ALI and MOODY GREENS from West Senegal.....

We have had Ali as a member of our family for a year and a half now.   After bouts with a Mast Cell Tumor and subsequent Mast Cell Disease....and most recently a torn ACL and surgery to repair that....fingers crossed Ali will remain in good health for the foreseeable future.   She is a great dog....she is smart...she is a diva when it comes to getting attention....she draws attention to us wherever we go, folks say "what a beautiful dog...what kind is she"....she is stubborn at times but most of the time she listens and follows commands.    Ali, a Golden Retriever /  Great Pyrenees mix, at 110 pounds is not your "typical" RV dog....when the more "usual" of them walk by in a campground we refer to them as breakfast, lunch or dinner....depending on the time of day.   Ali is a great traveler....all she wants it seems is to be where we are....providing she gets her two squares a day and the occasional treats.  

Ali loves the water.  It isn't so much that she likes to swim as it is she just loves to wade and romp around...and in the process either lie down in the water to cool off or simply to dip her head over and over again.   It must be the Golden part of her that loves the water as she finds it hard to resist when she sees a beach.

Don't let the fact that Ali is a "gentle soul" fool you....if she is harassed by another dog she can and will react to let them know to give her some space and leave her alone.   Such action is saved mostly for the larger dogs who bark at her....as for the smaller ones, she just sniffs them and then moves on.  It is as if she is smiling at the pluck of the little critters.   That said, a gentle soul she is....and a recent experience we had is true testament to that.....here is the story:

Pam and Ali and I were in a Camping World store in Jacksonville, FL while our motorhome was in the shop being outfitted with a new Splendide washer / dryer combination unit.  We were sitting in the store's owner lounge when in came a woman and a man carrying a very large bird cage with a good sized green parrot inside.   Being the self appointed greeter no matter where she is....Ali got up and went over to say hello to the couple.  Subsequently she got interested in the bird cage and the bird.   She sat sniffing and staring at the bird in the cage for a very long time.....probably a half hour; and her attention to the parrot could not be deterred.   We have seen Ali focused before, but nothing like this.

We introduced ourselves to Larry and Carol Butler, the "parrot parents".  They marveled at Ali's concentration and we asked about the bird.   The parrot is a Senegal Parrot from the country of the same name in West Africa.  Her name is Moody Greens....we will get to that shortly.....and she is about 22 years old.  (That represents some 50% of a parrot's expected lifeline it seems).   Larry and Carol told us that Moody didn't tolerate other animals very well, nor strangers getting too close for that matter.  To back up a bit.....Larry and Carol are full time RVer's and have been for about 9 years...and they travel the country in a wonderful vintage Foretravel motorhome.....a 1994 Foretravel Unihome...and they had stopped to have Camping World take a look at their inverter.

Our time together continued over coffee (for them) and tea (for us) and additional "getting to know you" discussions.   The Butlers are very nice and extremely interesting people.   It wasn't too long before we inquired as to how Moody got her name "Moody Greens".   It seems the day they got the bird their daughter was with them and after a fashion she commented that the bird seemed 'moody'.  It seems that also that night Larry and Carol were to attend a concert by the Moody Blues.....whereby they got the idea of adding Greens to the birds name....and Moody has ever since been Moody Greens.

While we chatted we noticed that Ali had crept closer to the cage and that Moody had actually moved over to same side of the cage where Ali was.  Ali sniffed the cage and Moody stuck her beak through the bars but did not bite Ali.  It seems they were bonding.   Moody would then hop around the cage and make quite loud whistles and other 'pronouncements' when she felt she might be being ignored.  She also got Ali's continued attention by moving to her perch where she swung back and forth at a high rate of speed....all the while Ali following the activity very closely.  It was truly amazing to watch these two animals "carry on" as they did.  The Butlers and we marveled at what was taking place.

               Here are Ali and Moody Greens getting acquainted.....up close and personal!!!

Larry and Carol's service finished before ours, and when they picked up the cage and Moody and walked toward the front door; Ali was running after them.  We had to put Ali back on leash to get her to stay with us.   She and Moody had apparently REALLY bonded!!

                               Ali and Moody Greens just before having to say good bye!

1.2 KILOWATTS OF SOLAR POWER......ON THE MOVE

Solar Energy Systems
an Amish owned company
of Nappanee, Indiana installed our 9 panel 1200 watt system so now when we are of a mind to do so we can dry camp comfortably "off grid".

