VAL Digest V1 #234

VAL Digest            Saturday, May 1 2004            Volume 01 : Number 234




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Topics in Today's Digest:

RE: [VAL] Gaucho installation
Re: [VAL] Skyliner antenna
[VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #232 - O rings and Super Glue?
[VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #232 - Thieves
[VAL] Re: Skyliner antenna- follow up
[VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #233 - Sharpers
Re: [VAL] Re: Skyliner antenna- follow up
[VAL] Re: Skyliner
[VAL] Satellite Service?
Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?
Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?
Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?
Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?
Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?
Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?
Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?
Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?
Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?
Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?
Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?
Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?
[VAL] Battery Charging from Tow vehicle
Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?
Re: [VAL] Battery Charging from Tow vehicle
Re: [VAL] Battery Charging from Tow vehicle
Re: [VAL] Battery Charging from Tow vehicle
Re: [VAL] Battery Charging from Tow vehicle

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Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 05:18:38 -0400
From: "Peter Ryner" <pryner@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: RE: [VAL] Gaucho installation

My '68 had a 1 X 2 piece of wood under the front part of the shelf which was
screwed to the trailer.  It only ran the flat part of the trailer.  The
shelf was screwed to the board along the front part of the trailer.  The
shelf itself was made of a piece of plywood and a 1X2 rear edge (facing the
rear of the trailer).   The 1X2 had a groove cut in it for the plywood to
fit into.  At each end of the shelf it was screwed to the trailer which gave
it the stiffness around the corners.  Please contact me off list if you want
some pictures.  Easy to see the construction with the couch down.
Pete

Glyn Judson wrote:

>...
>    What I don't have a photo of is how the shelf under the front window is
held in place.  It's the one with the flat length of 80 1/2" and is 8 1/2"
deep.  My photo is from above that shelf with the back rest flipped up.  Had
I had the camera a foot or two lower, I might have captured the fastening
manner.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 07:48:43 EDT
From: JAuman2346@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: Re: [VAL] Skyliner antenna

The rod is a round pin about 3 inches long. It goes in the back of the 
antenna base. I broke two of the bases installing my antenna. I guess I didn't break 
two. I broke one. I then had a professional installer do the second 
installation. He broke the second base. The base breaks easy as it is cast metal. Also 
when we got the antenna together it would not go up. There is a little pin in 
the gear that was a fraction of an inch too long. Its a hard antenna to work 
on. jauman

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2004 22:08:30 -0500
From: waymark1@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #232 - O rings and Super Glue?

Are you sure it's super glue (cyanoacrylate)?
Al

My imported car friends have on hand a stock set of O-ring gaskets with a
special cutter for any length and the pieces are then super glued
together. The square gaskets could be glued together also.
..................................
> Gary Campbell

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 07:38:22 -0500
From: waymark1@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #232 - Thieves

I thought I was half joking when I suggested removing the hubs to
dissuade theft. If you do so, the spindle threads should be protected.
Store the wheels and hubs elsewhere. Tongue and coupler locks do not
prevent chaining to a tow vehicle and hauling your prize AS away. Coupler
locks can be broken or sawed off. The battery powered sawzall is popular
with thieves. Gargantuan 48" bolt cutters will munch most any lock.
This kind is supposed to prevent (slow up) theft of your trailer when it
is parked coupled to your tow vehicle:
www2.northerntool.com/product/31840/ A coupler lock is still needed, and
the ball nut can be unscrewed.

