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RE: 12 volt Ground Location
It would ground back through your frame bond wire. For one light that's already wired I wouldn't sweat things too much, but if you're doing other work in the area I'd consider moving it.
Note that more and more vehicle manufacturers are moving away from using the frame as a ground return...
Ya now that Im thinking about would be a good time to just do it. At the time I didn't have access but now there is, just a few " a way. I had added couple of 12v receptacles- on from solar but one is grounded to battery I could easily grab that,didn't occur to me to move light ground dooh. Oh well Sat after noon nothing better to do..
Mark
Oh FYI on our camper there is a ground lug on top of the battery box
that's acc from under sink, its where all the main grounds are connected. There's also a lug mounted on wall behind converter that most of the smaller camper accessorie grounds are connected to, though not easy to get to.
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AnEv942
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11/21/09 02:31pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: 12 volt Ground Location
Thanks Matthew_B
You words are much clearer than mine-My only real point was the making sure the clarification between AC ground and nuetral was restated & understood. Bursting into flames is not a good thing:E
As you mentioned, ours, though the chassis is grounded (alum frame), all 12v neg are bundled behind the panle with a wire to 12v panle circutt and on to batt neg. Theres also a 12v neg wire that goes to outside buss and a AC ground wire also goes to outside buss, which are connected to frame. This single point as you mentioned ties both "grounds" together and ground chassis. Never though about it but means I also have a ground connection thru the camper/truck mounts. Hmm
Any 12v connections Ive added (except 1)use the 12v- ground lug at panle or use existing close ground wire(which is tied directly to panel lug/batt) but never thought about why-just seemed seperation was good, not using chassis as wiring. The one light I added there was no ground wire close so I grounded to chassis. Now Im wondering,having a hard time seeing a ground path, if I should run a wire to a 'wired ground.
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AnEv942
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11/21/09 01:15pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: 12 volt Ground Location
MTBob: "I understand from Matts's comments that the AC ground and DC neutral are connected together"
What Matt said is correct but not the way your read- KEY WORD is "ground", NOT AC white/neutral bus
MTBob: "So, am I right that I have two choices? 1) run a separate 12v negative lead from the battery or 2) connect to the AC neutral buss."
NO! you only have 1 choice-connect 12v Neg to the neg. lead of battery, either hard wired or AC "ground" buss which should be seperate from AC nuetral buss.
I think Id also just add a bus thats hard wired to -12V. (if theres any confusion or there are white and green/bare wires tied together) youll prob be adding stuff down the road. (Or if you had a 12v chassis ground.)You may have a buss thats already there -12v and it may be shared with the AC "ground" (bare or green ac wire)
IN theory if you connect the -12v ground from say a light to the AC nuetral buss, light shouldnt work. However as your camper has had previous owner(s) that have done some wiring there may be cross connection between AC nuetral & ground. But I would not add to it.
MTBob:-"..using the a tie down as an electric circuit seems like a really bad idea."
If there isnt also a ground wire in your truck plug Id agree and add one.
I know im repeating the clarifications others have stated-but it seems important for MTBob and any others reading this
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AnEv942
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11/21/09 10:40am |
Truck Campers
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RE: No "Next" page choice at bottom of first page
From end of the "Tips" column
"We hope you find these tips and the products and services they reference useful. RV.net appreciates your understanding that these forums are able to remain free of charge thanks to your patronage of the brands within the RV.net family of websites."
Also see Announcement:A message from Mike Schneider, CEO, Affinity
Im not sure about the formatting-but whatever is required to keep this site up. Hopefully the bugs are worked out ....soon
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AnEv942
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11/19/09 10:00pm |
Forum Technical Support
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RE: Building cabinet doors for a truck camper
nevermind
Bettter
How to post using Photobucket as host site
Mark
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AnEv942
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11/19/09 09:11pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Technical Tips Column???
From end of the column
"We hope you find these tips and the products and services they reference useful. RV.net appreciates your understanding that these forums are able to remain free of charge thanks to your patronage of the brands within the RV.net family of websites."
Also see Announcement:A message from Mike Schneider, CEO, Affinity
Im not sure about the formatting-but whatever is required to keep this site up. Knew somthing and maybe more is in the works..However maybe cause I dont have (and dont want) a wide screen, The format of the column extends WAY longer than the content of page, maybe 1 or 2 less topics? I would assume formatt changes are tested, but..its jacking my display up too. We'll see.
