SeaDawg
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Posts posted by SeaDawg
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We just had the same experience at our cabin. Kwikset is sending a new battery pack.
Three to four years is our experience with keypads exposed to the elements. It's a love/hate relationship.
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On 3/26/2021 at 9:09 PM, SeaDawg said:
Trojan has been the "standard" to be measured against for a long time. Not sure if that's really true anymore..
But from my research, I'd have zero hesitancy buying Brightway, if I were replacing today. (I'm not.)
This was four years ago.
Today, I would not offer the same advice.
There have been a number of users with brightway who didn't make it to the five year mark. Plus, a number of better, including lithium, choices available.
Tech and manufacturing standards change.
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On 3/18/2025 at 6:30 PM, Chukarhunter said:
My son is a rural large animal veterinarian and has an F150 Lightening (11,000 lbs towing capacity) as his work vehicle. It gives him several hundred miles of range which is more than enough for a day of ranch calls and he can recharge it from empty to full overnight at home with his 16 kW level 2 charger. Last summer his batteries in his travel trailer were nearly shot but he didn't replace them. He just took his family camping and plugged in to the F150 when they got to their campsite.
My son did keep his gas powered F150 for now for the rare times he needs to travel out of state or go on hunting trips more than several hundred miles from home.
I didn't quote the whole post, as most folks won't read it, but, they probably should.
Real world experience, and thank you for posting it.
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In my experience, don't get complacent.
Your 2017 probably has a dometic. The bang it/push method may last a few months, or a year. For us, off and on, one six month camping season.
At this point, please consider what type of fridge you want as a replacement, and do the swap off season.
Then again, you might just be lucky, and some erosion on the panel knocked off.
Just be prepared. Coolers, at ready.
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On 2/27/2025 at 12:27 PM, Galileo said:
As others have pointed out - if you fiddle with it, you likely void your warranty.
And, there is the rub.
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another thread to read, recently. You are not alone.
We just want everyone to he safe, and happy.
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Here's my case. We will likely need to replace our 2 x group 31 12v batteries this year. They are at least 7 years old, still holding a charge, but , hey.
We have no inverter. No microwave. None of that high powered draw. We may, not sure, just replace both 12v agms (105 ah) with a single lifepo4 battety. Maybe x 2. We will see.
For us, 105 ah is "enough." But, we don't camp in high temps, usually stay east of the Mississippi. If we actually need ac, we camp with power. (6 times in 17 years.)
Everyone had different needs and wants.v
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9 hours ago, Wandering Sagebrush said:
When I spoke to the Truma Service Center, the tech I spoke to was very helpful regarding my warm versus hot water issue, but when I mentioned the “Truma” recall, the tech said this is an “Oliver” recall, not a Truma recall.
That leads me to believe there may be some assembly or pre install effort on the Truma unit by Oliver. Does anyone know if that is true?
Maybe because Oliver eas an early adopter?
That would be my guess
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@Imelda, to begin with you only need 2 (or even one) 12v lifepo4 batteries to replace x4 6v batteries. Your 6v batteries were wired to create 12v power.(first in series, then parallel.)
If you don't understand this, and many don't. , I'd highly suggest that you a) go to the rally, and enlist the help of the many who have volunteered above or b) hire a local rv tech to install new battery(ies) and create additional important wiring connections. Imo, there is no real thing that is a "drop in" lifepo4 battery. Especially in your case, wired for 4 x 6 v batteries.
You have done so many great projects on your own. But, this is critical. Loose, or improperly sized, or small wire diameter can cause a fire. Improper settings, or incorrect charging equipment can shorten the life, or disable new batteries, at the most inconvenient time.
We have a lot of people on the forum who have "done their own" with lithium, but they have some extensive study and engineering and/or electrical background, including us.
I've never heard of the second battety you posted. Imo, battleborn is great, and highly overpriced, but great customer service..
Please take some time, and continue to discuss here.
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In the boating world, they're called sacrificial zincs. Just like the anode in a standard 6 gallon water heater, they are made of less noble metal, and protect the important and superior metal parts by "dying/eroding" first.
As @Galway Girl explained, when they get ugly, replace, and you're protecting your frame.
cheap, and easy peasy.
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43 minutes ago, Teaney Hull 292 said:
So glad you posted this. Will check it out and be careful what I buy to replace my AGMs in Hull 292
He's still happy with the hardware, but firmware and app are problematic in v2, sadly. I subscribe to his YouTube channel and forum. You may want to look there, too.
