saflyer

Thanks. Found that in my book, also. It’s a little ambiguous. Might be the definition of high pressure rather than maximum. I’ll take the cautious route and go with it’s the maximum. Waiting for the Valterra valve to get back in stock. Ed

Thanks Chris. Search turned up this tape for less than $5/roll on Pep Boys eBay site. They only had 3 rolls left but that turns out to be exactly what I need for my three slide sides. Ed

I’m sure my battery to inverter cables are less than 5’ long but it might be close since I have a slide out battery tray and the cable is long enough to accommodate this. I’ll check. Ed

You’re right. I do my best proofreading after hitting “Send”. Thanks

I was looking at the most draw I might need under normal circumstances. Microwave, TVs/Wally’s, a few lights might approach the 2000w capability. I’m probably OK, just thought a separate refrigerator inverter would guarantee no problems. Ed Wamcneil, What do you think is the difference between the MSH2012M and the MSH2012RV Ed The system is merging my posts. Hope everyone notices all of my questions/thoughts. Don’t like it. Stuff’s going to go unnoticed I think. Ed

Wamcneill, thanks, Good information. I think you are right that the MS2012 is adequate and cheaper. I just thought about doing something that should take enough load off that inverter to be sure it can do the job. I can add a small inverter just for the refrigerator. Just need to find a path for the wiring. Ed One point made by someone is my inverter is fed by 2/0 wiring but should have 4/0. All of the wiring of my batteries and batteries to the coach is 2/0. I’m the second owner but can only assume this is what HR factory specified. How can I determine if the wiring needs/should be 4/0? Ed

That’s good news, I hope. You would think the MS2012 and MS2812 would be identical other than capacity and hopefully same wiring as my current ME2012. I tested my system on inverter with the refrigerator compressor running and few other loads. About 25a. Adding the microwave it goes to about 125a. Add a few lights and the TVs and would be pushing that 2000w limit of the MS2012, if I am right. Would really like to go with the MS2812 if it’s not too complicated. Ed

Makes sense. Thanks

Thanks Chris. I was wondering how I can put the tape on top of the slides with the covers installed. Then I had a “brilliant idea”. Put the tape on when the slides are retracted and I can access the top of slide from inside the coach. Wrong. There’s only an inch or so gap between the top trim piece of the slide and the ceiling. Can’t get my hands in there nor see to do the work. How difficult is it to remove and reinstall the slide cover mechanism to do this job? Ed

>>Valterra A01-1117VP<< I’d like to get one but everywhere I check it’s out of stock. Must be a coronavirus thing. Ed

Thanks but not knowing the pressure I have at home makes me hesitant to try. Ed

I use a 40-50 psi water pressure regulator when hooked to park water. However, my water flow everywhere I travel is less than adequate. When I open a faucet the flow starts with a small surge but within a second or two reduces to probably half the initial flow. So I am thinking of getting a regulator set to a higher pressure, 50-55 psi is what I have found so far, or and adjustable one with a gauge. My question is what is the maximum safe pressure to regulate to? Ed ‘05 HR Ambassador

I have four slides but for unknown reasons only one of them has friction rape around it to pull the seals into position when extending or retracting the slides. Is there a special product for this or do I just get 2” step anti-skid tape? Ed ‘05 HR Ambassador

Does anyone know if the connections and mounting footprint for the MS2012 are the same as the ME2012 it will replace? IOW, do I just pull the ME2012 out and plug in the MS2012 using the same connections? Would it be the same for the MS2812 after upgrading the cables? Ed

I have a Magnum ME-2012 modified sine wave inverter/charger with an ME-ARC remote and BMK. Thinking about upgrading to a pure sine inverter. Most probable choices are Magnum MS2012, MS2812 or the hybrid MSH3012. The second is 20% more expensive than the first and the hybrid is 13% more than the second. I believe but will double check that 2000watts is adequate but am leaning to the 2800 or 3000 watt units. First question, would the MS2812 have the same or a higher current draw at idle. IOW, is the efficiency the same, better or worse, if that is the same question. Next, I understand the concept of the hybrid unit versus the standard but wonder what use that would be to me. Under what circumstances is the hybrid useful under? One thing I read was where the writer said when at RV parks with 50a connections where he is paying for electricity he sets the inverter to come online when needs exceed 20a or 30a then draws from batteries for any more power needed. But I wonder about this. The energy from the batteries will still need to be replaced from shore power at some point so how does he save money? Ed ’05 HR Ambassador

