Pre-Winter Days of Off Grid, RV Living
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- čas přidán 7. 12. 2023
- Day(s) in the life! Getting a few things done and checked off the list.
It's getting colder, Christmas is coming. If you have the means and would like to help with the homeless situation in Halifax, Nova Scotia, please check out the go fund me link below :
www.gofundme.com/f/helping-en...
"The funds raised will be used for additional tents, food, water, propane, rain gear, snow shovels, blankets, volunteer stipends and other necessary supplies. This fundraising effort aims to further contribute to the ongoing efforts to address homelessness and enhance the well-being of those in need with a focus on the Grand Parade Square encampment."
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Jenna, several years ago I had basically the same problem. It turned out after a lot of troubleshooting that my propane supplier had moisture in his big tank when I filled up my 100-pound tank thus the cause of moisture in the regulator. I know you're using 30-pounders and the moisture may have collected in your tanks during storage when the propane was low. Talk with your propane supplier, and see about getting your tanks purged when empty. Good luck.
Next time filling, have them "purge" the tank. They know what that term is, they do it to every new tank. Make sure they invert the tank to blow the water out with the purge gas. ben/ michigan
My mom & dad used a wood stove to heat our house when I was growing up we always had a cast iron tea kettle on for the steam. Plus Mom made soups, and roasts on it. She had that down to a science!
Enjoy your content
We could trade cats, and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. I got my third lithium battery 🔋 yesterday. Cloudy this morning, so they only got up to 26.2 volts. I'm switching the voltage ⚡ to 12 on the lead acid batteries. I'll be hooking up the other inverter later to those. I have to build a rack to hold sixteen batteries first. I won't get my other controller until next month. I spent $1683 for the three batteries but they'll last. I have to get the wind generator wired up to the 12 volts side so it'll finally be working right. The days are getting shorter. By 4 p.m. most of the solar panels are in the shade. I found out that by spraying the wiper blades with Armor All, it makes them last a lot longer. Mine are several years old, still working great.
Jenna, your channel is blowing up. You're Doing it right!
Keeping warm would-be most important thing.
Sun Feb 4th, just checking in to make sure you are okay. It is a nasty nasty weekend, snow, snow and more snow. Stay safe down that end of Nova Scotia, it sure is wild at the Northern end
Oh my goodness, stay safe! So much snow up there! Hunkered down here and doing okay, thanks for checking in!
I appreciate your work. I live off grid in a 5th wheel snd and have many of the systems and problems. Being in Tennessee makes for different challenges. Thank you!
You are strong woman and God bless you 🙏 ❤️
there is our girl roughing it in the woods
burning dryer wood is not the answer, you need to keep the stove pipe hot enough to prevent condensation of the wood smoke and moisture on the walls. The habit of most people is to turn down the stove, we do not usually burn at full tilt and in cold weather the pipe will get cool enough to cause the exhausting smoke and moisture to condense on the inner walls. Wood when burned yields water in ratio of 2:1 for a unit weight of wood. This is the oxidation of the wood, mostly cellulose which is a hydrocarbon polymer, in burning atmospheric oxygen combines with hydrogen atoms in that polymer and water is the result. You cannot avoid this, even if the wood is bone dry it still will cause lots of moisture to be in the exhaust smoke. Insulating the stove pipe is one way to keep it warm, keeping the stove burning hotter is the other. Why not get yourself a steel brush and some pole lengths that screw together for cleaning the stove pipe. They are not that spendy and make the cleaning easy and quick. I have one 8 inch brush and 5 segments of fiberglass pole rod to do my stove pipe, still going strong since 1983.
Regardless of how dry wood is, how hot your fire, or would type of wood does not matter. You will always have creosote. Impossible for it not to occur. You are doing nothing wrong. Just clean as often as possible. Love the channel.
Thank you 🙂
It's like a house boat always fixing something
Build a simple enclosure for your propane tanks. On the coldest of days wrap your regulator with a low voltage heating pad.
We always just kept a kettle of water on the wood stove for humidity
Like you, I am a proponent of woodstoves. All you have to do is keep the flue clean and you have some awesome heat. I used to keep a pot of water on top to humidify the air but maybe because of Ramsey and Rory you can't take a chance of them becoming curious and getting burned. Kudos to you, cat mom! The kitties seem to be happy. Getting close to cookie baking time, eh? Are we going to get to see the finished products of you and your mom's efforts? Mmmm, cookies, aarrgghh! (Homer Simpson droolin'). Lol!
