What did you do for your Escape today.....

[oldwave]

Originally Posted by Mike G

Hmm, I think the previous owner of my 19 told me that flipping the main disconnect switch would prevent the batts from being charged by the solar panel. Maybe he was wrong, or maybe I mis-remember.

My 2017 21 was wired with the solar controller direct to the battery bypassing the bypass switch. I subsequently added a Solar shutoff switch for safely working on things. My solar worked through a calmark cover over a winter and kept the 6volts charged.

[iamunique127]

Originally Posted by iamunique127

Before I brushed off the snow, I went in and checked the charge controller. 13.7V, 100% charge, 0 draw.

Darn, I hate being dumb! I didn't look in the solar charger manual and assumed the "0" was for draw on the batteries. Now I've looked up a manual online and see that field is for PV charging current.

Given that it was "0" with the snow still on the cover, I guess i should have checked the panel again after I swept off the snow. I'll do that next time.

Would the read-out show any charging current if the batteries are full, though?

[iamunique127]

Originally Posted by oldwave

My 2017 21 was wired with the solar controller direct to the battery bypassing the bypass switch. I subsequently added a Solar shutoff switch for safely working on things. My solar worked through a calmark cover over a winter and kept the 6volts charged.

Mine appears to be wired that way too, direct to the batteries.

[Carmel Clown]

Originally Posted by Ooshkaboo

I picked this up for my Hot Tub, but while parked in my yard this has been great.

How portable are they?

[Ooshkaboo]

Originally Posted by Carmel Clown

How portable are they?

That’s the advantage of owning a pull behind over a 5.0, it could fit in the back of your pickup truck. I suppose if I didn’t have bikes on my bumper I could rig up something to transport it.
It's lightweight and sturdy, but it would take up quite a bit of space a in TV. After using it I would definitely take it with me if I had the room. I also really like having the extra grab handle it comes with.
There is a two step version that would probably work and be a little easier to load up. I’m on a slight incline where it’s parked but at most campsites the three step would be unnecessary.

[Carmel Clown]

Originally Posted by Ooshkaboo

That’s the advantage of owning a pull behind over a 5.0, it could fit in the back of your pickup truck. I suppose if I didn’t have bikes on my bumper I could rig up something to transport it. e where it’s parked but at most campsites the three step would be unnecessary.

So, it doesn’t fold up. Guess I’ll stick the dog ramp idea.

[iamunique127]

I went out tho the storage yard yesterday to check on the trailer and batteries.

Surprisingly, the Classic Accessories RV cover is still holding up. This is my third CA cover. Two were replaced under the 3 year warranty after they each disintegrated over one winter. CA must have improved the roof material because this is the current covers second winter and the material is still nice and strong.

I checked my two six volt batteries. This is the first winter I'm leaving them in the trailer hoping the solar panel will receive enough light through the cover to keep them charged. The top of the cover is somewhat translucent. The tail lights are visible through it.



That is an older photo. Yesterday the cover was clear of snow and it was windy so the cover was billowing up off the solar panel a bit.

The solar controller read-out showed 14.1V, 100% charge and 0 input. The last time I checked it showed 13.7V and 100% charge. I hope the 14.1V is OK. Does anyone know?

The solar panel does in fact seem to be getting enough light to maintain the batteries so this was a valuable experiment for me.

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by iamunique127

I went out tho the storage yard yesterday to check on the trailer and batteries.

Surprisingly, the Classic Accessories RV cover is still holding up. This is my third CA cover. Two were replaced under the 3 year warranty after they each disintegrated over one winter. CA must have improved the roof material because this is the current covers second winter and the material is still nice and strong.

I checked my two six volt batteries. This is the first winter I'm leaving them in the trailer hoping the solar panel will receive enough light through the cover to keep them charged. The top of the cover is somewhat translucent. The tail lights are visible through it.



That is an older photo. Yesterday the cover was clear of snow and it was windy so the cover was billowing up off the solar panel a bit.

The solar controller read-out showed 14.1V, 100% charge and 0 input. The last time I checked it showed 13.7V and 100% charge. I hope the 14.1V is OK. Does anyone know?

The solar panel does in fact seem to be getting enough light to maintain the batteries so this was a valuable experiment for me.

Yes, 14.1V is ok at the final charging stage. Unless it's staying there all the time. The controller should be letting the batteries drop back down after a while to the usual (probably 13.6-13.8V range).

[iamunique127]

Thanks, Mike.

[caheaton]

Submitted my build sheet for a 21c :-)

Also ordered some stuff from amazon for it: suction cup towel bar, ratcheting paper towel holder, over the door spice rack, over the door coat hooks, dual axle wheel chocks. Member of Amazon vine, so all that stuff is free as long as I post a review :-)

[John in Santa Cruz]

Towed mine from Villahermosa to Ocozocoautla, setup at the Hogar Orphanage there. Nice camping spot!

[ghosthunter]

Uncovered a week ago in prep for March camping, spring clean inside. Had bearings packed, brakes checked.

Snowed today

Fingers crossed.

[caheaton]

I envy that eclipse trip, John. Also just realized tonight that we're both on cloudynights as well as the escape forums!

[Drives1937]

I am on both sites Cloudynights and the Escape Forum.
Ken in AZ
Keep looking up

[brroberts]

Me too for CN & escape forum.

[caheaton]

Great to see a few fellow amateur astronomers on here! :-)

[BritCanuck]

Me too!

You can check out my astrophotography at….

https://chrisboar.com/astrophotography/

[MrLynn]

Originally Posted by BritCanuck

Me too!

You can check out my astrophotography at….

https://chrisboar.com/astrophotography/

Beautifully done!

(And the wedding-photo video, too).

[jjdeluca]

Wow Chris - Amazing photographs!

[LRCURTIS]

Finished repairing the broken grey tank connections on our 2019 E19. Let’s start with a HUGE THANK YOU to the forum members that took the time to post detailed photos and descriptions of how to address the epic engineering fail Escape implemented on some trailers of our vintage. We did not utilize any of the water systems post pick-up and sadly the trailer has been in storage most of the time since. While de-winterizing and preparing for an upcoming trip we found all of the connections to the grey tank were broken off at the threads. Some of the connections were less of a challenge to remedy than others with the vent being the largest PITA. With rubber connections in place we are now ready for the season and thankful for the kindness of forum members to share their knowledge for the benefit of others. I shudder to think of what this would have cost for a local RV shop to repair. Again, Thank You!!!