Jump to content

Design decisions?


Steph and Dud B

Recommended Posts

2 OTT design decisions strike me as odd:

Why aren't there separate switches for left/right flood and outside courtesy lights? Sometimes I want to light my patio area without blinding my neighbors on the street side.

Why isn't there an indoor switch for the 120v water heater element? Sometimes the campground voltage goes low and I want to switch to gas hot water instead.

Both of these are pretty common in other brands, so I wonder why OTT opted against them.

  • Like 4

Stephanie and Dudley from CT.  2022 LE2, Hull #1150: Eggcelsior.

Tow vehicle: 2016 GMC Sierra 6.0 gas dually 4x4.

Our Oliver journey: Steph and Dud B's RV Screed

Where we've been RVing since 1999:

ALAZCACOCTDEFLGAIDILINIAKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNMNYNCNDOHOKORPASCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWYmed.jpg.b96241bad6752dec89d25af6ffbc8d99.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
30 minutes ago, Steph and Dud B said:

Why aren't there separate switches for left/right flood and outside courtesy lights? Sometimes I want to light my patio area without blinding my neighbors on the street side.

Interesting - on my 2016 I have separate switches for the curbside and street side for the "patio/flood" lights.  However, I have only one switch for the "puddle/courtesy " lights.

32 minutes ago, Steph and Dud B said:

Why isn't there an indoor switch for the 120v water heater element?

I have heard of a couple of owners moving this switch to an inside location.  It shouldn't really be all that difficult.  However, I'm not sure why Oliver has never done this.

Bill

  • Like 3

2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

37 minutes ago, Steph and Dud B said:

Sometimes I want to light my patio area without blinding my neighbors on the street side.

For the first year of ownership, we never used the patio lights at all because we didn't want to blind ourselves on the curbside, much less the neighbors on the streetside.  Like other Oliver owners have, we ended up adding amber film over all the patio lights and the light is now warm and subdued.  I agree that Oliver should provide separate switches for street and curbside lights, but we found that adding the amber film to the lights is an easy, low cost way to mitigate those annoyingly bright lights for everyone affected.

image.thumb.png.0224024c0290a4911ddcdd15d0563bbf.png

  • Like 4

Steve and Lornie

LE II Standard  Hull #657  2004 4Runner 4.7 L V8

Oregon

COIDKSMOORTNUTWYmed.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
1 hour ago, Steph and Dud B said:

Why aren't there separate switches for left/right flood and outside courtesy lights? Sometimes I want to light my patio area without blinding my neighbors on the street side.

Why isn't there an indoor switch for the 120v water heater element? Sometimes the campground voltage goes low and I want to switch to gas hot water instead.

Like BIll, we have separate switches for our outside porch lights.  Not sure why that was discontinued.  It would be nice to have an inside switch to control the electric element for the hot water heater, but you can turn on the propane without turning off the electric element.  Mike

  • Like 4

Texas Hill Country | 2016 Elite II #135 | 2020 Ram 2500 6.7L

ALAZARCACOFLGAIDILKSKYLAMDMSMOMTNENVNMNYNCNDOHOKSCSDTNTXUTVAWVWYsm.jpgALAZARCACOCTDEFLGAIDILINIAKSKYLAMEMDMAMS

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...
On 2/16/2023 at 11:28 AM, Chukarhunter said:

For the first year of ownership, we never used the patio lights at all because we didn't want to blind ourselves on the curbside, much less the neighbors on the streetside.  Like other Oliver owners have, we ended up adding amber film over all the patio lights and the light is now warm and subdued.  I agree that Oliver should provide separate switches for street and curbside lights, but we found that adding the amber film to the lights is an easy, low cost way to mitigate those annoyingly bright lights for everyone affected.

image.thumb.png.0224024c0290a4911ddcdd15d0563bbf.png

Similarly, I added a dark tinted film.  Subdues the patio lights, which really should be switchable by side.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017MWRQY6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

IMG_2226.jpeg

  • Like 2

2021 Oliver LE2
Ram 2500 diesel

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fritz, could you describe (or better yet share a picture) how dark the black film dims the bright white light? I want to dim but still have it a functional & usable outside light when required. Thanks.

  • Like 1

2022 Oliver Legacy Elite II, Hull 1242, 9/26/22

Lithium Platinum Power/Solar Package

Tow with Supercrew Cab 2019 F-150 4 x4, 5.0L 4-Valve V8 with 3.73 axle ratio & 157" wheelbase.

