Solar Pulse Keeps Your Occasional Car Ready to Go

We keep a "round town car" at one end of our frequently traveled trail, and it may go months without use. Last time we needed the beasty, a turn of the ignition key brought a grunt--the battery was on sabbatical from lack of charge.

We've found the answer to that issue: Pulse Tech Products' Solar Pulse. It's a handy little solar powered system that not only keeps your standby vehicle battery charged, it also keeps it in shape with a system that keeps the battery plates cleaned up, knocking down the buildup of lead sulfate that can kill off an otherwise good battery.

We're using the 5 watt version; it's but about 9" square and a 1/4" thick, small but powerful for the application. Since we keep our car under a fabric cover, the question of where to mount the solar panel came up. We picked up a small wood pallet and mounted the solar panel to the pallet, aiming the solar panel south for maximum solar availability. The next question that arises: What do you do with the solar panel and the pallet when you want to drive? The system has a quick disconnect we hid behind the car grill. We simply unplug the panel from the car, and off we go.

Installation is straight forward and most any "handy with a wrench and screwdriver" person can do the install. A control module lives permanently under the car hood, and the whole install process took us only about 20 minutes.

Now when we leave the car alone for a few weeks or months, we don't worry about having to disconnect the battery for fear "parasitic" loads will slowly chew through our stored up power. Besides, disconnecting the battery is to shut off the juice to the onboard engine diagnostics computer--and any critical information stored therein could be lost with the disconnect of power over a long term.

Check out Solar Pulse on the pulsetech.net website.

"Clean" Macerator System

The old plumber's axiom about, "Water don't run up hill, and don't lick your fingers," doesn't have to be true regarding dumping your holding tanks--at least about the uphill part. We still recommend wearing protective gloves anytime you mess about with sewer connections.

Dumping holding tanks from your rig to an uphill (and distant) sewer drop became a necessity for us some time back. Our RV parking pad was 'on the other side' of the hill from the property septic system. The idea of lugging buckets of yuck back and forth was hardly appetizing. A macerator answers the problem. A simple pump, the macerator grinds up your holding tank contents and squirts them through a hose or pipe to where you want them to go. There've been macerators available on the market for some time.

The "wrinkle" with the Clean Dump system is its approach to being permanently attached to the RV. Other macerators often breach mount onto the RV dump outlet port, and that in itself can be a bit of a messy situation. So for the "cultured" among us--and those who don't mind dropping close to $400 for the feeling of increased sanitation cleanliness this may be the ticket.

With the Clean Dump system installed in your RV, you simply open an access door, fish out the discharge end of a 1" (i.d.) hose, stretch it out to the nearest sewer dump (provided that it's within 150 of your rig), pull your dump valve handle, flip a switch, and within what is said to be five minutes, your tanks are emptied and you're ready to rock and roll. Mind you, the basic system comes with a 20' section of hose, so to make that really long uphill reach you'll have to add accessory hose lengths.

If your RV has a washing machine, a handy accessory allows you to leave the system hose connected to a park sewer drop, and gravity feeds wash machine waste water to save your holding tanks from filling up in a hurry.

The Clean Dump system promises less hassle to users: No more "sewer hose" legs to keep the sludge flowing downhill through the standard 3" hose. Less drip with a permanently installed system. All the parts required for the not-so-handyman. For more info visit www.cleandump.com

Hoist Your Banner On Your Personal Street Light

OK, maybe it's not a street light, proper, but the "Solar ID" is most certainly a unique RV product, and one that a lot of boondockers will appreciate. After all, when we "dig in" to our long-term site, there's something about making our little spot in the wilderness "ours."

For years we boondocked on the Arizona desert every winter. Trying to describe "where we live," is hard enough for folks coming by day, but after the sun goes down, getting somebody out to our little place becomes a feat suitable only for those equipped with a GPS system and night vision glasses. The Solar ID is like your own personal lamp post that you can stick out at the end of the drive up to your RV. The lamp is (like our rig) solar panel equipped--ok, so it's a small solar panel--and the light is a high efficiency LED system that casts light all night long.