I hope Epoch gets it sorted out. They used to be Will's favorite (and ours has been great.)
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What Geronimo John said, plus at 5 years, you've gotten probably all the life you will get from briteway batteries. Time to make a plan to replace.
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On 3/22/2025 at 2:41 PM, ScubaRx said:
Does that 130,000 watt generator not take up the entire bed of the truck? 😊
I believe it's in the engine compartment. We'll soon see.
It's pretty unique. If you want to stop and charge, it's a phev. (Plug in hybrid).
But, if you want to make tracks, and the distance, the pentastar solely charges the battery.
Contractors can use the battety on-site, vs bring in generator.
The battery isn't huge. So, daily driver, purely electric. Towing over distance, definitely need the big gasser pentastar to charge the battery.
I'd say for now, possibly best of both worlds. Still reliant on fossil fuel for long distance, but at least only one drive train to maintain. The reliable pentastar is pretty much tried and true, though not as an onboard generator.
The power of rhe electric motors is impressive. It's a compromise, but, probably a good one in today's world.
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Maybe we should try to move these comments over here to this discussion?
Scroll down. Page 4 on my phone.
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On 3/20/2025 at 8:04 AM, Olive2Roam said:
Thanks. I put shampoo and conditioner bottles there and they fell out during travel. I will try different size bottles.
Stuff a pool noodles chunk in there, or a rolled up towel.
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On 3/16/2025 at 10:50 PM, jd1923 said:
Sherry, is your battery the style he showed in the video? He showed the one with Victron Comms, the more expensive battery, not the Epoch Essentials.
Our epoch 460 is about a year old, so not the new buggy firmware. It does have victron connections. I don't know if it's technically v1 or v2. Even the 12v battety (460) he tested passed capacity, but like our earlier version, older firmware.
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Ine man's trash is another man's treasure, as my dad used to say.
Give it a try. Why not?
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5 hours ago, jd1923 said:
Are these available everywhere else, but not yet in the USA? Dometic's new FreshJet 7 with inverter compressor:
I think I posted info on the freshjet in Australia several years ago.
I agree. Apparently, Americans will be expected to put up with old tech for longer than the rest of the world. Perhaps, in perpetuity.
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Must be pretty new. I looked it up, and no reviews yet, and 500 downloads.
Thanks for the info!
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Will Prowse posted a new video yesterday expressing disappointment in the newer v2 Epoch batteries. From his comments, the new firmware has some major issues. He failed the 48 v batteries, gave the 12v 460 a questionable pass, as it had the old firmware.
We are quite happy with our original Epoch 460, installed some time back on the boat.
So, I guess I'm saying I'd be cautious about the v2 12v, until such time as Will feels they've corrected the firmware issues. He is my go-to guru for solar and batteries. And, he's the reason we bought the earlier version 460 in the first place....
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So, you are basically full timers, now? We don't see many on the forum these days.
I'll look forward to your observations.
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35 minutes ago, Zodd said:
I think the Ramcharger sounds very interesting and has a much more compelling design than other trucks in the space. However, I don't like being any gen 1-3 versions of any engine, so it will probably be a while before I consider it. Need to let the dust settle first.
True. The pentastar engine is tried and true, but not as an "onboard generator. "
I do think it's an interesting concept. Most pickup trucks really don't do a lot of long haul. My Silverado hasn't left the county in over a year, though it has been to Canada a few times. The pentastar as generator definitely should reduce range anxiety. Or, if you really use your truck "mostly" locally, like many of us, you can charge at home or at a station, and run on electric most of the time.
I'm looking forward to seeing one later this year.
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@Galileo, you may want to see the new 2026 ramcharger when it (finally) goes on sale later this year. It's a phev, but the gasser 3.6 pentastar V6 engine is strictly an onboard generator, not part of the drivetrain. Although it is gas vs diesel, it's a bit like what you described, and makes a lot of sense, to me. Charge while driving from the fossil fuel motor, and reduce the range anxiety.
I'll be interested in seeing talks towing test when they finally get their hands on one. Even if range is cut in half by towing, you'd still get 300 miles or so between charging (or, just filling the gas tank). Best of both worlds, if it works as stated.
https://www.ramtrucks.com/electric/ram-1500-ramcharger.html#overview
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Any system is only as good as the replacement filters that you buy
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First campfire of the season. Post yours, if you like.
in Submit Your Story
Posted
We've been working hard on Helene deadfall cleanup.
Time to relax, grill some steaks, and chill a bit.