Dave Mazone
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Posts posted by Dave Mazone
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I've had nothing but problems with the Mopeka. They are super sensitive to placement and I can get it right outside the doghouse only to discover it not working properly when the tanks are installed and secured. I tried many times and finally gave up. I simply use the "use one tank till empty and switch over" technique. It's a little uncomfortable when you run out after going to bed.
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I once heard that partially filling the tank and then dumping a fair amount of ice into it before taking the trailer for a ride helps. Apparently the ice "scrubs" the tank, melts, and can easily be drained upon destination.
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On 2/17/2023 at 10:11 AM, angler said:
Hoorah. Ollie lives! Stolen rig returned! Police found it behind a stolen tow vehicle behind a locked gate (locks cut) in a rancher's field less than a mile from the police station. It was stuck in the mud and two people who had been living in it had gone out to get a friend to help them get out of the mud when the rancher arrived, and the thieves raced away. Police didn't catch them, but they did find identifying evidence (jail release papers) and opioid detox meds from the jail pharmacy for one of them. Of course, most of my gear was stolen, and a lot of their stuff was in it. Thank goodness for the fiberglass inner hull which will make it much easier to clean/sanitize. There's work to do: negotiating with insurance, broken off stabilizer jack to replace, spray paint on the hull, stolen spare tire and fiberglass cover, destroyed door lock, wrecked entry stair and scratches on the hull, plus cleaning, fumigating and replacing contents, but we will be on the road again this spring and summer.
So here's my question: fourteen years in my driveway in a big city, and never messed with before. Reasonable quality hitch lock and motion detector lights. What all do you folks recommend as security systems. You can bet I am paranoid, and short of trying to build an enclosure, what do you folks do to keep your beloved rigs safe?
Thanks, Angler, Hull #27
470257C6-C213-48CD-8B61-9549EEBF0A7F.heic 2.03 MB · 64 downloads 502D75D4-929A-499C-A8A7-E01237E6022A.heic 2.58 MB · 31 downloads
When I purchased my Ollie I immediately bought and installed a tracking device, along with deterrence locks. (I did this because I had a utility trailer stolen from me. Now, everything's got a hidden tracking device.)
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Thank you for this useful info, Patriot. I think I'll be seeking out a different provider for this coverage.
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130 lbs of love and protection, Daishiro Gumi Kuma ("Dash").
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My wife and I started with our heads to the galley. This makes the transition from watching TV to sleeping very easy. However, we switched to heads to rear as it's easier to swing our legs out without interference from the nightstand. Those mid-night restroom breaks helped us realize this.
Fyi: We have suction handles (from Walmart or Amazon) that we install above us to grab and more easily assist out of bed. (Have one in the shower too.)
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Hello Friend,
I don't know if it's necessary, but I use a pretty good external protector. I don't recall the name of it right now but I haven't had any problems with it. I'd rather blow out an external device than one in the trailer.
PS: It has warned me of trouble before, so I just disconnected from power and relied on my batteries and solar.
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SUCCESS!!!
I purchased the NOCO 10 charger. Three of my 6v AGM batteries read between 1.8 and 2.3 volts. The 4th read .5 volts and the charger wouldn't recognize it. I connected two sets in series and used the 12V option to charge them...and the .5 volt battery was revived.
I discovered that AGMs don't have a "recovery" option (or necessity) so the plain 12V option on the charger was appropriate.
I reinstalled the batteries and everything appears to be working well. Thank you all for your input and helping me dodge a $800 to $1000 expense.
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On 11/27/2023 at 7:40 AM, John E Davies said:
I considered NOCOs before buying my C-Tec, at the time the price was a big consideration. This looks like a great choice, 10 amps for $89 (BF price). Have you ever used yours in Power Supply mode (constant voltage)? Wondering if it works without being connected to a battery, for example to anodize small aluminum parts in an acid bath…? It would save me $100 over buying an eBay variable power supply. Sorry for the topic drift. Thanks.
John Davies
Spokane WA
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On 11/26/2023 at 9:39 PM, Rivernerd said:
Then, as John Davies suggests, invest in a high-quality (ergo more expensive) lead acid battery charger that has a "repair" or "desulfate" feature.
I have had good luck with NOCO Genius chargers. They are small but effective. Below is a link to a 10A version for $79.96 that includes a Repair feature for deeply discharged lead/acid or AGM batteries. If your AGMs are 6V, it can be set to 6V as well as 12V.
https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS10-Fully-Automatic-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B07W3QT226
In your shoes, I would invest the $80 to see if the batteries can be salvaged. Your 400+Ah battery bank will take several days to recharge with this charger, even if it can be saved. After the charger has done its job, verify voltage of each battery with a multimeter, at least twice, before concluding that you have "dodged a bullet."
Even if you can't save the batteries, a NOCO Genius charger is handy to have around just for maintaining automotive lead/acid batteries.
Good luck! And, please report your results.
So, my charger arrived. Now I have another question: Do I need to charge them individually (there are 4), or can I charge them in parallel? I suspect I should not charge them in serial, right?
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This might be a good idea for future Ollies. They could all swing upwards with the hydralic lifts.
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11 hours ago, Rivernerd said:
Then, as John Davies suggests, invest in a high-quality (ergo more expensive) lead acid battery charger that has a "repair" or "desulfate" feature.
I have had good luck with NOCO Genius chargers. They are small but effective. Below is a link to a 10A version for $79.96 that includes a Repair feature for deeply discharged lead/acid or AGM batteries. If your AGMs are 6V, it can be set to 6V as well as 12V.
https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS10-Fully-Automatic-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B07W3QT226
In your shoes, I would invest the $80 to see if the batteries can be salvaged. Your 400+Ah battery bank will take several days to recharge with this charger, even if it can be saved. After the charger has done its job, verify voltage of each battery with a multimeter, at least twice, before concluding that you have "dodged a bullet."
