***************************************************************************
THE
RVERSCORNER
Newsletter
***************************************************************************
July, 2002
***************************************************************************
I
have recently experienced a computer failure and have lost
most of my data ,
you know the story if you have ever had
this happen to you. While computers
are obviously an
advantage in this day and age, they can also cause a
serious
disruption in your life when they fail. In this regard I
have lost
all the files for this and last months newsletter
... I now have a brand new,
but blank computer and so this
months newsletter will be a reprint of a
previous newsletter
that I had on a backup disk. My apologies ... I hope to
be
back on track for the next issue.
Stay well and keep on RV'ing!
Subscriber count: Last issue: xxxx This issue: 7064! Welcome
new
Subscribers!
Inside this issue:
- A few RV Storage tips... By Les Doll - Travel in Mexico By
Peter
Bassel - Misc. tips Thanks to Peggi McDonald! - From
the RVers Corner
Inbox Deep Cycle Batteries - GPS navigation
system By John
Stead Put together your own
by
following this guide. - Napping Navigator - a tip submitted
by a fellow
RV'er!
Joke of the Day: Classified Ad Section: About the RVer's
Corner
Newsletter:
***************************************************************************
RV Storage Tips ... by Les Doll
Controlling Humidity
The air in a closed up RV will contain varying amounts of
moisture,
depending upon the local climate and the storage
methods utilized. If
you are able to connect to shore
power, during the storage period, an
electric dehumidifier
is a very good safeguard against a high humidity
condition.
Otherwise, one or better yet, two, DriziAire
dehumidifiers
is advised. Open a roof vent or two, if you can, to
allow
moist air to escape.
To Tarp or Not to Tarp
As a concerned RV Technician, I am totally against the
tarping of an RV.
If your roof is maintained and in good
condition, it will withstand the
forces of Mother Nature.
If you simply must "tarp" your unit, build an
"A" frame type
of structure to repel rain or snow while allowing air
to
circulate beneath the tarp and above the roof of the RV. A
tarp
laid on the roof and draped down the walls, is an
invitation to dry rot -
you want the moisture to escape -
not to be held in, as a tarp will do.
Also, a tarp will
move with the wind, regardless of how well it is
secured.
This results in chaffing of the sidewall paint, and we don't
want
to discuss that in this article!
Batteries
Clean and remove your battery(s) and store in a cool place.
Top up the
water level and check/recharge them monthly.
Deep cycle batteries will
self-discharge in a month and a
discharged battery is not a happy
battery. Use only
distilled water to top off the water level in the
cells. An
uncharged battery will freeze in sub-zero weather if
left
outdoors.
***************************************************************************
A brief introduction to what you need to know about ...
Travel in Mexico
By Peter Bassel
Tourists entering Mexico in certain frontier areas along the
U.S. border
do not require tourist cards for stays of 72
hours or less. But taking
a American automobile into Mexico
can involve a few
complications.
American driver's licenses are valid in Mexico. A
temporary
vehicle importation permit -- Solicitud de
importación
temporal de vehículos -- is required for
a
foreign-registered vehicle to enter Mexico. You can obtain
one at the
border by providing the following documents:
· proof of ownership;
· proof of American or Canadian registration;
· an affidavit from any lien holders authorizing
temporary
importation;
· a valid American or Canadian driver's license; and
· proof of citizenship.
Temporary permits are not required in certain designated
border areas,
such as those immediately south of
California, where there is a lot of
local tourist traffic.
But be sure you know exactly where you are going
before
relying on this alternative. The vehicle permit is valid
for
six months and is good for multiple entries.
The temporary vehicle importation permit costs US$15 and
must be paid
for with a credit card. The card must be
issued by a major American
financial institution in the
name of the vehicle owner. Visa,
MasterCard and American
Express are all accepted but cash is not. If
the visitor
does not have a credit card, a bond must be purchased and
a
US$15 processing fee must be paid. You must display proof
of
payment on the vehicle windshield, and close out the permit
on
the way out of Mexico. This document constitutes a
promise to take the
car out of the country within a
specified period, and the car will be
confiscated if you
overstay. Recreational vehicles and large trucks
require
additional permits.
It is illegal to import used vehicles permanently into
Mexico except in
designated northern border areas. Your
vehicle can be confiscated if it
is not properly imported.
