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Wife questions hubby’s use of glue to attach solar panels

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Wife questions hubby’s use of glue to attach solar panels

rvshrinkDear RV Shrink:
I need your help. My husband decided we needed solar. He loves projects. He just told me he is gluing the solar panels to our motor home roof. I picture a cartoon with a motorhome traveling down the highway dragging a couple solar panels behind. The problem is, I would fail to see the humor if the motorhome in the cartoon was ours. I have used super glue and all the other adhesive wonders you see advertised and they never stand up to the reputation they portray on TV. My husband says that his 3M 5200 is different and that it will hold our heavy solar panels even in a strong wind, going down the road at 60 mph. I’m not buying it. He doesn’t want to drill holes in our fiberglass roof and use screws. I tell him he has one loose. Please help me convince him we are on a collision coarse with disaster if he insists on going with glue. —Sticky Situation in Santa Fe

Dear Sticky:
Have no fear. I just read the book, “On Whale Island.” The crazy guy who wrote the book is trying to survive a year on an island he bought off the coast of Nova Scotia and fixes everything with 3M 5200. He swears it will hold two planets together. I know a lot of people in the solar business use it. I taped mine on using 3M VHB tape, kind of like 5200 in strips. So far, so good. It sounds like your husband did his homework. I wouldn’t lose any sleep over this. As long as he cleans the area he is adhering to extremely well, I don’t think you will have a problem. If you read the book I mentioned, you will discover how lucky you are to be married to someone who fixes things right the first time. —Keep Smilin’, RV Shrink

The RV Shrink is not really a psychologist (or professional RV technician). But he does knows a lot.

Wife is ‘monster’ about camping in boondocks

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Wife is ‘monster’ about camping in boondocks

rvshrinkDear Dr. R.V. Shrink:
I think I created a monster. My wife has become obsessive with finding natural, remote camping sites that are between cheap and free. When we first bought our Class C motorhome I said we needed a small rig. I wanted to get away from the maddening crowds. Our previous rig was a 38 ft. Class A, and we discovered quickly that this big, comfortable motorhome would not allow us to squeeze into many camping areas we cherish.

Now that we have the smaller rig, my wife spends hours on the computer scouring websites and forums looking for clues to off the beaten path campsites. We do end up in some really nice sites, but I don’t think it is healthy for her to spend so much time searching for them. She says it is a very enjoyable hobby, no different than metal detecting, photography, or geocaching. I don’t want to deny her whatever enjoyment she gets from this excess, but it just doesn’t seem natural. Should I just shut up and drive, or do you agree that this is an odd pastime?  —Daniel in the Boondocks

Dear Dan:
It all seems perfectly normal to me. There is a mutual aid service for people like your wife called BA (Boondockers Anonymous). It does not try to discourage members from spending time looking for remote camping, but it does encourage the sharing of information they find. This way other members will spend less time looking and more time finding.

Seriously, I have to question your hang-up with this “hobby” your wife seems to enjoy. I met a campground host that spent all her free time playing the computer game Farmville. Although I find that odd, she found it very enjoyable. There are different strokes for different folks. I actually spend a fair amount of time surfing the web for unique camping areas, and I often find some real gems that I have driven right by for years.

There are some great ebooks available online today with all kinds of good info on this very subject. I just read “RV Boondocking in Arizona,” published by the Frugal Shunpikers.

Click here to visit Frugal Shunpikers Guides to RV Boondocking.

I thought I knew every nook and cranny in Arizona, but after reading this well written guide I was enlightened about many places I plan to explore over the next couple months. Also, there are many websites that can steer you in the right direction. Just search Google for “Free RV Campgrounds.” I also use RV forums for all kinds of great information including camping alternatives. Yes, I am a proud, longstanding member of BA. There is no twelve step program, but we have a great Texas Two Step that everyone seems to enjoy.

I am a great believer that the most important element of a successful relationship is communications. That is doubly important if you live in the close quarters of an RV. So don’t shut up, just drive. —Keep Smilin’, RV Shrink

The RV Shrink is not really a psychologist. But he does knows a lot.