That is a possibility, haha. The cats usually steer clear of the woodstove when it's hot lol
I'm still a newbie, been watching your channel now for a couple of months. I think I've gotten all your videos in. (or most)..You have done an amazing job over the last 7 years. Be proud! For someone as young as you, you've done very well for yourself. I'm in my late 50s, and still don't have it together 😅😂
Hey Jenna, yeah. Tabby cats are A-holes at heart.. I have one also.. he loves to bite me and sharpen his claws on the corners of my leather couch.. But anyway, I burn wood also and deal with it drying the air out. I got a cast iron kettle to leave on top of the wood stove with water in it.. a person could use an old cooking pot or anything.. the heat from the stove makes it steam and raise the humidity.. might be a way of helping raise your humidity without using any battery power.. similar to your fan on top the stove that uses the stoves heat to circulate the air.. save battery power where you can..
Good way to clean the glass is dip some of your newspaper in water and dip it in the ashes and rub the glass cleans rite up!
You can wipe the glass of your wood stove with some wet ash to clean it. Just wet newspaper, dip in ash & wipe the glass, then toss the paper into the fire!
I'm just loving watching you and your past videos..the cats and your wildlife "buddies" are so entertaining.You are amazing at doing all that stuff to keep things working for you.Its soothing to watch.Bravo! Inspiring
As the temperature of the propane inside the tank drops, it's pressure drops. (google propane pressure temperature chart). The regulator will open up to compensate but if the pressure isn't there it just isn't there. You might want to get a heat tape to warm the tanks. Wrap it around the tanks, put the insulating cover back on and plug it in. This will warm the regulator also as the warm(er) propane moves through it.
So many uses for zip ties. Your common sense and wisdom on how to fix things are outstanding. Thanks for sharing. Stay safe and warm and have a wonderful day. Also you could attach two hand warmers around the regulator cover with a towel might keep it from freezing as a thought to ponder.
Heated blanket set on low inside that cover might help keep those tanks warm
There must be some handy man out there that would be right for you and make your life easier Jenna. If only I was 50 years younger.
Hi Jenna 👋🏻 Thank you for sharing a bit of normalcy 🙂 Been a rough time here. My Mom passed, and it's been difficult. Watching you and your furry friends has been a good break from all that's transpired. Thank you for that my friend 🙏🏻God Bless
Appreciate you 🫶
I am so sorry for your loss, sending my condolences. please take care 🌹
@gypsyjenna Thank you, much appreciated my friend 🙏🏻
So sorry. * hug *
@beckymash12 Thank you 🙏🏻Much appreciated 🫶
Hi, I’m so sorry for your loss 🙏🏻 ☮️
With the weather worsening it is a relief to see your fixes are working.
Less to cause worry is a good thing, so fun things can be done instead.
I had the same problem with my propane regulator if it gets very cold -15 c....the diaphragm will freeze(propane/moisture) so I would just switch the changeover valve back and forth a few times and I could hear the diaphragm pop. I also covered the regulator with a small Styrofoam box and some loose insulation and that solved the problem. Thanks for the video.
Growing up in Maine we always had a wood stove, my dad would put an old pot full of water on the stove to put moisture in the air. Would defiantly save you using your power for the humidifier albeit probably doesnt use much but something to consider.
Thank you for posting Jenna. I agree, heat from a wood burning stove is hard to beat.
Absolutely!
I'm rooting for ya. Hope things get better for you 🙏 ❤.
Thank you 🙂
Simple fix hang a Duty Light inside your cover 60 w will do just turn it off and on when you need, then take a box of foil and rap the silders and the cover you have .
I have a suggestion. Maybe get some more cats, because they give off a little heat so the more you have the warmer it will be. I just love cats. ❤
Love yur videos..i live in a camper too.i use my crockpot to heat water for bathing lmao. Take hobo baths.🤔collect rain water for daily use. I definetly prefer it over garbage city water. Grew up in rochester ny living in tennessee.
Your one tough cookie. ❤
All you have to do is put a boiler of water on top of your wood burning stove and that will put moisture back into the air.
