jd1923
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Posts posted by jd1923
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11 hours ago, taylor.coyote said:
More activity for us in the Navajo Nation with a visits to Canyon De Chelly and the Petrified Forest/Painted Desert.
Are you camping at Navajo campgrounds? I always find it difficult camping in the Navajo Nation and we drive the length of it (Flagstaff AZ to Cortex CO) every visit to SW Colorado. Can't really boondock on the Nation, can you?
On 12/15/2025 at 4:07 PM, Mike and Carol said:What a great adventure!!
Yes, that's for sure!
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Thank you @T-Oliver, very nice. I didn't noticed the temps on the 3rd screen, with 3 temps per battery!
This got me looking for more info on the Epoch app and I found this video quite informative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZprZ8ncWxs
I see from your app screen-print, you have your batteries switched OFF. Perhaps for winter storage? I also did not realize you can do this from the app. If I turn all batteries OFF, would that be as good as disconnecting the main ground? I've physically disconnected several times for maintenance or installations. Looks that way, so cool! 😎
Our first two Epoch Essential 300s have been installed for 18 months always ON, Victron MP2 always ON and rooftop solar ON (unless I want to let SOC drop down when the Oliver is sitting at home). We use the Oliver year round, only connected to shore power during Aug for A/C. Notice our Batteries #1-2 have 51 and 57 cycles used (out of 4000)! Epoch #3 was just purchased, it arrived at 49% SOC and I had it on a small 10A charger overnight. Right now all 3 are sitting in the garage, so I could remove the battery tray for a new installation of 3 batteries. Can we stop worrying about SOC with 900 Ah? 🤣
Love this little charger, get one! I use it all the time in my garage and bring it on the road just in case. It can be switched from LA, AGM or LiFePO4, even 6V and repair settings for when a battery gets drained down completely (yes, the repair function works!): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W3QT226/ I have one of these wired to the tow vehicle so it can be charged without poppin' the hood: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LWWNLC/?th=1
No app for Battleborn with this kind of functionality? There certainly should be at the price point!
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1 hour ago, Hokieman said:
Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll check them out.
We love them! Since this picture we added a Dometic CFX5 45l in the truck bed and I purchased two more Ruuvis. We're always checking fridge/freezer temps, or I'm looking at the trunk temp which is close to outdoor temps. I have one back there to know when the incoming water lines are close to freezing. I'll put one on a battery just to see but we do not have the BBs.
Two years ago I purchased a 4-pack of the simple white ones (not PRO model) and from memory it was under $100. Can't find those anymore, only seeing the PRO model. I got two on Walmart.com for about $45 each recently, like these. Anybody find a deal, please let us know!
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Temperature-Pressure-Integrates-Assistant/dp/B0D3MDZCWF/
Picture shows two Ruuvi app screen-prints side-by-side showing how running the A/C while towing brought down cabin temp!
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17 minutes ago, rich.dev said:
Hey John, pretty sure you have the BMV712, if yes it has a connection/terminal on the shunt to connect an external temp sensor, like THIS Victron temp sensor.
In all of my electrical upgrades, I went with NO physical monitors that would be wall-mounted in the Oliver. I like the cleaner look without and I LOVE the Bluetooth apps! 😎
I do have one of those sensors that came with the Victron shunt which I have in a box of extra parts. We have Epoch Essentials 300 Ah, ran two for 600 Ah last 18 months. Installing this week a 3rd 300. Given all this news, I will place a Ruuvi sensor there to measure heat for a while, but with 900 Ah I'd have to run our A/C, our Air Fryer and run a power cord to another RV to run their A/C to get anywhere the 600A of continuous power (2x for peak use) the spec of these batteries. 3x the 100 Ah Battleborns vs. 3x 300 Ah Epoch? 300 vs. 900 Ahs, we live in different worlds.
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56 minutes ago, John Dorrer said:
So with Lithonics Lithium Batteries, the phone app has a battery temperature reading for each battery. If there was an issue, would that show up at the temperature reading or is the temperature reading something else?
Heat is conductive, so I believe your app is all you need. If your post heats, the battery temp should go up too. Hoewever, small changes in battery temp might mean larger temps at the post.
We have Epoch and I searched through their app and did not find temp (anybody with Epoch please let me know if there is temp reading).