Is too much togetherness in RV causing tension?

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Is too much togetherness in RV causing tension?

Dear RV Shrink:
rvshrinkMy wife has been upset with me ever since we bought our 5th wheel and started traveling. I don’t know if it’s because we are seeing too much of each other or just the few problems we have had. She said to me, “There are things I love about you that you never do anymore.” I said, “Like what?” She said, “Like being gone.” Is that normal?

She is also saying I am in the first stages of Alzheimer’s. That really upsets me because it isn’t true. Okay, I guess I will never hear the last of dragging my satellite dish down I-75 but that was nothing but human error, and besides, it still works. Do you think our problem is just too much togetherness? My wife and I both love the RV lifestyle but maybe not so much with each other. I hope you can shed some light on our plight. —Odd Couple in Carlsbad

Dear Odd Couple:
You sound perfectly normal to me. I hear this togetherness theory often. Many couples spend their working lives apart for major portions of each day. They also seem to have different responsibilities in the relationship. When those collide during retirement or travel, sparks often fly until the turf wars are fought and decisions and compromises result. Do not try to micro manage each other, create a checklist, and have a few separate interests that give each of you some space and alone time. “Take a hike” can often be good advice. A checklist can solve disastrous events like forgetting to put your satellite dish away. I have to admit, that one would make me suspect of your condition, but scat happens. Look for each other’s strengths and weaknesses and help each other by sharing responsibilities that seem to be your strong suit. For instance, let your wife put the satellite dish away when you pack up to leave. —Keep Smilin’, RV Shrink

The RV Shrink is not really a psychologist. But he does know a lot.

One-eyed driver and wife argue over backing up RV

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One-eyed driver and wife argue over backing up RV

rvshrinkDear RV Shrink:
My wife and I travel in a small motorhome. It’s not like we are new at it, we have had this rig for eight years. We have taken it on many trips and we travel together well, until we have to park it. It’s a guaranteed argument. I’m blind in one eye and have no depth perception. I like to have her stand behind the motorhome to make sure I don’t hit anything. She’s always telling me what the front of the unit is doing. I can see that. I want to know what the back is doing. She never stands where I can see her in the mirror and she can never hear me. I tried to work out some hand signals but lately all I have been getting is the middle finger. If you could give us a few pointers on how to work together, without creating a scene at every campground we visit, I would be eternally grateful. –Backed Up in Boise

Dear Backed Up:
Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger. This is one of the oldest problems since Fred and Barney invented travel trailers. It’s very easy to lose your cool when you are trying to park your rig and it seems like your partner is not cooperating, but it takes two to tango. My first suggestion would be to have you amp up your backing skills and confidence. Find a large empty parking area and put out some markers, such as traffic cones. Practice makes perfect. A short rig is sometimes harder to backup than a longer rig. Yelling at your co-pilot in training is never going to make either of you happy campers. Try this therapy on your next outing. Every time you are about to blow your stack take three deep breaths, get out of your vehicle and calmly explain to your wife were you would like her to stand and what information you would like her to communicate to you.
Another suggestion would be to let her drive and you watch the back. She may have much more backing skill than you. Two eyes are better than one. If this does not work I would suggest you invest in a Recreational Vehicle Backup Camera. You can still go behind and watch, but with the camera your wife can be sure not to miss when she backs over you. —Keep Smilin’, RV Shrink

The RV Shrink is not really a psychologist. But he does know a lot.

Spring’s coming — got your checklist ready?

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Spring’s coming — got your checklist ready?

By Bob Difley

Up above the Lower 48, when spring comes and the ice starts to melt, the daytime temperatures become tolerable and those who have survived cabin fever venture out once again. For the rest of us “southerners,” we probably made a few winter camping trips when Mr. Sun smiled on us for a few days, but are now starting to anticipate bright sun, warmer air, and getting out on the open road. But don’t forget, spring can be capricious and the weather can change in an instant, bringing rain or cold winds.

