Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-16-2016, 08:10 AM   #161
Senior Member
 
Golfnbike13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 439
Cruise Lite 195BH Owners Thread

I was always under the impression batteries needed to be kept outside or external compartment due to venting of the battery gases ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
-------
TT- '21 Spirit XTR 2146BHX
TV- '19 Nissan Titan XD Cummins Diesel 5.0
Golfnbike13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2016, 01:09 PM   #162
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 26
For better or worse, FR doesn't seal that area very well, there's considerable circulation, especially when moving which is when most of our charging gets done. Considered putting in a small fan to ventilate when charging, but in the end figured it wasn't needed. YMMV.
Lefty665 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2016, 03:46 PM   #163
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 26
A couple of thoughts on battery gassing, but remember that I am not a flooded lead acid (fla) battery engineer, nor do I pretend to be one on blogs.

Most gassing occurs near the end of a high rate charge when available current exceeds that usable in converting lead sulphate on the plates. The excess turns into heat, which causes its own problems, and electrolysis that generates hydrogen and oxygen.

Modern 3 stage chargers used in our trailers greatly reduce excess current by first reducing rates as batteries reach about 80% of charge, then reducing again to provide a lower voltage low current float at 100% to maintain full charge. That eliminates most of the excess current that would otherwise be diverted into heat and electrolysis. It seems that will greatly reduce, but not eliminate, gassing. Also, the line voltage charger on my trailer includes a fan that will increase circulation in the under bunk compartment where the batteries are. Modern smart chargers are not the crude beasts we had years ago that would cook batteries and generate copious amounts of hydrogen if left to their own devices.

The 12v charging provided by the TV is a different critter and I need to read a little more about it. While I expect it varies from TV to TV, in general the size of the fusing and wiring between TV and TT lets us know the charging current available is limited. Also seems likely there's a diode in line to prevent the trailer batteries from trying to dump all their current back through the cabling to the TV starter motor. That will knock a half volt or so off the voltage available to drive trailer battery charging. As I noted originally, FR did not seal that area particularly well, so TT battery charging from the TV that happens mostly while moving will have some air circulation.

So there you have it, FWIW, my logic for having moderate concerns about gassing with fla batteries and a 195BH.
Lefty665 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2016, 07:59 AM   #164
Senior Member
 
TN_Cruise_Lite's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 167
The overflow/drain is a great idea Lefty, definitely doing that one.
TN_Cruise_Lite is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2016, 11:21 AM   #165
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 26
It takes a little 1/2 inch Pex, a couple of Ls to go from vertical to horizontal, clamps and adapters to go from Pex to shut off valves. I reused the drain valve that was on the pipe already. A small conduit to I beam bracket provided an easy way to attach to the frame.

Then there was the note taped to the frame to keep me from forgetting which pipe was which. Dunno about this getting old stuff.

Glad it was useful.
Lefty665 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2016, 07:57 AM   #166
Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 37
Did you have to change out your time to go with a 15" tire? Ours has the 14" and id love to upgrade that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Harveyfamily is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2016, 05:48 PM   #167
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 26
Our tire size changed from 205/75x14 to 215x75Rx14. Rims are 14"; and did not change. New tires are also 14". Tire diameter went up from 26.1" to 26.7". We like the wider tread width of 8.5", and more than anything else radial and higher quality vs the original bias ply tires.

Why do you want to move to a 15" wheel? A 205x75Rx15 tire would be 27.1" in diameter and have an 8.1" wide tread.
Lefty665 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2016, 10:35 AM   #168
Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 37
Ahh, I see it now in your picture. I definitely want a wider tire to help with stabilization.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Harveyfamily is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2016, 12:46 PM   #169
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 26
"Stabilization" parked or rolling? If rolling, what's your TV?
Lefty665 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-23-2016, 09:21 AM   #170
Explore
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 542
Quick Reference Guide

Quote:
Originally Posted by Camp4two View Post
As this thread continues to grow it will become more time consuming for anyone to find particular topic(s) of interest without scanning through all the posts. We hope this quick reference will help make your task easier.

