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Corvus

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Everything posted by Corvus

  1. The smoke from Mexico fires got heavy at times here in Florida. Now the wind directions that kept that smoke away brings the smoke from Canada. Due to respiratory issues we have stopped camping until things improve. See the big picture here: https://fire.airnow.gov/ See air currents here: https://earth.nullschool.net/
  2. According to the respective company websites the prices listed for the Natures Head and Laveo seem to be comparable. So how would the Laveo be considered 1/2 the price?
  3. Thanks for the report Cameron. Every thing you said fits with our experience making a few jaunts into the hot desert for astronomy related events. We stayed inside our Casita camper running the generator most of the day then came out at night to do astronomy. But it was definitely not 118 F.
  4. The Ivation 14.7 compressor model NCeagle linked to in his post was not available when I needed one ASAP. Here is my experience with the Ivation 13 Pint desiccant model. Although a desiccant type dehumidifier I've been using mine for up to four weeks continuously in Florida since January. The desiccant types produce more heat than the compressor types plus a significant chemical odor. The unit is only used when in storage so the amount of heat and chemical odor have not been an issue. The chemical odor has diminished but it is still noticeable. I set mine at 65% and the SensorPush placed at various locations shows it works well throughout the interior. I leave doors and drawers a jar to help. I also have a canary on the table (salt shaker) it has not caked yet. The trailer is closed all the time so the unit spends most of the time dormant or monitoring, which is a very nice feature. In monitor mode the fan will occasionally run and oscillate for a few minutes then start the dehumidifier if above the humidity level set. The unit will also restart then run the monitor routine after a power cycle. I didn't have time to route my water hose outside so I placed the unit in the bathroom and ran the supplied hose to the open drain in the shower pan. I was concerned about excessive moisture and stench escaping from the drain, but I was pressed for time. To my surprise, and great relief, that has not been the case, even during the hot summer months.
  5. I don't know which model, but the first powered vehicle I learned to drive was an Oliver tractor around the age of ten. Spent a lot of time the next few years helping out in the orange grove, peach orchard and gardens. Until I got my automobile operators permit and interest changed. Now seeing an Oliver tractor brings back some fond memories.
  6. The wheel center caps are probably made by Lionshead and chrome plated steel. The ones on my trailer rusted and pitted in six months. You have to take the wheel off to remove them. All of mine were rusting on the inside too. One of them contained some rusty water. Replaced them with this stainless steel version.
  7. Apologies for the click bait title, but we really do have Grubby Feet and like them a lot. The recent thread Stabilize Oliver II suggestions reminded me of how well our Grubby Feet have worked and thought I would pass it on. Initially our Oliver was in a storage lot infected with Nostoc, a cyanobacteria. When dry it was crisp and dead looking but add a little moisture and it becomes a slippery slimy mess that spreads everywhere it is tracked. It even created a mat of slime on the bare steps making them slippery. I tried one of the carpet wraps on the steps, but it just became a slippery and slimy mess. I came across Grubby Feet while searching for something that would give us more confidence when using the steps. After installing ours nearly two years ago I can say they have performed and lasted better than expected. Here in the southeast it has rained a lot the past two years and I've worn many types of shoes and can say I feel confident when using the steps now. The mats have worn well, looking and feeling nearly the same as they did when I installed them. The only sign of aging is a slight wear pattern and a couple strands that separated on the edge.
  8. I place a scissors jack and some blocks of wood under the steps. Hand tight enough to keep the steps from dropping with weight, no jacking. This helps reduce the rocking a lot when someone is using the steps.
  9. Here are links to 4 foot and 6 foot cables with pins. My trailer came with a 4 foot cable which pulled soon after picking it up. I now use the 6 foot cable. https://www.amazon.com/Fastway-80-01-2204-Zip-Breakway-Cable/dp/B00718W5GQ/ref=pd_bxgy_sccl_2/141-4122227-5466261?pd_rd_w=gBbgr&content-id=amzn1.sym.7757a8b5-874e-4a67-9d85-54ed32f01737&pf_rd_p=7757a8b5-874e-4a67-9d85-54ed32f01737&pf_rd_r=634XBQTMT3SDF5KKVYGE&pd_rd_wg=exGuc&pd_rd_r=d703b652-ce5f-469a-b934-c5101aa245cc&pd_rd_i=B00718W5GQ&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/Zip-breakaway-cable-Pin-80-01-2206/dp/B00718W3YK/ref=sr_1_23?keywords=fastway&qid=1662223074&sr=8-23
  10. Woke up to a new earwig song after reading this post last night. Silver wings shining in the sunlight . . .
  11. Good idea, divide the weight, separate fridge and freeze plus add redundancy. Something for me to seriously consider before going to a larger unit.