As I have a hand cranked trailer dolly I may use it to pull my trailer in
toward a wall or tongue first into the storage garage.
The only thing that will really stop determined thieves is storage in a
locked garage in a storage facility with 24 hour security. The 24 hour
guard prevents theft of the entire trailer and the locked garage prevents
the guards and other tenants from stealing parts such as batteries, LP
tanks and tires, and from vandalism.
If you leave your property uninspected for an extended period, you have
to watch out for storage facility tricks such as pretending they didn't
get your rent check for a couple of months and then "selling" your
trailer for back rent. Watch your canceled checks or statements. I had
one storage place that did not cash my check for two months. I called
them and insisted that they cash them, and they did. That time it was a
change in ownership, but who knows next time?
Al

> Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2004 00:07:35 -0500
> From: "Cathy Townley-McGaughey" <cathytownley@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
> Subject: [VAL] Re:numerous replys to VAL Digest V1 #229 - Split rims
> 
......................................................................
> We had once intended to leave the trailer at the land until we got the
rim thing figured out but after we moved the neighbors ran off a would-be
thief trying to hookup to it (they had cut the tongue lock off)  so we
decided to go ahead and bring it over here  that night.
......................................................................
> Joe and Cathy McGaughey

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 07:44:21 -0500
From: Chris Koehn <timberguides@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] Re: Skyliner antenna- follow up

Thanks for the advice Dave and Jauman-
To get at the gear assembly, may I assume it's hiding behind the 3" 
diameter plastic dish that's riveted to the ceiling? Or is this part 
accessible from above? I just got through re-caulking it to the roof- 
Hope I don't have to undo all of that. . .

Thanks again,

Chris K
1979 31' Int'l
2000 F250 PSD
WBCCI 8638

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 07:50:00 -0500
From: waymark1@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] Re: VAL Digest V1 #233 - Sharpers

I recently experienced something like this.
I needed a cable pulley for a garage door lift. Upon contacting every
garage door company in the area I was told that either they had never
heard of the make of the door or of its manufacturer, or that the maker
was out of business.
I did find that the company had been bought out by another well known
garage door maker. The place I called was the former plant of the company
that had made the door. They referred me to the new owner's parts
warehouse in another state. The warehouse told me that they had plenty of
the pulleys in stock for immediate shipment to their local dealer. They
also told me that the doors that use the pulleys and other parts were in
current production. 
The local dealer for the company was one of the door suppliers I had
originally called in my area! They had told me that the maker was out of
business and that the part was no longer available!
Of course you know what the deal was. They hoped to sell me an entire new
door by telling me that the old door could not be repaired.
Fat chance I took my business to them.
Al

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2004 09:46:01 EDT
> From: AlanTBird@xxxxxxxxxx.com
> Subject: [VAL] Re: kentile 9x9 tiles
> 
> I was surprised to hear that Kentile was outa business.
> See>http://www.freedomcarpets.com/kentile.htm
> Having an extensive commercial flooring background I found it hard to
believe.
> Don't always believe what a retailer tells you! They just don't carry
it and want to sell you something!
> Check with any decent sized commercial flooring contractor and they
will probably have left overs from large jobs for real cheap or could at
least help you find what color you need!
> 
> AlanT

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 09:42:48 -0400
From: Dave Lowrey <airstream@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Re: Skyliner antenna- follow up

Chris,

It is accessible from the roof.

Dave

At 08:44 AM 4/30/2004, you wrote:
>Thanks for the advice Dave and Jauman-
>To get at the gear assembly, may I assume it's hiding behind the 3" 
>diameter plastic dish that's riveted to the ceiling? Or is this part 
>accessible from above? I just got through re-caulking it to the roof- Hope 
>I don't have to undo all of that. . .
>
>

_________________________________________________________________
Dave & Ann Lowrey - dave_lowrey@xxxxxxxxxx.com

WBCCI: 5074

1977 31' Sovereign International (center bath)
Cincinnati, Ohio 

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 09:43:56 EDT
From: AlanTBird@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: [VAL] Re: Skyliner

In a message dated 4/29/2004 11:02:16 PM Mountain Standard Time, 
valist-admin@xxxxxxxxxx.com writes:
Anyone have experience working on a Skyliner antenna? We have one,
> appears to be original equipment on our '79 @31' Int'l. Won't crank 
> up: when I turn the crank (pulling down,
> as the directions on the crank prescribe), it begins to raise the
> antenna, then quits, allowing the antenna to return to it's resting 
> state. Feels like there must be a cam in there or
> something that's worn out, or loose, or maladjusted.
> I would appreciate the benefit of someone's experience working on these
> before I begin tearing ours apart.
>
> Thanks
In my experience (and Ive had 4 of them)
If it's bringing in a signal in the down position I don't mess with it!
The one on The Argosy is stuck 3rd way up but not any higher then the A/C 
shroud and brings in a good signal!
Ive messed with them on my 79 and 74 and they both then leaked in a long rain.