31 minutes ago, Hokieman said:But it only measures the temp of that battery, which was fine before this mess. If anyone has a good idea how to monitor the temps on each BB battery remotely using the Victron monitor or otherwise, let us know.
You could add Ruuvi sensors on the other two. We use these since in the fridge, freezer, cabin, trunk and on truck fridge and cabin. If I had BB I would move a couple , mount top of each battery near the + post.
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1 hour ago, Wayfinder said:
the negative bus-bar inside the trailer.
Chris, you may want to do what I did to #113, now that our hulls are 10 years old! And your grounds look more corroded, seeing the color of the copper. I removed each and every one, trimmed the wires back 1/2” and stripped them for clean fresh copper, retighten good!
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1 hour ago, topgun2 said:
Have you tested this Silence/Test switch?
Does it really Silence the alarm for more than a couple of minutes? If so, how do you turn it back "on"?
Bill
2 1/2 years never a false alarm for us. Though no RV antifreeze or hairspray ever in our hull. 🤣
The test button will produce the alarm for a few seconds, and then it continues to be ON.
As far as a real test, please see my comment above!
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Given these detectors have a Silence/Test switch on the face, I'm not adding a switch and don't believe it's a good idea given it can be left off when needed.
Is there a brand preference? Meaning are some brands more effective than others?
The brand we have now is RV Safe as pictured above and this link:
https://www.amazon.com/RV-Safe-RVLP-2W-Propane-Alarm/dp/B08VCBH66H/
An Atwood detector was OEM on our hull many years ago, reason OTT cut that big square hole in the fiberglass. This model is a replacement that I believe fits recessed into that spot (though I have not yet verified dimensions). It also has a strength readout. Hopefully it's not too bright under the dinette but the RV Safe model has quite a bright green light too.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F8GMBQ5B/
I'm not sure I trust a built-in "Test" button! We have a LP torch Chris uses for cooking (for melting cheese and browning foods). It will release LP without igniting and when lit it should produce CO. Perhaps a real test is in order time to time. I should wear ear protection and I'll report back when I get around to this test.
So, does anybody know that one brand is better at detecting CO and LP than another?
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On 11/29/2025 at 10:59 AM, Gene G. said:
Pretty damn close in 2025
and to @Geronimo John, who nicely wrote, “Are we there yet?”
My answer is “Yep” but perhaps not yet at $500 mark (unless one LiTime 230 Ah does ya). Which btw just beats four big heavy lead-acid batteries of the day!
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1 hour ago, johnwen said:
Count us in 🙂
Still working on that rig?!
Who isn’t? Come see us in Prescott too. Say hi to Wen. 😎
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3 hours ago, Nan said:
Would love to visit, but am a little afraid to travel that far by myself, well with the dogs, but they are not much help.
Nan, given you’re a female alone, we certainly understand. If you want to visit Arizona, come to Prescott and see us first! 😂
The Q is only worth going to see other Oliver Owners (otherwise there are 100s of better boondocking sites in AZ!
Slow response on this thread! Hey @ScubaRx, if you’re coming, dinner is on us this time! Hey @MAX Burner, it’s perfectly OK you have a new TT! Love to see it.
i started this thread to poll those who frequent our great Forum. We have 3 weeks off and if the Q is a bust, we’re going to head towards Tucson, get there asap to tour the SE corner of Arizona. Didn’t want to go that way for a while, but the boarder is secure, god bless.
Hope to see y’all! 😎
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12 hours ago, GlacierGirl said:
Would it be possible to use some sort of quick-disconnect connector on the wiring for the propane/CO alarm? We must replace our alarm and, once replaced, I thought it would be wonderfully convenient to simply reach under the dinette seat, rather than under the street side bed, to quickly disconnect it in case of a false alarm. Barb
Yours is wired under the bed? Ours is mounted to and wired under the rear dinette seat already. On the right side of the picture below you can faintly see the wiring and a large square cutout. Too bad OTT mounted a recessed model detector requiring this awful 3x3" square hole in the fiberglass! Prior owner replaced it with a surface mount model, same as @Rivernerd has pictured above. Ours is dated 2026 so very soon we have to replace ours.
