Flash Back To Oliver

October 14, 2009

(I've been off line while traveling, and writing offline to keep up . We're back on and catching up)

The adventures of flashbacks are not so worthy of revisiting, but nonetheless, a major portion of today. The primary reminder was that especially in the sub zero climates, one must remember to keep the valves closed on the black/grey. We had diligently been tending the tanks, but the last flush forgot to reseal the valves.

Fortunately, the basement was kept sufficiently warm that no tank was endangered, however, the part of the sewer line that was outside the containment of the rig, and all the cheap blue sewer line was a solid block.

We managed to use a heat gun to free up the connectors, then a parabolic heater to soften the PVC style piping, and finally a couple hours later, we put some RV antifreeze down the black tank, and it finally freed the contents.

Did I mention how eager we are to get down south???

Oh the joys of an early start to winter in Alberta. I was told by many locals that it won’t last, and that nicer weather will return. I am happy for them to be sure, but will still be making a break for the border at next opportunity!!

And now, I bid you,

Adieu.

Power Resolved :-)

Well, Ken examined and tested in the appropriate fashion, and the result was that we needed to top up the distilled water in the batteries.

The lights are shining just as bright as ever.  

And they lived happily ever after :-)

*the matter of locating a carbon monoxide in a low spot is still critically important though, if you have one, have it low or don't bother*

The day went well, I baked bread, did some house cleaning and had some visiting time with friends and family.  What more can you ask for on a sunny Saturday.

*contented sigh*

So now I will bid you,

Adieu.

Power Issues, and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

It is midnight, and we were prepping to go to bed tonight when an unusual beeping occurred.  We tracked it to our carbon monoxide detector in the bedroom.  It caused a bit of worry, but as we studied the device, we noticed that it was flashing red/green, and noticed that this indicates low voltage.

We also noticed upon reflection that the lights were quite dim, and the fridge indicator light was off.

The TV worked, so we were powering just fine off of the breaker of our friends' house, but we nonetheless, traced back to ensure all the cords to the garage were solidly connected, and the breaker was not tripped.  

The lights that were dim run off the batteries when boondocking, but we never quite grasped the difference between running off "shore power" versus the battery.  We noticed that the ceiling of the basement has a large inverter in it, so we deducted that the lights run off the batteries, but that the inverter is keeping them charged off the power line.

Tomorrow we will read the trouble shooting manuals on the system and seek confirmation, but we figure that after all the chills and winter entertainment, our 2 12 volt batteries are probably due for a replace.

As an extremely critical aside, a lot of places sell carbon monoxide sniffers that combine with smoke detectors, and in our case (an many others that I have noticed) the rig came with a wired in separate carbon monoxide detector and battery operated smoke detector.  Smoke detectors are best at ceiling level, but:

It is critical for you to note that a carbon monoxide detector MUST be placed at ground level as carbon monoxide is a heavy gas, and if you have a high wall or ceiling mounted one, by the time it detects the problem, YOU ARE dead or lethally poisoned.  

That being said, guess where they mounted ours.... high on the wall. (Which is why its beeping was so concerning...)  We have a second one that we bought and plugged in to a low to the ground outlet near our propane stove (one of the most likely sources should we have a problem)  The trouble with carbon monoxide is that it is scentless, and colourless.  

Anyway, we will likely have to replace the batteries, but they sure earned their keep this past winter!  We don't fault them for weakening now.  Definitely a tomorrow issue... which actually means later today I suppose.....

So good night folks, be safe, and now I must bid you 

Adieu.

All Awash In Chaos..

Well, we went to Penticton to pick up a new washer for the gaping cavity in our rig. (the laundry is minorly behind, but $4 in coin should cure it tomorrow... but I digress...)

What transpired in Penticton was at least hopeful, though a bit delaying. We went to an RV dealership that we have come to trust with various requirements.

They told us that they had a Splendide washing dryer on hand, (and they did) but as we discussed the purchase and the problems leading to its necessity, he brought us to their installation expert to discuss it and consult with us on our plan of attack. He let us know that the set up (as per my digital camera display) was acceptable and should work. (It was somewhat of a relief, considering we were looking at cutting another hole in the rig and then trying to cover the old one.)

