2021 RAM 3500 Tradesman | AEV Prospector | FWC Grandby

[ramblinChet]

I placed an order for a Midland GTX67 Pro GMRS 5-watt handheld two-way radio based solely upon the picture below. Another reason is because the Motorola Talkabout radios that we purchased a quarter-century ago have served well and deserve retirement. For some time I had wanted to purchase a nicer GMRS radio but the only ones available were a bit too technical for me and were also manufactured by companies such as Baofeng, Wouxun, etc., with whom I was not interested in doing business with.

I had considered a permanent mount inside my cab but to be truthful a handheld unit has always proven to be so much more valuable to me. A handheld communication device can be used inside the vehicle while driving, or outside the vehicle for spotting, recovery, hiking near camp, etc. Realistically, I travel alone 99.997% of the time so this will be rarely used but I will be happy to have this upgrade available next time I share the trail.


It's funny that in my previous post I mentioned how I liked to order directly from the manufacturer but in this case I decided to order from Jim and the crew at OK4WD. Why? First and foremost, I attempted to order from Midland but they were back-ordered and also charged nearly $20 for shipping. That was not a big deal but the Google popped up OK4WD with an offer of free shipping. Add to that, I have been dealing with OK4WD since the mid-90s and they are a good family shop. My first orders with them were for Old Man Emu suspension systems, ARB air-lockers, etc.


Here's a really good video that I enjoyed watching while I learned more about the GTX67 Pro. I really respect this fellas unique style!


Early on I spent a significant amount of time researching solar panels produced by different companies. As I progressed along with development of my system I began to realize that other components, connections, wire size, etc. mattered much more as compared to which specific panel was selected. There was a slight amount of variation between panel performance for my application but when you begin to compare PWM to MPPT solar charge controllers, the advantage of utilizing quality wire of the correct size, minimizing connections, etc. you realize there is much more efficiency to gain in the systems as a whole compared to just the panels alone.

Maybe I am wrong but the components and wiring of the solar system seem to be where additional value can be added for slightly more while the panels themselves almost seem to be perishable components. There is only a small variation in technology for base model solar panels while there is a significant variation in charge controllers, wire, etc.


In the end, panel selection was more about panel dimensions, weight, and overall reputation of the manufacturer. I spent a significant amount of time considering different size panels and various layouts on the roof of my Four Wheel Camper. In the end I came back around to reality and despite really having a desire to mount 1k in panels up top - I pulled myself back and realized that was largely unnecessary, would add beyond excessive weight for a pop-up camper, and I would be forced to experiment and attempt something that no one else has successfully accomplished. Maybe there was a reason but I redesigned my solar system using a respectable 500 watts and mounted using the more traditional Yakima tracks.


For me system I opted for two Rich Solar MEGA 250W panels. Besides offering the dimensions close to what I was searching for, Rich Solar were also nice enough to post dimensions and electrical specifications in an easy-to-read format.


Free shipping was one of the most valuable benefits associated with purchasing these specific panels. There were many times where I had beautiful Panasonic or Canadian Solar panels in the shopping cart, ready to buy, and when shipping was calculated for two panels I decided not to complete the purchase. It does seem that shipping solar panels has improved a bit over the past few years but there still remains much variability in cost overall.

Smaller panels, such as 100W, are not that big of a deal but their weight adds up quickly and the overall weight for my application was critical. For example: five 100W panels weighs 75 lbs whereas two 250W panels weight 52 lbs. Keep in mind each panel will require a mounting system so there is additional weight there to consider also.

 

[ITTOG]

I placed an order for a Midland GTX67 Pro GMRS 5-watt handheld two-way radio based solely upon the picture below. Another reason is because the Motorola Talkabout radios that we purchased a quarter-century ago have served well and deserve retirement. For some time I had wanted to purchase a nicer GMRS radio but the only ones available were a bit too technical for me and were also manufactured by companies such as Baofeng, Wouxun, etc., with whom I was not interested in doing business with.

I had considered a permanent mount inside my cab but to be truthful a handheld unit has always proven to be so much more valuable to me. A handheld communication device can be used inside the vehicle while driving, or outside the vehicle for spotting, recovery, hiking near camp, etc. Realistically, I travel alone 99.997% of the time so this will be rarely used but I will be happy to have this upgrade available next time I share the trail.
View attachment 837013

It's funny that in my previous post I mentioned how I liked to order directly from the manufacturer but in this case I decided to order from Jim and the crew at OK4WD. Why? First and foremost, I attempted to order from Midland but they were back-ordered and also charged nearly $20 for shipping. That was not a big deal but the Google popped up OK4WD with an offer of free shipping. Add to that, I have been dealing with OK4WD since the mid-90s and they are a good family shop. My first orders with them were for Old Man Emu suspension systems, ARB air-lockers, etc.
View attachment 837014

Here's a really good video that I enjoyed watching while I learned more about the GTX67 Pro. I really respect this fellas unique style!


Early on I spent a significant amount of time researching solar panels produced by different companies. As I progressed along with development of my system I began to realize that other components, connections, wire size, etc. mattered much more as compared to which specific panel was selected. There was a slight amount of variation between panel performance for my application but when you begin to compare PWM to MPPT solar charge controllers, the advantage of utilizing quality wire of the correct size, minimizing connections, etc. you realize there is much more efficiency to gain in the systems as a whole compared to just the panels alone.

