SeaDawg

I wish both published db testing, as FanTastic used to. But the Maxxfan dome does seem remarkably more quiet in the videos. It's about time someone gave Ventline a competitor. Even if it turns out to be almost as noisy installed, stats show twice the cfm (200 vs 100) for a half amp more power (2 vs 1.5). So, at least only have to hear it run half as long? I'll look forward to your testing, too. We're on our second Ventline. First died about 8 years in. When it's time to replace it again, I was hoping to find something more quiet, like the marine solar vents on our boat, but they're all currently sized for much smaller cutouts, 3 to 4.7 inches. Sherry

Back in the day (which wasn't really that long ago), if you wanted a reasonably quiet generator that you and your neighbors didn't find irritating, you had to pony up the bucks for the red or blue. Iff brand work genset didn't have much, if anything, for noise abatement, but they were cheaper. In the recent past, the European community and other countries have enacted regulations on reasonable noise limits from generators, and many other items. And, the US buyers have shown a strong desire for less noise. Now, you can buy reasonably quiet other brand gensets that will do the job, have inverter technology, and often come with included capability and cords for combining the power of two sets. Some even use a Yamaha engine. Not saying they'll ever have the same quiet output, or long term ease of repair or reliability of Honda and Yamaha, but for occasional or infrequent use, it's certainly worth shopping around. I've even seen a few dual fuel models in other brands, though not yet (that I know of) with big red or blue. At a reasonable price. Sherry

If you are not tv watchers, don't buy an antenna, imo. We bought an inexpensive attic type, small flat antenna that we carry in the cabinet over the bed. I can pick up a few channels if we're 20 to 50 miles from a tower, and it's plenty for us. Just in case we needed it for weather. We don't really use that, either, but it was only $20 or so.

The alcohol removes any mold release, wax, or other contaminants, but it doesn't harm the gelcoat.

I won't say the powerwall install was inexpensive (it wasn't), but in the range of , and less than, a generator to do the same work, without using fossil fuels. Without monthly or weekly test cycles. Without maintenance. That said, we originally set up our electrical panels with battery backup in mind. We don't power everything. We power what we use most. Upstairs ac unit, plus what we felt to be essential and useful circuits in a power outage (fridges , outlets for small appliances and tv/ wifi, 110 to power ignition on instantaneous gas water heater, many lights, all the ceiling fans, etc.) We had originally planned on battery backup, as our home runs 100 per cent on grid-tied solar, but we waited for the larger powerwall, and their ul approval on the larger gateway. Edit to add: our power outages are most frequent in the summer, with abundant solar. Might not work as well in other areas. Sherry

We fixed that with a Tesla powerwall battery backup after Hurricane Irma. We also have frequent, though usually brief, power outages. The changeover is so quick and transparent I usually don't even notice that we've lost power. Sherry

Not in the general description but if you download the data sheet, it is recommended for fiberglass.

I agree. The more people who ask, the more likely Oliver is to include the 12v Danfoss/secop as an option. Our Indel/truckfridge has been an awesome replacement. . As far as an Elite I first a tall person, it could be problematic. Especially the bathroom. The bed is long enough, but it's more a full than a queen size. Sherry

I'm wondering about that, too. I didn't see that exclusion on Battleborn, or Dakota. Of course, we don't know if there's a separate agreement. Yet. Btw, has anyone used, or seen much for reviews, on Dakota lifepo4 batteries? Considerably less than Battleborn, Lifeblue, relion, renogy, etc, especially if you buy 2 or 4. Made in North Dakota. 11 year warranty. I'm finding most Dakota reviews are for batteries sized for fish finders, ebikes, and trolling motors. Sherry

That really depends on how much stuff you have to carry for a pleasant trip, and, for working remotely. My husband and I removed the microwave in our older Elite I a year or so ago when we installed a 12v danfoss/secop fridge. The cabinet gives us a nice food storage area. Since then, I often have a few empty cabinets in the trailer when we travel, and the Elite I has far less storage than the II. Sherry

Really beautiful! Thanks for the photos! Sherry

Dometic sells a number of more innovative, more quiet products in markets outside North America. Their Freshlight ac has an integrated skylight, with shade, ac, and a heat pump. Not available here. Pricey in Europe. I can only hope the US will see some more innovative ac products in the near future. Most of what is available here is noisy and inefficient, imo. I'd love to see a danfoss/secop 12 volt unit, like some trucks have. Or even some of the more innovative, less power hungry units sold in Europe and Australia, like the Dometic Freshjet and Harrier. I wouldn't be surprised to see Oliver offer the Truma Combi someday, if enough people ask for it, since they've been installing the Truma water heater for years, as an option. From what I've read, it's a really nice system. You're the first person that I can recall, on this board, with experience with it. Unfortunately, Truma won't support warranty issues on a non-OEM install of a Combi. There are some units floating around through secondary sources (probably from the Hymer factory shutdown?), but you're on your own if you buy and install aftermarket. Truma also recently started selling a "quiet" more traditional furnace in the US, the Varioheat. I talked to our local Truma office on Lakeland about it last year. A nice feature is a very quiet sleep mode. Sherry

