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Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Group 27 batteries
After days of charging, they get up to about three lights out of five, then drop quickly with load.
What converter is charging them? I also suspect a bad cell.
Even the very best deep cycle battery manufacturer will suggest you do not go below 20% charged as damage may occur. 10.5 volts under 25 amp load is fully discharged. Under a light 500 milliamp load such as the fridge the voltage would be even higher at full discharge. If you went somewhat below 10.5 well don't full blame the battery as substandard.
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smkettner
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11/21/09 09:55am |
Tech Issues
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RE: This is Driving me NUTS!!!
6350 gvwr does not show on the 2010 specs web page so what year and configuration is it?
The 5.4 even with 3.55 probably has a tow rating that will easily accomdate that trailer. What towing package does it have?
Ford towing guide
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smkettner
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11/20/09 02:19pm |
Towing
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RE: Towing Without Proper Mirrors
Eventually he will get a citation. Just as those speeding eventually get pulled over.
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smkettner
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11/20/09 01:55pm |
Towing
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RE: Generator
Get the H3000 no worries. An extra battery will do you well also.
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smkettner
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11/20/09 01:51pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Battary Question
Unless you need an 8D I would say the best is the Sears Platinum AGM.
Check and compare cranking amp ratings.
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smkettner
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11/20/09 12:08pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: build my own
I've looked at the 4x4's that are available and the price is just not doable.
If a prebuilt new or used 4wd motorhome is too much money you can pretty much forget building your own conversion.
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smkettner
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11/20/09 12:00pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Forum Slow
It has been rather good in the past year IMO. At home I recently found a router that was slowing me way down to about dialup speeds. The slow down effected all but did seem worse on rv.net. All is good again now :)
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smkettner
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11/20/09 10:48am |
Forum Technical Support
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RE: Converter upgrade or not?
If the PD never gets into current limit, would it matter where the limit is? I don't think it matters if he gets a 40A or 80A PD converter. It will be the same slow charge curve. For a PD, the charge current is defined by the its output voltage, line resistance, battery resistance and battery surface charge. The output voltage is way too little to ever get near current limit.
If you want a slow charge, PD is a good choice.
Sal
I agree go big on the PD with 60 amp minimum.
I am just saying if you want 44 amps at 14+ volts you need a 70 amp PD or a 40 amp Xantrex or 45 amp WFCO or 45 amp IOTA.
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smkettner
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11/20/09 10:00am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Avoid Oklahoma if retiring
Look folks, the State has to make money some how to pay for services inacted by representatives and demanded by a majority of the residents. If we don't like it then we need to take appropriate actions.
This is part of what has doomed the CA budget. Every special interest puts a bond initiative on the ballot for some feel good project and the residents vote it in. Well now the bill is due and the people wonder why the taxes and user fees are going up.
I wish every bond initiative would include the amount of extra tax needed to pay for it right on the initiative. Just check the box below your yes vote to increase your property tax, sales tax, income tax, or user fees at the voters choice. People want to play and not pay. :R
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smkettner
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11/20/09 09:20am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: This is Driving me NUTS!!!
The emissions sticker under the hood should confirm the 4.6 vs 5.4 motor.
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smkettner
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11/19/09 11:15pm |
Towing
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RE: How to wire an inverter
You can wire it however best suits your needs. If both tvs are on one circuit string you can just power that string by adding a transfer switch or getting an inverter with an internal switch. You can add multiple transfer switches for more circuits or a sub panel.
So map out what all exactly is on each breaker and decide what you want to power up.
Consider that you probably want four or more house batteries to keep the lights and heat on.
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smkettner
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11/19/09 11:10pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Lug Nuts
Not real confident of torquing often any more. Lost a rear wheel on our 3 month old 5er this weekend. Torqued the lugs to 120 fp right before I left the house. Made it 20 miles before the wheel came off on the on ramp to the highway. 5 of the 6 studs were mostly stripped, the 6 sheared off. Did a considerable amount of damage to the driverside rear of the camper. Was not fun changing out the drum and putting the spare on by the side of the road in rush hour.
These were aluminum wheels so I was really concerned about over-torquing them. I've been pulling trailers, boat, camper etc. with steel wheels for many years. Never torqued any of them. Just tightened them up snug like a car tire. Never once had a problem.
I might trade these aluminum wheels out for some good old steel painted wheels.
Factory wheels or dealer add on? I think the dealer may have over torqued the studs on initial installation. I could be wrong also. The biggest trouble is the air guns that can easily go 150 to 250 ft lbs in the hands of a novice.
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smkettner
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11/19/09 11:04pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Converter upgrade or not?
I agree go big on the PD with 60 amp minimum. Go small on a WFCO like 35 amps. XADC-40 or 60 would be fine but 40 would be plenty with just one or two batteries. I would also stay smaller on the IOTA unless you have three or more batteries.
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smkettner
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11/19/09 10:15pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: This is Driving me NUTS!!!
I want to buy a truck to tow my TT now. I found the 1/2 ton Ford I want. It has a 5.4 engine but has a 3.55 rear end. The vin says it will tow 6000-10000 lbs. I also found one is supposed to tow the same but it a different letter in the vin. One is a P and one is an R. What gives? I want this over with. I just want to buy a truck. PLEASE HELP!!!! Thank You..Dave
New or what year used? What cab and bed configuration? Tow package or max tow package? Max payload package? What is the truck GVWR from the door sticker? These are the things that decide grocery getter or tow machine.
The gears can be changed, I went with 4.10 although 3.55 or 3.73 on a new F150 might be adequate for the first year or longer depending on the set up and your expectations.
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smkettner
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11/19/09 10:08pm |
Towing
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RE: Travel to Yosemite on Friday.
I would carry some of those flimsy cable chains for the drive axle and one axle of the trailer. Go early to get the best chance of just rain.
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smkettner
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11/19/09 08:35pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: extended warrenties on 5th wheels
Pass
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smkettner
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11/19/09 08:23pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Hitch on vehicle not right size
You need a class III with a 2" opening.
http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2004_Dodge_Caravan.htm
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smkettner
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11/19/09 08:08pm |
Towing
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RE: How to ID type of plastic of waste tanks
Do you need a repair? I just used some of this stuff from Pep Boys. It says it is good for polyethelene, ABS etc. Quick Steel
I also looked at JB Weld and Eternabond A-Seal
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smkettner
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11/19/09 08:01pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Converter upgrade or not?
WOW!!, I dont want to have to re-wire my RV.
I just want to order it, take the old buzzer out and drop in the new unit.
Is this going to be better than my new three stage charger?
mtnman
I would stick to 40 or 45 amps to avoid needing to rewire. I recommend Xantrex XADC-40 available at bestconverter.com
There might be some minor stuff to switch over but lots of people with no experience seem to get it done just fine.
Better than the portable? Depends on how many amps the portable is rated and how many batteries you have. Best part is there is no fiddling around hooking it up. Just fire up the gen and you are charging at full power.
Yes I would do it in a heart beat. Very worth while project.
Conversion with pictures
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smkettner
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11/19/09 07:12pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Avoid Oklahoma if retiring
No kidding or try California. Those taxes sound about even and maybe low to me.
Next month I pay $13,700 in property tax (annual) and my assessed value is at least 20% below market :R
Income tax up to 9 something %, 8.75+ sales tax. Oklahoma does not sound all that bad.
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smkettner
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11/19/09 07:01pm |
General RVing Issues
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