  12. After a lot of deliberation about weight, size and cost we went with the F40C4TMP. We've used it in multiple settings for nearly a year now and it has performed better than expected. For us it has been a great compliment for the camper, truck, car and house. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08D3T3CJ2/
  13. Sounds like it may be the bolts that hold the propane shroud on. This thread may have some information for you.
  14. I wouldn't cross contaminate intentionally but I'm concerned enough about doing it accidentally that my hoses are color coordinated. Blue or white for potable water. Black or grey for grey water or rinsing potentially contaminated items. We have a composting toilet now so that simplifies things a bit. Edit: Forgot to say I also use a dedicated spray nozzle on the dark hoses. The color varies but usually a dark color.
  15. I carry my 2-meter handset with me. NOAA broadcast local weather reports in the 162.xxx MHz range. Since I already have the radio and a license why not? Plus it broadcast too, which could come in handy. Although a license from the FCC is required for broadcasting they make exceptions for emergency use.
  16. rangerK9 take a look at this recent post about Creaking Stabilizer Jacks. There's a lot more information, including images and video, on this topic there. This image was not posted on the other post. What I tried was above the caulk inside the trailer and adjust things using the two bolts securing the stabilizer jack head bracket inside the hull and the collar on the outside on the trailer frame. The second bolt is hidden by the jack. Hope this helps.
  17. That's my impression on how to tackle it too. Good to know I was on the right track. Circumstances have prevented me from being able to do the work myself, maybe in a few months. Anyhow I also considered removing the caulking then either add a thin piece of Teflon or use a dremel to remove some fiberglass. If those turn out not to be viable solutions then pull the jack. The Teflon would only be a temporary fix to buy more time. After seeing the potential for stripped bolts I want some replacement bolts on hand too. Any recommendations for caulking?
  18. Thanks John, I'll check it to make sure I didn't leave it that way. I experimented with a longer hose at one time so that was probably me not the factory. Something about that image was off but I guess I was too focused on the bracket to realize it's the street side bracket, the creaking is on the curb side. The longer hose did not work out well for me. No good ideas yet on how to manage the hose with this system. I was hoping someone would find an upgrade for the outdoor water system and post a how-to about it.
  19. Yikes, sorry to hear that. I can't check mine at the moment but the photo I took shows the holes are oversized. It also looks like my bracket may have shifted which may be the issue. I'll look into this closer first so thanks for posting this information. Edit: Oh rats! John just pointed out this is a photo of my street side bracket, the creaking is on the curb side. I'll leave it since it does give an idea of how large the hole is.
  20. Our LEII started creaking and popping loudly during our second trip. But it sounds different than yours, at least on video. It happens walking around inside the trailer, moving in bed and using the steps. I used a stethoscope to isolate the source of the creaking to the street side stabilizer. I think ours is rubbing against the hull near the wheel and the hull resonates the sound like a speaker box. Although the caulk prevents being able to seeing this the creaking stopped after loosening the bolts on the frame. First I tried putting the stabilizers down which reduced the creaking when moving inside the trailer, not when using the steps. Next I loosened the bolts that's holding the support ring to the trailer then tightened down the bolts in different orders then test. Several iterations of this stopped the creaking while static. The creaking returned the next time I towed the trailer. I've been able to manage the creaking while parked by running the stabilizers down to the ground then alternating them a little at a time until the popping stops. Fortunately this happens well before the wheels clear the ground. I also place a scissors jack under the steps which drastically reducing rocking of the trailer. This usually takes some tweaking at times, but I've been able to get it stable for days. I was hoping to get this resolved at Oliver, but a cascade of events has prevented this from happening. Now I'm considering shaving off some of the fiberglass that is against the support myself someday. Any recommendations for a caulking to use for this area? creaking-inside.mp4 creaking-manual.mp4 creaking-using-steps.mp4
  21. Pretty sure they are stainless steel. I've been considering buying some stainless steel quick connects like these. A bit pricey, but maybe worth it in the long run.
  22. The popping of the AC in my case was because the straight edges of the AC diffuser are forced to take the contour of the rounded ceiling inside the trailer. Lately I have been running the AC a lot and can now say I was able to eliminate this popping by adding felt along the dffuser edge and gently snug down the diffuser. The details are posted in this thread.
  23. I replaced our three interior courtesy lights with red ones. There is no white light leaking around the cover like with the colored films. They're almost a drop in replacement, the smaller screws that come with the red lights work better because there is a small difference in the spacing. It helps a lot to preserve night vision and navigating without waking others. When I went to replace the exterior courtesy lights I found they are riveted so I used this red film for astronomy events. I've also used this amber film on the upper exterior lights to reduce the brightness and attract fewer insects. The Lamin-X film is thicker and darker and more durable then others I've tried. I'll post photos when I find them.
  24. This is good news for this lifelong insomniac. Using bits of masking tape is getting old and tacky. Studies may support this desire to sleep in the total dark. In my forays into astronomy I read that research suggest that the human eye can detect as less than ten photos. What the brain does with that is another matter. I've also explored dimmer switches for the lights, with no conclusion. A new topic on this would be welcomed.
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