Here is a quick checklist of lifestyle items (not including techie stuff like checking your tire pressures, oil level, hoses and “framistans” [i.e., thingamajigs]) that you may miss when preparing for your spring camping trips.

• Mosquito repellent (both large spray can and a small one to stick in your fanny pack).
• Anti-itch cream (for when the little buggers catch you anyway).
• Adolph’s meat tenderizer (for drawing poison out of wasp and yellow jacket stings).
• Tecnu Skin Cleanser for poison oak and ivy.

• Sun block (don’t want skin cancer).
• A bundle of dry kindling (most of the campfire wood you find will be sodden).
• Set mouse traps in your rig long before your planned trip and check daily. Peanut butter is a good bait.
• Roll your awning out and check for tears and nesting birds.

• Fill propane before you get to your campground.
• Earplugs to cancel out the noise from the partying crowd welcoming spring long into the night.
• Verify your stores that you are sure you have plenty of, like dish soap, toilet paper, paper towels, mustard, peanut butter, condiments, etc.
• Check all your bedding to make sure some errant leak hasn’t found its way in and mildewed your sheets or pillows.

• Heavy outer wear — it can still get plenty cold at higher elevations.
• Fresh batteries for all your reading lights, flashlights, game toys, etc.
• Restock your first aid kit, especially with the stuff you use often like Band-aids and first aid creams.
• Make sure all your wildlife, bird, and flower field guides didn’t migrate off during the winter. And binoculars, too.

• Plenty of spare socks. In the Spring everything is wet, and your feet will be too.
• Rain gear. ‘Nuff said.
• Games, cards, books for when you get rained in.
• Tarp to throw over your barbecue and other stuff you leave out. Spring showers can pop up in an instant.

• Before you start down a dirt Forest Service road check with rangers for washouts, fallen trees, flooded out sections and landslides.
• Check also that dispersed camping areas are not blocked, and when you arrive, check overhead for broken branches about to fall. Don’t camp underneath one.

Add your own “must remember” items in the comments section of your checklist. But mostly, remember to have fun, even in the rain.

photo: Hermann on pixabay.com

Stroll around your campsite for multiple benefits

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Stroll around your campsite for multiple benefits


By Greg Illes

There are a lot of good reasons to hunker down in your RV and stay put. Darkness, bad weather, a really good book or DVD — these are all compelling reasons to “hide inside.”

But getting out-and-about can be even more rewarding. My wife and I routinely “walk the camp” in nearly any kind of weather, usually at least once in the morning and once in the evening. Yes, we’ll take a walk even if it’s raining or snowing — or even storming (extremes excepted, of course). We find that there is a potpourri of benefits.

Exercise — It’s just an easy walk, not a cardio workout, but it’s definitely more blood pumping than sitting in a captain’s chair. Add the briskness of morning and evening temperatures and it can be nicely invigorating.

Sightseeing — Even the plainest of camps still has plenty to see; sometimes we just have to look harder. In RV camps there’s always the next rig or campsite, what they’re driving and how they drive it. In boondock areas, the local flora and fauna always delight. Honestly, with the right attitude, even a highway rest stop has its interesting elements. What breakdown did the trucker experience? Check out the huge roof-top load on that vacation SUV.

Conversation — In any camp with other campers resident, there is almost always an opportunity for a chat, short or long, as the circumstances may indicate. Local workers are fertile ground for a casual talk. And you never know what’s going to come up or who you’re going to run into. Being open and easy in our encounters produces some of the grandest gifts of our strolls.

Awareness — Knowing where we are, what is nearby, and the potential interactions are a good part of our camping prudence. Road hazards, dead trees, obnoxious animals — all good to know about. A cool little stream, an unseen trail, a hidden information placard — also good to know about. We keep an open eye and mind as we wander around.

Any or all of these reasons are enough to get us off our duff and outside on patrol.

Greg Illes is a retired systems engineer who loves thinking up RV upgrades and modifications. When he’s not working on his motorhome, he’s traveling in it. You can follow his blog at www.divver-city.com/blog.

