JdFinley.com

Fulltime RV Living Adventures

Rude and Confrontational

I am a very bad person. I post a fair amount on a couple of RV forums where I genuinely try to help other RV’ers. Apparently the forum moderators of at least one of these forums are part of the new era – the nobody is wrong, everyone is right, nobody should have their feelings… [Read More]

DIY RV Computer Desk

Where do I work?? A common question from those that know I live and work full time in my motor home. Here is the answer. This space was originally consumed by a jackknife sofa. Since I really don’t need seating space for twenty people nor sleeping pace for ten, I was happy to pull it… [Read More]

$10 per Watt

I recently read an article about a person that added solar power to their “vehicle” (attempting to protect the innocent). They installed approximately 400 watts of panels and paid nearly $10/watt! WOW!!! I hate to be the bearer of bad news people but, with some shopping, rigid solar PV panels are in the $1/watt range… [Read More]

Where do you live??

Where do you live?? How does one give a simple answer to that question? I’m afraid it is anything but simple! People love to ask this question and I REALLY dread hearing it. I suppose it is because I have to lie if I am to avoid a long conversation. I really do not like… [Read More]

Important Papers

The question regarding what to do with “important papers” is occasionally discussed in full-timer RV groups.  These includes birth certificates, passports, marriage license, titles, and so forth. The obvious answer is a safety deposit box. However; having run three-quarters of the way across the United States to grab your birth certificate may not be very… [Read More]

Dutch Star Energy Audit

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]

Digital Media Player

Many months ago, a read a discussion on an RV forum about using a digital media player to play/watch digital movies on a typical television. I was very interested as I had started building a digital movie library in hopes of soon living on a sailboat. A big stack of DVD’s is NOT what I… [Read More]

Motorhome Weight

Several people have asked about the weight of my coach. I finally got around to weighing it this past weekend. The big changes that I have made are the addition of the 650 watt solar charging system and replacing one couch with an office/desk. With full fuel, full propane, 3/4 full holding tanks, nearly empty… [Read More]

Headlight Replacement

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]

Indian Bread Rocks BLM Site

While near Kingman, AZ I received word from a friend from back east that he and his wife (Sam and Sandy) would be passing thru the southern portion of Arizona in the next couple days.  So, I packed up and headed south – Kingman area to the Bowie area – northwest corner to southwest corner…. [Read More]