Epoch RV Battery 12V 300Ah 1080 – Heated & Bluetooth & Victron Communications

We evaluated the Epoch RV Battery 12V 300Ah with Bluetooth, self-heating, and Victron communications as our primary off-road power source. This the perfect 12 DC power solution for those who have large RVs with residential appliances and the need to operate when no campground power is available. The Epoch RV Battery 12V 300Ah is a strong contender for those who camp off-grid and need the extra amperage to extend these stays for those days when solar production is a challenge.

Epoch RV Battery 12V 300Ah Evaluation

We put the Epoch RV Battery 12V 300Ah to the test using our Montana 5th wheel as a real-world environment powering a large GE residential refrigerator, lights, TV, and slides over an extended period of time without any means to charge the battery. Our efforts were to simulate a long tow lasting 10 hours, an over night stay, and then continuing to the next destination for another 7 hours. We relied on the Epoch RV Battery 12V 300Ah only, with no provisions for solar, campground, or the 7-pin connection to our truck for charging power.

Over the evaluation period, we used both the iOS Epoch LI-Ion Bluetooth app for iPhones and our Victron Smart Shunt monitor the performance of the battery. As a check and balance between both monitoring platforms, we found the reporting to be within a percentage point of remaining capacity and available voltage.

Epoch RV Battery 12V 300Ah Results

With the battery at full charge, the evaluation for the Epoch RV Battery 12V 300Ah exceeded our expectations. We ran our test over 31 hours and at the end of two days, we still had 26 percent, one quarter of the battery capacity remaining.

Recharging the battery with our Progressive Dynamics 75 amp charger took around 3 hours. The shortest time when have experience with any of the batteries we’ve tested to date.

With the batteries heavy duty construction, metal case, low temperature disconnect, internal heating, 11 year warranty, and much more, this is a perfect solution for our 12V power needs.

Epoch RV Battery 12V 300Ah Specifications

• LiFePO4 Chemistry – Deep Cycle Battery
• Epoch RV Battery 12V 300Ah HEATED – Internal heating allows for charging in sub-zero conditions
• BLUETOOTH – iOS and Android Apps
• Built-in Smart Battery Management System (BMS)
• Over charge and over discharge protection
• Over current and short circuit protection
• High & low temperature disconnects
• Max (4) in Series up to 48V @ 300Ah
• Max (4) in Parallel up to 12V @ 1,200Ah
• 4,000+ Cycle life & Maintenance-free
• UL1973, UL1642, IEC 62133, UN38.3
• 11 Year Manufacturer Warranty
• Weight: 72 (LBS)
• Dimensions: 8.1 x 11.1 x 15.4 (inches)
• Ah Capacity: 300Ah
• Max Continuous Discharge Amps: 300A
• Max Charge Current Amps: 300A
• Max Discharge Peak Current Amps: 900A (3 Seconds)
• Max (4) in Series, Max (4) in Parallel – 4S4P

VOLTAGE

• Voltage: 12.8V
• Max Charge Voltage: 14.6V
• Operating Voltage Range: 10.0 – 14.6V

Helpful Links:

Epoch RV Battery 12V 300Ah – Heated & Bluetooth & Victron Communications

Epoch RV Batteries

Epoch Li-ion for Apple iPhone

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

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Hiking Duke Creek Falls and Biking Smithgall Woods State Park in Helen, GA

We had several weeks of great weather in North Georgia to go out and experience the hills and trails. This week I visited two popular spots, Dukes Creek Falls for a hike to a series of beautiful waterfalls and Smithgall Woods State Park to bike over 5 miles in this amazing conservation area.

Duke Creek Falls

Dukes Creek Falls is located on Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Highway a few minutes outside of Helen, GA and 20 minutes from Leisure Acres Campground. This was one of our shorter hikes we experienced this year providing great views of the surrounding mountains, vibrant Fall foliage, and the series of waterfalls at the end of the trail did not disappoint.

The trail is well walked and offers a number of short steps and wooden walkways along the trail and at the bottom to observe the waterfalls. The walk is gradual, well maintained, and did not contain any obstacles to navigate. There were several spot along the trail where we could stop and see the mountains with this year’s Fall canopy rich in yellows, oranges and reds. As we walked the trail, we were able to view Dukes Creek and teased with a number of small cascading flows along the rock formations as a hint to what we would find at the end of the trail.

Reaching the bottom of the trail, we were greeted with a number of waterfalls. One was a small stream starting several hundreds hundreds of feet above and gracefully flowing down the mountain side to the stream below. Continuing along the observation deck, a series of falls flowed over a large rock formation. The waterfalls and the cascading steam below gave a beautiful show with the hills and Fall foliage in the background.

The hike back to the top took around 30 minutes and took moderate effort. At the top, is another view of the mountain vistas in the distance capping off this hike in the North Georgia mountains.

Smithgall Woods State Park

Leaving Dukes Creek Falls and heading back to the campground, we stopped at Smithgall Woods State Park located at 61 Tsalaki Trail next to Helen, GA.

Smithgall Woods is a Conservation Area consisting of 5,664 acres as a protected wilderness area. It contains old growth forests, trout streams, and abundance of wildlife. The area is named for Charles A. Smithgall Jr., a Georgia publisher and philanthropist who sold the property to the state in 1994 for half its appraised value. During his time of ownership, he had teams restock streams and plant thousands of trees to restore the natural beauty.

I took the bike to ride along 5 miles of trails. The bike trails were a mix of paved and gravel roads where I experienced the beautiful hardwood trees in their fall colors along with the streams and wildlife. We didn’t have time to enjoy the many trails in the park during this trip, but the bike ride didn’t disappoint.

I hope you have an opportunity to visit these sites in the future. They are easy to hike and bike and there’s so much to see in these nature wonderlands.

Helpful Links:

Dukes Creek Falls – US Forest Service Description

Smithgall Woods State Park

Leisure Acres Campground

More Fun Things To Do Around Helen, GA

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

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We are always on the lookout for innovative power solutions for the RV traveler. We have looked at both power stations and lithium batteries as sources when campground power isn’t available. Today we are evaluating the Time USB 230Ah LifePO4 Battery due to it’s large capacity and value pricing. We also wanted to take this opportunity to go a step farther providing a power station environment using the battery along with a 14.4V 20 Amp battery charger and DC Battery Outlet also provided by Time USB. This solution supplies battery power to the RV along with charging and outlets to power DC and USB devices at a very affordable price.

Why Lithium Batteries Vs Lead Acid Batteries

Over the last 18 months we have become big fans of lithium batteries. We’re not long term boondockers, but we often tow our 5th wheel for extended periods or have overnight stops where pedestal power may not be available. The power offered by lithium over lead acid batteries makes a substantial difference in these instances.

Many RVs, our Montana 5th wheel included, come from the factory with Group 27 lead acid batteries. These batteries have been a main stay in the industry providing reliable power for the 12V DC devices and lighting found in most motorized and pull behind RVs.

The downside of lead acid batteries has been their weight and capacity. Most 100 Amp Group 27 lead acid batteries are capable of providing 50 amps of usable power. This is the result of the damage that can occur when discharging a lead acid battery below 12V DC which is one half or 50 remaining amps in the battery. To achieve 100 amps of usable power, two Group 27 batteries are used, configured in parallel.

Using a Lithium battery such as the Time USB 230Ah LifePO4 Battery, we can provide 4 times the amp hour capacity found in two Group 27 lead acid batteries with less than half of the weight. This increase in available amps is the result of the LifePO4 cells that make up the 12V battery and the battery management system (BMS) limiting the discharge to 10% without damaging the battery cells.

Time USB 230Ah LifePO4 Battery Specifications

• 12.8V Nominal voltage
• 230Ah Capacity
• 50A BMS board
• 2944Wh energy
• 1920 Max. power
• 150A Max. current
• 44lb battery weight
• 19 x 6.7 x 9.5 in Dimensions (L*W*H)
• 15000 Cycles & 10-year Service Life

There is a temperature issue to consider with the Time USB 230Ah LifePO4 Battery and other lithium batteries that do not have low temperature protection. These LifePO4 batteries cannot be charged below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or the battery cells will experience permanent damage.

Evaluating the Time USB 230Ah LifePO4 Battery

Charging the Battery
We started our test with a fully charged battery. As part of the evaluation, we used the 14.4V 20 amp charger provided by Time USB. This is a cost effective charger that was simple to use with a status LED glowing red while charging and green when complete. We started the charge late in the afternoon and it was complete the following morning to start our battery evaluation.

Real World Battery Test
Our process to evaluate RV batteries is to place in a real operating environment where devices and lighting in our Montana 5th wheel are powered as we tow and use the RV. In the evaluation we use the Time USB 230Ah LifePO4 Battery without any external power from our F-350 Super Duty, the solar panel, or 110V pedestal power. Our effort was to determine how the battery would perform over an extended period of time in an actual use environment with no external charging.

Our evaluation lasted over 25 hours running a large 110V AC 3-door GE residential refrigerator through a 2000 watt DC to AC inverter. We also operated 12V LED lights throughout the 5th wheel along with constant demands from various devices such as thermostats, 12V to USB chargers, etc.

Battery Test Results
At the end of the 25 hours of use, we still had an estimated 35% of battery capacity available. This exceeded our expectations for this battery, but we had one more device to evaluate – the Time USB DC Battery Socket Outlet.

Using the Time USB DC Battery Socket Outlet
The Time USB DC Battery Socket Outlet was inexpensive yet a convent way to have a number of power connections supporting a wide variety of options. It took minutes to mount the outlet on a wall and connect to the battery with the supplied cable. The unit has a LED power display to show the current state of the battery along with a 12V cigarette style accessory outlet, 2 – USB 2.4A, 2 – QC 3.0 USB, and 2 – USB C connections.

We tested the Outlet with a 55 Quart 12V chest style refrigerator and all of the USB connections using a cell phone. Each device powered or charged with no issues.

Final Thoughts

The Time USB 230Ah LifePO4 Battery performed well and gave an affordable solution to extend our travels using a single lithium battery. In our use with the addition of our solar charging, we will be able to extend our time in towing and overnight night stays where pedestal power isn’t available and the use of a gas generator isn’t convenient.

Out thanks to Time USB for providing the Time USB 230Ah LifePO4 Battery, charger and socket outlet for our evaluation.

Helpful Links:

Time USB 12V 230Ah LiFePO4 Battery (Amazon)

Time USB 14.6V 20A LiFePO4 Battery Charger (Amazon)

Time USB 12V/24V DC Battery Socket with 9 Ports (Amazon)

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

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Raven Cliff Falls, Helen, GA

One of the fun activities I enjoy when we travel to the mountains are all the great trails to hike. On this years trip to North Georgia I wanted to find trails that I haven’t experienced and if water falls were in the mix then even better. In this video I share Raven Cliff Falls in Helen, GA. It’s the peak of Fall and the scenery if spectacular.

Hiking Raven Cliff Falls

A short drive from the campground and minutes from Helen is Raven Cliff Falls located off 3000 Richard Russell Hwy, Helen, GA. The trail to the falls follows Dodd Creek and offers a wide variety of scenery.

Most trail maps rate the trail as moderate and I agree. I found the trail to be well hiked, easy to follow with a few easy creek crossing. The area that had the most difficulty was at the end along the steep cliffs.

There were a number of smaller waterfalls along the trail that were easy to access and provided a great location for photos. At the end are very large and shear granite cliffs where the highest waterfalls are located. Unfortunately, there has been little rain over the past few weeks when and the falls were not very prominent. But, the lack of water did not detract from the beauty of the area.

I hiked mid week and it wasn’t crowded, but weekends during the popular seasons can be very busy. This was a fun hike that took most of the morning. Great views along the way and opportunities for great views across the seasons.

Helpful Links:

Raven Cliff Falls – US Forest Service Description

Raven Cliff Falls Trail Head Map

Leisure Acres Campground

More Fun Things To Do Around Helen, GA

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

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Wandering Around North Georgia

Joan and I enjoy wandering around North Georgia. This area has been one of our favorite RV destinations for the last 10 years. And this year continues to amaze us as we return to some past destinations and as well as discovering new places never visited.

Crane Creek Vineyards

In this video below, we start at Crane Creek Vineyards located in Young Harris, GA. We missed this vineyard last year and on this trip went to the Farm House tasting room located at the base of the vineyard. This was a first usually going to the top of the vineyard to the newer Stone House. The Farm House was built in 1901 and still retrains much of the old charm. Located at the bottom section of the vineyard, covered sitting areas have been added along with seating along the edge near the vines.

We visited on this crisp Fall day enjoying this years wine vintages along with excellent Barbecue from the food truck. Crane Creek Vineyards is pet friendly and Joan and I were entertained by a number of the fur babies who visited. This was a great start this years wandering around North Georgia.

Blue Ridge Honey Company – North Georgia

Located a few miles south of Clayton, GA on US 441, is Blue Ridge Honey Company. This is one of those places we pass often when I suggest to Joan that we need to check out. Embarrassed to say how many times we have said that over the years of our North Georgia travels. Finally, we stopped and were not disappointed.

Blue Ridge Honey Co. is a family business with bee yards located in Northeast Georgia, Western North Carolina and South Georgia. Something that impressed us was the quality of the honey. Their honey is pure, natural and raw. They do not pasteurize or micro filter the honey. And the results were proof. We sampled each variety from the often found clover and wildflower to more unique types of blueberry, black sage, and more. You may be asking what was our favorite? All of them!!!

Aside from tasting the honey, we were able to see the production area, a live hive (safely behind glass) and many other products made from beeswax and honey.

Jumpin Goat Coffee Roasters

A few minutes from the campground is Jumpin Goat Coffee Roasters located at 2404 Helen Highway in Cleveland GA. Pulling off the highway and continuing up the hillside driveway, we were greeted with one of the most stunning views in Cleveland. The cafe and roaster is located on a ridge overlooking gentle rolling hills with an amazing presentation of Mt Yonah in the background.

Walking to the cafe, I was greeted with the wonderful aroma of fresh roasted beans and seeing the smoke rolling along the side of the building, Inside the cafe, the friendly staff welcomed me and I couldn’t wait to have a fresh brewed coffee. I treated myself to a delicious Americana and returned outside to enjoy the views.

Before I returned to the campground, I couldn’t leave without purchasing a number of their excellent coffees and gazing at the incredible views one more time.

We’ll be in this area for a while and looking forward to sharing this years adventures as we continue our wandering around North Georgia.

Helpful Links:

Leisure Acres Campground – Cleveland, GA

Crane Creek VIneyards – Young Harris, GA

Blue Ridge Honey Company – Lakemont, GA

Jumpin Goat Coffee Roasters – Cleveland, GA

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

HiBoy EX6 E-Bike

We have been testing e-bikes that fit our RV lifestyle for the past 12 months. Some of these have been expensive e-bikes that have been feature rich. We’ve had many comments on our YouTube channel as well as contacts from our lovervlife.com website stating they wanted an e-bike, but needed a more affordable solution yet retain many of they features to make the e-bike experience enjoyable. So we took up the challenge to find an e-bike that met those requirements. We are contacted by many e-bike manufacturers and settled on the HiBoy EX6 Electric Bike. At the time of this video and blog, the direct purchase from HiBoy or from Amazon with coupon, the e-bike is below the $1,000 price and maintains all the features we find important for an enjoyable experience.

