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UKDUDE · 05-26-2015, 10:55 PM

Sorry, 73shark, my post coincided with yours. Hope we agree with everything!

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

73shark · 05-26-2015, 11:00 PM

No problem. You had a lot more info for the OP. I was doing mine on the phone and usually a little briefer.

I agree about his batteries probably being toast.

Marks71 · 05-27-2015, 11:04 AM

Thanks to all for the helpful posts in this discussion. Up until now, I thought I was starting to get power management down! But I realize there are still a lot of basics I don't understand.

Re the inverter: I thought the inverter just "happened," that I didn't have to make an on-off decision. IN fact, I have never even looked intently at the Magnum display because I didn't think I had to do anything.

We've had the AI for a month and a half, and have taken 3 weekend trips. Increasingly camping / planning to camp without electric hookup, so power mgt is a big deal, especially overnight.

We rarely (never?) use the TV. We do keep food in the fridge, but I think even off, it tends to hold temp sufficiently overnight. And Protag said if the inverter is off, fridge draws 12V? I don't see that in the manual, but I've probably missed it. We do charge our cellphones overnight, but don't have to do that. So I think I can start leaving the inverter off, or turning it off, or whatever. (I store the AI, so can't go look at it now. But will study the inverter control panel when I'm next there).

Let me know if what I'm paraphrasing here is still wrong.

And thanks again!

Boxster1971 · 05-27-2015, 11:40 AM

We use 12v socket chargers for our phones and iPads. For the laptop, electric tooth brush and electric shaver I also have a small 75 watt plug-in inverter that goes into a12v socket. Only need to use inverter for TVs or to make a K-cup of coffee in the morning. I use a Hamilton Beach K-cup brewer that only draws 600 watts on the inverter.

unifreck · 05-27-2015, 11:48 AM

Please explain to me how to use a 600 watt brewer with a 75 watt inverter. Thank you for your info.

Protagonist · 05-27-2015, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unifreck

Please explain to me how to use a 600 watt brewer with a 75 watt inverter. Thank you for your info.

I think he means he uses the Magnum inverter for coffee and television. He uses the small 75w inverter when the Magnum is overkill. That's the way I read it, anyway.

Boxster1971 · 05-27-2015, 11:55 AM

Protag is correct. I only use inverter for TV or to make coffee.

unifreck · 05-27-2015, 12:02 PM

Thanks for the clarification, when it comes to electricity I get confused and shocked very easily. You guys have both helped me a lot on this forum.

k9jackie · 05-27-2015, 07:03 PM

I wish someone would make and easy to use checklist and guide for all of the AI systems and how they relate.... I had no idea the fridge could run on batteries alone. And no, I'm not reading the 20,000 pages of manuals. 😆

-----
Airstream Interstate Facebook group
https://m.facebook.com/groups/1399633380341777

73shark · 05-27-2015, 07:12 PM

Welcome to the school of hard knocks. I'd recommend at least scanning the Airstream Owner's Manual.

UKDUDE · 05-27-2015, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k9jackie

I wish someone would make and easy to use checklist and guide for all of the AI systems and how they relate.... I had no idea the fridge could run on batteries alone. And no, I'm not reading the 20,000 pages of manuals. 😆

-----
Airstream Interstate Facebook group
https://m.facebook.com/groups/1399633380341777

Well yes, someone did come up with a book. It's called "The Airstream Interstate 3500 Motorhome" by Richard Luhr. I haven't read it, but someone on this forum may wish to comment on it.
It's available from iTunes for $9.99 I believe.

Protagonist · 05-27-2015, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k9jackie

And no, I'm not reading the 20,000 pages of manuals.

Why not? At least the manuals don't run on batteries!

k9jackie · 05-27-2015, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73shark

Welcome to the school of hard knocks. I'd recommend at least scanning the Airstream Owner's Manual.