It's simple to rewire most anything from under the beds to under the dinette given that the combined 12VDC and 120VAC power panel is under the dinette. I moved almost everything out from under the beds as you can read in this post.
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My take… 😎
If you own one or more 100 Ah Battleborn batteries you purchased years ago, let it go and it‘s time to scrap them!
For $670 (less than what you spent on one (1) 100 Ah Battleborn you can purchase the new 320 Ah LiiTime mini! BTW, so cool!
Or for $1200 (I just purchased a 3rd one at 15% OFF for their BF promo) you can buy the Epoch Essentials 300 Ah battery!
We’ll be running 900 Ah for 2026 and beyond, so cool! 😎
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Who's going and when?
The Q Big Tent runs Jan 17-25. The Fiberglass RV Gathering will run from February 6-9.
I have time off work second half of Jan through first week of Feb and we'd like to visit for a few days when other Oliver Owners are there. Love to meet old friends and new!
We weren't so much for Dome Rock (pic1) last year except for meeting Oliver owners! It's a bit crowded with the constant whine of nearby I-10 (and too many little Casitas)! Later we stayed several miles up Plomosa Rd NE of town. It was quiet up on the ridge with great views (pics 2-3).
Hope to meet y'all there! 😎
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3 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:
John, add Maine to your travel list! We had a great visit there and plan on returning….. Mike
If only there was a Transporter to get there quickly! Only 2800 miles one-way Prescott AZ to New Harbor ME! One day we should head that way...
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40 minutes ago, CRM said:
Why didn't I let @jd1923 try setting his up first?
Going to finish my Turbro install soon. I have next week off.
I hadn't planned on adding the Cielo thermostat, unless after a season of use it is deemed necessary in our use case. Humidity is rarely an issue in our travels.
Also, @BigTexas nicely wrote-up a concern that was in the back of my mind...
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13 hours ago, Geronimo John said:
If you decide you don't need that spare part KISEA for your Victron system, I'll gladly purchase it from you next summer! Would be a really good spare part for my "Older Design" system.
John, mine had an intermittent issue and the reseller refunded upon return.
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Nice to meet you Jamie and Sandi! (virtually of course) It would be great to visit Maine in our Oliver! Your home state is the only state in the 48 CONUS states I have not yet traveled!
@Jamie Peghiny I'm with you on everything you wrote, except we are Amazon junkies for speed of delivery and ease of returns. However, I've been on eBay since August 2002, long before Amazon was started! Checkout jdokos1 on ebay where my feedback hit a perfect #1000 and 100%. I started back in 2002 selling old car parts from classic cars I parted.
Recently on eBay I purchased Norcold exterior fridge vents a new pair at $35 each, about 1/2 the cost from the regular parts dealers. Last summer, I purchased a new Barker VIP3000 jack for the front of the Oliver. It was a one-off NIB item. Seller accepted Offer at $200 which was an amazing deal. eBay is now easier on returns where they supply a return ship label, often at no cost to the buyer (likely to better compete with Amazon).
However, don't buy Timken bearings on eBay or Amazon. They will be knock-offs. I purchased a complete Toyota rebuild kit to replace the timing belt on a T100 truck. When it came there were 10+ parts all in Toyota package. When I looked at the casting of the water pump and the issues with other parts I realized these parts were faked! Wow, did they look real at first. eBay helped with an immediate refund and soon that seller was banned.
I would buy lug nuts from this highly rated Seller if they reply with a good answer. I always "Contact Seller" first and only buy from Sellers that reply promptly. eBay and Amazon both have items you cannot easily find anywhere else. I have restored a half dozen classic cars and 3 motorcycles purchasing NOS parts on eBay!
Welcome to The Forum and best wishes to you traveling in your new Oliver. Come see us in the SW this winter or next. There are always a lot of us at Quartzsite AZ (Jan-Feb). There should be a Forum post started on that soon! We'll coast down the mountain to meet other Oliver Owners this winter in the great valley of the SW, the warmest part of the USA! 😎
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My first rule with technology is keep things simple and go with defaults in configuration! That being said, Ron and some others, I believe it was @Treasure Coast Vault who first installed the Pioneer Inverter A/C, and both have positive results with this thermostat/power on/off control product.
