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I also installed the Hutch Mt kit. Mounted the large regulator on their Extended Distance Bracket and I clamp that to the front storage basket using a large wood clamp. Propane hose plugs into the optional front propane outlet with Honda 2200 in basket. Will run a/c with Micro Air Easy Start at 650 Ft elevation, at less than max rpm. The regulator bracket can also set under the generator if you want to set the generator on the ground or use the generator with a portable bottle away from OTT, or hook up to natural gas at home as a backup generator. If purchasing be sure to get their RV-1/4-to-3/8-Quick-Connect-Adapter. Their hoses use 3/8 inch quick connects and the OTT propane port is 1/4 inch.

1. Always turn Propane tank valve on VERY SLOWLY, otherwise the force of rushing gas can cause safety valves on furnace, frig, or hot water heater to shut that appliance down. Only remedy is shot of gas, reset appliance, then turn gas valve VERY SLOWLY. Seemingly faulty appliance has always worked after that. 2. Always lock bathroom door before driving even the shortest distance. Otherwise it will be broken for sure from swinging open. 3. Never camp between other RVs that run generators with exhaust pointed towards your Ollie. The CO detector will go off. NEVER ignore your CO DETECTOR!!! You might die in your sleep. 4. Never run propane appliances while driving. They can cause gas explosions at gas stations. 5. Viair Air Compressor makes winterizing water lines and keeping tires at proper pressure a piece of cake 6. Anderson Leveling wedge is worthless on ice and snow. They need a studded version. 7. Boondocking in Winter requires a decent and quiet generator. Solar power is gone for perhaps weeks. I recommend the Honda 2200i. 8. Protect front lower sections of shell from rock chips with plastic coating. Tow vehicle will spray a ton of gravel into it, especially in Winter. The folks who applied 3m film to my Audi are doing my Ollie. 9. Keep Drain hose attached to outlet in rear bumper and simply cap the end. This is way easier and cleaner than taking it apart each drain cycle. And always drain Black then Gray for odorless hose 10. Dehumidifier is a must when Winter camping. Otherwise condensation runs amuck everywhere. 11. Hoppy Rearview Mirror Level on front of Ollie saves tons of time. And, your head doesn’t get nearly as wet running in and out and in and out etc, etc in the rain and snow to get the darn trailer level. 12. Use other Ollie owners for tips and advice, especially for Set Up and Departure Checklists. They are valuable beyond belief. I’ll add more as they happen. Happy travels

Back in the early fall, 2008, we had 200 watts solar installed on our Elite. Last year, we installed a 12v refrigerator, which adds to our electricity appetite. We also picked up an inexpensive Coleman 100 watt panel, to use as a "suitcase" solar, though it doesn't fold. Last fall, Oliver installed a Furrion port for us. Paul recently wired it to our solar controller. Today, we had a nice clear day, and I tried some tests on the Coleman panel, just to see what we could expect. Yesterday, Paul covered our existing fixed panels with dark moving blankets, so I could record readings only from the portable panel. Yesterday, feeling really decadent, I purposely ran down the batteries so I could get to bulk stage charging. Not essy to do, with all led lighting. Ran the front jack up and down a few times. Tried running the power hog furnace fan awhile. But in 78 degree weather, I had to turn it off after awhile. Finally, started today with 20 hours down, leaving both exhaust fans on overnight. Our $100 /100 watt panel recharged the battery in less than four hours of full sun. But, when I covered some cells with another blanket, I saw a huge loss of power coming in. Even two cells covered lost 50 per cent. 12 cells covered obliterated any gain. The good news is, I think I can manage between the cheap portable panel, if i can keep it out of the shade, and our much better quality fixed panels, and not have to run the generator most days. We honestly didn't expect a lot out of the Coleman, but in full sun, I was getting 5 amps in. It will definitely require attention, though, to keep the batteries up. Sherry

Overland, I have to admit, I'm not to worried about transporting a $100 panel. We experimented with it a bit last fall, but had to use a multimeter to get any readings, as it wasn't yet wired onto the trailer's controller. We just used the little cheap 8.5 that came with it on the Costco sale. I just wrap it in a packing blanket and lay it over crates in the pickup bed. It only weighs about 15 pounds. Easy for me to handle. I think i will try to make an adjustable frame from spare pvc pipe, rather than prop it against milk crates this spring. I'm surprised at how well it works for the sale price. John, love the blanket solar, but I just picked up 5 100 watt panels (flexible sun power) on a closeout deal for around $2 a watt. These will go on the boat. Even the hard korr is too pricey for me, at $7 plus per watt. Suaoki has some 60 watt blankets on amazon, quite reasonable, but I question the quality. Suaoki used to have a decent rep in the boating community. The amazon reviews were quite mixed. As we've been shopping for solar for the boat, I am surprised at how much more reasonable pricing has become. But, i still think we're better off with sun power panels in a marine environment. Even if i had to pay twice as much, their rep in flexible panels is pretty strong in the boating forums and reviews... we'll see. Sherry PS, John, if it makes you feel any better, we've had rain, and the high tomorrow is only in the 60s. Have to dig out the long pants..

This one is hanging on the wall of my brother’s back porch....

Brings a new dimension to the phrase " cool cat." Hang in there, John. Spring is around the corner...

“Financial improprieties” ...... “Allegations in the report include 1,700 fabricated invoices worth over $100 million with phony VIN numbers attached.” Whooo boy, that is beyond bad. Original speculations said that the money was funnelled into private overseas accounts but that seems to be not true. It sounds like a bunch of idiots trying to inflate sales figures.... https://rvmiles.com/report-erwin-hymer-in-tatters-amidst-c-suite-embezzlement/ John Davies Spokane WA

I installed a Genconnex Conversion Kit, which runs the generator on propane, but the generator will no longer run on gasoline. My rationale was that my generator use would be very infrequent, and the gasoline would likely go bad. Also, I do not want to carry gasoline container in my tow vehicle. More info here. The Hutch Mountain conversion kit that John Davies’ video uses, allows use of both propane and gasoline, but here the large propane regulator remains outside of the generator, while with the Genconnex the propane regulator is inside the generator. Be aware that power output from a generator on propane drops by 10% compared to gasoline. Installing the Genconnex Conversion Kit was pretty easy. No drilling, just opening it up and swapping out parts. This blog post was very helpful to me, and this YouTube video less so. The blog post commented that the photos on the instruction page were quite small, and they suggested downloading the instructions and printing out enlarged photos. That was extremely helpful. It was pretty easy. I spent a couple of hours moving slowly and carefully. I took pictures of my work at every step in case something went wrong, but it all worked fine. The Genconnex kit is set up to connect with the propane quick connects, and they do have a similar kit for the Honda 2200 model.

I have never done this but it looks simple enough for somebody with basic skills who can follow instructions. You have to drill some holes, add a kill switch and and hose for the propane. The propane feeds into the engine by way of a thin plate that sandwiches between the carb and the intake port. Please do not do what the guy in the video does repeatedly - never stick your hand directly under a drill bit while drilling a hole. Use a piece of cardboard to keep out debris, not your skin!!! having drilled into my finger two times in 50 years, all I can say is no injury that size hurts more. I do strongly recommend that you check all connections using soapy water to make sure there are no leaks before starting the gennie. The guy in the video did not do that. John Davies Spokane WA