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A big shout out and huge thank you to the Sea Biscuit Team, and to owners Kristine Hess & David Hess for our hand crafted “ OLLIE HANGAR” custom S/S sign that we won at this years rally. We also have the Sea Biscuit front cargo box which completes our Oliver storage and we love it! Awesome metal craftsmanship made right here in the USA.

So far there will be 41 Oliver Trailers at this mini rally

Barb, I believe you have the Zamp 340W rooftop solar panels, but if you have't already, email Oliver support with your Hull# and I'm pretty sure they will be able to give you the information.

I am also looking forward to replacing the original air conditioner with a quieter version. Still waiting to find one that works out of the box without me rigging home made fixes to make it operate as it should. A year or so ago I almost purchased a Houghton unit until I found out that they had changed the operating profile. I had wire that color matched the furnace wire, a manual thermostat, I had run a pull wire from furnace to the thermostat area, sealant, etc. all ready. I even had a hoist partially set up to lift the old unit off and set the new unit on. I’m still waiting and looking. The Freshjet unit is one that now looks promising.

The lights and their related switches in our trailers are 12V, with low amperage. Any "bite" from that 12V system should be barely noticeable.

JDB - I understand your frustration - its simply no fun trying to chase down what is most likely a "simple" issue. However, electrical problems are very difficult to pinpoint via phone and/or internet. Basically the procedure is a process of elimination and tracing the most likely flows of current and this is difficult to do without the proper equipment. Do you know of a local electrician that you trust (or even a friend that knows a bit about electricity)? Or, a local RV tech that you trust? Either of these should be able to get to the bottom of the issue reasonably quickly, have the tools needed to test for grounds and/or continuity, and that would save you a long drive. As jd1923 points out, your issue is most likely with the grounds that these three circuits share. And, my bet is that the location is at or near those three switches on your Master Panel. As far as liability is concerned - if you are not plugged into shore power, there is not much in or near these switches that can "kill" you. Yes, a bite on your flesh and/or the flash of a short will get you attention and it is a tough learning lesson that can be avoided with knowledge and proper equipment. Stick with it - you'll get to the bottom of the problem. Bill

When running the A/C on inverter, I’ve really learned to watch the battery voltage displayed on the Xantrex wall-mounted remote, much lower than the reading displayed via the VictronConnect app for the SmartShunt when under heavy load. Taken yesterday after running A/C for an hour. Looking forward to replacing the Dometic as @jd1923 advocates! A/C running on inverter. A/C turned Off.

Right on! Impressive and well deserved signage for EXPLOR! Exquisite quality and craftsmanship. Nicely done, brother! Cheers, from Moab... A & D

Follow up to my inverter issues. Completed the “reset” and reinstalled. All was good until tried to use the microwave again as a test. Inverter immediately failed but this time I was able to catch an error code before it disappeared. Code was E04 (overheat). Contact Xantrex tech support and they asked me to check all trailer connections and if no issues inverter likely needed to be replaced. I checked all wiring and found no issues. In order to eliminate the trailer from the equation I removed the inverter and hooked up to a known good automotive battery. I tried to run one of the wife’s hair dryers and inverter immediately shut down again. Replaced inverter today with new Xantrex pro watt 2000 from Hodges Marine. Lowest price I found and arrived 2 days after ordering. New inverter working great and handled everything I tried to run on it. I did look into replacing with the all in one inverter, converter and charger but could not justify the 2 or 3 times cost difference when I still have no solar and wet cell lead acid batteries. Maybe in the future, for now I have a new inverter with 2 year warranty.

Just so happens, SDG is only 45 min from my dad's house in MI. So I have made an appt for the Atmos 4.4 to be installed July 17th. I am hoping to get some good pictures of installation since it will be the first install for them in an Oliver. Things I already know: No condensation pump or lines No need to use wall mounted thermostat due to Plenum, remote and app controls. If you keep the suburban propane heater, they will mount a simple thermostat for it under the street side twin or elsewhere that is convenient. May or may not use the propane heater any more since the Atmos has a 12k heat pump. They can re-use my SoftStartRV from the PII. The Atmos is almost the same footprint. 2.5 in longer and an 1 in taller. Much quieter and more efficient. I will update as things progress. Best, Mike

We removed the velcro under the pantry countertop and replace it with drawer slides that "soft close" - I'll do the nightstand top the same way after we're back home from this excursion... Now you see it.... DVD storage above Now you don't... Oscar's not impressed at all!

