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Where the fridge plugs into a standard 15 amp duplex receptacle sure, but not where the battery charger plugs into the back of the AC breaker box. Thats not a standard receptacle. Anyway, if I’m cutting plugs off, I’m gonna hard wire it.
- Today
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I don’t think I missed your point, I’m just not buying what you’re selling. Our 6v batteries don’t have fill caps. Nor do they even have covers you can pry out to get to the cells. (Trust me, I looked.) Rather, they have the “Delco Eye” (magic eye, whatever) that is a combination hydrometer and electrolyte level indicator. It’s the mark of a maintence-free flooded cell battery. Short of overcharging these batteries, they’re designed not to need watering for the life of the battery due to removing antimony from the lead and using calcium instead to reduce gassing and electrolyte loss. I even had distilled water ready to service the batteries. I was a bit disappointed that there was no way to do that - but - I got over it and finally stopped carrying that jug of distilled water. And yes, as a former mechanic, I’m well aware that old cars had 6 volt batteries, generators rather than alternators. I even know why neither of those is true today. Anyway - we’re happy with our antique 6v old technology batteries. I guess it’s a good thing that we still have the freedom to choose our own style of camping and to choose what we each consider “good” places to camp. We -like- campgrounds with 30 amp power and water. We also like campgrounds with showers - and laundry when we can get it. We can always hike out to experience the ticks and chiggers if we feel the need. BTDT. “Boondocking” isn’t our style. If it were, we would have opted for the (at the time) expensive lithium package and probably solar. Frankly, I don’t think the sleek, low-drag fiberglass shape of the Oliver is well suited to solar panels. Perhaps when flexible solar panels that can conform to the curves of the roof are perfected, I’ll reconsider that option. Anyway, there’s no reason for us to equip our trailer with capacity we’ll never use.
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It was.
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All windows leaking except exit window when washing.
2008RN replied to 2008RN's topic in General Discussion
I totally agree. During my intense cleaning this winter. I removed the bumper and slid the tracks around to get things clean. That was one of the first things I noticed that it was a leak point. Secondly the stopper clamps down enough on the track that it would probably that it would stop the flow of water out the weep holes. I have thought about leaving the stopper out and plugging the hole with chalk. -
Not all Chinese tires are created equal. On my flat bed trailer (17,000 lbs gvwr) I have a Chinese brand with a good reputation and in that particular size and load rating, thats about all you can get. But the China bomb tires are real thing and careful, thorough research is essential. If the new Oliver tires are on that bomb list, it would really be a sad day. Basically i would not take the trailer off the lot until a swap was made.
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Yep, you wrote "6V batteries" and most still have the fill caps! AGM is "maintenance free" yet glorified LA. You know in the early 50s and before, every American automobile used a 6V battery. 🤣 I guess you missed my point, but I'll give it one more try... In 2019, I upgraded a Class C with solar, inverter and three 100 Ah AGM batteries. AGM (LA) was the right choice then. I paid about $800 for 300 Ah (150 usable). The alternative was two 100 Ah Battleborn batteries which many Oliver Owners in the day purchased. This would have been about $2,400 which came to 3x the cost. This is not true anymore. You can buy cheaper LiFePO4 brands, but two of these Epoch 105s come to $1000, Four quality AGM batteries will cost about the same. LiFePO4 is warrantied for 11 years while the Gold model on any LA battery is warrantied for 3 years. Epoch Batteries 12V 105Ah Essential Series LiFePO4 Battery — Renewable Outdoors Two of these have very close to the same usable Ahs as 4 LA. These weigh 22 LBS each so you could also lose 200 LBS in the battery bay and have enough room besides for a good size toolbox! 😎 You'll have trouble finding another Oliver owner who would be the defense of a future purchase of lead-acid house batteries. But it's certainly OK if you want to be the one. Just trying to help. 😎
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12Volt issue inside trailer
Buddhabelly replied to Buddhabelly's topic in Mechanical & Technical Tips
I think when I reinstalled my 30amp power cord, that's when it tripped that breaker. If it trips again, I'll install a different kind of breaker and locate it somewhere I can get to it easier. Like I said, I wish the manufacture whould atleast have a diagram of where all their circut breakers are located instead of us spending all kinds on time digging around. Be nice. -
Some things need to be said. I am no tire expert but I can see at most a $500 savings per trailer using these tires. Offset that with the negative publicity, and now having to manage customers who order a new trailer and specify what brand of tire will be on it.... I don't see the benefit. The money does not move the profit margin needle all that much. Plus... how can you boast of a "Best in Class" trailer and put these tires on it. Unless I am mistaken, Oliver sells every trailer it can make in a given production year. Maintaining a healthy profit margin is important but at what cost? To my knowledge there was no official communication on the spring failure issue. Huge miss. There are other things too. Oliver has built not only a wonderful trailer but has "over the top" brand loyalty from it's products owners. I feel that sometimes we are reluctant to discuss the companies shortfalls. Maybe that is a mistake. Maybe Oliver is not getting the feedback it needs to hear because we are loyal owners. Even now I am thinking... should I hit "submit reply" or not. How does a company with such awesome brand loyalty loose it? Gradually.... and then all at once. I hope not.
