DRIVE ON BEACH | Fort Clinch | COST TO CHARGE BATTERIES | So Long Florida!
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- čas přidán 21. 04. 2023
- DRIVE ON BEACH | Fort Clinch | COST TO CHARGE BATTERIES | So Long Florida!
(EPISODE 234)
ℹ️ About this episode:
We are finally leaving Florida and go through Georgia and then South Carolina! We make a few stops along the way that you may want to check out. First, a beach along the Atlantic Ocean that you can drive your vehicle on, a waterfront campground, the historic Fort Clinch and lots of boondocking along the way. In this episode of, LivinRvision, we also do a test to see how much it costs us to run the engine at idle to charge the Lithium-ion batteries for 3 hours. (Note: This is something that we were told by the manufacturer that is okay to do for 2 or 3 hours because we drive a lot of hwy miles that cleans the DPF and keeps the engine clean. Always do your own research as your situation may be different). You may be surprised how many gallons of diesel fuel it actually takes. We hope you enjoy the show!🧡😊🤓
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🎵 MUSIC:
* www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
AFFILIATE LINK DISCLOSURE:
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using our links, we will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you, but helps us keep providing the content we love to share. We recommend these products because we have found them to be helpful. Every product we recommend, we use ourselves.
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⬇️ NON-AFFILIATE LINKS ⬇️
Reserve America (Army Corps of Engineers Campground): www.reserveamerica.com/
America The Beautiful Pass: (National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass)
store.usgs.gov/pass
😊🤓LivinRVision, All Rights Reserved
This channel is for entertainment purposes only. We share our opinions and what works for us. You should always do your own research.
🎵 MUSIC:
* www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
AFFILIATE LINK DISCLOSURE:
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase using our links, we will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you, but helps us keep providing the content we love to share. We recommend these products because we have found them to be helpful. Every product we recommend, we use ourselves.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases which is designed to provide a means for us to earn a small commission from purchases you make using our link. ALL prices are the same as if you didn’t use our link, so there is NO ADDITIONAL COST to you. 👉🏻 www.amazon.com/shop/influence...
⬇️ NON-AFFILIATE LINKS ⬇️
Reserve America (Army Corps of Engineers Campground): www.reserveamerica.com/
America The Beautiful Pass: (National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass)
store.usgs.gov/pass
😊🤓LivinRVision, All Rights Reserved
This channel is for entertainment purposes only. We share our opinions and what works for us. You should always do your own research.
@GrechRV
#vanlife #fortclinch #boondocking #livinrvision #livinginavan
MERCEDES IDLING INFO:
There is some conflicting information on the internet about running certain diesel vehicles at idle for long periods of time. Below is what we found out prior to filming and suggest you do your own research as well - specifically about your own specific diesel engine as it may differ greatly.
1) Our contact at GrechRV has confirmed that there is nothing wrong with "US" idling this Mercedes Sprinter and that the system will clean itself, especially since we drive a lot of highway miles.
There is a lot of contradicting information being shared when you Google this subject. We did our research by asking the owner/manufacturer of this van before we filmed this just to make sure it was okay.
ALWAYS do your own research for your own specific make/model and your specific driving habits. This all makes a difference.
We are not professionals with this matter and are only relaying information provided to us.
PETER'S POINT BEACH:
After we filmed this, we heard some conflicting information about driving on Peter's Point Beach. So we called and was told that you can no longer pay $5 to park on the beach and only residents can drive on the beach now. (Called on 04/21/2023) So since the editing was finished, we decided to create the thumbnail that explains this.
We live on idle with our gas engine, for unreasonably long periods over unreasonably long periods of time, and after about 10 years we had to replace the cam shafts. But it let us travel the way we wanted and inexpensively. It was a bargain overall, and we're literally good as new!
😂 when you told "Alexa" to set the timer for 2 hours, mine too! LOL
Hi Brian and Michelle
We are just now watching your video from this morning and you set our ALEXA for a two timer!
Thanks!!!🤣🤣
Me too! Twice!😂
Loved Fort Clinch. They did actual reenactment of the place.
Went to Fernando often last year while staying for the winter by Jacksonville. Jacksonville has a large
tree that took up the whole block or more.
Glad you made a video. Going to share with our family. Took both our girls to all you showed and drove up to the lighthouse.
Both times you asked Alexa to start the timer, my Alexa started the timers. Ha! Happy Trails!