It is illegal to sell a car brought in on a
temporary
permit, even to another non-resident.
A temporary vehicle importation permit will be issued to a
tourist only
for one 180-day period in one year. Visitors
intending longer stays are
expected to obtain a
non-immigrant visa, in which case their vehicle
permits
will follow the same timing as their visa. If the car
will
remain in Mexico for more than 180 days, a tax of
approximately
30 percent of the value of the vehicle is
levied.
Automobile insurance issued outside the country is not valid
in Mexico,
and you must obtain insurance from a Mexican
company. You must do this
at the border before entering
Mexico. As in other parts of Latin America, if
there is an
accident, both drivers can be held responsible pending
an
investigation. They can be jailed and their vehicles seized
if there
is no proof of ability to pay. In case of serious
personal injury, both
drivers may be jailed in any event.
Vehicle traffic in Mexico City is restricted to control air
pollution.
The regulations are based on the last digit of
the licence plate
number. On every weekday, vehicles with
plate numbers ending in designated
digits may not be driven
in the city. For example, if the plate number
ends in 1 or
2, the vehicle may not be used on Thursdays. This amounts
to
a restriction on 20 percent of vehicles on each weekday.
There are no
restrictions on Saturdays or Sundays except
when an environmental
emergency is declared.
http://www.drivemex.com/ - Mexican
Insurance Online Buy and
print Mexican auto insurance policies immediately on
your
own printer. Can also insure boats, motorcycles, trailers,
RVs and
properties (home, condo, apartment etc). Contact:
Sales@DriveMex.com or 1-866-367-5053
***************************************************************************
Tip Sheet #3 Thanks Peggi McDonald!
1) To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper
bag
and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will
absorb all the
dust and dirt and leave your artificial
flowers looking like new! Works
like a charm!
2) To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply
add a
drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover
bottom of pan, and
bring to a boil on stovetop.
3) Spray your Tupperware with non-stick cooking spray
before
pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be
any
stains.
4) When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use
a bit
of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any
white mess on the
outside of the cake.
5) Wrap celery in aluminium foil when putting it in the
refrigerator
and it will keep for weeks.
6) When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to
help
bring out the corn's natural sweetness.
7) Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub
it on
your forehead. The throbbing will go away.
8) Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice
cubes for
future use in casseroles and sauces.
9) To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap
on
the area and you will experience instant relief.
10) Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to
never
cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a
line on the floor
or wherever ants tend to march. See for
yourself. More tips in the next
issue!
***************************************************************************
From
the RVers Corner Inbox
Deep Cycle Batteries
QUESTION:
After some further reading elsewhere, I came across
something which said
that if you connect 2 Group 27
batteries in parallel, they will deliver a
total capacity of
210 amp-hours (2 x 105 AH). This assumes that the
average
Group 27 battery delivers 105 AH. Two 6V Golf Cart
batteries
connected in series delivers 225 amp-hours (Trojan T105
rated at
225AH).
Now I have some questions:
1) The staying power of the golf cart batteries is not much
better than
2-group 27's (225 vs. 210). Am I missing
something here? Is there more to
this than I understand? 2)
If I use a pair of golf cart batteries, can I use
my
standard 6V/12V battery charger to charge them or must I use
a charger
specifically designed for Deep Cycle batteries? I
also have a charger for
Deep Cycle batteries but it only
works for 12V batteries. 3) Would it be
correct to assume
that if the Charger/Inverter installed in my trailer
is
adequate for charging my single 12V deep cycle battery
(Interstate SRM
24), then will it be OK to use with a pair
of Trojan T105 golf cart
batteries, or for that matter, two
12V Group 27's wired in parallel? 4) Would
it also be
correct to assume that my truck's alternator will be able
to
deal with charging either configuration mentioned in
question 3?
Thanks in advance.
Clark
ANSWER:
1) Although the 2 12VDC deep cycle batteries in parallel and
the 2 6VDC
batteries in series are similar in amp hour
capacity, it is the longer
life of the 6 volt batteries
that is attractive. In a nut shell, the
two 6's use 6 cells
overall in the same space that the 12's use 12
cells. This
allows room for thicker plates within the battery and
that
means longer useful life.
2) When two batteries are connected together, they become a
battery bank
and the 2 6VDC's connected in series can be
treated the same as a 12VDC
battery or 2 12's in parallel.
