Total Newbys

[BetsyMcNam]

We recently retired and are looking forward to many fun experiences traveling the USA. Unfortunately we know nothing about using our 3011ds Forester and so we will need lots of assistance from these forums. Thank you all in advance!

[wmtire]

Welcome aboard.

The below is a copy and paste of useful information, and I usually recommend it to those just starting out. Some of it, you may already know, or may not be applicable to your particular RV. You will be able to filter out what pertains to your situation or not. I would suggest you read the electric threads and energy management first, and then the converter thread. This will help explain your different electrical systems of your RV, and how they operate...as well as what the converter does. The very first link will explain what operates off what system.

You can just peruse at your leisure as you get to know your RV:

Basic electric:

Basic RV Electricity - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

RV Electric

Your very important converter:

Converter or Inverter (they are different)

RV Converters and Amp Draw - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

Installing a dedicated 30 amp RV outlet at home (Make sure you understand it's 120 volts ONLY):

How to wire a RV 30 amp outlet

12 volt DC:

12 Volt DC Circuit Breaker with Manual Reset

The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)

Suburban water heater (if applicable to your RV):

Suburban's electric switch and much more

Suburban Water Heater Video Guides

Water Heater bypass/crossover valves:

NO (OR LUKEWARM) HOT WATER -Please read first

And the newest additions to help understand what constitutes a true full cylinder in refilling vs exchanging propane cylinders... as well as how the automatic propane changeover regulator works:

Propane Cylinders (Refilling vs Exchanging)

Propane automatic changeover regulator

Inverters and residential refrigerators in RV's:

http://rveducation101.com/articles/rvinverters.pdf

Hope it helps

[MillMitch]

Welcome to the forum from MN.

[themounties]

Welcome to the forum from Wv

[Wiscampsin]

Welcome from Wisconsin. Lots of friendly, knowledgeable and helpful people here to assist you. Remember, we were all newbies at one time and had to learn either by making mistakes or asking questions. It's alot cheaper to ask questions.

[BetsyMcNam]

Originally Posted by wmtire

Welcome aboard.

The below is a copy and paste of useful information, and I usually recommend it to those just starting out. Some of it, you may already know, or may not be applicable to your particular RV. You will be able to filter out what pertains to your situation or not. I would suggest you read the electric threads and energy management first, and then the converter thread. This will help explain your different electrical systems of your RV, and how they operate...as well as what the converter does. The very first link will explain what operates off what system.

You can just peruse at your leisure as you get to know your RV:

Basic electric:

Basic RV Electricity - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

RV Electric

Your very important converter:

Converter or Inverter (they are different)

RV Converters and Amp Draw - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

Installing a dedicated 30 amp RV outlet at home (Make sure you understand it's 120 volts ONLY):

How to wire a RV 30 amp outlet

12 volt DC:

12 Volt DC Circuit Breaker with Manual Reset

The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)

Suburban water heater (if applicable to your RV):

Suburban's electric switch and much more

Suburban Water Heater Video Guides

Water Heater bypass/crossover valves:

NO (OR LUKEWARM) HOT WATER -Please read first

And the newest additions to help understand what constitutes a true full cylinder in refilling vs exchanging propane cylinders... as well as how the automatic propane changeover regulator works:

Propane Cylinders (Refilling vs Exchanging)

Propane automatic changeover regulator

Inverters and residential refrigerators in RV's:

http://rveducation101.com/articles/rvinverters.pdf

Hope it helps

Thanks for all the info to look over. It is exactly what we need!

[BetsyMcNam]

Originally Posted by Wiscampsin

Welcome from Wisconsin. Lots of friendly, knowledgeable and helpful people here to assist you. Remember, we were all newbies at one time and had to learn either by making mistakes or asking questions. It's alot cheaper to ask questions.

I'm not afraid to ask, so expect to see my name pop up[emoji16]

[BetsyMcNam]

Originally Posted by MillMitch

Welcome to the forum from MN.

Thank you!

[CNYCamper]

Welcome from Central New York. I seem to learn something new every time I log on. Congratulations on retirement.

[Otegoans]

Welcome from upstate NY, wmtire gave you lots of good info, my advice is to set up camp in your driveway and "camp" for a few days. You won't be far from what you forgot to pack! Enjoy the new rig, even when you venture out you will make mistakes, we all did, none of them fatal. God Bless.

[ependydad]

My site might also be of help. I have a sections for "Newbies, Get Started Here":
Newbies, Get Started Here | Learn To RV