Mark
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AnEv942
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11/19/09 11:35am |
Forum Technical Support
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RE: Building cabinet doors for a truck camper
nosurfjack NICE!(But could you edit your pic post -maybe add some hard returns between the pics- my screes like 4'wide? woa-didnt know it do that..)But I like the sliding doors. I have a hollow box over our door that could use that mod. sliding doors.
Joe,that sure seems like a simpler solution and maximum acces to area. Ive done several cabinets in the house using sliding doors. The largest is 1/4x24x52" ply doors, on it I use 1/4"qtr rnd moulding. A couple of smaller ones I used 1/8" hardboard w/ the plastic track. I found it in brown plastic. ON the over head Id add 1 or 2 verticle pieces to help with sag? (Id also use the li; brass cup finger pulls)
Mark
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AnEv942
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11/19/09 11:11am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Need tank ideas
I stumbled on this one today-dont know anthing about em-but thier site says "If you can draw it..we can build it"
All-Rite
I had no idea so many folks were making tanks...
Mark
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AnEv942
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11/16/09 07:51pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: electronic rodent repeller?
Havnt heard of 12v sonics. We had mice chew up a older Dodge Dakota-ate up the main harness actually caused a short so what wasnt ate up got burnt up. 50 butt connectors later we sold it.
I have a problen in our f250 they just seem to luv the battery blankets. Ive had em nest on the diesel manifold on a weekend campout
At the time I had a small leak so there was diesel standing. They still nested so Im diggin out all this diesel soaked crap...
We use moth balls in our old wooden dirt floored garage. Keeps em out of the areas where there placed, course even real moth balls are are to find. How about spraying every thing with like bug spray nah, some other non apetizing solution? What doesnt smell or tast good to mice...
Mark
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AnEv942
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11/14/09 03:01pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: 6 ga wire
Or possibly wire split loom covering, Ive seen white or the white nylon spiral loom cover?
Mark
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AnEv942
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11/14/09 02:06pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Bigfoot Electronic Battery Disconnect
Been covered but yes, I have 2 group29s batteries and the jacks just will suck em up down. So on your single battery I would not interpret that it wasn't charged or getting a charge. I always either start the truck or the gen or am on shore110v before engaging the jacks.
I am unfamiliar with the electronic switch on your Bigfoot-however
did the battery ever get charged before trying to connect. Sounds like multiple things your looking at all at once which may or may not be interconnected?
As mentioned check monitor batt stat, check batt voltage, then start tuck- camper monitor should show full charge which means truck is sending power, check voltage at battery if rising or showing alt voltage means its getting to battery.
Also though not part of this is to verify your Dodges starting battery or charge line is isolated from camper when truck is off-Dodge owners?
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AnEv942
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11/14/09 01:53pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: water tank drain
Why not when you leave your last camping spot open the drain? when you get home will be empty.
Ahh now I understand why all that mud in the last site we pulled into...:)
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AnEv942
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11/13/09 09:34pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: motorcycle on carrier?
2 issues; can reciver handle the weight at that length, effects on truck. Id treat it as dead weight/tounge weight. (though a bike adds a bit more forces, ie torsional, than towing). But just to check if the weights even possible Id consider the length of the stinger to at least approx. center of bike, becuase thats where the weight is sitting, thats the leverage point. (just guessing 48" stinger +12-18")
Should be info somehwere on how much, for Towbeast, weight ratings for a given stinger length. Sounds like a lot but Id check ratings for your tow beast.
I also assume that if aftermarket hitch is rated say at 1200lbs at 12" it isnt implying that though the hitch may survive itll rip out of your frame.
But Id keep well below any rating you find. If you find its rated for 500# ok at 5' for trailer tongue#, though id tow-Id be hesitant to drop a 500# bike on it. Just the way I look at it.
Getting your truck to handle that much leveraged weight wouldnt be much different than towing on extension. Several ways without overadversly affecting empty ride.
Cheaper experiment would be to weld up 5' ext w/4' T at end, get a couple of your buds to stand on ends while you watch as they bounce.
Course after looking at the previous pic (saltamontes post) Im just a woose
Mark
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AnEv942
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11/13/09 11:03am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Hooked on trailer
My 1st response was similar to the many-so I looked at the site. The attachment to TV is like a hinge on a dual receiver. Interesting. Snipped from theirfaqs page
"The Swivelwheel-78, Swivelwheel-58, and Swivelwheel-58DW systems may be towed by any full size pickup or full size SUV. They may also be towed by any Class-A or Class-C motor homes or fifth wheel travel trailers.