As we were preparing to finalize the purchase of the new machine, the gentleman we were speaking to came away from the phone and handed us a card with a contact number. He was trying to save us buying a second new machine by giving us "one last ditched effort to save the other machine".

The number was a direct line to a person at Majestic in the technical assistance department. We danced a bit with a couple gents there (I had spoken a couple months earlier with someone else with minimal affect). The long and the short of it was that they were going to give us any parts at 15% off, and would call us back (when the computer came back online) with the closest repair agent in our area.

As I had already covered the yellow pages unsuccessfully to find an appliance repair company, I accepted the wait time to see what the repair person would do - especially since I am still duking it out with the selling dealership over them accepting the responsibility of some of the cost. They will be more willing to partake of a repair cost than a replacement.

So I sit again waiting out my options coming to some form of fruition...

With any luck, we might be able to repair the Majestic after all. (Though I am not holding my breath, I figure, what the heck - it couldn't hurt, and the coin laundry is handy enough to buy some time in experimentation...)

By the way, the Majestic tech informed me that I should be vacuuming the dryer hose through the outside vent every month or so .... It would have been nice if someone had mentioned that sooner, don't you think???

Please stay tuned as the saga continues ..... :-)

But for now,

Adieu

All Awash In Chaos..

Well, we went to Penticton to pick up a new washer for the gaping cavity in our rig.  (the laundry is minorly  behind, but $4 in coin should cure it tomorrow... but I digress...)

What transpired in Penticton was at least hopeful, though a bit delaying.  We went to an RV dealership that we have come to trust with various requirements.  

They told us that they had a Splendide washing dryer on hand, (and they did) but as we discussed the purchase and the problems leading to its necessity, he brought us to their installation expert to discuss it and consult with us on our plan of attack.  He let us know that the set up (as per my digital camera display) was acceptable and should work. (Somewhat of a relief, considering we were looking at cutting another hole in the rig and then trying to cover the old one.)

As we were preparing to finalize the purchase of the new machine, the gentleman we were speaking to came away from the phone and handed us a card with a contact number.  He was trying to save us buying a second new machine by giving us "one last ditched effort to save the other machine".

The number was a direct line to a person at Majestic in the technical assistance department.  We danced a bit with a couple gents there (I had spoken a couple months earlier with someone else with minimal affect).  The long and the short of it was that they were going to give us any parts at 15% off, and would call us back (when the computer came back online) with the closest repair agent in our area.  

As I had already covered the yellow pages unsuccessfully to find an appliance repair company, I accepted the wait time to see what the repair person would do - especially since I am still duking it out with the selling dealership over them accepting the responsibility of some of the cost.  They will be more willing to partake of a repair cost than a replacement.

So I sit again waiting out my options coming to some form of fruition...

So with any luck, we might be able to repair the Majestic after all.  (Though I am not holding my breath, I figure,  what the heck - it couldn't hurt, and the coin laundry is handy enough to buy some time in experimentation...)

Please stay tuned :-)

But for now, 

Adieu

Sitting On Top Of My World

If you caught the comments back and forth between Raven and I recently, you will notice that today's post was a planned episode.  This facilitated by God's planning my day for me. (lol)

Today was indeed catching up with the elusive beautiful thaw that we have been anticipating since a week before Christmas.  In honour of the day's arrival, we were informed the night before that we needed to spend time outside and on the roof.  How was said message conveyed?  Well, a dripping ceiling was the primary cue to that affect.

So first thing this morning (in positive integers - YEAH!!) I got up on the roof to clear the snow and ice off the roof and slides, as well as the eves troughing, and awning roll. (The awning was not extended, but ice and snow collected in the pocket behind the roll.)  We used gentle brooms, and windshield brushes as we did not want to add to the problems in the rubber roofing.  

Also note well, the roof was extremely slick, being wet and icy.  I mostly worked kneeling to reduce my sliding.  Kneeling assisted me in 2 ways:

1. It lowered my center of gravity, making me more stable.
2. It also distributed my weight more, reducing the direct weight application on any given spot.

Remember, you need to work on your roof at varying times and for varying occasions, but over all, the roofs are not meant to take a lot of excess weight over an extended period of time.  The less time on top, the better for extending the roofing life expectancy.