F-150 GCWR of 16,900 lbs with maximum load trailer of 11,500 lbs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
15 hours ago, Gliddenwoods said:

Fritz, could you describe (or better yet share a picture) how dark the black film dims the bright white light?

You can get an idea of the diming effect by looking at the pics and video at the Amazon link provided above.

Bill

2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 2/16/2023 at 11:28 AM, Chukarhunter said:

Like other Oliver owners have, we ended up adding amber film over all the patio lights and the light is now warm and subdued. 

It would be interesting to find a supplier for "dimmable" LEDs and adding rheostats for the master switch panel patio and courtesy lights.  SOBs out there have this feature.

spacer.png

Art, Diane, Oscar & Magnus (double-Aaarrf!)

  • 2022 TUNDRA w/Airlift Load Lifter 5000 kit/2017 LE II; Hull #226 "Casablanca", 12VDC Starlink kit, 3x Battle Borns; Victron Cerbo GX, SmartShunt, MPPT Solar Controller, & DC-DC Charger; HAM call-sign:  W0ABX
Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 hours ago, Gliddenwoods said:

Fritz, could you describe (or better yet share a picture) how dark the black film dims the bright white light? I want to dim but still have it a functional & usable outside light when required. Thanks.

So far I've only tried the dark film in the driveway, but it seems there is plenty of functional light.  From a distance, the "bright-in-your-face" light from a distance (i.e., neighboring campsite) is substantially diminished.  The awning light on more recent trailers is available for more street-side light if needed.  Finally, the film can be removed if you feel it's too dark.  

I did try film on only half of the light next to the door (see photo), thinking this would leave more light around the door but diminish the distance brightness.  However, the light still seemed to bright at a distance, so I removed the film and replaced it with a full-coverage piece.

I found the best way to apply the film was to place a piece of masking tape over the light, carefully trim  with a precision hobby knife the portion of the masking tape covering the chrome housing.  The remaining portion of masking tape covering the lens can then be removed and used as a template for cutting the film.

IMG_2225.jpeg

  • Like 5

2021 Oliver LE2
Ram 2500 diesel

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
1 hour ago, MAX Burner said:

It would be interesting to find a supplier for "dimmable" LEDs and adding rheostats for the master switch panel patio and courtesy lights.

I have a dimmer on my Ollie lights - like THIS one.

Bill

 

  • Thanks 1

2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks.  Do you know if this dimmer is compatible with the LED lights used on more recent trailers?  I recall (hopefully incorrectly) that LEDs used in 2021 trailers are not dimmable.  It would be great to be able to dim some of the interior touch lights and exterior lights.

2021 Oliver LE2
Ram 2500 diesel

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, topgun2 said:

I have a dimmer on my Ollie lights

@topgun2:  Will this unit control more than one LED circuit?

  • Like 1

spacer.png

Art, Diane, Oscar & Magnus (double-Aaarrf!)

  • 2022 TUNDRA w/Airlift Load Lifter 5000 kit/2017 LE II; Hull #226 "Casablanca", 12VDC Starlink kit, 3x Battle Borns; Victron Cerbo GX, SmartShunt, MPPT Solar Controller, & DC-DC Charger; HAM call-sign:  W0ABX
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
49 minutes ago, MAX Burner said:

Will this unit control more than one LED circuit?

The good news and the bad news - When I dim the lights, ALL lights (interior and exterior) dim.  There are times when I would prefer to only dim either the interior or the exterior.  However, this has never bothered me enough to rewire it.

2 hours ago, Fritz said:

 Do you know if this dimmer is compatible with the LED lights used on more recent trailers?

No - I do not know the answer to this.  If I had to guess, I'd think that the touch lights are the "problem", but, the guys that would probably know are located in Oliver Service.

Bill

  • Thanks 1

2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

27 minutes ago, topgun2 said:

The good news and the bad news - When I dim the lights, ALL lights (interior and exterior) dim.  There are times when I would prefer to only dim either the interior or the exterior.  However, this has never bothered me enough to rewire it.

The reason this happens is that Oliver has one 12v hot lead going to all the lights on that panel. If you install a dimmer you will dim all the lights. I need to get in there to determine if there is a better way or even if it is possible to dim individual circuits.

Brian

  • Thanks 1
  • Like 2

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 minutes ago, Brian and Brandelyne said:

I need to get in there to determine if there is a better way or even if it is possible to dim individual circuits.

That would be way COOL.  Get on it, brother! HA!

  • Love 1

spacer.png

Art, Diane, Oscar & Magnus (double-Aaarrf!)