When camping off grid (not plugged into what in the camping world is known as AC "shore power") one relies on the RV's inverter to "make" AC electricity from the DC energy provided by the RV's batteries.   Because our motorhome is totally electric (no propane on board) we have not one but two (2000 watt) inverters as well as eight deep cell AGM batteries....and by being so equipped, the addition of a solar system very suitably expands our "on board" capacity to go off grid without having to exclusively rely on our 12.5 KW  generator.    For every twelve hours off grid and on batteries, our generator would have to run 2 or 3 times to charge the batteries back up to the proper level.   With our new solar system our off grid capability increases to the point where the generator will not start until such time as our battery bank is reduced to 40% of its charge capacity.   With luck (and plenty of sunshine) that eventuality can be significantly prolonged.

 

Let's take a look at the system from the top down.......

 

 

Nine of these 130 Watt solar panels now populate the roof of our home on wheels.  They are wired in three strings of three panels, whose wires take the sun's energy to the combiner box (see top photo), which acts like a junction box and feeds the wires down into the back closet area of the motorhome and into an electronic switching box called a "hub".   The hub is also connected to our two pure sine wave, 2000 watt inverters as well as to a charge controller, which oversees all our power inputs from solar to battery to inverter to AC and generator.  

This is one of our two Outback pure sine wave inverters.  Each provides a capacity of 2000 watts and is able to take battery generated DC current and modify it to our AC needs in the RV.   As we learned more and more about how solar power works in an RV environment, we learned the significance of having "pure sine wave" inverters as opposed to "modified sine wave" inverters.  The pure sine waves exactly replicate how AC current is used to run appliances, whereby the modified inverters can only simulate that AC current.  It becomes important as the new electronics in computers, cell phones, LCD TVs and the like operate much more efficiently and without potential for surge that can accompany modified wave inverters.  It has even been proven that refrigerator ice makers and in door ice water devices will often not work with modified sine waves and work perfectly well with pure sine wave.  Interesting stuff.

A close look at our Outback Charge Controller shows here the voltage input and voltage output of our combined systems at the point in time this photo was taken.  The buttons on the front panel allow us to toggle amongst many charge controller functions to take a look at solar input as well as battery input, generator and other AC inputs, etc.  Since the controller is physically located in an outside basement compartment, as are the two inverters, the system is also wired from the hub to a control box mounted in our electrical cabinet, located in our bedroom.

The Master Electrical Panel

This Outback "Mate" screen allows us to toggle the same "status" functions as shown in the Charger Controller's screen but from the comfort of our bedroom.   It also allows us to manually over ride the automatic settings for such things as generator start, battery equalization and battery charge levels. 

Aside from our plans to use our new found "sun power" off grid, especially when we get out West and can camp under the open skies on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands; it is very comforting to know that our solar panels will be charging our batteries as we move down the road to our next destinations.  

 

Uncle Sam generously provides us with a 30% tax credit on our new solar investment.....yes, it applies to second homes as well as primary ones and motorhomes qualify as both!!   We would have had the system installed regardless of the tax credit, but it sure makes this Scotsman's smile a bit broader to know 30% of what we spent is underwritten!!

In closing, here is our traveling companion lounging in the SES showroom while the system install is going on.

Ali was on her feet to greet all new customers when they entered the store during the two days we were there.  She was Solar Energy Systems' official greeter.   We should also add that all the folks at SES treated us very warmly as well as professionally during our time there.  Brian, the owner, Mike in Sales, GM Eric and installers Ron and Kevin all worked hard installing our system.  And Becky and Rose and Melinda in the office kept us company as well.   All new friends and great folks in Nappanee, Indiana. 

Pam chimes in from Indiana

While we (I) certainly never anticipated spending 2 weeks in Indiana as winter approaches, our time here has been quite unique.  Much is here to enjoy --- many of the towns are small, farming communities, sprinkled with businesses that create and support the RV industry, woodworking, kitchen cabinets, and the normal shops and stores.  There is much history here --- and many of the towns have worked together to create what is called the quilt trail --- but not your fabric quilts.....this is a network of places that have painted quilts on their building and/or created quilt gardens --- huge flower gardens which are done in a quilt block.....unique and gorgeous.  Also up in Goshen is the huge Goshen, Indiana Fairgrounds, with a wonderful campground -- we spent two nights there and enjoyed it.