Having cleared the debris we inspected the roof, and wonders of wonders, the leak appears to have come from right above the leak. (For those unfamiliar with leaks in trailer roofing, it is almost NEVER that easy to find.  The source is usually on the far side of the roof following some obscure crack through nooks and crannies and eventually through no logical means, reaches the spot which revealed the problem).

We cleaned and dried off the location (just above the eves trough, in the rubber portion, but right where the rubber meets the gelcoat.) and covered the quarter sized tear in the rubber with Red Green's favorite tool, Duct Tape.

Hole temporarily covered, we dashed off to the nearest trusted RV shop for a patch kit.  We now have the kit, but will do the repair tomorrow when we can properly clean, prep and patch the hole at a warm enough temperature to allow proper sealing of the gluing agent.

Never under-estimate the handiness of the old duct tape and bailing wire.  It has rescued us from many a bind  over the years, until proper repairs can be completed.  Also good advice is to carry an 8' X 8' tarp with string.  It takes up minimal space when folded properly, but can be anything from a cover over, to a sheet underneath in unforeseen dilemmas.  

So today was very fruitful, and general activities beyond the roof involved movement of snow and ice in general.  It was a wonderful day to be out .... and tomorrow, it promises to continue the same.  Glory be!  (and about time !!)  :-)

Now off to cook dinner, so I bid you,

Adieu

New Year's Eve

Good Bye to 2008.  The last portion of it has definitely provided its share of learning, particularly when it comes to dealing with cold weather.

One of my friends at this site is moving along.  (From Travels With Miranda) Through her, I am learning about some of the fun of preparations for moving from a winter location as a full-timer. These are issues of brittle plastic piping, frozen black water, and other non-summery matters, as well as just the general effort of closing a well lived in motorhome back into gypsy portable.  

It is definitely a challenge I would be less inclined to invite.  As it is, I have developed a degree of settled in that will provide challenge enough during a spring move.  

It is amazing how, even in a mobile unit of occupancy, one can trench in and settle.  I look around and see a lot of battening down that will need doing before we can hit the trail come mid to late May.

There is one particular thing I have become very aware of.  She is in a motorhome, and can hear any upheavals  that twists, turns and bumps along the road can cause, and be instantly aware that stabilization is required.  We discussed the mixed blessing that this feature provides.

If a pull over location can't be found right away, it is something you can start to stress over while being unable to deal with it.  On the other hand (unfortunately first hand experience) with a Fifth Wheel, you are completely oblivious to the disaster of omitted securing processes, and can be several hours down the road before they are discovered. 

(For random example, a 32" old style heavy boxy tv falling out of its alcove onto the floor. This despite assurances by the dealership that it would be secure with a friction style tether strap . - Fortunately, the tv survived and the cabinet only mildly damaged by the passing through of said tv on its journey to test gravity - Proven again - Gravity IS the law....) but I digress...

We have decided, after watching our electricity metre spinning like a hamster on a stroll, that we would try heating only using the propane.  We have successfully aquired the 100 pound propane tank with multi-valve, and will see if is cheaper that way.  It definitely is easier on storage.  We do still have 2 parabolic heaters, and a small space heater if needed, but the oil-filled radiating ones didn't seem to work for us.  I know many who swear by them, so that is something you will have to see for yourself.  

I have learned to be confident in returning things that don't work for us.  At $80 per heater X 2, it is well worth it to return to the store and say that it isn't working for us. Most stores are reasonable about returns with receipt and proper packaging brought along.

Again, we will keep you posted on how well that billing is working for us....

Anyway, New Year's Eve is slipping away, so I will turn from you fine folk to my hubby, so Happy New Year, and..

Adieu.

.... And So It Continues....

We got home from our outing yesterday in the later part of the lit afternoon.  We decided it was best to check the tanks one more time because we need to be sure to have enough propane to last a couple cooler days during the holiday shut down in a smaller town.  It seemed that all was well. (After all, you wouldn't expect troubles to arise in the warmer and lighter hours... What fun is that...)

So once the darkness we hunker down for the night, and I am starting to bake a pie while hubby is working on his computer.  He comes in and asks where the draft is coming from.  It turns out the furnace was on, but not blowing heat.  In fact, it was blowing very not heat.