Maybe I am wrong but the components and wiring of the solar system seem to be where additional value can be added for slightly more while the panels themselves almost seem to be perishable components. There is only a small variation in technology for base model solar panels while there is a significant variation in charge controllers, wire, etc.
View attachment 837017

In the end, panel selection was more about panel dimensions, weight, and overall reputation of the manufacturer. I spent a significant amount of time considering different size panels and various layouts on the roof of my Four Wheel Camper. In the end I came back around to reality and despite really having a desire to mount 1k in panels up top - I pulled myself back and realized that was largely unnecessary, would add beyond excessive weight for a pop-up camper, and I would be forced to experiment and attempt something that no one else has successfully accomplished. Maybe there was a reason but I redesigned my solar system using a respectable 500 watts and mounted using the more traditional Yakima tracks.
View attachment 837018

For me system I opted for two Rich Solar MEGA 250W panels. Besides offering the dimensions close to what I was searching for, Rich Solar were also nice enough to post dimensions and electrical specifications in an easy-to-read format.
View attachment 837019

Free shipping was one of the most valuable benefits associated with purchasing these specific panels. There were many times where I had beautiful Panasonic or Canadian Solar panels in the shopping cart, ready to buy, and when shipping was calculated for two panels I decided not to complete the purchase. It does seem that shipping solar panels has improved a bit over the past few years but there still remains much variability in cost overall.

Smaller panels, such as 100W, are not that big of a deal but their weight adds up quickly and the overall weight for my application was critical. For example: five 100W panels weighs 75 lbs whereas two 250W panels weight 52 lbs. Keep in mind each panel will require a mounting system so there is additional weight there to consider also.
View attachment 837020

I liked his style as well. Funny stuff. I liked the mat he used as well. Oh, and the dog pooping in the background.

Edit: Imagine him describing peoples overlanding rigs.

Sent from my Pixel 7 Pro using Tapatalk

 

[givemethewillys]

Hey Chet, I think you're on the right path with your solar hypothesis. I'm looking forward to seeing the pieces you put together for your rig!

 

[ramblinChet]

In this instance I am using my post as a sort of notepad for storage of interesting details I noticed while reviewing the 2024 Ancor catalog. As many of you already know, I am a bit of a geek when it comes to details and when a company has decades of expertise in a specific area, it's generally a good idea to begin reviewing the information they have collected.

I hope this information may help others also.

 

[ramblinChet]

Today I decided to purchase two spools of Ancor 4 AWG marine grade wire to be used for installing my new Victron Energy Orion XS 12/12-50 DC-DC charger that will charge my house batteries via my 380 amp alternators when driving. Some of you may recall me purchasing two spools of Ancor 6 AWG wire that was scheduled to be used on an Orion-Tr Smart 12/12-30 DC-DC charger but plans changed once an insider at Victron Energy confirmed that the newer, more powerful and more efficient XS was being released soon.

For my application, I most likely could have still used the 6 AWG but since I am wired, pun intended, to take advantage of the best tools and materials for my specific application - I took a moment to smile, and the ordered more wire. I just do not see the logic in purchasing premium components from companies such as Victron or REDARC and then pairing them with sub-optimal components such as budget wire and connections. Excessive heat due to increased resistance is a significant concern within an electrical system and voltage loss is yet another reason to make sure you are using the correct components for each application. Here are some details regarding why I selected Ancor marine grade wire:





And here is a nice Explorist Life video which specifically discussed the wire upgrade discussed above:



When my Four Wheel Camper was originally installed years ago I decided not to use the common Attwood Marine Heavy Duty Trolling Motor Connectors supplied by Four Wheel Camper. I believe that for most application the Attwood units connectors would work well but keep in mind the wires are 10-gauge so they are limited in how much current they are able to carry over a long distance (from engine to house battery). I upgraded to a nicer Marinco 70A 3-Wire Trolling Motor Plug & Receptacle Combo, and have been happy with the results. The problem is, the Marinco will only accept 8-gauge wire bare and 6-gauge wire with a ferrule.

My solution was to purchase these two Blue Sea Terminal Feed Through Connectors which utilize a 3/8-16 stud on either end, are IP66 rated, can pass 250 amps at 48 Vdc, and most importantly - the studs are tin-plated copper alloy. A Victron Energy XS 12/12-50 using Ancor 4 AWG wire, and passing through the bed of my truck via Blue Sea connectors - I think that's about as good as it can get. And I won't ever look back and wonder why I didn't spend the extra $50-100 and purchase the best components for my application.



Although my pop-up camper already has a Blue Sea water resistant accessory panel, I wanted to make a few changes and add some additional capacity. With that in mind I initially considered purchasing the complete panel below but there were a few issues to consider: I already owned two of the components and would prefer the mini OLED meter display in blue to compliment my intoxicating blue eyes. Since I owned two of the five pieces and the complete panel used the wrong color OLED meter, I decided to purchase a blank panel, blue meter, and one more USB charger. Having two USB ports will make things much easier when I bring one or two "friends" along for an adventure.


I hope these Ancor cable tie mounts are good quality. I have been searching for good tie mounts for some time but most of the companies I have come across where names I was unfamiliar with. Sure, this is a low cost item although I would rather pay $0.50 each and have them last instead of paying $0.10 each and having them fail a year down the road. The reason I will be using these is to minimize wire and cable vibration which may not seem like a big deal but with 200 Ah of lithium batteries, 500 watts of solar on the roof, and my DC-DC charger pushing 50 amps while I am moving - I want to make a reasonable effort with regards to keeping everything intact while driving for hours along rough trails.

