Wednesday 22nd July we left home around 2pm for four nights at Aysons reserve, Elmore Victoria. We stopped in Elmore and Eril got some fish and chips, and then proceeded to Aysons. Found a level spot and started to set up as it was getting darkish. First thing I did was to turn the diesel heater on and then the gas hot water service, HWS. I had run the diesel heater the day before to make sure all ok, as well as plugged the 3 way fridge to power. The heater did not fire up!!! And the HWS would fire up and then turn off, relight and turn off!!! Bugger Dark now and the fish and chips were cool and I did not have the energy to sort the genset to fire up and heat water and warm the fish and chips in the microwave!!! A few exclamation marks already. I settled down and we realised that at least we were away. We had full charge in the batteries and so I plugged the electric blankets and put them on 2. Erils boiled the kettle and we had a warm cuppa and got the tv sorted.
Next morning I got the genset up and running so we could make decent coffee and heat some water. I had looked at a fan heater in the garage when loading and had opted to leave it home!!! When I switched the diesel heater on I noticed the 2 leds showed and then faded, that led me to believe an electrical problem. So got Eril to shift her **** off the bed so I could have a look. Started with the fuse and it looked ok, then the heater fan ran then stopped. When I wiggled (technical word) the wire and fuse it started again SO I twisted it, laid a piece of timber on it and we had heating. Next was to find out why the HWS would not keep going. I looked at the flame and it did not look right, so I took some video of the flame to put on the forum for the experts advice. This was supposed to be a rest day!!
Friday we had arranged to go to Echuca to my cousins place for lunch and deliver the video job I had done for him. Had a lovely time BUT Eril wanted to visit the shopping strip. I really wanted to get back in daylight to sort batteries and there has not been a lot of watts coming from the solar.
I thought that I would back the Pajero close enough to connect the Anderson plug to have the dc to dc charger operating. Guess what? I misjudged and knocked the A frame off the jack!!! I had used my trolly jack to lift the van off the Pajero instead of the jockey wheel. It is quite dark now so, while Eril gets tea going, I have to level the van up with several goes with the jack so I could attach the jockey wheel. After that I started the genset to run the 240v charger to the batteries. Finally after many four letter words, no not work, I sat down to some tea, a cuppa and some tv.
Saturday Eril ran out of flame on the cook top so I swapped to the spare gas bottle. The bottle we were running on was a partially full one that had been sitting around in storage since 2001 when we sold our paint shop. I tried the HWS and low and behold it kept going after a couple of relights. Now I remember that I had made an adapter to fill this particular bottle with auto gas. This gas had been used as a flame to burn paint off weatherboards. I took some video of the flame again and it will be interesting to compare.
Sunday we headed for home and arrived late arvo ready to have an Edwin Monday as well as Tuesday. Little fellow had been not well and we did not want daughter in law to miss work as she had missed her three days the previous week. We eventually had an Edwin Wednesday as well. I have not got much done since Wednesday as the little blighter wears me out, BUT I love it. J So, learnt more again re solar output during cloudy conditions.
July 20th we are taking 3 days to get to Sydney for Erils youngest Aunties 80th Birthday party and for her to catch up with as many relies as she can. After that we will take a slower route home in time for Edwin Tuesday the 2nd of August. Edwin and his parents may take some holidays and fly up for the party.
Aussie Paul.
p.s. The little doll is Petunia who we take away and send pics to the grandies.
-- Edited by aussie_paul on Saturday 2nd of July 2016 08:37:52 PM
-- Edited by aussie_paul on Saturday 2nd of July 2016 08:42:41 PM
-- Edited by aussie_paul on Saturday 2nd of July 2016 08:47:01 PM
Hi Paul,
I really like the position you have for you generator. Does it travel there? We have ours in the tow vehicle and it's a heavy thing to get in and out. So much so that we avoid using it.
Best wishes for future trips. Margaret
Sounds like an eventful short time away Paul with a little luck thrown in with the van coming off the stand. Phew! At least you both got away from the usual grind for a few days. Now sit back and enjoy your Edwin 'days'.
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Hi Paul, I really like the position you have for you generator. Does it travel there? We have ours in the tow vehicle and it's a heavy thing to get in and out. So much so that we avoid using it. Best wishes for future trips. Margaret
Yes, it sits there while running, and a lockable cover for traveling. It hinges forward to open front boot. I must get around to running a lead under the van from Genset to van AC inlet.
Aussie Paul.
-- Edited by aussie_paul on Sunday 10th of July 2016 02:11:15 PM
And the HWS would fire up and then turn off, relight and turn off!!! Bugger Dark now and the fish and chips were cool and I did not have the energy to sort the genset to fire up and heat water and warm the fish and chips in the microwave!!! A few exclamation marks already. I settled down and we realised that at least we were away. We had full charge in the batteries and so I plugged the electric blankets and put them on 2. Erils boiled the kettle and we had a warm cuppa and got the tv sorted.
Next was to find out why the HWS would not keep going. I looked at the flame and it did not look right, so I took some video of the flame to put on the forum for the experts advice. This was supposed to be a rest day!! 