After a few back and forth searchings inside and out, confusion and interpreting of gauges versus tank weight, we finally decided that there should be enough propane, the line was heated, so it must be the regulator.  We heated it with a heat gun ( a bit risky as the heat coil could potentially sparked the propane fumes that always linger in the propane tank compartment - but what else can you do??...) we got it running and it functioned fine for the rest of the night.

Today we topped both tanks.  While at the service station, Ken was discussing the details of our night time ventures, and we learned a bit of new information.  It was basic information that should have been a part of our extensive walk through that our dealership gave us.... but how much can you cram into a 10 minute tour??... But I digress...

We discovered that because we had a setup that has 2  30 lb tanks, the regulator is of the persuasion that you can open both tank valves, and set the flow to come from one of the tanks, and when it empties, the regulator will automatically switch it to the other.  When you go out to monitor usage, if the flow is coming from the other tank, you know that you need to refill the first tank.  We have been manually switching it and only keeping one tank on at a time.  We thought the second tank would leak out if we left its valve on at the same time that the other was in use.  (you can never be to careful, you know)

The other thing we did was to get a piece of foil coated bubble insulation and wrapped it around the tanks to keep the cold from overwhelming the chamber, and we have a trouble light with a low wattage regular bulb (one that still gives off heat) and if needed, we will turn it on inside the compartment to take the chill off.  Again, we will only do it if needed, but if the bulb breaks and causes a spark, you may cause a fire.  Unlikely, but very possible, nonetheless.

I took some pictures today of our surroundings.  The one I found amusing is the pile of snow in the corner of the yard where the plough pushed it.  the humour of it is found in an earlier post's note on the comment from this park's management about the snowfall generally being clearable with a broom.

Anyway, as it is Christmas Eve, I am going to settle into a light and fluffy movie with Ken and wait for the visions of sugar plums to dance.  The heaters are now working well, and we will pick up the larger tank on Monday.  (by then, the cold snap should break, but hey - propane fills for half the cost is worth it any time of year.)

 

Merry Christmas and may the season's blessings be on you all.

Adieu.

Our Okanagan Life In A Freezer

It has been since the 12th of December that this usual "northern snowbird" haven has fallen into its version of a deep freeze. Apparently, this particular freezer doesn't have a defrost feature either.

We have actually encountered temperatures that challenge the abilities of these wonderful homes we and our neighbours have chosen, and we were assured that a broom would likely be sufficient to clear "what little snow comes here"... broom, sure, but you might consider upper body (arms specifically) development first. By the time this "snap" is done, if you do choose a broom as your weapon of choice, you can probably become the 1st round draft choice for the local curling team.... but I digress. Oh well, we console ourselves by watching the weather network. It helps somewhat to see that the various lands we have left to winter here are suffering to a greater degree than we are.

So the lessons learned here:

1. Heat tapes are a good addition to water lines, but it also helps to cover them with pipe foams. We wrapped our first hose in the heat tape, but coiling it around caused overheating of the hose, and its outer lining actually melted off and then started leaking. We then switched our winter line to a washing machine hose as a sturdier line, then straight lined the heat tape, and finally foam packed it. The line has worked fine since then.
2. The propane furnace taught us a lesson as well. During cold snaps, propane gas (which incidentally, is a product which has traces of oil in it) can form blockages in the low points of the lines. The end result is that the main furnace was unable to heat as it wasn't getting the propane. (Rather similar to the plaque that clogs arteries that cause heart attacks). We fixed it by attaching another heat tape. We have left it on the line until spring, but only plug it in when the furnace seems to be thermostatically challenged.
3. We have also started keeping a hair dryer in the 5th wheel and a heat gun on the outside. The reason was at 6:30 am when we discovered that leaving the home was a bit challenged, shall we say - the door having frozen shut. 'nuff said....
4. Space heaters are important as the electricity is cheaper (and easier to access) than the propane tank, but the propane heat is critical in the maintenance of freed up water lines. If you have a fan it actually helps tremendously in the balancing of heat distribution, and reduction of cold pockets. It only has to be on a low setting, but constantly on.
5. We have recently learned that it is well worth your while to get adaptors for your propane tanks so you can refill at the auto propane pumps versus just refilling at the standard propane tank refill pump. We are going to do this ourselves this week, but our neighbour was told that it works out to be nearly half the cost for refills.
6. Keep the contents of your cupboards slightly pulled away from the outside walls of the rig, because moisture does accumulate. Monitor it, and wipe them down often. A dehumidifier will help. It doesn't have to be an electric device. You can purchase a chemical dehumidifier. Especially if you are one who uses your rig's shower versus ones provided in the facility.
7. With all the circulating air from space heaters, we often get static charges and frequent "zap" occurrences. If you put a grounding strap from an exposed metal part outside to the ground, you can minimize unpleasant jolts.
8. Plastic parts on outer parts of the rig such as screen door handles become brittle in the deeper cold temperatures. Use them gently, and consider purchasing a spare in case one gives at an inopportune time.
9. Sewer lines are among the parts that become brittle. It is best to not have the pipes open full time. Letting it build up in the tanks and then doing a draining every day or so can reduce slow trickle freeze-ups. - Tweak on this advise - check your holding tank locations. If they are more toward the outer parts of your rig, belay my last. Frozen holding tanks are more hassle than replacing a sewer hose, but the afore mentioned advise still holds if the tanks are part of the workings protected by your heat vent routing in your rig. (Thanks Raven @ http://travelswithmiranda.uskeba.ca/)