  • 2022 TUNDRA w/Airlift Load Lifter 5000 kit/2017 LE II; Hull #226 "Casablanca", 12VDC Starlink kit, 3x Battle Borns; Victron Cerbo GX, SmartShunt, MPPT Solar Controller, & DC-DC Charger; HAM call-sign:  W0ABX
Link to comment
Share on other sites

31 minutes ago, Brian and Brandelyne said:

many things in front of that task.

Of course there are! HA!

  • Like 1

spacer.png

Art, Diane, Oscar & Magnus (double-Aaarrf!)

  • 2022 TUNDRA w/Airlift Load Lifter 5000 kit/2017 LE II; Hull #226 "Casablanca", 12VDC Starlink kit, 3x Battle Borns; Victron Cerbo GX, SmartShunt, MPPT Solar Controller, & DC-DC Charger; HAM call-sign:  W0ABX
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

Maybe do a search for dimmable touch lights puck. I came up with this. I'm sure there are more.

We have certain essential lights on our boat, both dimmable and color changing (red doesn't interfere as much with night vision when sailing).  Replace a few, turn the rest off, is what I'd do.

 

 

Screenshot_20230602_164457_Amazon Shopping.jpg

Screenshot_20230602_164437_Amazon Shopping.jpg

  • Thanks 1
  • Like 2

2008 Ram 1500 4 × 4

2008 Oliver Elite, Hull #12

Florida and Western North Carolina, or wherever the truck goes....

400 watts solar. DC compressor fridge. No inverter. 2 x 105 ah agm batteries .  Life is good.


        
 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, topgun2 said:

The good news and the bad news - When I dim the lights, ALL lights (interior and exterior) dim.  There are times when I would prefer to only dim either the interior or the exterior.  However, this has never bothered me enough to rewire it.

No - I do not know the answer to this.  If I had to guess, I'd think that the touch lights are the "problem", but, the guys that would probably know are located in Oliver Service.

Bill

Hannah in Oliver service says the touch lights are not dimmable.  

Amazon has some similar lights that appear to be dimmable (https://www.amazon.com/Interior-Surface-Ceiling-Overhead-Lighting/dp/B09W2DMQSS/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2JZT85UWBYI75&keywords=12v%2Btouch%2Blight&qid=1685739764&sprefix=12v%2Btouch%2Blight%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyRkdSRklLUFZON1A4JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDQ2NTI1MVpQQlkxOUhJR1JTSiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTc1MzQ2WDFKWkY1MkVYS0g1JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1).  However, one review mentions a buzzing noise when dimmed.

  • Like 3

2021 Oliver LE2
Ram 2500 diesel

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 2/16/2023 at 7:33 AM, Steph and Dud B said:

Why isn't there an indoor switch for the 120v water heater element?

I suspect that OTT felt that the the "pain and suffering" of having such a switch inside far outweighed the inconvenience of going outside and flipping the switch on the hot water heater.

Specifically:  Activating this high current element is mostly concerned with your setup location.  Do you have a 30 amp connection to power up Ollie's systems, or just 20, or just solar, or just a generator (Etc.).  The power available generally determines if I'll even be using the hot water electrically driven.  However, having a switch inside would allow a whole lot of others to just flip it on.  The impact could instantly trip the breaker.  That could have a lot worse impacts.  Benefit/Cost Analysis Summary:  Fail.

GJ

  • Like 3

TV:  2019 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat, 3.5L EcoBoost, Max Tow, FX-4, Rear Locker      OLLIE:  2018 OE2 Hull 342, Twin Bed.    OLLIE DYI’s:  BB LiFePO4's, Victron 712 Smart, 350 Amp Master Switch, Houghton 3400, Victron Orion DC - DC, 3000-Watt Renogy Inverter, P.D. 60-amp Converter, Frig Dual Exhaust Fans, Kitchen Drawer Straps.    TV DYI’s:  2 5/16" Anderson System, Timken Bearings, Nitto recon’s, Firestone Rear Air Bags, Bilstein 5100’s, Mud Flaps & Weather Tech all.

  image.jpeg.9633acdfb75740f0fd358e1a5118f105.jpeg

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's assuming the power being supplied is stable. On the other hand, in a full hookup campground with marginal power, you can turn the AC element off during the heat of the day - when others' air conditioner use has driven the campground voltage down - and run your water heater on gas only. Then, in the morning when the voltage is nominal again and your wife wants a shower after you, you can flip the AC element back on for a faster reheat and shut it back down after her shower. Been there, done that many times. Well worth the inside switch.

