Mark’s RV Garage Episode #10 Released

RV Education 101 releases Episode #10 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on You Tube           On this episode of Mark’s RV Garage: * Mark installs a shower surround, tile and toilet, and starts wiring the power center in the Yellowstone restoration project. * Learn how to install and use a Tire Minder Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) in your RV * Discover a quick tip on a spray lubricant and rust remover you need to keep available in your shop or garage. * All of this and more on this episode of Mark’s RV Garage If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 11 will be available for viewing on 27 June 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com www.rveducation101.com  Read More →

Should EVs Pay to Play?

Don’t you just love it when a prediction comes true? Getting juiced up! (Photo credit: inhabitat.com) Over three months ago a writer for Politics and Cars mused that if special electric meters are installed specifically for the purpose of charging an electric vehicle (EV), someone in government would figure out how to tax that electricity in the same way gasoline is taxed. Gasoline taxes are supposed to go for repairs and improvement of roads. The gas tax is simply a user tax. You use the roads. You pay for them. That’s only fair. Right? However, if EVs use the roads without paying for their use, that is unfair. The issue is contentious because gasoline taxes generate $45 billion annually to pay for highway repairs. Let’s say you live in California, and purchased a Nissan Leaf. The car’s $32,000 bottom line would have taken a huge bite out of your budget, but the feds rewarded you with a $7,500 tax credit and the state kicked in a $5,000 cash payout. At $20,000, the Leaf is now affordable, and the three cents a mile operating costs are good news, too. But now they want to hit you with a new tax? The rest of us say it’s not fair that we pay a premium of 18.4 cents per gallon (24.4 cents for diesel) to maintain the nation’s roads, help to eradicate potholes, and keep overpasses from falling down while EV drivers pay nothing. That’s harsh, you think, being a crusader for clean air. After all, you’re saving the planet by decreasing your carbon footprint. Nissan... Read more

Mark’s RV Garage Episode #9 Released

RV Education 101 releases Episode #9 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on You Tube           On this episode of Mark’s RV Garage: * Mark & Tyler install and plumb the gray and black water holding tanks on the Yellowstone restoration project. * Learn how to install a window awning in six easy steps. * Get an answer to the gnawing question on how to rid your RV of those pesky field mice. * Discover a quick tip on how to size a patio mat for your RV. * All of this and more on this episode of Mark’s RV Garage. If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 10 will be available for viewing on 13 June 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com www.rveducation101.com  Read More →

Using Hydrogen to Increase Mileage and Reduce Emissions

Forget the staycation. (Credit: h2purepower) Sure, average gas prices are currently $3.94 (diesel: $4.11), according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report, and climbing toward the highest recorded average of $4.11 that crippled travel back in 2008. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up your summer road trip. It’s one of America’s greatest travel traditions—so don’t let these high fuel prices stop you. Mary Meadows says she can increase mileage and reduce emissions. She’s the founder of an Arizona company that makes a system that converts cars, pickups, trucks, recreational vehicles, and boats to hydrogen hybrids, reported The Arizona Republic. “We’re not replacing the fuel; we’re just supplementing the fuel to make it highly efficient,” said Meadows, CEO of H2 Pure Power, which is based at the Innovations incubator. The company manufactures the Hercules Hydrogen System, which is about the same size as a car battery and can be installed under the hood or in the trunk. The system manufactures hydrogen, mixes it with fuel, and puts the mixture into the engine by air intake. “It’s a very sophisticated system,” Meadows said. “A lot of systems out there don’t work; they don’t last.” She says that the Hercules Hydrogen System works—and it lasts. One of the problems to overcome was that post-1996 model cars and pickups contain computers that sense when a vehicle is using less fuel. That triggers the computer... Read more

Mark’s RV Garage Episode #8 Released

RV Education 101 releases Episode #8 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on You Tube On this episode of Mark’s RV Garage: * Mark & Tyler start putting the interior of the Yellowstone restoration project back together. * See how convenient battery operated LED lights are for all those dark and dimly lit areas of your RV. * Get the answer to the question on mixing and matching different battery types and sizes on your RV. * Take a stroll down memory lane when Mark narrates who and what the Tin Can Tourists organization was back in the day, and how it has been revived. * All of this and more on this episode of Mark’s RV Garage. If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 9 will be available for viewing on 30 May 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com www.rveducation101.com  Read More →