I tore the one off the 79 and put in it's place a cool looking crank up 
Satellite Dish!
Will never do that again!......The one I have now attached to a milk and 
crate works much better!

AlanT
Phx AZ
78 Arg30
93 Dodge Diesel

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 10:59:28 -0400
From: Dave Lowrey <airstream@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] Satellite Service?

I have a few questions for the folks who have Satellite TV service for 
their trailer.

Who do you have your service with, and how did you set the service up?

Ideally, I would like one "subscription" that I can use both in my home, 
then also use on the road. I assume I will have to use the same receiver 
for both.

Do you tell the service you are doing this or did you just get it set up 
for home and then took it on the road without telling the service?

I don't use pay-per-view, so I assume I don't need a phone line hookup when 
taking the receiver on the road.

Any suggestions or tips would be welcomed....

Dave

_________________________________________________________________
Dave & Ann Lowrey - dave_lowrey@xxxxxxxxxx.com

WBCCI: 5074

1977 31' Sovereign International (center bath)
Cincinnati, Ohio 

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 08:53:46 -0700
From: "Roger Hightower" <rwhigh@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?

I have satellite service through DirecTV.  All I do when traveling is move a
receiver from the house to the trailer.

The only difference is that I cannot receive local channels or Network news
(other than MSNBC or CNN, FOX), but that's no big deal.  I usually watch
History, Discovery and those channels anyway.

Don't tell them...just do it.

Roger

Roger Hightower, WBCCI #4165, VAC
1975 31' Sovereign
2002 Ford F-250 PSD

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 10:12:47 -0700
From: "Gary Quamen" <g_quamen@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?

> Who do you have your service with, and how did you set the service up?

Hi Dave:

Like Roger, I also have DirectTV.  I bought spare dish from Bestbuy and
mount it on a small platform that I made up from junk in my workshop. It has
little rubber feet on it so I can place it on the ground, on my truck, on
the trailer, wherever.  I glued a bubble level on the top of a small length
of abs pipe and can level it in two directions.  The dish rotates easily on
the plastic pipe to achieve the proper satellite azimuth.  I preset the look
angle on the dish mount.  Finally, a satellite pointing compass I got from
Camperschoice makes hitting the satellite almost too easy.

Be advised though, the trick is to not get more than one receiver at home.
If you do, they must be hooked up to the phone line at all times, regardless
of whether you use pay per view or not.  The sat company wants to make sure
that you don't give one of the receivers to your buddy and checks up now and
then (at night I think) to see that they are all hooked up.  If you have
only one receiver, as I do, there is no requirement for phone hookup and, as
Roger says, you just take it along when you go out with the trailer.  Who's
to know or care?

If you want to see a picture of the dish mounting gizmo I made lemme know
and I'll send you one.

GQ '67 Safari
4082 in CA

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 13:14:40 -0400
From: "Joy Hansen" <joytbrew@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?

Hi Roger,

I've not yet taken advantage of using a reciever in my trailer, but intend
to do so shortly.  It costs an extra $5 a month for an extra receiver -
supposedly in my bedroom?  Anyway, I have three receivers and that required
a quad lnb at the dish.  Yes, it cost me, but I got to keep the original
dual lnb dish (just between the installer and myself).  Still have room for
one more receiver.  Different family members choose their own programming.
My Mom wants church, wife wants love, and I want westerns!

