Where did the Summer Go?

Busy is what we have been this summer.  We had not intended to start updating our Blog until we departed the Shore.  I had thought about posting a monthly entry just to keep the roll going, but because we have been so busy with “things” I elected to let it go.  Now seems like a good time to nudge the inertia as we wait for our Government to get back up and running.

We have watched the summer flash by at light speed it seems.  With that the change or retirement from my career of 30 years is on the doorstep.  As we toiled to keep up with our career duties, we have also been learning, repairing and modifying our 5^th wheel coach to be ready for the planned January 2014 departure from the Shore.  Our list of projects included:

·      Replace a dead coach battery, and upgraded the nuts and washers from zinc to stainless steel.

·      Investigated a failed bedroom HVAC supply plenum; we are still working that one, but we have an idea to try when the weather improves.

·      Investigated the incompatibility of our generator and inverter.  We have since developed a work-around that gives us some level of functionality.  We are still working on this one too.

·      Investigated failure of the tank (Fresh/Gray/Black) monitor system.  We have not made much progress on this repair, but have figured out how to live without it for now.  We may need help with this repair.

·      Located and re-caulked a few leaks spots on the roof

·      Located and repaired a kinked living room HVAC condensate drain line.

·      Located and removed failed Poppet water check valve.

·      Switched locations of whole coach and drinking water filters to their appropriate locations. They were installed in each other’s place which restricted water flow/pressure to the whole coach.

·      Installed bumper protection in front of the rigid hydraulic brake line in the garage.

·      Installed a storage shelf under the coach next to the generator.

·      Installed an improved drinking water spigot and added an in counter liquid soap dispenser.

·      We studied and learned the theory, operation and setup of the solar controller battery charging system.  We also found and repaired a leaky junction box of this system that is located on the roof.

·      We studied and learned the theory, operation and setup of the 3000 Watt Inverter.  It includes a 4 stage battery charger which we also setup for compatibility with our flooded batteries.

·      We designed and built a fuel tank gauge for the generator 30 gallon gasoline tank.

·      We excavated our landlord’s property, removed an existing PVC water hydrant and replaced it with a frost proof steel hydrant for the coming winter. 

These were the high points, and in addition to these things we performed the normal routine maintenance on the coach as well as assisted in tending our landlord’s 30 acre property.  Needless to say we have stayed very busy this summer and the summertime just flew by for us.  What's next for us?  Finishing our careers here on the eastern shore by mid January.  Then the first fair weather window after that we will pull chocks and head south.  Stopping in NC to say hello to family, then on to South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. That will finish out the cold weather and by that time we should have a better idea of where we will head in the spring.