Day 119
Backup Power
6:45am:In yesterday's 3:31pm Blog post, we wrote:
"We must go west for our House Battery's sake. Going into night with only 12.01 volts is a no-no!"
Our Backup Power comes from "SuperStart" our engine Jump Starting battery device [Link].
7:11am:
Smoke filled sky
We on the Scampy RV Team are unable to sustain our life style without some source of electric power. For perhaps three days, we are able go without any such source.
But after those three days, the Sun better be shining bright! Could it be that this smoke filled sky event is a message for us?
"Get thyself a Honda generator for rare times such as these!"
Smoke filled sky
We on the Scampy RV Team are unable to sustain our life style without some source of electric power. For perhaps three days, we are able go without any such source.
But after those three days, the Sun better be shining bright! Could it be that this smoke filled sky event is a message for us?
"Get thyself a Honda generator for rare times such as these!"
12:01pm:
I don't know #2
We received word that Scampy's replacement grey water tank had been delivered. So, we are heading north to Beaverton where our mail box service is located to pick it up.
While traveling, something got me thinking about the beginnings of computers. The integrated circuit and all that followed. I am fascinated by The Traitorous Eight. The guys who left Fairchild. And I asked Siri, "Who are the Traitorous Eight?"
I really wanted to know the name of my hero of the traitorous eight. But I could not recall the name of Robert Noyce!
Siri replied: "I don't know the Traitorous Eight!"
So, I asked Google. Of course, Google knows of the Traitorous Eight. And Google know of Robert Noyce too! [Link]
3:42pm:
Arrived in Beaverton
Our mail box service is Postal Annex in Beaverton. There were four cartons waiting for us. The largest is the new plastic grey water tank.
This tank needs a gate valve for emptying the grey water. We bought the several parts required to mount that valve.
We also need a plastic fitting which attaches to the tank. This fitting will accept the plastic tube coming from the kitchen sink.
5:40pm:
Torqued hex nuts
We need to devise a way of dealing with the hex nuts on Scampy's wheels. Same with the hex nut on Tránsito's hitch ball.
If we got a flat tire out in the forest, the wheel nuts must be removed. But those wheel nuts are torqued on. Difficult to remove. Same with the large hex nut securing Tránsito's hitch ball.
We went over to Home Depot, and bought steel pipe which shall be used as a lever in order to remove these hex nuts. And also to torque down the nuts.
.
I don't know #2
We received word that Scampy's replacement grey water tank had been delivered. So, we are heading north to Beaverton where our mail box service is located to pick it up.
While traveling, something got me thinking about the beginnings of computers. The integrated circuit and all that followed. I am fascinated by The Traitorous Eight. The guys who left Fairchild. And I asked Siri, "Who are the Traitorous Eight?"
I really wanted to know the name of my hero of the traitorous eight. But I could not recall the name of Robert Noyce!
Siri replied: "I don't know the Traitorous Eight!"
So, I asked Google. Of course, Google knows of the Traitorous Eight. And Google know of Robert Noyce too! [Link]
3:42pm:
Arrived in Beaverton
Our mail box service is Postal Annex in Beaverton. There were four cartons waiting for us. The largest is the new plastic grey water tank.
This tank needs a gate valve for emptying the grey water. We bought the several parts required to mount that valve.
We also need a plastic fitting which attaches to the tank. This fitting will accept the plastic tube coming from the kitchen sink.
5:40pm:
Torqued hex nuts
We need to devise a way of dealing with the hex nuts on Scampy's wheels. Same with the hex nut on Tránsito's hitch ball.
If we got a flat tire out in the forest, the wheel nuts must be removed. But those wheel nuts are torqued on. Difficult to remove. Same with the large hex nut securing Tránsito's hitch ball.
We went over to Home Depot, and bought steel pipe which shall be used as a lever in order to remove these hex nuts. And also to torque down the nuts.
.
As infrequently as you will need it it would be wise to check into a low cost RV park that includes electric.
ReplyDeleteBesides even the quiet Hondas are too loud for stealth camps.
david h,
DeleteAlthough I Blogged about getting a Honda generator, actually, it's very unlikely that I'll get one.
George
.
A generator would be a good addition to your team.
ReplyDeleteour awesome travels,
DeleteMaybe? But I'd rather make do without a generator!
George
.
You might even think about going south for a while. I heard smoke from the fires were so bad cars couldn't drive in the Columbia Gorge.
DeleteWhy not connect your truck alternator to charge the house battery in the trailer. Then every time you are driving around the battery would be charged. In a pinch just start your truck up and let it idle a while to charge your battery. It wouldn't take long and much better than having a generator out in the street that blows your stealthiness and attract attention.
ReplyDeleteGood idea.
DeleteWhen you get the grey tank installed, ask if they can design this system for you. It would be hooked up just like in your motorhome.
George already had this done but he said that the plug was loose when he got to his destination.
DeleteOops. Missed that part.
DeleteHi Everybody,
Deletedavid h has that right. Tránsito's alternator has been setup to deliver about 15 amps to Scampy's house battery.
I believe that I've corrected the problem of the hitch cable coming loose. That likely will not happen again.
George
.
I agree that Google is the better personal assistant. I have been frustrated by Siri many times and my iPhone's speech recognition has had me sending some pretty weird messages.
ReplyDeleteXplorer Steve DIY,
DeleteIt baffles me why Apple does not make some kind of deal with Google to replace Siri?!
George
.
The proper tool to tighten fasteners is a torque wrench, not a big steel bar or an impact gun. Your owner's manual will have the torque specifications for the lug nuts and the hitch. I'm a bit younger than you at 66.833 years old and can easily remove my lug nuts with a wrench because they are tightened to 105 ft-lbs per the manufacturer's specifications. I also check the wheel torque every 500 miles. Never do business with a shop that tightens lug nuts with an air gun. If your lug nuts are installed at the proper torque and you still need a large pipe to remove them, that's okay. But use a torque wrench to tighten them, which shouldn't require a pipe.
ReplyDeleteMost shops use an impact gun set to a lower torque then finish by hand to speced torque. I don't believe you will find a shop that doesn't use an impact at all but maybe. I carry an electric impact gun on my bus.
DeleteYes, that is the correct way if the shop uses a special impact socket called a torque stick, then does the final tightening with a torque wrench. But many shops including new car dealerships don't follow this procedure -- I know because I have trained thousands of technicians and had to get management to enforce this requirement in most car dealerships.
DeleteMy WDH hitch requires a much higher torque than I can tighten with a standard 1/2" torque wrench. I purchased a long handled 3/4" drive torque wrench at Home Depot that allows me to do this.
https://www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies/Hitch-Balls-Mounts/Hitch-Balls/2-5-16-Inch-Hitch-Ball?Id=4959
ReplyDeleteThe last ball I bought U-haul put in on with their big tools. And the ball I got had a carter pin. Notice carter pin in product description? Carter pin helps a lot. Nut can't move to far without interfering with carter pin. And I have a magic marker line used as an "index line" on hitch ball nut, so I will know if it moves. Then when you pre-trip just do a visual of carter pin and index line. On changing a tire...what ever you get, make sure you do a dry run first. I found out the hard way that my jack was to tall and wouldn't fit under the axle when my tire was flat. If I would of practiced changing the tire right after getting the jack I would of found that out and could of exchanged it for a smaller model, but not 2 years later, when I actually had a flat.
Wobbley Box,
DeleteI am changing my hitch for one with a cotter pin.
Also, I will determine if my jack fits when the tire is flat for both Scampy and Tránsito.
Thank you!
George
.