Batten Down the Hatches Mike

[Mojo]

We have a huge system coming in from Cuba that is going to nail us all week. They are saying heavy rains starting today.

We had a storm two nights ago and the coach got hit with lightening. Thankfully it took out the surge suppressor and not any of the coach electronics. The bad part I didn't realize it for two days and lost
$ 8 K worth of chemo drugs along with about $ 200 in groceries which was all in the fridge. I just ordered a new surge suppressor - $ 125. :(

I don't mind the rain as we need it. It has been real dry up here. They are saying the storm wont carry much in winds, just alot of rain.

Chris

[Mike]

boy that blows 8k in drugs/ can you make a insurance  claim?

the rains came this afternoon probably not that system but wind or rain im shut down on making a pattern on a searay ive got to do next.
its not great for fishing either

[Darren Henry]

Sorry to hear about the lost fridgeware bro. I hope insurance will cover it for you.

Look on the bright side though---aren't ya glad you weren't waxing the coach again when it happened ?

[Mojo]

No kidding. My chemo drugs is no big deal. My insurance covers them. The groceries I will have to take it on the chin as well as the surge protector which I get from a buddy of mine who is a dealer so I get it at dealer cost.

Despite the loss I am still very happy that the coach electronics didn't get fried. There are so many circuit boards and electrical systems inside them that it could have easily been a 5 figure bill just for internal components.

Chris

[Mike]

you made me think chris how does this surge protetor work I know the type for in the house and a pc  . I was thinking if your coach can get hit so could my boat and though not AS  COMPLEX IM SURE I DO HAVE  chart plotter vhf 2 2 bank battery chargers and a electric trolling motor I wouldn't want to hav e to try to replace all at once.  but ive never heard of a surge protector on boats   

[Mojo]

Mike:

One of my buddies who is a dealer for surge protectors sells two models - 50 amp and 30 amp. You basically plug the box into a pedestal and then plug your coach into the box. The box also checks the wiring / polarity and lets you know if you have dirty power which happens in some campgrounds/resorts. So you plug the box into the pedestal, check the lights and if the lights say the power is OK then you plug your coach in.

Here is a link to my buddies website -  www.technorv.com

If your plug is 120v/20 amp then you can buy an adapter that will allow you to plug your 120v cord into the 30 amp adapter and then plug your adapter into the surge protector. I have used this setup before when plugging into normal 120v/20 amp receptacles.

Chris

[Darren Henry]

and lets you know if you have dirty power which happens in some campgrounds/resorts

What is dirty power? Voltage < 115v?

[Mojo]

You run into dirty power in a campground from time to time because they use any electrician they can find. They install a new breaker or receptacle or whatever and miswire it leaving an open ground or they reverse the polarity.

Seen a couples coach burn to the ground once from that. It blew the hell out of her electircal system, started a fire and the rest was history. RV's, even the big buses are tinder boxes. They catch fire and studies have proven you have 3 minutes or less to get your fat butt and pets out a window before it is engulfed in flames.

Dirty power typically happens on 30 and 50 amp 240v outlets though I have seen open grounds on 120v circuits.

Chris

[Mike]

I hate this weather I had to  go  pattern today it was all sprinkly and making a pattern dosent stick if the boats wet or damp and marking if your sharpie hit a drop of water its over . so driving over it gwet a bit heavier I wish if it was going to precipitate just rainand be done with it and make it official so I ciome home now its done just grey   with an occasional drop.

[Mojo]

Just emptied my rain gauge today - 5 inches in 5 days and the big rain storm hasn't hit yet.
Thankfully it wont be like Trop Debbie which brought major flooding, including my shop. :)

Chris

[Mojo]

Mike:

Just checked the radar and it looks like the heavy stuff is about 50 miles away from you.

Chris

[Mike]

Yes it been steady for a bit here ill have to try first thing in the monrning.  I didnt want to drive 20 mile one way to have it go from spittig to rain.
A cool app on my i phone.
My radar in the app store.
Animated radar

[Mojo]

That pretty much looks like the weather I seen a few hours ago around you. :)

Isnt it pouring down rain there ?

Chris

[Mike]

not pouring, id still walk not run into the market

[Darren Henry]

Seen a couples coach burn to the ground once from that. It blew the hell out of her electircal system, started a fire and the rest was history. RV's, even the big buses are tinder boxes. They catch fire and studies have proven you have 3 minutes or less to get your fat butt and pets out a window before it is engulfed in flames

just had a reminder of how quickly they burn.A couple of weeks ago a guy who stores RV's lost 14 in a fire.A motorhome caught fire while they were starting it--it was very windy and very dry--The fire dept was there promptly, but there was nothing they could do.That was about 3 miles from the RV shop that I work at, everyone thought it was us when the heard the news report.