I'm seldom able to get regular TV when I camp without subscribing to the
nightly surcharge.  So, I'm thinking of replacing the Safari standard roof
top antennae with one of the Camping World roof top models, think it would
cost about $129 or something like that with a regular price of $229?  Do you
have any experience with the roof top dish?  Certainly not period
restoration correct, but .  .  .

Otherwise, I'll have to do the tripod pole mount that I see frequently.  The
satellite companies are getting pretty good at very small regional service.
I think it's based on zip code, but if the receiver works away from the home
slot, why not go for it.

Guess there's only two things left in life that are important to oldsters
like me and that's TV, Internet (e-mail), and cowboy action shooting! :)
Well, some like golf, but I don't favor toys without noise anymore.

                         '69 Safari, Joy


- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Roger Hightower" <rwhigh@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2004 11:53 AM
Subject: Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?


> I have satellite service through DirecTV.  All I do when traveling is move
a
> receiver from the house to the trailer.
>
> The only difference is that I cannot receive local channels or Network
news
> (other than MSNBC or CNN, FOX), but that's no big deal.  I usually watch
> History, Discovery and those channels anyway.
>
> Don't tell them...just do it.
>
> Roger
>
> Roger Hightower, WBCCI #4165, VAC
> 1975 31' Sovereign
> 2002 Ford F-250 PSD
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 13:35:47 -0400
From: "Joy Hansen" <joytbrew@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?

Hi Gary,

None of my Dishnet receivers are connected to a phone line!  I move 'em
around the house and outside - no problem.  Maybe a different satellite
server would help?

                            '69 Safari, Joy

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 11:02:11 -0700
From: "Gary Quamen" <g_quamen@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?

> Hi Gary,
>
> None of my Dishnet receivers are connected to a phone line!  I move 'em
> around the house and outside - no problem.  Maybe a different satellite
> server would help?
>
>                             '69 Safari, Joy

Hi Joy:

Note that I was talking about DirecTV only.  I don't know about Dishnet.
Maybe this is a reason to get that.  DirecTV is pretty simple.  Just one
satellite.  Directly south of Texas on the equator.  They don't want that
extra receiver you get for $5 a month to be at your brother in laws house or
wherever.

BTW, I forgot to mention that I can get the local channels away from home,
but not too far.  I was camped out at a park in the mountains about 30 miles
from here and could still get them.  But I also tried to get them at a place
about 100 miles away and couldn't get 'em.  Haven't been able to figure out
why.  How do it know?

GQ '67 Safari
4082 in CA

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 14:04:32 -0400
From: "Scott Scheuermann" <s.l.scheuermann@xxxxxxxxxx.att.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?

My parents signed up for Direct TV last fall. They asked and got permission
to have a second box for their RV for use while they travel. No proplem, but
they did have to purchase a second dish. The extra box costs $5 a month.
They were told that hooking up to the phone line only made pay per view
quicker/easier. Since they don't use ppv, their boxes have never been
connected to a phone.

Perhaps things have changed since then.

Scott

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 14:08:28 -0400
From: "Scott Scheuermann" <s.l.scheuermann@xxxxxxxxxx.att.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?

Gary, Last I knew my parents could get their local (Ohio) stations down in
Florida! Yup they have Direct TV! Perhaps rules and regulations change from
region to region.

Scott

- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Quamen" <g_quamen@xxxxxxxxxx.net>

> BTW, I forgot to mention that I can get the local channels away from home,
> but not too far.  I was camped out at a park in the mountains about 30
miles
> from here and could still get them.  But I also tried to get them at a
place
> about 100 miles away and couldn't get 'em.  Haven't been able to figure
out
> why.  How do it know?
>
> GQ '67 Safari
> 4082 in CA

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 12:16:21 -0600
From: "Earl Peck" <earlpeck@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?

Hi Gary,
Would love to see a drawing of your dish set up , mounting , and adjustment
hardware.
Thanks.
Earl Peck
1965 Overlander
1965 WBCCI
earlpeck@xxxxxxxxxx.net



> If you want to see a picture of the dish mounting gizmo I made lemme know
> and I'll send you one.
>
> GQ '67 Safari
> 4082 in CA

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 14:19:48 -0400
From: "Jim Greene" <drgreene@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?