With a clever cross-arm system, Solar ID allows you to hang something personal out there. It comes equipped with a rather generic "Welcome" banner, but with all that unique RVer know-how, we can envision anything from personal flags to indicators of hobbies or interests festooning the lamp post cross arm. The whole thing is cleverly designed for travelers--when not in use the cross arm comes out of the post, the post itself telescopes down, and all parts pack into a handy (and included) tote bag.

You won't need a pick and shovel (or mini-backhoe) to set up your Solar ID system. A plastic base unit holds the system upright, and for those used to the the nasty winds of the great open plains (or the deserts) you can add ballasting to the base: Think gravel or sand. The folks who designed this clever system tell us that their home base unit, set up in chilly Nebraska, displayed a ice-storm encased banner--stiffly frozen as if blown by winds--still quite upright despite the weight of the icy banner.

You can order directly from the RVers who designed and built this clever system at uniquelyrv.com.

Wifi Detector Makes Finding Hotspots Easy

For us who travel the roads accompanied by our faithful computers, finding a connection point to the Internet can be a hassle. Sure, many of the truck stops do have Internet access, it's hard to tell whether the system is up and running or not--unless you drag out the computer and fire it up.

StarTech.com may have an easy answer: Their Wi-Fi Detective is a 'slip in in your pocket' device that sniffs the Internet air and reveals if there are available wifi networks in your range. What's more, the Detective's LCD screen tells you a lot of other helpful information:

• Operating channel of the detected Wi-Fi signal.
• The total number of of Wi-Fi signals detected.
• Encryption indicator - What type of encryption is being used for any given signal found, or if the signal is unencrypted.
• Indicators for whether the signal is an 802.11g wireless signal or an 802.11b wireless signal.
• Signal Strength indicator measured in increments ranging 5 (full strength) to 1 (low strength).
• An indicator showing whether the signal is an infrastructure mode signal or an Adhoc mode signal.
• Battery indicator with 3 bars.

Plugged into your computer's USB port Wi-Fi Detective also acts as a USB wireless LAN adapter with transfer rates up to 54Mbps. Kind of like a Swiss Army knife for your laptop.
There aren't any batteries to change, the thing has an internal battery that recharges when plugged into your USB port.

We took a Wi-Fi Detective with us on our last big road trip and it more than earned its keep. Where we were "sure" there was an available hotspot signal, the device told us in a hurry whether it was up and running or whether we should move along. "In camp," where we set up our own network we use the detector to find out whether friends are close enough to piggyback on our system to get Internet access.

The only squawk we've had with the little detective is that he's not as resilient as you might hope. Carrying the detector in the same pocket with a set of car keys leaves lasting scratch impressions on the LED screen. Still readable, fully functional, but not a pretty sight.

You can get one of these little critters at Radio Shack for less than $70.

Portable Shredder Disposes of Sensitive Trash

"If you are one whom identity theft dreads
Get thineself a machine that shreds . . ." Anonymous

It's a sad reality, but there are bad guys out there who would really like to have your sensitive papers to facilitate stealing your financial soul. Document shredders are now the order of the day. But for RVers, particularly those who travel in a small rig, or those who boondock away from shore power, finding a suitable shredder is a tough assignment.

Now comes Ziszor--a portable, battery operated shredder that will shred up to five sheets of sensitive stuff in a pass. Well, that may be stretching it a bit, according to our tests, five sheets of 20 pound paper will take a bit of juice to knock through, but Ziszor will dispatch into french fry strips a couple of full sheets with ease.

Ziszor, as you can see, is a fairly compact, hand-held device. Credit card receipts and compromising photographs can run through in a hurry. When you get to a sheet wider than Ziszor's four and a half inch "mouth," you fold the paper in half to feed down the maw. It's not nearly as convenient as a full size shredder, and of course, it effectively doubles the number of sheets you're shredding. In practice, a single 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper, folded over to fit down the shredder throat takes almost 10 seconds to consume. Increase that to two full sheets (doubled over gives you one less than the maximum number allowed for use) takes about 19 seconds, and just before the end of the "shred cycle" my stomach was doing flip-flops as to whether the thing would pull it off. It did--it just slows down noticeably.

