Ray and Susan Huff

Quieter, yet more BTUs? That's a plus.

Where do you plug it in when it is in the cabinet?

In our experience with a macerator (4 years), we had no problem with plugging. However, our camper van also had a macerator, marine type toilet because the toilet was not situated above the black tank as most are. Black tank discharge was Pre-macerated - for lack of a better term. However, the macerator toilet is more sophisticated than a gravity flush type, requiring more precautions. That being said, we had no trouble with the toilet either.

I was thinking a macerator would eliminate the reliance on gravity to drain the waste tanks, especially since it is sometimes difficult to get them fully empty - especially the long, narrow grey tank. Power shouldn't be an issue with lithium as the power source.

We avoid purchasing vehicles the first year of release. Although the F-150 is not new, this configuration is. Best to let others test the waters; investigate further, especially with the amount of technology that has infiltrated the automotive industry. For this very reason we are keeping our 2013 F-350 Super Duty. It has been insanely reliable, probably in part due to the minimal computerized components. I'm not sure what Ford is thinking here; the integrated generators seem more appropriate for commercial use, yet most contractors, etc. opt for a 3/4 or 1-ton pickup. I imagine Ford is thinking more people can afford the 1/2-ton version, thus there will be more being tested by consumers; Ford's way of testing the waters, I say 😖

The toaster oven is more prone to excessive heat since the length of time it operates is generally longer than a regular toaster or microwave. There is plenty of clearance with a smaller oven like the Breville Mini-Smart, but still no air circulation.

How does one check if the dump valves are opening all the way? The grey display is usually around 15%. Maybe we aren't patient enough. Do you empty the black then the grey?

The biggest "con" we have found in our Elite II is that it is difficult to fully drain the waste tanks. Aside from jacking up the front of the trailer, are there any other tips for getting the black/grey tanks truly empty? Some dump stations have a ramp to facilitate gravity dumping, but most we have found do not. Our previous RV had a sewer macerator that pumped the tanks out rather than relying on gravity, so we didn't have to worry about how the RV was situated when dumping. I wonder if Oliver has considered a macerator as a solution to this problem. Is there any reason a pump wouldn't work in an Ollie? Has anyone investigated this as a possible mod? Could it be installed inside the rear bumper? I believe most boats use a pump system for emptying tanks, but probably the pump is on the dockside, rather than on board.

As a teenager, we had a Ford Country Squire station wagon (like the one shown in the lower right of the pic above). It must have been as long as our F-350 pickup! It had a huge fuel tank - I remember filling it up and it took $10 worth of gas . . . . What was gas then . . . . . 30 cents a gallon or less? I'm sure it would have pulled an Ollie . . . . but probably only got 6 mpg. Wouldn't this look great with an Ollie in tow?

Thanks @John E Davies . . . . . Yes to both of these . . . . Search is mostly hit and miss for me and Bookmarks would be great. The closest I can come to a bookmark is to "follow" a topic.

We opted for no microwave; our Breville Mini-Smart toaster oven fits in the cabinet with a bit of room left over. Regarding the outlet: it is in the cabinet above the microwave. When you order the oven deletion, Oliver finishes the inside of the cabinet with fiberglass, but there is no cord port to access the outlet; you have to get to it from the overhead cabinet. I don't think it would be hard to put an access port in, if you aren't opposed to drilling in your new Oliver! I am afraid to use the toaster oven inside the cabinet since it puts out quite a bit of heat. We set ours up on either the twin bed nightstand or on top of the stove (if it isn't being used). You could also set it on the dinette table. When better weather arrives, we will use the oven outside so as not to warm up the interior of the trailer. I purchased a silicone heat mat for under the oven to protect the counter. I also got one to place under our induction burner. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RNKFXRU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Well, I would have guessed wrong! (wouldn't be the first time). I thought, since it was the remote panel that wasn't working, that the Bluetooth Remote Panel firmware would be what I need. As soon as I have my tax work compiled (almost there) I'll talk with OTT before attempting the update . . . . . Fingers crossed and all that jazz 😳

