Class B RV and Camper Van Discussion Forum

General Discussion Forum • Re: Mike Wendland is off the air

2015-06-03T16:53:27+00:00

wincrasher wrote:
Well, my van does not fully lock if one of the rear doors, or the side door is not fully seated. Sometimes it looks properly closed, but it's not. That's another reason I'd like a power door closer on the side door. There would be no issue on assuring it's properly closed and locked.

I just went and checked our Chevy, and with it, if one of the doors is not latched completely, it locks all the others and flashes the lights as if everything is locked. When you close that open door, it is locked, however, so if it was onto the first latch it would still be hard to get open, I think. This is the same way it works if you have the door open to get out of the cab, lock the doors with the switch on the door, and then close it. All will be locked.

Statistics: Posted by booster — Wed Jun 03, 2015 4:53 pm

General Discussion Forum • Re: zion occc

2015-06-03T16:41:14+00:00

Awesome. Where are you going this weekend?

Statistics: Posted by stanw909 — Wed Jun 03, 2015 4:41 pm

General Discussion Forum • Re: Mike Wendland is off the air

2015-06-03T16:31:23+00:00

wincrasher wrote:
Well, my van does not fully lock if one of the rear doors, or the side door is not fully seated. Sometimes it looks properly closed, but it's not. That's another reason I'd like a power door closer on the side door. There would be no issue on assuring it's properly closed and locked.

Another scenario for why there were no signs of forced entry? That's partly why I suggested something less sinister several posts ago. Human nature was the other reason.

Has anyone actually asked MW about what happened, as far as he knows? Has he published anything by way of explanation, and maybe what police suspect actually happened? Was it an inside job? Someone should look for inexplicable additional dog treats hidden in the van, and the dog food containers for any unusual activity?
(Only joking. I know this is a serious topic )

Statistics: Posted by Mike — Wed Jun 03, 2015 4:31 pm

General Discussion Forum • Re: Mike Wendland is off the air

2015-06-03T16:22:16+00:00

booster wrote:
So, it looks like the original (pre 1990) systems were easy to poach the code and get in. From then on, things were a lot better with rolling codes. But now, if you have one that sees you coming and does its own thing, you can get have problems? So much for progress

From all this, would we be safe in saying that our 2007 Chevy with the plain old push button remote would be among the most secure systems out there?

Our 2002 relic with its "dumb" pushbutton remotes would also be equally safe and secure.

Statistics: Posted by Mike — Wed Jun 03, 2015 4:22 pm

General Discussion Forum • Fuses or breakers?

2015-06-03T14:53:03+00:00

There appear to be some very obvious places where there is no question which to use, like you want a breaker on an outlet that can easily have something plug into, and that thing could be too big a load, or shorted.

But what about the places where there really should never be an overload, unless there is something wrong? You really don't want a failing piece of electronics cycling on an auto reset breaker, and a manual reset breaker can be just as hard to get at as a fuse in many cases. Breakers can also age and fail, and some tend to generate heat. From what I have read, breakers of moderate cost still have some accuracy of trip issues. Fuses also have some heat issues, can get corrosion on the connections, and are a PITA to change and haul around spares.

I am looking at all the parts I might need to do the upgrade to a single battery bank in the place that the generator used to sit, and circuit protection is one of the things that will change to new parts do to increased charging rates. Right now it looks like I will need 6 good sized protection devices, either fuses or breakers.

300 amps right after the engine alternator

Two 120 amp, one each end of each of the two 4ga wires from the separator to the coach batteries--total 4 identical pieces

300 amps between the battery bank and charger/inverter

These are pretty big for DC breakers, fairly spendy, fairly large mounting area, and sized this way should never trip, so I am tempted to go with fuses. It would take less critical space, be substantially less expensive, should give more accurate trip, etc, as long as they can be placed in an easily accessible place. Our current system has a mixture of fuses and breakers on the similar locations, and we have never had any of them trip in 3 years of use.

What would you all use?

Statistics: Posted by booster — Wed Jun 03, 2015 2:53 pm

General Discussion Forum • Re: Mike Wendland is off the air

2015-06-03T14:32:07+00:00

wgoldman wrote:
Just saw this thread, and Mike's experience had also caught my attention. Thought I'd mention one possible security/monitoring solution that requires no custom installation: see http://www.vanscapes.net/blog/2015/5/31 ... e-security

I'm installing a BlackVue DR650GW-2CH dash camera for security. This system has two cameras. I'm installing the main unit as a dash camera and the second as an interior security camera. The dash camera will also double as an outside security camera when the van is parked in my driveway.

- - Mike
2013 Airstream Interstate from 2012 Sprinter 3500 tall & long

Statistics: Posted by Boxster1971 — Wed Jun 03, 2015 2:32 pm

General Discussion Forum • Re: Mike Wendland is off the air

2015-06-03T14:26:04+00:00

Well, my van does not fully lock if one of the rear doors, or the side door is not fully seated. Sometimes it looks properly closed, but it's not. That's another reason I'd like a power door closer on the side door. There would be no issue on assuring it's properly closed and locked.