Gary, the Direct TV people told me that the local channels are broadcast
with a spot beam that only covers a limited area. They didn't say but I'd
guess maybe a 50 mile radius for Atlanta for example. My receivers are not
connected to phone lines either.

Jim Greene
' 68 Tradewind

- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Quamen" <g_quamen@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2004 2:02 PM
Subject: Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?


> > Hi Gary,
> >
> > None of my Dishnet receivers are connected to a phone line!  I move 'em
> > around the house and outside - no problem.  Maybe a different satellite
> > server would help?
> >
> >                             '69 Safari, Joy
>
> Hi Joy:
>
> Note that I was talking about DirecTV only.  I don't know about Dishnet.
> Maybe this is a reason to get that.  DirecTV is pretty simple.  Just one
> satellite.  Directly south of Texas on the equator.  They don't want that
> extra receiver you get for $5 a month to be at your brother in laws house
or
> wherever.
>
> BTW, I forgot to mention that I can get the local channels away from home,
> but not too far.  I was camped out at a park in the mountains about 30
miles
> from here and could still get them.  But I also tried to get them at a
place
> about 100 miles away and couldn't get 'em.  Haven't been able to figure
out
> why.  How do it know?
>
> GQ '67 Safari
> 4082 in CA
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 13:37:14 -0500
From: "Jarrod White" <jarrodwhite@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?

Dish offers a special service for RV users that you can get national network
channels (ABC, CBS, NBC out of NY or LA) for an extra $5 per month and
providing them a form that you can download from their website and a copy of
your registration. I think DirectTV has a similar program, but has more
restrictions. I think Jim is right that you cannot get the local channels
from a particular city outside a certain limited range.
 Jarrod

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 14:44:31 -0400
From: "Scott Scheuermann" <s.l.scheuermann@xxxxxxxxxx.att.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?

Jim,

You are correct...it must of been my parent's prior carrier that offered
them local Ohio wherever they went.

Scott
- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Greene" <drgreene@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2004 2:19 PM
Subject: Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?


> Gary, the Direct TV people told me that the local channels are broadcast
> with a spot beam that only covers a limited area. They didn't say but I'd
> guess maybe a 50 mile radius for Atlanta for example. My receivers are not
> connected to phone lines either.
>
> Jim Greene
> ' 68 Tradewind
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Gary Quamen" <g_quamen@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
> To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
> Sent: Friday, April 30, 2004 2:02 PM
> Subject: Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?
>
>
> > > Hi Gary,
> > >
> > > None of my Dishnet receivers are connected to a phone line!  I move
'em
> > > around the house and outside - no problem.  Maybe a different
satellite
> > > server would help?
> > >
> > >                             '69 Safari, Joy
> >
> > Hi Joy:
> >
> > Note that I was talking about DirecTV only.  I don't know about Dishnet.
> > Maybe this is a reason to get that.  DirecTV is pretty simple.  Just one
> > satellite.  Directly south of Texas on the equator.  They don't want
that
> > extra receiver you get for $5 a month to be at your brother in laws
house
> or
> > wherever.
> >
> > BTW, I forgot to mention that I can get the local channels away from
home,
> > but not too far.  I was camped out at a park in the mountains about 30
> miles
> > from here and could still get them.  But I also tried to get them at a
> place
> > about 100 miles away and couldn't get 'em.  Haven't been able to figure
> out
> > why.  How do it know?
> >
> > GQ '67 Safari
> > 4082 in CA
> >
> > -----------------------------------------------------------------
> > When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
> >
> > To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> > http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
> To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
> http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 14:12:22 -0500
From: Blair <hitek_airstream@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?

Directv has the same deal.  I have both east and west ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX
so if I miss on program I can always catch it on the West coast later.

