*************************************************************************** THE RVERSCORNER Newsletter *************************************************************************** May, 2003 *************************************************************************** Total subscribers this issue 8685! Last issue 8551! Welcome to our new 134 subscribers! Yes, we are growing! Tell all your RV'ing friends about us! Send them to: http://www.rverscorner.com/newsltr.html I completed the newsletter last night and was doing a last minute check ... we had 8 new subscribers overnight! Thanks for your recommendations! This newsletter has grown from a few friends in 1997 to 8000+ friends in 2003. It seems that we must be doing something right, so we will continue to do so. Many of us converse on the RVerscorner Bulletin board ... and all are welcome there ... posting rules are moderate and there are many fine people who help with questions and answers. Check it out at: http://www.rverscorner.com/discus Inside this issue: - Learning to Live with 30 Amps: by Peggi McDonald - RV Glossary - terms and phrases used by RV'ers - Trust My Mechanic ... by Austin C. Davis Classified Ad Section: About the RVer's Corner Newsletter: *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** Learning to Live with 30 Amps: by Peggi McDonald It is a given that houses or apartments are wired for heavy-duty electrical use to accommodate the air conditioning, stove, fridge, dryer and other electrical ‘toys’. When the temperatures rise each summer, we assume if we turn an appliance on it works. Yes occasionally a brown-out situation surfaces during exceptionally hot weather because everyone is using maximum power to stay cool, however running the A/C at the house usually keeps temperatures moderate. Unfortunately this is not always the case in a campground. Park power source is frequently overtaxed especially at peak travel times. It is also not uncommon for the appliances in RV’s to function in harmful brownout conditions. Although your site may have a 30 Amp connection in reality you possibly only have 20 amps to work with. Last summer we met several novice RVers working through less than perfect situations; it’s been such fun re-living our early days of discovery. We knew NOTHING when we started in 1985, but by August that first year we found a park near work; John and I spent all available time at the motorhome. Thankfully our seasoned RVing neighbours from Florida took us under their wing to teach us the basics. Working with others new to this lifestyle brought us back to our beginnings only now we are the seasoned RVers helping the Newbies. I guess ‘What goes around comes around’ holds true more often than we think. During a heat wave in July our Newbie neighbours, Jim and Joan, tried out their A/C, all was well until they plugged in the kettle for a cup of tea. They soon found out what they could and could not do when living with 30 amps. Yes it is possible to run your RV A/C but not when other high draw appliances are in use. We discussed use of the kettle and suggested they turn the fridge to propane but all this was so new. Jim had to leave for a family emergency the next day and by late afternoon Joan was so hot: yet she was very fearful of turning on the air in case she blew the breaker again. It was obvious Joan and I needed to discuss how to enjoy the comforts of her home on wheels, both on the move and/or in a campground. Learning to selectively use each appliance as a trade-off makes life so much easier. On the good side, even if power is not a full 30 Amps it is still possible to use the air conditioner, you can even use it on low if you have a good 20-amp source. It doesn’t have to be running full force on high to be effective. Close everything up including all doors and windows, lower the blinds to block the sun; before turning the air on at the low setting. A table fan or two helps to move the cool air around within your unit. (Friends added a ceiling fan to their motorhome in the indented space of a vent. Many fifth wheel ceilings are high enough to add a ceiling fan as well). By operating your fridge to propane when you have the air turned on, you free up another margin of power. Breakers may trip if two power hungry appliances ‘cut-in’ at the same time. If you want hot water for tea or coffee choose your stove instead of an electric kettle. Those wishing to use their micro or additional appliances that consume many amps such as a hair dryer etc. can turn the air temporarily to ‘fan’ (for at least 4 minutes so it can re-adjust to avoid freeze up). When you don’t need the extra high draw appliance(s), you can then safely turn your A/C on again. Be aware even on 20 amps use of low power appliances such as the lights, TV, computers, printers etc. along with the air is possible without a problem RVers on the move or those stopped for a spell without