Between duct tape and cable ties...my golly...the possibilities are endless
Jenna you may want to get a battery monitor that actually shows you the percentage left on your batteries and not just the voltage. A battery that is fully charged will show 12.4 -12.7 and a battery at 50% capacity will also show 12.4-12.7. The monitors that show the percentage usually show the time remaining also. For example showing you you have 3 days left of capacity. I know Renogy sells the monitors fairly cheap
Batteries- best way to determine battery condition is to perform a load test ( with load tester} of individual battery. One bad battery can spoil the mix. Propane- contains oil contaminants that build up after time in devices and plug up the orfices with sludge, Put inline propane filters at inlets of propane devices and cover your outside supply source with black garbage bags, they will absorb and help retain solar heat. Diesel Fuel- make sure to treat your diesel with anti coagulants in winter time, find that at auto parts supply stores. Hang in there Peace
Sometimes you gotta clean the fan on diesel heaters. A price of debris can stop the fan. I have a big dog and 2 cats and even though they can't get near it, it find them 😅
Cleaning glass on wood stove. When it’s cold you might want to try oven cleaner on it. For humidity id just put a pot with water on wood stove
you do need a very reliable VOM, that is volt, ohm, milliamp measuring device. The digital controllers, of which you probably have a few of on the various equipment may or may not be accurate so the VOM can be used to verify their readouts.
Additional comment on the diesel heater one other person did have to change the glow plug. another problem is the fuel hose gets soft which does not allow the pump to work right. This seems to be a very common problem.
For the frozen regultor you need a shot of methanol in the tank or poured into the regulator. I delivered propane for many years and dealt with this all the time ask the supplier to put some methanol in your tank or get a new tank unless you can put the methanol in yourself.
Always fascinating😂❤
Attaching that wiper with a tie is ingenuity. They sure do come in handy. Enjoy your content greatly!
Baffles me how you stay warm in a trailer like that, I remember living in one for winter back in 1993 …… the propane for the fires cost $$$$$
Butttt then again your heat is from a log fire so it’s probably a lot warmer.
Dry pine cones are great fire starters...
You probably don't have access to waste veggie oil from a restaurant....But if you do, you can easily convert a woodburning stove into a hybrid wood/waste oil burning stove with some copper line & a few other things.....It burns cleaner, no smoke or soot, you can have it run on a slow drip at night. For steady even heat all night....Then switch to wood once awake & moving around in the morning or keep burning oil if have plenty......I need to get around to converting my current woodstove....I seen some 5 gal jugs of waste veggie around town.
I really enjoyed the video.
Put some Aluminum cans filled with water on top of your stove 4 humidity without electricity 😊😁👍
Yes.
Nice woodstove work 💯🔥
Pot of Walter on the Wood stove
ist the Same For youminiti greating Form Germany god Bless you 🎉
interesting.....love your lifestyle you go girl
I think what you’re doing is awesome
I enjoy your videos! thank you for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
I would try a heating pad around a regulator to keep it warm enough so it don't freeze
I think buying an acre of land & living in a RV while you build an earthship type home or underground home. That stays cool in summer & warm in winter. Is a much better idea than a 30yr mortgage on a house in the suburbs.
I like the earth ships with the indoor greenhouse so you can grow plants yr round. The windows are set at a certain angle so in winter. You're getting direct sunlight to help with heating & summer only partial sunlight to avoid getting too hot.
Sounds like a great setup!
Well you can't get bored, Never ending chores. Thanks
Thanks!
Thank you so much 🙏
Your welcome 🥰
Happy Holidays
Same to you! 😊🎄🎁
Glad to see all is moving along better. Thank you for sharing. Everyone stay safe, warm, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia
Awesome
I'm so jealous I could live like this tomorrow
really enjoy your channel said the old man in the desert.
Under adverse circumstances you really seem to keep your cool lol , I’m trying to teach my grown daughter to take life in stride 😂I’m going to recommend your channel to her lol 😆 ✝️🇺🇸🤙🏻
Merry Christmas Jenna ⛄ your videos are always great.
Merry Xmas! 🎄
Hey there, I just noticed that your solar voltage in is rather high for your 12v system, reorganizing your panels to output 12--18v to your system will charge your batteries more efficiently.
75th from Indiana 👊🏻💪🏻
Switch out thoseta safety hand green fitting for old school left hand ends. More volume.
You can always use steel wool a medium or fine course to clean your glass door fireplace just a thought.? ✌🏼🤗
So weird. I have a metal cap on top of my regulator on my large propane tank for the house. No insulation, nothing. We get down to the teens (Fahrenheit) and occasionally below zero- haven't had a problem. But now that I have openly discussed it, this will probably be my year. :P
Haha maybe! I usually don't have a problem but it turns out my regulator diaphragm had a crack on it. So that causes them to freeze up on the cold I guess
I was just thinking of Jenna maybe a new video an there we go👍😃
Hey Hun, try a small pipe heater on ur gas regulator. It will keep it open for u. Btw u r awesome
FYI, liquified propane will not turn to gas if the air temperature is too low.
And “too low” is usually -25C or colder… but if there’s any water contamination in the tanks or regulators though you can freeze up at even a few degrees below 0. We had a cold snap of -5 two years ago, our on island propane supplier sucks, and I had to bring my tank for the heater inside, crank the generator and put the electric heater on to get the regulator functioning again. I need to get all my tanks purged.