Mark’s RV Garage Episode #7 Released

RV Education 101 releases Episode #6 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on You Tube  On this episode: * Mark & Tyler start putting the interior walls back in the vintage trailer restoration project and add new vinyl flooring. * Learn how to install a Dirt Devil central vacuum cleaner in your RV. * Find out what the difference is between modified sine wave and pure sine wave inverters. * Discover all of the fun things to do and places to visit when you stay at the Niagara Falls North KOA. * Learn some great tips and techniques to help with backing a 5th wheel trailer All of this and more on this episode of Mark’s RV Garage. If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 8 will be available for viewing on 16 May 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com www.rveducation101.com  Read More →

Mark’s RV Garage Episode #6 Released

  RV Education 101 releases Episode #6 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on You Tube         On this episode of Mark’s RV Garage:  * Mark finishes the 12 volt wiring, the roof decking and starts on the interior of the vintage trailer restoration project.  * See what product can add to enjoying the nightlife under your RV patio awning  * Get some tips on how to maximize your RV refrigerators efficiency.  *  Discover a great camping destination for the entire family located in New York  * Watch an interview with the creator of a charity called “RV 4 the Cause” If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 7 will be available for viewing on 02 May 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com  Read More →

Mark’s RV Garage Episode #5 Released

RV Education 101 releases Episode #5 of the new Internet based RV How-To series titled “Mark’s RV Garage.” The new episode is available for viewing at www.rvconsumer.com and on You Tube.            On this episode of Mark’s RV Garage:  *Mark & Tyler finish framing the vintage travel trailer and start the rough-in wiring. * Learn how to protect your RV from power surges and improper campground wiring * Get some great tips for extending the life of your RV holding tanks and controlling odors * Get some answers on how to protect your RV awnings * See what camping tip won the author a free copy of Microsoft Streets & Trips If you missed previous episodes of Mark’s RV Garage they are archived at www.rvconsumer.com for easy retreival and viewing Episode # 6 will be available for viewing on 18 April 2011. Happy RV Learning, Mark Polk www.rvconsumer.com  Read More →

What’s a Wallup?

The Wallup! ™ or “Wall-in-a-bag” is a collapsible 6-foot high x 12-foot wide framed flexible wall that fits in a small bag making storage and transportation a snap. Manufactured by Walluping Industries Inc. based in Spokane, Washington, The Wallup can be assembled in a matter of minutes. The Wallup takes minutes to install. Easily erected without the use of strings or other attachments, the Wall-in-a-bag has applications as a privacy barrier, wind protection, sun shelter, shower stall, lean-to, changing room, tent, shelter from the weather, temporary bathroom, as well as an unlimited number of other uses. In addition to being used by RVers and campers, this free-standing portable wall will appeal to hunters, golfers, sports teams, advertisers, vendors, and even equestrians as horse stalls and outdoor tack rooms. Invention of the Wallup The Inventor of the Wallup spent his younger days scrounging the Cascade forests for neat things, elusive trout, forgotten forest ponds, and secluded valleys. On one of his many outings with friends found them caught by the wind playing a game of cards. He swore revenge and on the next camping trip the Wallup! began life as a tarp braced with conduit poles. Many years of trial and error led to the present design. After many prototypes, material tests, and failures, the current Wallup! was created. In just a few minutes the Wallup assembles into a 6-foot-high by 12-foot-wide freestanding wall. The first of the prototypes were sewn out of the... Read more

Upgrade your RV water pump

A couple of years ago I decided to upgrade the water pump in my motorhome.  I did this for a couple of reasons.  First, I wanted to be able to take a nice, hot, shower with lots of water pressure.  Second, I can’t resist tinkering with the RV!  I did some research and decided on the Shurflo Extreme series, 5.7 because at the time, it was the state of the art in RV water pumps.  I was really looking forward to the increased water pressure and flow at my shower head. As with any RV project, this one was not simple.  And as with most RV projects, there wasn’t enough room to do the conversion.  However, with a lot of maneuvering and manipulating I was able to mount the new Shurflo into the same area as my old OEM pump.  One thing I did do was check out and upgrade my electrical supply system for the pump.  My original OEM pump was fused with a 10 amp fuse which was adequate for the OEM pump.  However, the new Shurflo is designed to do more work, and thus pulls more amps than the original one.  For this reason, Shurflo recommends a 15 amp fuse for the 5.7.  Before installing a larger fuse, I checked to verify that the wire feeding the new pump was large enough to carry the additional amps, which it was. The next problem was that the OEM Intellitec water pump controller, P/N 00-00145-100 was rated for a max of 10 amps and Shurflo recommends changing to the larger Part Number:00-00776-200 that is designed to handle 15 amps. After I got the new pump installed and plumbed,... Read more

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