  • Thanks 1
  • Like 2

Stephanie and Dudley from CT.  2022 LE2, Hull #1150: Eggcelsior.

Tow vehicle: 2016 GMC Sierra 6.0 gas dually 4x4.

Our Oliver journey: Steph and Dud B's RV Screed

Where we've been RVing since 1999:

ALAZCACOCTDEFLGAIDILINIAKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNMNYNCNDOHOKORPASCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWYmed.jpg.b96241bad6752dec89d25af6ffbc8d99.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, Steph and Dud B said:

Well worth the inside switch.

 

7 hours ago, Steph and Dud B said:

That's assuming the power being supplied is stable. On the other hand, in a full hookup campground with marginal power, you can turn the AC element off during the heat of the day - when others' air conditioner use has driven the campground voltage down - and run your water heater on gas only. Then, in the morning when the voltage is nominal again and your wife wants a shower after you, you can flip the AC element back on for a faster reheat and shut it back down after her shower. Been there, done that many times. Well worth the inside switch.

I totally agree, and for our OE2 it would be the same.  But OTT has to take a higher road and consider that not all owners are as swift in the power management regime, and don't have silly folks or kiddo's switching on stuff that don't fully understand what we have learned in more than six (or more) decades.  So the safer path is to put the switch  outside where only a few of us know how to play the power management game.  That said, if you really want the ability, it is easy to add a switch under the curb side bed rail.  You doing so fully absolves OT of the negligence should "an event" occur.  In today's world, i think their decision was pretty obvious.

  • Like 2

TV:  2019 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat, 3.5L EcoBoost, Max Tow, FX-4, Rear Locker      OLLIE:  2018 OE2 Hull 342, Twin Bed.    OLLIE DYI’s:  BB LiFePO4's, Victron 712 Smart, 350 Amp Master Switch, Houghton 3400, Victron Orion DC - DC, 3000-Watt Renogy Inverter, P.D. 60-amp Converter, Frig Dual Exhaust Fans, Kitchen Drawer Straps.    TV DYI’s:  2 5/16" Anderson System, Timken Bearings, Nitto recon’s, Firestone Rear Air Bags, Bilstein 5100’s, Mud Flaps & Weather Tech all.

  image.jpeg.9633acdfb75740f0fd358e1a5118f105.jpeg

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
On 2/16/2023 at 12:33 PM, Steph and Dud B said:

Why isn't there an indoor switch for the 120v water heater element? Sometimes the campground voltage goes low and I want to switch to gas hot water instead.

Both of these are pretty common in other brands, so I wonder why OTT opted against them.

Quite true. All the rvs we've delivered to Alaska had indoor switches, gas and electric,  by the door .

We have an indoor switch in our 2008, for the 12v dc igniter, only, inconveniently located under the bed. I tape over it, so we don't accidentally hit the switch with one of the storage bins we keep under the bed.

The resoning may be that folks will hit the switch on a dry water heater, and burn it out . I don't know. 

If we camped regularly with hookups  , I'd want that switch 

We don't,  so never thought about it til now. 

Thanks.

  • Like 1

2008 Ram 1500 4 × 4

2008 Oliver Elite, Hull #12

Florida and Western North Carolina, or wherever the truck goes....

400 watts solar. DC compressor fridge. No inverter. 2 x 105 ah agm batteries .  Life is good.


        
 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

FWIW, I remember during our orientation with Hannah, she cautioned me against using the switch on the hot water heater. She said that if I switched it to electricity, and ran the tank dry, and didn't remember the tank was on electricity, it would burn it out. So, yes, I'm thinking that OTT wants to minimize the chance of operator error resulting in a call to service or complaints. 

  • Like 4

2021 Elite II #841, 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4, 3.0 diesel

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator+

We’ve had an indoor switch for the electric side of the water heater in our Oliver since day one, over 10 years ago. 

Steve, Tali and our dog Rocky plus our beloved Storm, Maggie, Lucy and Reacher (all waiting at the Rainbow Bridge)

2008 Legacy Elite I - Outlaw Oliver, Hull #026 | 2014 Legacy Elite II - Outlaw Oliver, Hull #050 | 2022 Silverado High Country 3500HD SRW Diesel 4x4 

 

             801469912_StatesVisitedTaliandSteve08-23-2021-I.jpg.26814499292ab76ee55b889b69ad3ef0.jpg1226003278_StatesVisitedTaliandSteve08-23-2021-H.jpg.dc46129cb4967a7fd2531b16699e9e45.jpg

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...