We're finally out and about

We have been getting the RV out on the odd occasion. It's amazing what regular scheduled time off will do. That doesn't happen too regularly when you work in the oilfield. I must say though, we are getting more comfortable moving the RV around the countryside and getting organized and ready to go. By getting ready to go we have to remove non-essential items to keep the weight down as difference between curb weight and max weight of this RV is 800Kg.

This time we went to George Lake just out of Hines Creek, Alberta. Not far I know but it was good to get out of that heated shelter for a while and out into the sunshine. We were going to check out a few a little further to the northwest  as August the 7th is a public holiday camp sights were pretty busy closer to Edmonton. George Lake was recommended to us as the camp is rarely full.

It is nice to be getting used to towing the RV especially when it's not overloaded.

Heading back up north, Slave Lake

Well we finally made it back up to Peace River. We stayed in Slave Lake which is around the half way mark back to Peace River, AB. We were originally going to just boondock somewhere along the way but still being relatively new to the mobile "RV life" and our inverter set up not being fully complete. we ended up "chickening out" and staying at Big Fish Bay RV Park. As mentioned previously we installed lithium batteries, updated the converter (the thing that maintains battery charge when connected to mains power) and used an old modified sine wave inverter that I had lying around. At present I need to run power from the inverter to the 50 Amp socket that's conveniently located on the rear wall of the RV. Once I update the inverter it will be hard-wired into the fuse panel. Convenient eh?

Big Fish Bay Resort

"Located on the southeast shore of picturesque Lesser Slave Lake and bordering the town of Slave Lake, Big Fish Bay R.V. Resort offers full service lakefront lots, tent sites, cabins, and group camping areas, as well as excellent fishing opportunities. Big Fish Bay is close to many amenities and a wealth of activities for you and your family to enjoy"  Big Fish Bay

A nice park with some of the older sites on the lakefront or nestled in the trees and bush close to. We stayed in the newer area, after all it was just for the night and this late in the holiday season there were alot of free sites. We have made a reminder to stay in the summer, just like everyone else.

The newly opened areas have been planted out with cover and young trees with amenities located close by. 

We did consider just staying in the carpark of the local Walmart or at the ESSO located just up highway 88 but were a little uncomfortable with stopping over night with all the slides out so opted for the RV park.

The following afternoon we packed up and continued north towards Peace River. One thing though, we have setting and packing up down to an art. Certainly made easier when you travel lite.

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Totally riveting

We made it to Edmonton

 Yep, we made it to Edmonton. Not much of an achievement I know but kind of is for us as previously mentioned we're usually just moving for work so not too much time for touring around. We're at the Glowing Embers RV park, Acheson It's an old park that has large elm trees and a dedicated long term area off to the side full of urban rednecks.

The short term area is starting to thin out.

 At least this time we have a little free time even if it's taken up with friends and family as we don't get down here too often. I just wanted the chance to go to Cabela's. 

I even managed to get to visit both! A prime time to get some fashionable camo even.

It's been cooling off over night with some wind so the floor has been relatively cool. The furnace has been working over night with daytime sunshine warm enough to necessitate opening a few windows. 

Ae are finally out and about.

On the first of October we finally managed to get the wheels turning on the RV. We left Peace River in Alberta and started our sojourn  south with an overnight stay at the Eagle River RV Park just a few K's North of Whitecourt, Alberta. While the journey was only about three and a half hours the first half was fairly stressful as the RV hasn't moved more than a few hundred yards over the last 2 years. So it was a case of getting the inside of the RV ready to travel by removing gear that wasn't going to be needed and reinflating tires, pretty basic stuff. It was all made easier as the RV has been stored in the heated shelter.

While our planned route is by no means expansive it is the first time that we are taking the RV out on a holidays, apposed to moving from one place to another for work.

Eagle River Casino was interesting to watch people come in insert coins while drooling profusely the leaving with empty pockets.

After an interesting evening we retired for the night and left in the morning.

Completed the Lithium battery update

 Lithium battery update on the RV. 

It's taken a while, Raewyn has started working for Granger and I'm still doing the oil & gas sector but of late we're more maintaining roads in Northern Alberta. So we haven't had the time to organize time off to go anywhere. We couldn't really boondock as we had lead-acid batteries that were pretty shagged and the lithium upgrade was pretty expensive. 12 volt system update.

Today I have finally completed our 12 volt electrical system. Firstly I had to upgrade the converter to a lithium compatible one. Then install the Lithium battery. At this point we just have the one 200 amp/hour battery which is the minimum required to do the job. Next was to add a DC to DC charger. This is required when the RV is being towed and being charged from the trailer plug. As the Ford has a generic alternator designed for lead-acid batteries. We intend on adding a second battery perhaps a third. at around $1200 CAD it's  considerable expense but is a worthy investment.

Below in the 200 amp\hour battery above in the DC-DC charger that is connected to the power supplied from the trailer plug. To the left is 3000 Watt modified sine wave inverter, which needs to be upgraded to a pure sine wave inverter to that we can run the TV. Yere, the wiring is kind of messy but I'll get around to that in good time.

We're getting ready to take the RV out of the shelter to head down to Edmonton then down to Daysland, AB. Yere, I know it's not far but we're dying to get the RV out.

So expect an update soon-ish.

I have a YouTube channel Dave's TV I even have an Instagram page. Instagram hell yere!

UPDATE: I have finally completed the update. I added a battery charge monitor, Renoligy lithium batteries have a Bluetooth module inside the battery that allows you to monitor charge/discharge rates but the app asks for way too many privileges on your phone and seemed to just upload spam.  

The monitor mounted just nicely in the slide console.

I see you can only add one image to a post but here is the completed set up to the right is the DC-DC charger for the power (trailer) socket as the alternator in the Ford is a generic alternator. Underneath in one 200 Amp/hr battery with room for a second. left is a cheap inverter to be upgraded eventually to a sine wave then further left is the circuit breaker box for where the inverter connects to the RV. Cool eh.

Still a little messy.

I haven't posted in a while.

An update of sorts.

I haven't posted posted in a while as not alot has happened. So if you are remotely interested in what we have been into.

Raewyn has finally finished her Diploma in Business & HR management so she has some extra free time to do stuff around here (yere, right) to work while looking for other employment.

Dave, I've been busy still in my current role and not enjoying the snow, ice and warmer weather. 

For the RV I've started buying all the components for the solar and battery setup. Photos to come soon.