As long as you leave the 6's connected
together you can use
your 12 volt battery charger on them at 12
volts.
3) Yes, your on-board converter will charge the 6's or the
12's. Most
converters have a fairly "dumb" charger, some
are adjustable to better
suit the purpose they are used
for, and the newer ones will charge at a
higher rate. (up to
40 amps or so)
4) The wiring size and length of run from your alternator to
the
batteries will determine the amount of amps that are
available to
charge the battery(s) while underway. The
trailer plug connection will
only accept a 10 gauge wire and
the distance from alternator to battery
can be 30 to 40
feet - in other words, the charge rate will be
slow.
PS your present group 24 Interstate has about a 55 amp/hour
capacity -
pretty feeble!
Hope this helps,
Regards,
***************************************************************************
CarterGPS - Mobile GPS navigation system By John Stead Put
together your
own by following this guide.
We have used computer trip planning for many years now. In
the past, my
wife Nancy would prepare all the routes and
driving schedules on the
computer. Upon completion, she
would print a trip book with maps and
directions and put it
in a binder.
Our new system provides for flexibility with route changes
due to
preferences, construction zones or road conditions.
We know well in
advance of upcoming exits or turns. I can
be in the correct lane at the
correct time without any
guess work.
The easiest way for me to describe the advantages of such a
system is to
walk you through its usage. In May of this
year we planned a short 4
day RV trip from Mississauga, ON
Canada to Irish Hills, Michigan USA
for my niece's
graduation.
While I made preparations with the van and our 29ft travel
trailer,
Nancy booked a campsite in Irish Hills and
prepared a travel route
using Microsoft Street & Trips. She
plugged in our starting
location near Fergus Ontario and the
Irish Hills Campground in
Michigan. She specified the types
of roads we prefer, updated the
construction data and
"poof", we had a route with a detailed map and driving
instructions.
Thanks to John for another interesting article!
***************************************************************************
Napping
Navigator by gMw
Driving a motorhome or anything else for that matter, I pay
attention to
the road and traffic, which leaves no time for
map reading, so I rely
on my "navigator" to read maps and
provide directions.
Sometimes/often my navigator takes catnaps, which seems to
coincide
with times I have questions about exits, route
numbers, and so
on.
Now before each day's travel, I review maps and directions,
jotting
down route numbers, exit numbers, towns (or land
marks to help me
locate things), fuel stops, etc. in large
print on a 6" x 4" ruled
Post-it Note, and stick it to my
dash board for quick reference.
That way I always have the highlights of my day's travel in
front of
me, available, and easy to read, should my
navigator take a
catnap.
Editors note: what a great idea! Thanks for sharing this
with us. These
Post-it notes could also be used in other
ways - as reminders to lower the
antenna, stow the water
hose
...
***************************************************************************
Joke
of the Day:
Signs you may Have bought a bad RV:
1. As you leave the RV lot, you see the owner rush out with
a gigantic
smile and high-five the salesman.
2. You notice that the car phone they threw in "for free"
has a direct
line to Moes's Towing Company.
3. The booster cables are not in the trunk but are
permanently soldered
to the battery.
4. The hood has been equipped with a push-button device for
quick and
easy opening.
5. The "Purchased From" sticker at the bottom of the rear
license plate
has been removed.
6. You get a "Good Luck" card from the previous owner.
7. As you drive up to a service station for gas, the
mechanic opens the
big door and waves you in.
8. When you leave for work the next morning, you notice a
tow truck
parked about a block from your driveway. As you go
by, it silently falls in
behind you.
9. The little "Service Engine" warning signal in the
dashboard comes on
and reads "Me Again."
****
A frog telephoned the Psychic Hotline and was informed, "You
are going
to meet a beautiful young woman who will want to
know everything about you."
The frog said, "That's great!
Will I meet her at a party, or what?"
... "No," replied the psychic, "Next term--in her biology
class."
***************************************************************************
CLASSIFIED ADS
***************************************************************************
Mexican
Insurance Online
Buy and print Mexican auto insurance policies immediately on
your
own printer. Can also insure boats, motorcycles,
trailers, RVs and
properties (home, condo, apartment etc).
!!! HAPPY CAMPIN' !!!
Les Doll - RV Technician My advice is free and worth only
what you
gain from it!