The scenery -- so different from our mountains of NH --- vast cornfields as far as the eye can see....flat, flat, flat!  I think the majority of farms are Amish --- huge Amish settlements here, horses and buggies ply the roadways and the highways, where they have actual "buggy lanes".  The Amish who work out side the home --- go to work mostly by bicycle, and you see the lights from their bikes before 6 a.m. on the highways, heading to work!  It's a bit scary the first time you see it.....you just hope you give them enough room!  Some bike anywhere from 6 to 9 miles each way every day....rain, sleet or snow!  Impressive!  And not just the fellas --- a lot of the gals are doing it, too.  More power to them!  Their farms are well-kept and the vast acreage seems to be laid out in big grids, with roads going east to west, and north to south, numbered as CR 20 N, or CR 21E and so on.  You could easily get lost unless you have some sort of bearing.  There are double railroad tracks, and long trains go by about 2-3 times an hour.....bearing all sorts of goods and trailers --- something we don't see in the east.  Glad to see it.....although Ali was scared the first time one came nearby where we were walking.

We have been to Amish markets where  everything is in bulk --- so many spices, flavorings, tons of cheeses (one market has over 75 varieties!), meats, and best of all....lots of homemade baked goods.  We have dined in a few wonderful Amish restaurants, where portion control seems to be unheard of --- Ken was in heaven!

And everyone we have met has been helpful and very friendly -- and good at what they do.
It's good to know that we have had people working on our motorhome who worked for the original company that made it....and know all the in's and out's of it.

We have seen lovely old houses in the towns, and lots of small lakes and rivers.  We stayed in a really nice bed and breakfast called the Scottish Bed and Breakfast after the owners' prize Scotties....and where scrumptious breakfasts were prepared.  And where we met and made friends with two other couples who have similar motorhomes and with whom we will stay in touch....one of whom we will see in Jan. as they have made reservations with a camground we told them about...and where we will be for the same week!

So, not so bad to be in Indiana -- it has unexpected pleasures.  My Mom was born in the midwest and her Mom came from a long line of midwesterners --- I grew up hearing that those from the midwest were good, solid people.....and now I truly know it to be true.

We are anxious to hit the road and move further south, away from snow and ice and cold wind.....but we will remember the area with good thoughts and would not mind coming back.  In warmer weather, of course!

And wow, this is my first blog entry!  Not sure -- but I might just do one here or there....we shall see!

14TH DAY IN INDIANA!!

We arrived here in Northern Indiana on the 27th of October for our appointment with Precision Paint for the X bracing of our coach chassis......we didn't expect to be here this long but we are indeed now here for 14 days!    Will today be the day we can depart for warmer southern climes???    We shall see.   We are now in Nappanee, IN at Solar Energy Systems waiting for an automatic generator start module to arrive by overnight post.  If that arrives today and is installed and works, then we may just be heading south some time later today.

We have had a lot of work done here in this area on the motorhome.....some of it necessary and some of it discretionary....like updating TV systems and installing a 1.2KW solar system.   Updating the TVs has involved some cabinetry work to match our existing cabinets.....these photos show some before during and after the work:

Old CRT TV and cabinet removed from over the dashboard area.




And here below left is the new cabinet that is now above the dashboard.

 

The long cabinet to the right, at the end of the kitchen counter area
is new and now allows access to storage in that area.

 
 

 

Here is that same cabinet area all torn up and getting ready for new shelving and the new access door



Lastly, here is the new cabinet work around the TV in the bedroom.   This cabinetry is designed to match what we already have and was done by one of the many Amish cabinet makers and craftsmen in the area.   It is also designed with struts so the LED TV lifts up, allowing storage behind.  

 

The Whirlpool Corporation has its headquarters nearby in Benton Harbor, Michigan....on the shores of Lake Michigan.   Here is a photo of the lighthouse at Whirlpool Beach..... 

We visited the beach a week ago in between some of the work being done on the motorhome.  If we were to visit again now, we would be "traipsing" through several inches of snow that fell just a few days ago.   The whole area is subject to lake effect snows.

 

 

And here is Ali exploring the beach at Benton Harbor.   She does enjoy her sniffing & exploring!!

 

Stay tuned for our next issue which will outline our newly installed solar system.......!!

 

GETTING COLD IN NORTHERN INDIANA

The Elkhart Indiana Fairgrounds in Goshen, Indiana is an extensive place.  It reminds us of the Fryeburg, Maine Fairgrounds in size, if not set up.   We are here at this Fairgrounds because they have an extensive operation for campers.....in season, rallies are held here in addition to 4-H and other Fair activities.   And they keep one section of the camping area open year round.....and that is where we are....enjoying full hookups for water, sewer and 50amp electric.   The 50amp is very important to us since we are an all electric coach.....no propane to backup systems.   We actually prefer the all electric coach arrangement.....which also makes our motorhome a "natural candidate" for a solar system.