Blair


At 01:37 PM 4/30/2004 -0500, you wrote:

>Dish offers a special service for RV users that you can get national network
>channels (ABC, CBS, NBC out of NY or LA) for an extra $5 per month and
>providing them a form that you can download from their website and a copy of
>your registration. I think DirectTV has a similar program, but has more
>restrictions. I think Jim is right that you cannot get the local channels
>from a particular city outside a certain limited range.
>  Jarrod
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
>When replying to a message. please delete all unnecessary original text
>
>To unsubscribe or change to a digest format, please go to
>http://www.tompatterson.com/VAC/VAList/listoffice.html

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 16:20:11 -0400
From: Dave Lowrey <airstream@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: [VAL] Battery Charging from Tow vehicle

Any ideas on how long it would take for a 55AH battery that was at 50% 
charge to recharge when hooked, through the normal trailer hookup,   to a 
running tow vehicle?

I would assume that two batteries would take twice as long, and that four 
would be four times as long, etc....

Dave

_________________________________________________________________
Dave & Ann Lowrey - dave_lowrey@xxxxxxxxxx.com

WBCCI: 5074

1977 31' Sovereign International (center bath)
Cincinnati, Ohio 

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 16:59:24 -0500
From: "Dean L." <dean@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Satellite Service?

Keep it simple.
I just take the unit out of my house and hit the road.
I bought a second dish on a garage sale for $5 then
made a simple mount out of an old break drum and a pipe.
It is only 20 inches high but after all the bird is 23000 miles up.
I found direct TV easy to set up but now I have switched to
Direct TV... It should work just as easy.
Type in your Zip code to your receiver and it will tell you the
direction and height settings.
BTW  You don't need the phone line.

See You On The Road
Dean L.
WBCCI 2486



On Apr 30, 2004, at 9:59 AM, Dave Lowrey wrote:

> I have a few questions for the folks who have Satellite TV service for 
> their trailer.
>
> Who do you have your service with, and how did you set the service up?
>
> Ideally, I would like one "subscription" that I can use both in my 
> home, then also use on the road. I assume I will have to use the same 
> receiver for both.
>
> Do you tell the service you are doing this or did you just get it set 
> up for home and then took it on the road without telling the service?
>
> I don't use pay-per-view, so I assume I don't need a phone line hookup 
> when taking the receiver on the road.
>
> Any suggestions or tips would be welcomed....
>
> Dave

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 20:27:44 -0400
From: "Jim Greene" <drgreene@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Battery Charging from Tow vehicle

A long time, Dave ,because the charge line is too small a gauge wire. A
heavier wire would help.

Jim Greene
' 68 Tradewind

- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave Lowrey" <airstream@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2004 4:20 PM
Subject: [VAL] Battery Charging from Tow vehicle


> Any ideas on how long it would take for a 55AH battery that was at 50%
> charge to recharge when hooked, through the normal trailer hookup,   to a
> running tow vehicle?
>
> I would assume that two batteries would take twice as long, and that four
> would be four times as long, etc....
>
> Dave

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 18:00:20 -0700
From: William Kerfoot <wkerfoot@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Battery Charging from Tow vehicle

Jim Greene wrote:

>A long time, Dave ,because the charge line is too small a gauge wire. A
>heavier wire would help.
>
>Jim Greene
>' 68 Tradewind
>  
>

How heavy of a charge line would you use?

Bill Kerfoot
WBCCI/VAC #5223
El Camino Real Unit
1979 23' Safari
1977 Lincoln Continental
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon
Orange, CA

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 21:53:57 -0400
From: "Jim Greene" <drgreene@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Battery Charging from Tow vehicle

Bill, I've never run an auxilary charge line but I think Dr. Johnson
recommends a #4 with a #2 being better.  It's like electric welding cable,
flexible and low resistance.