Solar panels and mppt controllers definitely trump starboard, imo. Though each of them cost a lot more. 🙀😿🙀

Thanks, Hardrock. Those of us who camp on federal lands know many of the need maintenance. Sherry

The article did specify nontaxpayer funds for the 9.5 billion. I don't know what that means. Concessionaire fees that go elsewhere? I'm not sure. I suspect we'll see increased use of national parks this year, due to the public feeling that outdoors is the safer place to be with the Corona virus specter hovering. Some of them do need significant upgrades. We've all seen that, who have camped in some of them. I see a possibility for this conversation to go sideways, into the political realm. It isn't there now, but let's be measured and thoughtful in responses. I'd like to see the conversation continue. Sans politics, of course. Sherry

To earn the tax credit, my understanding is that you have to include solar (original or additional. ) So, that's a consideration, as well, when determining whether to do the package up front, or upgrade batteries later. At least, that's what I read. Batteries later, without additional solar, are not eligible.

I'm certain they'll honor your choices, as you already have a contract. 😊 Sherry

I might have used goo gone, rather than goopoff. I keep both around. I keep looking at your photos, and I find it hard to believe that that could be tannin. It looks too even and uniform. I'd still guess chemical reaction, or uv, or even more likely, just a bad batch of sealant. Was it clear, or white, originally? It does look shiny like silicone, though perhaps not 100 per cent silicone?

Practical sailor recommends a product called ReMov, which isn't likely in your garage. (Not in mine, either.) After getting everything off that I could mechanically, I'd try mineral spirits or GoopOff on any bits remaining, then wipe it down again with mineral spirits or Goopoff, followed by denatured alcohol. Silicone loves to get down into the pores. I've heard of using kerosene in place of mineral spirits, but we don't typically have that around either.

FYI, This is what someone on fb posted as current sealant used by Oliver, who had spoken to Richie. https://www.americansealantsinc.com/asi-335-neutral-cure-silicone-sealantadhesive/ Sherry

That looks awful! I know some sealants don't like butyl. I'd love to know what they used, so that I never buy any. We'll probably never know, though. My best guess, someone grabbed a gun loaded with an interior bathroom caulk, without uv protection. 3m 4200 will turn yellow quickly, because it has no uv. Hope it's not that, as it's much harder to remove than silicone. I don't think we've ever used a white butyl (just grey), so I can't speak from personal experience, there, either. I saw a post on Facebook about the silicone Oliver is currently using. I'll see if I find any complaints elsewhere about yellowing. I'm really sorry for you. It's very noticeable, and unattractive. Sherry

Ours talk to each other, all over the house. It's maddening. Really. During hurricane Irma, one battery apparently failed. Every alarm announced "low battery. " it was a nightmare.

When we replace ours (again) I'll probably look for separate rvia (maybe) approved co, smoke, and lp. Co mingles with air, so its location isn't as big a thing as you might think. Lp needs to be low, as LP is denser than air and sinks. Smoke alarm high. Co, well, as far away from appliances as possible. That's not easy in a compact trailer. Rv manufacturers, including Oliver, are stuck with rvia guidelines on the items they choose. Not all devices are rvia approved. 12 years on, I can make and live with my choices. Edit to add: I'm not endorsing any particular brand here, nor do I suggest removing safety devices. I see stories like this too often. A properly functioning co detector would have saved these 3 lives. https://amp.desmoinesregister.com/amp/2997719001 Sherry

This is a question where items evolve, over time. Rather than crowdsourcing, asking your sales rep for current info, is probably best. Our older 2008s had 3 110 outlets, I think. Plus one outside. TV, kitchen, under the small dinette bench. Outside outlet under the awning, under waterproof cover. Oops, 4, if you had a microwave. As we did, originallly. I'm sure things have probaly changed in 12+ years. Sherry

We deliver new rvs to Alaska most years. Not this year, due to travel restrictions through Canada. Occasionally, things that work at checkout, don't always work a day or two later. It stinks, but we have learned to deal with it. It's the nature of the rv equipment beast. Stuff does happen. I totally understand your disappointment. Yes, you probably should have returned to Hohenwald when you were close, but that's water under the dam. Too late. Now, you're in the truma zone, not the Oliver zone, geographically. Truma will take care of you, I'm sure. Since you have documented your issue. Sherry