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Shake down trip

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Sparky

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Shake down trip
« on: April 10, 2013, 09:34:52 am »
Well finally got to go on our first true camping trip.  We had an enjoyable trip went to Memphis, did some family history work, met a cousin on my fathers side for the first time. Stayed in Tunica, did not lose too much money at the casinos.  Weather was very wet and cold. Couple of points.

Shades- did not realize we have double shades pale white, pale brown.  Are the brown ones dark enough to block out the sun,,could not tell since it was cloudy the whole time.  If needed has anyone made suncreens for the windows?

Gas- noticed that we were having two problems. I switched over to gas on the frige while traveling (have the Norcold 2way)  would come on but then go out when we started driving wind? figured that was the problem.. burners,, mainly cooked using the 1/2oven,,, used the burner twice, noticed low flame,  figured need to make some adjustments.   Of course I get home look a the tank,, flow valve was nearly turned to off, turned it full open no problems..  I guess when the dealer filled the tank tech had closed it for filling.  Lesson learned

Water tanks,  had some discoloring come out while using the kitchen water,, figured some mold etc, from lack of use,  planning on sanitizing tanks prior to next trip should get rid of this problem.

Overall very pleased.. we had a roadtrke 210 and just can not believe the extra room we have, use of a dinette,  and the shower, bathroom space is excellent. Very excited for next trip. Going to Grand Canyon next month. MPG was right at 10  This is a very rough estimate but figure it cost somewhere between $40 to $60 extra for every 500miles we drive compared to the Roadtrek(15mpg)... but with extra space and other points well worth it.
David Sparks
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Houston, Texas
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Shake down trip
« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2013, 01:34:21 pm »
Sounds great.

You will surely want to disinfect the fresh water system before consuming any on-board water.

Before the start of a new season, I add a 1/2 gallon of bleach (much more than recommended) to the fresh water holding tank and then fill with water to over-flowing, run the on-board pump, open all faucets, and get the bleach solution throughout all pipes and fixtures.  Close up everything and let the bleach solution do it's thing for an hour.  Then drain and flush multiple times.  Since much of the bleach ends up in the holding tanks, I flush them too as I hear the bleach can be hard on tank valves.  Where we live, I can simply drain all tanks into a culvert next to the driveway.

During the first days of our trip following, we smell a litttle chlorene in the water so we boil it out when cooking, and drink bottled water.  The smell reminds me of Chicago water.  Better to smell a little chlorene than to get sick from the water.

If your fresh water tank is like ours, you can't completely drain the fresh water tank because the drain valve is on the side by the bottom rather than on the bottom.  It leaves less than an inch of water.  I park on an incline at home so the water rushes to the drain valve.  It gets much more bleach solution out that way.
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TomHanlon

Re: Shake down trip
« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2013, 02:12:46 pm »
I do the same as Ron, but I only use 2-3 cups of bleach. To remove any bleach smell you can add a half of a box of baking soda to the frist rinse. I have heard some people use white wine after bleaching the tank, but have never tried it myself.
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aimee

Re: Shake down trip
« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2013, 02:36:06 pm »
No, No, No...Silly.  They drink they wine so that the smell of the bleach doesn't bother them so bad.  ;)
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Shake down trip
« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2013, 04:07:42 pm »
Quote from: aimee on April 10, 2013, 02:36:06 pm
No, No, No...Silly.  They drink they wine so that the smell of the bleach doesn't bother them so bad.  ;)
That girl has us figured out. :)
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Sparky

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Re: Shake down trip
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2013, 08:09:24 pm »
ron, yeah will probably put in a little extra than normal (formula? (from memory) 1/2oz per gallon I think) (will refer to my notes later)  get the system pressurized,  want to get some of that chlorine water in all the pipes. Might even drive around a little to put the water in motion a little while in the tanks and pipes.  Betting if I have mold, it's from the areas where the pipes are flat, maybe bottom of water tank. After using the water on our trip it looked very clear..   on our roadtrek since the water was controlled by valves, I use to be able to blow out the pipes with some air,, not sure if this would work with PC system,, might try it with very low pressure and see if the water inlet will let air pass through.

