Solar and other power options?

[Paul&Stefi]

Ok so I have a few questions and figured I would put them all in 1 post and see if I can get any tips. FYI I do not have a means to hook up to power as I am constantly boondocking at this point. But I don't want to run the generator constantly.

1) Is there any way to use battery power for a regular wall plug in the RV without running the generator? Mine do not seem to work unless the generator is running. I have heard from some people that the old 12 volt plugs (which I have 1 of in my Chinook) will probably work off the battery without running the generator, is that true? If so does anyone recommend an adapter to convert from 12v to wall plug? I basically want to charge my phone over night and maybe a laptop. It would be nice to run the TV off of this too but that might be asking too much.
2) I have 1 small solar panel and I was considering adding another one. I have never done this but does anyone have a link or a website they recommend to teach me how? I would think this would be pretty easy right? mind you I have almost electrocuted myself 2x. I have found a panel on amazon thats 210 watts for $200 and measures 65"x27". I need to get up there and measure and make sure that would work but pictures show it long and narrow which is basically the design of the current array I have.
3) Has anyone raised their suspension? my clearance is pretty low especially on the back end near the black/grey tank levers. I do not want to hit them on anything to cause a mess and there are a few driveways I utilize that can be a bit steep.
4) Filling air in dually tires. Do you guys utilize some sort of extension to reach the valve stems. my back tires are kind of low and I couldn't reach with a normal chux at the gas station.
5) This isn't a mod or upgrade but I am noticing a smoking smell when I am on windy curvy mountain roads. The breaks are brand new and it had a recent oil change so I don't think its related to that but I am not sure. Also my engine temp stays normal. Any thoughts? Could it be related to the power steering?

I appreciate any help or tips you can send my way. Even if its just a link to an informative website.
Thanks
-Paul

[ltg]

Chinook Glaciers came from the factory with an Inverter/charger. Either a Tripp Lite or a Zantrex. Both were 2000 watt units with a 100 amp battery charger. If yours has one and it is in working condition, you simply switch the unit from charger to inverter. And the 120 volt outlets will work. From the factory, all 120 volt appliances flowed thru the inverter, except the air conditioner and the 120 volt water heater. The inverter/charger is located under the floor of the wardrobe cabinet on the right side of the two cabinets. The inverter control panel is on the wall above the sofa.

[Paul&Stefi]

Oh Ok, I have seen that panel and I know my solar is charging the batteries and working but I didn't know I had to switch something to use the power from it. that is very helpful I will try that later.

[chin_k]

You may want to take a look at the owner manual. I do not know if this forum have a copy on the Reference subforum, but if you can't find it there, check out the Chinook RV club website:

http://chinookrvclub.com/chinookmanuals.html

They may have the right manual there. Good luck.

For 2, there are a few solar projects description here and on the facebook page. Plenty of information for you to look at once you got familiar with the rig. 12 VDC does not give you shock, but there are still danger involved, just not bad as AC. It still can melt the wiring and cause fire, how.

For 4, I have the rigid stem so I do not have problem. Previous owner used braided valve extension, which is a workaround.

For 5, you want to make sure the brake is not overheating. Some of us down shift the transmission to help by engine braking.

[ltg]

PaulandStefi,
The solar panels system and the Inverter/Charger are two completely separate systems. The Inverter/charger charges the batteries when plugged into shore power. The Inverter provides 120 volts to the 120 volt outlets and 120 volt to appliances from the batteries when not on shore power.
The solar panel system simply charges the batteries.
What Inverter do you have? And, is it working?

[Paul&Stefi]

Ok so I looked at what you mentioned (see pic) the inverter was on disable so flipped that switch and you were right now my outlets work. So is there any reason to place that switch on disable? Can’t I just always leave it on enable? Thank you.

My inverter is called an “iota” as far as I can tell it is working.

I will look into what a rigid stem is, or a braided valve extension, is one better than other.

I don’t think it is the brakes. I down shift as well but I even notice it going uphill but again mostly when I am on winding curvy roads.

Thank you again everyone.
-Paul

[ltg]

Paul,
Your Inverter is a Zantrex Prosine. The Iota is an electrical distibution/fuse panel.
The Inverter draws power from your batteries when in standby mode as well as in inverting mode. When boondocking it is best to only enable the inverter when you need 120 volts for something.
Also, using appliances that draw a lot of amps will rapidly deplete your batteries when using the inverter to power them.
It is considered good power management to only deplete batteries to 50 percent of their capacity. At that point, they need to be recharged.

[ltg]

For putting air in the inside dually tires, another option is to put on flow through valve stem caps. They do not have to be removed to put air in the tires. Then a straight, long air chuck can be used to reach the flow through valve stem caps.
Go to Amazon and search for Flow Through Valve Stem Caps. I prefer the Alligator brand.

[chin_k]

The rigid stems are called Borg valves or similar. You can do a search on the forum and see the Borg (or Tireman) related thread. The braided extension you can buy them form auto part store (and truck stops), but I heard someone have bad experience with them. The previous owner of my Chinook had the braided for years and I was using them fine but decided to switched to Borg when I got new tires.

The Iota is the panel manufacturer. The inverter as ltg said, is made by Zantrex.

For the solar panel, you need to make sure the panels is narrow enough to fit in the space on the roof. The original panel is very unusually narrow.

[Paul&Stefi]

Thank you everyone. I just wanted to update I found the cause of the smoking smell. It was my low tires. They were so low on dually that the tires were rubbing together as I drove. They looked a little low but when I checked they were only at 40lbs and were supposed to be at 80lbs. I went to a truck stop and filled with air. Next I need to figure out why they are getting low. The tires don’t look very old. Anyway just wanted to let you guys know .