A spontaneous vehicle fire in the middle of the forest or desert is not something I wish to involve myself with. Virtually all men have been burned to various degrees previously and it's no so much the heat of the fire, but all the associated paperwork, negotiations, etc., that I certainly wish to avoid. Happy trails men and always remember, you deserve to spoil yourself on occasion, so spend the extra few dollars and enjoy!!!



As always, I will share the order details. Over the years it is interesting to look back and compare current prices to previous ones and one of these days I plan to walk through my entire post and total up all my expenses.

 

[ramblinChet]

The last three weeks have been far from productive although there are times in my life when I realize there is good reason not to push a particular issue. It was approximately one year ago that I began to firm up plans for an electrical system upgrade to include more powerful and permanent solar panels up on the roof along with a serious upgrade to my DC-DC power system that charges my house batteries while driving - remember, I have two alternators which total 380 amps so I have much to spare. While I am at it I might as well include a permanent solution for charging from shore power since although rare, there have been a few occasions over the years where I have parked adjacent to power. Add in a few new lithium batteries, a proper inverter along with circuit breakers and marine grade wires and connectors and my system will represent a significant upgrade from where I operate now.

To be perfectly honest, power is always on my mind since my current system is quite minimal. Every time I park I first locate an area that will be in the sun for the time I am there, orient my vehicle to minimize solar heating of the camper while also maximizing solar energy available to the manually placed panels. If I am stopping for a short time I must consider if it is even worth it to spend the few minutes to deploy my panels or not and this decision is again impacted by what I have been and what I plan to do that day, or what the weather will look like tomorrow. Should I max out my ability to charge today or will it be sunny enough tomorrow to top off my system? As you can imagine, having 500 watts permanently mounted on the roof will make all of these concerns disappear.

Here are the padlocks that came with my AT Overland Rotopax Holders - they were rusted shut and removed by using what we referred to in the military as a "master key." Since it is summer time and I am outdoors virtually 24 hours each day I shower more frequently so being able to access my reserve water is becoming more important. I plan to order a few linch pins to temporarily secure the system.


My son recently raced Summit Point Motorsports Park which is a track I also raced back in the mid-90s. It was really nice to walk the track with him the one evening and discuss high speed braking for turn one, setting up for turn three which is slightly uphill banking to the left with a blind exit, dropping down the 'chute and diving into the hairpin turn which leads into the carousal then the esses which sets you up for blasting under the bridge an onto turn ten which is high speed and flat near the end which begs you to carry maximum speed onto the front straight while also drifting to the outside under power. Summit is a fast-paced track which really exercises you mind and body.

This was his first podium finish as a licensed expert and overall a fun weekend.


Do you remember me mentioning that I meet interesting people all the time while traveling? Well, here is one of them - his name is Dwayne and I met him around a year ago at Blackwater Falls State Park after completing the Allegheny Discovery Route with my longtime friend Dennis. I met Dwayne again, this time in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia and what an amazing meeting it was. Dwayne began hiking the 2,190 Appalachian Trail several months ago and had now completed over 1,000 miles hiking through the mountains. We spent a good part of the day together, enjoyed a fine dinner, and I dropped him off and watched him hike across a river and disappear into the mountains.

Harper's Ferry is a really cool place since three states touch and two rivers combine at one location. Just in case you are interested, Dwayne's trail name is striderontrail and I can assure you that he is one of the few who begin this journey who complete it - approximately 75% drop out.


A few of you know that another passion of mine is Horology which is essentially, "the science of time and the art of measuring it." More specifically, I have a collection of fine watches and occasionally meet with other aficionados and collectors to talk watches, check out each others collections, and learn more about the current advancements, the history of companies or even specific models or movements. This was a recent event I was invited to outside of Washington DC where I spent the evening with a group of really nice people. I often look out of place since I am the only one there who lives in a truck but all of that fades away as soon as I hear, "what's that on your wrist?" or "oh wow, I have never seen one of those before."


Have I ever mentioned that I meet really interesting people during my travels? One recent morning I woke up after camping in a county park on the Maryland side of the Potomac River and shortly after taking this picture, I met an interesting man and we struck up a conversation. He was from Sweden and played saxophone for a living - we talked for a long time, exchanged numbers, and wished each other well. All I know is that I continue to meet so many fine people everywhere I travel - this is good for all of us.


While exploring Cobb Island I came upon a bit of a historical place I was previously unaware of - this is Villa Sans Souci and on December 23, 1900, the ever first radio transmission took place here. What a cool place to stumble upon!


This is a picture I took on a ferry boat returning after spending the day on Saint Clement's Island State Park. What was most significant to me regarding my trip to the island was the fact that on March 25, 1634, one hundred and fifty Catholics landed on this island and on that same day, held the first Catholic Mass in the colonies. These people were escaping religious persecution in England and Europe. If you are interested you can ready more by searching "European wars of religion" and "Gunpowder plot of 1605." There is so much interesting history that has so much to do with what we are experiencing today.


Here is a V-22 Osprey in Patuxent River. For those of you that do not know, Naval Air Station Patuxent River is where the Navy has test pilot school and several squadrons for testing aircraft, ordnance, etc. The V-22 has always been an interest of mine since I spent a significant part of my life flying in and jumping out of Navy helicopters. Another reason is while working in the High Energy Laboratory at Lord Corporation, I was on the V-22 team where we were designing and testing prototypes of critical components for the Osprey rotor-head. That was a fun job!


