Recent content by dirko

What is being called a momentary switch is just one way to connect the battery banks together.  The real reason for the "charge solenoid" is to connect the battery banks together when the engine is running.  This allows the alternator to charge both sets of batteries then driving.  The easiest...

Hi Ho:  Just a couple of quick comments that may help you understand.  The first things is that the lug size on wires has two dimensions.  The first is the cable size, the second is the lug size.  You can get 3/0 terminals with 1/4 in terminals.  No problem, except that you asked for a larger...

Hi Ho:  Your generator certainly needs the carbureator cleaned.  This is not hard to do.  Start with the float bowl.  Carefully remove it and clean the crud out.  You have to be careful not to put too much pressure on the valve seat as the float will fall down and allow this to happen.  I use...

Hi Ho:  As you know LED's are just diodes, so they are polarity sensitive.  (They work only in one direction)  So, just reverse the wires to the LED and that should do it.  I'm assuming that the appropriate dropping resistor (or other constant current source) is available for 12 volts.

Hi Ho:  We have been winterizing with compressed air for about 40 years now and have had no problems.  This also includes the house we had in Alpine, WY.  And it is cold in Alpine.  There are many weeks when it never gets up to freezing, and -30 deg or even -35 deg in the morning is usual.  It...

Hi Ho:  I guess we are never satisfied with the status quo.  It is about 60 deg. during the day and has been that way for the last 40 days.  We have broken most of the records in Utah for the warmest winter in history.  Well, we wish you could package some of your snow and cold weather and send...

Hi Ho:  Well, it does appear that something with the inverter is the problem.  So, check the inverter by turning on a large load (not the fridge) and see what happens.  You could use an electric heater or something like that.  This will tell you if a resistive load still causes the problem. ...

Hi Ho again:  I still don't think that the BIM is the right answer, but since it seems to be working I'll address the other issue. (By the way a Trik-L-Start and the existing emergency start switch answer two of the functions for most of us without BIM's) Your TriMetric unit will measure all...

Hi Ho:  The real core of my response is that the charge solenoid is normally controlled by the Ignition +12V so that it is energized whenever the key is turned on.  It has been done this way for about 40 years that I know of, and for me at least, works just fine.  Any additional logic just...

Hi Ho:  For me the BIM would be an elegant solution to a non-existant problem.  The amount of current that flows when the relay is energized is limited only by the internal resistance of the batteries and that of the cables and connections between them.  Getting more than 200 amps to flow from...

Hi Ho:  If you have a transparent handle I think adding an LED will be straightforward.  Don't forget the dropping resistor.  The manufacturer really stresses the resistor and the LED with too much current in the one by our door.  They use a 1/4 watt resistor, and the actual power dissipation...

Hi Ho:  I agree with Ned.  There is one exception that probably won't apply to you.  If you expect temperatures below 0 deg. F., and you have #2 diesel, you might consider a cold weather additive.  Actually the temperature must be less than about -30 F. to cause problems with the fuel, but if...

Hi Ho:  Everyone has their own way to plan travel.  Ours is to find interesting things that we want to do or see and then not to plan.  What I mean by that is that, at least for us, one of the best things about an RV is not having to be anywhere at any particular time.  We are so extreme that we...

Hi Ho:  Tom, the bass keys are not that difficult to figure out.  The one with the indentation is C.  The notes in the bass row just follow the key signatures for sharps going up and flats for going down.  So going up is C, G, D, A, E etc.  and down is F, Bflat, Eflat, Aflat, etc.  The...

Hi Ho:  It's hard to say what's typical and probably not very useful.  Getting up and using the hip as much as you reasonably can and as soon as you can is a good idea.  Start with the walker and short trips and work up to longer trips.  He will know when he can switch to crutches and then...