Haha! But I'm driving a $150k RV, I don't need hard knocks! I need easy for that price! 😇 I work in software user experience so designing stuff to be easier is my thing... And it's a pet peeve when things aren't. This experience has made me want to design an easier RV. Anyone want to start a company with me? LOL

-----
Airstream Interstate Facebook group
https://m.facebook.com/groups/1399633380341777

k9jackie · 05-27-2015, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Why not? At least the manuals don't run on batteries!

Hahah! Good one!

-----
Airstream Interstate Facebook group
https://m.facebook.com/groups/1399633380341777

Boxster1971 · 05-27-2015, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKDUDE

Well yes, someone did come up with a book. It's called "The Airstream Interstate 3500 Motorhome" by Richard Luhr. I haven't read it, but someone on this forum may wish to comment on it.
It's available from iTunes for $9.99 I believe.

I have a copy of this e-Book and highly recommend it for novice RVers.

The full title is "Airstream Life Guide: Airstream Interstate 3500 Motorhome", by Rich Luhr and Illustrated by Jennifer Mead.

Here is what it says about the refrigerator:
"REFRIGERATOR
The refrigerator is a special RV type that runs on both 12 volt DC and 120 volt AC power, so it can always keep your food cool even when the Interstate isn’t plugged in. It switches from one mode to another automatically. All you have to do is turn it on and set the temperature. There’s a dial inside the refrigerator for this. The coldest position on the thermostat is reached by turning the knob clockwise. The OFF (0) position is reached by turning hard counterclockwise past the click. The freezer is the top compartment inside the refrigerator. Turn on the refrigerator at least 2-3 hours before you go on a trip, to allow it to cool down. Start with the thermostat set between 3 and 4 on the dial. (A higher setting won’t make it cool faster.) You might have heard that RV refrigerators need to be kept level in order to work. The type in your Interstate is different, and it’s happy even if the motorhome is off-level quite a bit. If you are comfortable with the Interstate’s levelness, the refrigerator is too. If the motorhome has to be stored drastically off-level, turn the refrigerator off. Between trips, it’s OK to leave the refrigerator on if the Interstate is plugged into power. But it’s a good idea to defrost it when ¼” of frost builds up on either side of the cold plate in the back."

I got my copy from Amazon for Kindle, I didn't see it listed on iTunes.

- - Mike
2013 Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

73shark · 05-27-2015, 09:25 PM

I forgot about the book that UKDUDE mentioned. I think you should check it out. Probably the closet thing to what you're looking for. It's an easy read and well illustrated. Also available on Amazon.

Marks71 · 05-28-2015, 05:01 AM

In response to K9Jackie: I feel the same way. I"m 1.5 months new to our AI, not an engineer, and was absent from school the day they did electricity. So the Luhr book (kindle) was a helpful addition to the manuals, but this forum has been invaluable. To help myself remember all the things I'm learning in the forum the past several days about power management, I started to create myself a spreadsheet, which I'm going to try to insert into this post. I'M 100% SURE I HAVE SOME MISTAKES / OMISSIONS, ETC. but rather than spend more time and try to get it perfect, I will contribute it now and ask the knowledgable posters here (you know who you are!) to offer corrections.

sorry the spreadsheet didn't translate. Anyone know how to insert an excel spreadsheet into posts?

Marks71 · 05-28-2015, 05:19 AM

I uploaded excel and pdf versions. Not sure if this will work.

PowerSystems.xlsx

PowerSystems.pdf

xrvr · 05-28-2015, 06:06 AM

Part of RV ownership responsibility is reading the manual. Your mother might not be there to help you. Be proactive and learn on your own, do not wait until someone has to tell you the basics. No one is entitled to buy a new AS and then have someone hold their hand the whole time they own it. Sorry to be so blunt but it's obvious many here have led sheltered lives. It's okay to ask for advice, but please glean all the info you can personally from the manuals and the forums first. Jim

xrvr · 05-28-2015, 06:23 AM

Perhaps my comments may appear cruel. Did not mean to offend any one individual, we all learn differently. We must use the info available to us and learn not to rely on others for help, even though sometimes it is absolutely necessary. The more self sufficient you can become the more you will enjoy your AS and life in general. Those who learn to be self reliant will be the survivors, the others are just victims. Jim