| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Many New Lance TC for 2010
Interesting how after all those years of nearly everybody else going to aluminum while Lance was still telling us how their wood framing was allegedly superior they are getting with the times and admitting they were wrong. That aside, its nice seeing some new blood in the mix.
Gosh in hard side campers I can only think of Arctic Fox going to ALL Aluminum frames in all models before Lance. Of course I’m only thinking of companies still in business.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/21/09 10:37am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: 12 volt or 120 volt televisions power draw
Please tell me about Small Television power supplys that have any Inductive or Capacitive Reactance to worry about. Like wise the power factor of newer TV power supplys should not be a problem, I think.
If it is a US only model or an international model with a draw of under 65W, then there can be a terrible power factor due to distorted current draw.
With a switch mode power supply, the current draw consists of pulses drawn at the crest of the line. In this case the power factor runs around 60% to 75% with the excess VA consisting of harmonics.
If the TV is an international model with a draw over 65W, European regulations require power factor correction so they draw a sine wave. In utility applications, this is a good thing. But if often means a bad thing when trying to run things off a "modified sine wave" inverter. The power factor front end will attempt to follow the rapidly changing waveform and cause it or the inverter to shut down.
Here is an example waveform right before the inverter quit:
http://i49.tinypic.com/6fbk90.jpg
The yellow is voltage and the magenta is the input current to a power factor corrected laptop. Note that when there is a step in the voltage, the current shoots off full scale.
Now take a closer look at the edge:
http://i48.tinypic.com/wcn805.jpg
The first waveform is at 2A/div, the second is 20A/div. No wonder the inverter quit!
OK Matthew_B this is when I get into trouble and I never was a scope jockey.
But this wave form shows faulty engineering in my view. Looks like the filter cap is nice and large and the bridge rectifier is very robust but someone forgot about current limiting the capicatiors inrush. No big deal if your plugged into the wall. But a problem for small inverters.
If you think I’m full of it that’s OK. I’ve gotten very rusty in retirement. And as I've shown, I'm often wrong.
My HP Pavilion dv 1000 works just fine on my 200 watt inverter. Yet the inverter gets warmer running the computer than it does running my small flat panel TV and DVD player.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/20/09 05:22pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: What will happen if I don't dump my waste before winter?
You could leave it as is, then tell us what happened next spring.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/20/09 09:34am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: PC in your TC?
Interesting topic,
We generally take the laptop along for the many reasons already listed.
Although the wife revolted at holding it in her lap for GPS navigation.
And she won't drive my stinky diesel truck ether, dog gone head strong women these days.
The last 2 week trip was without the infernal thing, and you know what the trip seemed more relaxing.
Okay I will be the first to ask - which infernal thing? Wife or laptop?
I usually leave wife at home :B
Your right it's plain to me but not very plain in my post.
The Computer NOT the Dear Wife.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/20/09 09:23am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: PC in your TC?
Interesting topic,
We generally take the laptop along for the many reasons already listed.
Although the wife revolted at holding it in her lap for GPS navigation.
And she won't drive my stinky diesel truck ether, dog gone head strong women these days.
The last 2 week trip was without the infernal thing, and you know what the trip seemed more relaxing.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/20/09 09:15am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Looked at a TT yesterday!!!
Must admit to looking at small trailers as well. (Actually all RV types)
But haven't found any with the room of my TC. 6'10 headroom and a real Queen sized bed 60" X 80" or 36" X 80" twin's.
Strange how my small Lance TC has more room that's important to me than most other larger RV types.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/19/09 10:06am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: 12 volt or 120 volt televisions power draw
Great Scott Matthew B your right and my Remark about Power factors of Small TV power supplies was wrong. They and any Switching Power Supply generally have poor power factors as you demonstrated.
However in most comparisons of loads such as my Computers power supply simply multiplying voltage given by current Will give a valid Wattage to compare with a 12 volt unit. 100-240Volts and 1.7 amps or 120V X 1.7A = 204 Watts
I know but my computer has yet to damage my 200 watt inverter.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/18/09 09:17pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: 12 volt or 120 volt televisions power draw
I disagree. No disrespect intended but volts times amps = watts is only true for DC. With AC the power (in watts) depends on the power factor which is determined by the electrical load and whether it consists of more capacitive reactance (typically from electronics) or inductive reactance (typically from motors). With AC, volts times amps will only equal watts if the load is completely resistive like a light bulb or non-motorized heating element. -Mark.
Please tell me about Small Television power supplys that have any Inductive or Capacitive Reactance to worry about. Like wise the power factor of newer TV power supplys should not be a problem, I think.
Your point is correct on AC circuits of course.
