Monday, February 24, 2014

Is it Christmas all over again??

Over the past month we have been receiving some stuff we bought from Amazon. I had signed up for Amazon Prime for a free month, so no shipping charges.

It was a lot of small stuff with the exception of the Progressive Industries EMS PT50C surge protector and the Slunky for holding our sewer pipe.

The Surge Protector.


High/Low Voltage Protection:
Whenever AC power falls below 104 volts, or rises above 132 volts, the EMS automatically shuts down power to the RV.  The EMS will monitor the power and once the AC power rises above 104 volts, or below the 132 volt level, the time delay indicator flashes for the preset time and then automatically restores power to the RV.
Time Delay for A/C Compressor:
If the AC power is interrupted, or the EMS detects a fault condition, the built-in time delay is activated.  There is 136-second (02:16) time delay.
5-Mode Surge Protection:
This feature provides full surge protection L-N, L-N, L-G, L-L and N-G.  Total Joule rating is 3,580, 88,000A surge current.  Response time of <1 nano="" p="" second.="">
Surge Indicator:
In the event of a power surge, and the surge protector circuit is damaged within the EMS, L-N or L-G, the digital display error code will read E-10.  This indicates the EMS needs to be serviced. 
Reverse Polarity Protection:
If AC power is a reverse polarity condition, the EMS will not allow power to the RV and the error code will read    E-1.
Open Neutral Protection:
If AC power has an open neutral condition, the display will not light, and the EMS will not allow power to the RV.
Open Ground Protection:
If AC power has an open ground condition, the EMS will read an error code of E-2 and power will not be allowed to the RV.
AC Frequency Protection:
If AC power frequency deviates +/- 9 hertz from 60 cycles per second, the EMS will shut down power.  An error code of E-7 will be displayed when the frequency is high; and an error code will be displayed when frequency is low. 
Accidental 240V Protection:
If 240 volts is detected when plugging into AC power, the EMS will NOT allow power to the RV.  If this condition occurs while power is applied to the RV, the EMS shuts off power instantly.  The display will read the voltage and E-3 for the error.  (NEVER BYPASS THE EMS WHEN THIS OCCURS.)
Display:
Continuously scrolls all of the AC power information, including voltage, current, frequency, error codes and previous errors.  Each reading is displayed for two (2) seconds. 
Previous Error Code:
This feature tells the user what the previous error was and why power was interrupted to the RV.  To read a previous error code, put a "P" in front of the "E" code.  This is only displayed if an actual error occurs.  The error is deleted when power is disconnected from the EMS.
Weather Resistant:
Can be exposed to the elements, however,  may not be submerged.
Microprocessor Controlled:
The computer is driven by a state-of-the-art microprocessor that is programmed with software to drive the entire EMS. 
Built-In Lock Bracket:
Allows the user to secure the EMS to power source to prevent theft.
 


We have known for some time that we needed a Surge Protector. There is a lot of electrical stuff in these higher end coaches that we cannot afford to replace, so we went the whole hog, getting the more expensive product from Progressive. Why Progressive you say? Well, they have a lifetime warranty, whereas the one from Camping World, TRC I think, only comes with a 1 year warranty. A no-brainer.

I ordered a bunch of Command products for putting up photos, hooks, a cell phone holder for my bedside and a caddy for Michael's side of the bed. I love Command products because I can hang all kinds of things up without making holes in the walls.

I also ordered Acid Neutralizing Mats for Michael to put under the house batteries. Until we can afford to replace the batteries with sealed cell batteries, these should help any acid from damaging the battery tray.

So for a few days it seemed that it was Christmas all over again. Our free month of Amazon Prime is finished, so no more orders coming in.

Friday, February 07, 2014

Glory be, it's cold!

Cold and rainy all day today in Harlingen! It didn't get above 3C (37F) all day. We just stayed in and did nothing all day, with exception of playing on iPads and watching TV. Of course Michael had to do potty runs with Timmy every few hours! I can't do it on account of my busted toe. Good excuse!

This evening we really enjoyed the Olympic opening ceremonies. What a show! We will be watching a bit of the Olympics over the next two weeks. Probably ice skating and curling. Not into much else.

Tomorrow we are meeting friends over in McAllen and going to Jimmy's Eggs for breakfast and then going to do a spot of shopping at Costco.

In the meantime, the electric mattress pad is turned on and the bed is very cozy and warm. The heat pump is blowing warm air into the RV. Thank goodness we are not paying for electricity!

Goodnight, folks.

Wednesday, February 05, 2014

Tuesday, February 04, 2014

I kicked Michael!

A couple of hours before we left Tropic Winds for our dinner with Ruth and Ken, I rushed into the motorhome and as I hurried behind Michael he moved backward. I kicked the back of his foot (on the sole of his sandal) with my left pinky. Crack!! I looked down at my foot and the toe was pointing to the left, while my other toes were all pointing forward. OUCH!!! I quickly bent down and pushed the toe straight. CRACK! It went back into place. I almost fainted with the pain. By the time we got to Mission, the bruise was starting to show on the toe, which was quite swollen.

By Monday morning the bruise was starting to go down into the foot. It is very painful and I am sure it is broken. Nothing to be done, but to take painkillers, anti-inflammatories and apply ice. I have also taped the little toe next to the one next to it.

I hope it doesn't take too long to feel better because I can cannot put any weight on the front part of my foot. Here is a pic of my tender tootsie!


It is amazing that an injury to such a small digit can effectively hobble you! No long walks or hikes for a while.

Monday, February 03, 2014

On a Mission!

At the end of December we met up with some fellow bloggers at Bentsen Palm RV Resort in Mission, Texas. There were two couples, Anne and Archie of The Accidental RVers and Ruth and Ken of Five Just Rolling. Anne and Archie have carried on and are now somewhere in the South West. Arizona, I think. Ruth and Ken are still in Mission. We were invited to return and have dinner with them. So, yesterday evening we threw Timmy in the car and drove over.

We left Tropic Winds and the temperature was 27C. Halfway along I-2 the wind switched and by the time we got to Mission it was down to 16C! Been cool ever since.

Ruth spoiled us with BBQ chicken a la George on the Weber Q. It was delicious and moist. Veggies cooked on the Weber as well. Wonderful evening! We just talked and talked and talked. We have so much in common!

Much laughter at setting the camera up to shoot the picture. Jackson looks on.
Timmy getting some special treatment from Ken.