johnwen

The mini is up and running with what came in the box (thanks JD). Will run this way for a while and find the best way to operate on DC only with minimal cabling. Wendy is very happy . And thanks, Geoff (and all) for the encouragement. I think I'm going to like going with the mini! John

All makes sense.... sounds like a deal closer :) Thanks, John John

Hey John, So I can use the supplied 50ft cable and the supplied power adapter connected to my A/C with my inverter and all will work well? I suppose I can also connect to my 1000wh Anker Solix solar generator/battery as well... it also supplies A/C with its internal inverter. I can at least get up and running and figure all the power options at a later date. John

I visited DISHYtech youtube and see it's an SL product :) $40 So, it looks like I should run 1 powered cable out to the mini (using the 50ft provided cable) and one (not provided) from the mini back into the trailer.

Geoff, I appreciate all the time you ( and all ) have taken to help me with my decision. I'll read the rest of your posts today and tomorrow I'll be at the Bozeman BestBuy spending my money :) I think the way for me is the mini. We're not power users...just like to watch a few movies now and then. Most of our use comes through our Verizon data plans, usually at 2 or 3 bars, sometimes 1 :( I'm sure SL will outperform if not too many obstacles. I am interested in using the full length of cord to reach open areas and boost the signal if too far away. Are those Mini Mesh Node Routers generic or specific to the SL? And since much time is spent boondocking we want to use DC when we can. Thanks, John

Thanks, John!

Well it seems there is no difference (according to ChatGPT) between the 2 concerning obstacle tolerance. The Gen3 is more powerful and faster but the mini's small size is so attractive, and now that it appears they both negotiate obstacles equally I reckon to be back in the mini market :) I don't think I really need the speed difference between the 2. This back and forth frenzy is fast coming to a conclusion...yay!

Geoff, Did you see any/much difference in satellite acquisition with regards to obstacles between the Gen3 and the mini? That's my main concern. And where/how did you install the Starlink Gen 3 Step Up Converter? Is there any conversion loss with the converter like there is with my inverter? Thanks so much for your help :) John

Thanks, Geoff I'm now refocusing on the Gen3 because of obstacle interference, it's going to come down to "Does the larger unit actually receive any better with partial tree obstruction?" Wish us luck :)

I see the Starlink Gen 3 Step Up Converter on line and it seems a pretty easy install!

Thanks, CRM, We full time and our address is an UPS box back in SC so we would be totally "roaming". The 12v converter you mention would connect to A/C I suppose? so I have the choices of shore power, the trailer inverter (2000W) or an Anker 1056 WH Solix power bank to provide the A/C. Guess it's going to come down to performance differences. Thanks, John

I WAS going to break down and get a standard unit this week, but....in light of David's post on beam switching I may have to do a little more research. I had gravitated to the larger Gen3 because I would prefer the stronger reception and upgraded router. But the mini has the advantage in size and weight savings. And the DC power ability. And less equipment re the built in router. Does the larger unit actually receive any better with partial tree obstruction? We are not power users but we do stream a good movie occasionally. This beam switching seems like it could bring me back into the "mini" market. I finally talked Wendy into the Starlink technology so I want to make the smartest choice. We've boondocked 4 out of 7 months this year and have had really spotty connections with our Verizon unlimited plans. They work very well if within reach of their towers. How long of a cable can be used to move the mini dish to an unobstructed site? Is there anyone who switched from the larger unit to the mini who wishes they had stayed with the larger? Thanks for any help, John

Thanks, Geoff :)

Thanks, John I appreciate your help and insight, as always! Hope to see ya'll in Quartzsite next year :) Safe travels... Ditto on above... John

So, I already have an access under the sink and after seeing things revealed a little better I think I'd better learn to live with this problem. I suppose I could replace ductwork up to the "T" at the vent under the drawers and put an open restrictor on the refrigerator side (and not even use the ductwork to the bathroom) to allow airflow over the freshwater tank and circulate throughout the basement . I'm not getting warm air into the bathroom anyway, don't really need it. This last picture is of the duct going under the refrigerator.

John, I resurrected this to ask is it possible to snake a new stretch of ductwork from furnace to bathroom? Here is a picture I took (when you could still take pictures) of the ductwork before the inner hull was installed and it looks as if it might be possible. Wendy is pretty sensitive to dust/allergens/pollen etc. and that flex hose is a dust trapper for sure. I put a filter on the return hatch and that stopped the persistent sail switch clogging. As you stated "Would a household system have return air duct(s) without a filter?" Google says there are no RV furnaces made like household furnaces so everything in the belly, including what comes in through the scuppers, gets cycled into the cabin. So I think I'd like to at least replace all the ductwork, since I can't clean it, and experiment with filters on the exhaust vents to keep things from infiltrating into the cabin. I'll be searching for a different type duct design. I suppose too much airflow restriction entering and exiting the furnace may cause problems. Just trying to see if others have tackled this dirty air issue. I thought I was through with the furnace this season but 34 degree temps this morning ( on 2 August?) brought it back to life :) ... we're at Warren Bridge Campground, US Hwy 191, Wyoming headed to Baker's Hole CG in West Yellowstone :) Thanks, John

The missing battery mysteriously showed up 24 hours later. I talked extensively with Geoffrey at Epoch technical, a very kind and informative person, and he gave a few ideas as to what the cause was. As you said, another device could have hooked up to it at the campground so I'll attach password protection. He said Apple Air Tags can adversely affect the app...we don't have Apple products but I'm sure many at the campground do. Also we boondock very often and don't use our inverter all that much so I believe Geoff said a capacitor (in the battery?) could have lost it's charge and that could simulate a short and cause the BMS to shut it down. I did not uninstall and reinstall the app but Jeff said to do that as a first step if it happens again. Also Geoffrey suggested to run the inverter a little more often (a few minutes a day) to charge the capacitors. 3 days now and all is still good :)

Thanks much, Rolind!

Welcome, Gene, you've come to the right place! Most problems you will encounter with your Oliver have been discussed throughout the years and you won't find a more friendly or helpful group than this forum. Newer trailers incorporate new problems to solve but this is one heck of a synergistic group to work with. Best of luck and hope to see you "out there" one day :) John

Thanks!

Mike, I got me one of those after Hurricane Hugo...worked great until the next hurricane came along (7 years later) and hooked it back up on top of the pipe. That's when I found out about the leather gasket. Dried and shriveled and beyond repair! John

Hi All, My 2 Epoch 300 ah essentials batteries have been working great for 6 months after initial installation...until today. One of my batteries no longer shows up on the Epoch app. I tried turning the bluetooth off and back on and rescanning but to no avail. I'm updating all of my apps at the moment and I'll retry scanning. I've tried on wife's phone...no luck seeing the 2nd battery either. All wiring looks fine and I've made no changes to hardware or software. If one of us is connected via the app, the other phone won't see or connect so is there a possibility someone else at the campground has connected to one of my batteries? Of course Victron is closed for the day and I'll call them tomorrow. I don't see any unusual drain...still at 90% using the inverter for the television and device charging. I could uninstall and reinstall the app on my phone but am hesitant since 2 separate phones are having the same issue. Any ideas ? Thanks much, John

Was that very difficult?

Ditto...

We are full timers and use ours a lot these past 5 + years. 3 replacements of the "blues", because of leaks, had me looking for something else. No arguments here, just wanted a better fit for us. Just my opinion and do really like the easy way both the gray and blue wrap and store in our front basket :)