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Have I got this right?
Posted:
Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:22 amby Redetotry
Ok, say I am on my first trip, I'm at a beautiful shaded campground with 30amp connections parked next to quiet friendly people...Just thought I would set the scene here... Before I plug in my shore power I use the polarity thing to check if the current is ok. I've checked to see nothing inside is turned on then I plug in my cord. Now I can use the plug in by my sink to use my electric hot plate or toaster oven, anything I would normally use inside my stick house without turning off the A/C
If I turn on the micro wave or a hair dryer I should turn off the A/C.
For the water I hook up my white line with the flow regulator (?) and I can use water inside without turning on the pump. So... when do I turn the water pump on?
So, am I ok so far?!
I'll tackle tanks next time except that while I'm parked I leave the black tank shut so it doesn't sit there empty.
Re: Have I got this right?
Posted:
Thu Jul 14, 2011 9:33 amby Forestgal
As you think about how much power your rig can handle think about the heat that's generated by the appliance. Toasters generate heat as do hair dryers so they could possibly trip your circuit breakers if your AC is on. And you could possibly trip it if you dry your hair and fix a piece of toast at the same time.
As for the water issue, you use the pump when you don’t have a water hook-up.
Hope this helps.
Re: Have I got this right?
Posted:
Thu Jul 14, 2011 9:55 amby BirdbyBird
I think she's got it.
Now for test question #2.....
Re: Have I got this right?
Posted:
Thu Jul 14, 2011 10:03 amby carold
Sounds like you're up and ready. Check to see that the power at the post is turned off before you plug in. As for the water pump, only turn it on when you don't have hookup and only when you need it otherwise. I remember myself and others who forgot to turn off the water pump when driving, their faucets somehow were on and the rig got a nice floor wash
carold
Re: Have I got this right?
Posted:
Thu Jul 14, 2011 10:15 amby Getupngo
Check! Check! You're doing great.
Also, remember to put your water pressure regulator thingy on the faucet end of your hose -- not at the rig. That way, there isn't intense pressure on the hose all the time. I've seen hoses split and spew from sitting with all that pressure over time.
Re: Have I got this right?
Posted:
Thu Jul 14, 2011 12:53 pmby Acadianmom
After you hook up your water check inside to make sure a faucet isn't on. I have heard of several women who have hooked up their water and got to visiting and flooded their RV. I try to remember to turn off my pump if I have been using the pump and I'm leaving. If I'm going to be gone all day and I think about it I will turn off the water at the faucet. I had a water connection blow apart once and if I hadn't been there it would have been a real mess.
Martha
Re: Have I got this right?
Posted:
Thu Jul 14, 2011 1:05 pmby sharon
OK, let's try not to scare the Newbie, girls!
Re: Have I got this right?
Posted:
Thu Jul 14, 2011 1:39 pmby Travelinana
Redetotry wrote:Ok, say I am on my first trip, I'm at a beautiful shaded campground with 30amp connections parked next to quiet friendly people...Just thought I would set the scene here... Before I plug in my shore power I use the polarity thing to check if the current is ok. I've checked to see nothing inside is turned on then I plug in my cord. Now I can use the plug in by my sink to use my electric hot plate or toaster oven, anything I would normally use inside my stick house without turning off the A/C
If I turn on the micro wave or a hair dryer I should turn off the A/C.
For the water I hook up my white line with the flow regulator (?) and I can use water inside without turning on the pump. So... when do I turn the water pump on?
So, am I ok so far?!
I'll tackle tanks next time except that while I'm parked I leave the black tank shut so it doesn't sit there empty.
I'm probably pushing my luck without the polarity thing so have this on my list to get. One thing I do differently because I like to keep my rig ready to go easily and since I don't have another vehicle is; I plug into 30 amp, plug into cable, then fill my water tank. I use the water pump only when needed. I pour some of the blue stuff into commode and a little gray water treatment too to keep everything smelling good. The only time I connect to sewer is when leaving, at which time I empty tanks, put some (not full) water into the tank, unhook elect and cable, then I'm good to go. Actually I haven't had any trouble running AC, blow dryer, hot rollers, etc at the same time but maybe I've been lucky. Occasionally I put a bag of ice cubes in black tank go a short distance then dump this. I also sometimes put about a TBL spoon of bleach into water tank. I don't drink it but I'm interested to hear from those of you with faucett filters. I don't want to confuse or overkill a subject but we all do things differently and for our own unique circumstance and RV. If I'm going out and I have done my hair, have nice clothes on, I don't want to be outside any longer than necessary if it's raining or blowing, etc, so taking care of everything outside before beginning my shower, etc leaving only the elect to unhook makes it much less stressful. I'm always open to suggestions 
Re: Have I got this right?
Posted:
Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:11 pmby Acadianmom
We don't want to scare her but keep her from having to learn the hard way. lol I probably can't remember ALL the dumb things I've done.
I have a small rig too and I usually hookup the bare minimum in case I want to go somewhere. If I think it might be raining the morning I want to leave I will dump and unhook the sewer and water at night. It's sure not fun to do that in the rain.
I don't drink the water from the holding tank so I only put a little bleach(like 2 tablespoons) in the tank or try to fill it with city water that I know has been treated.
Martha
Re: Have I got this right?
Posted:
Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:21 pmby retiredhappy
I have a voltage meter that plugs into a regular plug INSIDE the RV (Home Depot) and it shows how much voltage I'm getting into the rig (campgrounds differ drastically). You should never have less than 110 volts to run your AC. If you have say 108 and you're running your AC you MIGHT burn up your compressor over time. I always turn off AC to run MW and another appliance (coffee pot, toaster, etc). Last year I had to replace my AC and my service guy is pretty sure that low voltage burned up the compressor (if you remember I was having low voltage problems in Silver City). Voltage can be good in the AM and bad in the PM when everyone is running their ACs, especially at older campgrounds.
Re: Have I got this right?
Posted:
Thu Jul 14, 2011 7:06 pmby avalen
the water regulator thingy also has a flow of direction and usually they have an arrow on the side to show which way the flow goes.
Re: Have I got this right?
Posted:
Mon Jul 18, 2011 4:40 pmby JudyJB
A lot of good advice but a lot to remember.
I like the idea of a multiple choice test, since I teach. Might help us remember all of this stuff about running faucets and blowing circuit breakers. Anyone willing to make one up for those of us who are less knowledgeable???
Re: Have I got this right?
Posted:
Sun Jul 24, 2011 8:17 amby Nasoosie
Getupngo wrote:Check! Check! You're doing great.
Also, remember to put your water pressure regulator thingy on the faucet end of your hose -- not at the rig. That way, there isn't intense pressure on the hose all the time. I've seen hoses split and spew from sitting with all that pressure over time.
Now THIS I never thought about! Thanks for that tip! I will now go make some adjustments to my hose hookup, and put my pressure regulator on the faucet end rather than at my trailer end.
And where should the water filter thingy go?
Re: Have I got this right?
Posted:
Sun Jul 24, 2011 10:50 amby Bethers
Soos, I've put it at either end, but believe putting it at the rig end eliminates the hose taste of water - as the water is filtered after leaving the hose. Just make sure you have the right connector that is flexible to connect it at the rig.
Re: Have I got this right?
Posted:
Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:37 amby Nasoosie
Thanks, Beth! I have never used my filter, but I would at a campground if I stayed for a long time, I believe.
P.S.---I love your e.e. cummings quote!