I would just get some insulation an zip ties an seal your regulator they can be a pain for sure but keep all the chilled wind an cold air off of propane an regulator couldn't hurt for a fast fix in the woods lol
Great video. My 7-year-old trailer is having propane issues as well. Luckily not my regulator, just one of my lines coming off of it. Was leaking and lost a whole tank. Always something.
Try to find an old metal teapot.
Without the top on it
Another issue that can develop with propane and campers is there can be an excess of oil in the tanks from refills, I use my camper furnace through the whole winter. I've had 2 midway through the winter's the gas line to the furnace fill with oil to the point the furnace won't run. The fix is simple disconnect the line to the furnace under the camper and let the oil drain out.
hi jenna.john here on the alaska hiway.jenna go on line an google,comate cleaner for wood stoves ok/it kills the creasote gas in the chimney and it turns the grud in the pipe to more of a powder and is so much easier to.clean.good luck with it an keep warm .just john
You need to equalize your batteries. I have been off grid for l in e 45 years. To equalize your batteries you need to have a 4 stage charger. Equalizing your batteries is a controlled over charge that cleans the sulfides off the plates and puts it back to solution. This will make your batteries last for years. You need to follow your batteries manufacturer recommendations on Equalizing.
Jenna another great show as always
Thanks for sharing 👍 😊
Johno Darwin NT 🍺
🍻
Hi Jenna love your videos such a talented woman hope your doing well staying warm I live in a mobile home really drafty guess there's no insulation lol plus car battery will die if not used in a few days bu that's life stay safe always
Great thinking keeping the old regulator from last time. Thanks for another great video 👍🎄🍎🎄
Thanks for watching!
I am a rv'er- living full-time in rv- in cold weather I placed a hose sticker cover over my regulator. That stopped the freezing up...
LOL I have totally done the zip tie on the wiper blade thing before.
Zip ties save the day!
Ive been traveler most my life lots of RVs over the years watch ur videos u don't try and glam camp life
It's shitty but worth it
Just put a tea kettle of water on your Woodstove and keep water in it. Great for adding moisture
I put 5 cans of breaktime in the fridge last night. lol, poor Ramsey! Thanks for the important info on the charge controller. Have a good weekend!
Thanks, u too!
Cooler r great in the winter
Regulators build up condensation and freeze. Just set it close to the wood stove for a nite or two and it will dry out.
The only thing the little valve is for is that when they fill it,the propane will push any air out and you'll get a fuller fill
Ok Jenna i know all about living very frugal life but really a zip tie lol😄😁. I really enjoy watching your video keep them rolling. On your regulator i have had to replace mine couple times over my many years of camping. Be safe and stay warm ✌
Zip tie did the trick and no one will know unless they are really looking, haha 👌👌
I literally had this issue at my camp this weekend. Got there and it was cold, but everything is new and we have a 400lb tank now (upgrade from 100lb tanks). Anyways, I had all the burners on heating the place up and then all of a sudden there was silence... zero propane! I then lit everything again and it all came back on, then back off again. 4 times. Overnight the furnace barely kept lit, but was OK for temp wise. Guys came the next day and changed the regulator. I wondered if my issue was not using it for weeks at a time and then asking ALL of it to heat he place up. However, you use yours regularly, and have a pilot on the fridge. So that isn't the issue. Frustrating to say the least.
Good to see your charging your Ecoflow whist your generator is running. Wood fire and a fry up for breakfast what more could you want.😀
Hey Jenna..we wrap our propane regulator using an electric blanket around the tank and regulator and then bubble wrap ( reflectix ) on top and then the cover....good for -45 up here in Cochrane Ont..keep your fire buring
Years ago I lived in a cabin that I heated with propane and I found that my regulator would freeze at the start of the really cold temps I would change it for "my winter one " after a several years a friend who had been off gridding for years told me that the regulators get oil droplets inI
FYI JENNA,
CLEAN YOUR WOOD STOVE GLASS WITH DAMP NEWS PAPER DIPPED IN WOOD STOVE ASHES IT WILL CLEAN IT LIKE NEW.. HAVE A TRY.. 😊😊❤❤
If it is actually frozen you can pour hot water on it 🔥 up the wood stove
If you live in snow belt definitely need awd I had a 17 Ford fusion awd with studded snows was a beast for small car and Toyota makes awd corollas now also
Just thinking you could wrap heat tape on that propane regulator and run a dedicate extension cord from the ecoflow. They only run when below freezing.