hook-ups can function quite well on DC battery source. No you cannot run your air, but your fridge operates well on propane (we always turn our propane off going down the road--- the fridge stays cold for eight hours if the door is not continuously opened) plus a 12-volt TV, portable fan(s), lights and other 12 volt accessories operate easily on battery power. We also have two 12-volt Fantastic Vents in our unit to move the air around, these amazing fan/vents force air in or take the heat out; some models also include a rain sensor - the best part is they only consume 3 Amps/hour on high; these vents are a big plus to RVers who stop or camp without hook-ups. Yes, inverters, solar panels and generators charge RV batteries and run additional appliances when camping without hook-ups; but that is another story. I only know what works but not really why it does, so when I first put this column together I asked Les, webhost of this site, to provide the formula of the actual power used by each appliance. His answer below helps us understand technically what can be enjoyed and what should be avoided when air is on. Regarding the watts and amps question - watts equal the voltage times the number of amps. To find the number of amps that an appliance uses, divide the number of watts by 120 (voltage). For instance, a 1500-watt hair dryer would be 1500/120 or 12.5 amps AC. It works the same for a 12 volt appliance - the typical three way fridge has about a 300 watt DC heater element - divide that by 12 volts to get an amperage draw of 25 amps DC. By the way, low voltage causes the amperage draw to increase - motors get overheated and burn out. The same 1500-watt hair dryer operating in a low voltage situation of say 105 volts would draw 1500/105 or 14.3 amps. Several ways to be watchful of the amount of power each item uses include a small two-inch square Line Voltage Monitor that plugs into a 110/120 socket. The analogue model has a needle that moves side to side to record the amount of power available. Safe amounts are between 102 volts and 130 volts. Below 105 you’re appliances begin to ‘starve’ in ‘brown-out’ conditions and by 102, the low voltage will slowly ‘kill’ the motors. Above 130 a surge situation will instantly ‘burn-out’ many appliances. The analogue model of a Line Voltage Indicator provides a good idea of power used however the more expensive digital models register more accurate readings. More on voltage monitors at Camping World: http://www.rverscorner.com/voltage_monitor.html Another option to control power is to install an in-line Power Line Monitor. Several models are available in 30 and 50 Amp – these are not cheap but they are effective. Since we added this accessory six years ago, on numerous occasions we have immediately shut down in microseconds due to high or low power. When that happens we are without power for four minutes to allow the A/C to return to normal temperature before restarting. It’s comforting to know we no longer must deal with damaged appliances due to low power or surges ever again. There is also a wide selection of varied designs of exterior serge protection products available from RV Dealers. These less costly devices attach to the electrical outlet post--- between your cord and the park outlet. However since they take more time and effort to connect, especially in inclement weather, it is easy to occasionally forgo usage. So your special device may not be connected when it is most important such as during a lightening storm. Unless you add an extra locking type system this accessory may be easily ‘borrowed’ without your permission. For convenience one friend installed his inside a storage pod ‘in-line’ to his electric cord. This way it is always connected. The bottom line is RVing is a wonderful lifestyle and when power is not perfect, go outside and enjoy the wonderful world around us. Happy travels. More on surge protectors from Camping World: http://www.rverscorner.com/surge.html Peggi and John McDonald are entering their 18th year as fulltime RVers. Their informative website of www.rvliving.net is loaded with mega tips and hints for all RVers from Newbies to Part-timers to Fulltimers too. Peggi is the author of the best selling how-to publication ‘Spirit of the Open Road’ and two free ebooks ‘RV Living--- Facts Tips Hints and More: Vol One and Two. ‘Spirit of the Open Road’ is now on sale and all profits will be donated to the cancer fund! See: http://www.rvliving.net/Spiritsalecont.htm Excerpt from the June issue of the RV gazette - voice of the Explorer RV Club: www.rvgazette.com *********************************** Two-For-One Cancer Fund-Raiser As a contribution to our fund-raising event for the Canadian Cancer Society, Peggi and John McDonald will be donating the proceeds (minus shipping and handling) from every sale of Peggi’s book, Spirit Of The Open Road to the Explorer RV Club Cancer Fund. As