Free TC Power! Sort of.

So we have finally finished our Northern Lite camper electrical system upgrades. Here is what we did. First, we changed out our electronic power converter, a Parallax/Magnetek 7345 system, to a 30 amp power converter. I followed the direction by William R. Hemme and it was very easy. I was able to do everything my self and that in its self is a testament to the ease of installation. I have been monitoring the converter and all systems are go.

Then after much debate and a lot of research on the NATCOA website, we decided to bite the bullet and get a solar power system so that we don’t have to worry about power. I contacted several folks who deal with solar power and talked about our needs. What it came down to is, how much you want to spend, and what do you think your real power needs are. I figured our power needs and made a decision that a 130 watt solar panel was the minimum I would like to have. This would cover most of the power needs if we are careful and don’t try to run to much stuff. The maximum the two batteries would support would be two 130 panels. With this in mind Linda and I talked and decided, what the heck let’s go for the max, so that is what we did.

I searched the web and found good prices on panels, Kyocera KC-130 130 Watt Solar Panels, through Arazona Wind and Sun. Watching the NATCOA forum I noted that folks were high on Blue Sky charge controllers. I ordered a Solar Boost 2512i from Blue Sky with the IPN-Remote display. It all came in within a few days and we were ready to go.

Once again I had a decision to make. Do I do the install or do I pay to have it installed by the pros at Blue Crick RV. My first decision was easy, there was no way I wanted to drill holes in our camper roof so that would be completer by Blue Crick. Next I looked at the controller set up guide and it looked like a very easy installation. My brother said he would help so I called Northern Lite and talked with them about the install. After my conversation I still didn’t feel comfortable with doing the job at home, so we went with Blue Crick again. So on last week on Friday I took every thing into Blue Crick and by Wednesday we had our camper back with the new system. So far we have had mostly clouds and little sun, but I can’t wait to get down to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and see how it works.

About the Last Weekend

So last weekend was the 16th Presidents Day trip to various areas for our little outing. We have been to Western Pleasures Guest Ranch, Schweitzer Mountain ski area Condos, and Hills Resort. Last year we were at Hills in a smaller cabin and so you can see the post from that one
here.

"That's when I came to love the Badger."

I doubt that when Presidents Day was established, it was established so that we could gather together, eat, drink and talk about how our President is not very bright. Well that is what we did up a Hills Resort on Priest Lake. Saturday morning Linda and I loaded up the truck and drove up to Hills. We arrived at about noon and had a fire going, warming the cabin, in about fifteen minutes. I filled the wood bin and by the time we had settled in, Rania and Terry arrived. Shortly there after their phone rang and Bridget checked in, followed by a call from Julia and Rob. It looks like everyone is going to make it for the weekend.

The first order of business was booze. Linda tossed together Margaritas using tequila, beer, lime aid and a dash of Grand Marnier. So let the party begin! Rob and Julia arrived just a bit after Bridget and things started to roll. Raina placed the dinner in the oven and we whipped up another batch of blender magic. There is warmth a log fire provides, our new cabin was set up differently from the past cabins and we all agreed that it was more comfortable.

The enchilada dinner was fantastic and when we pushed away from the table everyone was full. We cleared the table and got ready for a hard fought game of liars dice. Bridget brought the dice and taught everyone the rules of play. I had an advantage over everyone due to my nightly games that were played on a trip down the Grand Canyon. As we shook and played, we all found out who the liars were. It came down to WSU vs. Idaho, one on one. Julia and I shook our final die. It couldn’t have worked out better for me, I rolled the wild card single. Julia had to make the call and when she did it left me with the win. It was a lot of fun. A late desert of cheese cake was served. We dribbled chocolate and berry juice over the top and gobbled it down. We were all tired and everyone started turning in just after 9:00 PM.

One by one we started getting up; the smell of coffee filled the cabin. Bridget started making breakfast. Canadian bacon, pancakes, and eggs were on the menu and no one hesitated to partake. As soon as we finished eating and cleaned up everyone started getting ready to go snowshoeing. We loaded up the truck and Bridget’s car and drove out to the road leading to the Beaver Creek campground. It was quiet when we arrived and we put on our gear. As soon as we were ready to leave about fourteen snowmobiles pulled up and filled the air with exhaust and broke the quiet of the morning with the screams engines.

The machines left the area and we snow shoed for about an hour. The path we took lead off the road and we ran across some deer. I had forgotten the camera on the fender of the truck and had to split from the group to pick it up

before some one came along and took it. The rest of the group kept hiking and circled around through the trees and back to the road. We met up and continued for another half hour and then returned to the vehicles and drove back to Nordmen where we bought some ice cream.

Back at the cabin Julia started making her chili and we all settled in for some nice well deserved naps.