Brown Recluse!

02.26.10

Battery Banks

The Prairie Schooner has 3 sets of batteries.

There’s a big engine battery: It powers the starters for the 454 engine and the 7000 kw Kohler generator, the instrument panel, and the leveling jacks.

Two other battery banks power everything in the coach.  Each of those uses two 6v golf cart batteries wired in series. Originally, I used two big 12v deep cycle RV batteries wired in parallel for the coach banks, but they had a way of burning each other out and never lasted two years.  One battery is always at least a little weaker than the other— it’s always going to be that way.  The weaker battery calls for charging when the other doesn’t need it— which means the better battery gets overcharged and it becomes the weaker battery. Finally solved that problem by switching to the 6v batteries, which behave like a single 12v and they last for several years or more.

The last battery change out was 2000.  Of course, letting the battery banks sit for 5 years didn’t do them any good. While the Schooner was sitting, I used the engine battery for something else.  The coach batteries just sat and went bad. So along with everything else, it’s time for all new batteries.

The original coach batteries are in a drawer outside and easy to get at. They drive the original converter, which now no longer charges its batteries and also needs changing. That converter is located aft where the power cord comes in. This bank runs most of the interior lighting and the furnace.  The furnace blower, when it’s running, has the biggest power draw.

I added a second battery bank, and a second inverter when I was traveling with my father during the mid-late 90s.

The layout of this Holiday Rambler RV has the main sleeping area in the back.  The galley and head are in the middle, and there is more sleeping forward that includes a drop down bunk over the driver (only used for storage these days). For traveling with my father, he slept aft, and I took out the table and benches up forward and put in a nice fold out couch.  Because the front had a lot of lights, a stereo, and my computer stuff, I decided to add a another battery locker and an inverter to run all of those.  It’s a pretty good arrangement and the Schooner will have power for about a week off the grid.

Poisonous Spider!

While changing the second battery bank yesterday, I opened the access to the second inverter to double check the wiring.  When I did, I noticed a monster spider!  I looked it up on the internet and identified it as a Brown Recluse.  One of those bit me in TX in 04′ and I had to go to the hospital.

I grabbed a paper towel, but the spider looked too big to nab like that, so I decided to use the vacuum sweeper.  The spider held on for a second— then was gone up the hose.  That was a relief.

Is there any such thing as just ‘one’ spider?  Are they like mice: if you have one you have a bunch of ‘em? Took a good flashlight and looked around where I was working to make certain there weren’t more spiders waiting to get me. Didn’t see any.  Satisfied with that inspection, I finished the battery install.

Went back and read for a while more on the internet about the Recluse spiders and using some sort of activated charcoal homeopathic treatment for the bites.  Decided I would only ever try that if I had to.  I’ve seen people in TX that had nasty spider bite wounds that kept coming back— one girl I knew had a bite on her butt.  Two years later, the wound came back, then developed a staff infection— and with a little help from a bungling healthcare provider trying to save $, treatment was denied for just enough hours so that she ended up having to have a big part of an ass cheek amputated! No thanx!  If I ever get bit again, I’m going right to a doctor like I did before.

Well, I decided enough with scaring myself reading the spider stuff. I went back and finished cleaning up the tools from my battery swap mess.  Then took the vacuum sweeper out to dump it.

Dang if that spider wasn’t gone!

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February 26, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

My 1st Karaoke Video

02.20.10

Producing Karaoke Tunes!

1st Tune: More Than A Name On The Wall

Modern Karaoke

I’ve been doing a pretty good karaoke show for a couple years. It’s all computerized now!  No more big cases of CDs to lug around and no more having to physically search through titles and cue songs in a player— it’s all handled by software.  It’s very cool. Also have a pretty good set up with mixer board, PA, monitors, various types of mics, and even ‘pitch-correction’ to help singers sound their best.  I can record performances and even make videos of singers— all with the same computers that run the show. If a venue has WiFi and a singer wants a song that’s available from the online store, for a couple bucks I can download it on the fly and they can sing it right away!

Homebaked with Professional appearance

Home ‘Baked’ Karaoke

But what if a song isn’t available. I love a song that was done by the Statler Brothers, and more recently by Vincent and Dailey, called ‘More Than A Name On The Wall’. I’ve searched and searched for a karaoke version to buy, but there just isn’t one out there. So after some further investigation, I figured out that I could make one myself! To do it required 4 different kinds of software. 1st, I ripped the song into iTunes. 2nd, I opened the song file in GarageBand where I’d already downloaded a plugin called VoxReducer II . The voice reducer does exactly what it says, though not completely. And I was in kind of a hurry to see if I could do it, so I didn’t play around much with the settings. I think I can get more of the vocals out with some more experimentation.