HiBoy EX6 E-Bike Features

• 500W powerful brushless motor – 500w high speed brushless motor, with high torque and a top speed 25+mph.
• 15AH Large capacity battery – 15AH/48V removable battery that can help you go 41 miles on electricity alone and 75 miles with pedal assistance depending on terrain.
• All-terrain fat tire and fork shocks – The 20″ x 4.0″ all-terrain fat tire e-bike is suitable for riding on all kinds of bumpy terrain, mud and beach. The 4″ fat tire is large wheel to ground contact area and cave-in resistance as well as better grip. The fork shocks provide a smooth and comfortable riding experience on rough and rocky terrain.
• Ergonomic riding design – Adjustable handlebars provide a comfortable riding experience along with a memory foam adjustable seat. The seat height is adjustable and along with the low step-in frame and the step-in design allows riders to get on/off the bike quickly and with little effort.
• Comfortable riding experience – Built in 3 riding modes, easy to switch by button. The e-bike can be used as a standard bike with now assistance. The power of the HiBoy EX6 E-bike comes from the 5 modes of torque assist and 500 watt motor. Making changes from the handlebar mounted controller can be handled with ease. The Shimano 7 speed shifting package gives the e-bike greater versatility to handle the step hills and rough terrain.

See the video below for our experience with the HiBoy EX6 E-Bike. Our thanks to HiBoy providing the EX6 e-bike for our evaluation. We have provided links below for the purchase of the e-bike and available discounts.

Helpful Links:

HiBoy EX6 E-bike – Direct purchase from HiBoy. Discounts applied at purchase.

HiBoy EX6 E-bike – Amazon link. Check discount coupon below price.

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

Preparing Our RV For A Trip

Due to some medical issues, we had to limit our summer travel. I share more in the video below. The very good news is all is well and after many months we are heading back out to enjoy some extended RV travel. With the 5th wheel sitting for these many months and time for some annual maintenance, I thought this would be a good time to share preparing our RV for a trip.

RV roof inspection

Owning an RV for 10 years, we’ve learned from experience (not always positive) to give the roof a thorough inspection. I look at all the roof seams that have lap sealant, and check the plastic skylight and roof vents for cracks. It never fails that after a year of travel, there are locations in the lap sealant that crack or separate the will allow water to intrude. A few minutes of inspection and follow up with a little lap sealant will prevent leaks and worse, damage to the RV roof and ceiling.

Cleaning a very dirty 5th wheel

We had a heavy travel scheduled planned for the year, with the July 1 injury everything stopped. We parked a dirty 5th wheel only to get worse from dirt and pollen along with the road scum hardening on the surface. Our next step for preparing our RV for a trip was to give the 5th wheel a good scrub.

It takes us around 3 hours to wash the external surfaces of our 5th wheel. The roof had gone from a bright white to an ugly gray and black. Aside from it dirty appearance, a dark roof adsorbs the sun and doesn’t reflect causing unwanted heat. Our roof is PVC and when clean reflects the sun and reduces the hot temperatures in the 5th wheel.

We don’t use a pressure washer. I don’t have an issue with those who have pressure washer skills, I don’t. I prefer to use a large, soft bristle car wash brush. Also, harsh detergents such as Dawn or similar products can cause damage to the RV surface finish stripping the wax and causing premature oxidation. I’ve had good success using Meguiar’s M4364 Marine/RV Boat Wash. A large bottle will last several years and I use on our F-350 too.

Tow vehicle tire inspection

Having experienced two RV tire blow outs during our early RV travels, I never start a long trip without inspecting the condition of our tires and tire pressure. We also use TST tire monitoring on our 5th wheels and F-350 to watch for changes in temperatures and pressure that could result in a blow out while traveling.

We always follow the tire pressures recommended by the RV and tire manufacturer. These are posted on the side or inside the doorway of the RV and on the side of the tire. Under or over inflating the tires can cause excessive tire pressure or over heating and result in failure.

We also inspect the condition of the tires. We look for damage to the sidewalls or the treads resulting for pot holes or other road hazards. We check the bead next to the rim. We look for cracks, defects or any indication of dry rot. If found, we have the tires replaced.

Also check the tire lugs to ensure each are tight. You can find the manufacturer axle recommendations for lugs online.

Failing to inspect and remedy RV tire issues can cause failure and when these tires blow, they destroy the sides of the RV and can blow holes in the floor.

Tow vehicle hitch and tires

For those that have a tow vehicle, the hitch should be inspected at least once a year. This included both 5th wheel and camper hitches. Inspect and tighten all the bolts. Look for cracks or failed welds in the hitch, tongue or pin. Lube the hitch per manufacturers recommendations.

For those of us who tow 5th wheels and have older trucks without the puck system, check the bolts connecting the rails to the frame. Make sure all are tight to the brackets and frame.

Those miscellaneous tasks before travel

There are a number of small, yet important tasks to perform before RV travel and more so if the RV has been sitting for a period of time. In the video below, I share our steps for each as they relate to our needs and may be helpful as you prepare for your travels.

If you need more information about the products used in the video, we have provided helpful links below.

Helpful Links:

Our thanks to Brooklyn Bedding who sponsored today’s video. Go to https://rvmattress.com/ilovervlife and use discount code “ilovervlife” for 25% off any mattress.

Meguiar’s M4364 Marine/RV Boat Wash

Fifth Wheel Lube Plate

Deluxe Car Wash 8″ Brush

Deluxe Car Wash 8″ Brush

SetPower PT55 58Qt Dual Zone 12 Volt Refrigerator

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

Can you earn a living with YouTube
Part 2 – How much we earn from YouTube

This is Part 2 of our two part series “Can you earn a living with YouTube?” In this installment I share how much we make from YouTube and our efforts to off set the expenses to create content and supplement these costs with income from YouTube.

If you missed Part 1 – Tips to help you start your YouTube channel click here to view.

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

Can you earn a living with YouTube
Part 1 – Tips to help start your YouTube channel

This is Part 1 of a two part series titled “Can you earn a living with YouTube?” The simple answer is maybe. Their are a number of parts that we have learned as to what makes a YouTube channel successful and more so, the challenge to making money from our efforts.

In Part 1, I cover the landscape for YouTube, how large and an intro as to the overall volume of YouTube. I also cover a number of helpful tips as to how to be successful from content creation and the overall channel and video creation process.

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

Replacing RV Bed Gas Struts

Replacing RV bed gas struts are a relatively easy task. These bed struts go bad after a few years of use or are needed when bedding is replaced with a heavier mattress. In our case, we replaced our mattress with a Brooklyn Bedding Signature series and along with the added comfort, increased the weight by two and half times. This overloaded the existing gas struts and it was difficult to raise the bed for storage access and the bed would not stay in the raised position. The fix is very easy and cost us around $20.

It’s Easy Replacing the RV Gas Struts

Our first task was to determine the load rating and length of the existing gas struts. This may be found on the gas strut label or a quick search of the model number on Google will give the data needed. Also, measure both the length of the black section of the strut and the overall length when extended before purchasing a new strut.

If the existing bedding is used, stay with the same weight strut as installed at the factory. We knew we increased the weight of our bedding and looked for struts around two times stronger than factory. Our Montana 5th wheel came with 80lb struts and we increased the strength to 150lbs. With a bedding increase, using too little will not ease lifting and staying in place, and too strong could cause attachment pull out from the wood or the bed platform will not stay in place when closed.

We show our process of removing old struts and replacing with new in the video below. It took us less than hour. It’s important to look at the strut used. Some can be removed from the hardware, others may be permanently installed and the struts will need to be unscrewed from the platform and new strut installed. Our installation required us to remove a spring clip holding the strut to the hardware, remove strut, install new strut and replace with the provided spring clip.

I can’t confirm your specific installation needs, but if you have used similar bedding and have the same length in gas strut, I’ve providing a link to the unit we purchased below.

Helpful Links:

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

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BigBlue SolarPowa 20 – USB Charging for the Campsite and Beach

Our RV travels take Joan and I to places where there’s no power for our devices such as cell phones, tablets or our Internet hotspot. For the past year, we have used the large power stations for supplemental power and they have worked great, but they are large, bulky and heavy for short trips when we need to charge our phones. We now have an alternative, the BigBlue SolarPowa 20 portable solar panel with two USB ports. With the SolarPowa 20, we can head to the beach or a weekend outing, pack light and keep our phones and tablets charged.

BigBlue SolarPowa 20

The BigBlue SolarPowa 20 is light weight and fits easily in a backpack or carry bag. The panel weighs 1.7 lbs and folded is 9” X 9” and with the attached USB power connection is 1.5″ thick. Open, the panel is 26” X 9”.

The back of the solar panel contains the USB charger with a USB Type-A and a USB Type-C connection, both rated at 5V and 2.4A. Also on the back is a folding arm that fits flat when stored and can be open to act as a kick stand to gain the best angle for sun exposure. We also like the reinforced eyelets on the corners where we can hang from our tent when we spend the day at the beach.

BigBlue SolaPowa 20 Features

• EASY TO CARRY: Portable, rugged and lightweight. Easy solutions for portable USB charging.
• HIGH-EFFICIENCY: Latest custom-designed N-Type PERC TOPCon Solar cells with energy conversion of 24.3%.
• CONVERSION OPTIMIZATION: Easy to deploy adjustable stand to angle the panel from 30- to 60-degree. Reinforced eyelets to hang the panel.
• WEATHER- PROOF: Weather-proof with a 10-year performance warranty.

Testing the BigBlue SolarPowa 20

We wanted a bright sunny day to test the BigBlue SolarPowa 20, but after two weeks of rain and overcast skies, decided to give the panel a real world test during a partly cloudy day. We expected this would be a challenge for the panel, but perfect sunny days aren’t always available when we travel and we need to charge our phones.

For the test we used a Samsung 8+ cell phone and a Samsung 8” tablet. The phone was completely discharged and the tablet was at 26%. We connected both devices using a USB cable to the BigBlue SolarPowa 20 and gave the panel 3 hours to charge. During the test, we experienced several large clouds obstructing the sun from panel for short periods and estimate full sun for about half of the charging time.

At the end of 3 hours hours, the phone battery charged from 0 to 63% and the tablet charged from 26% to 81%. We didn’t use the devices during the charge, but background tasks continued including messaging and emails.

Conclusion

We found the BigBlue SolarPowa 20 to be a light weight, easy to deploy solution when we need USB power for our communications and entertainment devices. Even in less than optimal sun, the panel provided enough power to charge our devices with power to finish our day of travel.

Our thanks to BigBlue for providing the device for our evaluation. We have provided helpful links below for more information about this unit and how to purchase for your next RV outing.

Helpful Links:

BigBlue SolarPowa 20 Portable Solar Panel Charger with USB-A and USB-C

For more information about the SolarPowa 20

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

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RV Water Heater Troubleshooting and Repair

We started the day with no hot water when connected to the campground power and using the 120V power option for the water heater. Fortunately, we were able to use the propane switch and the water heater functioned well. For most RV water heaters, the parts that are most likely to fail are easy to test and replace if needed. This held true for our 12 Gallon Suburban Advantage Tank Water Heater model 5146A/F. Now it was time for RV water heater troubleshooting and repair.

Troubleshooting An RV Water Heater

We’ve all forgot to turn on the water heater when we arrive at the campground. This was the most obvious starting point. I checked to ensure both the 120V water heater switch was on and the breaker feeding the water heater had not tripped. Both were on and still no hot water.  Next step was troubleshooting the water heater components.

The components mostly likely to fail are the 120V water heater element or the thermostat switch. Starting with the water heater element, first ensure no AC or DC power is going the water heater. If the unit has been heating with propane, give the water heater time to cool.

We removed the heating element cover and use a digital voltmeter set to AC voltage to ensure no AC power is going to the heater element. Once confirmed, I removed one power lead from the electric heater element, set the digital meter to OHMS, and placed the probes on each heater element. We had a reading of 10 OHMS indicating a functional heater element.

Our next step was to test the 120 volt thermostat switch. On the 12 Gallon Suburban Advantage Tank Water Heater model 5146A/F there are two thermostat switches. This can be found near the top of the water heater with two rubber inserts used to reset the switches if overheating occurs. With the cover removed you’ll find the 12V thermostat switch on the right and the 120V on the left. The 12V has a wide, flat conductor running top to bottom and the 120V has a thin wire located in the same place.

First we found the power wire located at the bottom of the 120V thermostat switch had overheated and some of the insulation wire was burned. We removed the wire and tested the switch with the digital voltmeter. The bottom of the switch has two tabs, one where the power wire connects and the second with a soldered wire going to the top of the switch. I set the digital volt meter to OHMS and placed a lead on each post. A working switch will read a short, zero on the digital voltmeter. If the switch has failed, the reading will be low or open depending on the voltmeter’s display. Our reading was low indicating a bad switch.

It was time to order parts and begin the repair.

Repairing An RV Water Heater

We ordered a new Suburban 232306 Thermostat Switch, Model: 232306 from Amazon. Looking at the back of the thermostat switch ensure you see the 2306 before ordering. Replacing the switch was simple, slip off the power wires, remove the center nut, pull off the old thermostat switch and reverse the process to install the new unit. Make sure the nut is tight to create a thermal bond between the water tank and the switch, but do not over tighten and risk breaking the threaded stud from the tank.

We also suspect the power wire either rubbed the metal edge and the wire shorted, or the power connector wasn’t tight causing overheating, but most likely the thermostat switch overheated causing the wire to burn before the switch completely failed. We replaced the connector, reconnected all wires, replaced all the covers, and it was time to turn on the 120V switch to the water heater and see if our repairs worked.

RV Water Heater Troubleshooting And Repair Results

Our RV water heater troubleshooting and repair was a success. Turning the 120V power to the water heater and waiting about an hour, hot water had returned. The troubleshooting process discussed took less than 30 minutes. With Amazon Prime, we had the Suburban 232306 Thermostat Switch, Model: 232306 in two days and the repairs took less than an hour.

If you have basic skills using small tools, RV water heater troubleshooting and repair is simple. The two most common parts to fail are inexpensive. At the time of this blog, the Suburban 232306 Thermostat Switch, Model: 232306 was $16 and if the heating element failed, its cost would have been $20. With a few minutes of troubleshooting and repair we were able to have 120V heated water again.

If using tools and wiring isn’t your skill set and a RV technician is needed, this is one of the lessor cost repairs for parts with labor being the higher cost component.

The video below shows our step-by-step process to troubleshoot and repair. I’ve also included helpful links below for parts, tools, and our blog showing how to use a digital voltmeter.

Helpful Links:

How To Use A Digital Voltmeter

Crenova MS8233D Digital Multimeter

Klein Tools 32500 11-in-1 Screwdriver

Suburban 232306 Thermostat Switch, Model: 232306

520900 RV Water Heater Element For Suburban RV SW Series Electric Water HeaterCheck out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

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It was the Monday before Labor Day 2023 in Daytona Beach, FL and the calm before the storm. Hurricane Idalia was starting to make progress north from Cuba and the weather reports were the possibility of making landfall on Wednesday along the section of the Florida Panhandle known as the Bend. On this Monday, the sky was clear, a gentle breeze and it was a great time to take an ebike ride from the campground to the beach and back. In the video below I share the beach repair progress from last years Hurricane Ian along with the great views of Daytona Beach.

Daytona Beach Hurricane Repair Progress

Joan and I return to Daytona Beach, FL each quarter to visit our son who lives in the area. We were in Daytona Beach last September 2022 weeks before Hurricane Ian struck the coast and created substantial damage to many of the condos, hotels, homes and businesses that stretch along Hwy A1A from Ormand Beach south to New Symrna Beach. Buildings were damaged, but the big impact was the result of the sea walls failing along the beach.

In the video below we show the repair progress as well as shots from the beautiful Daytona Beach. We also share tips for those interested in visiting the area especially during the “shoulder season” periods.