We plan to update this reference every 6 months or so and add more categories if needed.

Category/Comment #s
Air conditioner/79, 81, 124-130
Awning lights/83-84, 91, 96, 118, 121
BTU inputs/41
Ceiling vents/fans/50-51, 104-105
Double entry steps/33-37
Dual battery tray/boxes/24, 42, 44
Dual propane tanks/42, 44, 48
EZ lube axles/106-107
FR 195BH trailers/26
Generators/solar panels/inverter/73-74, 99-103
LED lights/light bulbs/38, 66-72
Modifications/upgrades/12, 27, 46, 80, 85, 142-145
Refrigerator/87, 89, 108-113, 116, 119-120, 141
Screen door cross bar/52-55
Spare parts/61-62
Stabilizer jacks/12, 81-84, 86, 92, 98, 108-113, 116, 119
Storage/77-78
Thermostat/47, 49
Tires/wheels/2, 16-18, 65
Toilet/60
Trailer issues/1, 9
TV mount/56-57, 116, 118,122-123, 133, 135-136, 139, 140
Water pressure regulator/29-31
Water tanks/32, 39, 63-64, 115, 117
Weight distribution hitch/sway/7-8, 10-11, 13-14, 19, 28, 43, 45, 92
Every few weeks I'll re-post this reference. Covers most comments from #1-145. I will update it every 6 months or so. Happy camping everyone.
Camp4two is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2016, 09:48 AM   #171
Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 37
Quote:
Originally Posted by jawga View Post
Unexpected mod for us. The old fridge started leaking freon, the pipes started corroding ?sp? We got three years out of the first one. Its nice having a true freezer


Can you tell me more about this mod? We'd love to do this.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Harveyfamily is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2016, 10:14 PM   #172
Senior Member
 
jawga's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Georgia
Posts: 183
Cruise Lite 195BH Owners Thread

We removed the thin piece of trim above the fridge. Then moved the brackets forward on the back of the fridge. Otherwise it was pretty straight forward. Bought the fridge at walmart since it was cheapest there. The cubic feet is smaller but with a true freezer it actually seems bigger based on how we stock up on food. Also the door opens to the right instead of the left and makes it easier to load and unload the fridge
jawga is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2016, 09:00 AM   #173
Explore
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 542
Vent Shade

Recently installed a vent shade in our 2016 195BH. We used it for the first time last week and it worked great to reduce the morning light when sleeping and keep the heat out with the a/c on. Some light is noticeable around the edges of the shade.

Installed very easy. We used a little bigger screw for the latch than the #4 supplied screw. After latching the shade, push the release button at the end and it will draw the shade tighter. The shade is Camco 42913 Retractable Lights Out Vent Shade (Cream). We got ours on E-Bay for about $11.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	1.jpg
Views:	151
Size:	312.9 KB
ID:	115498   Click image for larger version

Name:	2.jpg
Views:	166
Size:	158.5 KB
ID:	115499   Click image for larger version

Name:	3.jpg
Views:	172
Size:	37.9 KB
ID:	115500   Click image for larger version

Name:	4.jpg
Views:	180
Size:	300.1 KB
ID:	115501  
Camp4two is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2016, 05:18 PM   #174
Senior Member
 
Golfnbike13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 439
Interesting I've thought about those to keep out heat so good to know. Got anything to cover the door window and block light?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
-------
TT- '21 Spirit XTR 2146BHX
TV- '19 Nissan Titan XD Cummins Diesel 5.0
Golfnbike13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2016, 06:07 PM   #175
Explore
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 542
Thanks. For the door window, we installed a light curtain rod. We found some brown curtain material that closely matched our windows valance curtains. The curtain material has a white light-block fabric facing the door window and dark brown fabric on the other side. DW cut and sew the curtain material so it splits down the middle and made tie backs w/velcro. We found we can enter/exit easily letting the split curtains just hang down.