3rd, the song file was imported into iKaraoke TunePrompter. This is a cool little package that lets you import or type in the lyrics (I imported cause I could save time). Using the space bar, you ‘click’ to mark where the next word goes as the song plays. OK, I admit, that took a little practice, but by the 3rd try I was doing it. 4th thing was baking the whole production into a movie. I use kJams karaoke software to run my show. I’m pretty sure its the best: kJams.com. Downloaded a plugin for it called ‘Producer’ that lets you add the titles and refine the look before baking the movie. So now there’s no karaoke I can’t get. As a musician, I could even record a tune in GarageBand and add the moving text to the audio file and bake that!

Coming Soon!

You are probably wondering what could be next. I’m working on a way to have a wireless local net running at my shows. Anyone with a laptop or phone browser will be able to search my 10,000 song library, select songs to sing, insert their songs into the rotation, and adjust their preferences (ie. key and tempo) and favorites themselves! kJams remembers you and your preferences, so there is no need to search again next time for songs you’ve already sung. Just sign in and click on your favorites. How cool is that? And there is no such thing as songbooks anymore. Song are searched for via a browser. Any new songs are instantly available in the list— no reprinting— no wasted paper— and best of all, a lot less stuff to carry to the show!

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February 21, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Trip to Chicago

02.18.10

Flight to Chicago

Just flew to Chicago Tuesday morning and drove a truck back for a friend’s business here in NC.  Tuesday was a nice day for flying, sunny in Raleigh for take-off, overcast and winter upon arrival in Chicago.

I hadn’t flown since 1992, so I didn’t know what to expect with all the changes since 9/11. Airport security did check everyone out rather thoroughly, and if the inspection cubicle was open and you were the next in line, you were the random choice for a detailed search. And those folks have a lot of power, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were polite and friendly.

The Southwest 737 was the smallest plane I’ve been on since taking a puddler jumper from Atlanta to Gulfport, MS in Dec, 1992. It was tight and full. The ride was bouncy, but the crew was professional and also friendly. I must confess after the crash landing in the Hudson, I was glad to see our captain looked like an older gentleman with a lot of experience.

Tuscany: Excellent Italian Cuisine!

Tuscany

Fred Dolche, a friend Tim Glasson’s met the 3 of us at the airport.  Fred invited us to a fine Italian restaurant right across the street from the University on Taylor St. called Tuscany.  I asked which university and was informed it was the University of Chicago. Tuscany is the best Italian food experience I’ve had!  Wow was it good.  That alone made it worth the trip!

I’ve been to Chicago, but I’ve never been to the U of C.  Prior to WWII, U of C was in the Big Ten and has even won the Rose Bowl! During the years when Robert Maynard Hutchins (also the first Director of the Ford Foundation) was president of the university, the U of C eliminated sports, became involved in the Manhattan Project, and since WWII, the U of C has evolved into one of the World’s premier research universities.

I liked driving the Hino

Hino

We picked up 3 Hino box trucks at Penske to take back to NC.  They ran well, had lots of power, and handled nicely even when the roads were slippery.

The Drive Back

Began to snow as we were leaving Chicago.  Snowed all the way to Beckley, WV.

The worst snows were near Indianapolis and Beckley. When it began to pile on the roads north of Indianapolis, we stopped for a late dinner— just after 2100 (9:00 pm).  When we started out again, the expressway had been cleared, but not before a few vehicles had spun out— mostly semis and other vehicles with trailers.

Expressway kept clear in Beckley

The worst snow fell up around Beckley, WV.  The surface streets were deep in snow,  but the highway department was keeping the expressway open.

Snow covered the ground completely all the way to the big hill on south I-77 down to Mt. Airy, NC.  And we had snow on the ground along east I-74 and I-40 all the way to Greensboro.

Total drive time was just about 15 hours: 5.5 the first day, and nearly 10 the second.  Was the first time I had to keep one of those new driver’s logbooks required by DOT.

Nice to be back in Raleigh where it is sunny and 50° and there is no snow on the ground.  Robins are singing in the yard and the early flowers are blooming.  Feels just like spring has sprung in the Sandhills!

.

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February 18, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Baby Steps

02.11.10

Taking Baby Steps

Just starting the old Prairie Schooner has been an adventure— all kinds of busted and rusted lines, brake fluid, trans fluid, and gasoline leaks— and smoky situations!

Well, I just had to deal with the challenges as they presented themselves— and after sitting for 5 years, I knew there were going to be some— and could possibly be more still.

So I’m taking baby steps.  On Thursday evening, I started the Schooner and just let it idle for a couple hours and monitored temp and charging, and watched underneath for anything dripping.  The results are promising— no smoke, no leaks, no bad noises!

To celebrate, I turned on the lights and took a picture.

Next I’ll try a trip to the gas station and back.  Stay tuned…

.