Here I am in my adventure vehicle after enjoying the day at Point Lookout State Park in Maryland. This is an interesting place where the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay converge. It is also a sad place since it also served as a Prisoner of War camp for Confederate soldiers during the War of Northern Aggression. Of the 50,000 who passed through here over 4,000 died due to exposure, disease, and starvation. Many arrived but never left.


Here is the most beautiful part of my journey over the past few weeks; this is the inside Saint Ignatius Roman Catholic Church which was built in 1641 in Chapel Point, Maryland. This is the oldest continuously active parish in these United States and walking around the property, through the cemetery, and then walking into the church was so very nice. Listening to the old wooden floors squeak, imagining people nearly four-hundred years ago congregating here to confess their sins, ask for forgiveness, strive to do better, and pray for themselves and others, and move closer to God. I mentioned earlier that some things never seem to change and this is one of them: evil will never stop trying to separate us from God.

The most beautiful moment came as I sat inside with my eyes closed, alone, for nearly an hour. It was silent, and nothing moved - I could feel my heartbeat and my breathing became deep and slow, my senses tingled and I felt so very alive. It was the evening and I was facing to the east, the sun fell off my back and as my eyes opened it was so very dark with the exception of a single beam of light penetrating a stained glass window behind me which illuminated the crucifixion of Jesus. This reminded me of a Bible verse that I would love to share with you:

Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ~ John 8:12

 

[Trestle]

Some thoughts and observations about your solar/electrical upgrades:

I often find it easiest to discuss electrical for vehicles using plumbing as an analogy.

1. Battery = tank or reservoir
2. Wire/Cable = pipe size
3. Voltage = water pressure

First off, congratulations on selecting Victron and Blue Sea parts. Thus far I have found none that are better, though I have not tried everything. There are a lot of brands out there that are good...at marketing their products to make you think they are better than they are. This has not been my experience with either of those two manufacturers. Grain of salt and all that applies.

The panels you ordered should work fine, and the batteries you are using should also work well given that you have survived with significantly less capacity than you are upgrading to. No one has ever complained of having too much capacity. Maybe the bill for it, but not having it available.

You are right to focus on efficiency. Larger wires, shortest runs that are practical on the 12v side (put all the long runs on the 120v side if possible), fewer connections, and lithium in general are all good starting points.

Not sure if you plan on running the panels in series or parallel. If each cell of the panel is isolated (most modern panels are, so shading only one cell of a panel does not keep the rest of the cells from contributing to production) then I would suggest you consider running them in series. Why? You have a charge controller that is capable of higher voltages (pressure) up to 100 volts. This is one of the advantages of MPPT over PWM. Typically your wire size from the panel is limited to 6 gage (I have the same solar controller, so unless they changed the size capacity recently that is the case). Putting the panels in series puts more voltage (pressure) through the size of wire you are limited to (pipes). The controller can handle that, so you maximize the efficiency through the wires to the controller. isolated cells offsets the issue with partial panel shading which is one of the main reasons that people have run them parallel in the past. They also run them in parallel to accommodate a PWM style controller that cannot handle higher voltages (and thus should be avoided in my opinion).

There is a second knock on effect with doing this. In low sunlight conditions, early morning, clouds, end of day, your meager voltage output is still 200% of what it would be if run parallel. So when solar voltage gets below battery voltage you have no pressure to "push" additional watts (liquid) into the battery (reservoir). You may gain an extra 20 minutes in early morning or early evening that you otherwise would not be effectively producing if running in series instead of parallel. It isn't much, but there are times when every little bit helps.

Put the controller close to the batteries since you are limited to 6 gage there too. You can't "up the voltage" from the controller, so make the run short as practical.

Place your new DC to DC battery charger as close to the house batteries as practical too. If you put it on the alternator (starter battery) side, then you get voltage loss over the distance to the house batteries. The DC charger will put out the optimal charge voltage only to have some of it lost due to parasitic loss over the length of cable. At least you went up to 4 gage here...good call. Placing it close to the house batteries and the DC charger will bump up whatever it gets, so it accounts for the parasitic loss from the starter battery to the DC charger. Better to have the longer run on the side that is compensated for. It is also likely going to be in the camper and out of the engine bay, so conceptually less affected by heat, elements, etc.

You can run lithium down to 0% capacity, but I would avoid it if possible. Most lithium battery manufacturers will give you charge cycles over the life of the battery. Typically it will be in the order of 5k to 8k cycles if you keep depth of discharge to 30% or above, and drops to around 2k cycles if you repeatedly go to full discharge. Having said all that, you likely have all the battery you need unless you sit for long periods in an are with no solar input. So I guess this is mostly academic, and you don't really need to tell me to bugger off. This I more for others to learn from when doing research for their own project.

I'd add the battery protect if the batteries require it, and omit it if they don't. Victron used to have two types of lithium, as did other manufacturers. Ones with an internal battery management system (BMS) and ones without. The ones without needed the battery protect to perform that missing function. I admit to being a bit hazy on this one, so if someone pushes back a lot I am going to submit. This is my understanding with the battery protect and BMS situation at this time. Perhaps there is some sort of secondary feedback loop tied to the different charging systems that has a benefit I am unaware of. Perhaps a call to Victron to confirm is in order. I use batteries with BMS system that account for all the variables I am concerned about, so I don't use the battery protect.