Segregate the campgrounds?

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Segregate the campgrounds?

By Bob Difley

All campers are not created equal — at least in the opinion of Jeremy Klaszus, published some time back in the Calgary Herald (Canada). His piece, “Keep it down, fellow campers,” ran, in part:

“The crackle of the fire. The hoot of an owl. And then a generator sputters to life at a nearby campsite, spoiling the forest quiet for everyone around. This noise goes on and on, all so somebody can watch a DVD in his RV …. So much for getting away from the city.”

Another writer for the Herald, Frank Brockel, wrote: “Camping is an opportunity to get away from the noise and chaos of urban life. A chance to unplug, unwind and so on. These days, however, more people seem to be hauling the city to the campground, unable to live without modern luxuries (heat, electricity, TV) for even a weekend.

“We have been camping for many years, but more and more, it seems you cannot go anywhere where there’s just nature’s peace and quiet. If it’s not generators running for hours, then it’s stereos, jet skis, quads and trail bikes. Camping with a tent (or even a tent trailer) has been eclipsed by huge RVs.

“So really, it needs to be divided into two categories as far as campgrounds are concerned: RVing and camping. Let’s have separate campgrounds for each, where people with tents and small trailers can have a site where no motors, loud stereos, quads, etc., will be allowed.

“The RVing crowd can have their own campgrounds where they can go crazy getting on each other’s nerves.”

Now, I’m not in their camp, but I fully understand the frustration of having to listen to other people’s noise when I camp in a scenic location to enjoy nature and its stillness and natural sounds. But that is why I go boondocking, so I don’t have to “put up with” other campers’ noise. Maybe I’m cranky.

On the other hand, many people go camping on weekends to get away from their jobs, or the confinements of the city, or other reasons and want to let their hair down, play music, drink a bit more than normal, stay up late talking since they don’t have to get up and go to work in the morning. It is their right to do so, as long as they comply with the campground’s rules about quiet times, noise levels, etc. (though these rules are rarely enforced).

But it seems the writers for the Herald have defined only tenters as nature lovers, those wishing to have quiet and serenity, wanting no more than to commune with nature in the wild. I bet to differ. I have found tenters that do all those things that the writers accuse RVers of doing. But Brockel’s thought of segregating noisy, generator-running RVers from quiet tenters is a bit much.

However, it does raise the question of whether we RVers are inconsiderate of non-RVers, running our generators for long periods or late into the night to watch TV, or playing our stereos too loud. I would like to think that we RVers do try to keep down our noise levels if camped in a no-hookup campground near tenters or other campers. Or do you feel it is your right to run your generator as long as you want to as long as it is not against the campground’s rules?

A solution, of course, is to just go boondocking. You’ll probably like the quietness and solitude of a boondocking campsite better, anyway, than a crowded campground. And you won’t be troubled by neighbors — nor will you have to temper your lifestyle to accommodate others.

photo montage: Canyon with tents, Kylir. Motorhome, Grand Canyon NPS. Both on flickr.com

Interconnected smoke detectors – Are they for your rig?

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By Russ and Tiña De Maris

Some time back we carried a story about setting up tool battery chargers in basement storage areas. In a note, we mentioned that it might be wise to include a smoke detector in the compartment, “just in case.” Some have inquired about this.

You’re no doubt familiar with smoke detectors— the RV industry requires them in all recreational vehicles, and most of us have struggled to keep them “shut up” when burning breakfast in the morning. Putting an additional smoke detector in a basement storage area is a simple thing to do — but if it goes off, will you hear it? A smoke detector with a “remote reporting” capability would sure be the ticket.

Well, there already are such critters. They’re called “interconnectable” smoke detectors, and they come in a couple of different flavors. One style is “hard wired,” so that each detector is linked by wiring to the others — if one alarm senses smoke, all of the alarms scream at the top of their electronic lungs. The other style is “wireless,” and work similarly without the need of running wires.

