What did you do to your camper today?

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

We spent Friday afternoon throwing out all the food in our fridge/freezer because we lost power at our seasonal site at some point within the past week.

After a few hours of trouble-shooting, I finally discovered that we had a bad breaker on the CG pedestal. We are on 50A service and were only getting power from one leg. Which explained why I was only getting power to half my trailer.

Luckily I had a 30 to 50 dogbone adapter and we were able to live on 30A temporarily. Everything in the trailer still works so no problems there.

The good news is that now I know exactly where my converter is and I've learned how to check/change the breakers in my breaker panel.

I realize you said seasonal site so I'm not sure how often you visit or whether you have a R/V type refrigerator or a residential style?

With that said.... many of us with the R/V style, turn the refrigerator to 'Auto' and leave the LP supply on. That way, if the power goes out, the fridge switches to LP and continues to operate. You will need to leave the LP supply on when gone. When the power comes back on, it automatically goes back to electric operation.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

We spent Friday afternoon throwing out all the food in our fridge/freezer because we lost power at our seasonal site at some point within the past week.

After a few hours of trouble-shooting, I finally discovered that we had a bad breaker on the CG pedestal. We are on 50A service and were only getting power from one leg. Which explained why I was only getting power to half my trailer.

Luckily I had a 30 to 50 dogbone adapter and we were able to live on 30A temporarily. Everything in the trailer still works so no problems there.

The good news is that now I know exactly where my converter is and I've learned how to check/change the breakers in my breaker panel.

Experience is the best teacher!

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by 5picker

I realize you said seasonal site so I'm not sure how often you visit or whether you have a R/V type refrigerator or a residential style?

With that said.... many of us with the R/V style, turn the refrigerator to 'Auto' and leave the LP supply on. That way, if the power goes out, the fridge switches to LP and continues to operate. You will need to leave the LP supply on when gone. When the power comes back on, it automatically goes back to electric operation.

Most of the time we are out there every weekend but we had an emergency come up the prior weekend so we weren't able to get out there.

We do have a 3-way fridge but it never switched over for some reason. It was/is set to 'auto'. I figured for sure that both of our LP tanks would be drained but they weren't. Not sure what went wrong.

[Feldhege]

So I was told a trick once to monitor a fridge freezer. Freeze a cup of water and put a coin on top of the ice. If the power goes out enough to thaw the ice, the coin will drop and you will know the food may have thawed and be in safe. Might be helpful with seasonal units.

[325BH]

Originally Posted by Feldhege

So I was told a trick once to monitor a fridge freezer. Freeze a cup of water and put a coin on top of the ice. If the power goes out enough to thaw the ice, the coin will drop and you will know the food may have thawed and be in safe. Might be helpful with seasonal units.

That is an excellent idea.

I wonder though, could the fridge get warm enough to spoil food... but only to have the power come back on before the freezer started to thaw?

[Feldhege]

Yes but then the coin would not be on the top off the water. It would be in the ice. Or that is the theory.

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by 325BH

That is an excellent idea.

I wonder though, could the fridge get warm enough to spoil food... but only to have the power come back on before the freezer started to thaw?

I believe the freezer gets cold before the refrigerator part does. So I imagine that it would be the same going the opposite way. If the stuff in your freezer is thawing, the fridge is already pretty warm and has been for some time.

[Evereddie]

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

We spent Friday afternoon throwing out all the food in our fridge/freezer because we lost power at our seasonal site at some point within the past week.

After a few hours of trouble-shooting, I finally discovered that we had a bad breaker on the CG pedestal. We are on 50A service and were only getting power from one leg. Which explained why I was only getting power to half my trailer.

Luckily I had a 30 to 50 dogbone adapter and we were able to live on 30A temporarily. Everything in the trailer still works so no problems there.

The good news is that now I know exactly where my converter is and I've learned how to check/change the breakers in my breaker panel.

These days technology is simple and cheap. I would look into an alert system.

[rockfordroo]

I have this one. It will record the min and max temps while you're gone:

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/sto...rts/1040496481

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by Evereddie

These days technology is simple and cheap. I would look into an alert system.

It's a nice idea, but unless it was something that could send an alert to my phone, it wouldn't have helped in this situation. CG doesn't have Wifi either.

[Iwannacamp]

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

It's a nice idea, but unless it was something that could send an alert to my phone, it wouldn't have helped in this situation. CG doesn't have Wifi either.

Another option... redneck version... put a cup with ice in freezer...if it melts and refreezes you might want to know.

[Evereddie]

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

It's a nice idea, but unless it was something that could send an alert to my phone, it wouldn't have helped in this situation. CG doesn't have Wifi either.

There is a deal you can get from AT&T called Connected Car. (ZTE Mobley) It's a Hotspot with 22 gig of bandwidth for $20 a month. (it's actually endless bandwidth but AT&T has to right to throttle you back in speed after you hit 22 gig if their system get busy. ) You can use it while in the camper for endless internet bandwidth and then leave it on to send alerts to your phone. You will have to buy the alert system that ties in with the Mobley but there are many choices to pick from . A simple power off alert would do the trick. Temperature alert for the fridge wouldn't be hard either.

I have the Mobley for $20 a month and it is fantastic. Almost hate to tell anyone about it. Saw it on the IRV2 forum website.
$20 Unlimited Data with ZTE Mobley Device - iRV2 Forums

Did a quick search and found these.
https://www.monnit.com/ProductManage...irmwareBaseID=

[325BH]

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

It's a nice idea, but unless it was something that could send an alert to my phone, it wouldn't have helped in this situation. CG doesn't have Wifi either.

Most people are concerned about food getting warm (and spoiling) then re-cooling without their knowledge. I don't care about being alerted as it is happening... just that I know it happened. Depending on the temp that the food was exposed to will indicate how long. The alerts may say how long too. With that info, I will decide to throw my food away or not.

Of course, I have never had one before and haven't died yet!

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by 325BH

Most people are concerned about food getting warm (and spoiling) then re-cooling without their knowledge. I don't care about being alerted as it is happening... just that I know it happened. Depending on the temp that the food was exposed to will indicate how long. The alerts may say how long too. With that info, I will decide to throw my food away or not.

Of course, I have never had one before and haven't died yet!

And depending on how far away from the TT you live, even if you knew, you may not be able to respond in time to prevent food spoilage.

[brucej52]

Converted my single propane system to a dual system.



17' Forest River Flagstaff 207SE

[Relic]

Went out to check on the trailer and noticed the front vent cover had a few holes in it; so up on top to see what was going on. Weather worn vent cover needed to be replaced so I took the opportunity and installed a MaxxAir Vent Cover on front and rear (bathroom) vent.

Super easy installation; except for the low 90's temps.

[glen1971]

After work I, rotated the tires.. Topped up the air pressure... Greased the bearings through the auto greasers.. Checked the bearings for excessive play. Put the trailer back on the blocks and getting ready for another weekend out!

[Skyliner]

Reinstalled six 100 watt solar panels after the roof got new rubber. What a PITA to rewire everything!

[Tapex]

Camco stow and step supports and New bathroom faucet installed

[A32Deuce]

Had to fix the power feed wire to the auto levelers. Seems they don't like to ride on a spinning drive shaft!