I think that is the essence of our lessons on deep freeze survival.

Adieu

TROUBLESHOOTING WE'VE ENCOUNTERED...

Today I decided to review our list of challenges encountered thus far. This for us was aggravated by the fact that although we are very happy with our 5th wheel, the dealership was lacking in professionalism worthy of such determined first-time buyers bound for full-time from the outset. We were gifted with a 5 minute tour of the rig which was about as personalized as a generic credit card mail offer. The best advice they gave was, "Don't hesitate to ask your site neighbours, they are usually very willing to help."I digress. Back to our list:

1. Hitch setting
2. Yolk height
3. Understanding all features of the rig
4. Thinning out our stuff
5. Supplementing our stuff

Hitch Setting:

This was an important matter, especially with a large rig (ours is a 36', and for rookies, that means that it is 39 when you add the tongue length). The balance is found in the knowledge that the connection of the hitch must be centred over the rear axle, but with a short box on our truck, it causes sacrifice in the turning radius. The solution (hard learned as spoken by the dent in the driver-side cab on our maiden voyage) is that you set the hitch over the rear axle for the drive to the site, then if need be, reset it further back for tighter maneuvering once at the site when speed based control is no longer a factor. It is worth while to invest in an adjustable hitch for that point.

Yolk Setting:

This too, we assumed that the dealership set appropriately for rookies who were counting on their professionalism and knowledge. I might advise that you don't assume as we did. Many are true professionals, but you wear any short comings in this field, not them. Again, a hard learned lesson. We had an extra fuel tank added to the bed of the truck as fuel economy is very much at the whim of the wind, weather, roads etc. The same trip can take 1/8 of a tank on one trip, and 1/2 a tank on another just with difference in wind direction and strength.

The factory setting of the yolk or tongue hitch was left as it was for us, and therefore, the bed-nose clearance was only 2 inches. We didn't even know that it could be adjusted. We now have a fuel cap sized hole in the nose waiting for the arrival of spring and an opportunity to correct it. (White duct tape holding the gap for now)

We have now extended it down 2 settings longer.

Understanding The Rig's Settings:

Boy, still on this journey!! When you are green, many people don't fully grasp your "hue". Some of our basic unknowns include:

Stove Function - Although your stove may have an igniting feature, the oven requires manual lighting of the pilot. If you use your oven often, you can leave it in the "pilot" setting and it will hold a minimal flame for faster re-ignition.

Sewer System - Even when in a site of full hook-ups, it is better for your gauges and tank readings to close the black and gray water and let it build, then release every 2-3 days. This is especially applicable when in a colder temperatures. If it is trickling out on an as used basis in the cold, pipe freezing and breakage is more likely. Fortunately, this was a "see neighbours' issue" lesson.

