numbers from all 5 Sailun tires. We too are good to go. Thanks Santa and Merry Christmas. Later, J

Wouldn't you know it. There are about 5 miles on the Sailun S637 tires I recently purchased and now they have been recalled. Being Christmas eve I have yet to contact Sailun to find out details on how the free replacement tires will work but will let folks know when I do. Meanwhile here is a link to the DOT NHTSA site with some additional information (there are other tires involves so you might want to look around) but clearly my new SAILUN/ST235/85R16 are on the list. https://www.nhtsa.gov/tire/SAILUN/SAILUN/ST235%252F80R16/a__5103753#recalls Later, J PS Merry Christmas all.

Just installed a new Oxygenics shower head and love it. Different from our original with built in shut off and 2 setting adjustable sprays. Only place I could find it was at Lowes. Later, J https://www.lowes.com/pd/Oxygenics-BodySpa-Adventure-RV-Brushed-Nickel-3-Spray-Handheld-Shower-1-8-GPM-6-8-LPM/5013049769

3X Miller Progressive since 2013 Later, J

Our 305 watt panels have 3 mounts per side. Later, J

We were not in a park setting when we used bales of hay for skirting (most other materials would blow off and away). Actually used a chainsaw with a 20" bar to taper cut a few bales for a better fit. Worked very, very well and the horses got a lot of the leftovers. Later, J

After quite a bit of research I went with RV Roof Magic (associated with Liquid Roof). Wonderful product for a DIY type like me. https://www.rvroofmagic.com/index.php https://www.epdmcoatings.com/liquid-roof.php Later, J

Thanks Vern in T-shirt. I was planning on goobering the larger screw threads with lap seal but not their heads. Wanted to keep the area nice and flat under the Eternabond. Always thought the under radius was likely sheet metal that had a turn in a roll. Will find out in the next few days when it cools down enough here in Yuma to wear a T-shirt. Later, J

The roof edge radius area along the top of one side of our rig is coming up. The heads of the screws that hold down the radius backing are now puckering the EPDM membrane and will eventually poke through. So far the roof is still tight. My plan is to poke through the EPDM and replace the screws with new flat-head screws to hold the backing radius down, and then cover the area with Eternabond tape. I will do this along the entire side to make sure it is secure. I am wondering if anyone has dealt with this issue or might shed some light on what material Heartland uses for this radius under the EPDM? Later, J

I always use a sloped off-ground sewer hose support unless just hooking up to dump. Most plumbing codes require sewer piping to maintain a specific slope. In general the reason for this is so that the liquid component of sewage does not out run the solid component and allows the liquid to assist flow. A plumber will tell you there are also rules for the type of fittings used for changes of direction. A hose is much different than pipe, and can be rinsed after use, but I use these rules anyway. Most sewer supports maintain a similar slope and I suspect for the same reasons. Any vent would provide a path to a fly's sewer supermarket so a pee trap would be of little help, and could possibly create flow issues. More often I see hoses laying flat on the ground requiring they be, milked, for lack of better term, to move their contents out. 2X on the rain gutter which I often use in combo with one of the pull out type supports. In a 6-inch PVC fence post sleeve, mounted to our rigs frame, I carry an an 8-foot section of rain gutter and our sewer hoses. White PCV was an eyesore so I painted it flat black. One of my rigs better improvements. The first and last time I left our gray tank valves open for an Alaskan summer the valves started leaking. I have since replaced all three tank dump valves and installed push button actuators. Now it is easy to open and dump in any sequence called for. We too moved on from the CAMCO sewer hoses after a squirrel decided to use a brand new one, first use, to add to his path resulting in multi pin hole leaks.

73 back to you Chalkie. The Yaesu's I have handled have been nice radios. We used to call them 'rice burners' but most all now are. Thanks for the reply. Later, J

Wow have things changed in 40 plus years. Not sure when I was first licensed but did find my old call listed in 79, 80 and 81 books. I lapsed a way long time ago and recently decided to renew. Managed to study enough to get my General license. Starting to organize and get a bit more up to date. Picked up a couple of the 8 watt Baofeng handhelds along with a programing cable, downloaded the CHIRP software, and got up fairly quick. I have gone through many handheld VHF radios over the years and still have the last pair of Icom F3's the DW and I used for search and rescue. The programing software for them is on 3-1/4 floppy and if I can get it on my laptop I will replace the antennas and batteries. Anyway the Baofeng's hits the local repeater just fine. Added a 5/8 wave dual band Tram antenna on a 10 foot stick of conduit to use with them when not portable. Plan to get a mag mount antenna for the pickup. Meanwhile my brother is suppose to be shipping my old Yaesu FT-101-E down here to Yuma. Currently researching both HF antennas and locations to park one or more. No trees around here for a dipole so am researching alternatives and am leaning toward a vertical I can get up and down by myself. Anyway KL7AZ here. I will be back with lots of questions.... Later, J

On occasion a Kodiak would break into a house even when occupied. Dog doors have been used for this purpose on more than one occasion. The CG base had big fellow go through a slider glass door but the gal escaped through an upstairs window to the neighbors. Meanwhile her English Bull dog chased the the bear out of the house. We keep a tight ship and never had a problem when camping in our 5th wheel. That said have seen many cabins, houses, barns, chicken and other out building broken into. More often in late summer and fall when our rivers are full of salmon they stay in closer. The borough has used about every type of bear proof dumpster know to man but eventually gave up in our area that time of the year and simply move them a few miles down the road to an area less accessible to the bear. Returning to the house after dark sometimes to what appeared to be an outdoor circus with vehicles circling the dumpsters using their headlights to watch the show. Always fun and somewhat amazing too to watch these agile giants getting into bear proof enclosures and shoving them around. Once in a while younger smaller bears have gotten stuck inside and needed help to get out requiring ADFG or equipment. One year there was a sow with 5 cubs (heard a record of sorts...F&G figured the sow had 2 and adopted 3). They were quite a sight that one fall. The close encounters of the most miserable kind that I am aware of have been in the wild. Just remember bear are always hungry. Later, J

The bill is H.R. 647. It's status is 'introduced' and has 9 cosponsors. Later, J https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/647?s=2&r=1

Thanks, I guess my senior moment just came later than I thought. Later, J

Senior moment. The proposal is a change is to state not federal law. Later, J

Couple comments. 1) Bills introduced expire at the end of each session of Congress and must be reintroduced in the new session (unless passed). 2) The intent of my post was simply to spread the word to those people likely to be effected so that they could contact their representatives and express their opinion on the bill. 3) The bill proposes a change in federal not state law. 4) I for one will not be contacting my representative regarding erectile dysfunction or incontinence for that matter. I will however let them know I oppose this bill, and ask that they do too. Later, J

Restricting the purchase of all firearms to residents of a state will impact many living the fulltime lifestyle. This restriction is already in place for handguns but this bill would expand the provision to all firearms. Later, J https://bearingarms.com/cam-e/2021/02/03/co-congressman-bill-banning-gun-sales-to-non-residents/

We have the version of Sleek 4G with a switch to select between ATT or Verizon. It is connected to a newer Wilson Trucker antenna and works well.