HOWTO: Automatic Hot Water Recirculation and Freeze Protection

Several years ago, I posted a list of tips for managing water in cold weather. My intention at the time was for a follow-up on one of them shortly after, one that “primed” the hot water lines to reduce water usage, and periodically recirculated water in cold weather to prevent freezing. I put my version…

Weber BabyQ Regulator Repair and Upgrade

My Weber BabyQ propane gas grill has seen a lot of things. I bought it my first summer RVing, and since then it’s been all over the country, spending most non-travel days sitting outside. This post will talk about its regulator failing, and how I replaced it without the $50 part from Weber. Now well…

Hunting for Fisher-Paykel Supply Line Fittings

Remember the dishwasher install I wrote about a few years back? (here’s the link) Well, another kitchen remodel has been underway, in a house that’s about to celebrate 100 years standing in one place. Yeah, no wheels. Like a lot of older houses, its kitchen is fairly small, and its last real renovation was during…

Electrical Myths, Part 5: Let’s Talk Toads and Diodes

There are lots of ways to tow a vehicle behind a motorhome, but flat towing is generally the most convenient and popular method.  For vehicles with amicable drivetrains, most of the process is fairly straightforward.  You pick out a base plate to match the vehicle, tow bar, braking system, and so on.  But then you…

Garbage Disposal Macerator Replacement

The first one lasted over two years sitting outside and transporting all of the melted chocolate ice cream to its forever home.  But no more.  The garbage disposal macerator I introduced here met its match after some rain.  At a campground with a very soggy site, it got a little too much water into its…

Fixing My Portable Icemaker and Making Clear Ice

This post will take me longer to write up than it did to actually do the project.  I have a portable icemaker that’s several years old sitting right behind the passenger seat.  It keeps a fresh batch of ice ready all the time, but it recently started showing the “add water” light even when the…

New Awning Fabric, Under $100!

It’s new awning time!  After a tear in the Sunbrella fabric that was put on in 2012, it was time for something a little different.  I was never happy with the Sunbrella material–it tore easily, and was too tightly woven to allow light breezes to pass through.  In other words, it was always fluttering.  At…

Camera for Hood-Mounted Mirror

NOTE: This post is something I wrote back in May 2015, and was published on the Escapees HDT Forum.  Here it is with a few minor updates.  Still my most-used electronic driving aid! After adding a Volvo hood-mounted mirror, I still wasn’t quite happy with how well I could see my front right corner. I…

Step Covers from a Door Mat

This short write-up about making custom step covers goes back to something I did years ago on my first RV, and quickly duplicated after getting my current one. The Problem Inevitably, dirt gets tracked in.  In a campsite with grass, a paved site or patio, or good gravel, it’s not too bad.  But sandy and/or…

Lithium Batteries and Upgrading the 12V DC Power System

Last fall, I wrote about installing a PC power supply to power the remaining 12V DC loads in my RV, but that’s getting replaced with a DC-DC converter.  The power supply did the job it was supposed to, without fail.  But there are a few drawbacks with it: The power supply converts AC power from…