Jim Greene
 ' 68 Tradewind

- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "William Kerfoot" <wkerfoot@xxxxxxxxxx.rr.com>
To: <valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2004 9:00 PM
Subject: Re: [VAL] Battery Charging from Tow vehicle


> How heavy of a charge line would you use?
>
> Bill Kerfoot
> WBCCI/VAC #5223
> El Camino Real Unit
> 1979 23' Safari
> 1977 Lincoln Continental
> 1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon
> Orange, CA

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 22:48:18 -0500
From: "Gerald Johnson" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.isunet.net>
Subject: Re: [VAL] Battery Charging from Tow vehicle

- ---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "Jim Greene" <drgreene@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Reply-To: valist@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Date:  Fri, 30 Apr 2004 21:53:57 -0400

>Bill, I've never run an auxilary charge line but I think Dr. Johnson
>recommends a #4 with a #2 being better.  It's like electric welding cable,
>flexible and low resistance.
>
>Jim Greene
> ' 68 Tradewind
>
I don't know that I've recommended a size. For sure the larger the better as far as 
voltage drop is concerned. I should sit down and do some voltage drop computations to 
make a reccomendation. I know it takes several hours to put a significant charge on my 
trailer battery from my '98 F-150 with the factory towing packing that includes the 
charge circuit with relay and fuse. I ran the trailer battery down with the fan last 
summer and then spent an hour with the engine running hoping to have some more fan for 
the next night. Did't do much as far as I could tell.

The fuse in my Ford is 30 amps. One would prefer to not blow that fuse.

This I know, on my JD 4020 tractor I installed an alternator and ran a single 10 gauge 
(silicone insulated good for 200 degrees C) from the 53 amp alternator to the ammeter 
and the battery. The battery cable is large and short. Even after lots of cranking 
(cause by a worn out fuel pump) the maximum charge rate was 30 amps. That number 10 is 
limiting the charging rate and that run is only 6 feet. 1/3 the distance from engine 
room to trailer battery.

Even with #2 in the truck, likely the 12 gauge in the pendant trailer cable may be the 
limiting factor in rapid trailer battery charging.

#2 or 4 wire can be had with 7 to a few hundred strands. Building wire will have 7, 
welding cable will have hundreds giving far greater flexibility. Both building wire and 
welding cable can have relatively soft insulation covering and the best insulations tend 
to not be quite as flexible as the welding cable.

If we could get the total resistance down so that it limited the charging to 30 amps 
maximum, then the 90 ampere hour deep cycle charging would take more than 3 hours because 
as the battery charge level rises, the charge current falls when connected to the constant 
voltage source. Then intelligent charger gets around this by raising the charging voltage 
as the battery charge rises (directly hinted by the battery terminal voltage). I can 
concieve of a circuit that could compensate for charge line voltage drop (a carefully 
programmed voltage booster) and cause more rapid battery charging. It would likely run into 
patents used in the commercial chargers. It would probably need to take in 9 or 10 volts 
minimum while drawing 30 amps and put out 14 volts or more at what ever current it could 
with that input current limitation.

Another scheme comes to mind. Installing a 1000 watt or so inverter in the engine room and 
running 120 volts AC to an intelligent charger in the trailer. The input of the intelligent 
charger may cause the inverter to complain so it may take a larger inverter. Running 120 
volts through an extension cord past the trailer hitch may not meet electrical or vehicle 
safety codes. It would be important for there to be a disconnect near the hitch, just like 
the normal umbilical. It would not be kosher to run 120 volts in the umbilical with the 12 
volt controls and power wires.

The fundamental reason AC power took over from Tom Edison's DC power was that AC power can 
easily be transmitted at high voltage were small wires and their voltage drop are not a 
significant problem, and DC hasn't that ease of voltage transformation. Though with modern 
power transistors and integrated circuits changing DC voltage is a whole lot more practical 
than it was in Tom Edison's era.

I'm not near my reference materials or my scientific calculator so I can't do the voltage 
drop calculation this week.

Gerald J.

------------------------------

End of VAL Digest V1 #234
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