If I understand correctly, you need help with connecting your 2 x 100W suitcases (one with onboard charge controller) together and then to the external Zamp port. Not sure why Renogy is asking you for your rooftop solar specs. Your 2 x suitcases with one onboard charge controller connected to the externl Zamp port is a solar system on its own. The only relation your suitcase system will have with your rooftop system is they will both charge your batteries WHEN you have your suitcase deployed and connected to the external Zamp port. Renogy should be able to calculate how (series or parallel) and IF the 100W suitcase charge controller can actually handle the 2nd 100W suitcase without charge controller. Also import to know is the limit of your external Zamp port, I believe its 20A. For us to be able to give you some indication if connecting both 100W panels (series or parallel) will work or not, we need more info. Take a picture of the specs on the back of the 2 x 100w Renogy solar panels, as well the specs of the one solar charge controller so we have a better idea of what you have. Then there’s wire size/length between the suitcase/onboard charge controller and batteries, to reduce voltage loss you want the charge controller as close as possible to the batteries. But again, Renogy should be able to help you with this

Every solar panel that I have ever looked at has a specification label on the bottom/underside of the panel that has the information you are looking for. Below are examples from my Renogy 100A suitcase panel. Mossey

So, in 2021 you had Zamp solar 2 x 170 panels. You can pull up the manuals in Oliver University. You probably have a zamp controller. Please feel free to ask questions. My trailer is older, and configured differently, but plenty of folks here with 2021 to help. What batteries do you have?

This is really all you need to know. Are you thinking of upgrading them or adding to the solar system? The DC system in the Oliver is 12V. Watts = Volts x Amps so 340W = 12V x 28.3A so you likely have a 30A solar charger or close to it. The Blue Sky system in our older hull includes a 25A charger.

When you buy a multimeter, get one with a clamp, like this one: https://www.homedepot.com/p/600-Amp-Digital-Clamp-Meter-DC-AC-Multimeter-True-RMS-Auto-Ranging-4000-Max-Reading-NCV-Measurement-LED-Backlight-QXBFZDKCWAC60TQ7CV0/325788161 The clamp enables testing of individual wires without having to touch bare wire (which sometimes requires disconnecting one end of it). You can isolate a wire, place the clamp around it, and determine whether it has power running through it. Really helpful for troubleshooting issues like the one you are trying to solve.

"Organize it and they will come". Good job! Bill

Is THAT what they mean by - "Cowboy Up"?

So your Porch, Outside Courtesy and Closet (the ones without a lighted LED) do not work, and all the others do? Your first post listed more lights out. Those 3 have proximity to the doorway area. They must share a power source or ground separate from the others. Our older hull has no LEDs so in a way you have built-in test lights. I'm not a service ticket guy, but I would in your case. Send OTT this picture and explain exactly which lights do not work. Anybody who wires these for OTT should determine cause in a minute. Its likely not at the panel but at the 12V feed or a specific ground.

Sweet

[We find our hero unloading the tow vehicle on a hot Texas driveway having just driven back from the Hill Country. ] You know, I should take the Andersen Hitch Ball off the truck between trips. It's so much larger than the regular ball I used with the LE I. I bet I run into that all week while loading for the next trip. That's gonna hurt. [Grabs lightweight ratcheting crescent wrench and starts to remove screw in anti-rattle hitch pin.] Spin Spin Spin Sp... Huh, the anti-rattle hitch pin is not coming all the way out of the internal nut that holds it tight against the wall. Guess I should get a socket wrench. [Ignores voice in head that says "What about a squirt of penetrating oil there cowboy."] Spin forward with the socket wrench, spin backward with the socket wrench. Still sticking in the same place. You know - I have the longer, non ratcheting handle. [Ignores voice in head that says "You know that the real name for that is a 'Breaker Bar'?"] Put a bit of weight behind that - it will loosen up. [SFX - metal snapping] Oh snap. That's going to be a bit of work to get out of there. [Audience laughter]