Thanks again Tom, >>One at a time. You do NOT have a Converter. You have an Inverter/Charger. You could have an Inverter (which changes DC to AC) and it would NOT charge. You could have a Charger (that is NOT a converter) and it would not provide 120 VAC. SO.....stay with the definition. A converter is like your cell phone charger. it CONVERTS 120 VAC to approx 5 VDC. << I understood your first post. It confirmed what I already knew. I was just making sure my buddies information was incorrect. >>Now....the BIG BOY. OK....that is like saying Kleenex and meaning tissue. There is a BIG solenoid that "connects" both battery banks together. That is the Battery Boost Switch. That relay or solenoid is TYPICALLY....for your MH, a NON CONTINUOUS Duty solenoid. I DOUBT that you have what is called BIRD or Bi Directional Charging. That is when you drive down the highway....your House and Chassis Batteries are BOTH charged. When you are plugged in or on Genny, the same. You need a BIRD (Intellitec brand name) control device. There were TWO types of BIG BOYS. One was rated for low voltage (less than 4 vols) to HOLD the solenoid closed. If you have the standard one....the NON Continuous duty, then if you put a full 12 VDC to it and keep it energized....you burn up the coil. That is why your owner's manual says to use it for only a few seconds. The Trombetta is another brand of the Big Boy or more technically, the Battery Boost or Interconnect Switch.<< My forward electrical bay below the drivers seat has an IRD which I guess does some but not all of the functions of a BIRD. I need more education on that. I installed a Trik-L-Start to keep the chassis batteries charge. But I have been admonished online that was unnecessary as the batteries should stay charged well enough to start the engine for months. I’d love if they would just use a technical name and not some cutesy pie one like Big Boy. It’s easier for me to remember terms that relate a somethings function. Thanks Cruzbill, I think you posted the Precision Circuits, Inc. link on the other tread I started. I’ll look into it but will have to find someone who knows how to install one, beyond my level. If I don’t have a BIRD what is charging my house batteries from the alternator. I am very sure they are charging while driving. I think my method of confirming this was to check the voltage of the house batteries at the start of a day’s driving then check again at the end. It was the same. This with the large draw of the residential refrigerator.

Thanks Tom, I pretty much knew all of that but a friend tried to confuse me when he said converter and I said “Yeh, rectifier” and it went downhill from there. He insisted a converter is not a rectifier. So a converter can charge the batteries but only at one voltage, am I correct? Would that be much like charging from a solar panel directly without the use of a solar controller? Is a charger a converter also but more sophisticated so it can vary charge rate and precise voltage? You say the inverter is connected directly to the batteries. I just checked mine and when I disconnect shore power and turn the battery switch off there is no inverter operation. With shore power on and battery switch off there is no charger. So my inverter/charger is wired through the disconnect switch. Let me ask this. I forget between my dealings with it what a Big Boy is. If it was referred to by it’s technical name or function I might be able to remember. What is it? Also, what is a Trombetta? I ask because I have been told if I go with lithium batteries I should not charge them with the engine alternator. I guess it has a single charge voltage which is not good for the lithium batteries. So I need to know what to disconnect alternator charging., if that is true. Thanks again

I have a motorhome with a Magnum ME2012 inverter/charger. I have read some things about converters and am in need of an education on them. I know they change AC current to DC but wonder if they are the same as a rectifier? Do they act as chargers or would a charger be used with a converter? If there is a charger or inverter/charger installed would there be a need for a converter? Ed 2005 Holiday Rambler Ambassador

Do you prefer flooded or a AGM? If you look at Trojan remember they have two T-105s, flooded and AGM. They also have a GC2 size, the 6V-AGM but it is a dual purpose battery so I would shy away from it. How about lithium? Costco has a sale on a two pack of Lion UT1300 12v 105 AH for $1399 and free shipping. Two of those will about do the same job as 4 T-105s. Ed 2005 HR Ambassador

I am getting lithium (LiFEPO) batteries for the house. 4 12v 105 AH Lion UT1300s. The engine alternator charges both the chassis and house batteries. I have been told the alternator shouldn’t be used to charge lithium batteries as it is the wrong voltage, if I follow the logic. If that is the case how are the house batteries charged by the alternator, directly or through some other charging system? What will I need to disconnect to keep the alternator from charging the house batteries? Actually I have always found it very convenient for the engine to charge them. Is there a system I could add to make the alternator charge the house batteries properly? Eventually I will get solar which should take care of this charging without the need of the alternator. I planned to get the batteries after the solar installation but Costco had such a good deal I couldn’t pass it up. Any suggestions for installing the batteries is appreciated. They will be in parallel and I know the connecting cables should be the same length and gauge to keep the batteries balanced. That’s about the extent of my knowledge. I have a Magnum ME 2012 inverter/charger and Magnum tells me it has a charging program that is good for lithium. Thanks, Ed 2005 HR Ambassador

Thanks. That helps a lot. Ed

I’d like theater seating where the jack knife couch is opposite the main couch where the TV would be behind. Problem is, though, the space is just a couple of inches too narrow for most double theater seats. There are a few,if you look hard enough.

The TV behind the couch is exactly what I’d like to do. Have questions such a did the couch need to be moved out from the wall, is the couch on a slide and if so how did you get antennae cable to it, etc. I’ll be in touch. Thanks, Ed

Eventually this happens to everyone. The end pieces will break and CareFree’s answer is throw away what is otherwise a perfectly good shade and replace it with a new, very expensive one. I think this would be the classic project for someone with a 3D scanner and printer. Take a set of unbroken shades and make copies of the end pieces. Make a few at a time for pennies, no need for a big production run. Like I said, we’ll all need them eventually. There are plenty of other parts 3D printers are perfect for. Ed ’05 HR Ambassador