an extra incentive for this worth-while cause, the McDonald’s are offering a special summer promotion. Buy one book for only $19.00 (regular cost: $24.00) or buy one book for the special price and get a second one for only $10.00 more (for a total of $29.00). This is a great deal for two RVing neighbours who both need their own copy of Spirit or, you can use the second book as a gift for an RVing friend. To cut administration and postal costs, the two books must be mailed in the same package (Xpress-Post, anywhere in Canada). As an added bonus, each book can be individually autographed by Peggi. Just give the details to the operator when you order your copy. To order a copy (or copies) of this comprehensive guide to Canadian RVing, call 1-800-999-0819. The special offer runs from the 20th of May to 30th September, 2003. Make sure that you tell the operator that you’re calling about the special summer promotion printed in the RV gazette. (and the RVerscorner Newsletter, of course!) *************************************************************************** Trust My Mechanic ... by Austin C. Davis Reader Question: Will using higher octane "premium" gasoline increase my fuel economy? You know, I expect sticker shock when I go into an electronics store or a jewelry store…but the gas station? Prices are soaring again, and we have to keep reminding ourselves how much we love our big Suburbans and Expeditions. So what are we really buying-and how can we keep from spending any more than we really need to? What does the number mean? I drive up the gas station, walk around the back of my car, swipe my credit card, and reach for a handle. Which handle? Do I want 92, 96, or 98? How am I supposed to know? What does it mean, and how could a six point spread possibly be worth an extra $.75/gallon? If it was a final exam, a 92 would still be an A right? The number posted on the fuel pump is the octane rating of the gasoline. The octane rating is basically an anti-knock (or ping) rating. Ping occurs while the engine piston is on the upstroke and there's a pre-detonation of fuel. And that's probably as technical as I need to get. The higher the number on the pump, the less pre-detonation of fuel will occur, and the lower your chances of knocking and pinging. This pre-detonation can also cause internal damage. The octane rating of a fuel can be altered by several different processes. Usually it is either refined to the desired value or enhanced with additives. The refining process is very costly, so that's why you see all these advertisements for special "detergents" and "additives" from the gasoline companies. Do I need the expensive stuff? Now that you know what you're paying for…do you need to buy a higher octane fuel? Premium fuel, at a premium price, usually means a higher octane and some detergents. If your vehicle runs okay on regular grade fuel, by all means use it. Some vehicles will clatter or ping on fuel with minimal octane ratings, but this is rare. I use the cheapest grade fuel that is offered by a major refiner. Don't get caught up in all the advertisements and flash that lead you to believe that your car needs the highest octane gasoline. Most automobiles built today will run great on 87 and above. Check your owner's manual for specific recommendations for your make and model. Spending money on an octane level higher than what's needed for your car is just spending money -it won't increase performance. Should I buy a name brand? I do not purchase fuel from convenient stores or from a lesser-known brand name unless I have no other choice. If I do get a tank of "bad" gas I want the refiner or the pumping station to take responsibility, and pay for what ever damage has occurred to my vehicle. Jim's Quick Stop #2 might not be able to or refuse to pay for the damages that their fuel caused to my vehicle. Whereas the large oil companies usually try to keep their customers satisfied, and have polices and procedures in place when things of this nature occur. Should I use gasoline additives and treatments? Gas additives and octane boosters are a big business, and that industry does a great job convincing consumers that their cars need them to run smoothly. I will admit that once in a while I will suggest to a customer that they try a gas additive in a car that "pings" due to low octane fuel. These additives do not cause any harm, so if you think your vehicle runs better when you use them, do not quit on my account. But remember: don't expect something that comes in a can to fix a mechanical problem. If you've got engine problems, pouring an extra liquid in the gas tank isn't a magic cure. How do I maximize my gas mileage? There are several things you can do to make sure you're getting the best gas mileage possible. You'll notice that most of these items are also safety factors, so you'd be protecting your wallet-and your family-by checking