Daytona Beach and Hurricane Idalia

For most of the Daytona Beach area south faired well during Hurricane Idalia. We were fortunate to only experience some moderate wind gusts that lasted from sundown on Tuesday and continued for most of the day Wednesday.

For those along the west coast of Florida and through the pan handle we pray for your safety and a speedy recovery.

Helpful Links:

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

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Our daughter Julie and her husband Josh along with the grandkids camp each year at the Smoky Mountain Campground located just outside of Bryson City, NC. The campground is located at the Deep Creek entrance of the Great Smoky Mountain Nation Park and is a favorite for tubers along with the many trails for hikers and bikes. We wanted them to have an extras special time and thought it would be fun to share our CyCrown CyFree so they could e-bike in the Great Smoky Mountains. In the video below Julie shares their experience with the e-bike along with many of the beautiful views along Deep Creek.

CyCrown CyFree E-Bike

On this years trip we shared the CyCrown CyFree, a 20″ fat tire foldable e-bike with a 750W motor, dual front shock absorbers, along with Shimano 7-Speed gears to make the most difficult hill climbs easy. We’ve found the CyCrown CyFree to be one of the more affordable e-bikes for RV travelers yet very well built and wide range of features and options. We especially like the folding feature allowing us to easily store the e-bike in our 5th wheel storage area.

Smoky Mountain Campground

Joan and I understand why Julie, Josh and family love the Smoky Mountain Campground located in the community of Deep Creek, NC. This campground provides a family friendly environment located along the edge of Deep Creek, a favorite North Carolina tubing location. The campground is located at the Deep Creek entrance of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and tubers can walk, bike, or drive along the creek for a long float through the park to the campground. Aside from the tubing, there are great trails, waterfalls as well as an abundance of nature for those perfect camping pictures.

We appreciate CyCrown providing the e-bike for our evaluation. If you’re interested in purchasing a CyFree or one of the other CyCrown e-bikes, we’ve provided helpful links below.

Helpful Links:

CyCrown CyFree E-bike

CyCrown Amazon Store

Smoky Mountain Campground – Deep Creek, NC

Great Smoky Mountain National Park – Deep Creek

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

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Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

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Using your RV blank tank does not have to be scary. Whether you’re a seasoned RV traveler or new to the world of camping, understanding how to maintain your RV black tank is crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable trip. From our 10 years of RV travel, we have created 9 tips to help you maintain your RV black tank. By following these tips you can to have a clean and well-maintained black tank so you can fully enjoy your RV travels without any unwanted odors or problems.

In the video below, we’ll walk you through the process of cleaning your RV’s black tank, provide expert tips, step-by-step instructions, and share answers to many of the RV black tank questions received from our YouTube comments or iLoveRVlife website contact page.

RV Black Tank Topics Covered In The Video

1. Take care of your black tank – RV toilet paper, enzymes, and cleaning products.
2. Your black tank needs water.
3. Never leave your black tank dump valve open.
4. Cleaning your black tank sensors.
5. Black tank hoses and connectors.
6. The 5 gallon bucket method.
7. Black tank hose storage.
8. Managing black tank hose storage container odor.
9. Using a portable camper tote. a.ka. The Blue Boy

So don’t fear the RV black tank. With our 9 tips to help you maintain your RV black tank video, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to keep your RV in top condition.

Helpful Links:

Happy Campers RV Black Tank Treatment

Unique RV Digest-It Liquid Black Tank Treatment

Unique RV Digest-It Black Tank Treatment – Concentrated Drop In Pods

Unique Clean-It RV Black Tank Cleaner Liquid, Enzyme Deep Cleaner

Unique RV Liquid Toilet Bowl Cleaner

RV Holding Tank Swivel Stik Rinser

45 Degree Reverse Flush Valve Attachment

15ft Dominator RV Sewer Hose Kit

10ft RV Sewer Hose Extension Kit

RV Sewer 45° Clearview Adapter

RV Sewer Hose Support

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

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Over the last year of RV travel, we have become big fans of lithium batteries. We have reviewed a number of lithium battery manufacturers and had a great response finding quality products. The problem has been cost. Many viewers of our YouTube channel and from the responses from this website contact page have asked if there were others lithium options that were affordable. Our search lead use to the Goldenmate 200Ah Lithium Battery. This battery is well built, has the features that most need for RV travel, and at the time of this blog, one of the most affordable lithium batteries in the 200Ah category.

Why Use Lithium Batteries for RV Travel?

Lithium batteries are a great option to power the 12 volt devices in an RV and very proficient when it comes to powering traditional 120 volt AC appliances using an inverter. Much lighter that lead acid batteries, with zero maintenance, and where lead acid batteries can be discharged to 50% before damaging the cells, a lithium battery can be safely discharged to 90%.

The Goldenmate 200Ah Lithium Battery

The Goldenmate 200Ah Lithium Battery is a 12V LiFePO4 battery suitable for high-load and long-duration applications. Out testing found the performance was perfect for RV/outdoor camping. The LiFePO4 battery can withstand 5000+ cycles, which is more than 10 times the cycle life of traditional lead-acid batteries. The battery come with a built-in Battery Management System to safeguard against overcharging, over-discharging, overcurrent, overheating, and short circuits.

Features

Electrical Specifications
Nominal Voltage: 12.8V
Nominal Capacity: 200Ah (0.2C, 25°C)
Energy: 2560Wh
Resistance: ≤30mh
Cell Type: LiFePO₄

Mechanical Specifications
Dimensions: 20.55”L*9.45”W*8.58”H
Weight: 57.32LBS
Case Materials : ABS

Charge Specifications
Charge Voltage: 14.4V
Standard Charge Current: 40A
Maximum Charge Current: 100A

Discharge Specifications
Maximum Continuous Discharge Current: 120A
Discharge Cut-Off Voltage: About 10V

Temperature Specifications
Charge Temperature: 32 ℉ – 122 ℉
Discharge Temperature: -4 ℉ – 140 ℉
Storage Temperature: 32 ℉ – 112 ℉

We found the Goldenmate 200Ah Lithium Battery to be a cost effective and well performing battery for RV travel. As a standalone battery, there was ample capacity to power all the devices in the RV including our large residential refrigerator on long tows with power to spare.

Our thanks to Goldenmate for providing the lithium battery for our review. See the helpful links below if you would like to learn more or purchase a Goldenmate lithium battery for your RV travel needs.

Helpful Links:

Goldenmate 200Ah Lithium Battery (Use this link for discounts)

All Goldenmate Lithium Products (Use this link for discounts)

Goldenmate 200Ah Lithium Battery from Amazon

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

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If you’re seeking a journey through time, a visit to the Stone Mountain Park Historic Square is a must. Located in the center of Stone Mountain Park, this historic square offers a glimpse into the past. The Square contains a collections of building moved from a number of Georgia locations that were built between 1792 and 1875. Each building was moved and was carefully restored to much of it original state along with a collection of furnishing that were contained in the original house.

The Evolution of Stone Mountain Park Historic Square

Located on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, the Stone Mountain Park Historic Square is a unique destination for history enthusiasts, families, and curious minds alike. This well-preserved area offers a window into the past, taking visitors back in time for a glimpse of life as it was in the 1800’s.

The Historic Square within Stone Mountain Park showcases the evolution of Southern culture and architecture. From its humble beginnings, it has grown into a meticulously curated representation of the past. The square’s buildings, pathways, and decor all reflect the changing times and the merging of cultures that shaped the region.

Some of the Historic Square Buildings:

• Allen House from Bartow County, GA – Circa 1845
• Dr. Chapmon Powell’s Cabin from Dekalb County, GA – Circa 1826
• Thorton House from Greene County, GA – Circa 1792
• Davis House from Calhoun, GA – Circa 1856
• Powell Academy Schoolhouse from Dekalb County, GA – Circa 1875

As we toured the Historic Square, it was as though we stepped into a time machine. I’m a huge fan of 1800 architecture and seeing the construction of each home was a testament to the craftsmanship of the past. Viewing each home, I had to admire the intricate details of furniture, textiles, and household items that were an part of daily life in bygone era.

Visiting Stone Mountain Park

Surrounded by the natural beauty of Stone Mountain Park, the Historic Square is an ideal starting point for outdoor adventures. Whether you’re into hiking, picnicking, or simply soaking in breathtaking views, the park offers a multitude of outdoor activities.

This living museum captures the essence of Southern heritage and invites you to be a part of its ongoing story. The Stone Mountain Park Historic Square isn’t just for entertainment – it’s a valuable educational resource with an experience that makes history come alive.

Helpful Links:

Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain Campground

Stone Mountain Park Historic Square

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

When we travel in our 5th wheel, we enjoy our grilling time. Over the years of RV travel we have tried a number of portable gas grills. We are on the road for over half of the year and longer, and use our portable grill weekly. From our last live YouTube broadcast, I mentioned we cook often in our travels and many commented they wanted to see what we cook. We thought it would be fun to show 3 great outdoor meals on the Monument Grill.

We’ve used and burned out more grills than we can count with the biggest issue being the burners usually lasting less than a year. Good news is we found Monument Grills. We have been using a Monument Grill for over a year and other than heavy use, it’s works as good as new. And if we have issues, it’s easy to purchase spare parts and they are reasonably priced.

In the video, we show two Monument Gas Grills. Don’t fast forward the video! We have a number of tips, plus our son Joel is a great chef and he shared some of his cooking tips. And as promised in the video, here is Joel’s Steak Marinade.

Joel’s Steak Marinade

• 1 1/2 Cup Seet Red Wine
• 1 1/2 Cup Italian Dressing
• 1 Cup Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/2 Cup Soy Sauce
• 1/2 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
• 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice
• 2 Tbls Franks Hot Sauce
• 1 Tbls Garlic Powder
• 1 Tbls Onion Powder
• 1 Tbls Kosher Salt

Stir briskly. Set in refrigerator for 1 hour before use. Marinade steaks 4 hours before grilling.

I mentioned we show two grills in the video. Along with the G22 Tabletop Grill, we also show the Mesa 400. Traveling in June and July, we noticed a number of RVs camping together. These large groups would gather nightly and cookout. Each brought a large residential style grill along to have ample cooking space. We liked the idea and being that we have had great results with the G22 Tabletop Grill, we contacted Monument to try their Mesa 400 4-burner grill.

Below are the features for both grills shown in the video.

Monument G22 | Stainless 2 Burner Tabletop Gas Grill

Stainless steel body for easy cleaning and long-lasting quality. Two main stainless-steel burners with a total of 15,000 BTUs deliver fast and even heat and a great grilling experience. The design of the large front handle, locking lid, and four legs make this grill very portable, and easy to transport or store.

Features

• Burners: Two independently controlled 304 stainless steel burners with 15,000 BTU to deliver powerful heat. Stainless flame tamers ensure even heat delivering great flavors.
• Clear view lid is made of high heat tested, tempered glass that allows you to keep an eye on what you are cooking without letting heat out by opening the lid 200 square inches of the total cooking area offers plenty of grilling space.
• Stainless steel cooking grates designed for even cooking.
• Lightweight and Portable: Small in size, can be put RV storage area, ideal for outdoor cooking, camping, or traveling.
• Versatile: Includes 40-inch hose to connect to 20lb Propane Tank(tank not included).
• Easy to assemble and clean: Start a BBQ experience immediately without spending much time assembling. The removable drip tray and stainless-steel body are easy to clean after a barbecue.

Mesa 400 | 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill

Four burner gas grill upgraded with a viewing window keeps the slick design. High quality stainless classic sturdy design for durability, 4+1 burner design with 690 sq. cooking area plus 60,000 BTU keep the fast and even heat all the time.

Features

• Burners: Four main 304 stainless steel burners and one stainless steel side burner with a total of 60,000 BTUs. Stainless flame tamers ensure even heat delivering great flavors.
• Cooking Space: 690 square inches of the total cooking area. 480 square inches of primary cooking area and 210 square inches of warming rack area.
• Grates: Porcelain cast-iron cooking grates designed for even cooking.
• Construction: 430 stainless steel lid, firebox, door, and side shelves.
• LED Control Knobs for increased visibility at night.
• Electronic ignition system for easy burner starts.

Our thanks to Monument Gas Grills sending us the new G22 Table Top Grill and the Mesa 400 Gas for our review.  See the helpful links below for more information about these and other Monument Grills.

Helpful Links:

Monument Grills

Monument Grills – G22 Tabletop Grill

Monument Grills – Mesa 400 Gas Grill

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

Stone Mountain Park is a natural wonderland located just a short drive away from the center of downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The park spans over 3,200 acres and offers a variety of recreational activities and attractions. Whether you prefer RV camping with full hook-up sites or pitching a tent, Stone Mountain Campground offers a fun camping experience, surrounded by lush greenery and stunning views of Stone Mountain itself.

But, camping is just part of the experience at Stone Mountain Park. There is so much for the entire family to experience from hiking in nature, the trek to the top of Stone Mountain, great bike trails, fishing, nightly laser shows on the lawn, historic sites, two championship golf courses, ride the scenic railroad, visit the kids attraction park, and so much more.

Stone Mountain Campground

There are multiple campgrounds that range from large paved, full hook-up, big rig friendly sites, those that surround the pool and kids activity area, large wooded spots, tent camping along the edge of the lake, even yurts and camper rentals.

In the video below, we take you along for a brief review though some of the campgrounds. There are a wide variety of campgrounds with over 400 sites offering a wide variety of camping experiences. Site range from:

• Very large “glamping” spots along the edge of the lake,
• Big rig friendly, heavy wooded full hook-up sites,
• Large and small sites around the pool and kid’s play area,
• Wooded water and electric sites,
• Beautiful tent sites along the lake, and
• Yurt and camper rentals.

We had no problem finding a site in the mid-priced campground for our 42 foot Montana 5th wheel. Our site was located in L campground with wooded and graveled sites, full 50 amp hook-up with cable, picnic table, and grill. We liked the design of the campground providing ample space between the RVs along with the heavy wooded area giving us relief from the hot summer sun.

Stone Mountain Park Sites and Activities

In the video below we share some of the sites and activities we experienced during our stay. We had great bike rides, a stop at the old Grist Mill, on to the quarry exhibit, then off to lawn for a view of the mountain, the Stone Mountain Museum at Memorial Hall, and some of the attractions for the kids.

Here is a list of the some of the many amenities to experience at Stone Mountain Park.

• Summit Skyride to the top of Stone Mountain
• Historic Square: A Collection Of Georgia Homes and Antiques
• Scenic Railroad: A 5 mile ride around Stone Mountain in open-air cars pulled by a full-size locomotive from the 1940’s.
• Miniature golf course
• 4D Theater
• Geyser Splash Pad
• Camp Highland Outpost: With rock walls to climb and a low ropes course with multiple line bridges
• SkyHike®: Experience treetops on one of the nation’s largest family adventure courses
• Fishing in Stone Mountain Lake
• Two 18-Hole golf courses
• Abundance of walk, Jog and bike trails
• Visit the Covered bridge, a historical pine and cedar bridge
• Tour the grounds of the centuries old Grist Mill
• And so much more!

Stone Mountain Park is one of those special destinations that Joan and I enjoy visiting again and again. The Park is that special place to escape for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. With its wide variety of campground offerings, the picturesque surroundings, a extensive list of recreational activities, and the many fun family attractions, it promises an unforgettable experience for all ages.

Helpful Links:

Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain Campground

Stone Mountain Park Attractions

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

Thinking about your first e-bike? View the short video below of our son Joel’s 1st e-bike ride. And in true fashion, Joel likes to go all out and push the limits. His suggestion was “Hey Pops, let’s ride 30 miles!” And that’s exactly what we did.

