Missy Conversion - 1998 MCI 102

[JDOnTheGo]

I'm running a little experiment with my refrigerator/freezer (Samsung 23 cu. ft. counter-depth). After I installed it and it had several hours to cool down, I plugged it in thru my 'Kill A Watt' meter. Both refrigerator and freezer are empty except for a dozen bottles of water and soda. I open it a half-dozen times a day to get a water out.

The temperature here has been pretty mild - certainly not hot nor cold (I'm guessing but I'll say hi's of around 70-75 and lows in the mid-50's).

It has been running for 138 hours and has used 11.31 KWh.

If I've done my math correctly, this translates to an average of 6.5 Ah @ 12.5V (6.5 amps per hour).

I'm pretty happy with that. I've heard (but have no proof) that refrigerators/freezers use less power the more stuffed they are (assuming the food is all at the target temp). I'm still hoping that is true as getting down to around 5Ah would be really swell.

[Robin97396]

That's true. A full freezer, especially, works like a thermal mass to hold the temperature.

[JDOnTheGo]

Today, we are under pressure!!

Water pressure, that is!!

Of course, there were a few drips initially but once those fittings were tightened, the water is staying inside the lines as it is supposed to.

The electric water heater is now on to see if we get hot water or a fire.

[JDOnTheGo]

Originally Posted by Robin97396

That's true. A full freezer, especially, works like a thermal mass to hold the temperature.

Excellent!! 5Ah may be an attainable goal then. We'll have to wait until I stock it. Of course, come to think of it, it is a huge frig/freezer for a single guy - I'm likely to never have it more than about half full.

[JDOnTheGo]

Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo

The electric water heater is now on to see if we get hot water or a fire.

No fire and the water is hot! Very kewl!!

[JDOnTheGo]

With all the rain of late, most of my time has spent fixing roof leaks or catching and sopping up the ones that I missed.

My initial approach was inadequate, my current approach of "seal everything in sight" seems to be working much better. The biggest problem area are those sexy vertical strip LED lights on the rear cap. They sure look neat but they leak water like a screen door. I need to completely remove everything I've done so far to seal them and start over again.

On a positive note, I am now sleeping with Missy. I know.... I don't like to kiss and tell but it is an exciting thing! Water and electrical systems are working just fine, bed is comfortable, and the sound of rain falling on the roof is very relaxing!

[JDOnTheGo]

Speaking of fixing leaks (it is raining again today - up to 3", they say)...

It is interesting to me how an average guy can take a very small leak, spend a bunch of time fixing it, and turn it into a MAJOR LEAK.

Maybe the problem is my assumption about the "guy" being "average"....



Yes, this tupperware thing is nearly full - the third time this morning....

[Tango]

I believe there is another thread somewhere on the benefits of collecting rainwater.

[JDOnTheGo]

Originally Posted by Tango

I believe there is another thread somewhere on the benefits of collecting rainwater.

PERFECT!!! That's what I have! A rainwater collection system!!

And here I thought I was taking steps backwards....

[JDOnTheGo]

A reminder of why you do not put off tire replacement.

I put it off because the tire shop needed ten days to get a whole set ordered - I didn't want to wait. Instead, I thought, ahhh... a few hundred miles more and then I'll get it done.







The side panel got torn off but isn't in too bad of shape. All the fasteners need repaired/replaced. No damage to any suspension or other components. There are some marks/scrapes on the sides of the bus but nothing too bad.

I knew these were old crappy tires and I pushed it. I am very thankful that my lesson/reminder was fairly gentle, no other cars were around, and I was on a nice flat stretch of road.

Please learn from my stupidity.

[Tango]

Looks like yet another poorly executed re-cap job. Good reminder of why they are NEVER to be used as steers.

[JDOnTheGo]

Originally Posted by Tango

Looks like yet another poorly executed re-cap job. Good reminder of why they are NEVER to be used as steers.

Yep, I think so. That is what the tire repair guys said too. I knew they were old and in dire need of replacement but had not considered that they were re-caps. In hindsight, I can see that some of the same brand/model tire have different tread patterns so I suppose that is an obvious sign.

Twenty miles this morning to the tire shop and then we'll be running on new rubber!!

[Tango]

Re-caps fool, screw up lots of folks. They can look like new tires but still come apart without warning. There's a reason you see so many big rig tire carcasses laying on the highways...crappy retread jobs. And more than a few people have been killed/injured when they come flying off.

Even worse, some bus re-sellers and auction houses will stick them on the front.

[dan-fox]

Is there any visual marking that would distinguish a retread? Like the word "RETREAD" molded into it? Certainly there should be. It sounds like there's no way to tell if you're putting one on the front short of buying a known new tire.

[Robin97396]

Usually you can see a little of the grind marks on the side, but sometimes you have to look really close.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by dan-fox

Is there any visual marking that would distinguish a retread? Like the word "RETREAD" molded into it? Certainly there should be. It sounds like there's no way to tell if you're putting one on the front short of buying a known new tire.

Grind marks, as mentioned... Also there are only a few basic tread patterns the retread places use. All my retreads also have a smallish "dimple" manufactured onto the sidewall- not sure if that has anything to do with it though.
If you look close at the sidewall on a retread you'll see a "band" near the tread that isn't there on virgin tires.

[dan-fox]

I'll take that as a "No, there is no requirement for retread tires to be labelled as such."

[Robin97396]

It's actually considered to be kind of obvious when you're looking at a capped tire. Once in a while it's hard to tell, but there's always a bit of an edge on the caps. The bandaid caps are usually pretty easy to recognize, but they're the ones that most often trick me.

[JDOnTheGo]

Missy is now wearing a brand new set of Toyo M144 tires and she is a very proud gal!



Also found and fixed a leaking drive axle seal!



Happy days!

[JDOnTheGo]

Missy spent her first week at an RV campground this past week!

We were at Lebanon Hills RV campground in Eagan, MN. The company for which I work is located in Eagan so this spot is convenient for those occasional visits.

This was the first time she was connected to actual 50 amp service and all worked as expected. I didn't really expect to need a 50' shore power cord or 50' water hose on the reels (never needed anything that long in my last motorhome) but, for some reason, the pedestal was mounted way in the back of the spot. So, it was nice to have the necessary length to get hooked up.

Of course, I completely forgot to take photos....