Statistics: Posted by wincrasher — Wed Jun 03, 2015 2:26 pm

General Discussion Forum • Re: Mike Wendland is off the air

2015-06-03T14:24:49+00:00

The Sprinter uses a rolling code remote. It is not one of the new keyless system like Prius stared with a few years back and are now on many cars. With the keyless system you just have to be close to the vehicle for it to unlock - no buttons to push. There are other was to get into a Sprinter and leave no traces without electronics.

- - Mike
2013 Airstream Interstate from 2012 Sprinter 3500 tall & long

Statistics: Posted by Boxster1971 — Wed Jun 03, 2015 2:24 pm

Tweaks, Mods & Projects • Re: Used battery project - wish me luck!

2015-06-03T14:20:57+00:00

markopolo wrote:
Thanks Win.

I pretty much finished wiring up the batteries last night. 24 little nuts, bolts and lock washers to undue and then 24 little nuts, bolts and lock washers to re-do in a different config & a whole lot of crimping connections I forgot to add a 12v accessory outlet right there so I just have to do that.

Approx 396 amp hours total capacity now. I can't wait to test running the small air conditioner. I'll update this topic: http://www.classbforum.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2286 after the test.

That is a lot of capacity compared to what you had. It will be very interesting to see if the UPS batteries give up charge as quickly as "regular" AGMs do. I have read conflicting info on that. Also will be interesting to see how the charge balance works out, as in if the batteries get to full at the same time as your originals.

Interesting stuff.

Statistics: Posted by booster — Wed Jun 03, 2015 2:20 pm

General Discussion Forum • Re: zion occc

2015-06-03T14:20:51+00:00

Awesome. Great news on the OCCC. Maybe they made some changes since the show models, or the number was just a typo.

I'm surprised you didn't take it to the house for the first couple days to play and check things out. I certainly did. The HOA can send me a letter if they like!

I've noted the same thing in the Travato. You can get enough of a view out the back windows in your rearview to be useful. I can see traffic, as well as if the bike is still on the rack.

Yes, please post us some pictures of interesting details. Would love to see your underhood generator, and your battery setup.

Statistics: Posted by wincrasher — Wed Jun 03, 2015 2:20 pm

Tweaks, Mods & Projects • Re: Used battery project - wish me luck!

2015-06-03T14:16:03+00:00

I take it you are charging across the whole bank (neg on one corner, pos on another)?

What are you doing for heat dissipation? Didn't see any venting in those pics. Or do you not think it will get hot on discharge?

Statistics: Posted by wincrasher — Wed Jun 03, 2015 2:16 pm

General Discussion Forum • Re: Mike Wendland is off the air

2015-06-03T14:14:02+00:00

So, it looks like the original (pre 1990) systems were easy to poach the code and get in. From then on, things were a lot better with rolling codes. But now, if you have one that sees you coming and does its own thing, you can get have problems? So much for progress

From all this, would we be safe in saying that our 2007 Chevy with the plain old push button remote would be among the most secure systems out there?

Statistics: Posted by booster — Wed Jun 03, 2015 2:14 pm

General Discussion Forum • Re: Great West goes electric

2015-06-03T12:55:30+00:00

Fastpaddler1 wrote:
That expresses my concerns about using an aux alternator to charge house batteries except in an emergency. We are surrounded by prohibitions for running our rv engines for more than a few minutes! Good summation.

I would agree that this is the case in a lot of places, and also from a personal choice of not wanting to idle the engine a lot (or a generator). We are hoping that leaving the van running on 12 volts for nearly everything, keeping use reasonable, having the inverter off 99% of the time, and having solar, will allow the engine recharging to only be needed if driving to do the major recoveries, if needed, or to help the solar have enough time for e 100% full recharge (once a week or so).

Statistics: Posted by booster — Wed Jun 03, 2015 12:55 pm

General Discussion Forum • Re: Mike Wendland is off the air

2015-06-03T12:39:48+00:00

It's interesting that there haven't been more widespread warnings about not relying on your remote wireless entry systems to keep your vehicle locked. If Wendland was inside a shopping mall at the time of the break in, it must have been a very powerful one of these "power amplifiers" that successfully caused his van to call for his keys, assuming the mall was the Faraday Cage in his case. Doesn't the unlock button on the keyless entry fob have to be pressed to complete the open cycle? I guess the security system must have been set to proximity lock/unlock and that's how it works. If you disable proximity lock/unlock you're probably good to go.

Statistics: Posted by Mike — Wed Jun 03, 2015 12:39 pm

General Discussion Forum • Re: Roadtrek Zion - Promaster based Class B Motorhome

2015-06-03T12:15:05+00:00

I'm looking forward to seeing pictures. You got the cherry interior with leather this is the exact same package we will get in about a year from now when I retire... Pictures please!

Statistics: Posted by rclemins — Wed Jun 03, 2015 12:15 pm