JdFinley.com

Fulltime RV Living Adventures

Payback of a Solar Charging System

Solar charging system cost vs. payback is a constant topic for some folks. I really do not understand why but that does not matter – there are many things I do not understand. I am providing my system information and cost to give the folks that are curious about this another data point and possibly… [Read More]

Tool Love – Snake

You know how guys are – tools a sweet! The list of tools that I’d really like to have is about fourteen pages long!  This past week, I had the opportunity to cross one more off the list. This one is a very simple tool but one that is worth every penny when needed. An electrical wire… [Read More]

Battery Temperature Sensor

This past week I finally got around to installing the battery temperature sensor that I have for my house battery bank and solar charge controller. I purchased the sensor months ago and I have just been waiting for the arm surgeon to give me the ok to return to normal life. Batteries require a slightly different… [Read More]

New Juice – New Batteries – Happy Camper

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]

Carbon Road Bike Bar – With a Rise??

The other day while watching Tour de France race coverage (and pouting that I was under doctors’ orders NOT to ride my bike (see this) I spotted Levi Leipheimer (a fellow Montanan) in a commercial about his Fondo (Levi’s GranFondo). Something was “interesting” about his bike. I had to freeze and slow-mo back and forth… [Read More]

Diesel Pusher Engine Scanner – ScanGaugeD

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]

Bad Memory??

I suppose there are several cliches when it comes to memory… “Nothing lasts forever” comes immediately to mind. I wasn’t sure that was true when it came to computer memory but recent experience tells me that it may be true! My “handheld computer” – it’s not really a phone cause I hate talking on it… [Read More]

Speaking of speakers

JBAM (my motorhome home) has two stereos but not nearly enough speakers! Stereo #1 is the 110 volt surround sound system receiver for the A/V system. It uses five ceiling mounted speakers that do just fine for me and movies. I am not a “loud” TV watcher but I do enjoy surround sound. Stereo #2 is an… [Read More]

Diesel Pusher Maintenance – Air Filter Change

Combustion engines rely the air filter to provide a good supply of clean air. Obviously, any dirt and debris that gets into an engine is a less than good thing. For some reason though, one hears that diesel engines are very particular about getting clean air. Since an air filter is a pretty easy thing to… [Read More]

Battery Truths

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]