The sad fact is this: While most of the smoke detector manufacturers build and market these interconnectable alarms, none of them build them to meet recreational vehicle use standards. As background, some years back the RV industry approached UL (Underwriters Laboratories) about developing a standard for smoke detectors for RVs. The standard for testing required RV detectors include additional toughness in the form of withstanding vibration, temperature extremes and exposure to salt air— above what a standard, residential detector designed for stick-built homes would encounter.

One manufacturer representative told us he was sure his company’s interconnectable smoke detectors “would work” in an RV, but “They’re just not designed for it.”

Some folks reason that having the extra layer of safety of having smoke detectors in basement storage areas of their rigs — even if not “approved” for RV use — outweighs the dangers of not having any detection at all. At the same time, it would be foolhardy to replace your RV-approved detectors with those not strictly approved. So, for some, adding an additional set of interconnected smoke detectors to the approved one(s) could help you sleep better at night.

The marine industry has dealt with this in a creative, albeit expensive, way. One firm (Xintex) manufactures a line of interconnectable smoke detectors that meet marine standards, but each smoke detector costs around $64, and must be connected to a monitoring station — at a cost of nearly $300. See how much cheaper it is to RV?

Interconnected smoke detectors can be found at Amazon.

photo: R&T De Maris

Use EternaBond to seal your roof seams? It’s not enough

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by Steve Savage, Mobility RV Service

One of the short cuts folks like to use when resealing the seams on their roof is sealing them with EternaBond tape, rather than re-caulking them with Dicor. Unfortunately, like most short cuts, unless the edges of the EternaBond are sealed with Dicor self-leveling caulk or something similar, they often pull free, allowing water to enter the RV.

Above is what I typically see when EternaBond has been applied to seal a seam. If allowed to continue, the edge of the EternaBond will lift and allow water to penetrate under the EternaBond and into the seam.

To the left is the rear roof seam with the ladder shown where it fastens to the roof. The pending breakdown of the seal is readily apparent.

To the right is the rear seam and ladder resealed with Dicor self-leveling caulk.

EternaBond products and Dicor products are available at Amazon.

Help your fridge do its best work with a circulation fan

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Help your fridge do its best work with a circulation fan

By Greg Illes
A lot of us have seen the after-market circulation fans for RV refrigerators. They are small, battery-powered units that purport to help keep the inside of a fridge at uniform temperature.

The premise is accurate and air circulation provides several benefits such as even temps, reduced humidity, less ice and so forth. But, unfortunately, the after-market products leave a lot to be desired. They require periodic battery replacement, which most of us can manage (maybe) — but they also provide very little air, have a high failure rate, take up shelf space, and are in general very poorly reviewed.

Taking all this into consideration, I decided on a permanent fan installation. My requirements were simple: reliability, decent air flow and very low current consumption. A brief survey of digikey.com turned up a 12V ball-bearing fan that pushed out adequate air and needed only 25 milliamps (that’s 0.025A) of current. Even running full-time, it takes this fan 160 hours (almost a week) to use up 2% of my coach battery capacity — essentially a non-consumer.

Mounting the fan took only a simple piece of aluminum bent to a shallow angle, and two sheet metal screws to fasten it to the sturdy inside wall of the fridge. Getting 12V power to it required removing the fridge control panel (two screws for a Norcold fridge), finding the 12V line which powers up with the fridge ON switch, and using a simple wire-tap splice. Another one for the ground lead, and we were merrily spinning the fan whenever the fridge was switched on.

For this prototype installation, I covered the wires with white duct tape (shown), but after a trial run I will drill some holes so the wires don’t have to route past the door seal. It works fine either way, but it will be just a little “cleaner” with the wires hidden.

I have a week’s time operating it now and I can easily see the differences. The cooling fins stay frost-free, and all the items and areas in the fridge are equally cool. It also really helps a lot when new items are put in the fridge — they get down to temperature more quickly now. The days of cold cheese and warm beer are finally over.Here are the particulars on the Digikey fan:

Digikey part 381-2500-ND
Volume 19.4 CFM
Power 0.3W (25mA at 12V)
Price $23.11

photo: Greg Illes

Greg Illes is a retired systems engineer who loves thinking up RV upgrades and modifications. When he’s not working on his motorhome, he’s traveling in it. You can follow his blog at www.divver-city.com/blog.