them frequently: Tire pressure-make sure that your tires are properly inflated and in good condition. Speed-you'll use less gasoline at a lower speed; also traveling at a constant speed rather than accelerating and braking frequently maximizes gas usage. You'll travel 20% further on a gallon of gas at 55 mph as opposed to 70 mph. Air filter-make sure your air filter is clean. Tune up-keep your car on a regular maintenance schedule to ensure all parts are working efficiently and safely. Easy to use maintenance schedules can be found at our site. Extra weight-don't lug around everything you own in your trunk if you are trying to maximize gas mileage. Also, clear ice off of the car in the winter or you may be carrying around an extra 100 pounds or more. Maximize car usage-most of us would love to car-pool if we could work it into our schedules, but in reality we need our vehicles and the freedom they provide. At least we can be conscious to combine errands and avoid peak traffic times when possible. What doesn't help? Cars have really changed over the last several years. They aren't built with carburetors any more, everything is run by computer, and most are fuel injected. The tricks that your grandfather taught you probably don't apply to your new automobile. Here are a few items that either really doesn't help, or the difference isn't worth the hassle: Turning off the air conditioner-this will slightly decrease economy, but probably not worth the discomfort you will endure. Putting the car in neutral when you are at a stop light, drive-thru, etc. My Conclusion? Although I started this article stating that the cost of a gallon of gasoline is going through the roof, I can without a doubt say that in America we pay the least amount for our fuel. Other countries, especially Europe, have been paying 3 to 4 times what we pay in the States. I am eating a bowl of my favorite ice cream as I type this and have calculated the price per gallon of this creamy dessert to be $6.80! I guess I shouldn't complain too much about the "dessert" my car has been eating. EDITORS NOTE: If you own a motorized vehicle, this is for you ... Austin Davis of http://www.trustmymechanic.com has authorized me to give all my readers a special new preview of his best selling e-book "What Your Mechanic Doesn't Want You to Know". This introductory version is filled with valuable tips and hints when dealing with the "Service Department" ... This is a .pdf file that can be read on all platforms. Click http://www.rverscorner.com/mechanic_ebook.html *************************************************************************** The RVers Corner welcomes Camping World to our list of sponsors! Get more info and a free Camping World catalog here! Plus !!! the RVers Corner gets $.25 for every catalog requested ... every little '2 bits' help to maintain this website and this newsletter! Help the RVers Corner and get your catalog now! http://www.rverscorner.com/campingworld.html *************************************************************************** RV Glossary - terms and phrases used by RV'ers (continued) RIG - what many RVers call their units. ROOF AIR CONDITIONING - air conditioning unit mounted on roof of RV, to cool the RV when it is parked. When moving, most RVs are cooled by separate air conditioning units which are components of the engine, or they may be cooled by a roof top if a proper size generator is installed. RV - short for Recreation Vehicle, a generic term for all pleasure vehicles which contain living accommodations. Multiple units are RVs and persons using them are RVers. SELF CONTAINED - RV which needs no external electrical, drain or water hookup. Thus, it can park overnight anywhere. Of course, self-contained units can also hook up to facilities when at campgrounds. THERMOCOUPLE - a thermocouple is a device that monitors the pilot flame of a pilot model propane appliance. If the pilot flame is extinguished the thermocouple causes the gas valve to shut off the flow of gas to both the pilot flame and the main burner. TOAD - A "toad" is an RV'ers term referring to a vehicle that is towed behind a motor home. Some vehicles can be towed without any modifications - others cannot be towed at all, or at least without extensive alterations. For more information on this subject: http://www.Towing World.com Toe - Wheel alignment - Toe is the measure of whether the front of the wheels (looking down from the top) are closer (toe-in) or farther (toe-out) than the back of the wheels. TONGUE WEIGHT - Tongue weight (TW) is the downward force exerted on the hitch ball by the trailer coupler. In most cases, it is about 10 to 15 percent of GTW. TW of up to 300 lbs. can be measured on a household scale by resting the trailer coupler on the scale and placing the scale on a box so that the coupler is at its normal towing height. The trailer must be fully loaded and level. For heavier