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Saw an olie on 295 in ME today with ME number pate LAND HO just curious ?
- Yesterday
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Sorry for being so negative. We truly love our Oliver. China tires on an Oliver really got me.
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What makes it a 2fer?
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Chasing a window leak and pulling my hair out
Galileo replied to Cameron's topic in General Discussion
I must admit to have skipped over reading the details of @Cameron’s testing efforts. The two above would likely eliminate by best guesses. Though some of the exotic possibilities are certainly options, by first thought would be “look up” as I’m fairly acquainted with gravity. Without knowing what else might be mounted on your roof, I’m not able to make other guesses. Anyway, I’m still curious as to what @Cameronfound on this issue… -
Yes, on a newer Ollie you'd have to worry about the warranty, but mine is out of warranty for over 16 years now. And you can buy 20 amp twist lock receptacles that fit in the same space as a standard receptacle.
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I think we’d be voiding the warranty that way as well. I doubt a snap-in twist-lock receptacle is available to fit into the back of the A/C breaker box. Rather than upgrade the band-aid, I’d opt to eliminate the disconnect entirely.
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Watering batteries? You have heard of “maintenance free” batteries with lead/calcium grids? They don’t even have the ability to be “watered” unless you do surgery and attempt to pry off sealed lids or drill holes. I don’t know what other owners who took deliver in 2022 have in their units - but our are sealed and can’t be watered. A little sight glass (of sorts) in the top cover tells you when the electrolyte level has dropped too far - then you replace them. Good quality batteries - like the Delco Voyager - have been maintenance-free since the late 70’s. They’re also primarily a deep-cycle battery, so the plates and cells are optimized for use in RV’s and cruising sailboats as “house” batteries. They’re not the traditional cranking batteries. I’d have to compare prices between lead/acid batteries and LiFePO4 batteries. On a cost/AH basis they -may- be a helluva deal, but for our mission, we already have more amps than we need. For me, hooking up shore power takes less time than chocks and jack pads. Usually, by the time I have the rig u hitched, my mate has shore power connected and the clock on the microwave set. Heck, our old motorhome only had -one- 12v deep cycle battery - and we never ran it down.
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Cleaning the gap around the linoleum floor
Galileo replied to Ken Root's topic in Mechanical & Technical Tips
We do the same with the “Dustbuster” to pick up the loose dirt and grit and various grass clippings and such. Since we have a cat box crammed under the dinette, this is the prime spot for kitty litter that refuses to stay where it belongs. I’d be leery of anything that sounds like “wash and wax all” on floors. I had a previous roommate who thought that Pledge was great for shining up wood floors. It it - but it makes them into ice rinks if you try to stop or change direction wearing socks… -
Cleaning the gap around the linoleum floor
Zodd replied to Ken Root's topic in Mechanical & Technical Tips
As @Ronbrink and @Galileo stated. We have a small rechargeable handheld vacuum that we use every couple of days to pick up most of the dirt. After that, a quick wipe down with a cloth sprayed with "Wash and Wax All" keeps things clean. So far, it's working well for us. If anything stubborn remains, we use a little toothbrush or a Q-tip to tackle it, for us this has been rare. -
I haven't had any issues with unplugging yet, but if I did I'd probably just replace the plug and socket with a twist-lock type.