😂sorry about that
Good morning! Enjoyed your video! I giggled a lot! Especially when you first set your Alexa timer because your prompted our timer! We rarely remember to use her assistance. Lots of humor, history, technical assistance, and interesting points in your video today. Oh, plus I enjoy your music choices! Well done.
Sorry about the Alexa timer 😂
Lol😂 you just set our Alexa timer!!
I live one half mile from Fort Clinch! You passed right by. Glad you enjoyed your stay.
Oh darn! Sure wish we could have met you!
Keep doing what you’re doing both of you. I enjoy watching your show, especially since you started filming in the Strata. Which comes to my point. Your show pretty much convinced me to get one lol no for real though. Safe travels and waiting for the next video 🤙
I enjoyed the fuel usage test. Thanks for the information.
Thank you for taking us along ! You hit my 2 fav states (GA & SC) We were just in that area beginning of the year and utilized day passes to walk the pups and have a horse ride on the beach. Edisto Beach (SC) & Cumberland Island (GA) should be on your list. And of course our "live oak" lined driveway with 30 amp & water. Ret ta go ! Wanda (and Vinnie)
I just love the history of the East coast. So many stories the shaped this country. Love it!
My husband and I love Amelia Island. Watching this brings back memories.We did drive on the beach.Had to go the the city county building to get the permit.
And now after we filmed this, we called them and they said that has all changed now. Only residents can drive on the beach currently and you no longer can pay to drive on Peter’s Point beach. So since we had it already filmed, we decided to create the thumbnail that explains this.
John Boy 😂 😂😂As always awesome. Thank you for sharing.
Sorry for the late comments, long drive home yesterday and today. Can’t wait to meet again! The rocket launch was a bust. Stay safe on your travels.😎🤓🥸🚐
Thanks for this video. We were lucky enough in 2020 and 2021 to snag winter sites in the ocean loop at Fort Clinch State Park. We love that entire area.
With Florida's new camping protocols passed by the legislature that gives FL residents a 30 day advantage for bookings I doubt we'll be able to ever get in there again or any other beach area park. Nothing is forever, good while it lasted.
Hahahaha😂. You just started 2 hour timers all over the nation…..😊. Love y’all!
😂
*Good morning, Brian & Michelle. I enjoy you both and your videos! You're a humble & an enjoyable couple.
I appreciated your "highlighting" the boy with backpack. It's entirely possible that he is surviving... alone. Something for us to take a moment to think about. It's good that you included him a couple of times, discreetly.
We wondered that too. Certainly hope not. Now I wish Michelle and I would have checked on him to make sure he was ok or if he needed anything. 😢
Beautiful cinematography of the fort! Gorgeous, felt like I was there with you! Thanks!
We stayed at Fort Clinch State Park last year beginning a 2 month trip that took us to Maine, then over to Michigan’s UP before heading back down thru the Smokies on our way back home to SW Florida. Fort Clinch was a great state park campground.
Nice video, JohnBoy !!! lol Thanks for taking us along.
It’s great how you discover great beaches and campgrounds. I look forward to your videos. Thank you for another great one!
John Boy...lol
Thanks for the history lesson! Safe travels. ❤
I'm not big on parking on the beach either. Happy trails on your next adventure.
We were just in Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach last fall! We loved our time there!
My Alexa was going nuts…lol… when you told yours to cancel timer, ours asked us which timer, and I said both…
😂 It did it to ours also when we played it back Friday night to check and make sure everything was good. We kinda figured a lot of people’s would be doing the same. 😂
That was a really neat fort!
Gave up Rving, but still enjoy ur videos and makes me those RV adventures 😢.
Will keep watching 👀 🙂.
I think I will be planning a trip to Fort Clinch State Park soon. Your video made me want to check it out myself. Thank you for sharing.
You really need to go to Jetty Park in Port Canaveral sometime, especially if you can manage to be there during a launch.
Your videos are always so good!
When you talked to Alexia mine answered and said no timers set 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Interesting experiment thanks for sharing! 👍🏻😘🖖🏻🙏🏻
👍 👌 great
I noticed the comment that you’ve aged since 4 years ago. Personally, I think you both look terrific and seeing the food/pie you enjoy as you travel is part of what I enjoy about your videos. Stay healthy and keep enjoying life and sharing great videos!
Thank you very much, that’s very nice of you. Michelle just said, “Great! I’m gonna keep eating more pie!” 😂
We just need to go back to eating healthier and have that “cheat day” once a week for y’all to also enjoy when we film. 🧡😊🤓
Ft. Clinch is one of my favorite camps. I hope to take a trip in the future where I can camp at at visit forts and other historic sites.