We haven't had the opportunity to use our fridge in hot ambient temperatures . . . . still waiting for warm weather! However, in our camper van and 80-90 degree temps, the (awful) Dometic 3-way fridge could barely keep a safe temperature. We would always try to park with the fridge side of the van in the shade. The fridge being on the curbside, you can use the awning to protect the fridge from direct sun. Thus far, it seems the Norcold is a much better fridge. We do use a battery operated fan inside the fridge. https://www.amazon.com/Increase-Cooling-Circulation-Battery-Powered/dp/B07L22DMYR/ref=pd_lpo_265_t_2/144-8772324-6417040?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07L22DMYR&pd_rd_r=c1d14477-9394-414b-8d9b-5d8f8c5cfb4d&pd_rd_w=0e458&pd_rd_wg=WD3ml&pf_rd_p=16b28406-aa34-451d-8a2e-b3930ada000c&pf_rd_r=2SA13HKXQVX269P7CMYB&psc=1&refRID=2SA13HKXQVX269P7CMYB I don't remember paying that much for it, so shop around. It doesn't take up too much precious space; runs forever on 2-D cell batteries.

When I look at the Xantrex website there are two upgrades: 1. inverter/charger firmware 818-2010 and 818-3010 2. Bluetooth Remote Panel Firmware 808-0817-02 It looks like one is for the actual inverter and the other for the remote panel. So we are only concerned with the one for the remote panel? (#2)

I need to talk to Jason and get specific instructions . . . . do we install both updates or just the remote panel update? . . . . . What did you do? . . . . . . did this fix the problem?

The upgrade sounds easy . . . . I have been corresponding with Jason but haven't since the bad weather situation. Did Oliver (or Xantrex) email you the upgrade file or mail you a flash drive with it installed?

Thanks for the explanation and the great photo. Would we first install the firmware update before doing the cut-off/reset procedure? I can see the display panel in the center of the Xantrex "black box", just above the ducting. It sure isn't in a handy place to see; does a mirror help? I guess I need to do more looking around in the bowels of our Ollie and see what's there. After I get our taxes off to the accountant; looking forward to that solar tax credit 😁 What is the duct you have wrapped in rubber mat?

Hope this puts an end to this annoyance so we can all get on to enjoying our Olivers.

Photos, as promised The embroidered dish towels were my evening projects; I had fun with these. The brightly colored table cloth is from our camper van The final photo is looking into the cabin from outside. I love the navy Gorilla door mat. It picks up water and debris off incoming shoes (mostly the husband's as I can't convert him to "no shoes"). It easily shakes out and is machine washable. The back is non-slip. 24" x 17" is the perfect size for inside the door. It can also be placed in front of the shower door for a bath mat. https://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Grip-Original-Chenille-Absorbent/dp/B07FPD51XC?th=1 Edit: now I'm working on a small rug knit from Pendleton selvedge ends. Not sure I'll have enough material to make it very big.

Thanks for the suggestion. How to disconnect the batteries? (Lithium) Does it matter what sequence you disconnect/reconnect in? OTT has not communicated with us regarding the firmware update.

Our color scheme revolves around navy blue cotton "bedspreads" purchased from Ikea. The story behind these is: As a teenager, I spent summers with Dad on his houseboat. The sleeping area had two bunks, one on each side of the center aisle. The bunks had royal blue rib cord spreads. Ever since we have had twin bed RVs I've been looking for similar heavy rib-cord spreads like we had on the houseboat. Finally found them (IKEA "Indira")! I intended to use rugs from our camper van, but they were small 1'8" x 27" (four of them). I really like the bright colors, but I found it kept tripping over the edges. Then I found the same rug in a 2' x 8' runner; perfect size for the floor from the galley to the bathroom door. Will use one of the smaller rugs between the beds. We like throw pillows for lounging on the beds and for use on the dinette. Found two square and two oblong that round out our eclectic look. For accessories, I have a lot of red for contrast. Will get some interior pictures and share later.

Still code 20 . . . . . I check it every day. Screen is blank until I push the topmost button, then the [20] comes back. I assume the screen is timing out? I'll do my best to record what the circumstances are if the display returns to normal.

We have never disconnected our lithium batteries. The Xantrex remote panel worked for a couple of days after we picked up our Elite II (Dec 7 2020). Unfortunately, I don't recall what the circumstances were when we first got the "20" code; I noticed it after we unhooked from shore power and moved to a new location - around day 3 or so. The display came back to normal after we got home, but not for long. The trailer has been connected to shore power, off and on, and the display has not returned to the operable state. As I said, our batteries have always been connected.

I have these same questions. Do all of those with the "20" code problem have Lithium/solar configuration? I expect so, since the 3000w inverter is not an option without the Lithium Pro upgrade. Does anyone with AGM/solar and 2000w inverter have this issue?

I did not know there was a Xantrex app. With the app, does your phone do the same thing the remote display does? Could you please share the link.