Technical ArticlesTechnical Articles
RV Solar System
Last Updated (Monday, 14 April 2008 18:36)
Prior to August 2004, our motorhome didn't have an inverter or solar charging system. Without electrical hookups, we would have to run the generator even to watch TV. I did start using a small 300 watt inverter on the television, but this was very limiting. When we sold the house, I used some of the profits to install a complete photovoltaic electrical system, which includes:
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Our Homemade RV Bar
Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 16:00)
We use to carry a few large bottles in the cup cabinet above the sink. These are the large 1.75 liter bottles that Rum, Gin, etc. come in. They took up quite a bit of space in the cabinet and rattled around. So we designed and constructed a bar to securely hold the bottles. Luckily, we have a large counter in the kitchen and there was room behind the sink for the bar. We were able to move 4 large bottles out of the cabinet, and also include a pole to hold a roll of paper towels. With some non-slip material underneath, the bar stays in place while traveling.
The Golf Ball Game
Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 16:00)
Friends introduced us to "The Golf Ball Game" while staying at a RV resort in Colorado. We were there for a week of Square Dance "summer camp". The game folds down to about the size of a folding camp chair. (2008 update: since we first made this game, we're now seeing it being sold for $40+. They call it "Bolo Toss")
PVC Drying Rack
Last Updated (Tuesday, 15 April 2008 10:51)
Although our motorhome has the hookups for a clothes washer and dryer, we elected to not have them. We prefer to have the 4 large drawers for storage instead. To do laundry, we just use a local Laundromat. But at times, there are some clothes and shower towels that we would like to air dry. We looked at various drying racks, but none of them fitted our needs. So we made one out of PVC piping. For about $20 in parts, we have a large clothes drying rack that hangs on our rear ladder when needed, and folds apart for easy storage.
Autoformer Installation
Last Updated (Tuesday, 15 April 2008 10:51)
Although we haven't stayed in many RV parks, most of those that we have stayed in had very low AC voltage. One park was down to 98 volts, which will cause damage to the Air Conditioner and Microwave if ran at this low voltage. Due to problems encountered, we purchased a portable 50 amp Autoformer by Hughes. When the RV park power drops below 117 volts, this electrical device boosts the voltage up to 10%. It does this by lowering the amps. Once the RV park power returns to 118 volts, the Autoformer just lets the power pass through without any boosting. The built in grounding continuity test offers protection against damage from open ground, open neutral or reverse polarity. All considered, this device protects the RV electrical system from brown-out damage.
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