Powered by four of those ubiquitous "AA" cells, the machine is sleek looking, and fairly light--weighs in at a bit less than a pound and a half. The original "release" price was set at $39.95, but today the company will sell you one for $29.95. Maybe the downturn on Wall Street has created less demand for paper shredding, whatever the cause, that's the current price.

So what happens to the "output"? To our way of thinking, it's a bit like buying one of those nice, inexpensive ink-jet printers. The equipment itself isn't expensive, but they hit you on the refills. A box of 30 "catch bags" which fit over the Ziszor's handle (said to handle an average family's shredding needs for two months) runs $3.29. But here's another bit of a trick: Once you've purchased your shredder, if you go back to buy more bags, you won't get away with order just a box. If you attempt to fill out the order form without buying a shredder too, anything less than an order for three boxes will be automatically rejected. So, three boxes of bags works out to $9.83, and shipping $4.95, the whole Maryanne works out to almost $15.

Here's our advice, if you're a "neat freak" and those cutesy bags are a requirement for your health, order at least a year's supply when you order your shredder. When you order a shredder, the shipping is free. On the other hand, if you can stand the idea, simply run the shredder over the mouth of an open wastebasket and forget the costly bags. To a twisted thinker, tossing out those appealing shreds in a bag just screams for attention anyway. I can see a dumpster diving tweaker snagging my bag of shreds and painstakingly taping them together. But if those same shreds are coated with last week's spaghetti dinner leftovers, I gotta feeling, they're safe from reconstitution.

Ziszor, available at www.ziszor.com.

Readers Fire Back at Power Maximizer

They say the writer's life can be a lonely one. You can't ever be sure if all your efforts are even being read. Not so this blog. Last month we wrote about Camco's product, the Power Maximizer, based on the company's published whooping.

Boy, did we ever get an earful.

"This 'solution' is more of a money maker for the seller than anything else," said one reader. Others raised many technical concerns, indicating that in practical terms, the device wouldn't really do what RVers wanted it to. We took those concerns to Camco and asked for their comments. It took a while, but finally, Jeff Russell, one of the company's mechanical engineers, returned our call and settled in for a chat about the device.

Rusell admitted that the concept of plugging into two different outlets on the same power pedestal wasn't new; it's just Camco had concerns about overloading an RV's neutral wire, and so that was the reason they designed it to pull a 30 amp leg and a 15 amp leg, the thinking that the combined 45 amp maximum draw wouldn't overload the neutral. And yes, the system isn't designed to provide 240 volts, but rather simply 120--so if your RV's power management system looks to "see" 240 volts, it won't work for you.

Are there power "limitations," we asked? Could you really draw 45 amps? The answer was a "yes and no," situation. You could conceivably pull 45 amps--provided the power loads in your RV were on the correct power legs. For example, if your air conditioner is wired on what the PowerMaximizer "sees" as the 30 amp leg, well and good. But if your air conditioner winds up being wired on the 15 amp leg, you can easily expect to pop the breaker on the RV park pedestal. Of course, the real trouble is, there's really no way of knowing which leg is which. And yes, says Camco's Russell, the RV with a 50-amp service typically can draw 100 amps--two 120 volt legs of 50 amps each. As a result, the "Maximizer's" 45 amps is going to be a pretty paltry supply. But Camco argues it's better than 30 amps provided through a "dogbone" adapter.

Of course, if the RV park you land in has Ground Fault Interrupters in the RV outlet box, you are really dead in the water--the system simply won't work at all. You'll forgive us, dear reader, as the number of times we end up in a commercial RV park in a decade can probably be counted on the fingers of one hand. We haven't surveyed just how many parks have GFIs--but by your experiences as related from your comments, it's as one reader said, "That means this device will normally be dead weight in the storage box."

We appreciate your feedback, and the opportunity to give Camco a shot at responding to your thinking. We look forward--maybe with a teesny bit of trepidation--to your next salvo!