tongue weights, place a household scale and a brick that's as thick as the scale three feet apart. Set a length of pipe on each and rest a beam across the pipes. Re-zero the scale to correct for the weight of the beam and pipe. Securely block the trailer wheels. Rest the trailer jack on the beam, one (1) foot from the pipe on the brick and two (2) feet from the pipe on the scale. To obtain the TW, multiply the scale reading by three (3). For greater tongue weights, place the scale and brick four (4) feet apart, rest the jack on the beam three (3) feet from the scale and multiply the scale reading by four (4). More? http://www.rverscorner.com/glossary.html *************************************************************************** The NEW Rvers Corner bulletin board Come join in the discussions on the web's newest RV discussion group! No password or account set-up is needed. Just post your message or browse the categories! Pictures can be posted - just follow the instructions under the Help section. Have fun! http://www.rverscorner.com/discus *************************************************************************** RV VIDEOS Do you own an RV and sometimes forget how everything works? Are you exploring the RV lifestyle and would like to know more about it? Are you looking for a perfect gift for the new or experienced RVer? If you answered YES to any of these questions, then these videos are an absolute must for You! http://www.rverscorner.com/rvvideo.html *************************************************************************** CLASSIFIED ADS *************************************************************************** NEW RV HOME VIDEOS RV Education 101 presents home videos on how to operate everything on an RV. The VHS videos are very useful to anyone new to RVing. Read more, or order at: http://www.rverscorner.com/rvvideo.html *************************************************************************** SPIRIT OF THE OPEN ROAD by Peggi McDonald is a 'must have' for all RVers, both novice and experienced travelers. Although written from a Canadian point of view it is 95% generic and a valuable guide to RVers from all countries. For complete details - http://www.rvliving.net/Spiritsalecont.htm *************************************************************************** The RV'ers Corner is pleased to annouce our affiliation with Camping World! Help support the RV'ers Corner and get a free Camping World Catalog mailed to your door! The RVeres Corner gets a quarter for every catalog request! Get your FREE Camping World catalog here! http://www.rverscorner.com/campingworld.html *************************************************************************** RV Satallite TV! http://www.allsat.com/index.shtml?kbid=1415 *************************************************************************** Aluria's Spyware Eliminator Your privacy is being invaded. What you are doing on your computer is being watched right now. There are companies that know you are looking at this page. They know what you typed to your family, friends and coworkers. They know what you are emailing to people. They watch your IMs. Hackers are watching to capture your credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal information. The online world is no longer safe. UNTIL NOW. http://www.rverscorner.com/aluria.html *************************************************************************** I bought it, I use it, and I recommend it ... The Everlasting Pop Stopper ... Aluria's Spyware Eliminator ... Dr Speed V 2.0 ... The All New Mp3 Master V 6.0 ... Kid Surfer ... http://www.rverscorner.com/aluria.html *************************************************************************** !!! HAPPY CAMPIN' !!! Les Doll - RV Technician My advice is free and worth only what you gain from it! E-mail address mailto:webmaster@rverscorner.com The RVers Corner - http://www.rverscorner.com/ Visit the RV'ers Corner bulletin board: http://www.rverscorner.com/discus The RVers Corner Newsletter is a monthly newsletter dedicated to enhancing the RV experience - you are being sent this newsletter as a result of subscribing to the RV Corner mailing list. If you wish to unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the end of this newsletter. We value each one of our subscribers, and you may be assured that we will protect your privacy. We do not share our mailing list with anyone. Les Doll Meet the webmaster at: http://www.rverscorner.com/bio.html *************************************************************************** We hope that this newsletter will prove valuable to you and we strive to bring fresh, new content with every issue. If you wish to contribute an article or relate a tip that you have learned, please e-mail me. *************************************************************************** To UNSUBSCRIBE please go to: http://www.rverscorner.com/newsltr.html We'll miss you!