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Steve... I always carry a Grab-N-Go bags, since my USMC days... Starting a Grab-N-Go thread.

The ability to intercept and decrypt RF signals is nothing new. Boeing had to beef up the RF security between the cockpit and other components on the 787 due to hacking concerns. Hacking and stealing BMW motorcycles with "Keyless" ride has been a problem in certain areas of the world...

Been keeping track of this episode on a number of other sites. I'm more than a bit skeptical. LED lights on tripods and all his recording gear made it out of the Jeep, but his wallet did not? For a dude that gives all this advice on his travels, not to have SATCOM or an emergency locator...

Dawn... 12.86V is a good number. If you want some "put me to sleep" reading material, check out the Victron white papers. FYI, after reading some of this info two or three times, I still only have a 2% grasp of what they are talking about. But, there are quite a few nuggets of info even a...

That's great area to camp Dawn! We spend a fair amount of time in spring and early summer in Santa Fe. We do short camping trips up into northern NM and southern CO. Still not sure why you have to set your fridge setting to 5. Just seems like a very high setting compared to what we need...

I suspect many of us owning diesel trucks are driving far more capable trucks then we need in terms of tongue and towing weight capacity. I learned a long time again, buy more truck than you will ever think you might need. There were far too many times when my F-150s (1980 versions) were...

Russ Ford had a very good, long run with the 7.3 diesel. Sadly, the 6.0 and 6.4 were engines that failed owner expectations. It is my understanding, both the 6.0 and 6.4 were made by International for Ford. All the issues with both engines is well documented. The 6.4 is not the same engine...

What Ford says about the choice between diesel and gas Super Duties. You can have a F-250 with either a gas or diesel engine. Upfront costs of the diesel is more but the long term cost is potentially less according to Ford. I own/tow a Wells Cargo trailer with a 7000# GVW along with my FWC...

Excellent point that MPG really isn't a good qualifier for comparison purposes. In-so-far as torque at the flywheel v rear wheel is concerned...I will respectfully disagree. When towing/hauling a load, diesel engines far and away excel compared to gasoline engines. If such wasn't the case, we...

Eddie...your thoughts and MPG observations are the same as mine. Albeit, I have the 156" wheel base F-350. Along the SC coast, pure diesel (not sure what you call diesel without corn) is readily available. I often see 17-19MPG running on a tank of SC diesel fuel. I've also witnessed 10.5...

Below a good Pro/Con chart comparing PWM to MPPT controllers from an AU solar company. Here is the the to the article comparing the controllers. I think the Morningstar SunSaver MPPT is an appropriate controller for a FWC camper if using LFP for house battery. MPPT controllers are best when...

Works great, until you blow the accessory fuse for the door keypad. I've seen it done.

Agreed. But unfortunately, you will have a hard time finding 2 EEs who agree on solar design and components. Further, like electric cars, the world is still waiting for the genius to crack the energy storage nut. 154# worth of two 6V golf cart batteries (costing a truck bed full of coin)...

Dawn, when you do purchase a new frig/freezer. Take a good look at a top opening model. ARB, Engel, National Luna are a few that come to mind. Not inexpensive, but these units are designed to run efficiently on DC power and consume far less energy. Plus, when you open a top loading unit, the...

I'm not a big fan of hiding keys on the exterior of the vehicle. Everyone hides keys in the same places and for the most part, there are only a few places to hide one. I keep my key(s) on a Nite Ize mini carabiner attached to a loop in my cargo pocket or daypack.. I you have one of those...

Hi Hoopy. That was me...and Sage. At the time we met you, Sage and I had been living in the camper nearly 3 months. It's a very comfortable life style when you get the technique down to the basics. If I had it to do again, I would build-out a shell to my specs and needs. We lost Sage to...

As Vic hashed out (and quite well done and thought provoking) in his epic "I need more Power Scotty" thread... IMH (humble) O, the issue will never be how can I get more power to suit my consumption needs, but rather, how do I conserve what power (stored energy) I have to meet my needs for "x"...

Appears closer to The Dalles then WS. Spent 6 fantastic weeks in WS and Bingen last summer. WS is without a doubt one of favorite places on Earth!

Eddie... Since we have near identical trucks... I ran 2 AWG from Pos/Neg terminals of the LH battery, through a breaker for Red, back to camper bed. I used Anderson PowerPole on truck bed side to camper side. Camper side, Red cable ran through the Blue Sea 7622 separator, the other to the...

Dawn... As Vic mentioned, you always want the controller close to the batteries as possible. Also, use the largest gauge wire gauge the controller can accept. Great info Paul about the fan. Never thought about that being an issue. I wasn't even aware that the fan was an option. I have a...

We keep our fridge on 2 in the winter and 3 in the summer. Any colder then 3 and salad stuff freezes. I have the FWC installed Dometic 2 way. Dawn I'm kind of perplexed you have to keep your frig on 6. Is it a factory installed frig? Spot on Craig, the separator is not required if you don't...

The Blue Seas will cure that problem. But, I don't think that explains why the panel isn't charging your batteries. The separator simply protects your truck battery from the camper battery/electrical system. The separator prevents the camper batteries from draining the vehicle crank battery...

Just reread Handy Bob's Puzzle essay for the umpteenth time. Some day, need to copy to Word and delete the chaff leaving the important info for quick reading and reference...some day.

The Victron is a super piece of gear. It has a great app. Wish it had been around when I bought my Trimetric 2030-RV. I like high tech gadgets that makes life easier, until they don't! :blink: Yep, correct shunt wiring is critical!

Hoyden Perhaps a trip to the factory west of Sacramento is in order. If you go it alone... I agree with Vic, I don't think it is your panel since your are seeing good output on the multi-meter. Sort out possible issues with the the other components first. I would replace the controller...