Newbie misc questions-internet, safe t plus steering, proteng fire system, surge supressor/ems

[rvkev]

... shake up the powder at least annually because it tends to compact due to the vibration and bouncing around that happens on the road. Do this by turning the extinguisher upside down and smacking the bottom a few times with a rubber mallet. Otherwise you might get nothing but CO2 out of it which would be disappointing during an emergency.

This sounds like a good idea. I did not know fire extinguishers settle, but it does make sense. Make this a part of your pre-trip inspection. Thanks RICH.

 

[lostinfla]

Also, I read somewhere that extinguishers should be stored horizontally to lessen the effects of the settling by spreading it over a larger area.

 

[JRS]

Great comments above.
Don't need Safe-T-Plus
I didn't add a fire extinguisher system
Concerning the surge protector.... Purchased a Progressive protector prior to doing a factory pickup. at that time, Newmar would install 2 things at the pickup (as part of the PU cost). I wanted it hardwired (had them add an antenna on the roof for cell/data with the 2nd install). To my surprise, they wouldn't hard wire the suppressor in the rig because it already has a system for protection. I asked how another suppressor would affect the system in the DS and asked again to have it installed anyway. They still wouldn't install it. Ended up selling the suppressor and the rig is now 3 yrs & 8 months of full time use old w/o any issues yet.
While in Newfoundland Canada last summer, the EMS system did a great job of shutting off the electric due to low voltage issues at numerous campgrounds on the Island.

 

[JRS]

Also, I read somewhere that extinguishers should be stored horizontally to lessen the effects of the settling by spreading it over a larger area.

Makes sense... I've been told to turn vertically stored extinguishers upside down and hit them with a rubber mallet to help with settling. Settling can render them unusable. It's time to do mine again.....

 

[tjbatl]

Great comments above.
Don't need Safe-T-Plus
I didn't add a fire extinguisher system
Concerning the surge protector.... Purchased a Progressive protector prior to doing a factory pickup. at that time, Newmar would install 2 things at the pickup (as part of the PU cost). I wanted it hardwired (had them add an antenna on the roof for cell/data with the 2nd install). To my surprise, they wouldn't hard wire the suppressor in the rig because it already has a system for protection. I asked how another suppressor would affect the system in the DS and asked again to have it installed anyway. They still wouldn't install it. Ended up selling the suppressor and the rig is now 3 yrs & 8 months of full time use old w/o any issues yet.
While in Newfoundland Canada last summer, the EMS system did a great job of shutting off the electric due to low voltage issues at numerous campgrounds on the Island.

Thanks for your info. What antenna and Internet equipt do you use? Does the Antenna help in your opinion?

 

[JRS]

A Panasonic antenna on the roof just above the Girard Awnings in fact it's attached to one of the brackets holding the awnings. Here's one (prices have climbed). There maybe are better choices now? Panasonic MULTIMAX 5-IN-1 - antenna - AI-CP5DCDWB19

My elder son is a Computer Scientist. He built our router 4yrs ago and used a linux program he modified/programmed to work for us. We use Verizon and it can seek out the best frequency for speed, is set up to automatically tune for the best frequency at 5 am every morning, does automatic backups from our laptops and it works quite well. Recently he said he'll produce another router using a new Qualcomm chip coming out soon along with a Intel chip vs the current Arm based chip being used in the old router. I do recall him saying the latest current Qualcomm chip works well in 5G but lacks when in areas w/o 5G. In reading various forums it seems like Pepwave routers are a good choice. Neal who owns this forum I believe has a good one. A search will yield more info on the Pepwaves.

I rely on our Son to set us up in the tech area. With our laptops, linux operating system, etc.... I'm not the best to ask here. I couldn't even utilize linux w/o the help from him and would have to go with Microsoft.

 

[tjbatl]

Thanks for the details. You are very fortunate to have a son that savvy.

 

[Rich W.]

A Panasonic antenna on the roof just above the Girard Awnings in fact it's attached to one of the brackets holding the awnings. Here's one (prices have climbed). There maybe are better choices now? Panasonic MULTIMAX 5-IN-1 - antenna - AI-CP5DCDWB19

My elder son is a Computer Scientist. He built our router 4yrs ago and used a linux program he modified/programmed to work for us. We use Verizon and it can seek out the best frequency for speed, is set up to automatically tune for the best frequency at 5 am every morning, does automatic backups from our laptops and it works quite well. Recently he said he'll produce another router using a new Qualcomm chip coming out soon along with a Intel chip vs the current Arm based chip being used in the old router. I do recall him saying the latest current Qualcomm chip works well in 5G but lacks when in areas w/o 5G. In reading various forums it seems like Pepwave routers are a good choice. Neal who owns this forum I believe has a good one. A search will yield more info on the Pepwaves.

I rely on our Son to set us up in the tech area. With our laptops, linux operating system, etc.... I'm not the best to ask here. I couldn't even utilize linux w/o the help from him and would have to go with Microsoft.

That’s ok, I don’t even know what Linux is.

 

[Boat Bum]

That’s ok, I don’t even know what Linux is.

Isn't he that character on Peanuts?

 

[JRS]

That’s ok, I don’t even know what Linux is.

Rich, Linux is an open source operating system. Apple OS and Microsoft are examples of other operating systems. My laptop is running on a version of Linux called Debian.
Linux is used as an embedded operating system ("OS") for a variety of applications, including household appliances, automotive entertainment systems and network file system appliances. Network OS for routers, switches, domain name system servers, home networking devices and more.