A good light blocking curtain material will block all the light from door window and helps keep the heat/cold out of the trailer. Our curtain set-up works great.
Camp4two is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2016, 11:19 AM   #176
Explore
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 542
Door Window Curtains

Here are a couple pics of our door window light blocking curtains:
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	1.jpg
Views:	135
Size:	34.4 KB
ID:	115625   Click image for larger version

Name:	2.jpg
Views:	156
Size:	29.5 KB
ID:	115626  
Camp4two is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2016, 10:48 PM   #177
Member
 
rtidwell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 33
We've had our 195BH for a little over a year. It's a great little trailer for us (family of 3).

I did find some immediate issues that feel like just shoddy quality control. If you buy one, you should check:

*Water connection at toilet valve. It was loose, and we discovered that our first trip out.

*The drain plumbing under the sink was loose. That was discovered a bit later. I think it was a bit loose and bounced about until it was completely so.

*When we had it out in high humidity the first time, the air conditioner dripped inside. 2 of the bolts were loose. Hand turntable loose. I made this worse by over tightening them. Do t do that. Now I get to put in a new gasket.


Mods we have made:

*real mattress for main bed. I have also raised the head end 4 inches to help with my acid reflux issues.

*Privacy curtain for the front bed. I bought some aluminum rail and rollers like the shower curtain is installed on, and my wife made a curtain.

*My Dad and took the first panel off of the under bed front trunk, and made a track out of some matching pre-finished trim. The reinstalled panel is now a sliding door for trunk access. I never have to lift the bed to get to things.

*I installed a car stereo and 2 speakers in the cabinet above the front bed.

* I put a shelf in the cabinet right by the door. I plan to do the same to the cabinet above the sink/stove.

I've got other things I want to do, but that's the current list.

Russ Tidwell
Salem CruiseLite 195BH
Garden City, KS
Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByForest River Forums1469936889.811402.jpg
Views:	142
Size:	84.3 KB
ID:	115870Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByForest River Forums1469936904.551944.jpg
Views:	134
Size:	86.7 KB
ID:	115871
rtidwell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2016, 11:30 PM   #178
Explore
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 542
Thank you for sharing your issues and mods. Really like your pics of your car stereo and speakers. They really look good in your cabinet panels.

Can you send some pics of your underbed sliding door and door track? We keep our spare tire stored under the front bed and always have to lift the bed to check the pressure/add air and get to other stuff. A sliding door panel is something I have wanted to install. Would like to see how you did it.

Keep up your mods and let us know as you improve things. Our 195BH has also been a great trailer. We are in Northern CA now and enjoying every day with it.
Camp4two is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2016, 12:10 AM   #179
Member
 
rtidwell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 33
Here are some pics of the privacy curtain and sliding door mods.

I don't think the sliding door is big enough to get a spare tire in and out of, but we don't have any trouble with fishing equipment or folding director style camping chairs.

For sliding door mod, I used prefinished rectangular molding. It was 1"x2". I made a rabbit along the edge of the molding with my table saw, and put that on the top and bottom to create the slots for the door to slide in. I also bought a piece of larger corner molding to accept the door. I think this is the best mod (other than a real mattress) we've done.

Russ Tidwell
Salem CruiseLite 195BH
Garden City, KS


Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByForest River Forums1469941703.956582.jpg
Views:	167
Size:	95.0 KB
ID:	115875Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByForest River Forums1469941718.474290.jpg
Views:	154
Size:	266.8 KB
ID:	115876Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByForest River Forums1469941730.864846.jpg
Views:	167
Size:	102.8 KB
ID:	115877Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByForest River Forums1469941754.507752.jpg
Views:	168
Size:	283.4 KB
ID:	115878Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByForest River Forums1469941765.992757.jpg
Views:	165
Size:	287.1 KB
ID:	115879
rtidwell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2016, 08:53 AM   #180
Senior Member
 
TN_Cruise_Lite's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 167
Nice work!
__________________
2018 Coleman Light 1805RB
2010 Chevy Silverado 4x4
2013 Salem Cruise Lite 195BH (traded)
TN_Cruise_Lite is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:08 AM.