Powered Appliances - Most people are aware that the fridge can switch from electricity to propane, but I didn't know that our hot water heater can function either way too. Not all do, but it took kindly neighbours to show us how ours works. Also from them we figured out how to ensure the water flow valves were set right. On our first set up, we found that from the overflow valve on the hot water heater that it was hot, but it wasn't releasing into the general water flow lines. One of the shut off valves actually needed to be shut in order to allow it to flow out of the heater. Apparently, when de-winterizing the rig for us, the dealership forgot to switch it. The on/off switch on the heater is for the power. For us, if you want to run it on propane, you control it from the inside panel.

Propane heaters-This season has proved especially useful in our learn curve in this matter. Did you know that propane has a bit of residue oil in it? (I didn't) Did you know that especially when it gets very cold, that oil can pool in low points in your lines - causing the cessation of furnace fruitful flow?? (I didn't) We solved this dilemma (3 days into an Oliver level deep freeze) by attaching a heat tape to the line and heating the oil. We left the heat tape on, but will plug it in only if problems arise again.

Anchoring Contents For Travel - Again, we relied on the dealer for wisdom on this matter. Our rig is one year before the conversion to plasma screen dominance for entertainment centres. Our living room tv is about 32", full tube. To anchor it, they had attached a "friction strap" as it was attached to a swiveling pull out shelf. They assured me that it would be adequate....so we now have a 2"x6" board that we pad with a towel that gets wedged into the tv's cavity to brace it into place. Not everything needs to be taken down, but when in doubt, floor level prevents further experience of the gravitational pull of this great planet. It might be helpful to actually have a list of specific items that need securing, especially if you land in a site for any length of time where you allow yourself to truly "make yourself at home". Also, doors, cupboards and compartments should be secured. Although most have some degree of resistance to opening for the benefit of travel, weightier contents can shift and push doors open. Child-proof cupboard clips and such devices are often very helpful in this effort. I also place dowels in the tracks of my closets as the catches that secure them are fickle in their functioning.

Thinning Out Our Stuff

This is a challenge for anyone shifting to full timing. We did store some of our items, and truth be told, I believe there is a sale coming soon to the Pincher Creek area, but time and hubby's whims will guide that. The important thing to keep in mind is that if you are serious, and going to give it a few years to see if it works for you, then the thinner the better. For example, if you store half to a full house worth of items, and don't consider returning to the world of the fixed address for several years, is the cost of replacement less than the cost and risk of storing your old items. You may find that you thin, store some, then thin some more later. If this world works for you, the less you hold the better.

Supplementing Our Stuff

Although we had to get rid of a lot of things, we also had to buy some things to make things work easier.

In the kitchen I have had to get the small cookie sheets, and I also got a lot of the new silicone cookware. They work well, but for ease of removal, I still put them on the cookie sheet. I also have stainless steel pans as teflon is now overly flame friendly. For my pots, I have a corning-ware type produce so that I can both stovetop cook, and microwave. There is a bit more breakability in it, but if stored carefully, it should be minimal risk. I also have silicone collapsible measuring cups, flexible sheet cutting boards, and a large container for the large bulky utensils.

We put a pet door on the bathroom/bedroom door as the litter box is in the water closet (appropriate term for our style layout) I actually am using a very small pan that I converted Glory to before we moved in, and am using a pine pellet litter that I simply dump in the toilet when changes are required. I only require about 2 hands full of the pellets, and I scoop as she "goes".

As for power, we are in the process of looking for a 7000 w generator (with 50 Amp service, we are a thirsty beast for juice) and are going to get solar panels too, to allow for easier "dry camping".

We have a rather extensive DVD collection, and to compact it we have currently put them into binders and storage sleeves. I am going to revise it to bins as soon as I can find them as I was advised that the weight of them on each other can cause warping of the disks.

We invested in something my parents refer to as a "blue boy". Ours is a 15 gallon rolling container that can be used when your site doesn't have an individual sewer hook-up. You connect your sewer hose to it, drain, and haul to the nearest community dump site so that you don't have to hitch, and dump. Most RV parts places will know what it is, if not by that name, at least by description.

We found that investing in a couple moped style (bicycle frame type) scooters were useful too. As our vehicle is a 3500 Dodge 4x4, a more fuel efficient putt-about vehicle is useful.

(This list will build as I go, but for now that is what sticks out in my mind.)

I guarantee that not all posts will be this long, but I think I managed to scratch the surface of at least some of our greater learn curves.

Adieu