The Florida Rails to Trails

We found a great trail, The Florida Rails to Trails, that started on the edge of New Smyrna Beach, FL and stretched to Titusville. As much as we want to go end -to-end on the trails, we road the e-bikes for 30 miles on this hot summer day. A beautiful ride with great scenery and abundance of wildlife. The trail is paved and there are virtually no hills, just a great ride to experience nature at its best.

HOVSCO HOVBeta

Joel road Joan’s new purple HOVSCO HOVBeta e-bike. The HOVSCO HOVBeta is a great companion for RV travel. This e-bike is foldable, portable and storable is a step-through style. We found the HOVBeta easiy to fold and place in our 5th wheel storage bay. With 4″ fat tires, a front suspension fork, and a 750W motor, we found the HovBeta preformed exceptionally well on pavement as well recent mountain trail runs.

Features include:

• 750w Upgraded hub motor
• 720Wh Samsung/LG battery
• Weighs 66.4 lbs
• Speeds up to 28mph after downloading app
• Capable range of 60 miles on a single charge
• Hydraulic disc brakes
• SHIMANO 7 speed shift
• 5 torque sensor pedal assist settings
• Throttle on demand

Our thanks to HOVSCO providing the HOVSCO e-bike for our evaluation. If you’re interested in purchasing one of HOVSCO quality e-bikes, see the helpful links below.

Helpful Links:

The Florida Rails to Trails

HOVSCO

HOVSCO™ HovBeta 20″ Foldable Fat Tire Electric Bike (AS REVIEWED)

HOVSCO™ HovCity 27.5″ Step-Thru Cruiser Electric Bike For Adults

HOVSCO™ HovRanger 27.5″ Step-Thru Commuter

HOVSCO™ HovRanger 27.5″ Electric Bike For Adults

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

One of the RV travel adventures that Joan and I enjoy during the summer months is visiting farms and the large farmers markets. During our recent trip, we visited several North Georgia Farms and Farm Stands that were outstanding. Our first stop was Jaemor Farms located on Hwy 23 near Lula, GA. Our second stop was as Allison’s Honey & Vineyard just a short drive from our stay at Leisure Acres Campground. And our last stop was one of our favorites, the Tomato House located on Hwy 115 halfway between Cleveland and Dahlonega, GA.

In our video, we also share a few short excepts from Leisure Acres Campground annual Freedom fest. This was a fun afternoon into the evening event with a powerful patriot theme along with one of the largest fireworks displays held in North Georgia.

Jaemor Farms

This was our first trip to Jaemor Farms and it did not disappoint. The farmers market is adjacent to one of the family farms a few miles north on Hwy 23 near Lula, GA. The farm has been in the family since 1912 growing fresh fruits and produce.

The stalls were loaded with all of our favorites along with an extensive selection of local jams, jellies, salsas, fresh bread and so much more. We cheated a little before we left and visited their cafe offering sandwiches, homemade fried pies and soft ice cream. Oh and the cheat – we had fried apple pie and peach ice cream for lunch.

Allison’s Honey & Vineyard

Allison’s Honey was another first and we thought this visit would be to satisfy our honey craving, but we also found an assortment of estate wines and mead.

We spent a few hours talking with our host about the wide assortment of delicious honeys, plus sampled there latest meads and wine. We did walk away with the standard wild flower and sour wood honeys, but my new favorite was mimosa honey.

The Tomato House

We have been visiting the Tomato House for sometime. Just a few miles from our annual visit at Leisure Acres Campground in Cleveland, GA, we affectionately refer to The Tomato House as Farmers Market eclectic.

Joan always has to stop outside first to investigate all of the mountain decorations for our porch and yard. Then as we walk inside we find a wide assortment of fresh produce and so much more. Our first stop is the wine area to see if we can find any deals on some of our favorite North Georgia wines, and yes we found the deals. Then its off to buy some of the unique jams, salsas, sauces and so much more. If we really want to treat ourselves, we visit the meat counter and have a thick steak cut from their hand select Iowa beef.

Freedom Fest at Leisure Acres Campground

For more than 10 years, John and Peggy Morris, the owners of Leisure Acres Campground have created a patriotic celebration that is held the week before the 4th of July. We were invited this year to attend where we provided a the video services for a Facebook live event on the Leisure Acres Campground Facebook page. We will include a link to the video in the Helpful Links below. The event includes a number of vendors offering various fanfare along with great food. Also, there is a wide assortment of inflatables for the kids.

The 5 hour celebration provided a mixture of single and group acts with contemporary Christian themed music and touching patriotic presentations including a tribute to all who served in the various branches of the military. The grand finally was one of the largest fireworks displays held in North Georgia. It was a great evening for the several thousands who attended.

I’ve provided links below for the places visited and the video from Leisure Acres Freedom Fest.

Helpful Links:

2023 Leisure Acres Campground Freedom Fest

Jaemor Farms

Allison’s Honey & Vineyards

The Tomato House

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

Traditional RV power systems often face significant stress when starting high-demand appliances such as air conditioners or refrigerators. The Active Control ActiveStart 50 Amp Soft Start, significantly reduces this high amperage in-rush. The soft start feature gently ramps up the power preventing sudden high amperage spikes caused by the demands of appliance compressors when connected to portable generators, 30 Amp campground pedestals, or a 15 Amp home circuit.

Energy Efficiency

The ActiveStart 50 Amp Soft Start is designed with energy efficiency in mind. By gradually introducing power to an RV’s electrical system, it prevents high amperage surges caused by the compressors found in appliances such air conditioners and refrigerators. This is beneficial when the RV is connected to a small generator or 30 Amp campground power. Minimizing this surge prevents small generators for going into overload or a tripped circuit breaker in the campground 30 Amp connection. With this in-rush surge eliminated, other 120V devices can be used within the parameters of the amperage available without overloading the power connections.

Compact and Easy Installation

The ActiveStart 50 Amp Soft Start is designed for hassle-free RV installation. The ActiveStart is universal and can be used with any 50 Amp RV, or connected to 30 Amp power with a 30-50 Amp adapter, or connected to most common household circuits with a 15-50 Amp adapter.

No wiring is required. This plug-in unit is completely self contained with two soft start devices each serving both 50 Amp L1 and L2 circuits. No costly external wiring to the air conditioners are required. Just plug the unit into a generator or campground power and the soft start function is ready to use.

Enhanced Power Management

Another benefit of the ActiveStart 50 Amp Soft Start is its enhance power management capability. This all-in-one power management device not only provides a 50A RV soft start capability, but also provide surge protection and energy management. The unit will monitor system health including current, voltage, and frequency. An easy to use mobile app is available for iOS and Android giving real time readings of power used for each 50A leg.

Cost-Effective Solution

When compared to hard wire soft start solutions, the ActiveStart 50 Amp Soft Start provides a competitive solution. Adding up the cost for two hardwired soft starts, installation of each by a qualified RV technician, along with the Bluetooth power management and surge protection, and the ability to use with any RV, the ActiveStart 50 Amp is a great option for the RV traveler.

ActiveStart 50 Amp Soft Start Specifications

• Inputs: L1, L2, N and Ground
• Nominal Voltage: 120-230 VAC, 50-60 Hz
• Over Voltage Limits: 132 VAC per leg
• Under Voltage Limits: 103 VAC per leg
• Surge Protection: 5250 Joules
• Current: Maximum nominal= 50 Amps
• Over Current Limits: ACS50xx = 53A
• Operating Temperature: -4ºF to 176ºF (-20ºC to 80ºC)
• Storage Temperature: -40ºF to 149ºF (-20ºC to 65ºC)
• Humidity: 5-95% Non-condensing.
• Weight: 3 Lbs. (1.36kg)
• Warranty: One year limited warranty (standard)

The ActiveStart 50 Amp Soft Start is an essential component for any RV traveler looking to optimize their power management and enhance their overall RV experience. With its ability to mitigate power surges, reduce electrical stress, improve energy efficiency, and protect sensitive electronics and appliances, the ActiveStart 50 Amp Soft Start complete energy management package provided in a simple to use plug-able device.

We have provided the video below with our testing results of this unit. Our thanks to Active Control for providing the ActiveStart 50 Amp Soft Start for our evaluation. If you are interested in knowing more about the Active Control Soft Start units, see our helpful links below.

Traditional RV power systems often face significant stress when starting high-demand appliances such as air conditioners or refrigerators. The Active Control ActiveStart 50 Amp Soft Start, significantly reduces this high amperage in-rush. The soft start feature gently ramps up the power preventing sudden high amperage spikes caused by the demands of appliance compressors when connected to portable generators, 30 Amp campground pedestals, or a 15 Amp home circuit.

Energy Efficiency

The ActiveStart 50 Amp Soft Start is designed with energy efficiency in mind. By gradually introducing power to an RV’s electrical system, it prevents high amperage surges caused by the compressors found in appliances such air conditioners and refrigerators. This is beneficial when the RV is connected to a small generator or 30 Amp campground power. Minimizing this surge prevents small generators for going into overload or a tripped circuit breaker in the campground 30 Amp connection. With this in-rush surge eliminated, other 120V devices can be used within the parameters of the amperage available without overloading the power connections.

Compact and Easy Installation

The ActiveStart 50 Amp Soft Start is designed for hassle-free RV installation. The ActiveStart is universal and can be used with any 50 Amp RV, or connected to 30 Amp power with a 30-50 Amp adapter, or connected to most common household circuits with a 15-50 Amp adapter.

No wiring is required. This plug-in unit is completely self contained with two soft start devices each serving both 50 Amp L1 and L2 circuits. No costly external wiring to the air conditioners are required. Just plug the unit into a generator or campground power and the soft start function is ready to use.

Enhanced Power Management

Another benefit of the ActiveStart 50 Amp Soft Start is its enhance power management capability. This all-in-one power management device not only provides a 50A RV soft start capability, but also provide surge protection and energy management. The unit will monitor system health including current, voltage, and frequency. An easy to use mobile app is available for iOS and Android giving real time readings of power used for each 50A leg.

Cost-Effective Solution

When compared to hard wire soft start solutions, the ActiveStart 50 Amp Soft Start provides a competitive solution. Adding up the cost for two hardwired soft starts, installation of each by a qualified RV technician, along with the Bluetooth power management and surge protection, and the ability to use with any RV, the ActiveStart 50 Amp is a great option for the RV traveler.

ActiveStart 50 Amp Soft Start Specifications

• Inputs: L1, L2, N and Ground
• Nominal Voltage: 120-230 VAC, 50-60 Hz
• Over Voltage Limits: 132 VAC per leg
• Under Voltage Limits: 103 VAC per leg
• Surge Protection: 5250 Joules
• Current: Maximum nominal= 50 Amps
• Over Current Limits: ACS50xx = 53A
• Operating Temperature: -4ºF to 176ºF (-20ºC to 80ºC)
• Storage Temperature: -40ºF to 149ºF (-20ºC to 65ºC)
• Humidity: 5-95% Non-condensing.
• Weight: 3 Lbs. (1.36kg)
• Warranty: One year limited warranty (standard)

The ActiveStart 50amp Soft Start is an essential component for any RV traveler looking to optimize their power management and enhance their overall RV experience. With its ability to mitigate power surges, reduce electrical stress, improve energy efficiency, and protect sensitive electronics and appliances, the ActiveStart 50 Amp Soft Start complete energy management package provided in a simple to use plug-able device.

We have provided the video below with our testing results of this unit. Our thanks to Active Control for providing the ActiveStart 50amp Soft Start for our evaluation. If you are interested in knowing more about the Active Control Soft Start units, see our helpful links below.

Helpful Links:

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

Joan and I have been traveling in an RV for almost 10 years and covered many thousands of miles. Prior to our RV travels I was a large infrastructure telecommunications engineer and operations specialist and traveled throughout the US, Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean with over 2 million air miles and many thousands of hotel stays. Having this experience we have developed a number of tasks that we rely on for our RV travel. I’ll be brief with each tip for the reader of this blog, provide a description, and hope you’ll watch the video for more information. The video covers each tip along with steps and our experiences as to why these are important. We hope you find our 12 Tips From a Seasoned RV Traveler helpful.

The 12 Tips From a Seasoned RV Traveler

1.Plan Your Trip

There are a number of factors why it’s important to plan your trip. Popular campgrounds fill up quick especially during holidays or for those popular locations. If traveling on a long trip, it’s important to know the distances traveling each day and ensure you have an overnight stop or enjoy a few days off the road to recoup and take in a few sites.

2. Follow the 330 Rule

We learned this rule quickly during our first year of travel. The 330 rule is to stop at the campground at 3:30 in the afternoon or after 330 miles of travel, whichever comes first. Of course there are times this is exceeded, but we try to make these rare occasions. The rule reduces travel fatigue and provides time to arrive at the campground during daylight hours to park and set up the RV.

3. Prepare Your RV and Your Tow Vehicle Before The Trip

When it comes to preparing your RV and tow vehicle before a trip we’ve found it’s a best practice to have a checklist of those important tasks to complete before travel. It’s easy to get busy or distracted and then when arriving at the campground something was forgotten or a task was overlooked. In the video we address some of the more important items to consider before leaving on you next RV adventure.

4. Weather Plans

What to do during rainy days? Preparing things to entertain the kids if a day or two are washed out. No kids traveling with you? Ok, we still need to get out of the small space if nothing more than dining out or a short stop during the day at one of the local shops. And what if the pending weather is sever? A plan B is very important to salvage the trip and ensure everyone’s safety.

5. Postponing Travel

Postponing RV travel happens. It’s unfortunate, but life can get in the way. A health issue rises, a family emergency, there are those events not planned, but require action that can cancel or require the trip to be rescheduled. Before making a reservation, understand the terms and conditions for canceling or postponing the stay. The more popular locations may have a no cancellation policy, or may be have forfeit of deposit, or a fee to rescheduled.

6. Campground Research

Yes, we’ve gotten burnt in our RV travels trusting the campgrounds website and not doing our research. We use Google and TripAdvisor reviews first knowing these are not sponsored by the campground. We use the “9 or of 10 rule” when we read the reviews and consider what was said in the negative comments. We use the campground review apps and websites as well, but compare these along with the other reviews mentions for the best picture.

7. Distractions are a Potential for Disaster

It’s of the most importance that we pay attention to the road as we drive these long and very heavy RVs. We have to remember that it can take several hundred feet to stop and adding a few seconds in response while being distracted can be the difference in safely avoiding a bad situation or a driving into a disaster. Stay off the tech and use your co-pilot. Both will allow you to focus on the road.

8. Travel With Empty Tanks

We should always travel with empty black and gray tanks. There’s no reason to leave a campground with full tanks. And consider traveling with empty water tanks. Water weighs 8.34 lbs per gallon and a full tank impacts gas mileage and adds wear and tear to the RV. Consider using the gallon jug method we discuss in the video. We’ve done this for most of our travel and never had an issue.

9. Managing Your RV Weight

When it comes to managing your RV weight we recommend a vehicle’s tow capacity that exceeds the RV weight by 30% or more. This will ensure there’s both power to climb those long and steep inclines and give added weight and break capacity as the RV pushes the tow vehicle back down the incline. Also, don’t exceed the weight of the RV. It adds up quickly with full propane tanks, food, and all the items brought along for the trip.

10. Sticks and Bricks Chores

Start these chores a week to 10 days before the trip. Waiting till the last minute adds stress and fatigue to the beginning of the trip. In the video we share a number of items and why each are important.

11. One Year Clutter Review

I think it’s part of human nature. We just allow things not used to build up for that “just in case”. The problem is just in case never occurs and we end up with clutter and in some cases, added weight to our RV. We have a rule that if we haven’t used in a year, then we either give away or store at home. This doesn’t apply to emergency items or important tools.

