More Electrical Help Needed! :(

[Sandersmr]

Well now I'm having electrical problems, as in dead battery - oh joy! I had let the battery get too dry. And I need to get a battery minder/charger because someone keeps unplugging the trailer when in the driveway.

[ellenw]

What is the heck is a "battery shut-off plunger"??? And do I need to do anything with one??

Thank you, thank you, Judy! You spared me the embarrassment.

Better to use the testosterone along the way rather than travel with it]

Nancy - That's one of the best lines I've seen! Must remember this...

[longdog2]

I have been on this post a dozen times and refrained from posting when it moved from asking for help here on an electrical problem to using testosterone along the way. But I finally had to say something since we have so many new members out there looking for help from women.

To quote Judy JB on another thread

As most of you have no doubt experienced, I have had SO many people react with amazement that I am living and traveling alone in this huge, monstrous motorhome without a man to help me drive and park it!!! I am told I am incredibly brave to be traveling without a male to protect me. Frankly, it is getting old.

My mantra has always been, if a man can do it, it can't be that hard, so I can do it!

I am with Judy on this one. If I really, really need help I will ask for it but I will definitely try to do it myself first. There might be some things that I am not strong enough to do or don't have the particular technical expertise to tackle it. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean some other male RVer in the campground can do it either.

Last year, I was backing into a spot and had to make several 'back and forth' corrections due to the angle of the parking spot. A man came along on his three wheel trike and said "little lady, would you like me to park that big thing for you?" Not "would you like me to spot for you" but "to do it for me". No thanks, I can handle it. An offer to spot for me would have been welcome. He was very condescending so I did not ask him to spot for me.

So, if occasionally you need help with something specific, ask for it BUT if you think you want to travel and just figure you will ask some man for help every time you park, hook up, unhook, dump your systems, etc., then maybe you want to rethink the traveling alone part.

My mantra has always been, if a man can do it, it can't be that hard, so I can do it!

Lots of women on this forum and on the road do it every day.

Sorry, I'll get off the soapbox now.

[Dawn309]

Colleen,

You can get on your soapbox anytime. I thought the comment was hilarious and very tongue in cheek. I agree with both you and Judy. If I am not physically able to do something, I can ask for help. There are somethings I know I won't be able do like climb on my roof as I am afraid of heights, but I can pay to have this checked out every year. When I see the physical condition of some of the men handling their motorhomes, I know I can do it as well or possibly better.

[JudyJB]

That "little lady" comment would have made me turn purple! I'd rather run into a tree than let someone like that park my vehicle!

That's the nice thing about this forum--no one gets condesending if we ask a dumb question or two! And there are a lot of really experienced women posting here.

[Readytogo]

I am certainly not looking for a man or a husband (I had one), but don't see anything wrong with asking for help if we need it. I agree I woudnt have accepted help from the man who was condescending, but no need to struggle with something just to prove something. And sometimes it's just a matter of two heads being better than one!

[Bethers]

I've learned that help can cost me money. I don't want help - or even help spotting, in most cases. Usually if it's a man and woman - I'll take the woman's help spotting, as she's the one that will spot for HIM. But I won't use a spotter without getting out and walking the site myself. One reason I don't have my scooter anymore is that I couldn't get it off and on by itself with the rack I had. I SHOULD have bought a different rack. I'd be happier with that than I am with the toad, but that's another story. I almost lost the scooter to the man who was helping me unload it and PUSHED me aside because he could do it himself. I knew better and grabbed and almost broke an arm doing so - because he would have dropped it. (The angle it had to come off made it difficult and much easier for 2).

I'll take suggestions - and get much better ones here than from the men in cg's. So, for those of you using the help- - be careful - it might cost you in the long run.

Judy - Not sure what thread you mentioned not liking to run your generator. It's MADE to be run. And when you boondock, like at the North Rim, you really should run it every day - to keep the batteries in good shape. I learned the hard way - my light was always good - until it was BAD. Yep - didn't stop at the in between locations. Your battery doesn't want or need to be discharged that far. Then you'll be replacing it. And the generator needs to be run or you'll lose it also to massive expenses. Plan to run the generator when you can use the extra power - to fix something in the microwave, or charge your puter, etc. I used to run mine twice a day when using it to keep my batteries charged - about 45 minutes early in the day and 45 minutes to an hour later. Yes, you're right, not necessary when for one night - but beyond that, don't stretch the batteries life by not keeping it charged.

[JudyJB]

Thanks, Beth. You are right that I need to put some hours on the generator. I will also keep my eyes on the batteries.

[Sandersmr]

I finally have electrical power to the Land Dinghy. We got the new battery installed and I upgraded the size while I was at it - got a Group 29 deep cycle marine battery. But still no lights. I had checked the batter fuse the other night when trying to diagnose the problem originally. It looked good. But Mark decided to go get another one just in case. Plugged the new one in and it sparked a little and the converter fan came on, then went off. I killed all the breakers and we weren't plugged into shore power so I tried again. Same thing - little spark and converter fan came on then off again quickly. I looked over and noticed the CO monitor was blinking green - so we are making progress. Mark plugged in the shore power I reset all the breakers and low and behold, we have lights.

Stupid 20 amp fuse!!!!

[ellenw]

I REALLY need to get to Boot Camp. I know they're supposed to cover a lot of this there... at least it says so right here in the ad!

[Dawn309]

You and me both Ellen!

[sunshinecruiserTN]

Thanks, Beth. You are right that I need to put some hours on the generator. I will also keep my eyes on the batteries.

I know you probably know this Judy, but as a reminder keep the water ck'd in your battery to keep it healthy.

[Echo]

After I had already named it, I thought that I should have named my blog "Travels Without Charley." I do not want to travel with "Charleys" of any species, but I do like their help!!!

Now this cracked me up to no end. Best laugh I've had in quite a while!!!

Thanks for the excellent belly laugh!