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Everything posted by John E Davies
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Fishing from Upper Cabinets to Inverter?
John E Davies replied to Ty J's topic in Mechanical & Technical Tips
Not a problem, the pantry “floats” over the battery box with maybe three inches of space between the two parts. You can drill down at the rear inside corner (closest to you) and the bit will pop out at a location that lets a cable drop down right at the inverter area. Obviously you should think about protecting/ disguising the cable with a stick on “cord cover”. If you run it down the inside of the pantry nobody but you will ever see it. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/5301-how-to-lithium-battery-powered-vent-system/ Good luck, please start a thread about your mods. John Davies Spokane WA -
Fishing from Upper Cabinets to Inverter?
John E Davies replied to Ty J's topic in Mechanical & Technical Tips
Hi and welcome, you need to tell us at least your model and hull number. I tried unsuccessfully to drag wire through that area. I think the cables must be secured with gaffers tape in the cavity between the hulls. An electrician’s steel fish tape might do it, but it could also screw up the delicate insulation. Can you tell us what your plan is, are you going to add (much needed) fresh air ventilation to the compartment? I really wanted to have the display for my Smart Shunt up there, I settled for down below the pantry shelf. It really doesn’t matter because I use the app 98% of the time. John Davies Spokane WA -
RAM Pickup Hemi Engine Being Discontinued
John E Davies replied to dewdev's topic in General Discussion
Do you mind sharing your mpgs towing and empty? Thanks John Davies Spokane WA -
Parking on Slopes or Hills
John E Davies replied to Chris Scarff's topic in Mechanical & Technical Tips
I have been in that situation, one time only, and I hated it. There was no other site available and the nearest other CG was up a long steep nasty dusty gravel road Wheel ramps or big rocks are best, if there are any around, use them to elevate the lowest side as far as possible, USE A SPOTTER. Chock the downward sides of all four tires. Kick or hammer them in tight. * Let the trailer roll back solidly against the chocks! * If you don't do this, it will bind up the ball and the trailer will roll back when it disconnects. Unhitch but leave the safety chains attached until you are sure it is all stable. Level the trailer. Go to the host or park ranger and complain heavily, there is no reason for a developed site to be like this. Ours was in Great basin NP, we had it paid for three nights. The next day we left it and went to the nasty CG and found a more level spot. Discretion is better than valor. If you think the situation is dangerous, leave. John Davies Spokane WA -
RAM Pickup Hemi Engine Being Discontinued
John E Davies replied to dewdev's topic in General Discussion
Perhaps you should define "sufficient" It is an INLINE six, which is a wonderful engine layout because it places the two turbos side by side where they can easily be serviced, and the engine is inherently balanced and refined (BMW uses them for this reason.) Plus they sound great. It will have lots more usable midrange torque, and like the other manufacturer's turbo engines, it will tow very well. The main issue is complexity, a non turbo V8 is simple and you will not experience the long term headaches of a small, highly complicated, highly boosted engine. I would wait a year at least to see if they get the bugs worked out, and if owners are reporting any problems. If I were in the market for a Ram HD truck and they offered a version of this engine, I would definitely consider it. But the rational part of my head says buy a Ford Godzilla V8. https://www.whichcar.com.au/car-advice/inline-6-versus-v6-why-are-straight-sixes-making-a-comeback https://www.drivingline.com/articles/godzilla-truck-is-the-73-liter-v8-ford-f-250-a-throwback-big-block-muscle-pickup/ It is up to you, I think the Hurricane would be a highly satisfying engine, from a driving perspective, in a 1500 truck, but be sure to buy an extended warranty before the factory one expires... John Davies Sp[okane WA -
Replacing Xantrex Freedom XC Pro 3000W Inverter
John E Davies replied to Sak's topic in Mechanical & Technical Tips
NObody is making you put ugly hardware store hex head bolts there, you can buy expensive chrome ones at Ace Hardware (they keep them locked up or else kids would steal them) or use a nice looking satin stainless button head screw like this. I do not recall the size I used for my inverter repair, but they are scattered all around the interior of “Mouse”. They look perfectly fine. I think they look custom and classy. Do remember to countersink any holes that go through gelcoat to prevent chipping and cracks. I used six of these to through bolt the new wood fridge frame I built, you can see them here. Yes they are visible, no they don’t look at all bad. Make very sure they are lined up and parallel to any nearby edges, if at all possible. Measure thrice, drill once…. John Davies Spokane WA -
What does happen when pulling brake cable
John E Davies replied to Chris Scarff's topic in Mechanical & Technical Tips
I test mine before every trip. And I am pretty anal. I use my VictronConnect app to watch the amp draw change, the load should increase by “about” 11 or 12 amps, full current is flowing to all the magnets. BTW, you are not supposed to use it as a parking brake! But in a true emergency, go for it. If you want an actual parking brake, you can install backing plate assemblies that have that feature, they are quite expensive. John Davies Spokane WA -
Rough Ride Tolerance? New Ranger?
