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Re: alphalimafoxtrot's slide in camper FYI

Posted: 29 Mar 2018 20:52
by medezyner
Solar panels on top charging AGM batteries, not too shabby! Buddy of mine had Optima AGM on his boat; not cheap, but worth every penny. Sounds like you did your research. Did you set up with a special water filtration, or go with standard inline type filter?

Re: alphalimafoxtrot's slide in camper FYI

Posted: 30 Mar 2018 05:01
by alphalimafoxtrot
medezyner wrote:Solar panels on top charging AGM batteries, not too shabby! Buddy of mine had Optima AGM on his boat; not cheap, but worth every penny. Sounds like you did your research. Did you set up with a special water filtration, or go with standard inline type filter?
I'm not completed with kitting this out quite yet, "Me" Designer - not sure if that's how to spell your handle, LOL! What do you design?

Anyway, to your question - when we hook up to city or potable water at a campground, we will be using at the minimum a "fresh water hose" adapter and always a screw-on pressure regulator. Just your basic RV type stuff. On the drinking water end of things, my wife and I always use filtered water at home so a simple Brita decanter/carafe will be in our camper I am sure.

So to really answer your question, it would be "no" to both - nothing special is needed for filtration for taste/purity so long as you are hooked up to city/potable water or you fill the 20 gallon tank from that source. We then just fill our Brita pitcher/carafe and set it out for use as needed.

Tell you what, we have been on our teacher's spring break for a full week now, and every day when I check the solar voltage panel she is constantly pushing 13.3 volts and continuously maintaining batteries. The idea is that unless we are putting the camper in deep sleep - weeks or months of storage - you just leave the circuits and power "on" all the time. My 130L fridge has been nice and cold since Monday! Can't wait to get home, blow out the propane tanks (they are brand new 10 gal tanks) and fill up so I can prime and run the personnel heater (that's what we called them on our M35A2's), the stove, and the hot water heater. Same goes for the 20 gal water tank - there's a process to go through in priming the water pump, purging air from the lines, etc.

Then, I will be going on a routine maintenance cycle for keeping my propane-fired appliances and water pump always ready for use. My wife and I will stock a minimum bug-out kit for ourselves and the dogs to keep in the rig at all times, and as we go forward will be gradually adding items to store on-board to improve our traveling experience.

As a former landscape business owner/operator, as well as Virginia redneck, I already have a minimum collection of hand tools aboard and can store in the various gaps at the sides of the truck bed. Loppers, pruning saw, shovel, axe/hatchets, rope, you know the stuff. I could go overboard as a prepper sort of person, but my wife is going to help restrain my urges in that regard. I'm more concerned about being ready for a black bear encounter in camp at Shenandoah, like we have had many times before, than a "Walking Dead" scenario LOL!

take care
alphalimafoxtrot aka Adam Lee

Re: alphalimafoxtrot's slide in camper FYI

Posted: 31 Mar 2018 22:42
by medezyner
As an Industrial Designer, I'll tackle anything.
Forgive me if you know this: make sure you have a propane filter to take care of some of the particles that can reek havoc with injectors. Some companies are lax with filtration. I found this out with my portable Big Buddy heater. And for crying out loud, be safe and be sure your drinking water is not full of zombie pathogens.
; )
Isn't solar awesome! Our place in Maine...all solar. Heat, hot water, washer, dryer all electric and we're almost net zero. No batteries though. Wish I had a wood stove but i couldnt convince my wife. Safe travels.