Ref idling, it seems your fuel consumption is just over .5 gals per hour. Comparitively my racing hauler semi consumes about 1 gph while charging batteries, powering the inverter, and running front and sleeper A/Cs. A lot cheaper than a nightly hotel when traveling to and from races.
Nice video thanks.
SC is my home state grew up around Irmo-Lexington area of Columbia most of my summers was spent in Myrtle Beach and some in Charleston great video guys and be safe
Love your videos
And i love cracker barrel and walmart 😂
You set my timer on Alexa. Lol. She heard it.
So I wasn’t the only one with Alexa going crazy. Timers … timers… timers! Lol fun times
😂
Thanks for the great video and good information. Love all around Savanna area!! Wondering how many people’s Alexa kicked off 2hours timer like mine during the video 🤣🤣🤣
... Amelia Island ... plenty of big 4x4s buried axle deep . Looks very crowded , usually spend every day during winter at that lot - van dweller - great over the air TV and then overnight at wallys in Yulee ... the fort is a great place to visit and there's a parking lot a bit to the east , where you can walk to the beach , then into the fort skipping the fee lol , I found out later , ... safe travels ...
Now they changed the rules there and you have to be a resident in order to drive on the beach. Found out after I was done editing.
You set timers on my Alexa’s toooo lolololololo
Hate I not know you here in SOUTH Carolina I would HAVE LET YOU MOON DOCK LOLOLOLOL
Good study on the fuel cost to charge. You could also see how much charging the batteries hurts your MPG while you're driving and charging (by comparing to driving without charging).
They charge automatically when you drive. You can not turn that option on or off because all it is, is a second alternator on the engine that runs regardless.
@@LivinRVision If you can't turn off the house battery alternator, you could still measure your MPG when the batteries are at 100% and compare to MPG when charging is taking place. Even if the second alternator is still running when at 100% charge, the drain on the engine won't be much compared to when it's actually charging. Given the efficiency of the engine+alternator, I'm guessing the hit on the MPG would be significant when actually charging. It would be interesting to see how much that costs.
There actually is hardly any difference at all at 3 hours. This test was just to simply see what it cost and to let others know that have a Strada-Ion like ours, that it is another option to charge the batteries if you’re not going to be out driving on the Hwy to recharge them on THE DAY that you need them charged, while you are boondocking.
Sometimes these tests get taken to a whole new level. 😂 😉
HAH! How many peoples Alexa went off every time Brian said her name. Apparently mine is very sensitive and went off each time.😄
Hoped you got to visit some places in Charleston. One of our favorite places. There are historic sites and great food!!
Next weeks video.
@@LivinRVision as always looking forward to your next video.😊
❤
I love how much history you record for quality content. Did you two plan your outfits for this video? lol Great details on charging while running idle. #seeyanextweek
😂 We did not and we keep doing it too! 😂
Should have gone to Savannah Ga. A lot of history there and very old.
We have been there a few times and did a video on it 2 or 3 years ago.
Great video.
Thank you.
May I say something?!
Please do not get mad...
We are planning a trip to Valley of fire....and I just saw your video 4 years ago !!!!!
OMG !
You people looked at least 10 years younger?!?!?!
What happened?!?!
Pies!!!???
...we all looked older for sure...but Michelle looked like a fashion model with shorter hair...
We love you no matter what...I was so sad to see such a big change.
❤❤❤
❤❤❤
😂 😂 It’s called work stress and eating too much. Including pie! Working on getting back in shape.
❤️❤️❤️
Haha, when you told Alexa to set timer for 2 hours, mine did too!
😂 oops!
@@LivinRVision heehee!
Me too!
At 13:56 there's an orb floating through the doorway. According to all the ghost shows you filmed a ghost. LOL
Yeah, it was really odd, usually light orbs from the camera are caused when pointing towards a light source and move with the movement of the camera. Notice that the camera starts to stop as it was moving to the left in the dark room and the orb starts at the bottom left in the corner of the wall and it swoops up to the left and then turns and swoops to the right. It stars small and as it swoops by it gets bigger. I noticed it right away and showed Michelle. I’m sure there’s a reason other than a ghost (or is there? Lol), but it was a little freaky.
If that sprinter doesnt have the high idle option, ( which is an option on sprinters) idling that will ruin the motor over time as sludge builds up, its in the Manual, and many sprinter engines have failed as a result, but you guys dont own it, so it doesnt matter, my Onan QD3200 generator runs everywhere and anywhere, those vans without a generator are a fail, even a propane generator is better then nothing
Ray Grupp below had a similar concern. Again, we researched this before doing this for two reasons,
1) It is NOT our van and we don’t want to ruin someone else’s vehicle, and
2) We didn’t want to give false information.
