jd1923

Jason, that’s the healthy way to be! Wish I could do the same. Lucky for me when it’s not after 9 PM. I used to be a huge midnight snack guy in my younger years.

So curiosity got me and I powered on the Pepwave, truck sitting in driveway. Connected my living room TV and my cell phone to the 2.4 band. Streaming a news show inside and ran Ookla Speedtest on my iPhone. The test got 95 Mbps down and 50 up, on the phone with the TV streaming. The Pepwave pulled between 0.10A to 0.17A. Call it 0.14A on average, amazingly efficient! No wonder I can leave it powered on for days. The 2A draw for the Mini is likely too much for truck batteries. Could I use the 4 AWG cabling for the DC-DC charger setup in reverse direction to power when parked, hmmm?

Yesterday I wrote I would use the 120VAC adapter for the Starlink Mini. My router and cell antenna are truck mounted. The RJ ethernet connection to the Pepwave would be at the interior rear wall of the truck cab (see pic). I run the router off the dual Ram batteries that I had recently upgraded to AGM. I have a simple power switch under the hood but when camping the Pepwave is always powered ON. I need to measure the AH draw of the Pepwave. From experience, I know it can run 3 days with ample voltage remaining to start the truck. I also have a 50’ extension cord and 10A charger in case of trouble. Wonder if the truck batteries can take another 2AH overnight, the number Geoff mentioned for the Mini while streaming. I would add the Mini with Victron Orion-Tr 12/25-5 to the truck if possible. Though it may be simpler to just pull out the Starlink when cell signal is too low. Love the truck mounted router and would like to integrate the two. We can be on a day trip or sitting in a restaurant and we have our own Wi-Fi. The 2.4GHz band over the Parsec antenna has easy over a 100’ range!

Thanks Geoff, for again being a leader in technical electronic HW installations! Not easy to pair compatible electronics with so much in the marketplace! 😂 I will add a Starlink Mini at some point. Hope the HW prices keep coming down! Like the $50 monthly service option for the limited data plan. I would merely use the included 120VAC power adapter since we run our Victron MP2 inverter ON always. You wrote you would not "use that feature" but given I have a smart Pepwave router that can chose between 4-5G cellular service (T-Mobile monthly business plan with unlimited data) and a WAN RJ45 input, I'm hoping this is compatible in the way I'm thinking. This way you have one Wi-Fi login for all devices, not having to switch to a Starlink-only Wi-Fi. I would manage the settings to prefer cellular connection to minimize Starlink data usage for when it is truly needed. Has anybody else integrated cell and Starlink services in an onboard router? I will ask tech support at MobileMustHave.com where I purchased the Pepwave system for configuration help, and will post later when I get their answer. Another question is does the Starlink Mini have to be positioned at an angle? Thought I read somewhere it should be pointed at the northern sky. The manuals just show 110 degrees unobstructed is necessary. I see rooftop mounts that are flat and pole mounts that are angled. Can it lay flat to the horizon to receive signal or must it be angled? Best wishes and thanks again. JD

Sell it on Craig’s for half price and buy the PRO+ model. I remember choosing the PRO+ for an extra $20 at the time. There is a “wake on motion” setting, but I used the full ON 24x7x365. Must be some parasitic draw but I don’t care. It’s always on when I need it and no worrying about turning it on and off. I’m on my deck now 80’ away and it reads level from here. The Bluetooth on the PRO+ has a stronger signal than any Victron device or Ruuvi sensors. Very reliable product!

Yeah @Steve Morris, you need to get south and get warm! 67F and partly cloudy today, here a mile high in the great SW! Too warm today to wear a sweatshirt in my garage while installing new struts on my ‘92 Lexus SC400! Love the people of the Midwest and the ethnic foods in the city, but... We left the Windy City a full 25 years ago and not looking back. Too cold!

I strongly suggest anybody buying new to get the PRO+ model and hardwire 12VDC, forget the batteries and the app should work too. I have the app up EVERY time we are parking and I get level while sitting in the driver's seat! Why buy the model that needs battery replacement? The new MAX model needs AAA batteries vs. a CR2032 battery (I recycled mine since it is hardwired). Don't know how to crimp two wires? Get somebody to wire it for you! Mine is wired under the rear dinette seat where 12VDC is readily available. It does not have to be in plain view. Notice it's mounted to the side of the shore power ATS box, wire harness coming down from the bottom, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083ZMZPR8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I would start with your local Craigslist, since it is free or a $5 posting. That is where we found ours! There is also https://www.rvtrader.com/Oliver/rvs-for-sale?make=Oliver|765336542&zip=24301&radius=any where today across the country there is an amazing 45 Olivers for sale! (mostly new dealer units)

