How did 12-volt battery systems become the norm?

Perhaps the most significant change in this project is the use of a 48-volt battery bank.  There are a number of reasons for this, and we’re going to discuss them before looking at a new configuration.  Here though, we’re going to start with why we have what we have: an electrical system designed around 6…

New Project: Installation of a New Lithium-Ion House Battery Bank

Here goes nothing!  After a lot of planning, and several revisions, it’s happening.  I’ve started the process of replacing an aged house battery bank and inverter/charger with a new system based around lithium battery technology. This isn’t going to be a simple remove-and-replace project though.  While there are a number of commercial offerings already available…

Seminar Links – Compact Inspiration: Cooking in Small Spaces

I’ve posted the presentation slides, and a few links below to recipes for the things we cooked, and some more information on organization and cooking sous vide. Almond Cracker Recipe Sous Vide Part 1: What does it mean for the RV Lifestyle? Sous Vide Part 2: Getting the Gear Sous Vide Part 3: Cooking Your…

World’s Easiest, Healthiest Crackers

My mother and father have been following a reduced carbohydrate diet. But how do you serve your favorite cheese or dip without a cracker?  Enter my mother’s almond based cracker recipe. It is extremely simple, and once you get the hang of it you will be making your own customized version of this in no…

HOWTO: Coleman-Mach/RVP Blower and Condenser Fan Motor Replacement

Diagnosing a blower motor problem and sourcing the replacement motor have been discussed in part 1.  If you need to replace your blower motor, and have the part on hand, here’s how to do it.  Start to finish, depending on how many times you go up and down the ladder, should take less than an…

Dishwasher Drawer and Boondocking

If you’ve been following the kitchen rebuild, one of the things that I added was a Fisher-Paykel DishDrawer.  I’ll do a more thorough review later, but I’ve seen a number of comments about water and power usage, and various remarks about not wanting or using one because of boondocking habits. Less Water Consumption Contrary to…

The Grey Ghost’s New Kitchen, Part 5: Pulling out more workspace

Want to read about the kitchen remodel from the beginning?  Click here. We’re finally at a point where I can talk about something that is a little more unique.  Previously, at the left end of the kitchen, there was a cabinet section with 3 drawer fronts and the subwoofer for the sound system.  The top…

The Grey Ghost’s New Kitchen, Part 4: Doors and Drawers

If there was one part of this project where I really wanted to hand off some of the work, it was in building the cabinet doors, drawer boxes, and drawer fronts.  For the doors, I’d have a lot of money in tools for the various profiles on the rails and stiles, and would have to…

Amazon’s Prime Day

If you’ve read much here, you’ll notice that we make use of Amazon Prime a lot.  Usually it’s just because it’s an easy place to find what we’re after at a fair price.  When you’re travelling, especially when you’re only going to be somewhere for a few days, the certainty of when something is going…

Introducing RV Fitness

In this series, we are going to talk a bit about how to stay fit while living out of an RV. While this can be a challenge, the hardest part is usually finding the motivation, not actually finding the space to work out. While quite a bit of our workouts are done outdoors, John has…