Thanks to suneko on flickr for the "shout" photo

Bike Carrier Accepts Variety of Frames, Sizes

If you've ever lugged a bicycle or two on your RV excursions, you know how frustrating bike carriers can be. One RV couple we knew had a setup on their roof ladder--and spent many "enjoyable hours" fixing the thing in the middle of a road trip when it went gunnybag. Others complain about the fixed attitude of some manufacturers: The bike must hang by the frame. Great if you have a standard "top tube" bicycle--but get something a bit more esoteric and your carrier may not be smart enough to cope.

Cequent Towing--the parent company of Reese, who makes fifth wheel hitches--says it has the answer in its "Highland SportWing" bike carrier, designed to accommodate two bicycles.

The SportWing is a hitch-receiver mounted carrier, the cradle side of the carrier is poished aluminum and it's this end wherein the secret lies: Rather than insisting the frame be the point of contact, the adjustable cradle looks to hold the bike by the rims. Padded hooks prevent damage to the bike's rims, and adjustable sized rubber clamps lock onto a variety of rim sizes. Both full size adult bikes and kids rollers can ride in this fancy getup.

Street prices look to be about $120 and up for the SportWing, model number 5801200.

Keep an Eye on Your Rooftop Load

We've found a strange dichotomy in the desert southwest: RVers carrying kayaks. Not sure where they're using these things--maybe on the way "down and back." In any event, there's got to be a little anxiety now and then when traveling--how do you know if your rooftop cargo is staying where it ought?

Enter CargoView Mirror Company's overhead hauling utility mirror. It's one of those, "Gee, why didn't anybody think of this earlier?" things. A magnetically mounted convex mirror unit you set on your hood, up in plain sight of the driver (or shotgun rider). A quick glimpse in the mirror tells you when it's time to pull over and relash your stash.

Equipped with a "scratch free pad" said to prevent any finish damage, the overhead hauling utility mirror can be pulled off and stuffed in the glove box when you don't need it. Price? $19.95 plus shipping and handling from carogviewmirror.com.

New Adapter Grabs More Power for 50 Amp RVs

You who have those big and shiny rigs that suckle up only to 50 amp outlets can sometimes be a bit miffed when you roll into the "only available" RV park and find 15 and 30 amp circuits--but nothing for 50 amper users.

Sure, you can plug in the 30 amp female - to - 50 amp male converter plug, but you're still limited to pulling that maximum 30 amps. Camco says they have an answer: They call it their "Power Maximizer." Think of it as a two-way tap that pulls that 30 amp juice and adds that other little guy, the 15 amper, for a total of 45 amps available power. Yeah, it's not 50 amps, but it's a whale of a lot more than 30!

Here's the fine print: It works only circuits that are wired with a capacity to match the breakers; and it won't work if plugged into a GFI protected circuit. Street prices look to be around $55, but you'll be looking in all the odd places: Try J.C. Whitney on-line. It doesn't look like Camping World has jumped on board for this one yet. And speaking of on board, sorry you boat users, this product is ONLY for RVers.

Vent Cover Revisited--Now More Air Flow

It's hard to see an RV that doesn't have an after-market vent cover. When we say vent cover, we're not talking about that flat plastic (or metal) lid that covers that hole in your roof. Rather, these covers allow you to roll your roof vent open in nasty weather--keeping the rain out, but allowing an exchange of air.

The "household word" for vent covers for most RVers is Maxxair--they've been on the market for years. We broke down and bought a couple for our fifth wheel after years of cranking our vents open and close in a synchronized response to weather conditions. However, we weren't enthused with the way they crimped our air flow--having one on just didn't allow a real good flow of air.

Recently we had to pull vent covers off to perform vent lid maintenance. Don't forget a wrench before you make the roof ascent--the Maxxairs require tools to take off. Correction: They did require tools.

Maxxair has just hit the market with Maxxair II (is that "son of Maxxair?). Promising "Twice as much vent area as our original vent cove," this second generation offspring also promises to make maintenance issues a bit easier: Now you simply pull locking pins from one side of the installed vent, and the whole thing rolls over on the opposite side.