Even if you can't save the batteries, a NOCO Genius charger is handy to have around just for maintaining automotive lead/acid batteries.
Good luck! And, please report your results.
Thank you! I just ordered it.
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Well, thank you all for your input. Unfortunarely, most of it leans towards a very expensive lesson! I will try to redeem first. Wish me luck. PS: it's a 2022 model.
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I did a STUPID! I pulled the break-away plug on the brakes and let it set a few days. I came back to a FULLY discharged set of batteries.
Anyone got a non-technical explanation of how to recharge these, or do I need to take it to a battery shop?
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On 4/22/2023 at 7:59 AM, Steph and Dud B said:
The tank vent pipe runs through the closet. It may be damaged/leaking fumes and/or not connected through the roof properly. There should be no odor.
Thanks, I'll check it out.
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Does anyone know why the closet smells of sewage when the black tank approaches 50%, and what remedies might be available?
PS: happens when not traveling, too.
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On 4/16/2023 at 12:49 PM, ScubaRx said:
I wanted to let everybody know that Anita has had an accident inside her home. She fell while descending a flight of stairs to her basement and has sustained a hip fracture. She endured a 10 hour procedure to remove hardware placed during a (years ago) surgery after car accident before her hip could be repaired.
She states she is currently in a lot of pain. I know she is facing months of rehab and recovery. She is hopeful she will be well enough and her doctors will allow her to come to Guntersville in May.
Please keep Anita in your thoughts and prayers as she works her way through this difficult time.
I pray for you, Anita, in the name of Jesus, that your pain would diminish, your procedures be guided by the hand of God, that your recovery is swift, and that you are restored to even an improved and stronger physical condition than before. Amen.
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2 hours ago, Jim and Chris Neuman said:
I often turn the lights on inadvertently when I am digging around in the basement from the outside access door. Moving the switch or placing a guard over the switch to prevent accidentally bumping it on would cure the issue. This thread got me thinking about the possibility of my having repeated my old bad habit when I was getting some stuff out of the basement yesterday ... just checked and sure enough the light was on. We have been packing for some Razor Clam digging at Cape Disappointment in a couple of days and had left the main light switch on in the cabin. If I could just remember to leave that off the problem would cure itself as it powers the basement light.
Ditto to all of that Jim! I was thinking of removing the bulb and sticking a battery-powered motion detector light in there.
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17 hours ago, Dwain Kitchens said:
I have never had or towed a TT.
I don't want to be stressed on a trip.
When large trucks pass, is this scary, or is pulling a TT fairly easy.
Thanks!
Dwain
Depends on your tow vehicle. For lighter vehicles (less than a 3/4 quarter ton) Anderson's would probably give you great comfort. My 3/4 ton truck and no anderson does fantastically around big rigs. To me, no push.- not scary.
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Ps: we have no problem with drinking our filtered tank water (THE FRESH TANK ONLY ! LOL). It tastes great.
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10 hours ago, Bill and Nancy said:
This may be a stupid question but I was wondering what most people do in between trips when the Ollie is sitting idle for a few weeks at a time. Should I fill my fresh water tank, empty it or don’t worry about it until it’s time to winterize?
Bill
I use a portable 3-stage water filtration system for ANY water going into my baby. I also do the annual bleach cleanse. We fill up at home regardless of the distinations hookup arrangements (just in case). Most of the time we drain it after each trip, unless we're blessed with another trip within a couple of weeks. I'm in Bakersfield, CA, so freezing is not a concern, but due to heat in the summer, all water is drained after every trip.
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My choice for all interior cleaning is simply a diluted white vinegar mix. Additiomally, if needed, a little dish soap and a brush on the bathroom floor. Around cooking area, just the usual soapy dish water.
But, we thoroughly clean after every outing.
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My Ollie (#1019) was coming up on it's 1-year anniversary and I began the annual maintenance routine (diy). I prepared about 3 months for a bearing check and repack, buying parts, tools, watching YouTubes, etc. You see, I ONCE worked on bearings in my high school auto shop...some 45+ years ago! I figured "I got this."
The day came (yesterday) and I laid out all my parts and tools and got to work. After the first 6 lug nuts and tire #1 came off, I came across this strange dust cover that said "Nev R Lube". I immediately got on the forum and searched such a thing I'd never heard of or seen. Lo and behold, Ollie apparently went to this system in 2022, the year that gave birth to #1019.
In a way I was relieved...I get half a day back (maybe more). But then, I now have a lot of parts and a few tools I won't, or can't use. I'll be selling them soon in our Ollie classifieds.
So, like buying all the wrong stuff for a newborn that gendered differently than expected, I'm still happy, yet saddened. I still love Ollie.
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8 hours ago, Bryan in NC said:
That's interesting. I guess OTT changed things for 2023. The process currently outlined on the Oliver site is what we had to follow: $2.5K to reserve a prodution slot, 50% (less the 2.5K) 90 days before production, and the remaiing balance due at delivery.
Now that you mention it, I believe I had to have provided proof of financing by then, which of course was the balance anyway. I remember coming up with the balance of the down payment and the proof of financing was the other variable.
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LP Gas Tank Level Measurement Devices
in General Discussion
Posted
Honestly, I don't even know if I got the brand right (I hope I didn't "bad mouth" the wrong product). I purchased mine when picking up my Ollie in Feb of 2022 - straight from the mothership. It seems as though when installed, my tanks put too much weight on them (apparently sticking out a tiny bit further than the tanks' rims).