12. Communications

It’s important to share your travel itinerary with a trusted family member or friend. Give them copies, write it down, or in our case we have our travel dates added to a Google Calendar and in the information area we add the campground address and phone number. The calendar also gives us the ability to share with that trusted family member or friend. We also use the locate app on our phones with the same family or friend. They can see where we are in real time in case we haven’t checked in along our travels. There are times when RV travel takes us to locations with no cell coverage. The Garmin InReach Mini 2 is a great device that uses satellite technology giving the ability to message, send SOS with location, and more at a very reasonable monthly price.

I hope you found these 12 tips from a seasoned RV traveler helpful. For more in depth discussion of each, watch the video below as we also share the importance from our RV travel experience. In the video we mention a number of other videos and blogs that you may find helpful on your RV travels. We provided these in the helpful links below.

Helpful Links:

Making RV Trip Planning Easy

Using Google Maps for RV Travel

RV Checklist

Using a Digital Voltmeter

Haloview Byte Tango 7 RV Cameras

Dashboard Mounts and Organization

OBDLink MX+ Monitoring Your RV Tow Vehicle

RV Internet From RV Mobile Connect and Cradlepoint

RV Internet with the MoFi 4500

Garmin inReach Mini 2

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

In recent years, the demand for electric bikes has soared, driven by a growing interest especially within the RV community. We had the recent opportunity to evaluate the CycFree CyCrown e-bike on the East Central Regional Rail Trail starting at New Smyrna, FL. We found the CyCrown e-bike to be well made, with a sleek design and offered exceptional performance for the 30 miles traveled.

CycFree CyCrown E-Bike

CycFree CyCrown E-Bike Electric Motor

The CyCrown CycFree E-bike features a 500W electric motor that provides seamless power assistance while pedaling. The motor offers multiple levels of assistance, allowing riders to customize their riding experience according to their preferences and the terrain they are traversing. We found the e-bike was able to tackle steep hills, accelerating quickly in traffic, all while delivering a smooth and efficient ride.

CycFree CyCrown E-Bike Battery Life

One of the key advantages of the CyCrown CycFree Electric Bike is its impressive battery life. Equipped with a high-capacity lithium-ion battery, we were able travel significant distances on a single charge. We felt confident that we could take long trips without worrying about running out of power.

CycFree CyCrown E-Bike Construction

For RV travel we found the CyCrown CycFree E-bike’s lightweight and durable construction made it easy to maneuver and transport with the folding frame and handle bars. We were able easily store the e-bike in our 5th wheel main storage compartment.

CycFree CyCrown E-Bike Intelligent LCD Display

One of our favorite CyCrown CycFree E-bike features was the intelligent LCD display that provided essential information during our trip. The display showed data such as speed, distance traveled, battery level, and the selected power assistance mode. This feature allowed us to stay informed and make adjustments to optimize our riding experience.

CycFree Cycrown E-bike Features

The CycFree e-bike is equipped with a 48V 20AH removable battery. The 54.6V 3A fast charger makes it possible to fully charge the electric bike in 5-6 hours, and the maximum range with that charge is up to 75 miles.

• Equipped with a 500W 48V motor, strong and consistent power, with 5 power settings.
• Supports a pedal assist mode assist as you pedal the bicycle.
• Includes a fully electric mode with a twist the throttle to power up the bicycle.
• Operates as a standard pedal bicycle as found in a non-electric bicycle.
• Distances on a fully charged battery vary depending on the mode. Pure Electric: 42-53 miles, Pedal Assist: 53-75 miles, and Normal Bike: unlimited. The max speed is 20 MPH.
• Equipped with 20″ x 4” puncture-resistant tires, Shimano 7-speed, and dual shock absorbers.

Our thanks to CyCrown providing us with the CycFree E-bike for this review. We found the e-bike with it’s cutting-edge features and reliable performance to be a great addition for our RV outdoor adventures.

East Central Regional Rail Trail New Smyrna, FL

The East Central Regional Rail Trail is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of New Smyrna Beach, FL. Spanning over 50 miles, this picturesque trail follows the route of a former railway line, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance. Whether you’re a nature lover, seeking a bike trail, or simply looking for an adventure, this rail trail offers a great experience for the outdoor enthusiast.

Trail head

Our e-bike journey began at the New Smyrna, FL trail head. As we started our ride on the trail, we were immediately greeted by a sense of tranquility and anticipation. The trail head serves as the gateway to an unforgettable adventure along the East Central Regional Rail Trail.

Natural Beauty

As we ventured further along the trail, we were captivated by the sheer beauty of the surroundings. The trail started with lush green forests, offering a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. One of the highlights of the East Central Regional Rail Trail is the opportunity to encounter diverse wildlife. We saw a bird species and abundance of snapping turtles,

Picnic Spots

The East Central Regional Rail Trail offered numerous scenic picnic spots where we were able to rest, refuel, and enjoy a meal in nature’s beauty. What a treat to be surrounded by breathtaking views and the soothing sounds of the wilderness.

A Biking Paradise

The East Central Regional Rail Trail had a smooth paved, well-maintained surface, perfect for e-bikes and cyclists of all levels.

The East Central Regional Rail Trail starting in New Smyrna Beach, FL, is a true gem that seamlessly blends natural beauty and historical significance. From its breathtaking landscapes to its rich wildlife and intriguing history, this trail has something for everyone. Whether you’re touring on an e-bike, an avid cyclist, a nature enthusiast, or a history buff, the East Central Regional Rail Trail promises an unforgettable adventure.

Helpful Links:

Folding CyCrown Cycfree Ebike

CyCrown Cycknight Ebike

East Central Regional Rail Trail

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

Joan and I have been traveling in an RV almost 10 years with tens of thousands of miles adding to our adventure. Starting day one of our travels we developed an emergency kit for those unforeseen events that may occur that would aid us in staying safe as well as allow us to make repairs within our skills so we could continue our travels. In the 10 items you need for your emergency kit we discuss below, we don’t address those items that would be equipped from the RV manufacturer such as fire extinguishers or that ever important Mom’s first aid kit. This RV Emergency Kit contains a number of tools and safety equipment that we have acquired over time and use either for our needs or coming to the aid of a fellow RV traveler.

Before I start the list, allow me to address RV preparation before you start traveling. If something is suspect that may give you trouble with the tow vehicle or RV, have it checked out weeks before you leave on the trip. You’ve planned for weeks or months for this trip so don’t let known problems attention fail on the road or at the campground that should be resolved and run the potential of ruining your RV adventure.

1. Eternabond Tape

Eternabond Tape is perfect for the RV Emergency Kit if roof damage every occurs. While rare, but it happens, large tree limbs can become dislodged and fall into the RV causing wholes or tears in the roof fabric. Eternabond Tape provides a quick and permanent solution to patch a roof quickly.

Eternabond Tape is a Micro Sealant tape that will stop virtually any leak and can water proof any surface in minutes. We carry a 4 inch by 20 foot roll and on two occasions had to make emergency repairs to roof damage. Eternabond Tape can be used to seal any rip, tear, or open seam in any surface and can be use on all roof types including EPDM, TPO, hypalon, most PVC, fiber glass and all metals.

2. Lap Sealant

As with the previously mention Eternabond Tape, a good quality lap sealant is important as part of your RV emergency kit. Do not use a silicone or calk designed for home use on your RV. Lap sealants are designed for the various types of RV roofing materials and remain pliable to withstand movement subjected to RV travel. A lap sealant is used to create a water tight seal along the roofs edges, vents, RV trim and screw heads. It cures fast and is highly weather resistant that will not shrink, remaining flexible over time.

For RVs with EPDM and TPO roof we’ve found Dicor 501LSW-1 Epdm Self-Leveling Lap Sealant works well. This also works well on fiber glass and aluminum. For those who have PVC roofs, use a XTRM-PLY PVC lap sealant.

3. Spare RV Tire

This part of the RV Emergency Kit that always generates a number of opinions around the campfire. Some take the path that all is needed is a flat tire puncture kit where a glue infused string is inserted into a hole in the tire created by a nail. Here’s the problem. Most RV tires require 65lbs to 110lbs of pressure. Many portable 12V air compressor will take hours to fill a flat tire to the lower pressures and most don’t have the capacity for time needing the higher pressures.

In our experience, we’ve had two tires that completely exploded and a third that had a tear in the treads where a puncture kit wouldn’t work. Our only alternative as a spare tire to continue our trip.

4. Bottle Jack and a ½ Inch Breaker Bar

Continuing the discussion of replacing a flat or damaged tire, those who have the basic skill and physical ability to replace a car tire can also replace a tire on most RVs. That is with the exception of a large Class A motor home. In the instance of a Class A, these are very large, very heavy tires, have large lugs and require specialty equipment to replace.

We have a 4 ton bottle jack. These are relatively inexpensive and are capable of lifting the axle of most 1, 2 and 3 axle RVs for tire replacement. We also have a couple 12 inch 2x10s in the event we are one soft or uneven soil and need a firm base for the jack.

We also carry a ½ inch drive breaker bar that is 36 inches long with a socket to match the lugs on our 5th wheel. There are times that it’s almost impossible to remove RV lugs with a 4-way lug wrench or worse with a tire iron.

Having the ability to replace a RV tire when traveling can save many hours sitting on the side of the road waiting on a service to render aid along with the substantial savings of doing it yourself.

5. Bottle water and Golf Umbrella

This part of the RV Emergency Kit may sound odd, but if an event ever occurs where your RV has broken down and it will be hours until help can arrive, a large golf umbrella and bottle water will be your saving grace. We’ve had two instances where we had to wait over 3 hours in the hot sun, on the side of the road waiting on a service call. I’ve never thought it was safe to sit in a vehicle on the side of a road for any period of time (we’ve all seen those catastrophic videos on YouTube). Having portable shade and hydration is very important if you have to face this experience in your RV travels.

6. Road Safety Triangle Kit

This is the last item I’ll discuss as part of the RV Emergency Kit for those events where your RV is disable along the side of the road. We all know the importance of using the emergency flashers, but that isn’t enough. We all see the long haul trucker using road safety triangles along the Interstate. Using several road safety reflective triangles spaced 10 to 15 feet apart from the back of the RV gives oncoming traffic better visibility with the hopes of additional space. This becomes more critical if a breakdown occurs and you are traveling at night.

7. Quality Bright Flashlight

A quality flash light need not cost a hundred dollars nor should it be one of those 99 cent specials from the grocery counter. My preference is an aluminum, weather proof flashlight that has at least 600 lumens of output and operates on standard batteries versus those that are rechargeable. We keep a couple in the ton truck in the door side pockets and a couple more inside the 5th wheel. These lights are easy to find at most big box stores for less than $30 and we carry a few extra batteries just in case. Perfect for those times if you arrive in a dark campground and need a little extra visibility find that camping spot.

8. Basic Tool Kit

A tool kit is important to fix basic problems that may arise. I’m not going to be performing major truck repairs, but I had to replace the two 12V batteries. We keep a small 3/8 inch socket set in metric and SAE for such instances.

We also have a digital volt meter to troubleshoot small electrical problems like a blown fuse or if we experience power problems at the 50 amp pedestal. And speaking of fuses, they always seem to pop when needed most. We have one of every type for the 5th wheel and our truck.

A small, inexpensive batter powered drill is handy for basic repairs along with our 11-in-1 screw driver, zip ties, and a few other simple tools we’ve acquired along the way.

Here’s a tip. Don’t go out and purchase every tool you’ll think you may need. Carry a few basics and as repairs are needed for something new, purchase and you have on hand if the need ever occurs again.

9. Weather Radio

I can’t stress enough the importance of a weather radio as part of your RV Emergency Kit. We have a Midland – WR120B – NOAA Emergency Weather Alert Radio and it has been our best friend during sever weather. The radio is a Public-alert certified monitor that receives 7 NOAA channels with flood, tornado, thunderstorm, and other warnings. It is easy to configure as you travel state to state, county to county, with alerts only when specific counties are threatened. In addition to standard AC power, it uses three AA alkaline batteries for emergency power back-up in the event of power outage.

10. Portable Power Station & Solar Panel

A lithium portable power station may seem like one of those items that will be rarely used or is too expensive. The good news is these units come in a wide variety of sizes that range from something slightly larger than a kids lunch box to more powerful units in the range of a small suitcase, with varying power ratings, outputs for devices, and cost. It all depends on how long you may want to power the devices needed and the wattage of the devices to be powered. One note, while these will handle most power needs such as TVs, appliances, residential refrigerators, phones, tablets, computers, and CPAP machines, they are not practical to power an air conditioner.

These portable powered generators can be charged with 120V AC, a 12V car cigarette plug, or solar panels. Depending on the unit, each can support 100 watts from one or more portable solar panels making this a great option for emergency power over extend periods of time.

I have included in the Helpful Links below various types and sizes of portable power stations we have reviewed showing practical uses of each and how they apply to RV travel.

While this list may not include everything that you may need in your RV Emergency Kit, this is a good start to address many of the issues that may occur. My hope is you’ll never need any of these, but if you do, you’ll be glad you were prepared.

Helpful Links:

Eternabond Tape

Dicor 501LSW-1 Epdm Self-Leveling Lap Sealant

XTRM-PLY PVC lap sealant

Road Safety Reflective Triangles

Midland – WR120B – NOAA Emergency Weather Alert Radio

G-POWER U1000 Portable Power Station

G-POWER S500 Portable Power Station

Pecron E600LFP Portable Power Station

Pecron E600LFP Solar Generator with 200W Solar Panel

Oupes Solar Generators Enter the code “OUPSALES15” for 15% off your purchase.

BigBlue Cellpowa600 Portable Solar Generator

LIPOWER MARS-2000 Portable Power Station

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

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We have received a number of comments from our viewers asking about affordable portable power stations to use for overnight stops or as supplemental power. We have reviewed a number of portable power stations, but these have been larger more costly units with 2,000 watts of AC power with surge capabilities of 4,000 watts. These large capacity power stations are expensive, but there are other power stations that are small, have less capacity, yet meet the basic need at a much more affordable cost. We test two units that fit the bill – the G-POWER U1000 and S500 Portable Power Stations.

G-POWER S500 Portable Power Station

The G-POWER portable power station has a large capacity of 556.8wh and 500W AC output (peak 1000W), which can power most devices such as a car fridge, travel coffee maker, laptop, phone, and more. There are 4 ways to recharge the G-POWER S500 power station, including an AC wall outlet (with the supplied power cord), solar panel, DC port, and USB-C PD port. It can be recharged from 0% to 85% within 1.5 hours through an AC wall outlet.

The G-POWER portable power station is equipped with the advanced LiFePO4 battery. This power station also provides an intelligent battery management system, which effectively prevents over-voltage, under-voltage, over-current, short-circuit, over-temperature, and other problems.

The G-POWER S500 power stations has 1 1DC input, 1 Type-C PD port, 1 Type-C port (fast charge), 3 USB-A ports, 12V DC cigarette lighter port, 1 AC output, and 120V AC input. The DC multi-voltage outputs are compatible with a variety of devices that can be powered simultaneously. There are independent switches of the main on/off and control the AC ports, DC ports, and light.

G-POWER U1000 Portable Power Station

The G-POWER U1000 portable power station has a 974.4Wh ultra capacity with a 1200W rated output. There are 4 ways to recharge the emergency power battery backup, including a wall AC outlet, DC & Anderson solar charge, DC port, and USB-C PD port. It can be recharged from 0% to 85% within 5 hours using the supplied power brick.

The G-POWER portable power station is equipped with the advanced LiFePO4 battery. This power station also provides an intelligent battery management system, which effectively prevents over-voltage, under-voltage, over-current, short-circuit, over-temperature, and other problems.

