Results for "hybrid"

During this tight budget month, is there any way to replace the mounting brackets on my GE residential refrigerator for under $100? The bracket that secures the fridge broke (as shown in the attached picture) during our last trip, and now I'm worried about it shifting around while we're driving.

I've been searching everywhere online but I'm not having any luck finding the exact part. Are these brackets something universal that I can get from RV parts suppliers, or do I need to go directly through GE? I'm also wondering if there's a way to fabricate something myself if I can't find the original part.

Any guidance on where to look or what my options are would be hugely appreciated - we have a trip planned next month and really need to get this fixed! …more

Despite watching countless YouTube videos on RV lithium batteries, I'm now more confused than when I started about dual purpose versus deep cycle for my motorhome's house bank. I understand that dual purpose batteries are designed to handle both starting and deep cycling applications, which sounds convenient for an RV setup. However, I'm wondering if there are performance trade-offs when using dual purpose lithium batteries specifically for coach/house battery applications where they'll primarily be doing deep cycling to power lights, water pump, refrigerator, and other 12V systems. Would I be better off with dedicated deep cycle LiFePO4 batteries for my house bank, or do dual purpose lithium batteries offer sufficient performance for typical RV boondocking and daily use? I want to make sure I'm getting the best cycle life and value for my investment in a house battery system. …more

Need chassis service on my Ford E-450 Class C in South Florida and the regular Ford dealers keep turning me away because of the RV body. Called four dealerships and none of them want to touch it. Looking for a shop that actually works on RV chassis down here. …more

Woke up to my Aliner classic's power system working perfectly in 60°F weather, but now that it's 85°F outside I'm drowning in solar versus gas generator confusion. Coming from a Rialta with a built-in generator where I just added some solar panels, I'm now starting from scratch with just one 88Ah lead acid battery and need to figure out the most practical setup for my boondocking needs.

My power requirements are pretty straightforward - laptop, house lights, furnace for overnight heating, and the occasional use of my 1800-watt toaster oven which is really the main power challenge. In my previous RV, I had 160Ah of lead acid batteries with a 100W solar panel that handled everything except the toaster oven, which required firing up the generator. I'm considering adding 200W of solar panels to this setup.

Here's where I'm getting confused: I've been looking at 2000-2500 watt generators with minimum 1900 running watts, but I heard you shouldn't run more than 80% of the running watts capacity, which would mean I need about 2300 running watts just to safely operate my 1800W toaster oven. Is that calculation correct? Alternatively, I'm wondering if I could skip the generator entirely and run the toaster oven off a large battery bank with a proper inverter - but I have no idea how much battery capacity that would require or if it's even practical. What's the most cost-effective approach for someone who primarily needs reliable power for essential loads but occasionally wants to use higher-wattage cooking appliances? …more

I noticed my 2005 Gulfstream Crescendo's slide-out T-track bulb seal has deteriorated for the third time this season and I'm done replacing it blindly. The existing seal fits into a T-track configuration with specific dimensional requirements - the track opening is approximately 3/16" wide with the T-head measuring 3/8" at its widest point.

Standard automotive or hardware store seals don't appear to match these specifications. What's the proper methodology for sourcing replacement T-track bulb seals that will fit correctly? Also seeking guidance on preparation procedures to ensure proper installation and seal longevity. …more

Spent seven years thinking I understood my RV warranty until American Guardian's 50,000-mile coverage expired and I realized I'm completely lost about what comes next. Initial premium: $10,700. Claims history: 4 successful claims totaling $6,913 in payouts, including complete Dometic Penguin 2 AC/HP unit replacement. All maintenance performed per manufacturer specifications.

At 75 years old with uncertain travel duration remaining, evaluating renewal options versus self-insurance strategy. Current consideration set includes AGWS renewal, Good Sam extended service plans, and Warrantech coverage. Recent major components replaced: 6 AGM house batteries (April 2023), 6 Michelin tires with retro-bands (August 2023), dual chassis batteries (fall 2024).