The Swivelwheel-46 may be towed by any vehicle that allows the installation of a Class-III receiver hitch. The systems have not been tested behind a standard tag along travel trailer...."
On a bed lentgh camper would be easy, not sure on extended hitch. Did you see the pic wheres its raised, folded up verticle to pickup. If I were in need of a trailer or were to get a bigger bike Id seriously looked at this, ugly enough to be cool. Backing up in sand etc might be a problem? But then I couldnt haul the jeep, or the boat or the horse trailer...still an option.
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AnEv942
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11/13/09 09:24am |
Truck Campers
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RE: Intermittent Power Problems
More than likely a bad connection(s)-finding might be difficult or easy. But just start at one end and check everything you can. Also check grounds especially on the hood. Generally ground is connected to case relies on case mount for chassis ground, The igniter & hood go on & off at same time?
If its a source hot wire that's broke you might have to rerun from breaker. Though Id tend to think the igniter, cause there's a lot more going on, might be independent problem (though also might be as simple as bad connection).
Mark
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AnEv942
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11/12/09 05:39pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Building my own looks....
Wow-building a camper in your living room! my kind guy. Its begun..
cool
Mark
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AnEv942
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11/12/09 05:02pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Rancho's for front?
All I can add is that I run Ranchos adjust front & rear, older 5 position. With camper I run rears at 4, fronts at 3 or 4. Empty, rears at 2, fronts at 1.
If I dont turn up the fronts enough the truck 'porposes' and or dives into a wheel going around corners, hard breaking. And its always to harsh if campers not on. They also control the rocking/sway. Ive never forgotten to turn up shocks when camper goes on. I have forgotten couple times to turn down after unloading, and within a mile will pull over & turn down.
Though other folks seem to have other shocks that work well for them
I find it hard to picure a shock that would match the differances I run my shocks at. So for me, yes they do dramtically improve the handling.
Thats not to say another brand shock woulndt or doenst work. Obviously from the posts there are other options.
Mark
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AnEv942
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11/11/09 09:12pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Air compressor system - DoOver
Wow deja vu
course there's not a lot of options. Good job!
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e178/AnEv942/P3250005s.jpg height=480 width=640
I see they've changed the gage-that would be worth updating to. Ours the numbers are really small and the graduations are 7 1/2#increments? -there also at the perimeter of face so cant see them while driving.
As to comp location, I mounted our compressor in virtually identical location-its been there since Feb of 04 with no problems. The only difference I can see is my comp has a remote air intake that I located in cab. Even so I get a lot of water in the separator. I don't see one on yours?
I hadn't taken pics of our compressor install, now Ill just point to yours if someone asks :)
Mark
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AnEv942
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11/11/09 08:20pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: Dash Button Linking House Battery to Starter?
Our 91 winnebago brave class A had that feature, Used giant solinoids and momentary switches on the dash. Seems you could find a schematic.
If I remember correctly (doubtful).One switch you could tap coach batteries to start engine. Second switch was to tap the starting battery for the coach (generator)this is what im insure of?.
A third switch was on/off dissconect coach from batteries.
Mark
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AnEv942
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11/10/09 08:12pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: TorkLifts front, HappiJacks rear?
Well you said "a lot of off road stuff" as much as I like the T/Ls there's just that much ground clearance loss plus extended in the rear. ie; the trail turns in a ravine. Or climbing into or out of a gully, stream bed etc. Realize your not doing black diamond trails but don't really know how far your getting back there..but just a thought. On the same thought the rear exiting pipes-they do look good and less bends are nice, but same scenario-break over angle, pipes are going to get smashed?
Custom bumper would work, the 'buttons' only as strong as what there mounted to. Maybe the new Fords are built better, actually got a rear bumper, unlike my 01 F 250. Try a block of wood under the corners and hit it with a jack, see how much it twists or flexes. A lot depends on the weight of your camper- its already going to be a lot lower height cg?
I mean if that's the intent, really getting back there then that's what you should be planning for, minimizing the worst trail conditions you might encounter- unless your towing your bass boat-that'll be the limiter :)
Mark
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AnEv942
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11/10/09 07:19pm |
Truck Campers
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