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Kiwi-as


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Kiwis were running on Solar.
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As many of you will know i have been having problems with the ABS system in the cruiser, and before that the air locking diffs.

Got diffs sorted by ARB in Shepparton,and they and the autoelectrictian said the ABS problem was in the ECU(computer).Briche (Brian) said he knew of a good autoelect. down Mornington Peninsula way where we travelling to. At that time we were still at Greens Lake.

Set sail for Mornington,got 20ks down road and all the warning lights came on like a Christmas Tree, the Alternator was not charging. Remember i had to replace the alternator after the Gympie get together,when it siezed in the back blocks of Gympie on the way to Beths B I L place.As we were heading to the Showgrounds at Bendigo,for the night we decided to carry on. Coming into a round a bout close to SG applied brakes and slid a meter,was not enough power left in batteries to operate Van brakes,and a car had to swerve to miss us, very scary.I think the Lord was watching over us that day.

Had batteries on charger all night and were good next morning.So put my thinking cap on and closed the Redark battery isolator on cruiser,so i had, via the anderson plug, 2 cruiser batts plus the 2batts in van at my disposal,allso the two 125amp solar panels to recharge it all. So like i said we were running on solar power. Arrived at Berrick Show Grounds and still had plenty left in batteries.

Alternator was shot, 3 diodes burnt out.Maybe i got landed with a dud or reconditioned one at Gympie. ABS problem was wheel sensor,and Sheparton said wheel sensor was fine,even though the ECU was saying it was faulty,all fixed now. Thanks to Briche(Brian and Cheryl) and Doug for taking me to and frow the garages.

Cooked another camp oven caserole the other day, but this time i added dumplings,very nice.

Can i add a big thank you to you all for making Lorraine and i feel so wellcome. Merry Christmas to you all.

We pick up 2 Kiwi friends on 28 Dec. Do the Great Ocean Road, then The Grampians, and Murray River.They fly out from Adelaide on 11th.

 



-- Edited by Kiwi-as on Sunday 23rd of December 2012 09:13:04 PM



-- Edited by Kiwi-as on Monday 24th of December 2012 09:49:33 AM

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Nomad246


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Hi KA,

what a great idea to get the power back to the car, got you to where you were headed.

Glad you're all repaired and hope you can enjoy your travels without further vehicle niggles.

All the best for Christmas and the New Year to both of you from both of us and enjoy your travels

And if you're in this neck of the woods again give us a nod and we'll sizzle a sausage again

Cheers

 

 



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Dougwe


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Mmmm, where was my invite to the camp oven feast KA? Must be out of sight out of mind. I thought I could smell a camp oven feast all the way over here and I tell you that for free :)

Good that the tug is tugging along again with full power mate, about time hey. A lot of stress an KM behind you now with more GOOD KM in front.

I hope you and KR have a great Christmas with Briche and I will see you all on the 27th, enjoy and,

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kiwi rainbow


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Merry Christmas to you too Doug. We'll see what we can arrange for the 27th. No promises.

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Beth54


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Merry Christmas Lorraine & Brandt. I do hope that vehicle behaves itself for you from now on.



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Harr0


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Merry Christmas ,good thinking with the power,ive got an 1996 land cruiser no computer .

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spida


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Merry Christmas and so pleased it is finally sorted so you havent had to change your plans. Will be at Werribee until after New Year. Thank you for your hospitality at the Lake - hope we catch up again somewhere.

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Kiwi-as


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Anybody thinking of doing the same,i.e. linking the van and tug batteries via the anderson plug, just beware there maybe a diode in the van system to prevent power flowing back from van. Mine did and i had it removed, so that when we were free camping i could  power the car fridge via the anderson cable.

You should only have this diode removed if you have a dual battery system in tug, and 2nd battery is isolated via a Red Ark or similar device. Failure to do this could flatten your tug start battery should there be a malfunction with van batteries, and you would not want that.



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jules47


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Well - with all that hopefully sorted Brandt and Lorraine - hope now you can sit back and have a great Christmas/New Year.

You will love the Grampians - will be pretty crowded though I would think.

Anyway - seasons greetings and all that!!!!

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kiwi rainbow


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Thanks for the warning about the Grampians Jules. We have managed to secure a booking at Halls Gap as we didn't want to be disappointed by finding the camping spots in the National Park all taken. Havent nade any bookings for the Murray River though

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