Take advantage of tax benefits...if they still exist. I've done two different tax seasons where I was able to claim tax credits (not deductions but credits) for installing solar into two different vehicles. Each time I received 30% of what I spent on the entire system back in Federal, and 25% of what I spent on State in the form of tax credits. So $0.55 on the $1.00 for doing something I wanted to do anyway. The requirement is that you have to occupy your second dwelling for at least two weeks a year. For some reason I think you'd qualify for that minimum timeframe per year. RVs count under the credit, so nothing shady or even out of the intent of the law here...at least of a few years ago. I don't think you could count your labor unless you had a business to legitimately bill yourself for that, but everything else (wire/controllers/connections/batteries/inverters/etc.) counts toward the total.

I didn't see one, but a good battery monitor is helpful in monitoring condition as well as diagnostics with a solar system. Victron's BMV-700 or -712 are my preferred choice. ALL input and output go to the negative buss bar, then through the supplied shunt, then to the negative side of the battery set. Every watt in or out of the house battery setup is accounted for this way. If you somehow connect an input or output between the shunt and batteries, it will not count those watts and your readings will be off. The -700 is adequate for simple systems. The 712 adds wireless and I believe you can monitor a second battery bank. With a second shut it is priced significantly higher, so don't really think the 712 is worth the spend for your setup.

Good luck with the project. Focker out.

 

[dstefan]

I didn't see one, but a good battery monitor is helpful in monitoring condition as well as diagnostics with a solar system. Victron's BMV-700 or -712 are my preferred choice. ALL input and output go to the negative buss bar, then through the supplied shunt, then to the negative side of the battery set. Every watt in or out of the house battery setup is accounted for this way. If you somehow connect an input or output between the shunt and batteries, it will not count those watts and your readings will be off. The -700 is adequate for simple systems. The 712 adds wireless and I believe you can monitor a second battery bank. With a second shut it is priced significantly higher, so don't really think the 712 is worth the spend for your setup.

+1 on this. I have the Victron Smart Shunt, which is the same thing (eg, the supplied shut @Trestle mentions), but without the external monitor and with the Bluetooth to phone app for monitoring. You definitely want one version or another of this depending on how you want to monitor things.

It’s invaluable for watching your loads, charging, and battery AHs.

 

[ramblinChet]

The aforementioned information supplied by @Trestle provides great detail on why, for most applications, it is better to run your solar panels in series - and yes, I will be taking advantage of this. He also provides valuable information on another good idea - placing your solar charge controller and DC-DC charger as close to the battery as practicable in order to minimize voltage loss. And this runs right into not only selecting the proper size wire but also type of wire being used. In my opinion, many very good builds are cut short when the installer uses premium components such as Victron Energy or Blue Sea, and then joins everything using cheap wire, connections, and tools.

Just to confirm, I do have a BMV-712 Smart from a previous build that I will be installing in this rig - here is the reference. This piece of gear provides accurate and detailed information that is priceless when running a system that is used to support life. Thanks to your both for adding additional information to this thread and happy trails!

 

[ramblinChet]

Since my sons next American Superbike Racing Association race at New Jersey Motorsports Park was only two weeks and two hundred miles away - I decided to remain in the area and attend that race also. The Thunderbolt Raceway at NJMP is 2.25 miles long, has twelve challenging turns, and 1/2-mile straightway. Here is a shot from another ASRA Expert, Rob #33, battling my son, Chet III #84, in turn four, for third place overall. You can watch a short video here showing more of their battle.


Here is a shot in front of a World War Two training target that was used by Republic P-47 “Thunderbolt” pilots for strafing runs. You can still find WWII artifacts such as this in the forests of New Jersey. Millville Army Air Field is adjacent to NJMP and I always enjoy learning about local history when I travel. I really enjoy the face that my boy raced again on Thunderbolt Raceway and engaged in deadly battle with other men just under the skies where P-47 Thunderbolt pilots once roamed.


After departing New Jersey I decided to head slightly north to avoid tolls and drop down into Philadelphia. I am not a fan of big cities but considering the state of Western Civilization, the historical significance of Philadelphia regarding our fight for individual freedom and liberty, and our 4th of July was quickly approaching - I tossed my cares to the wind and sneaked into the city under cover of darkness. Here I am beginning my tour of our Museum of the American Revolution.

That glorious 14-foot by 17-foot painting up top is close to my heart for it is titled, "The Siege of Yorktown (1781)." I will refrain from explicit details but I made a conscious decision to move to Yorktown decades ago and have lived there longer compared to any other location. The battle at Yorktown represented a significant turning point in our American War of Independence and decades ago I was able to see another war preparing to begin. My desire, my goal, my fate; was to be at that sacred location when once again when it would become a turning point in our struggle for individual freedom and liberty.


The interior designs of these new museums are comfortable and seem expertly arranged but despite all that - something still seems wrong. I'm not quite sure what it is or what I am trying top say except I have a significant distrust of those who control us and this might be one more of their weapons. On the surface all seems quite nicely laid out but the undertone is one of confusion, sensory overload, clutter, and propaganda.

I still visit them though because as a full-time traveler during a warm summer, they offer free air-conditioning and have really nice bathrooms. This is true.


The sailor in me also took time to tour the Independence Seaport Museum with the high point of my tour being an self-guided tour of USS Olympia (1895-1922), the oldest steel floating warship in the world. This old girl has her own special place in history since she was the flagship of Commodore Dewey during the Battle of Mainla Bay, in the Phillipeans, in 1898. During the early morning of 01 May, Commodore Dewey spoke those fateful words: "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley." and the war began.