Travel Summary #6 -- Day-14: We enjoyed SUN - THU (today) at Huntington Lake SP, UT -- played with the Oliver some, cleaned some, and generally "chillaxed". Temps were high 80's - low 90's causing us to "plug-in" and us the AC during the day. D had several Zoom commitments each day, so the AC was nice to have fired up (it's way louder than my tinitus!)... The knuckleheads loved the boat ramp water: Both would only go chest-deep, since Oscar's legs are short he wouldn't go down the ramp as far as "tall-boy" Magnus: The temps here were low-90's and the 72F lake water was a perfect way to cool down these 2 knuckleheads: Chillax'n in the back during a stressful Zoom call: Our patio with a lake view: Fun lake - water skiing, stand-up paddle boarding, fishing, and generally a good time all around: Getting ready for popcorn time: We departed this morning for a short 2+hour run down to Moab - picked up some Thai food in town and checked into the Spanish Trails Campground (where we stayed on DAY-1). We barely got the awning stowed when we got hit by a Haboob: IMG_2099.MOV Then the rain came: IMG_2100.MOV ...all that, and I washed Casablanca before departure this morning.😡 We're meeting our friends here this afternoon from NM and will enjoy the national parks here until we head home Sunday. We'll aim to get a final Trip Summary posted by Saturday... Cheers, ALL! A & D

Something to consider is a XXL Yard Stash cover. It really helps keep our bikes clean and dry. No issues with rear light visibility. 👍🏻 We recently added these Aventon class 3 Pace 500.3’s STs in “Basalt” color or putty gray to our stable with the current free extra battery promo going on. If you test ride one, you may will quickly come down with a permanent big smile and severe case of the “wanties”. Aventon nailed it on the torque sensor. They reeeally are a blast to ride! We ordered our bikes from our LBS before the recent $200 tariff price increase. I highly reccomend purchasing through a local bike shop and NOT online for many reasons, most importantly if you need any warranty work. We have an excellent relationship with the owners of our local shop which is a huge plus. These bikes come with a solid 2 year warranty and very positive reviews on YouTube and individual owner reviews. Pedal On!! https://www.aventon.com/products/pace500-3-step-through-ebike?variant=43302187827395 Had the shop install these prior to pick up - https://tannusamerica.com/?tw_source=google&tw_adid=696203111208&tw_campaign=21175368863&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwm_SzBhAsEiwAXE2CvylXQsoLuEG60SH7YcvO73R0ySnlJ67FAjHIGwI4OVw3xpDThyf2NBoCjnsQAvD_BwE

Yeah, while prior to an inverter upgrade, we should ALL work an A/C upgrade first! Why in the world do RV manufacturers buy anything from Dometic? I will NOT ever, even for a $10 part! Replace the whole unit first and save the $10. Dometic is like government, less is more! 🤣

We always travel with at least 10 gallons of water in our fresh tank, for emergency bathroom stops, etc. In the past, when we got home, I'd open the fresh water drain while the trailer was in the yard to empty the tank. Now that the trailer's in the garage, with no floor drain, I wanted a way to drain the tank without it dumping on the garage floor. I bought a low profile bucket and some garden hose bulkhead fittings on Amazon, drilled a hole in the bucket, and installed the fitting. Now I can slide the bucket under the fresh water drain, attach a hose, and let the water run out the garage door. Parts: 3 Gallon Super Bucket with Ergonomic Handle https://a.co/d/fOahpl0 SNUTUYA PVC Garden Hose Bulkhead Fitting With Plug, 1/2" Female NPT, 3/4" Male GHT (garden Hose Thread), For Rain Barrels, Aquariums, Sinks，2 Pack https://a.co/d/3lRxTCu

Concerning the issue of running the Dometic air conditioner on battery power through the 2,000 watt inverter. I realized that I stated that the inverter could handle 2,000 watts load. (I have gone back to my original post and corrected it) Actually the inverter is very similar to a 2,000 watt generator. The Zantrex inverter will run 1,800 watt loads continuously and 3,000 watts surge not 2,000 watts continuously. The Dometic air conditioner draws about 1,600-1,700 watts. The inverter will be at it’s limits so absolutely no other AC loads while running the air conditioner!

Come one, one of those prize racks would surely garner a lot of attention going down the highway on the brow of your Ollie. You can do IT!

I greatly appreciate everyones help and will try all suggestions. For the record, the second sentence in my post stated I had a 2022 Oliver Elite II Hull #1069.

Tom and Doreen, Hull 1321, will be attending; Site # 226

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