GraniteStaters

This thread is so timely. We didn’t have any issues in the spring when we were on solar only for 26 out of 30 nights. We were camping in Maine September and on our last night, the 4th, the furnace ran a bit more often than usual and we were down to 11.5V on our AGM batteries. When we got home we decided to test our 4 6V batteries overnight. We weren’t connected to power and only ran the furnace set to 58 degrees, the MaxxAir fan, and the cell booster. We have parasitic draws for our Victron shunt and propane/CO detector only. The compost toilet fan was disconnected. Over night the first battery in each string was at 3.86 volts. Rear batteries were above 6V. Decided to do the test again using the two AGM batteries that were replaced in the fall of 2020. This test was overnight and only the fan, cell booster, and Wi-Fi extender were running. We hit less than 2V on the front battery. Rear batteries were over 6V. All batteries have returned to over 6.6V+ after being charged by the Progressive converter using shore power or the solar. We are very confused. Everything I read indicates that the SOC is 100 percent when these batteries are at 6.75V. I am assuming that the front batteries in the string are the only ones that are suspect. I am going to take both of the rear batteries and combine in a string and retest. Let me know your thoughts. David

I'd like to be able to keep the windows open on humid, rainy days but we do OK by keeping the main cabin fan open and running and opening the bathroom vent. Often we can open the rear window because it is straight, not slanted, so the rain doesn't come in as much as the side windows. Paula

I wanted to update this thread with some additional information that a couple of us have uncovered. I got a call from Richard Weare earlier this summer when he was having trouble connecting the WiFiranger units to his home WiFi. This was an Oliver that he purchased used from someone who hadn't use the WiFiranger at all. He and I worked through the basics, but he was having issues with connecting to his internet provider. After resolving that issue he was able to upgrade to a newer version of the firmware, but not the latest. Winegard's support org indicated that he had an older version of the SkyPro and it would not support their newer version of the firmware. I had already upgraded my SkyPro 2 to the very latest. The SkyPro is really the most important piece of the solution for extending the range to a campground's Wi-Fi. The latest version of firmware is 7.1.0b12.

Great post, John. I will factor these suggestions into my final install. I am running these fans for the next 6 days. Sensor is set for automatic so the fans won’t run when temp is 68F or lower. Attaching picture.

I impressed with some of the posts about this issue. I did open a ticket with Oliver asking about what they would recommend. The discouraged me from trying to run the wiring and power from the cabinet access panel adjacent to the entry door and suggested using power from the 12V DC supply that powers the fridge. I decided to use a new bus bar and split the negative and positive 12V power cable and allow for connection of the fan to the bus bar. I have attached a picture.

Oliver Service discouraged me about connecting my fan to the attic power feed that extends to the entrance panel so I have decided to use the 12V power and ground at the base of the refrigerator. The problem I am concerned about is connecting the very modest AWG wiriing for power and ground to the refrigerator 12V power and ground as it is 10 AWG stranded wire. I would normally use a bus bar in this situation, but the wiring behind the access panel would be exposed to the weather. I am interested in what others have discovered when they have used this power source.

My comment was referring to the photos NCEagle took at Lake Powhatan. 🙂 We were pretty surprised that we didn't see any rangers checking on the sites for food and coolers left so easily available for the bears because when we made our reservations the rules stated, in no uncertain terms, what they expected from campers re bears and food/scented items, even saying that anything not stored in a hard sided vehicle or bear locker would be confiscated. I think you are right about there being a ranger shortage. Every campground we stayed in on that trip had signs looking for staff. Paula

There needs to be a "gagging" emoji for this! Paula

We have really liked most of the HH we have stayed at. Some have been quite expensive stays but we always come away with something we need or didn't know we "needed"! We have never had trouble getting a spot, even on a couple of same day requests. We find HH useful for Fri and Sat nights when you can't find a campsite for love not money! Paula

When we were at Lake Powhatan in April we noticed that a few campers just didn't care/understand the very clear bear warnings about not leaving out anything to attract them. The warnings are very specific and yet we saw coolers left out and food items left on the picnic tables. The sad thing in your great photos is that mama bear is teaching her cubs that places where people are equal food. Sooner or later there will be trouble and the bears will be the losers. Paula

We live in New Hampshire and store our Ollie uncovered in the driveway. David clears most of the snow off after storms and that keeps the solar panels charging enough so that we almost never have to plug in to shore power. We give it a quick wash after each camping trip and wax 2-3 times a year. Ours is a 2019 and so far it still looks good. Paula

Oh wow! Very cool! Paula

I am planning on installing a 12V external ventilation fan on our Norcold N51 3 way refrigerator. I feel the refrigerator will benefit in higher temperatures that might experience out West when running our Norcold on LP. I suspect that we would only use it in those conditions. The unit is a Titan dual fan unit and it will attach very nicely on the inside of the ventilation bezel. I am planning on installing on the main lighting panel inside the door. I will use one of the unused switch locations as the power on/off for the unit. The unit has an inline control that has speed control and manual and auto operation. I had previously purchased an extra switch into the main lighting panel using one of the powered awning locations. I believe I will be able to tap the 12V power that supplies power to all the switches using a red cable that runs from the fuse panel in the attic. I will then attach a couple of push on connectors onto the wiring from the Tital remote. I need to decide where to put the inline switch. I really don't want to drill any holes until I know that fans work as desired. The power cable and temperature sensor from the inline remote will need to run into the fans. Now my question for anyone in the group who has added or considered adding a ventilation fan, what were your considerations and ideas about doing the install?

Our 2019 Ram 1500 keeps track of the mileage for up to 3 trailers. It is very slick and allows me to plan lubricating the Dexter EZ-Flex and wheel bearings at the appropriate intervals.

Nan, Did they say how long the ceramic coating should last? Thanks, Paula

These photos are beautiful! What amazing memories you must have. Paula

We were there in late March for a week and loved it. Decided we hadn't stayed long enough and are planning another trip sometime so we can see what we missed! Paula

Love this idea, thanks. Paula

When we had our Ollie built in 2019 they were willing to sent small samples of a few colors we were considering. Paula

We have a 3.92 rear gear ratio in our 2019 Ram 1500 Longhorn Laramie with e-Torque option on a gas 5.7L engine.

Thanks, John, for providing your thoughts. I appreciate it. David

John, I have been thinking about how best to handle and upgrade from the Zamp PWM Solar Controller to the Victron SmartSolar 150/45 TR or MC4 controller for the improved efficiency. I don't suspect I will ever add a roof another roof panel and Victron has confirmed that there isn't any benefit in using the larger 150/70 controller. I don't see a significant reason to move the controller to the basement other than more space. If I moved the controller to the basement, I would just splice the existing PV and battery cables using Blue Sea posts. I figured I might put a Victron 712 screen in the vacant Zamp opening or add the display module to the controller and just use Bluetooth to manage it. I don't believe heat is an issue for these controllers, but would be interested in yours or anyone's input. We are planning on making a longer trip out West and hope to do more dispersed camping and I would like to insure that I can recharge my AGM batteries more efficiently.

I haven't measured it lately, but If you go to Oliver University on the bottom of the web page, you will be able to find most measurements while you wait for someone like me to measure. It is definitely wider at the outside access door then under the nightstand curbside bed. David

Beautiful! Can't wait to see the closet organizer. You are a magician if you can tame the mess in ours! Paula

While I'd like a bigger fridge for longer trips the current one is fine for us for 5 days. We do usually carry a cooler and store produce in it if we have need space. Paula