Were'd You All Go

[T.J.]

Man I can't believe how quite the Classic Winnebago guys are. They must have restored all there rigs and are getting ready to head to Jimco's this year.

[T.J.]

Thanks mate I was a little concerned. I though of that after I bought them, Duh! Me thinks Timmy ran and hid once he saw my post because he knows I'm going to wine, cry and grovel at the Jimco Jam this year to get him and his dad to help me hook them up. Those two are amazing when it comes to this stuff.

[T.J.]

Spring must have Sprung. Where'd every body go?

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning, T. J.; 

Sorry about not responding sooner.  I have been down in Oregon working on a radio system.  Yes, it is feeling better now.  And, any future maintenance on it should be easier to do also. 

Rich Thomas provided a basic explanation of why you do not need to worry about the electrical power that is coming from the engine starting or chassis battery.  That is a normal DC power source, and it is not just half a power supply like the ubiquitous "RV 12 VDC power converter."  The nominal "12 VDC" automotive electrical power system (usually about 13.8 VDC) really is fairly clean.  And if there is something you want to plug in that is really sensitive about any pulses or noise on the electrical power source, we can also add filters. 

I guess that it really is time to get out the photographs of the waveform found on the "RV 12 VDC power converter" and what is found on a battery or a true DC power supply.  Then the difference will be visually obvious and you can easily see why some of the LED lights do not like being fed what comes out of the common "RV 12 VDC power converter."  I think that in an earlier message, I did say that there are some more expensive LED lights that can work on a  wider voltage range, such as the ones made by the Star Lights people, and they rate their devices to operate from 9 VDC to 26 VDC, so they will be OK anyway.  They are more expensive, but they do work with the regular "RV 12 VDC power converter,"   

Like many people, I do not have an infinite supply of money, so I have been looking at some of the less expensive LED lights for use in replacing the automotive type 12 VDC incandescent light bulbs in many of the lighting fixtures in the Winnebago Elandan.  I think there are about 21 incandescent light bulb type fixtures, and about 5 two tube florescent light fixtures.  And I might add two or three LED light strips in some strategic locations, such as over the cooking range top and up front for seeing into the over-the-dash and over the engine cover cabinets in the driving area.   

I had intended to be putting in the new Power Dynamics PD-4655V this week, but I also had not known that the telephone call would come on Monday asking that I go to Oregon.  Once I have it installed, then I can go back to installing the new LED lights in the Elandan. 

In addition to the inside lighting, I am also replacing as much of the outside lighting as I can to reduce the load on the alternator and the engine starting battery.  Yes, LED bulb replacements are going into the roof top lights and the side lights.  As long as the old bulbs are the single contact base type, they are easy to replace.  It is the double contact type, such as the combination tail light/brake light and the front lower corner lights and turn signals that are going to be more of a challenge.  

 

I really do want to convert the brake lights to the LED type.  The normal incandescent light bulb will take about 150 to 200 milliseconds to come up to full brightness.  The LED type lights come on right now at full brightness.  At 60 MPH, that 200 millisecond difference is an additional 18 feet of distance that is available from when you step on your brakes, and the guy behind you steps on his also.  That can save an awful lot of paperwork and inconvenience. 

Changing to another topic, restoring the Winnebago is proceeding fairly well, but I might need to order some replacement curtains and similar cloth parts.  My capability with a sewing machine is limited. 

Restoring the Winnebago is easy.  It is the upgrades and improvements that are taking awhile.  Just the exhaust system is being done in four stages.  Engineering how to do it and fit together all the existing pieces and the other things that are going in also is taking some serious efforts. 

Enjoy; 

Ralph 

Latté Land, Washington 

[Ralph Javins]

Good morning; 

Sometimes others pick the trips for you.  It looks like the first run of the year for the Elandan will be to the Wine Country RV park in Prosser, Washington, for the Washington State Good Sam Club BoD meeting. 

Yes, the name for the RV park is correct.  The number of orchards that have become vinyards is impressive.  Apples, cherries, peaches, apricots, and other fruits are not the only thing growing now in the Yakima Valley area. 

Enjoy;     Ralph, Latté Land, Washington 

[T.J.]

Well we just dodged a beauty. Took the rig out for it's first shake down run to Port Huron Michigan and while we were driving away a huge winter storm broke over home. Spent three days camping out in the Walmart parking lot eating like kings. Had a great time home now. 

[SLEETH]

nice tail lights!

[T.J.]

Just got four more to go. >GRIN/p>

[SLEETH]

its only money (l,o,l,)

[Rick Faunce]

Well, NOW I see where some of you are hiding out. I just found out about this forum after meeting Tina for the first time at her now repaired RV here in NJ. Hope to spend a bit more time here.

Rick

[Rick Faunce]

Pat, your name sounds very familiar to me for some reason. I am on many forums so it may be from another camper forum but I am also into antique military vehicles, are you involved with them at all?

[T.J.]

Are you the infamous Rick from Classic Winnebago's and RV's? How's a 1943 Ford Fire Truck Ex. RCAF retired and then used on a 800 acre Veterans Hospital.

[Rick Faunce]

I am the one and the same who used to be there. LOL. That sounds like an interesting truck, not exactly military but hey, it is old and it is a vehicle so you know I would like it.