The power stations has 1 DC and Anderson solar charge, 1 Type-C PD port, 1 Type-C port (fast charge), 3 USB-A ports, 2 AC outlets, and 1 12V DC cigarette lighter port and can power various devices simultaneously.

The devices performed very well. See the video below for additional information about these units.

Our thanks to G-POWER for providing the U1000 and S500 for our evaluation. See the links below if you are interested on purchasing one of these units.

Helpful Links:

G-POWER U1000 Portable Power Station

G-POWER S500 Portable Power Station

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

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Lighting in your RV does not have to be overly bright and harsh. In our Montana 5th wheel we have an area in the back living room that has four LED puck lights that are never used at night because they are too bright. That’s why we thought adding a dimmer switch to RV LED lights would be a perfect modification. Now we can enjoy dimming the lights for the evening and still have the ability to brighten up the space when we’re packing or cleaning.

Installing the Dimmer Switch

We had a dimmer switch next to the theater seating and wanted to use a similar switch in the back living area where the three cushion couch is located. We didn’t need to run any wiring, just replace the on-off switch currently installed with a dimmer switch.

We found a 12 Volt DC dimmer switch on Amazon that was similar to the style next to our theater seating. The switch will dim up to 60 watts (4.2 amps) of incandescent, halogen, or LED lighting. Aside for the benefit of adjusting light intensity, the dimming also reduces heat and power drain on batteries especially for RVs using incandescent or halogen bulbs.

Installation was simple. Remove the old switch, carefully enlarge the hole in the wall to fit the dimmer switch, disconnect the existing switch, connect the three wires – 12V DC power, ground, and the control to the dimmer, and mount with screws and install the plate cover.

LED Flicker

There can be issues where some lights may flicker when dimmed. This is rarely the case with incandescent or halogen bulbs, but can occur with some LED lights that do not support lower voltages for the dimming function.

Our Montana 5th wheel is equipped with puck style LED lighting. These lights work well with dimmers. If you plan to upgrade your RV’s incandescent or halogen bulbs with LEDs, make sure you find those that specifically state they will support dimmer voltages.

One other note. In the video below, the dimming of our LED lights shows a flicker. The flicker is a camera anomaly and not seen by the human eye. Unfortunately we did not have a camera setting that would refresh to eliminate the flicker in the recording and I can confirm that no flicker is experienced from the human eye.

Dimmer Switch Installation Results

Installation took less than 30 minutes and has now made the space more enjoyable for evening TV viewing as well as a more comfortable space when we have visitors sitting on the couch.

We now have a full range of operation for the four LED lights from a simple off and on, to dim to bright.

Helpful Links:

Amerson River Park – Macon, GA

Lake Tobesofkee Recreation Area and Campground – Macon, GA

Troxus Vulcanus 26″ E-bike

Troxus SkyHopper 20″ Fat Tire E-Bike

Explorer Step Over 26″ E-bike

Explorer Step Thru 26″ E-bike

Lynx 20” Fat Tire E-bike (As Tested)

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

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On this Spring day, I had the fortunate experience to enjoy a fun day with our daughter Julie as we traveled along the beautiful trails on an e-bike tour of Amerson River Park.

Amerson River Park, located in Macon, Georgia, is a picturesque destination that offers an abundance of outdoor activities. Among its many attractions, the park boasts a network of bike trails that cater to riders of all skill levels. In the video below Julie and l explored the many bike trails at Amerson River Park, highlighting their scenic beauty, family-friendly environment, and more.

Introduction: Amerson River Park

Nestled along the banks of the Ocmulgee River, Amerson River Park is a renowned outdoor haven for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. With its sprawling green spaces, dense forests, and tranquil river views, the park offers a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Overview of Amerson River Park Bike Trails

Amerson River Park features a diverse range of bike trails suitable for riders of varying abilities. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a beginner, there’s a trail for everyone. The park offers a mostly paved paths, each with its own unique characteristics.

The trails at Amerson River Park span a total distance of 7 miles, with options for shorter, leisurely rides with sections that can be used as short loops. Most of the trails are paved and wide providing easy travel. Trail difficulty levels range from easy to moderate, ensuring that both novices and experienced riders can find a trail that suits their preferences.

Scenic Beauty and Natural Surroundings

One of the most captivating aspects of biking at Amerson River Park is the stunning natural beauty that surrounds you. As you pedal through the trails, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of towering trees, vibrant wildflowers, and the tranquil flow of the Ocmulgee River. The park’s serene atmosphere and well-maintained trails create a truly immersive experience in nature.

Amerson River Park’s Family-Friendly Environment

Amerson River Park is a popular destination for families seeking outdoor adventures. In addition to the bike trails, the park offers a wide array of amenities and activities that cater to children and adults alike. From playgrounds and picnic areas to fishing spots, nature walks, and an outdoor exercise area, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Safety Measures and Trail Maintenance
We found the to be well-maintained to ensure a smooth and secure riding experience. Signage is strategically placed throughout the park to guide cyclists and highlight any potential hazards.

Accessible and Inclusive Trails

Amerson River Park is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all visitors. The bike trails are designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the park’s natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Accessible amenities such as parking, restrooms, and picnic areas are conveniently located, enhancing the overall experience for people of all abilities.

Local Attractions and Amenities

While exploring the bike trails at Amerson River Park, consider extending your visit to explore the surrounding attractions. Macon, Georgia, is home to numerous cultural and historical sites, including the Tubman Museum, Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the Hay House, The Big House Allman Brothers Band Museum, Capricorn Studios Musim, and the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. After a day of biking, you can savor a delicious meal at one of the local restaurants, visit one of the many downtown brew pubs or indulge in some retail therapy at the nearby shopping centers. We have a number of videos for this area. CLICK HERE to see our Playlist.

A Great Day at Amerson River Park

Amerson River Park in Macon, GA, offers an family friendly and fun biking experience amidst stunning natural surroundings. The park’s diverse range of bike trails caters to riders of all abilities, providing a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the many recreational benefits of cycling and e-bike travel. When you visit the Middle Georgia area, pack your e-bike, and journey through the scenic bike trails of Amerson River Park.

Helpful Links:

Amerson River Park – Macon, GA

Lake Tobesofkee Recreation Area and Campground – Macon, GA

Troxus Vulcanus 26″ E-bike

Troxus SkyHopper 20″ Fat Tire E-Bike

Explorer Step Over 26″ E-bike

Explorer Step Thru 26″ E-bike

Lynx 20” Fat Tire E-bike (As Tested)

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

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This is one of those blogs where I could attempt to share the 8 Big RV Mistakes We’ve Made in words, but I think this time it’s best that I let the video below share these events.

Regardless of those who are seasoned RV travels or if this is the first year with the new camper, we all have made mistakes. For us, some of these had minor consequences, others had it’s share of difficulty, cost, and in one case pretty stinky results.

So it just goes to show that even for for Joan and I as experienced, long term travelers, we’ve had a few dillies and thought sharing these 8 Big RV Mistakes We’ve Made would help you avoid what we experienced. And now that each of these have passed, you can laugh along with us that we survived each and we can continue to share that I Love RV Life.

Helpful Links:

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

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WE’RE GIVING A 12V RV FRIDGE AWAY!

Nothing to buy, nothing to sign up for, just giving away a very nice Bodega 1.6cu ft 12V DC RV refrigerator. There is one stipulation – you have to pick it up. If you’re traveling down I-75 through Middle Georgia, we’ll meet the winner with the fridge.

HOW TO WIN

Just contact us at https://www.ilovervlife.com/contact-us/. Give your name, number, email and in the “share with us” section, let us know you want the fridge. I’ll contact the winner, we’ll get our calendars together and set up a location and time to hand off. Don’t worry about you RV size. There’s plenty of locations regardless if you’re traveling in something small or in a giant big rig, we have options where we can meet up that won’t be an issue. Good luck!

Helpful Links:

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

This has been something we’ve considered for some time – the end to Facebook for us. We have reached the point where we’ve very concerned about the lack of security that exists in the Facebook social media platform and how it can impact Joan and I, our family, and equally important, all of our iLoveRVlife followers.

To our knowledge, Joan nor I have been hacked (YET!) or had our contact used in a negative way that we can identify. But, we receive notifications from our followers where their account has been hacked as well as receiving virus and malware links via Facebook. Daily we get requests from very undesirable parties to be a “friend”. It’s obvious these requesting parties have no intent to be a part of our RV community and want nothing more than to access our friends list to use in ways that we fear could cause a negative impact. More is shared from the video below.

So we have deleted all of our post, pictures and responses from the Jerry Lovesrvlife Facebook page. Joan has done the same for her personal account. We have deleted the accounts, but it takes Facebook 30 days to delete. Another reason we believe this platform does all it can to manage the user versus giving the user all the tools needed to properly and safely manage the platform.

DO NOT ACCEPT ANY FRIEND REQUESTS FROM “JERRY LOVESRVLIFE” GOING FORWARD. WHOEVER IS GENERATING THE REQUEST IS A SCAM! WE HAVE LEFT FACEBOOK AND WILL NOT REACTIVE ANY ACCOUNT IN THE FUTURE.

iLoveRVlife is not going away, We will continue to post our RV travels, tips, and product reviews on YouTube. The YouTube platform is much different and I have a wider range of tools to manage content and users to limit bad actors and protect our content. Plus YouTube is more for entertainment and less on the social interaction limiting access to our viewer’s accounts. We will also continue to maintain this website and our iLoveRVlife newsletter.

To all of our Facebook friends and family (an there are thousands), we will miss the interaction and bond we’ve created. We will continue to support an active comment community on YouTube and our contact page on this website is always open for help or just a hello.

Safe travels my friends….Jerry

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

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When it comes to outdoor adventures, whether it be RV travel, hiking, or even tailgating, one of the essential items to pack is a reliable power source. With the advancement of technology and our dependence on electronic devices, the need for a portable power station has become more important than ever. We have had numerous comments asking us to find a lower cost portable power station that could be used for overnight use to power devices such as a CPAP machine, and charge phones and tablets. Others have asked for a similar unit to power devices around the campground for long weekends or for supplemental power for long term RV travel such as lights, a TV or longer periods for a portable refrigerator. So we put the Pecron E600lfp Portable Power Station to the test.

What is the Pecron E600lfp Portable Power Station?

The Pecron E600lfp Portable Power Station is a high-capacity power station that is designed to provide reliable and clean power for a wide range of electronic devices. It is rated at 614Wh capacity and 1200W rated power and can retain 80% of its original capacity at 3500 complete charge cycles. The Pecron E600lfp Portable Power Station also features a pure sine wave inverter that can deliver up to 1200W of continuous power. Weighing only 20 lbs, the Pecron E600lfp Portable Power Station is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry in a vehicle or around the campground.

Key Features of the Pecron E600lfp Portable Power Station

• 1200W 614Wh
• 2.2 Hours Super Fast Charging
• 400W Max Solar Charging
• 1200W Rated Pure Sine Wave Inverter
• 11 Versatile Output
• LiFePO4 Battery with 3,500+ Life Cycles to 80%

Pecron E600lfp Portable Power Station Outputs

• 3 – 120V AC outlets
• 2 – USB-C Port(18W/100W)
• 2 – USB-A
• 1 – 12V Cigarette port
• 15W Wireless Charging Pad

Pecron E600lfp Portable Power Station Charging Options

• AC Input 120V/60Hz Pure Sine Wave
• Car Input DC 12~18V–100W(Max)

Solar Charging

• Charge Controller: Built-in MPPT Controller
• 400W Solar input (0-100% in 1.5-2.5H)
• 200W Solar input (0-100% in 3-4H)
• Supports MC4 type solar panels:
• Voc 12V~18V / 100W Max /7A Max
• 2 x Voc 32V~95V / 400W Max / 15A Max
• Max 400W Charging, Lightning Fast
• DC5521: Voc 12V~18V / 100W Max /7A Max
• GX16MF: Voc 32V~95V / 400W Max / 15A Max
• E600LFP: DC5521 and GX16MF ports cannot be input simultaneously.

Testing the Pecron E600lfp Portable Power Station

To answer the questions from our the comments we’ve received from our YouTube viewers, we wanted to see how the Pecron E600lfp Portable Power Station would perform powering a CPAP machine overnight and if it could also charge portable devices at the same time. We also created a second test to see how long the Pecron E600flp would power a portable refrigerator. Each test was performed with the Pecron charged to 100%.

The results were much better than expected. We didn’t have a CPAP machine and used an incandescent 60 Watt light bulb to simulate the test. We also plugged in a completely discharged iPad, a Kindle at 35% and laid a discharged Samsung cell phone on the wireless charging pad. After 9.5 hours of continuous use, the Pecron E600lfp had a remaining capacity of 11%.

For the second test we used a 12V DC Setpower 47 quart dual zone portable refrigerator with both zones set for 36 degrees. We pre-cooled the refrigerator before the test and set the unit inside the 5th wheel to test. We closed the 5th wheel without any air conditioning to simulate the inside of a car or truck with temperatures hoovering around 84 degrees throughout the test. We stopped the test after 24 hours with 56% of the Pecron E600lfp power remaining.

One other note about the Pecron E600lfp. Units we have tested in the past failed the refrigerator test if the power station does have a power draw over a set period of time. That was not the case with the Pecron. As you’ll see in the video below, when the portable refrigerator compressor wasn’t running it would create a 2 Watt draw from the Pecron E600lfp every minute to keep the power station from turning off.

Our Impression of the Pecron E600lfp Portable Power Station

We found the Pecron E600lfp Portable Power Station to be a reliable and versatile power solution that is perfect for supplemental needs that fit the capacity limits of the unit. With its long-lasting lithium-iron-phosphate battery, pure sine wave inverter, and multiple charging options, we found the unit provided a stable and clean power source for the electronic devices tested. We especially liked the lightweight and portable design, LCD display screen, and the range inputs and outputs making it a versatile and practical power solution for a wide range of RV travel needs.

See the video below for the testing results. Our thanks for Pecron providing the E600lfp Portable Power Station for our review. We have provided helpful links below if you are interested in purchasing a Pecron E600lfp Portable Power Station and other items mentioned in the video.

Helpful Links:

Pecron E600LFP Portable Power Station

Pecron E600LFP Solar Generator with 200W Solar Panel

Setpower 55L 58 Quart Refrigerator,with Dual Zones

Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

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It’s been almost a year since our last iLoveRVlife Live! In the broadcast we cover two topics – a 1 year Montana update and the growing challenges of RV travel costs. We also opened the chat line and covered a number of questions from the viewers.

Our Montana 5th Wheel After 1 Year

It’s been a year since we bought our new Keystone Montana 5th wheel. We had a few small issues early in our travel. None affected our travel, but we had one issues with the electrical power for the awnings. Was easily remedied with a warranty repair. The other issues were very basics most being a loose piece of molding that was repaired with a small finishing nail.

We’ve made a few modifications, but worked very hard to make each fit the factory finish and not hack up the beautiful interior of this 5th wheel.

The added weight moving from a 14,000lb 5th wheel to a 20,000lb 5th wheel has been noticeable. Towing with the Ford F-350 diesel dully has been an non issue. The biggest issue is the push experienced by the 5th wheel as we navigate down long mountain roads. We haven’t had any problems, but have to manage downhill speed, breaking and down shifting a little different.

Increasing RV Travel Costs

Next we discussed the growing challenges of RV travel costs. We are seeing as well as experiencing a sharp increase in the cost of campgrounds. This includes both private, corporate, and state campgrounds. Plus finding a campground that meets our timeframes are requiring us to reserve sites anywhere from 6 to 12 months in advance.