There is a lot of miss information being shared when you, Google a lot of things and this seems to be another and there’s a good reason. Vehicle manufacturers are forced to tell people not to idle for long periods of time due to environmental concerns and getting into legal issues.
What we are told is, when you are someone that owns one of these and drive on the Hwy quite a bit, you are cleaning the system and you do not have to worry about this and if you do not driving a lot of hwy miles and you use the van mostly in town for city driving, then you would simply want to force a manual regeneration more often to keep it clean. If in doubt, always ask a mechanic or someone other than Google or someone that is liable for anything they put in writing that can get them into legal issues.
This van has been awesome for dry camping and most people would agree if it wasn’t for the price of such expensive lithium-ion batteries and everything that has to be included to use them in an RV like this. We have had generators and this is MUCH better.
I was told by Cat engineers that our engine was damaged by extended COLD idling I.e. idling the engine for an extended period without warming it up first.
That’s completely different.
Once the engine is warmed up, no problem.
Thanks for your battery charging test! We have wondered, we have a Winnebago 70A. Are you running agm or lithium?
This has 1,260 amp hours of Lithionics Lithium-Ion batteries. (2 batteries).
I thought the young boy at the fort was going to disappear or something since you zoomed in on him lol! I’m assuming you haven’t made it to Va. since I haven’t heard from you?? 😭😭 safe travels 😁
We thought it was really odd that this little boy was walking around all by himself the entire time we were there and walking very slowly as if he was sad. It was really freaky as if he was a spirit. Instead of putting text up to say something, I just did that to draw attention to him. Plus the type of bag he was carrying also was different.
95 is a mess in South Carolina.
Aren't you using more diesel while running your dash air? That extra load from the dash air compressor will adding to the fuel use.
$6-7 for 3 hours is not a big deal to most “IF” they are in a pinch and need to charge their batteries. We did not “need” to, we just simply did a test to show, if you get your batteries in the Strada-Ion down too low and will not be driving, you can just idle the engine for a while and this is the fuel consumption it takes for 3 hours.
Lol I had to cancel Alexa too!
Thanks for sharing your music link; loved this episodes music…please share the artist name🎉
Hi yall! Glad to have come across your vlog I’ve already been binge watching your videos all morning lol!
Question! On a good day is solar enough to keep batteries charged or replenished while running the A/C? Not sure if I missed this but were you guys running the ac unit AND the front ac while on idle? Also Do you know moreless what the negotiation discounts run at? We’re actively looking for a touring AWD in blue grey which is hard to locate but were wondering about what negotiation prices a running at for a new one.
Welcome! 🧡
The solar doesn’t do much to be honest, nor do you really need it to, because the batteries are so robust that they last a very long time, even with the AC running constantly. We’ve done a few videos talking about the battery life, one in particular was when we were in Des Moines and I was working remotely in 100° temps by myself downtown Des Moines. The batteries on the newer models now last even longer than those did. If you were ever to need to charge them when Boondocking, you can either drive or let the coach idol and it will charge them. We haven’t seen any other rv that comes from factory with batteries that last as long.
We have not heard of what these are selling for at a dealership. Sorry we couldn’t be of more help with that, but maybe some others that have purchased will chime it with their experience purchasing new.
@@LivinRVision I appreciate your response thank you! We’ll be on our way to Denver from San Antonio to pick up a 2025 AWD strada ion thanks for your videos as it really helps visualize what we’re getting into 🤙
Also I can’t seem to find your Amazon storefront link where can I find that? I followed you in facebook and instagram and couldn’t find it there. TIA.
Go to our website, LivinRVision.com then click on “Amazon Store” tab at the top. Thanks for using our link to shop! All prices stay the same even if you shop for anything else. We appreciate the support. 🧡😊🤓
Thank you for the information regarding engine use at idle. In addition, could you provide info. as to what type of diesel fuel you use? We were considering a Grech on the 6-cylinder chassis (your model) until we found out it is only warranted when used with B5 diesel. The new/upcoming 4-cylinder engines are now warranted to run on B20 diesel. My understanding is that everything (due to environmental regs.) is moving to the B20 mix. Which fuel are you finding more readily available and have you noticed any trends regarding the availability of either? Thank you.
It’s a challenge to find anything marked on some pumps.