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February 12, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

The End of House Sitting

Wed 02.10.10

House Loan Approval

After 4 months of waiting and delays, Todd called today to tell me that the buyer’s loan for the house has finally been approved. There will be one more inspection and then the closing should be about the 20th or the 26th.

Time to blizt the rest of the Schooner resurrection project and decamp.

.

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February 10, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Gas Line Leak

Sunday 02.07.10

Puffs of Smoke

Had some pretty good weather delays: a snow and ice storm, then more rain than anyone can remember in a long time.  Things have been cold and soggy.  Not good weather for rolling around underneath the Schooner.  Since I didn’t absolutely have to, I didn’t.

Meanwhile, found a nice useful product at NAPA— flexible transmission line!  Great idea.  I was able to cut out a short section of the existing line and slide on a piece of the flexible cooling hose (runs about $3.50/ft), and clamp it.  The breech was right on a bend.  So this sure beat pulling out an entire length of line to re bend.

Because the transmission cooling lines run close to the exhaust, I fashioned a metal heat shield to protect it from heat.  I think if I ever have anymore trouble, I’ll just replace the entire line with the flexible hose.

Transmission lines are finally fixed and missing exhaust manifold nut is replaced and tightened. Time to start the schooner and let things warm up again.

All seemed A-OK until it seemed like there was too much smoke again— not a lot of smoke— but the smoke should have been gone.  I got out and started looking underneath. I noticed little puffs of smoke that looked like they were coming out of the starboard exhaust pipe. (Schooner has duo exhaust).

How could that be? I wondered.  Seemed like if there was a hole in the pipe, the smoke should be constant.  I thought perhaps a brake line was dripping on it. So I slid underneath on the creeper for a look-see. Naw— wasn’t brake fluid— ’twas a gas line dripping! Suddenly, I had this vision of the whole thing going up in a ball of fire with me laying on my back underneath. Right about then, I think I invented a new sport: How fast is your creeper?!

After things cooled off, I cut that section of line out and examined it.  The line was fine.  Turns out the culprit was merely a hose clamp that had snapped—  it was just enough to allow a little drip— but enough of a drip to cause a fire if it combusted!

I rolled around some more and found other old clamps that snapped as soon as I wiggled them. The clamps are simple things to fix, but it’s something to think that such a small part could have led to so much damage.

.

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February 7, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

RV Refrigerator Repaired

02.28.10

Dometic Gas/Electric Refrigerator

Fridge Failure!

Woke up two days ago to discover the refrigerator in my Prairie Schooner wasn’t working.  They fail— just like any appliance I guess.

Ten years ago, I bought the current fridge after I woke up one night to the acrid smell of ammonia.  RV refrigerators use ammonia as the coolant; it’s very efficient, but could be deadly.  Luckily, RV refrigerators are vented to the outside. I might have been able to get the old unit refurbished, there are places you can send them to, but I decided it was time to upgrade to something bigger that didn’t have a manual pilot light to fuss with.

So I went to Camping World and bought the biggest gas/electric RV refrigerator I’d be able to squeegee into the Prairie Schooner.  It’s been a good one, but I feel like this new one should have lasted more than 10 years.  I felt pretty discouraged.  After fixing so many other things on the Prairie Schooner, the prospect of needing an expensive new refrigerator was depressing. I moved the food inside the house and let it defrost.

Outside Access Panel

One good thing was that I hadn’t smelled any ammonia— so I didn’t think it had lost coolant.  Sometimes they plug up from sitting— I’ve banged on old RV refrigerators and turned them upside down to get them working again— but mine has been in constant use since November— and the entire 10 years before that.  So it shouldn’t have been plugged up.

I avoided the issue by waiting until things warmed up outside.  Finally, I went outside and opened the inspection panel on the back of the refrigerator.  It is a dark place, rarely visited.  I took a bright light and cautiously searched around for poisonous spiders. I cleaned out the leaves, cob webs, and other debris being especially careful each time I moved anything that looked like a clump.

While watching warily for spiders, I noticed a burnt wire.  The wire had come off the electrical heating element on the refrigerator. Instead of using a compressor to compress the coolant and release it through the expansion valve (which releases the absorbed heat), gas powered refrigerators have a small pilot light that heats the liquid ammonia and causes it to expand back to gas.  While slower than a compressor type refrigeration unit, the gas units are very efficient.

Heating Element Connection

When on electricity instead of gas, the heating element has the same function as the gas pilot light— creating a small amount of heat causing the ammonia to expand. Apparently, the connection corroded over the years; that finally caused resistance that created the heat that burned the connection.

I cleaned it all up with sandpaper and instead of using a connector, I soldered the wire back to the pin on the element. When I plugged the unit back in, felt the area near the element and could feel it getting warm.  Luckily, that’s all it was.  Within a few hours, fridge temperatures were back to normal.

Phew.  A cheap fix.  I’m sure glad for that!

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February 1, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Closed