I'm working on a Turbro Inverter A/C install. My plan again is to go with installing this product by defaults without additional complication. I have already installed a simple Honeywell heat-only thermostat, it works well. I do not believe I would need this product since humidity is not generally a concern in the Southwest.
Love the input though! Thank you @Ronbrink!
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1 hour ago, katanapilot said:
Still confused. If the shore power receptacle (30 amps) is wired to the transfer switch (either a 15 or 20 amp rated switch) in the earlier trailers - how was that acceptable? One doesn't switch a 30 amp power source with a 15 or 20 amp switch. That's m y confusion.
Our trailer has a 30 amp ATS fed by the two shore power receptacles. That makes sense.
Yes, your conclusion makes sense!
Perhaps one more try will work... 😎A 15 or 20A ATS can be used with an inverter when the inverter does not have a built-in ATS. It is used to switch between shore power and inverted power for a 15 or 20A circuit. Our Victron has a built-in ATS but the 2KW Xantrex inverter OTT originally installed did not (see pic, ATS in middle). An external 15A ATS was added to switch all circuits except A/C to use shore power when present or inverted power when not. Some Oliver owners added the 20 KISEA ATS to add switching for the A/C circuit.
The picture below shows the KISEA I installed for literally a few days before I decided on the Victron upgrade. Both ATS in the picture would switch between shore or inverted power. The KISEA for the A/C circuit and the OTT installed Xantrex ATS to switch the other circuits (microwave, outlets, etc.). These are NOT the main 30A ATS which is as follows:
The main ATS installed in most RVs is the PD5100 a 30A ATS. These must be/always are 30A, used mainly to switch between shore power and generator. On the Oliver it switches between the side and front 120VAC 30A Furrion shore power inlets.
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If they are truly Gorilla brand or McGard (another good brand I've used) then they're good. What @Geronimo John is referring to is that there are a lot of China made knock-offs on eBay (Amazon too for that matter). Instead buy from Summit Racing or eTrailer or another reliable and authorized reseller.
This eBay seller has Feedback number at 9850 and 99.8% rating, likely their parts are good, but who knows.
@Jamie Peghiny I believe the lug nuts you found is the correct size and shape but cannot be certain w/o a forum signature with your hull#, etc.
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6 hours ago, Snackchaser said:
Xantrex inverters already have a built in converter and charger.
Not on the older hulls! Chris owns #110 and ours is #113. OTT installed a 2KW Xantrex inverter in our Oliver (inverter only, no charger). The PD charger installed in the power panel was the only charger (hence Chris’ recent upgrade to the PD charger with the LiFePO4 switch)!
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4 hours ago, John and Debbie said:
I don't think that I damaged it by only waiting 18 hours.
For certain, it’s nothing you did! 9 times out of 10, Amazon used is like new with damaged packaging.
1 of 10 times you get an item used and damaged by the previous Amazon customer! Just exchange it. I’ve purchased well over 50 Amazon used items through the years and 90% of the time they’re a great bargain. Like my Engage pickleball paddle, $220 new, $160 Like New from the ‘Engage’ store on Amazon. It came new but not in retail packaging, OMG, I can’t have that!
I ordered this same humidifier Amazon used Like New at $79 (vs $136, for a $57 or 42% off savings!) and it arrived today. It looks perfect, except a prior owner wrote something in pencil on the instruction booklet. I’ll let you know when I get a chance to test it.
To test it, I’ll have to hang a couple wet towels in the Oliver to create some humidity! RH today in Prescott was 20%! 😎
We will use this tool rarely but should keep it on the closet floor for when traveling east!
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2 hours ago, Geronimo John said:
Does anyone have an idea…
The KISEA ATS is used when you have a 2KW inverter that has NO internal ATS (as all modern, capable 3KW inverters have).
This variety of ATS allows you to switch between main inverter circuits and add an A/C circuit. Search for keyword ‘KISEA’ and the story we be told, in several forum posts.
The ATS required to decipher two (2) shore power inputs, is the PD5100, or variation. It’s ALWAYS the PD5100 a 30A ATS! 😎
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Document Worth Keeping - List of John Davies Projects
in Mechanical & Technical Tips
Posted
And Merry Christmas to you! 😂
John, your original file worked fine for me and is much appreciated.
I’d say, if you’re still on Office 2010 it’s time to spend $99 a year for Office 365! 🤣