saflyer

If anyone knows an Albuquerque location to fill my propane tank please let me know.

I had one of those external tank adapters installed several years ago. Haven’t used it, though so it would be a learning process. I hate to buy one or two 20# tanks as I have 5 of them at home and need two, at most. But like you said, “push comes to shove”. I wonder if a 20# tank would last the night running one heater in mid-40s temps?

I was told if my home tank was below 20% it would need to be purged. However it has been 15%, maybe a little less, and the service technician filled it without saying anything. We’re in northern New Mexico this week. We were running late leaving home (what’s new) so I didn’t stop to refill at my usual place. I figured there would be plenty of places. Wrong. They are either too confined or don’t take drive up business. Hoping to have better luck Tuesday in Albuquerque as we’re dry camping for the Balloon Fiesta with Monacoers International.

Now that the tank is “empty” do I have new problems? Will the system have to be purged before refilling? If so, can that be done at any fill station?

My electronic propane gauge is basically worthless. For example, in the past it has shown 1/3 full but it only took 4 gallons to fill. I depended on its inaccuracy this week when it showed empty because I didn’t think we had used that much since the last fill. Well I was wrong. We ran out this morning. I would like to add a mechanical gauge like the one on my home 500 gallon tank but I’ve been told that is not possible. Is that true? If not what would be involved? I know I can add a Sea Level or similar system but I’m not ready to bite that bullet. Ed ‘05 HR Ambassador

Thanks Vito. I spoke to Magnum and they confirmed what you said, with lithium batteries the temp sensor is of no use.

Spoke to magnum tech support. Was told temp sensor is if no use with lithium batteries. Just remove it. As Frank McEkroy’s post indicates it’s only useful to modify charging of lead acid batteries.

You can turn the LPT50BRD upside down to solve the problem of connections being on opposite side from those on IOTA. Checked with ESCO tech support and was told this is acceptable. Ed ‘05 HR Ambassador

How does having LiFePO4 batteries enter into this? I also have the Magnum battery monitor and, if I remember correctly, the system has a low temperature cutoff the batteries can’t charge below freezing temperatures. I believe I have mine set for 35°F. I think this restricts the MS2012 from charging the batteries below this temperature. The batteries also have low temperature charge protection built into their BMS. vito.a’s point about the inverter trying to ground through the BTS is something to think about. I wondered if the hangar on the BTS was electrically connected or just that, a hangar. If so then I see no need to connect the BTS to the battery, just lay or hang it nearby.

I have a Magnum MS2012 inverter/charger connected to two SOK 12v batteries and a Victron solar controller. I’ve added a Magnum temperature sensor to connect to the inverter. Standard installation would be to mount the sensor on the negative terminal of one of the batteries. However, I read somewhere but can’t remember where, that when doing this it’s possible to fry the inverter instantly. Maybe because of a spark. Has anyone heard of this problem? Can I just hang or lay the sensor anywhere in the battery compartment? Ed ‘05 HR Ambassador

Sorry, 50. I do my best proofreading after hitting SEND.

I’ve decided to go with the LPT50BRD. While shopping for them I find wildly different prices. Further confusing the issue Amazon has one that says in the title it’s an Elkhart LPT59BRD but in the expanded description it says ESCO. It’s sold by Amazon for about $218. Another Amazon vendor has one that does say ESCO in the title for about $360. The RV upgrade store has it for about $290. They all say LYGHT on the cover. Should I just go by price or could there be differences? Also, please clarify if there can be a hum issue or was this corrected in new units? Thanks, Ed ‘05 HR Ambassador

At some point does this become ridiculously complicated for the average consumer?

Which brings up the question is an autoformer a good addition to our coaches? And how hard are they to install and where? (Hope it’s isn’t considered thread drift.) Moderator EDIT note: This is very close and also brings up a good topic. If it gets "Heavy" into the autoformer which was a popular topic on the Yahoo site, I might do a tag or edit the title... for now...rock on.... Ed ‘05 HR Ambassador

Tried the WanderingLabs thing. Still couldn’t get on fast enough after getting a notification of an opening. I wonder how many people are trying every day on the FSP site and how many use WanderingLabs. Maybe thousands?

What an understatement. I spent many days getting up early to be at my computer right when reservations opened for John Pennekamp park. After many days with no luck I gave up. Don’t know if it’s the time delays inherent in the internet, I am victim of bots or something else. Ed ‘05 HR Ambassador

Thanks so much Tom. I didn’t figure anyone had experience with more than one brand but you came close enough. Thinking I’d better have a shop do it. Will open the IOTA up first to see how complicated it might be. Ed

Doesn’t address the easiest to install question. If ESCO is easiest, great, I’ll follow that advice. But if another brand is much easier and just as good I’d rather do that. On another forum it was implied some brands require a lot of work and modification/wiring change. Trying to avoid that.

Same request, suggestions for replacement for the IOTA. Of high importance is ease of making the switch. Ed ‘05 HR Ambassador

Several months ago, before the announcement of Starlink RV, there was a picture of a possible phased array antenna for Starlink. Never heard anything more about it. This latest mobile antenna seems kind of bulky. The new series of Starlink satellites are much larger than the originals. Wonder if they are more powerful so the antennas can be smaller. I have Starlink at home. Is there a lower cost add on option for the service for home customers?

Thanks for the information. I thought they were different profiles but didn’t know by how much. I have a Cricket cart we take along when RVing. Might need to replace the current sealed lead acid ones. The manufacturer says the charger can do all battery types including lithium but there is no way to select the type. Makes me wonder is I need to stick with the SLAs.

Do flooded lead acid batteries and AGM and gel batteries all have the same or different charge profiles? Should all of them periodically go through a desulfination cycle? Ed ‘05 HR Ambassador

That’s great Scotty. This will help a lot of RVers who are frustrated by manufacturers who walk away from their products. Ed

There we go. Thanks. I’ve made this point before. When someone posts with an acronym please define it at least the first time. Just one of my pet peeves.

Having trouble relating CAC with diesel shortage. BTW, Funny one in the RAD. Haha. ED