Some would say an even more important took place in October of 1921 when she departed Le Harve, France, to sail through a tropical cyclone in the middle of the Atlantic, and finally pull into Washington Navy Yard. The USS Olympia, battered and bruised, was carrying the remains of our first Unknown Soldier, exhumed from a field in France, following World War One. The casket did not fit below deck, so it was lashed to the weather deck and covered in canvas. United States Marines guarded the casket during the day and night, through the tropical storm where the Olympia rolled within a few degrees of capsizing.


Our beloved and symbolic Liberty Bell with Independence Hall in the background.


Men, this is the Assembly Room inside Independence Hall where fifty-six of the most intelligent and courageous men our world has ever know, gathered to sign our Declaration of Independence thus effectively signing their own death warrant. It was exactly 248 years ago that the greatest country on earth began to formally take shape and I am not just saying that because I was lucky enough to have been born here. Open all the historical books and read - there has never been a country like these United States throughout the history of mankind - this was a radical new idea. This is why to this day, people from all around the world still risk their lives to come here and take a chance.

The world has always been ruled by despots and tyrants of the inner circle - always! They control the outer circle (government, education, media, corporations, etc.) who then control us, the peasants. This is as simple as I am able to explain it. But here is the exact place were fifty-six men who pledged their live, fortunes, and sacred honor to begin to break away, to escape the matrix, to live as freemen.


Since most of my time is spent camping in the forest, mountains, or desert, I am out of my element when it comes to urban-camping. With help from iOverlander, I was able to locate this pay location between the Old Town section of Philly and the Delaware River. The cost was $20 and technically that was for a single 24-hour period although I read where others remained for several days with no problems. A guard patrols the area, there is also ongoing construction, and it has been nice to wake up, take a shower out back of my truck, toss on some clean clothes, and walk 5-10 minutes right into the heart of the historic area.

I selected this exact spot in the corner at the end since I would be out of most everyone's way. This spot also permits me to deploy my solar suitcase just to the rear of my rig and soak up energy throughout the day - my nose it to the north and tail to the south. I talked with the construction crew and they provided me with some local tips. These are hard-working guys who perform dirty, dangerous, and often deadly jobs, which keep everything going. They of course loved my truck and share a mutual respect for one another.


Here we are sitting on the cool grass of Independence National Historic Park enjoying the United States Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus featuring LeAnn Rimes. They put on a wonderful performance and I must say, LeAnn Rimes, has an amazing voice and listening to her sing patriotic songs such as "America the Beautiful" was quite the treat.


Capping off my time in Philadelphia with sitting on the shore of the Delaware River watching a magnificent fireworks display over in New Jersey. And the great thing was I arrived home and tucked into bed faster compared to anyone else there - my truck was literally right behind me within one minute walking distance. Happy Independence Day!

 

[FAW3]

You got a great parking spot in Philly!

Since you are planning to be up on your roof with your solar panel installation...I see you have just the rear roof vent/fan. I can only say having a MaxxAir fan over the bunk is one of the favorite features of my Hawk. Setting it to "intake" and blowing right on you makes some hot nights much more comfortable. Any thoughts on adding one for hot weather camping?

 

[ramblinChet]

You bring up some great point Frank and despite the weather being high 90s during the day and low 80s at night - I have soldiered on without any fan. Yes, my OEM MaxxAir fan died over a year ago when I began to charge with my solar suitcase. From what I understand, the MaxxAir is not able to handle 14.4 Vdc when my solar charge controller is in the absorption phase. I called MaxxAir and they stated that they are aware of the problem and if I wanted a new circuit board they would sell me one since they did not consider this a warranty issue.

When I was selecting options for this FWC I really took a hard look at having dual fans installed but at the same time I wanted to retain as much space up topside for solar panels. I also opted for the king slide out options and use it every night with me head to the south and feet to the north inside the vehicle. You have me thinking though - maybe rebuild the fan and install some sort of voltage limitation so it does not burn out again. Also, a nice angled duct on the interior would be a welcome addition!

Just in case you are interested, here is the song I have been singing myself to sleep to each night.

 

[ramblinChet]

Elfreth's Alley is a historic street in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dating back to 1703. The street has 32 houses, built between 1703 and 1836.

Elfreth's Alley is named after Jeremiah Elfreth, an 18th-century blacksmith and property owner. Among the alley's residents were tradesmen and their families, including shipwrights, silver and pewter smiths, glassblowers, and furniture builders. The Georgian and Federal-style houses and cobblestone pavement of the alley were common in Philadelphia during this time. The houses are typically small, and many are uniquely Philadelphian Trinity houses.

Since Elfreth's Alley was within walking distance of where I was camping in downtown Philadelphia, I decided to visit. It was an interesting look back in time but after reading a bit more about these "Trinity homes" I began to see a relationship between them and the "shotgun houses" I had recently seen in the Mississippi Delta. The houses shared these common features: 12-14' wide, three main rooms (kitchen, living room, bed room), and approximately 1,000 square-feet. The primary difference was the arrangement of the rooms: in a dense urban setting the rooms were stacked vertically whereas in a low-density rural setting the rooms were positioned horizontally.

It would be interesting to discover a hybrid of the two with a similar overall size. I guess most newer family homes around double the size are a hybrid of sorts which also include additional bedrooms, bathrooms, and sometimes even a dining room.