Given positive claims ratio (64.6% recovery) and disciplined maintenance approach, what would be the optimal warranty strategy moving forward? Should I prioritize renewal with proven provider, explore alternative coverage options, or transition to self-insurance given age demographics and asset condition? …more

Wondering if anyone else has dealt with a rental RV where the Firefly batteries and Victron system are constantly throwing conflicts I've never seen before. I have a 2020 Discovery LXE 40M that I've equipped with a complete Victron system - two Multiplus II inverters, Cerbo GX, and SOK lithium batteries. The problem is my coach's existing Firefly system is creating constant conflicts with the Victron equipment.

The AC units keep getting "shed" by Firefly, I'm getting random low voltage warnings even when my batteries are full, and my Auto Gen Start has completely stopped working. I've heard this might be related to waveform differences between the systems, but I'm not sure what that means or how to fix it.

I've seen some mentions of using dual transfer switches to isolate the systems, but I have no idea how that would work or if it would solve my Auto Gen Start issues. Has anyone actually resolved this Firefly-Victron nightmare? I really don't want to rip out thousands of dollars worth of equipment, but I need my RV systems to work properly! …more

Between my multimeter reading 10.2V at the battery and the manual saying my 1995 Winnebago Vectra F53 chassis should show 12.6V, I'm confused why the starter still won't crank. Nothing like being stranded at a campground to remind you that you're living in a 30-year-old house on wheels!

I'm trying to track down proper wiring diagrams to troubleshoot this mess. Should I be looking for Ford F53 chassis diagrams, Winnebago coach wiring, or both? And while I'm at it, any suggestions on what to check first for starter issues? My mechanical skills are about as reliable as my RV's electrical system right now! …more

Wondering if my 8-year-old lead acid trolling motor batteries that are barely holding a charge anymore are worth repairing or if I should upgrade to lithium? I need either a 24V or 36V lithium battery system, but I keep reading horror stories about people using the wrong chargers and damaging expensive lithium batteries.

I'm particularly worried about the charging setup - both for shore power charging at the marina and solar charging when I'm anchored out. I've heard you absolutely cannot use regular lead-acid chargers with lithium batteries, but I'm not sure what type of chargers I actually need. And for solar, someone mentioned something about MPPT controllers being required?

What specific type of chargers do I need for 24V and 36V lithium trolling motor batteries? I want to make sure I get the right equipment and don't fry a $1000+ battery pack. Are there particular lithium battery brands that are more reliable and safer than others? …more

Pulled the trigger on a 2012 Thor Avanti repo as my first RV purchase, but I'm completely clueless about what condition red flags to look for. The interior is... let's call it "lived in" to be charitable. The U-shaped dinette looks like it hosted a wrestling match, and I'm pretty sure something died in those cushions.

I'm wondering if I can swap out that sad dinette for a jackknife sofa instead? And don't get me started on the flooring - it's so worn I can practically see through to the ground. Is it realistic to replace RV flooring, or am I signing up for a special kind of torture?

Oh, and can I ditch whatever prehistoric mattress is in there for a real full-size one? Basically, is renovating a Thor Avanti actually doable, or should I just keep scrolling through RV listings and pretend this hot mess doesn't exist? …more

Somewhere between my toolbox and my coffee, I'm determined to solve why my CPAP machine keeps shutting down my RV inverter every single night. I have a 2023 Entegra Vision 27a with 2 AGM batteries that show 12.6v at rest, which I think is good? My CPAP has a humidifier and heated hose, and every night the inverter shuts down before morning, leaving me without a full night's sleep.

I'm not sure if this is happening because my batteries can't handle the power draw, or if there's something wrong with my inverter setup. The CPAP seems to use quite a bit of power with all the features running. I do have a 12v auxiliary power cord for the CPAP but no DC outlets installed in my coach.

Would adding a 12v DC outlet and running the CPAP directly off the batteries help solve this shutdown issue? Or am I missing something else entirely? Any guidance would be really appreciated! …more