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I watched the OTT video on the 2027 model. It turned my stomach in disappointment. Can't stand the BLACK framed windows that look like eyesores to the interior. But worse than that... What educated buyer cares about fancy options when the basics are substandard? OTT is making design changes in their Hohenwald bubble when all they need to do is read a few threads on the forum they provide! It is a lot of reading, but OTT Management please start by reading the 37-page thread "Made in USA Leaf Springs." Dexter 1750 LB springs have been failing forever and they still mount them? Ten years ago, they mounted Michelin LT Agilis tires on 16" HD rims, now you get ST tires on 15" rims, and more recently some China Cr@p tires? 🤣 They should lose OPTIFUSE breakers and source something with quality. Lose Xantrex over the much-preferred Victron products. I'll give them one good choice in dropping Truma! All Jason talked about was the solar awning, made by another manufacturer, just bolted on by OTT. He said it works better in the morning, facing the sun, but then I'd have to get my tired butt up and out to erect it. You'd also have to think about sun direction when parking in addition to leveling! What if the level spot has no sun exposure in that direction? We've only used our awning 5-6 times in 3 years. They could put 600W solar on the roof with a directional mechanism. Now that would be useful! Why after 10+ years are they still mounting switches, fuses, breakers and water valves under the beds. I fixed all that after the fact, but it would be better if they would do the right things from the start! 😎 Why are there over 40K posts in the Mechanical & Technical Tips and Ollie Modifications forums alone? Better design would lead to less need for maintenance and modification of our hulls.
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This was sensible on a cost basis 5 years ago and before. LiFePO4 batteries used to be expensive. Today you get far more usable Ah/$ going with LiFePO4 batteries over 4 "golf cart batteries!" Watering batteries doesn't have to be a thing anymore, OMG! 🤣 But what do I know? I really dislike connecting to shore power. With our recent upgrades, we travel for weeks without the need to plug in! Our DC-DC charger alone allows us to produce more Ahs in 5 hours towing than you have in your entire system after being plugged in all night, and that's if your batteries were brand new. Really, take a good look at LiFePO4 today! You'll save money outright on an Ah/$ basis. When you figure 10-year vs. 5-year life, the savings truly double! Lead acid only belongs in the tow vehicle as a starter battery, not anymore for deep-cycle storage.
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Galileo started following Chasing a window leak and pulling my hair out
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Chasing a window leak and pulling my hair out
Galileo replied to Cameron's topic in General Discussion
Hey guys, I see this thread is two years in the past, but wondered what the final outcome was and to see if my leak issue is related. Barring the possibility of @Cameron ‘s leak coming from some remote location and following wires to where it manifests itself, I was thinking it -could- be a simpler but more difficult to fix problem. If I read @Cameron’s description right, it sounds like leak is directly under the center post/divider of the window. To me, that points an accusing finger at the screw that holds the center post to the frame at top and bottom. I just noticed these screws on my window and got a very bad feeling about this. (To paraphrase George Lucas) That screw penetrates the lower part of the window frame and -if- that screw isn’t sealed well, it’s ab invitation to leak water into the hull regardless of how clean your window tracks are. What I’d LOVE to know - or see - is if anybody who has pulled out their windows can attest to how that screw is sealed. As I think my leak is “new” on a 5 year old trailer with 10’s of thousands of miles in it, between vibration and corrosion between dissimilar metals, that seal between the screw may have failed. Can anybody out there attest to what this area of the widow frame looks like? If that screw is reliably sealed? Id be willing to bet that IF that seal has failed, the window will have to come out as it will be about impossible to clean and reseal the area. -
Since they're putting Alcan's on the new X23 models, maybe they'll offer that same upgrade to anyone ordering a standard model?
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Shades of Sephen King. Will these tires become a sequel to Christine?
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I don’t think we’ve had our Norcold fridge set for “auto” fall back to the DC mode. (Yet) My understanding is that running the fridge on DC is terribly inefficient. (I guess that’s why you got to toss your old AGMs?) I don’t need the expense of replacing my batteries yet - but I suppose at 5 years - I need to be planning for that day. Its really pretty rare that we use our batteries at all, so I doubt they’ve ever been deeply discharged. I think keeping the USB outlets and other vampire loads powered up for a few hours at a time between shore power is about it. I think with our mission - at least so far - the most sensible option for me is just replacing the four 6 volt wet cells with a good quality equivalent. I’d likely go with a Delco Voyager as I’ve had good experience with them before.
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....And springs!!
