Ronbrink

I see you have a good stock of cigars, as well! I’m an infrequent smoker, cigar with whisky, pipe when camping. Gave up the whisky a long time ago, but now reminded of something missing in camp! Nice looking pipe!

Bought similar at Northern Tool, brand name Big Ant, available in two sizes. I use two of the smaller in the further reaches of the basement; one for water-, other electric-related stuff. The first ‘in’ has a rope tied to it for easy retrieval, the second used to push the first all of the way back. Perfect fitment to maximize that available, but hard to reach space. Just know, I had no inclination to opt for the interior basement hatch door at the twin model nightstand, the Lagun table was the preferred option. Since these crates ‘nest’, I stack two under cap in the TV bed for miscellaneous, as well as two in the cab behind the center console for easy to reach items and snacks. As for the larger size, I find them very handy in transporting food and clothing to and from the OTT, with no intentions to take with.

I thought the same, went back for a second viewing to see if the pipe was just a prop, but saw actual smoke! That reminds me, I need to locate my ‘old’ deer hunting camp Peterson pipe, get some cherry tobacco, and carry with. Thanks for the memory jog!

This may be a given, but repositioning the twist latch catch at the bottom will need to be considered.

I too was waiting for some response! To your original question, I kinda remember seeing those long, narrow flex panels installed on an Oliver within the curbside lower trough between the awning and roof rise, in similar manner on the street side, as well as the center roof. Not to offend, but I passed on the solar option not only due to the added expense, but also because of aesthetics; the ‘roof wings’ simply did not appeal to me, nor potential effects on aerodynamics, as you mentioned.

True that!

My 40A DC-DC will not totally offset the power consumption of the Dometic’s 90+amp draw when the compressor is cycling On. At best, I plan to do the same with inherent limitations; wherein running the A/C an hour or so prior to stops during hotter times of year for the added comfort. I recently upgraded to LFPs and installed a transfer switch to operate the Dometic via inverter; a relatively simple conversion compared to the DC-DC install, but well worth the overall cost and effort! However, you do have an advantage, in that your OTT equipped solar panels will further maintain battery bank levels when underway with optimum climatic conditions. I suggest you move up your tentative DC-DC install to next spring rather than summer; time’s a wastin’!

As an alternative to lack of solar input, the DC-DC charger gets it done!

I added 200W of flexible solar panels atop the TV bed cap for the same purpose. Been great for 3.5 years! Since I did not opt for solar in my build, I’m now geared up to install a solar port at the propane tank housing to enable use of said panels to charge the OTT’s house batteries, as boondocking has become more frequent for me. Also adding a solar port outside at the rear basement hatch, inline with the other two ports for sat/cable TV. I plan to get a portable folding solar panel to further increase solar input.

Now there’s an idea! Would be great in getting my ‘late sleeper’ wife up to make this ‘early riser’ his morning coffee.

No, I just twist off the cover, wipe to remove any dust inside, tickle the spring a bit and reinstall the cover. Thinking either the dust interferes with the action of the spring or the spring is a little out of kilter due to ‘tapping’ the fixture as opposed to ‘lightly touching’ with the back of hand. That said, guilty as charged; if these lights don’t laminate when first touched, I invariably tap, sometimes more than once, until they come on. My bad! Just know, I am now 4 of 4 in remedying inherent issue with these lights.

We left Palmetto SP yesterday afternoon to have a late lunch in San Antonio, and upon return a few hours later the touch light above the sink was fading in and out. Strange, because no lights were left On. This is one of the lights previously mentioned with a prior problem, but this was a first for this anomaly. When I touched the light it went full bright, but would not turn Off! Sadly, I had to find a way to block the light since I’m a light sleeper, no pun intended! Enter a dinette seat back cushion; to no surprise, another reason for my wife to call me a ‘nut’. So to bed I went, bedcovers over my head, but awakened around 2am with a thought; the Master Light switch. In careful execution and much anxiety, flip Off, light Off; now what? So, with much curiosity, flip On, light still Off, yahoo! As not to push my luck, I returned to bed with a sense of accomplishment and drifted off to sleep once again. However upon awakening, more anxiety and curiosity; will the light come On when touched and operate normally? A resounding YES!

But they’re so sexy when wet!

It was an Amazon purchase, however………

Agree, my NOCO 10 has served me well for over three years on all kinds of batteries, even on recent upgrades to LFPs.

Personally, I find the touch lights very easy to use and efficient. Granted, I’ve had issue with three of them, two under cabinet and one ceiling center, but with each a simple adjustment of the spring (under cover) remedied the problem whether flickering or not coming On. And, they’re fun! When showing the Oliver to prospective buyers, they are always ‘amazed’ when I touch the lights with the back of hand, and they’re faces light up, as well!

When the Xantrex comes ON for brief periods, as you observed, is the ‘charger’ feature being activated?

Seems like a good plan, really like the power flow control switches. I assume you will be using clamps on the hose barb fittings.

Yes, that is the same model PI EMS installed in my OTT.

Excellent!

Any brand spiral cutout saw that uses the spiral router bits would work for this intended application. To be clear, the saw feature needed is a circle cutting attachment, as illustrated below. Mine is actually a corded DeWalt, which came with a like attachment. I only mentioned RotoZip because of their notoriety and I really like the quality of their multipurpose cutting bits. In using this tool for cutting circles, I always ‘test cut’ a hole radius setting using thin plywood or sheetrock to ensure a proper fitting cutout.

FYI, my forward AC outlet is powered via the Xantrex, thereby the Dometic CFX 75DZ in the truck bed can be operated on AC when underway or in camp, if need be. A DC-DC charger more than makes up for respective amp draws on the house batteries by it and/or the OTT’s Norcold. However, I too mostly rely on a portable power station to run the Dometic, but on occasion when that power source is depleted due to insufficient solar input, an extension cord from said outlet to fridge is a viable alternative. I have also run an extension from the Oliver for use of a battery charger on the power station while simultaneously running the fridge on that DC source. That said, you may not need to install the additional Anderson, unless planning to operate in inclement weather while underway.

In an email response from OTT to the service ticket submitted, I was informed they would have to consult with Xantrex and report back. My service inquiry read as follow: I would like confirmation on the charging ability, specific to my Xantrex Freedom 2000 (non-bluetooth model). I have been paying more attention to the charge aspect of this unit since upgrading to LFPs and installing a Victron SmartShunt. To the best of my knowledge and observations made, there is an initial charge cycle (80A) when first connected to shore power, but no further charge cycles thereafter unless ‘manually’ restarting by either disconnecting/reconnecting the power cord or by flipping the main circuit breaker Off/On. Is this the norm for my Xantrex or is it not operating correctly? I did use the remote panel to reconfigure the unit settings for use of LFPs, but would appreciate knowing the recommended values to ensure optimum use. 2020 OLEll, 579 OTT’s response: This is something that I am going to send to xantrex to get their thoughts on. It typically takes a couple of days to hear back from them. I will let you know as soon as they respond with what they say.

I do plan to install a master switch regardless, but meanwhile took your advice and submitted a service ticket; will report on Oliver’s response. Again thanks!

Good idea! Although, as I understand it, my older Xantrex Freedom (non-bluetooth) model is operating as designed. However, I could be wrong about that, could just be a setting issue to remedy so will take your advice. Thanks