July 30, 2010

WELL, today I showed this rv tech the part that we needed that I found on the internet for $230 less than what he quoted. It came from an rv parts store in California. So he had to wait until 10am to call. They did not have the part in stock and started looking for it and said they couldn't get it so he went back to his catalog and they can't get it either because it is no longer in existence. So he called Xantrex, the mfg of these animals to find out what to do next. They gave him extensive questioning on what was going on with our system. The converter part is bringing in more amps than the inverter can handle.They said that was very unusual and questioned if had used different testers which he had. So the solution is to buy a 2000 watt system instead of a 1000 watt system which is what is equal to what we had. Probably all these fancy rvers want all that power. It will run EVERYTHING in the RV. However it costs $1000 more plus we we have to buy the remote panel that goes on inside for $150.00. Then he went back to the California company to see if he could get it cheaper from them and that is the last I have heard from him. However, he said he knew the part would not be here until Tuesday or Wednesday. I personally will be surprised if it is here by Friday. We authorized overnight shipment if less than $150. It did not seem to please the owner if we set here on the lot all that time and we are not that comfortable because we can't put the slide out etc. Soooo the tech called a very fancy resort 5 miles from here and got us site for $28 which is normally $45. There is a bar and restaurant and boat rentals and fishing guides etc et. Of course, they are full this week-end so we will move out there on Sunday. I wanted to come to Devils Lake to fish for a few days so I guess I am getting my wish.

My dear neighbor, Nancy wants some pictures but I haven't had anything to take pictures of except rv service centers. My daughters calls all of this my folly and antics which I don't appreciate. This is very serious business.

The good news is that we haven't lost Cisco again. We had a minor storm last night and some far away lightening. But the thunder rolled forever, not loud but it seemed continually. Well, Zeena started shaking immediately. I tried to hold her securely so she would feel safe but to no avail. Cisco gets behind the bathroom stool. He had been doing that at the house also. Valerie says he knows where to go for protection from a tornado. Keesha was setting on the bed between Al and I's heads and she was gently pawing me on the arms like she wanted me to "save her". It amazes me that they have no fear of people or other animals, in fact they are fearless. But when it comes to weather, the act like they are going to fall apart. It was quite a nite.

We made a trip to the grocery store tonite with the company van that they let us use. Groceries were terribly high. Then we went to the Walmart. I got so disorientated in there because it was not Super Walmart. There was hardly any groceries, no produce. It looked like a Walmart from 20 years ago. Cigarettes are $10 a carton cheaper here than Iowa.

July 29, 2010

After being referred to Leisureland RV in E Grand Forks, MN by the Mom/Pop RV court owners, (who gave us his calling card which was a fly swatter with the name of the RV court on it) we went there to get answers to our inverter/battery problem. He could not help because he was so busy, couldn't even change oil for someone until 8/15. He made some calls to rv service centers in Devils Lake, ND and got someone that would help. So we drove the 85 miles Larry's RV dealership which is now owned by Al. The service tech is Jim who just moved here from Algona, IA. He had a real challenge with this rig. He assumed there was an inverter and a converter but in these older rigs, the inverter/converter is now an inverter/charger. He said they quit making what we had because one would go bad which caused neither of them to work. So he is ordering us one to the tune of $962. Our batteries are good. We are also going to have him fix some other problems so we may be here for a few days. Have to wait on the part anyway. They are letting us stay in their lot and providing electricity and a work car to use if we want to go the store or whatever. Left the keys with us tonite. We found the people in this area from Fargo to Grand Forks to here to be VERY nice. They are real with no attitudes or airs. You know how much I enjoy that. It is much cooler. About 80 daytime and 55 at night. A little humid.

7/26/1010

On Monday, we drove to Watertown, SD. We could not get refrigerator to run on gas and no power coming from batteries. It didn't seem that they were charged up by the drive nor by the generator. Sooo, we went to a RV park on Kempeska Lake 8 miles from Watertown. Cost was $21 per night. I asked the manager if there was an RV service center in that area. He referred me to Fireside Camper and don't go to the other place because they were sarcastic and had been known to bilk people. So the next morning, I called and they said to bring our rig to them. They could not find anything wrong with the batteries but did not have proper testing equipment because they don't deal with inverter/converter set ups on travel trailers etc. We did need the circuit board on refrigerator replaced and he "untangled" the awning over slideout. Total cost $299. $85.00 an hour labor for 1 1/2 hours. Was glad to give them our business though. A couple run the business, she in office and he in the garage. He was a National Guardsman that had been deployed 3 times and got home from Kuwait on 4/1. She told how she had to keep telling her 2 year old about Daddy so the child would not forget him and that they used Skype to celebrate their Christmas together.

Stayed the night at Lake Kampeska again.

Wednesday, we drove from Watertown, SD to Grand Forks, ND. Stopped in Fargo at Flying J for fuel. No battery power again. They referred us to an RV service place in Moorehead, MN which is just across the Red River from Fargo. That guy was the same as the first. Said we need to go where they service large rigs. Near Grand Forks, we saw an RV park and pulled in for the night. The owner here said there is Leisureland in E Grand Forks, MN and I will call them tomorrow AM. He thinks they will take care of right away since we are "on the road".

Just north of Sisseton, SD, we crossed the Continental Divide. This is a north/south divide and now I know why the Red River flows north to Winnipeg.

Saw a bar in Sioux Falls called the "liebrary". I thought how appropriate, the more they drink, the bigger and better stories they tell.

Cisco got loose from Al this AM with his leash on. He knows just when to lunge and pull away. Another camper helped get him.

We don't have satellite TV tonite because a tree is in the way.

Will see what tomorrow brings.