RV Today Archive - Quick Tips - Vice, Bed Support and Mat

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See how to create and adapt a traveling vice and working bench into your RV hitch receiver. You can also learn a way to strengthen the storage compartment support beneath the bed by using closet rod hangers and pvc pipe, cut to size. Finally, for those occasions where you need to get under the rig, the video recommends to carry a lightweight camping pad which can double for exercising.

Watch the video for a visual step by step demonstration on these quick tips. For more RV Today Quick Tips, click here.

The Age Old Question, How Many Pounds Of Air Shall I Put In My Tires?

Well sir, I have never been accused of being terribly smart and politicaly astue, so here I go jumping from the frying pan into the fire on a subject that some have said in the forums is a dead horse and beaten to death. But there is more to the tire pressure story than just when will it fail or blow up. Or how much pressure to ad and when.

We all know that a tire that is under inflated will use more power to make it roll than a properly inflated tire. That is because of these factors:

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Gas Vs Diesel

Should I buy gas or diesel? This question has fueled many a heated debate over the years. A universal response you could expect to hear to this question goes something like this; diesels cost more than gas, don’t buy a diesel unless you plan to put a bunch of miles on it and keep it for a long time. That’s the only way you can justify the extra cost of a diesel.

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Hot Weather Preventive Maintenance

When I was in the military I was in charge of some very large fleet maintenance operations. As a maintenance officer a term that was near and dear to me was preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance is maintenance you perform on your vehicle before a problem exists. These checks are designed to prevent or identify potential problems that could lead to mechanical breakdown, malfunction or failure of a component or system. Preventive maintenance consists of cleaning, inspecting, lubricating, adjusting and servicing your vehicle. In the military there were preventive maintenance checks that the vehicle operator was responsible for and preventive maintenance checks that different echelons of maintenance personnel performed.

Since my days in the military I continue to perform preventive maintenance on my automobiles and the RV. For the most part I would classify these checks as operator level preventive maintenance checks, that almost anyone is capable of performing. Don’t confuse this with scheduled maintenance. Scheduled or routine maintenance is performed in intervals normally based on time, mileage or hours. Scheduled maintenance is designed to keep your vehicles in top operating condition and prevent untimely breakdowns and repairs.

Note: It is absolutely essential that you read your owner’s manual and warranty information in regards to who is responsible for what when it comes to scheduled maintenance. Scheduled maintenance that is required by the manufacturer and not performed can void your warranty.

With the hot weather upon us I thought it appropriate to list some simple preventive maintenance checks you can make on your automobile or RV before heading out on a trip. Read more

Choosing An Inverter/Charger

So far as motorized recreational vehicles, there are two duty types of inverters used. Stand alone and integrated inverter/chargers. Stand alone units are relatively low wattage output units that are individually wired to operate a single load like a television and perhaps a satellite receiver. The inverter/charger is an integrated part of the electrical and charging system of the unit. The inverter in this case serves two purposes. First it is the main battery charger, at least while either an outside source or generator is supplying AC power. Secondly, it is an inverter that supplies AC power when none is available. Once AC power is absent, the inverter automatically takes over, providing it is in the armed mode state. It is normally wired to operate necessary functions within reasonable wattage like T.V’s, receivers, duplex outlets, refrigerators (if an all electric coach), ice makers and perhaps microwaves.

There are two output configurations available, M.S.W. (Modified Sine Wave) and T.S.W. (True Sine Wave). All smaller or cheaper inverters are M.S.W. Most motor home inverters are also currently M.S.W. The exception of this would be higher end units and newer all electric coaches, most of which are equipped with T.S.W. output inverters. So what are the operational differences?

M.S.W. gets it name from exactly what it sounds like. It is a modified look-a-like wave. However it is more “square” than the smooth sweeping frequency lines that are created with a true sine wave. These inverters are cheaper to buy but function well in most applications. There are however, loads it does not work with or properly with. Those loads are, but are not limited to, many small power chargers, electronic boards found in many appliances, most microwaves, 120 volt A.C. powered clocks and full featured cappuccino makers. Some of these will not operate and some may be damaged over time with continued use.

T.S.W. power resembles that of home supplied hydro. It is capable of operating any like voltage load providing it does not exceed its output capacity. These units are now to a price level making them the best choice for future use.