The extra ventilating power is provided by a larger vent-to-air ratio, and by providing cross ventilation through side louvers. The company also crows that the new covers can be used on powered ventilation fans, however one RVer noted that with the cover installed, he can't open his FantasticFan fully--but it still able to operate it successfully.

CampingWorld prices the son-o-Maxxair starting at a "member" price of $39. That's about ten more dollars than you'll pay for the original product.

FanTastic Fan: An Endless Breeze?

We read with interest that the FantasticFan folks have received a patent for their "Endless Breeze" fan system. We got one of these little hummers when they were first introduced--that was (if arthritic memory serves) a couple of years ago. Before we go into our experiences, we'll give you the company line:

Endless Breeze is a high volume 12 volt fan with a twelve inch blade that operates at three speeds. Air movement of up to 900 CFM (cubic feet per minute) introduces a major breakthrough in 12 volt portable fans. Portable it is! Standing only fourteen inches tall on retractable legs and less than four inches deep it travels and stores easily and weighs under five pounds. Endless Breeze can be powered by any 12 volt power source such as automotive lighter outlets or connecting jumpers to any 12 volt battery. Maximum current draw is three amps. Equipped with a 12 volt plug and cord. The uses for Endless Breeze are literally endless!

We have been impressed with the flow of air that comes out of this little box. With the low current consumption, it proves to be a great addition to the boondocker's toolbox, especially on those warm to hot days. We used ours, too, to circulate heat from our "blue flame" heater to the farther reaches of our fifth wheel. Other users swear by it for other duties, including defrosting the RV freezer.

However, those "retractable legs" did have a drawback, along with the easy carry handle: They broke. We liked the fan so much that we remanufactured both the legs and the carry handle out of aluminum, and to this day, our little Endless Breeze rides everywhere on research trips with us, ready to deliver a blast of refreshment. If you get one, just handle the handle (and the legs) with care, they need a bit more durability.

You can pick one of these little jewels up at most RV supply outfits, including Camping World.

Where's a Cup Holder When You Need It?

While automotive manufacturers seem to have finally made the leap into the 20th century, not all RV builders have done the same. Here's a product that's thrown at us as not just a "thing," but a "lifestyle." For us, "life" includes food and drink.

Where's that RV cup holder when you need it?

Ben Thompson of Beckson Manufacturing thinks he has the answer: He'd like you to check out Beckson's powder coated aluminum cup holders. These little guys have an inside diameter of 3 5/8" (to accommodate those big plastic bottles) and have a gripping 3 5/16" depth. And they come in an amazing variety of colors: "Sparkling black, blue, red, clear or gold."

But where do you put the things once you have them? Beckson suggests they can be just settled down where you're sitting, or if you're motorhoming down the highway, glued into place on a handy location, say on the dashboard (just out of reach of the dog).

With a list price of $19.95 each, you can order them by giving Ben Thompson a call at Beckson. The number is (203) 333-1412.

RVers can haul more stuff with this fold-up tote box

You invite some friends to ride along to the beach in your towed vehicle. Oops, you don't have enough room for all the stuff you need to take along plus the extra passengers. Does your towed vehicle have a receiver hitch? If so, you may be interested in this fold away tote box. It opens up into a full fledged storage box that rides behind your rear bumper. The box is actually a canvas bag with waterproof lining. The bag is held up by a skeleton of aluminum pipes with copper fittings. Fill it up with goodies then zip it shut. Strap the cover in place and away you go. When you're finished it folds away into a small package that will easily fit in the trunk. I saw this unit at Costco for $199.99. This portabale storage solution is meant for temporary use but might work well with your RV lifestyle. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing

Diesel Fuel Tank a Great Addition for Fivers

Pull a fifth wheel with your diesel pickup? Here's a great addition to your package: An accessory "fuel and tool box" that stashes in your pickup bed and adds 40 gallons of additional diesel tankage. Check out our sister blog, Fifth Wheelin' for details.