| First 100% trouble free trip and reviews. [message #155132] |
Mon, 02 January 2012 17:52  |
RadioActiveGMC
Messages: 1020
Registered: November 2010
Location: Hot AZ desert
Karma: 0
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Ahhh, finally after spending a million dollars (well it feels like it at least) we had our first problem free trip under our belt. Not a leaky toilet, not a weird noise, not "what the heck just caught fire". Life was good!
I wanted to comment for anyone who never used a Mr. Heater Big Buddy. Wow, that thing worked GREAT. Without sounding like a salesman for them I was impressed with the amount of heat that thing made, and the quality of the item seems to be pretty darn good! (I don't like the plastic open/close doors for the LP but everything is plastic these days). It sipped LP, and kept us Toasty! The kids said it felt like a microwave oven in there. Much better then all our other trips where everyone was frozen. We never used it above low power. It lights up right away, and didn't detect a smell at all. I WAY rather use it then out Suburban heater whenever possible.
Second our E-Bay Solar panels. We bought (2) 100W foldable units. Each day they had us full charged by about 1 pm. I couldn't be more pleased with them. I love being able to fold them and stow them inside when not in use And be able to optimize them for best angle.. Only bad thing is I dislike the power cords since they didn't solder the wired to the alligator clips. But I'm going to change all the wire anyway, and use quick disconnects at the battery. If you opt to get them and just use the two, its a 10 minute upgrade at that. Solder the wires to the clips, and install a quick disconnect at the battery side so when your on the ground you can disconnect the wires without shorting the clips. I'm going to get more panels (but make my own stand), and a wind turbine. I know, I know many peoples view on here about wind turbines, but hate to tell you if we keep upgrading the solar/battery banks enough to start using the AC/Microwave etc, then wind there is no way in the world can't make sense. Every place we camp in AZ night times are windy. The wind gusts almost every night till dawn.
I want to rely on my generator little to never. I hope to get it so good that I can remove my Onan, and use its area as a battery tray . I may carry a small generator but rather never have to.
So Mr. Heater Buddy two thumbs up. And (2) 100W foldable mono panels two thumbs up as well.
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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| Re: [GMCnet] First 100% trouble free trip and reviews. [message #155137 is a reply to message #155132] |
Mon, 02 January 2012 18:28  |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Do you have photos/dimensions of the solar panels? What was the cost?
Thanks
Sully
77 royale
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael <radioactive626@msn.com>
Sender: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:52:55
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Reply-To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] First 100% trouble free trip and reviews.
Ahhh, finally after spending a million dollars (well it feels like it at least) we had our first problem free trip under our belt. Not a leaky toilet, not a weird noise, not "what the heck just caught fire". Life was good!
I wanted to comment for anyone who never used a Mr. Heater Big Buddy. Wow, that thing worked GREAT. Without sounding like a salesman for them I was impressed with the amount of heat that thing made, and the quality of the item seems to be pretty darn good! (I don't like the plastic open/close doors for the LP but everything is plastic these days). It sipped LP, and kept us Toasty! The kids said it felt like a microwave oven in there. Much better then all our other trips where everyone was frozen. We never used it above low power. It lights up right away, and didn't detect a smell at all. I WAY rather use it then out Suburban heater whenever possible.
Second our E-Bay Solar panels. We bought (2) 100W foldable units. Each day they had us full charged by about 1 pm. I couldn't be more pleased with them. I love being able to fold them and stow them inside when not in use And be able to optimize them for best angle.. Only bad thing is I dislike the power cords since they didn't solder the wired to the alligator clips. But I'm going to change all the wire anyway, and use quick disconnects at the battery. If you opt to get them and just use the two, its a 10 minute upgrade at that. Solder the wires to the clips, and install a quick disconnect at the battery side so when your on the ground you can disconnect the wires without shorting the clips. I'm going to get more panels (but make my own stand), and a wind turbine. I know, I know many peoples view on here about wind turbines, but hate to tell you if we keep upgrading the solar/battery banks enough to start using the AC/Microwave etc, then wind there is no way in the world can'
t make sense. Every place we camp in AZ night times are windy. The wind gusts almost every night till dawn.
I want to rely on my generator little to never. I hope to get it so good that I can remove my Onan, and use its area as a battery tray . I may carry a small generator but rather never have to.
So Mr. Heater Buddy two thumbs up. And (2) 100W foldable mono panels two thumbs up as well.
--
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Casa Grande, AZ
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Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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| Re: First 100% trouble free trip and reviews. [message #155591 is a reply to message #155132] |
Thu, 05 January 2012 18:21 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Its always great to hear about a great trouble free trip.
I had one going to Dizzy World and back. I stayed at Dizzys Fort Wilderness, ( it is in the Eastern States "Places We Go" ) and it would be cold outside, about 35 Degrees F. We turned on the heat strip in the AC and it would stay toasty all night. GMC ran good that trip to and from, was comfy at the rest areas and the kitchenette served us well.
I had installed a rear heater ( fed hot water from the engine, I tapped at the HWH ) and it kept the insides very comfy as we traveled to and from.
See, It pays to do a little extra now and then....
My thoughts
Gatsbys' CRUISER  08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
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| Re: [GMCnet] First 100% trouble free trip and reviews. [message #155610 is a reply to message #155601] |
Thu, 05 January 2012 20:10 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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did you insulate your lines or did you route them through the coach?
The lines connect at the HWH and go back to where the water pump compartment is. I used the same hose that travels from the front of the engine compartment, no insulation.
However, I did put valves up front in the engine compartment on both lines so I can shut them off if a hose should fail. I had this happen before I had installed the heater. I was coming home from Dizzy World and was just leaving JimB's Coop ReSort. I was at the I10 gas station when I saw the antifreeze dripping from the rear wheel well. At that time I did not have the valves so I cut the hose and connected as a loop to the engine. That got me home!
The newly added valves are a "Just In Case" feature and I am sure I will need them at some point again.
The fans on the rear heater operate from a thermostat controlled relay that is set at 70 Degrees F. It turns on and off with the temp in the cab.
Just what I did.
Gatsbys' CRUISER 08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
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