The very warm weather over the past few weeks served as a good reminder just how important water is to our survival. It is common for me to carry ten gallons and looking back it seems that sometimes I ration my water usage: this is in conflict with survival training I received in the military so I am making an effort to correct this. When I shower I routinely use less than one gallon although now I am promising to use a minimum of one gallon. That may not seems like that big of a deal but it really is and it feels great just to take that extra minute of so and run that cool water through my hair and over my body. Being outside in hot weather os one thing, being outside in warm weather for multiple days is different.

On that note I have begun to identify additional water sources and share them with others using the iOverlander application (examples one and two). Being able to drive up to a public water source and fill up a few RotopaX water containers is like hitting the lottery on a warm day when you have not showered in a few. My goal now is to loosen my restricted use of water, identify additional sources, and share this information with others. If you have valuable information to share such as showers, water, propane, laundromat, etc. with others visiting your area - please take a few pictures and upload the information to a site such as iOverlander.


After running up the Rocky Steps to the East entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, I entered into the Great Stair Hall and looked up to see the Roman Goddess Diana. I wasn't prepared for this experience and may not be able to accurately explain it but everything was just beautiful. The Great Stair Hall alone is an impressive architectural creation but that one single metallic sculpture created in 1892, and later abandoned, complimented the hall perfectly. All I can say is you must see this in person to really appreciate the simple beauty.

Diana is a goddess in Roman and Hellenistic religion, primarily considered a patroness of the countryside and nature, hunters, wildlife, childbirth, crossroads, the night, and the Moon.

Diana is considered a virgin goddess and protector of childbirth.

It was later as I researched this sculpture that I learned the above-mentioned information. Although I am no pagan moon-worshiper, I share a mutual respect for countryside, nature, occasional virgin goddess, etc.


I am so sorry for not being able to produce a good picture of this magnificent pair of elbow gauntlets (hand defenses) that I viewed in the Arms & Armor section of the museum. If you see them in person you will see the fine craftsmanship and attention to detail that makes it hard to believe any human was ever capable of manufacturing these. As you might imagine, these were made in Germany in 1485 by Lorenz Helmschmid. The hinges which permit articulation of the wrist, hand, and individual digits; the tooled patterns and edging - just breathtaking.


My favorite sections of the museum included European Art 1100-1500 (Medieval to Early Renaissance), 1500-1800 (Renaissance to Romanticism), and American Art 1650-1850. What I was shocked to discover was the overwhelming amount of religious artifacts with most being Catholic. This was an unexpected departure from most other museums I have visited which openly promoted revisionist work such as The 1619 Project, Afrocentrism, Christ myth theory, etc. What was just as amazing is that there were sections of the museum where complete period rooms were present which included walls, ceilings, furniture, art, etc. It was like stepping back in time. If you decide to visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art you will require two full days.


Although these stars designed by Frank Gehry may appear somewhat artsy and such, I find them inefficient and illogical with little aesthetic value. Then again, I am big on function over form. They are interesting through but I will leave it at that. And although I ventured into the Modern and Contemporary Art sections I didn't interact well with the mostly obese blue-haired patrons in that section. I have absolutely nothing against any other person but it hurts to see so many people who have been lied to when you know this will hurt them greatly as the years go by. And worst yet, most refuse to engage in any level of intellectual debate or discussion. But I continue to pray for them and for everyone. We live in interesting times.


As I wandered through the back roads I spent time at beautiful locations such as Gunpowder Falls State Park, Mason Neck State Park, and Leesylvania State Park. And late one afternoon I saw that sign - National Museum of the Marine Corps. Many times I had driven by this 100,000 square-foot museum and promised next time I would stop. Well, this was the day I decided to stop and with only one hour until closing, rushed in and then slowed way down. After walking through just one of the smaller sections I immediately decided I must find a place nearby to camp for the night and spend all day at this museum tomorrow.

Just a few miles away was a Cracker Barrel and they usually have a nice sized lot where you can park an RV overnight, grab a meal, etc. I arrived, parked way in the back near some trees, put on some swim trunks, and sprayed myself down with cool water before tucking in for another hot muggy night of sleep. A young lady who was staying in the nearby Motel 6 was walking her dog and stopped over to say hello. She had just moved to the area from the Pacific North West and was waiting for her apartment to be prepared before moving in. We talked for a bit and it turned out she had driven around in a motor-home for eighteen months a few years ago so we shared some stories, laughed.

One week ago I walked into a museum and saw a goddess, now I entered into an arena filled with remnants of real life warriors.


This is the receiver of a M1941 Johnson rifle which most people never heard of - it was the primary competitor to the M1 Garand prior to WWII. Both rifles were semi-automatic and chambered in .30-06 Springfield and while the Garand was gas-operated, the Johnson was short-recoil system. With the short-recoil system the barrel and bolt moves to the rear when fired which helps to offset recoil. After moving approximately 5/8" rearward, the barrel contacts a stop and the bolt continues rearward. What's really cool about the Johnson is the 10-round cylindrical magazine which can be loaded with a round chambered and/or with the magazine partially filled. This is not possible with the Garand since the five-round magazine must be empty and the bolt locked open before reloading can take place. Anyone familiar with "Garand thumb?"

The reason I take interest in this unusual piece of history is because an engineer I worked with at NASA owns two functioning M1941 Johnson rifles. I have suggested he redesign the rifle using modern material and tooling for a larger caliber such as 338 Lapua Magnum or .375 CheyTac and call it "Big Johnson."

