Traveling with the Longdogs: Spirit of the Road RVillage Rally Day 4

Another Master Class this morning with Mike Socol: RV Electricity - Part 3 - Generators, Inverters, Batteries, and Solar Protectors. Definitely worth getting up and arriving plenty early to get a good seat because the huge room will definitely be full.

More important information about batteries. You need to consider things such as cost and long term use. Both flooded cell and AGM batteries only be discharged to 50% to get the longest life; however, 50% is a little misleading to the novice who might think that 50% of 13.5 would be just less than 7 when it is actually around 12.

There are different types of converters. A 3-stage converter is much better for a longer life for your batteries as it has a float charge. It is also important the your converter and any charger you use match your battery type.

Transfer switches need annual maintenance to make sure none of the screws are loose unless you have weggo connections instead of screws.

You should also check your wiring at least once per season.

If you have a portable generator, you should get a "bonding" plug to put into the genny to avoid problems with your EMS.

Edison outlets are 20 amp or household plugs. Mike also mentioned again that most oolder 15/20 amp plugs have the ground pin on the bottom but it is really better on the top.

We really enjoyed all three of Mike's Master Classes. He is very knowledgeable, funny, and able to present things in a way everyone can understand. If you ever have a chance to take one of his classes, don't miss it. He is always testing new things and often called upon by manufacturers to check out their new products.

There was another Master Class at 10:30 AM. It was The Philosophy of Nomadic Living with Bob Wells. Bob is very well know for his webpage Cheap RV Living. Before I read the synopsis on the program, I thought it would be more of a "how to" presentation but it was on his life philosophy which was also interesting.

- In 1995, Bob was at a low point in his life. He was just divorced and had no money after providing support for his family. He moved in to a box van. It was really rough at first but he came to like it.
- He believes that all humans were born to be nomadic
   -- Relationship to the things & money (consumerism)
   -- Relationship with human beings
   -- Relationship with nature
   -- Relationship to the sacred (you can define "sacred" as what you believe in)
- Love people and use things
- Carl Jung (Psychologist) and his definition of ancient man
- Believes in a both an "intelligent grand designer" and "evolution"
- Objective standard for human life is nomadic living
- It takes a village to survive and it needs to be movable
- Bob started "Homes on Wheels Alliance" to provide "homes" for those who didn't have one....a hand up.

In the afternoon, part of our little group went to see a Corps of Engineer presentation but I decided to see the second seminar presented by the PotHeadz - Let's Get Cooking.

This part was all about actually cooking. They had three Instant Pots set up to cook. The first pot was used to demonstrate making hard boiled eggs. 5 minutes is the key. You need 1 cup of water, as many eggs as you want to cook in a steamer basket, 5 minutes to come to pressure, 5 minutes cooking time, and 5 minutes for a natural release then do a quick release for the remaining pressure. Then submerge eggs in ice water for 5 minute only. The shells just slipped off as they told us they would. They had audience members removing the shells.

- The second pot was for chili.
   -- put on saute until hot
   -- add oil
   -- saute ground beef
   -- add tomatoes and seasoning
   -- once the pressure is up, cook for 5 minutes
   -- release pressure and you are done.

This picture show a sling that Debbie made by folding a length of aluminum foil several times. It works well to lift the pot out.

The final item they cooked was monkey bread. Roll small balls of dough in cinnamon and sugar, put in the pot and cook. It was delicious.

Some added hints
- When you up the cooking time, the pot will show "on" until it comes to pressure, then it will show the time count down.
- Count down time is the cooking time
- Count up timer is for the natural pressure release

Lots of audience interaction, participation, and discussion during this presentation

Next up was General Maintenance for your RV presented by the Escapees. We had to go over to the Grand Meeting room and it was packed well before the presentation.