John E Davies replied to Wandering Sagebrush's topic in Towing an Oliver
Unless you need the very high payload of your F350 you could modify the rear suspension with something from the aftermarket to soften it up. Plus you don’t need 80 psi in all the tires when towing. I ran 50 front and 55 in the rear of my 2006 Ram 3500. And it still beat us up, even with Corbeau suspension seats, so I got a Land Cruiser. What year and trim is your Ford? How old are the shocks? How much load do you normally have? https://carlisuspension.com/product-category/ford/f250-f350/?product_orderby=price&product_order=desc&product_view=list John Davies Spokane WA -
It is a PORTABLE panel, I did not want to restrict its use to just the trailer. For example I could power my truck battery or help some other person in need. With an automatic transmission, you can’t bump start the truck with a failed battery, I am pretty paranoid about shutting it off in the back of nowhere and then finding that it won’t turn over. I do carry a portable jump start box (Viking from Harbor Freight - most excellent). The solar gives me the opportunity to keep the truck battery topped up when, for example, I am operating my portable PCP (airgun) air compressor off its terminal. Portable means portable. I do some strange things sometimes, contrary to mainstream ideas, but usually there is some sort of valid reasoning behind it. John Davies Spokane WA
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Any idea about the cost for the optional insulating cover? ARB offers one for around $200 for this size unit. Are Trumas as ruggedly constructed as ARB? Thanks, John Davies Spokane WA
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Water Heater Anode Rod difficult to screw back in
John E Davies replied to Imelda's topic in Mechanical & Technical Tips
Take the old rod and cut off the nut portion. Put it in a vice and cut half a dozen deep slots at 90 degrees to the threads. Clean the part with a wire brush or wire wheel. Now you have a 3/4” MPT thread chaser. Run that in and out repeatedly until all the crusty white deposits are gone. Now you will be able to screw the replacement rod win all the way! Flush thoroughly with water or compressed air (watch your eyes). Keep it with your spares kit so you can do it routinely. Sort of like this pic, but a hack saw is quicker and makes much better grooves. This method fixes the root problem, obstructions in the water heater threads, not the symptom, water leakage and difficulty installing it!. …. https://www.automation.com/en-us/articles/2012-1/root-cause-analysis-treat-the-problem-not-the-symp If you have soft water in your house, use that as much as possible to fill your Ollie tank, especially long term. It won’t make those nasty deposits in your water system, and you won’t need to perform the vinegar treatment. John Davies Spokane WA -
The biggest problem with carrying a really big portable panel is lack of cargo space in your LC200. I carry a 100 watt amp folding one, I do not want to lose even more space with more solar. I suggest that you add a DC to DC charger, mine gives 11 amps whenever the engine is running. Around 90 AH over an 8 hour tow. That doesn't help when you are camped for three days under trees. That is when the generator comes out. You can go with a higher amp unit but that gets expensive and complicated since you need to rewire the truck. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/5270-how-to-redarc-dc-to-dc-11-amp-output-trailer-charger-installation/ You can move your portable solar panel MUCH further away if you position a controller at the trailer, not on the unit itself. https://olivertraveltrailers.com/forums/topic/5478-how-to-remote-mount-the-controller-of-a-suitcase-solar-panel-not-inside-the-trailer/ I understand your desire to run the air conditioning from the batteries, but like the microwave AKA Battery Killer, that totally wrecks your available power reserve. You have WAY too much amp hours drain for the available solar. The equation is imbalanced. If you run the AC from a generator, your problems are solved. Alternatively, if you don't carry more than two people, remove ALL the unused *HEAVY* seats and install an Overland Style cargo platform. That way you can carry tons of bulky gear and it helps your marginal payload too. But a generator is mandatory for the days the sun doesn't show up.... just use it. John Davies Spokane WA
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Replacement for Water Pump Filter
John E Davies replied to BillATX's topic in Mechanical & Technical Tips
Complete strainers are cheap and easy to find. SHURFLO (255-313) 1/2" Twist-On Pipe Strainer I read an article that some RV antifreeze brands can affect and crack the plastic housing, you might think about changing brands or researching that topic John Davies Spokane WA -