We have used our time here this weekend rather wisely to do a lot of "picking up and putting away" things that had been just lying about.   We now are debating whether to spend another night here or move later this afternoon to the Solar Systems parking lot and dry camp for the night as they want our coach there for 6am tomorrow-ugh!!   We may decide to stay here and enjoy the full hookups for another night.....and get up very early to make the 30 minute drive over to Solar Systems.  

It has turned cold here these past couple days so we have been using our heat pumps to stay warm.  That said, once our temps went lower and into the 30's we turned off the heat pumps and put on our Aqua Hot instant hot water heating system.  It runs off diesel fuel.   The next two nights are going even colder into the 20's so the Aqua Hot is even more important.   Yesterday we discovered zone2 of our heating system was blowing cool air....not good.   No heat in the bedroom and bath areas.   So I got out the Aqua Hot IB's   (instruction books) and downloaded a system schematic and checked for advice on some RV Forums.   Armed with this information I took the cover off the system (it is located in an outside basement bay) and tapped the check valves for zone 2.  I also noted the blower motor spinning wheel was impeded by a wire harness so I moved that aside.  Wala....Pam hollered out to me that the bedroom heat had come back on.  Yay!!   We now have a better understanding of how our Aqua Hot system works....and, fingers crossed, we will not have any further issues while we remain here in Northern Indiana!

This whole area of Northern Indiana is flush with Amish folk.   We think it is safe to say this area puts more well known Amish areas such as Lancaster, PA "to shame" in terms of numbers.   Every day we are out we see Amish buggies plying up and down the roads, as well as many Amish riding bicycles not just to school but also to work.   Many Amish work as craftsmen at woodworking and cabinet shops.....their work is exemplary.   We are fortunate to have had the cabinet work in our Travel Supreme done by the Amish.   The quality is self evident.   Many other businesses are run by the Amish as well.....including Solar Energy Systems in Nappanee, where our panels will be installed.

 Here is a buggy that brought three Amish ladies to the local grocery store.

 

Here is our favorite!!! 

 

Stay tuned for our next blog.....showing Ali on the beach at Lake Michigan AND some of the upgrades we have had done to our motorhome..........later.

STILL IN MICHIANA

Yup.....that's what they locally call Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan.....Michiana.   Any way, we are still here!!   Northern Indiana is the RV Capital of the World and the place to be if you want to get certain jobs completed on your RV.   Well, our Motorhome has been the beneficiary of quite a lot of such specialized attention these past 10 days....and there is more to come.

Following the installation of X braces to stiffen up our Spartan K2 chassis, Precision Paint of Bremen, Indiana has removed our four old CRT TV's.   Only three of them are being replaced as the location of the 4th TV is being turned into ( much needed) storage space in the living area.   The other 3 TV's have been replaced with LED units, two with blu ray DVD players.   To boost up the movie watching experience we also installed an LG sound bar with a wireless subwoofer for the main living area TV.  Can't wait to watch Star Trek and Avatar now!!   Today we should have our cabinetry work completed so we can say "adios" to the great people at Precision Paint.....until next time.  

Our next big news is on Monday here in Nappanee, Indiana we are having a solar system installed in the motorhome.   While having the work done at Precision Paint we came across a small, Amish owned company named Solar Energy Systems.   It seems that in addition to installing systems for farms, businesses and homes in the area SES has also installed some dozen systems for RV's.  Ours will be next.   Here is a look at a smaller coach with panels installed on its roof......

 

 

Our install will involve 8 (possibly 9) of these 130 watt solar panels on our (much larger) roof.  Because of our three heat pumps and satellite dish and a few fan vents on the roof, the panels will be staggered to fit in available space.   Six will populate the very rear of the coach roof with the remaining being placed "where there is room".   Each panel measures 26 inches wide by 50 inches long.  They  will be wired in Series with the wires running down inside the rear of the motorhome to an internally mounted charge controller that will monitor and control the amount of charge to our 8 AGM house batteries.

 



   Lastly, a monitoring panel will be installed next to our inverter panels so we can see how much energy from the sun is being used to charge the batteries and maintain that charge as we move down the road.   Aside from all the Green benefits of a solar system installation (including a current 30% tax credit from Uncle Sam), use of sun power will keep our batteries from discharging too much and too often, thus adding life to them.   Another benefit when we are not plugged in to "shore power" is that we will use our diesel driven generator far less often to keep our batteries in good charging health!!   SES will also replace 44 of our ceiling lights (yes, there are that many!!) with LED lighting, which is also far more energy efficient.   So early next week will be an exciting time.   We hope to be on the road South by Tuesday or Wednesday next week, weather permitting.