 

[ramblinChet]

This past month has been a combination of slow and fast. Since I stopped back home to Virginia for repairs, maintenance, and upgrades, I found myself really taking advantage of the slow pace and taking a sort of vacation from travel. I know that might sound funny by depending upon the pace of your full time travel it can be quite a bit of work. I guess if you are remaining in a specific area for a few weeks or a month that would be a light load but when you are picking up and moving daily, or at best, every few days, you are always reading maps, searching local history, collecting supplies, locating water, identifying places to sleep, etc. It's fun but this type of excitement comes at a cost.


Regarding maintenance - there exists a long list of items I must address while home such as: contacting Diode Dynamics regarding the failed surface coating on two of my lights (it seems to be a batch issue since all other DD lights are fine), addressing front drivetrain damage due to failure of AEV differential cover, failure of drivers side front spring (approximately 1.5" of sag), removal of the remains of mud flaps (three destroyed, one barely hanging on), address crushed in sides of bed (both side were smashed in at different times), etc.


Now this when things began to happen fast - I received a phone call late one night from a military brother that sparked my curiosity to such a degree that I immediately jumped into my truck and begin driving 1,875 miles over the next two days. About two hours into my drive the clock struck midnight and I stopped for a 16 ounce Red Bull energy drink - I didn't stop for a nap until I hit Saint Louis later that afternoon - I had been awake for over thirty hours. Keep in mind that in order to maximize my gas mileage on the highway I travel at 100 km/h (62 mi/h) so time was dragging while my mind raced at warm speed.

Late in the evening on my second day of driving I rolled into town and met with my team, set up camp, and jumped into bed. The group I am working with are private military contractors specializing in maritime security, hostage rescue, executive protection, natural disasters, etc. I was tired, hungry, and had approximately four hours to sleep before beginning another adventure at 0600 the next morning. Yeah, things were becoming fun once again.


The next morning I awoke to the sound of diesel engines and hundreds of men preparing to fight a huge wildfire in the mountains - I had arrive at the fire camp for the Alexander Mountain Fire just west of Loveland, Colorado. At our peak I believe we had nearly 600 firefighters and countless support personnel camped at this mile-high-plus location. This wildfire was over 9,000 acres and only a few percent contained when I arrived.

When I drove up for chow that evening one of my team members let me know that everyone was talking about me and my truck. It's always pretty cool to meet other men that have never seen an AEV Prospector and Four Wheel Camper combo and talk to them about where I go and what I do. As you might imagine, most of them are avid outdoors-men and spend much time hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, etc. My rig is a great conversation starter and I really enjoy hearing their stories and plans.


A tip of the hate to OnX for incorporating an Active Wildfires Layer using up to date information sourced from National Interagency Fire Center data. This is a really valuable tool for spotting, and keeping an eye on, wildfires when you are exploring and camping. When I initially purchased OnX and was comparing it to Gaia GPS there were a host of similarities and differences and I was left wondering which were more valuable. Right now I am sold on both applications and will continue using both.


This is not a great shot by any means but to be honest I was so busy I really did not have any time for snapping pictures. What I found most interesting is that when an incident like this occurs, there are many wheels set in motion to quickly establish a small specialized city for the hundreds, or sometime thousands, of firefighters rushing to the area. This was an impressive operation and I was really amazed at how well most everything functioned.


Besides areas to camp for the hundreds of firefighters there were also 18-wheeled trucks arriving to drop supplies from incident warehouses strategically located throughout the country. Massive food trucks serving thousands of meals sprung up, hot showers with unlimited water were established, security was initiated with lighting throughout the camp, a temporary cellular phone tower was installed, repeaters for radio communications stood up, and headquarters with a wide array of communications was running smoothly. What is most amazing is that all of this took place in the span of a few days.


I really wish I was able to secure an overhead drone shot of the camp but there were so many vehicles and so much equipment you would have been amazed - I sure was. And yes, there were so many Porto-potties I lost count and they were cleaned daily. Despite that, I used the flush toilets in the AC at headquarters and don't regret it a single bit. I camped, ate, showered, etc. with all the other men so I really was able to secure an inside view into this wildfire community. What a great bunch of men!


When the fire reached 75% containment and a few days of light rain entered the region I knew it was time for a bit of maintenance to take place. I located a nearby Discount Tire and they squeezed me in late one afternoon for a free tire rotation and balance. They recorded my tire wear and at 78,000 miles I am at 13/32s all the way around. I also drove down to a RAM dealer a few miles south of town and had my oil changed - I purchased another Mopar oil change service that covers three oil and filter changes for $215. That's a pretty good deal in my opinion.


Most everyone has left and I was one of the few remaining. Imagine the area below ten times larger, with trucks, firefighting equipment, and men camping, and you will have an idea what it looked like. It was like a small self-contained city. Not many people spent time at camp during that daylight hours - we were all working our respective jobs to help directly, or indirectly, knock this wildfire down. I really didn't do much but there were hundreds that gave it everything they had from sunup 'till sundown. Many of the operations and organizational features reminded me of the military - I had fun feeling and acting young once again.

My phone just notified me - I have a new message in Telegram. The men on my team are heading to Oregon and wondering if I will join them. They say there are fifty-plus fires in Oregon alone and we might be busy until the snow begins to fall. I guess my only question is, should I stay or should I go?

 

[mog]

addressing front drivetrain damage due to failure of AEV differential cover,

Is the 'failure of AEV differential cover' the loose bolts you described back in your post #614 or is/was there another issue? I was getting ready to buy the front one, and you certainly have given them a real world test, so a very good source for a testimonial (good or bad).