BTW,  regarding my oops moment with the gas flow, I have no problem admitting boo boo's, and letting people know so we learn.   I'm also hoping someone will comment about the shades, see if anyone else had the problems, will go with no problem since have not heard or saw anything on the forum
David Sparks
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Shipper

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Re: Shake down trip
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2013, 08:21:28 am »
Quote from: Sparky on April 10, 2013, 08:09:24 pm
ron, yeah will probably put in a little extra than normal (formula? (from memory) 1/2oz per gallon I think) (will refer to my notes later)  David Sparks
2008 PC 2350
Houston, Texas
I believe the mix is 1/4 cup chlorine for every 15 gallons in the water tank and let it sit in the system for at least 4 hours. If you want to do it quicker then 1/2 cup for every 15 gallons and let sit for 1 hour. I drain the hotwater tank before starting and then fill it with the mix. Turn on each faucet until you smell chlorine (don't forget the outside shower) then refill the water tank back to full. I personally use a mix of 1/3 cup for every 15 gallons to treat the additional water added to the water tank after filling the hotwater tank and running the faucets; and then let it sit overnight. I usually can flush the system just once to remove the chlorine taste and smell.
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It's not that I'm insensitive, it's probably that I just don't care. ;)
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Barry-Sue

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Re: Shake down trip
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2013, 08:29:15 am »
David,

    We had the day/night shades as you describe on our 08 model.  We now have the new MCD  shades on our 12 model.  We did not find the day/night shades to be effective in blocking out the heat from the sun.  They are good for light filtering.  The new MCD shades are good for both light filtering and solar protection.

Sue
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Sparky

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Re: Shake down trip
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2013, 10:47:12 am »
Tks for the replies, hopefully will be more.

Sanitizing 1/4 cup per 15 gallons,,,reviewed my notes... I'm guessing everyone  dilutes 1/4 bleach with gallon of water and pour in tank... (38 gallons fresh) easy measure take gallon jug of water add 1/4 cup bleach pour in 3 times.   first put in couple of gallons of water in the fw tank,,, add mixtures,,, fill tank up, run all the taps until you smell bleach, let sit , longer the better,,,, think I will do this twice... better safe than sorry

We are cool weather travelers,, spring/fall,,, I know the recommendations are once a year to sanitize,, think I will go with  each season..... curious,, wonder if I should sanitize in the fall when getting ready to store for winter and not flush out the tanks just drain, that way the left over water would have some bleach in it,then in spring resanitize,,,,,,  any thoughts?

Shades, sounds like we may need to make a cover... we used our large windshield foldable sun screens in the back windows.  they were a little large but work ok...see how things  work out at the grand canyon

David Sparks
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Shake down trip
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2013, 12:00:28 pm »
Quote from: Sparky on April 11, 2013, 10:47:12 am
...curious,, wonder if I should sanitize in the fall when getting ready to store for winter and not flush out the tanks just drain, that way the left over water would have some bleach in it....

I would NOT leave any bleach residue in the system long term.  If any bleach solution evaporates in the system, the bleach will crystalize into a hard crusty material similar looking to salt crystals.  I don't know how quick it disolves once in contact with water again.  When filling up with fresh water later in the year, it could take too much time for the bleach crystals to disolve.  They could travel around and become an abrasive in your fresh water system which could be hard on the pump, valves, and plumbing fixtures.

I also heard that bleach is hard on some of the rubber seals, like the toilet and waste valves for example.  I do put some bleach into my toilet which whitens it up beautifully.  But I don't expose it longer than neccessary, just long enough, then I flush it multiple times.
« Last Edit: April 11, 2013, 12:05:18 pm by ron.dittmer »
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