[Rhodes22-list] Airstream Genset

Mon, 18 Nov 2002 11:50:59 -0800 (PST)

Ah ca'mon Rik, first I do all the heavy lifting on the
microwave and now you throw this curve ball!  I don't
even have an Airstream anymore!  The DC power center
went out on mine and I used an auto charger hooked
directly to the battery but then I never traveled and
didn't need the DC that much.  But, you got me to
worrying about the genset-boat battery charger
application so I'm in the middle of a test;  as we
speak the Honda is hooked up to an el-cheapo auto
charger connected to a deep cycle battery.  Its
drawing about 10 amps and the Honda didn't even rise
above idle.  When I turn it to 30 amps it barely
throttles up.  Thats what it should do on paper.  I
remember the DC power supply on my Airstream was huge
so maybe thats the problem.  Anyway, I have to go to
the Doctor in a few minutes so my head doesn't explode
from a sinus infection but the scientific inquiry will
continue! Tag, you're it.  Your turn to go to WalMart.
Brad.
--- Rik Sandberg <racerrik@rea-alp.com> wrote:
> Doug and Brad,
> 
> Careful guys, check it out first. I have had a 10
> amp battery charger
> (plugged into the 110 side) kick out the overload
> switch on the 1000 watt
> Honda. I have no idea what the current draw on any
> particular travel
> trailer's charging system may be. I have also never
> tried this with my
> travel trailer. So I can't say that it definitely
> won't work. I would sure
> test it though, before I laid out the bucks for a
> new generator. You just
> might need a little bit bigger one.
> 
> Rik
> 
> BTW, the furnace system in RVs is strictly 12 volt
> (including the fan), at
> least all of our have been.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "brad haslett" <flybrad@yahoo.com>
> To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list"
> <rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 12:47 PM
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Airstream Genset
> 
> 
> > Doug, you mentioned in an earlier post that you
> towed
> > an Airstream.  I lived in one part time (32ft) for
> two
> > years but didn't tow.  If I did you can bet it
> would
> > have been with the biggest rig I could get my
> hands
> > on.  I heated my Airstream electric only with
> three
> > small heaters.  Experimenting with the Honda I
> have
> > discovered it will power one electric heater at
> the
> > 750watt level no problem.  It sounds like what you
> > want to do is power the blower on the LP furnace,
> > correct?  The Honda would probably handle that
> easily,
> > the blower motor doesn't draw that much power but
> I
> > can't remember whether its AC or DC.  The Honda
> > produces both but the DC side is for battery
> charging
> > only.  The most efficient way to consume DC would
> be
> > to let the Honda's AC side power the campers/boats
> > charging system.  On the AC side you will face the
> > same issue I am on the boat.  When you're powering
> a
> > high draw application, you have to make sure no
> one
> > plugs anything else in or turns something else on.
> No
> > damage will be done but the genset will trip its
> > breaker. There were a couple of times I lost power
> in
> > my space for the Airstream and the Honda would
> have
> > saved me a trip to a motel.
> >
> > Brad Haslett
> > "CoraShen"
> > --- "Gardner, Douglas L. (LNG-DAY)"
> > <douglas.gardner@lexisnexis.com> wrote:
> > > Hey Brad,
> > >
> > >    No offense taken, and actually my response
> read
> > > much more strongly than I
> > > intended.  My main thesis was supposed to be
> that
> > > casual observers can't
> > > decide if a vehicle is appropriate for an
> individual
> > > or not. I've been known
> > > to throw my share of comments about soccer moms
> > > buying a Ford Excursion to
> > > drive to the grocery.  The fact is, I can't tell
> > > from the grocery store
> > > parking lot if they really need the huge SUV or
> not.
> > >  (well, actually I can
> > > look at the hitch to see if its been used, and I
> can
> > > look to see if there is
> > > a brake controller under the dash, but that is
> about
> > > it.)
> > >
> > > Rik's main points are well founded.  Given that
> the
> > > question is: what do I
> > > need to tow a R22?  Then the answer is:
> Something
> > > rated to tow 5,000lbs or
> > > better.
> > > Like I said, my Jeep Cherokee Classic can handle
> > > that, although I wish it
> > > was just a bit heavier.
> > >
> > > Personally, I loved my Ford Aerostar.
> > > Unfortunately, given the extremes of
> > > my needs (commuting vs. the occasional heavy
> > > towing/hauling) there is no
> > > room in the stable or the budget for a minivan. 
> Too
> > > bad.  I really liked
> > > having one.  I don't understand what some of my
> > > friends have against them.
> > > They are great vehicles for the family and
> > > occasional light hauling.  I
> > > could even fit my garden tractor in mine!
> > >
> > > Oh, and about the generator/microwave...  I say
> GO
> > > FOR IT!  I'm not going to
> > > do that on the boat, but you and Rik have me
> > > seriously thinking about that
> > > little generator for the camper!  That would
> widen
> > > our horizons a lot if I
> > > could generate enough juice to run the furnace
> in
> > > the camper overnight
> > > without electrical hookups!  I have a catalytic
> > > heater in there, but won't
> > > use it overnight with kids nearby.  The furnace
> is
> > > the way to go...
> > >
> > > --Doug
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: brad haslett [mailto:flybrad@yahoo.com]
> > > Sent: Monday, November 18, 2002 12:00 PM
> > > To: The Rhodes 22 mail list
> > > Subject: [Rhodes22-list] diesel insults
> > >
> > >
> > > Doug, NO! You shouldn't be insulted.  My
> comments
> > > were
> > > not directed to you personally or anyone else on
> the
> > > list.  A list member asked for information about
> > > diesels and as a long time diesel driver I
> shared
> > > some
> > > personal experience.  Thats all.  If you like
> your
> > > truck, be happy and live in peace.  I work with
> 4500
> > > guys and gals with a larger than average number
> who
> > > drive full size diesel pickups that they have
> little
> > > legitimate use for (that doesn't mean there
> isn't
> > > one).  I poke fun at them all the time and take
> the
> > > return fire from them about my "pizza delivery
> > > truck"
> > > (Toyota Tacoma) in good spirit.  Forgive me if
> my
> > > politically correct, sensitivity meter was
> unplugged
> > > that day but it will probably happen again.  A
> lot
> > > of
> > > folks on this list think my genset-microwave
> combo
> > > either 1 - can't be done or 2 - is silly to
> begin
> > > with, and have stated so in so many words.  I
> find
> > > it
> > > all rather funny and take no offense.  If they
> > > outright called me an idiot I wouldn't get
> insulted,
> > > I'd just take them off my Christmas card list!
> > >
> > > Brad Haslett
> > > "CoraShen"
> > >
> _________________________________________________
> > > Use Rhodes22-list@rhodes22.org, Help?
> > www.rhodes22.org/list
> >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! Web Hosting - Let the expert host your site
> 
=== message truncated ===

__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Web Hosting - Let the expert host your site
http://webhosting.yahoo.com