Yet sometimes easy can work with low power loads when just using it for comparisons.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/18/09 05:02pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: 12 volt or 120 volt televisions power draw
Volts times Amps = Watts (Use 12 or 120 Volts as needed)
The lower the watts the Better.
Figure for your self.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/18/09 01:15pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Return To Navajo NM - Keet Seel
Could any of us live like those ancients?
The main thing we've thought about when looking at the ancient ruins of the southwest is Child Care.
How in the world could anyone raise kids in a cliff dwelling???
Maybe that's why they moved out!
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/18/09 01:04pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Trip Report - Devil's Fork State Park, SC
Thanks for posting those wonderful pictures.
Shows that a quick trip can be lots of fun. Fall is a great time for camping and hiking in the woods we love it.
Fall mornings make the camper furnace a true friend. Getting up and having breakfast in a warm camper is a real joy for my old bones.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/18/09 12:52pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: lance tank level sensors
The best black water sensor is a flashlight... shine the light down through the open commode valve... when its full its time to empty.
It's the only level sensor that is trouble free.
That’s if you don't mine looking at Brown Trout with Corn eyes and Lettuce fins.
I don’t even like thinking about it.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/16/09 06:39pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: A few questions on Dualies
gas vs. diesel = you couldn't give me a gasser after enjoying the power of my diesel.
Hey Dave!
If you find anyone willing to give you a new gasser for your old diesel send him my way.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/16/09 06:31pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Question re:Solar for Lance Camper
Wild Bill
This 'lengthy' article is over the top, but informative. Thanks I think?....just spent 40 minutes digesting the information. I will start researching some of the specifics that the articles mention. I have at least decided to 're-wire' with 8Ga wire and go with a good 3 stage controller.
Thanks for the link
If you want to save some money!
Your Lance prewire will work great for a 85 Watt panel. Then a Morningstar controller will complete your setup for around $500 total. My Lance connector has worked just fine. Put some anticorrosion paste on the terminals then seal the outside with roof sealer after the connector is made up.
The Lance prewire loops the wires under the sink to mount the controller there, then leads back to the battery box.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/16/09 02:19pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Return To Navajo NM - Keet Seel
Wow and double WOW!
What a great experience, Thanks for posting.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/16/09 10:01am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: A few questions on Dualies
Hi folks
Starting to look for a replacement TV for my current 1/2T GMC, with an eye toward getting rid of my HTT and either getting a well built small TT or a large TC, which are about the same size.
Make the RV type decision first!
Your present truck could work with a TT.
If you want a truck camper find the size you want before looking at trucks. Then find a truck to handle it.
You'll be glad you did it this way!
Personally the day we need a dually is the day we get a class C.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/16/09 09:32am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Do you need cabover struts?
When we bought our Lance in 2003 the dealer said they could provide struts if we needed them.
Well after 6 years camper use we still don't know if we need them. AND I'm never going to buy them just to see how they work.
DG
03 Chevy Silverado Regular Cab 2500HD 4X4 Duramax
04 Lance Lite 915
I think your satisfaction is related to your rig. Your Lance Lite must come in considerably less the weight of my 1181. The Lance web site lists it at 2505 lbs and my 1181 at 3650 lbs. Those weights exclude all options. I'm loaded and you may be light in that regard. Can't tell for sure. It's quite a different story when the road starts tossing around 5000+ lbs tied to the rear half of a flexible frame. Aren't the availability of CHOICES like struts wonderful in a capitalist society? This forum is loaded with examples like this.
Rick
I agree also note my truck is a regular cab model. That equals a Shorter hence stiffer frame. My truck's wheelbase is shorter than a extended cab's with a short bed.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/13/09 09:24am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Do you need cabover struts?
When we bought our Lance in 2003 the dealer said they could provide struts if we needed them.
Well after 6 years camper use we still don't know if we need them. AND I'm never going to buy them just to see how they work.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/12/09 09:02pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Living out of a truck camper for the winter
Been there done that!
Spent 4 months in our Lance November through February 2006/2007.
We did get a 1000 Watt Yamaha as the solar panel wouldn't keep the battery charged under overcast sky’s and short days.(Rainy Northwest) Our Lance has insulation covers for the roof vents and they worked well.
Not as much fun as camping in the summer but very doable.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/08/09 10:16am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: fall color "backyard" camp - Laguna Mtn Rec. Area
Thanks for posting Tiger.
Fall is a great time of year. The campground slowdown from summer is also nice.
Winter is another matter for us in the rainy Northwest. We hope to be in your neck of the woods and even farther south this winter.
|
Lots of Stuff
|
11/07/09 09:51am |
Truck Campers
|