Stay longer with supplemental heat when RV boondocking

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Stay longer with supplemental heat when RV boondocking

By Curtis Carper

Setting the thermostat at a comfortable level on your RV’s furnace is the simplest way to bring your rig up to a comfortable temperature. Sadly, it’s not the most economical way to keep warm. If your style is to get as far away from society as possible and if you rely on your furnace, you will be headed home shortly.

Like your older home furnace, the standard propane furnace in your RV sends most of the heat out the exhaust port — they are very inefficient. The other downside is they require electricity to run the blower fan which distributes the heat through your RV.

If you are spending time away from hookups, at best you will last a couple days before you have a dead battery. If you have the means to recharge the battery, you will still run out of propane long before you are ready to head back to the barn.

Catalytic heaters make much better use of your propane supply and, best of all, they don’t require any electricity to function. Generally, they have a piezoelectric igniter that provides the spark to light them, and there is no blower involved at all.

Because the heat radiates throughout the RV, with none going out the exhaust, you get every BTU from your propane, making it last many times longer than what the furnace uses.

You can buy permanently mounted propane heaters or you can use a portable model that is designed for indoor use. Be sure whichever brand or model you use is equipped with a low-oxygen automatic shut-off, such as the Buddy Heater or the Big Buddy heater. Also be sure your heater has an automatic tip-over shutdown feature so if it gets knocked over you will be safe.

I have used the Buddy Heater with an extension hose so I could run it off a larger propane tank that is kept outdoors. I also have a larger heater with a 20-pound LP tank mounted within the heater that really cranks out the heat.

If you only need to take the morning chill off, a smaller heater does the job nicely. The larger 18,000 BTU heater will bring an RV up to comfortable temperatures, even in winter climates.

Camping away from society means you need to be self-sufficient for longer periods of time. Using a supplemental heater will keep you toasty warm and help stretch your propane supply. Just be careful where you place such a heater because there is more danger of a fire or injury to small children.

Catalytic heaters require some extra caution, but when used within the manufacturer’s guidelines they are a good way to provide supplemental heat when you are boondocking.

Editor’s note: Be sure to have adequate ventilation when using non-vented LP appliances — read and follow the instruction manual on this. And never bring an LP container inside your RV. Catalytic heaters and accessories are available at Amazon.com.

Troubleshooting RV electrical issues? Keep it simple!

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Troubleshooting RV electrical issues? Keep it simple!

by Steve Savage, Mobility RV Service

One of the most important rules when troubleshooting anything in your RV is “Keep it simple.” This rule is doubly true when it comes to electricity.

Since a good many folks who own RVs are not familiar with electrical diagnoses, when something doesn’t work there is an automatic assumption that either the cause is something serious or else the problem is with the part we can see or even a part we’ve had trouble with before.

For example, if a number of lights suddenly stop working, the starting point is the fuse panel. Don’t look anywhere else until the fuses in the panel are checked — and that means checked with a meter, not by simply looking at them. There is no way I can emphasize enough how common mistakes are made by visually inspecting fuses. I know it looks like overkill, but when I am troubleshooting, my meter carries the brunt of the load. I tend to be obsessive when checking fuses and even to the degree that I do not assume the fuse designation is what is written at the fuse panel.

Time and again I have found factory labeling to be incorrect — sometimes for more than one fuse. If I find a fuse that is blown, I install a new fuse. I know this sounds simple, but I hate making unnecessary service calls, since charging an RVer to do nothing more than replace a fuse can cause hard feelings. By the same token, I can’t run the truck for free. It’s a real conundrum!

A second rule to bear in mind is this: The cause of a problem, if it is with a component, is seldom with the part you can see. RV manufacturers don’t seem to give any thought to keeping the cost of service work down, so the part you need to worry about is most often the one that is hardest to reach or, in many cases, to even find.

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