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New Juice – New Batteries – Happy Camper

August 19, 2016

Newmar Dutch Star house batteries battery bank cables rust tray

The age of the house batteries in my RV/home (JBAM) was unknown. They were in the coach when I purchased it and there was no indication of when they went into service.  They have served me very well for about a year and a half. However; they have some swelling and use a lot of water…. [Read More]

Diesel Pusher Engine Scanner – ScanGaugeD

August 1, 2016

Newmar Dutch Star Diesel Pusher scan engine ScanGaugeD Linear-Logic

The engine instrumentation is most diesel pusher RV/Motorhomes is pretty sparse.  About like an automobile – speedometer, tachometer, oil pressure, coolant temperature, voltage, and fuel level.  There are a couple of other items – front and rear air pressure gauges.  All analog (in my case) – not a lot of detail. I’m not sure if… [Read More]

Battery Truths

June 24, 2016

Whilst sitting around doing nothing, per my doctors order (ok, as little as possible), I find myself perusing the RV and boat forums.  There are several VERY recurring themes, some of which are comical, some not so much.  The one about a battery being depleted and/or going “dead” for no “obvious” reason is a tiny… [Read More]

Dutch Star Energy Audit

April 25, 2016

Audits always seem to be a hot topic!! In this case, energy audit is the subject. An energy audit is often referred to as an electrical budget, an energy budget, and even a power audit. Note from JD: Here is post about doing your own energy audit or energy budget. I previously discussed the importance of having… [Read More]

Headlight Replacement

March 24, 2016

Newmar Dutch Star Headlight assembly replacement maintenance

Note from JD: Long after the new headlight assemblies were installed, it occurred to me that the removal and installation would have been really easy if I had just slid the front clip/generator out.  Hopefully this little idea will help someone!! The headlight assemblies on my motorhome (JBAM) were not in the best of condition…. [Read More]

Solar Power Winter Update

January 11, 2016

Newmar Dutch Star Solar Panel Electric Charge Controller PV Photovoltaic Winter Clouds

I’ve written about my solar charging system here, here, here, and here. The more time I spend with the system, the more I learn about it. It is interesting to me that just a few months ago I was amazed at how much excess capacity I had. Now, in the winter months and located in… [Read More]

Is solar power for you?

September 11, 2015

solar panel charging system photovoltaic RV Missy 1998 MCI 102-EL3 coach bus

The topic of solar power on an RV comes up very regularly. Instead of repeating the same thing over and over, I thought perhaps documenting it might be helpful and consume less of my time. I am most certainly not the sole source of this information – this same information is all over the Internet… [Read More]

Still more 5 volt USB charging sockets

July 20, 2015

Newmar Dutch Star USB 5 volt charging socket port RV motorhome

I am firmly in the “can’t have enough USB charging sockets” camp.  As previously noted (here), I’ve added several throughout my Newmar Dutch Star. The other day, I was sitting staring at the “solar charging light” on my dash.  This light is originally connected to the tiny little solar panel on the roof that barely… [Read More]

Quadcopter Maintenance

July 17, 2015

My little remote control UDI U818A quadcopter has provided a lot of fun over the last few weeks.  I feel like I’m starting to get a bit of a handle on it.  It no longer feels totally out of control.  That said, I still have to be careful to keep it facing away from me… [Read More]

Never Enough 12V or 5V USB sockets

July 1, 2015

Electrical sockets 12V 5V cigarette lighter USB charging

The bedroom of my Newmar Dutch Star (JBAM) is completely devoid of 12 volt sockets and/or 5 volt USB charging sockets.  Perhaps that was acceptable back in 2005.  These days, it is a royal nuisance. So, I started looking for a place to install some sockets.  The trick is finding a spot with 12V positive… [Read More]

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