Now that our Oliver is so nicely setup for boondocking, extra 35 gallons filtered fresh water in the TV, plenty of battery power, power accessories and tools, etc. it makes what they do seem so difficult. In one video Ozgur sets up an outdoor shower. They wash their faces in snow in another video. Watched one last night where their tent on a cliffside was blown down in the high winds. The have a saying for taking care of their bodily functions, "picking flowers!" They work through everything nicely, though it sure shows the glamping luxury of the Oliver! I only tent-camped a few times through the years. Too old for that now! 🤣

This guy, Ozgur Atik, never wears gloves when shoveling snow or splitting wood. One video he’s out in the snow barefoot. I’m just a sissy! Burcu is always making bread dough by hand. Onions in everything, love their campsite recipes! The Oliver is so easy compared to the many rigs they use. Except for a huge 4x4 camper they have named “Maniac.”

I understand, feel your pain! First thing I did was to replace the corner mounted 24" TV. Prior owner had replaced the OEM with an Amazon Fire TV, but still bad and ugly. I also do not like the folding center mounts that OTT uses since they fold forward and the TV is hanging out in front of the nightstand vs. back against the rear window for better viewing while in bed. Another goal was also to install a WHITE framed 32" smart TV! Samsung is my favorite brand (better OS than Android, Roku and other). Added a Samsung soundbar too that connects automatically via choice of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The very thin hi-rez screen is beyond the quality most and the sound sure beats the 4 cheap OEM corner speakers. It's been 18 months now and I would not change a thing!

Yes Geoff, I took a tax credit when I added a solar/inverter system to our Bigfoot Class-C in 2020. I plan to do the same here. The Oliver or any RV is considered a second home for tax purposes. That's also why I purchased the DC-DC charger, TEMCo 4 awg wire and Anderson SB175 connecters on New Years Eve, so that I would write off all my Oliver solar improvements for the 2024 tax year. This is the way to go! Much better price than the ones I bought.

Over the last few months of 2024, Chris and I found this channel on YouTube. The Atik Family (Ailesi) camps in Northern Turkey. I've been to SW Turkey decades ago and I always thought the country of Turkey was desert, like much of Greece. What a winter wonderland! These guys get a 1/2 million hits on most of their camping adventures. This one has 3.4M views! We love their special bond, positive souls, interesting camping gadgets and GREAT food they cook at every campsite! 😂

My son got me this for Christmas and a standard flashlight model for Chris. I spent a good part of today working under a car replacing PS pump and alternator. I would say this wonderful tool cut 20% off my time doing everything. I had it on all day. Wish I had this 40 years ago and ever since! So bright with 3 settings and angle adjustments. Just set it on my hat, nice! https://www.amazon.com/NEBO-Rechargeable-Waterproof-Impact-Resistant-Adjustable/dp/B09F6YKZ14/ref=asc_df_B09F6YKZ14?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=79989588513701&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583589117188773&psc=1

You're going to need these kind of battery terminals! https://www.ebay.com/itm/235227033422

I imagine our system is low cost vs. the "Lithium Package." This is the second full solar/inverter system I have built into an RV. Love the work and each time the technology and prices have improved. I added the Victron Multiplus II that with Power Assist which is perhaps a better product than an equally powered Xantrex inverter today. Also added 600AH in Epoch batteries. My cost was $3400 plus my labor. When doing so, I moved all the awlward under-streetside-bed breakers, fuses and bus to the rear dinette location. I sold the LA batteries and 2KW Xantrex inverter for a total of $650, net total cost $2,750. Yes, I would not replace a working 3KW Xantrex inverter/charger. Glad I found our old hull, not so old anymore, after 18 months of improvements. It fits us nicely now! 😂

Keep in mind your TV alternator is chassis ground. Run extra #4 cables, both B+ and B- cables from your alternator to your battery where you have your charger cables connected. Have you ever checked charging amperage at idle with a clamp-on amp meter? Would the reading be the same on +tive and -tive sides? Is reading the same before and after the DC-DC charger (should be less after, the Orion XS 50A is advertised at 93% efficiency). Great thread, thanks!

Thanks Sherry, you found a great link to all the NFS “Motor Vehicle Use Maps.” I’ve had the Prescott and Kaibab NF maps for awhile, but will now download the rest and create a folder for them. What I wanted, but may not be available, is the pretty Arizona map above, downloadable via Avenza maps. The Avenza app is great because it has all the Federal maps for free and it puts your GPS location as a blue dot on the map while traveling. You can also save and name visited locations. I have 100s of maps downloaded on my phone which I save prior to traveling, to view along our route.