@@LivinRVision OK. That gives some information as B5 diesel is not required to post a label because it is accepted as the equivalent of petroleum diesel. I believe B20 must be labeled as such at the pump.
What is your total battery package look like? 400 Amps? More than that? I’m glad you ran the test on charging your batteries….just trying to translate to total amps…..
Sorry, I always forget that not everyone has seen all of our videos. It has 1,260 amp hours / 16,128 Watt Hour
Integrated Battery Management System
Auxilary 280 Amp Alternator w/ Wakespeed Regulator.
Here’s more details grechrv.com/model/strada-ion/
You should have had a meet & greet in SAV
We would of loved to there and many other places but we need to find someone to do all the planning. We just haven’t had enough time to tackle that as well.
@@LivinRVision I only say that because I live in SC and it would have been nice to meet you guys at CB in Okatie
I cannot imagine anything worse than a beach with cars on it...guess its an American thing.
Gotta love America, there’s a beach for everyone. Some to drive on so you have everything with you right there and some that you don’t drive on.
Hey you two, can you suggest a nice overnight campground around Spirit Lake IA?
We have actually not camped up there. Sorry. Try a COE?
C’mon Grech, build us a 170 EXT AWD (ideally with twin beds)
The way we have the beds set up is basically like having twin beds. We’ve shown it before, but we leave the ottomans in so that there is a walk space to get up out of bed. That way you can use it both ways if needed.
AWD is coming and is manufactured by Mercedes of course.
I wish I had known you were here I live in Atlantic Beach. I would have liked to meet for lunch or something.
We wish we could have met you too!
Loved this video! Fun face, we bought Kevin’s wedding band in Fernandina 19 years ago. (Our anniversary is tomorrow!)
Happy Anniversary! 🥂
What are your long term plans this spring and summer?
We don’t know yet. A few ideas
Thought it was recommended not to idle DEF/Diesel engines,for that long
I checked into this and it is ONLY if you hardly ever take it out on the Hwy which cleans naturally without doing a manual regen. We travel quite often, therefore we shouldn’t have any issues at all. Manufacturing companies are “forced” to tell you that because of environmental issues is what we found out. If you only do mostly city driving, taking kids to soccer games, tailgating etc and hardly ever hey use, then yes, you may have to do a “manual regen” once in a while.
It’s why you see over the road truck drivers sitting with their diesel engines running at truck stops and rest areas.
I am a driver of a diesel school bus. Our mechanics encourage us to drive the freeway when possible. Otherwise our buses utilize the "auto regen cycle" quite often. We are advised to not idle for more than 15 minutes at a time for fuel and DEF cost savings.
@laura That is correct l, but if you drive a LOT of Hwy miles like we do, it is not necessary.
Looked it up,if you idle for 2 hours ,drive at least 40 minutes of hwy speed. Also what differences do you see between the 2022 air ride and the 2023, I know they went to Kelderman sometime on the 2023
Yep, but also be careful what you read out there. There’s a lot of misinformation also.
We actually JUST covered this n the beginning of our World Equestrian Center video, where I talked about the differences between the two VB Air vs Kelderman. Be sure to watch every episode. 😉😂
Guys Walmart it is !😛
What did you see ad do in Savanah?
Nothing. We mentioned we had been there a few times already. We created a video a couple years ago of Savannah. It was just a stopping point for us to stay overnight and work.
@@LivinRVision ok thanks!!!
Dont you have a generator ?
You don’t need a generator when you have the batteries this thing has. We can run the AC for 10-14 hours nonstop on the batteries starting at 100%. We were just doing a test to show if someone were to not be driving and staying in one place boondocking, you can just start your engine and let it idle to also charge the batteries and that is what it would cost. The exact same thing as running a diesel generator which would cost also. 99% of the time, our batteries stay charged when we are traveling because we never even come close to using their full capacity during a one night stay. It also depends on how hot it is outside and how long you run the AC. Just a simple test. We have had a generator and this battery system this thing has is FAR superior than having a generator. In this situation. We also have a backup AC unit on the van. A lot of little things you never think of until you use them.
Was anyone else’s Alexa going crazy !? Haha
😂
Yes my Alexa also set its timer..😂
So what's the deal with the focus on the young boy twice? That was strange.
It was to draw attention to him because the entire time we were there, this young boy was walking around very slowly all by himself. No parents or anyone else around. We’re sure there was some good explanation but it was almost as if he was a spirit walking around. THAT is what was strange.
@@LivinRVision Very interesting. We were wondering about that. Thanks for the explanation.