So, if you are ordering a new coach, or replacing or upgrading to an inverter charger, should this be a “must have”? In my opinion, it is. The benefits far out weigh the now small price difference. If you own a coach that has a M.S.W. inverter charger, like most do, don’t worry. Your coach was equipped to exist with such a wave form and should do fine. But, just remember, if you were to order a new rig or ever it has to be replaced, go T.S.W. You won’t regret it.

On Sunday the 13th of july, we will be looking at “Practical RV Inverter Applications”.  I sure hope you can join us.

 Just Reading The Sines - Lug_Nut  -  Peter Mercer

RV Today Archive - Quick Tips - Jack Platform

Watch other quick tips, how-to and destination videos on RV Today Archives. More episodes will be added soon.

How to Check for a Blown Fuse

It’s all relative!

In several posts we have talked about measuring voltage with reference to a fixed point, or relative to a fixed point. This is an essential concept to understand if you are going to use a voltmeter to measure any kind of voltage. I used the analogy of a distance from home. While we have compared voltage in the past with pressure, in this case we compare it to distance from a fixed point. Both comparisons work, but in this case it is easier to understand the distance comparison.

Let’s look at a practical example of this to better understand why we do it. A very common component in an electrical system is a fuse.

Fuses work to protect electrical circuits by “blowing” if they experience an overcurrent situation, meaning more amps flow through the fuse than the fuse is rated for. When this happens, the fuse “opens” and current can no longer flow because of the open circuit. The fuse now has infinite resistance. Our job is to use our multimeter to find the blown fuse. In order to do this the easiest check is with a voltmeter. I have reasons for saying this and we will talk more about this later, for now, just accept this concept too. In order to check for a blown fuse, you should pick a spot that is your “anchor” or starting point. Typically in an RV electrical system, and when checking for a blown fuse in the 12 volt DC system, the anchor point is “ground“. Ground in an RV is usually the frame of the vehicle. This is because the negative post of the RV battery is connected directly to the frame. Connect one of your meter leads to ground. Again, this may be easier said than done because there is a lot more plastic in RVs than there is metal. I usually try to find a big bolt that holds large metal pieces together. After you connect one meter lead to ground you are ready to check voltages. Find a fuse holder with a fuse in it and check the voltage on each pin of the fuse. You should EXPECT to read somewhere around 12 volts DC at each pin. Now remove the fuse from the fuse holder. This simulates a blown fuse. Now when you check both pins of the fuse holder, you will find that one pin will have the expected 12 volts DC, but the other pin will read 0 volts DC. This is exactly the check you will make to find a blown fuse.
Take time to practice this technique and we will talk more about it later. Until then, have fun camping.

Larry

RV Today Archive - RV Thermostat Replacement

We all want to have hot water when we are RVing, but not too hot. Many RVs come with a fixed water heater thermostat set on 140⁰F and that is just too hot for many people. If this is the case for you, watch Stew Oleson find out the solution: to exchange the fixed thermostat for an adjustable one so you can lower the temperature to where you find it comfortable.

Watch the video below for step by step instructions on how to replace the fixed thermostat in your RV with an adjustable one, in this case, an Atwood model.

Watch more more episodes on the RV Today show archives on quick tips or destinations, and more will be added soon.

Using your Multimeter - Part 3

Hopefully you have all been practicing with your new multimeters and nobody has gotten hurt doing it. In our last post about using your meter I suggested checking the voltage at a normal residential outlet. With your meter on AC volts you should measure somewhere around 115 to 120 volts AC. This is what you would EXPECT to read. If you get it, that is normal and if you get something very different from that, you are getting an incorrect reading. The important point here is that when you set out to make some kind of electrical measurement, you should have some idea of what to expect. This way you will know if something is wrong. Having an idea what to expect is a very important concept when troubleshooting electrical systems.

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RV Today Archive - Quick Tips - Lawnchair Headrest

If the lawnchair feels hard on your head, watch this video for an easy headrest solution, plus some other great tips for the RV lifestyle that you have chosen. These quick tips are brought to you by the RV Today show archives.

To avoid the lawnchair bar feeling hard on your head, you can make a simple headrest that will take care of the problem. In addition, watch this video to learn how to use a catch as a hanger that will not get on your way in those reduced hallways in your RV. Finally, if your remote control tends to slip away or hide someplace not to be found, take advantage of a great tip on the use of sticky velcro to keep the remote control always on the same spot.

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