I could not find this "Visit Arizona" map on Avenza Maps store. If somebody does, please reply with the specific map name. Thanks 😂

When you stay in the National Forests, there are "Motor Vehicle Use Maps" that show a much greater level of detail. They are simple black & white maps, but note the legend. Where you see dots on the side of the road, it stands for dispersed camping. This is a nice feature. There are also more detail BLM maps by Region Office. They show BLM areas but sometimes there are miles of road where you cannot physically pull off the road due to elevation, drainage ditches etc. Many use Google Earth to look further. Below is the Prescott National Forest page. There is a map store where you can order printed maps online for any NF. Then scroll down to the header "Motor Vehicle Use Maps." Download one and check the legend and the roads for dispersed camping. I have the Prescott NF map in print form and it is great showing every old mining road and jeep trail in the forest! Before we were camping, I've used this map for 20 years now for our dirt-riding adventures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/prescott/maps-pubs Picture shows this map on the Avenza Maps app which makes it so much more useful while traveling!

Our older hull has OEM built-in pressure regulators and backflow preventers on both City and Fresh Tank lines (see pic), not sure if they still do that on your new hull. They do not show the pressure regulators on the plumbing schematics, just the backflow devices. Because our City Water line is overly restricted, we never use it since the pressure is too low. I do need to get back there, clean the backflows and remove the restrictors to use a true post-mounted pressure regulator instead. We fill the fresh tank regularly and run the water pump for our water. You could try this to see if the drip stops. However, many have pointed at this reason. I doubt it! Your relief vale is rated at 100 PSI which I can see in the picture. It is made for major steam build-up in the system. I doubt campground water pressure is >100 PSI. You likely need a new valve.

That’s just over 1.5A per hour which sounds good with your inverter on. Likely 1AH for inverter only. Happy New Year!!!

Second New Years for us with the Oliver Family! The BEST 2025 to all!

Thanks Geoff, yes I'm certainly going to use the frame at the rear, so will only need 2 ft of ground cable there. I will add additional frame grounds to both truck batteries and perhaps to the alternator frame. This will add another 2 ft here and there. I went with TEMCo direct on Amazon, upped my number to 65 FT: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LIB6F86?ref=fed_asin_title&th=1 Not sure on the resistance or voltage drop of a 10x4" steel double C-beam truck frame, but one thing is certain, it will not overheat when amped up! It is important to grind the paint off the frame at every ground connection. I love mechanic work, almost more than camping trips! Currently rebuilding the PS pump (was leaking) on my 1992 Lexus SC400 and installing new Tien struts on all 4s I got myself for Christmas! I went with the Orion XS 50A for its efficiency, smaller unit, less the 3LB heat sink, etc. This is quoted from the Victron datasheet: "The charge current is adjustable with a minimum stepsize of 0.1 A. via VictronConnect." I went with 4 AWG, not wanting to spend more and the Victron Orion XS 50 terminal takes 4 AWG max (reason)? If there is an issue at 50A, I will merely set it down to 30A or somewhere between. https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Datasheet-Orion-XS-12-12-50A-DC-DC-battery-charger-EN.pdf Our Oliver is now 90% Victron (less the legacy Blue Sky SC). Victron Multiplus II inverter/charger, SmartSolar MPPT 30A for the Renogy 400W Suitcase, now the Orion XS 50A, SmartShunt, SmartDongle, VE.Bus and proud to say I don't need a screen mounted to the interior of the Oliver. Love the VictronConnect App! I should be able to read DC-DC charge voltage while towing. I will post a new thread on my install, though it will likely be a couple months out when I get to it!

Planning on adding the Victron Orion 50A DC-DC charger in the new year. The Victron Amazon store just lowered price on these: Amazon.com: Victron Energy Orion XS Smart DC to DC Battery Charger 12/12 50A (700W) - IP65 Dust & Waterproof - Fully Configurable - Remote Management Possible - Advanced Battery Protection : Electronics I will go with TEMCo 4 AWG cable. I measured distance from battery to rear bumper at 21 ft (long bed TV), then from hitch to rear dinette to my main busses another 15 ft, adding 10% for 40 ft total one-way. Wondering what Geooff, or @MAX Burner, @Ronbrinkand others did with the ground wire at the TV? It doesn't seem necessary to run the B- cable all the way up to the batteries. Could it not be grounded at the rear frame of the TV? The truck batteries are also grounded to the frame. This saves 18 ft of cable, so I'm planning on 60 ft total. Wire got more expensive in the last year! BTW, I did upgrade to a Nations 180A HD alternator last summer which is about 50A higher than the OEM alternator.