We traveled over 8 months in 2022 to push the performance of the Montana. It performed very well. Moving from a 40 ft to a 42 ft 5th wheel hasn’t been an issue in towing, but we have run into a few campgrounds that would not accept an RV over 40 ft in length. Fortunately, we were always able to find a campground in the area we wanted to visit that met our needs.

And with that long 8 months of travel and many thousands of miles came diesel fuel costs. Wow, did we burn through the travel budget. Adding the 55 gallon auxiliary tank has been both a convenience and a cost savings. No longer do we have to stop during the trip and find fuel. And we’re now able to find lessor cost fuel near the campgrounds and not purchase the expensive truck stop fuel along the Interstates. Savings sometimes have been over a dollar a gallon, and the costs savings have been significant when we burned through a couple thousand gallons of diesel over a years time.

Watch the video for much more. And thanks so much following Joan and I as we share our RV travels, tips, mods, and product reviews.

Helpful Links:

Installing RDS Transfer Fuel Tank

Using TST 770 Tire Monitor on our 5th Wheel and F-350

Joan’s New RV Makeup Space

RV Internet From RV Mobile Connect and Cradlepoint

Converting our RV mattress from king to queen

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

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Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

Electric bikes are quickly becoming one of the most popular modes of transportation for RV travels and outdoor enthusiasts. With their ability to easily navigate through urban areas and off-road trails, e-bikes are an excellent alternative to traditional bicycles and providing an easy transportation to tour the areas near the campground. We had the opportunity to evaluate the Troxus Lynx 750W Low Step Fat Tire Electric Bike and explore its features, benefits, and ease of use. Below are some of the features of the e-bike.  View the video below of our Troxus E-Bike Tour of the Lake Tobesofkee Campground.

Troxus Lynx 750W Low Step Fat Tire Electric Bike

The Troxus Lynx 750W Low Step Fat Tire Electric Bike is a high-quality electric bike and with its powerful 750W motor, low step frame, and fat tires, this bike is perfect for of RV adventures and urban commuting alike. The Troxus E-Bike Lynx we tested is equipped with a long-lasting lithium-ion battery that provides up to 60 miles of range on a single charge. Additionally, the bike features hydraulic disc brakes, front and rear suspension, and an intuitive LCD display that shows speed, distance, and battery life.

Key Features of the Troxus Lynx E-Bike

The Troxus Lynx 750W Low Step Fat Tire Electric Bike is equipped with a powerful 750W motor that provides plenty of power for off-road adventures and urban commuting. The motor is located in the rear hub and provides pedal assistance up to 26mph.

Low Step Frame

The Lynx features a low step frame that makes it easy to get on and off the bike. This feature is especially helpful for those with mobility issues or for those who are comfortable riding an e-bike, but make have limited mobility issues to stretch over the high bar of a traditional bike.

Fat Tires

The Lynx’s fat tires this Troxus e-bike provide excellent traction and stability on all types of terrain. The tires are 4 inches wide and are designed to absorb shock and provide a comfortable ride.

Long-Lasting Lithium-Ion Battery

The Lynx’s lithium-ion battery provides up to 60 miles of range on a single charge. The battery is easily removable and can be charged in just a few hours using the included charger.

Hydraulic Disc Brakes

The Lynx is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes that provide excellent stopping power and control. The brakes are low maintenance and are designed to last for many years.

Front and Rear Suspension

The Lynx’s front and rear suspension provides a smooth ride on all types of terrain. The suspension is adjustable and can be tuned to the rider’s preferences.

Intuitive LCD Display

The Lynx’s intuitive LCD display shows speed, distance, and battery life. The display is easy to read and provides all the information the rider needs to make informed decisions about their ride.

Our Experience Using the Troxus E-Bike in our RV Travels

Convenience

The Lynx’s electric motor with this Troxus E-Bike provides pedal assistance, making it easier to climb hills and ride for longer distances. This convenience factor is especially helpful for those who may not have the stamina or physical ability to ride a traditional bike for extended periods of time.

Fun and Enjoyable

The Lynx’s fat tires and powerful motor make riding the bike a fun and enjoyable experience. Whether we were exploring the area around the campground, nearby bike trails, commuting through the city, the Troxus E-Bike Lynx was a fun way to enjoy the surroundings,

Ride Comfort and Handling

The fat tires on the Troxus E-Bike provide excellent traction and stability on all types of terrain, including sand, loose dirt, and gravel.

Powerful Motor

The Lynx’s 750W motor provides plenty of power. I’m over 6 feet tall and weigh 200 pounds and the Troxus E-Bike required little to no effort as we traveled along the trails and navigated the steep hills.

Long-Lasting Battery

The Lynx’s lithium-ion battery provides up to 60 miles of range on a single charge. During our test we road the Troxus E-Bike over 20 miles and used less than a bar of battery capacity.

Our Troxus E-Bike Tour of Lake Tobesofkee Campground

Nestled in the heart of Georgia, the Lake Tobesofkee Campground is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. With its large recreational lake, lush forests, two large campgrounds, and endless recreational opportunities, it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Natural Beauty of Lake Tobesofkee Campground

One of the main attractions of Lake Tobesofkee Campground is its natural beauty. Surrounded by lush forests and rolling hills, the lake offers a stunning backdrop for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

Camping at Lake Tobesofkee Campground

If you’re looking for a place to pitch your tent or park your RV, Lake Tobesofkee Campground has plenty of options. With campsites spread across two different areas, you can choose a spot that suits your needs and preferences.

Water Activities

Lake Tobesofkee is a popular spot for swimming, boating, and fishing. With its large recreational lake, and sandy beaches, it’s the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day. You can rent a boat from the nearby private marina to explore the lake or cast your line and try to catch some fish from the banks edge.

Playground and Picnic Areas

If you’re traveling with kids, Lake Tobesofkee Campground has a playground and picnic areas that are perfect for family outings. You can enjoy a meal or snack while the little ones run around and play. T

Disc Golf

The campground features a fun 27 hole disc gold course that plays thru the woods and along the lake in Claystone Park. It is very scenic, well maintained, and supports multiple target locations on most holes.

Restaurants and Stores Nearby

There are several restaurants and stores within a short drive from the campground, including a grocery store, gas station, fast-food chains, and the ever popular Fish and Pig Restaurant located on the edge of the lake.

Load Up the RV

With its natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and family-friendly activities, Lake Tobesofkee is the ideal spot for a weekend getaway or a longer camping trip.

Whether you want to relax by the water, beach, challenge yourself the disc gold course, or visit the many historical sites located around Macon, GA, Lake Tobesofkee Campground has something for everyone.

Helpful Links:

Troxus Vulcanus 26″ E-bike

Troxus SkyHopper 20″ Fat Tire E-Bike

Explorer Step Over 26″ E-bike

Explorer Step Thru 26″ E-bike

Lynx 20” Fat Tire E-bike (As Tested)

Lake Tobesofkee Recreation Area

Lake Tobesofkee Campground

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

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It was a beautiful late March day in Daytona Beach. This was a perfect time for our new Hovsco and taking an e-bike tour around Daytona Beach. We’ve found Daytona Beach to be very bike friendly with bike paths, designated bike lanes along most of the roads, and large well maintained sidewalks. The bridges also have extra wide lanes for bikes and pedestrians making it very easy to navigate the area.

Hovsco E-Bike

We wanted to see how well the e-bike would:

• Navigate the extra tall bridges in the area.
• Take the strain off the rider.
• Travel on a single charge.

The e-bike has 5 levels that can be set to assist in pedaling. Hovsco reports the e-bike is capable of reaching a distance of 60 miles using the level 1 pedal assist setting. We road a 22 mile loop and only used one bar of power.

Our Daytona Beach E-Tour Route

As far as distance and difficulty, we purposely didn’t choose the easiest route. We had to navigate two bridges across the Halifax River and both had very high arches supporting boat traffic. The e-bike removed virtually all of the effort required for the steep up hill climbs.

We found the roads to be very friendly for riding bikes. Most had designated bike lanes, wide sidewalks, or both. Busy road intersections were easy to cross with electronic buttons to stop traffic.

We stopped at a number of parks along the way. The area of Daytona Beach, South Dayton, Daytona Beach Shores and Ponce Inlet have a number of bike friendly parks with trails that are both easy to navigate and scenic. We stopped at several of the inland parks, but all of the parks along the beach were closed for repairs due to the damage caused by Hurricane Ian. Work was underway and I hope to see these parks reopened soon.  We also road along the beach and we’re surprised to see a number of other e-bike riders enjoying this warn March day.

From Start To Finish

The tour from start to finish took us three and a half hours. I was very surprised of the little fatigue felt from the long ride. It was great getting out, meeting other riders along the way, and enjoying the views at the beach. I’m looking forward to our return and finding other routes to experience for our next e-bike tour around Daytona Beach.

Helpful Links:

HOVSCO

HOVSCO™ HovBeta 20″ Foldable Fat Tire Electric Bike (AS REVIEWED)

HOVSCO™ HovCity 27.5″ Step-Thru Cruiser Electric Bike For Adults

HOVSCO™ HovRanger 27.5″ Step-Thru Commuter

HOVSCO™ HovRanger 27.5″ Electric Bike For Adults

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

I LOVE RV LIFE – THE POEM

I love RV life, oh how I adore
The open road, the freedom to explore
From mountains to beaches, and everything between
There’s so much to see, so much to glean

The engine roars as we hit the gas
Adventure awaits, let’s make it last
The world is our playground, we’re on the go
No need to rush, no need to be slow

Campgrounds and parks, they’re all our home
A new backyard wherever we roam
The sound of nature, the chirping birds
Life’s simple pleasures, without any words

The stars above, the moonlit sky
A perfect view, just you and I
The crackling fire, a cozy night
This is the RV life, pure delight

I love RV life, the memories we make
The laughter, the joy, it’s all at stake
So let’s hit the road, and chase the sun
The RV life, we’ve just begun.

Copyright 2023 – I Love RV Life

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

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Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

Working from an RV is very similar to having a home or small office. Comfortable workspace, tools for the job, Internet, phone and a desk computer or laptop. Something often missed is the need for data storage or backup. In today’s digital world, data storage and management are crucial for both individuals and businesses. The sheer amount of data that we generate and accumulate makes it necessary to have a reliable and secure storage solution.  A Network-Attached Storage (NAS) device is a popular choice for many users because of its ease of use and functionality. We’re a using a Synology NAS in an RV to store work files and entertainment. A very cost effect solution with a wide range of features.

Why have a NAS?

If your work has important data that must be saved for future reference and you don’t have a backup plan, then you may experience a work catastrophe if you desktop PC or laptop fails and you’re unable to retrieve work files.

This is equally important for those who home school. Having backups of all of the critical student data. Much is purchased and the loss could be expensive to replicate.

Lastly is entertainment. Having the ability to access video and music when traveling is a great benefit. Many times, Joan and I are in an area where we have poor Internet and having access to a stored video library gives us a wide range of entertainment options.

We have used portable hard drives in the past for our data storage needs, but this has limitations. These drive are expensive. Then there’s storage and attempting to catalog what’s on each backup drive. It never fails, that I have to go through multiple drives to find my data. Then there access from multiple devices – various laptops, tablets, and our Roku for video files. This is where the NAS excels. A NAS provides a method to store files on a large hard drive and everyone who has access can obtain the files when needed.

Using a Synology NAS

The Synology DS 118 NAS is a compact, yet powerful storage device that is designed for home and small office use. It features a 64-bit quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM, which enables it to handle multiple tasks simultaneously without any lag. It also supports up to 12TB of storage, making it an ideal choice for users who need to store a large amount of data.

The Synology DS 118 NAS runs on Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM), an intuitive operating system that enables users to easily manage and access their data. DSM offers a range of features and applications, including file sharing, media streaming, backup and restore, and cloud synchronization. It also provides advanced security features, such as data encryption and two-factor authentication, to ensure data is safe and secure.

We chose the NAS 118 as a backup and storage solution. It has a single hard drive, but other models have two or more drives for redundancy. We used a 8Tb hard drive, but the Synology DS 118 can support up to a 12TB drive. To use the Synology you must have a router with Ethernet ports. We use a Cradlepoint Cellular WiFi router and there are other models by other manufacturers of varying cost and performance that can offer similar access. CLICK HERE to see our Cradlepoint installation.

One of the biggest advantages of the Synology DS 118 NAS is its ease of use. Setting up the device is a breeze, thanks to its intuitive web-based interface. Users can easily configure settings, set up shared folders, and access data from anywhere in the world using Synology’s mobile app or web interface.

Plex Media Server

We like the benefit of having our video library stored where we don’t have the need for a DVD player or store hundreds of DVDs. We installed the Plex Media Server on our Synology and now have the ability to access our media content across multiple devices and platforms including our tablets and ROKU digital media player.

Our media files are ripped from DVDs we’ve purchased and use DVDfab to convert the video to MP4 files. Plex automatically organizes our media content, adds metadata to it, and creates a media library for easy access.

It took minutes to install, connect to our router, and configure the Synology DS 118 for our needs. Adding Plex was effortless, but uploading all of the videos can take some time. This is a cost effect solution to provide backup storage for our work, iLoveRVlife, and entertainment data files.

Helpful Links:

Synology DS118 NAS

Seagate IronWolf 8TB NAS Hard Drive

Plex

DVDFab DVD Ripper

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

We are completing day 5, our final day at the 2023 Florida RV SuperShow. Today Joan and I tour motor coaches with a tour of RV SuperShow Class A, Class B, Class C, Super C, and Vans. We show several of our favorites from our early morning start on day 5 continuing our tour till late afternoon. To provide a video of reasonable length for viewing, we show the insides without all the details of chassis, motor plants, and many of the technical aspects. We share the models of each toured where our viewer can checkout the builders website. If provided, we also share the price of each from the most expensive to those RVs that fit a moderate budget.

As a recap, we walked 5 to 6 miles each day and yet, we ran out of time to veiw all the RV suppliers, but we tried!. We met so many iLoveRVlife viewers who were so gracious sharing many of their favorite videos and many kind words of support for Joan and me. We toured more RV than I can even estimate, but expect it was well over one hundred. It was a great SuperShow, with a wide range of RVs on display, vendor products, and a Florida RV SuperShow staff that worked diligently to ensure everyone had a great experience.

Helpful Links:

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

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Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

We continue our tour of the 2023 Florida RV SuperShow. There are a number of buildings in the fairground dedicated to a wide variety of RV products and services. This video contains a number of our favorite RV products vendors sharing their latest innovations including: Battle Born Batteries, RV Mobile Connect, Active Controls, TST tire pressure monitoring, RV Life Pro, Morryde, and Escapees RV Club.

Helpful Links:

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

Joan and I travel to Daytona Beach, FL several times throughout the year to visit family. This is one of our favorites destinations and we have been coming here before RV life and now with the Montana 5th wheel in tow. There’s much to see and do from the beach, famous Boardwalk, great restaurants, and so much more. But, there are times when we try to find those interesting places that are fun to experience and may fit when we need to stretch the budget.

On this trip we visit the Marine Science Center at Ponce Inlet, Veterans Museum in Daytona Beach, an afternoon trip to historic St. Augustine, all while sharing great places to eat, some of the sites, and a I’m cooking supper at the end of the day.

Marine Science Center – Ponce Inlet, FL

Our first stop was the Marine Science Center where we could learn and experience Volusia County’s rich marine life. We were able to learn about the Center’s efforts with sea turtle and sea bird rehabilitation, touch the live sting rays, and enjoy a wide range of sea life. This was a fun experience for both both kid and adults.