Transition from the outback to the Oliver world
John E Davies replied to Apreski's topic in Introduce Yourself
Welcome, you are probably fully aware that your Cruiser is already pretty darn heavy, with the offroady stuff, so if you do not already have it, install an OME HD suspension kit. Try to keep the LE2 light (no cargo on the tongue, OK on the back). Rear airbags for leveling “may” not be needed with the stiffer springs. The stock LC suspension is pretty cushy - comfy but not especially great for heavy loads. Keep the gear off the roof of the Cruiser, it gets really tippy.These trucks are super stout and you can safely go over the GVW with suspension work. But it isn’t really advisable, legally speaking, in the event of a collision that causes injury, so publicly I am saying don’t do it. I purposely avoided falling into the bottomless financial pit of overland accessories. Been there, done that with my LX450. Do not be like this Tacoma, he probably has a negative reserve payload for essentials like food, wife, and firearms…. 🙂 PS, the LE2 is great if you have company, but for *solo* camping the LE1 will be a far FAR better choice behind an LC200 in any form of modification. PPS I don’t have the authority to block anybody, nor would I wish to. WELCOME WELCOME. John Davies Spokane WA . -
Thank you. https://topairgun.com/faq/ https://hardairmagazine.com/ Watch lots of videos before you buy. NEVER PAY RETAIL. These airguns are frequently discounted heavily, up to 40%. They are awkward and heavy to ship, so if you buy from an individual, expect to pay up to $50 for shipping. The online stores have deals with shippers, usually they ship free or for a small fee. John Davies Spokane WA
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You don’t have to shoot at paper targets, pill bottles make great ones. Pill bottle pilinking with the Hatsan Bullboss 25 BTW the blind is in fact the small 6 foot CLAM camping shelter.30% of right now…. QUICK-SET Clam Traveler 6 x 6 Foot Portable Pop Up Outdoor Camping Gazebo Screen Tent 4 Sided Canopy Shelter with Ground Stakes and Carry Bag, Brown You also need the 3 sidewall set if you want to heat it. Thanks Pete. John Davies Spokane WA
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“General Discussion Feel Free To Talk About Anything...” These are not firearms. It is an activity that involves my Ollie, like the threads on bicycling or favorite recipes, or books or music. If this subject doesn’t interest you, don’t click on it. John Davies Spokane WA
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Door holder rubber grommet online source/ part number?
John E Davies replied to John E Davies's topic in General Discussion
I bought the big super sized Amazon package, now I have 39 extra spares, plus lots of different sizes. InstallGear 180pc Assorted Rubber Grommet Kit - 8 Sizes (1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 7/16", 1/2", 5/8", 7/8", 1") | Car Grommet Kit Assortment Rubber Wire Grommets for Wiring Automotive | Rubber Grommet Kits It's hard to beat $9 for 180 grommets.... delivered 😉 These seem like good quality. John Davies Spokane WA -
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getting ready to camp after 2 yrs in storage
John E Davies replied to LindaShields's topic in Introduce Yourself
One easy way is to have a mobile RV tech come to the storage location and essentially perform a pre-purchase inspection. That should cover the important stuff like whether or not the brakes and tires are still safe… John Davies Soikane WA -
Yep, it is worth twice that, you can buy the fitting direct too, ships free. https://locknlube.com/products/locknlube-grease-coupler?variant=32586284204116 I have used one for years, I have been reluctant to recommend an attachment that costs more than most grease guns. But OTH I also use an expensive pneumatic gun. Just buy it and enjoy it. John Davies Spokane WA
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I am fairly certain that it is welded at the upper mount. You might have better luck fitting rubber motorcycle fork or 4x4 shock booties. https://www.amazon.com/Supreme-Suspensions-Universal-Lifted-Trucks/dp/B07K4CSQSD/ref=sr_1_18?crid=FQ28L7L7JFB6&keywords=motorcycle+suspension+rubber+boot&qid=1681360885&sprefix=motorcycle+suspension+rubber+boot%2Caps%2C211&sr=8-18 Clamp the top to the upper mount with a plastic bushing, cut off the bottom and let it dangle down over the shock body. leave the bottom open for drainage. I’m not saying that would work, but I think changing the steel ones is a non starter…unless you are a skilled welder. John Davies Spokane WA