Veterans Museum – Daytona Beach, FL

The slogan “Freedom is not Free” could not be more true then visiting the Veterans Museum to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women of the United States armed forces. The museum provides a wide range of displays from the time of the founding of our country to current with articles and information about the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. This too is a great place for adults to reflect and for the younger generation to gain an understanding of the contributions from those who serve our county to protect our freedom.

St. Augustine, FL

It’s been over 3 years since our last trip to St. Augustine and the drive from Daytona Beach is around 30 minutes north. When we visited in 2020, we were in the middle of the COVID-19 outbreak and there was very little available to experience. But things have changed drastically in 3 years and with those in the area from Spring Break, the streets and shops were packed with visitors. We stopped in many of the shops for sweets, candles, a few specialty items, and ate at our favorite restaurant – Athena for Greek food. And then a stop at the hot sauce store where I tried several large samples Carolina Reaper sauces. YES! They were hot!!

This was a fun day and most of all it was budget friendly.. There’s more to experience. Check out the links below the video of other fun places to see in the Daytona Beach area.

Helpful Links:

Marine Science Center – Ponce Inlet, FL

Veterans Museum and Education Center – Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Beach – Boardwalk, Beach St, Restaurants, Beach Fun

Hanksters Daytona Beach – I Love Hot Rods

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse – Ponce Inlet, FL

Florida’s 1830’s Sugar Mill Ruins

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

I’ve been looking for an improvement for our step railing into our RV to assist Joan when going in out of our 5th wheel. I discovered the MORryde Safe T Rail Telescoping RV Hand Rail at the 2023 Florida RV SuperShow and purchase one to install on our Montana.

Why We Purchased A MORryde Safe T Rail

Joan has lower back issues that affect her mobility when using steps and using those basic fold against the door handrails causes discomfort on the long reach into the 5th wheel. Joan doesn’t need the lateral or side to side strength in a railing as much as something to pull up or support going down. The MORryde Safe T Rail Telescoping RV Hand Rail is a good solution providing a railing beginning at the first step and then folds flat against the 5th wheel when traveling.

Installing the MORryde Safe T Rail

The installation took about an hour and wasn’t difficult when following the easy to read instructions from the package. Suggest having an extra set of hands to hold the MORryde Safe T Rail in place when marking holes and setting screws. Also make sure you have at least two and a quarter inches between the outside door frame and the awning strut for the placement of the top railing bracket.

Helpful Links:

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

We’ve owned a Powerhorse 4500 portable inverter generator for over a year. The generator has performed well and does a good job powering the 120V AC options in our Montana 5th wheel including one of the air conditioners. The problem has been a way to store the generator when we travel. Aside from the generator weighing over 100 pounds, it’s too high by 2 inches to fit under our truck bed tonneau cover. Freeing up space in the front storage area of the 5th wheel from a recent battery upgrade, I came up with the perfect solution. I built a RV portable generator slide out tray.

Building the RV Portable Generator Slide Out Tray

I chose to build the RV portable generator slide out tray using one inch square tubing. This provide both the strength needed to support the generator and was the most economical solution. I own a welder and have the tools to cut the tubing which is another plus. I considered using extruded aluminum which would have given similar results, but the cost of the frame would have been around three times the cost of the steel tubing.

One other tip is to measure the generator and planned storage area considering each variation for generator placement then create a drawing for the project. I went through a number of versions before I settled on the overall dimensions, fit for the storage compartment and equally important, how the generator would be secured to the slide out when traveling.

The next important component was the locking slide used to extend the generator tray outside of the 5th wheel storage compartment. I chose a 500 pound capacity slide knowing this far exceeded the weight of the portable generator. The cost difference between a 150 and 500 pound slide wasn’t significant and gave me the extra assurance the generator would have a firm foundation when extended.

In the video below, I show excepts building the slide out tray and supporting frame. One tip – take the extra step to ensure the distance required by the slides are within one-sixteenth of an inch. This is critical for the slide to operate properly, not bind, and lock in place.

Using the RV Portable Generator Slide Out Tray

The final building and use results for the slide out tray were perfect. Working out the dimensions prior to the build and then building the frame to meet the side out mechanism paid off. With a simple release of the slide lock, I can extend or push back into the storage bay with ease. Running the generator while the slide out is extended did not cause any sag in the tray. Purchasing the 500 pound slide mechanisms had a big pay off.

Now we can travel in our 5th wheel with ease knowing adding stops along the that may not have electrical hook ups will no longer be a problem.

 

Helpful Links:

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

Joan and I continue to extend our RV travels and many times we have the need for long, multi-state tows with breaks in the middle to stretch, have lunch, along with 30 minutes of downtime before we continue the trip. The tow and the stop requires power, 12V DC power for our residential fridge, lights, fans or furnace, even small appliances. We have gas and lithium powered generators, but that too adds time to hook up and replace adding time to our tow that’s already too long. It was time for a LANpwr Lithium Battery RV Upgrade replacing our limited lead acid golf cart batteries.

LANpwr 12V 300Ah LiFePO4 Battery

LANpwr contacted us and asked if we were interested in evaluating their Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. This was a perfect opportunity since we had plans to up grade our 5th wheel 12V system this year. We needed 300Ah to replace our existing batteries and chose to go with a single 300Ah, 3840Wh LANpwr Lithium Battery Model LFP12-300 versus 3 – 100Ah batteries to save space. The battery specifications for the Model LF12-300 is shown in the chart below.

Adding LiFePO4 batteries to your RV can be an expensive undertaking and to manage cost we select this model understanding the battery did not contain sensors to turn off battery charging in temperatures below 32F/0C and did not include internal heaters. We had a simple, yet inexpensive fix by adding a 12V heater pad to the cover we planned to build.

Installing the LANpwr Battery and Victron Smart Shunt

Removing the old batteries took about 15 minutes and installing the new LANpwr 12V 300Ah LiFePO4 batter took another 15 minutes. We chose to install the new battery in our main storage bay that is better insulated and has a heater duct to offer better protection.

We are expecting times when we will not be in the Montana, yet pedestal power will be available to keep the battery charged for our next trip. While this is a benefit, charging the battery during temperatures below 32F/0C will cause damage. The simple fix is adding a heater pad commonly found on RV water tanks to the plywood box we built to cover the battery, We used a Facon heater pad that also contains a built-in sensor that will turn on when temperatures drop to 45F and will turn of at 68F. The RV heating pad was not affixed to the battery and adhered to the top of the plywood battery box.

We did not have any method to monitor our battery performance or current state. We have a Victron solar charger that provides basic charging information, but we needed more data. We purchased a Victron 500A Smart Shunt and took extra time to improve the wiring distribution in the front of the 5th wheel. This took half a day and the results gave us a more manageable environment as we plan other upgrades in the future.

LANpwr Lithium Battery RV Upgrade Results

The battery performance exceeded our expectations. With the newly installed Victron Smart Shunt we were able to accurately track battery performance. To simulate a day when we experience a long multi-state tow and then spend the night, we disconnected from pedestal power operating the 5th wheel on the new LANpwr battery only. We chose to do the test on a heavily overcast day along with heavy rain to ensure we had no solar power. We first ran lights, TV and our residential fridge over 5 hours to simulate a stop for the evening. Then left the residential fridge running for another 19 hours as we would experience on a long two day day with an evening break. At the end of the 24 hours we only consumed 65% of the LANpwr Lithium battery.

In a worse case scenario, with no external power, and in a climate where air conditioning isn’t needed, we could easily operate the 5th wheel for at least 3 days and with reasonable solar charging from our 200 Watt panels, we could extend our time without the need to recharge from a gas generator. When comparing the new LANpwr battery to our previous lead acid golf cart batteries, the smaller configuration of the Lithium battery, a significant reduction in weight, and the added discharge capacity was a win win solution for this LANpwr Lithium Battery RV Upgrade.

We would like to thank LANpwr for providing their Lithium battery for review and have provided links below the video where you can purchase along with the other items mentioned in this blog and the video.

Helpful Links:

LANPWR

LANPWR 12V 100Ah 1280Wh LiFePO4 Battery (Use code “ILoveRVLife5%OFF”)

LANPWR 12V 200Ah 2560Wh LiFePO4 Battery (Use code “ILoveRVLife5%OFF”)

LANPWR 12V 300Ah 3840Wh LiFePO4 Battery (Use code “ILoveRVLife5%OFF”)

Victron Energy SmartShunt 500 amp Battery Monitor (Bluetooth)

Facon 12″ x 18″ RV Holding Tank Heater Pad 12V

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

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Bodega 12 Volt RV Refrigerator: A Convenient and Energy-Efficient Solution for RV, Van, and Bus Travel

We were tired of lugging around a heavy and cumbersome cooler on our RV trips. We have the space in our storage area and needed a small 12 Volt refrigerator to store beverages when we are entertaining outdoors as well as overflow for those bargain items when the main refrigerator is full. We have been evaluating various 12 Volt portable refrigerators looking for a unit that is compact, energy-efficient, and easy to use. We were contacted to try the Bodega 12 Volt RV Refrigerator.

Bodega has a wide range of 12 Volt refrigerators and understands the importance of having a reliable and efficient refrigerator while on the road. They designed the Bodega 12 Volt RV Refrigerator to meet the specific needs of RV, Van and Bus travelers.

Energy-Efficient and Environmentally Friendly

The Bodega 12 Volt RV Refrigerator uses advanced compressor technology to provide energy-efficient cooling. With an energy consumption of only 60 watts, it is one of the more efficient 12 Volt RV refrigerators on the market.

Compact and Easy to Install

It has a compact size that makes it easy to fit into tight spaces, such as small RV, Van or Bus kitchens. Additionally, it has a sleek black finish that gives it a modern look and blends in well with any interior.

 The refrigerator comes in capacities of 1.6, 2.3 and 3 cubic feet, providing ample space for food and drink storage needs. The 1.6 cubic foot model measures 14 x 19 x 21 inches allowing the Bodega 12 Volt RV refrigerator to fit in most RVs, Vans or Buses. It is also easy to install with a fused hardwire connection into a 12V DC power source.  For our installation we installed the 1.6 cubic feet model.

Quiet and Reliable

The Bodega 12 Volt RV Refrigerator is quiet operating at less than 42dB which is less than most conversations. It is well built, with a high-efficiency DC compressor and provides a 2-year warranty on compressor and other parts.

Versatile and Convenient

The Bodega 12 Volt RV Refrigerator is versatile and convenient, with a variety of features that makes it good choice for a RV, Van or Bus installation. It has an adjustable temperature control, so you can easily set it to your desired temperature. It also has a reversible door, so you can choose which side it opens from, depending on the layout of your RV.

Plus, it has a convenient built-in LED light, so you can easily see what’s inside, even in low light conditions. And with its compact size and energy-efficient cooling, it has a low drain of the 12 volt battery supply.

Overall, the Bodega 12 Volt RV Refrigerator is an excellent choice for those who want a reliable, energy-efficient refrigerator for their RV, Van or Bus. With its compact size, adjustable temperature control, and low power consumption, it’s a great choice for food and drink storage needs while on the road.

Helpful Links:

Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel?

Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.

Receive the latest updates from I Love RV Life!

Sign up to receive an email notification as we post new RV travels, RV tips and information about RV life in general. It’s simple. Just enter your name and email address on the Subscribe to our newsletter form located at the bottom of this page and click subscribe.

Purchased use of Digital Juice BackTraxx 1 End User License Agreement for Travelin. The Music may be used, altered, or incorporated according to the guidelines described herein into any production (including but not limited to, broadcast, commercial, industrial, educational, and personal).

Whether you’re powering an RV, boat, or off-grid cabin, managing your battery’s state of charge is essential to ensure uninterrupted power supply. Traditional battery monitors can be challenging to install and operate, and they may not provide the accuracy and reliability you need. That’s where the Victron SmartShunt comes in. This advanced battery monitor is designed to provide precise information on your battery’s state of charge, performance, and more. In this article, we’ll explore the features and benefits of the Victron SmartShunt and how it can help you better manage your power needs, and a video at the end with our RV installation.

Article Topics

• What is the Victron SmartShunt?
• How does the Victron SmartShunt work?
• Key features of the Victron SmartShunt
• Benefits of using the Victron SmartShunt
• How to install the Victron SmartShunt
• Frequently asked questions about the Victron SmartShunt

What is the Victron SmartShunt?

The Victron SmartShunt is a high-precision battery monitor that allows you to accurately monitor your battery’s state of charge and performance. It’s designed to work with the VictronConnect app, which provides real-time information on your battery’s status, including voltage, current, power, and state of charge. The Victron SmartShunt is available in several different models, depending on the size and type of battery you’re using. For our installation we used the Victron SmartShunt 500 amp Battery Monitor with Bluetooth.

How does the Victron SmartShunt work?

The Victron SmartShunt works by measuring the battery’s voltage and current and transmitting this information via Bluetooth to the VictronConnect app. The app uses this data to calculate the battery’s state of charge, power, and other parameters. The Victron SmartShunt also features built-in Bluetooth connectivity, for viewing battery performance with a smartphone or tablet.

Key features of the Victron SmartShunt

• High-precision measurements: Provides accurate and reliable measurements of your battery’s state of charge, current, voltage, and more.
• Bluetooth connectivity: Features built-in Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to easily monitor your battery’s status using the VictronConnect app.
• Easy installation: Is easy to install and can be used with a variety of battery types and sizes.
• Real-time monitoring: Provides real-time information on your battery’s status, so you can monitor your power usage and plan your energy needs accordingly.

Benefits of using the Victron SmartShunt

• Accurate monitoring: The Victron SmartShunt provides precise information on your battery’s state of charge and performance, so you can manage your power needs more effectively.
• Improved battery life: By monitoring your battery’s state of charge, you can avoid overcharging or discharging, which can prolong the life of your battery.
• Easy to use: The Victron SmartShunt is easy to install and operate, making it a convenient and user-friendly battery monitor.
• Cost-effective: The Victron SmartShunt is an affordable way to monitor your battery’s performance and avoid costly battery replacements.

How to install the Victron SmartShunt

Installing the Victron SmartShunt is a straightforward process:

1. Disconnect the battery from the charging source.
2. Connect the Victron SmartShunt labeled “TO BATTERY MINUS” to the negative cable of the battery.
3. Connect the other end of the NEGATIVE CABLE TO Victron SmartShunt labeled “TO SYSTEM MINUS”.
4. Connect the provided fused power wire to the Victron SmartShunt Vbatt+ located at the bottom of the shunt to a 12V DC positive battery source.
5. Reconnect the battery to the charging source.
6. Refer to the battery specification sheet and the Victron SmartShunt manual for configuration changes. Load the Victron SmartConnect app to your smart phone pr tablet. Access the SmartShut app, click the setting gear logo located at the top right of the app, and change the settings per battery and manual recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is the difference between the Bluetooth-enabled and non-Bluetooth-enabled Victron SmartShunt? The Bluetooth-enabled model of the SmartShunt allows you to monitor your battery’s status in real-time through your smartphone or tablet. The non-Bluetooth-enabled model does not have this feature.
• How accurate is the Victron SmartShunt? The SmartShunt is highly accurate and provides precise information on your battery’s state of charge, power consumption, and more.
• Can I install the Victron SmartShunt myself? Yes, the SmartShunt is easy to install, but if you are not familiar with high amperage 12V DC current and industry standard installation processes, you should seek a professional RV technician to perform the installation.
• How can the Victron SmartShunt extend my battery’s lifespan? By providing accurate information on your battery’s status, the SmartShunt can help you avoid overcharging or discharging, which can damage the battery.

The Victron SmartShunt is an essential component of any off-grid or mobile power system. With its advanced features and easy-to-use design, you can easily monitor your battery’s status and ensure that you always have the power you need.