Micro Minnie Thread - Page 26

backtrack15 · 06-29-2021, 11:52 AM

I have external TPMS sensors for my Micro Minnie. I was a bit concerned about applying too much stress to my rubber valve stems... but also not too keen to have the stems replaced just prior to a trip. I decided to support the stems using adhesive backed closed-cell foam (0.5" in cross-section). It seems to work very well so I thought I'd share it. I did have the tires spin-balanced with the foam and TPMS sensors installed. So far I've got 3400 miles on them (wet and dry) and the foam is still there.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Marine359 · 07-20-2021, 01:42 PM

Here are some things not to do with your 2108. Of course getting old makes it easier to fall prey to these mental errors. Fortunately the Micro Minnie is well made, and she takes a lickin and keeps on tickin

1. Conversing with campsite neighbor during departure prep: Got out of sequence and removed X-chocks before putting coupler on the ball. Bam! Jack slides off blocks, bending foot of jack. Fortunately it didn’t slide into our truck, and no visible damage to MM.

2. Getting up in middle of dark night to use the facilities, inadvertently stepped on the structure surrounding the underside of the slide. crunch! Not much of a structure, just thin luan panel. Bloody foot, and fortunate not to break the slide controller mounted only an inch from where I fell through the panel. Now we follow Motel 6 and keep a light on.

3. Redistributing weight to dinette: We carry a 7gal jug of fresh water to extend our boondocking. I needed to get some weight off the tongue, so I put it under a dinette seat. Bringing in the slide. Crack! Luan panel on the other side of the one I had already broken breaks into several pieces. No damage to slide, but now obvious, you shouldn’t put excessive weight in the slide when opening/closing.

I’ll probably do many more things to destroy our lovely camper. Now to fry myself while installing an easy start. Now if I could only find a couple more stooges to make it an even three.

tinglett · 07-20-2021, 03:06 PM

Oh ouch! But thanks for sharing. I should have guessed those parts of the slide were that weak, but honestly I have never thought about it.

Well, on the plus side, once you cover them up, you now have access panels on each side of your slide. You can fish wire through there for something or other if you want. Mine has a single access panel on the front of the slide base to the right, but I really could use one on the left. But I don't think I'll take the exact approach you did to create them!

Marine359 · 07-20-2021, 03:08 PM

I’m giving stooges a bad name.

MarkP · 07-22-2021, 12:19 PM

We are currently without an RV but we are thinking about a MM — well,ok, that’s mostly me right now. I have read every post on this thread to get an idea of what’s going on in the community, and one thing has really struck me. Everyone is so nice and helpful. I saw none of the snark you seem to get on so many forums. I look forward to a new RV, and if it’s a MM as I hope, I look forward to interacting with this community.

Marine359 · 07-22-2021, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkP

We are currently without an RV but we are thinking about a MM — well,ok, that’s mostly me right now. I have read every post on this thread to get an idea of what’s going on in the community, and one thing has really struck me. Everyone is so nice and helpful. I saw none of the snark you seem to get on so many forums. I look forward to a new RV, and if it’s a MM as I hope, I look forward to interacting with this community.

Dive on in Mark,
The water’s fine. The MM owners here have saved me a small fortune, and countless hours of head scratching. Good luck, and happy camping.

Bigbird65 · 07-22-2021, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkP

We are currently without an RV but we are thinking about a MM — well,ok, that’s mostly me right now. I have read every post on this thread to get an idea of what’s going on in the community, and one thing has really struck me. Everyone is so nice and helpful. I saw none of the snark you seem to get on so many forums. I look forward to a new RV, and if it’s a MM as I hope, I look forward to interacting with this community.

MarkP I completely agree with you on the nice and helpful members here. A lot of high quality folks here. There is a Facebook Group with the same high quality folks and since you are interested in a Micro Minnie the website is totally devoted to MMs. It is a closed group but really simple to join. Google Winnebago Micro Minnie Owners.

R_Lefebvre · 07-22-2021, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marine359

Here are some things not to do with your 2108. Of course getting old makes it easier to fall prey to these mental errors. Fortunately the Micro Minnie is well made, and she takes a lickin and keeps on tickin

1. Conversing with campsite neighbor during departure prep: Got out of sequence and removed X-chocks before putting coupler on the ball. Bam! Jack slides off blocks, bending foot of jack. Fortunately it didn’t slide into our truck, and no visible damage to MM.

2. Getting up in middle of dark night to use the facilities, inadvertently stepped on the structure surrounding the underside of the slide. crunch! Not much of a structure, just thin luan panel. Bloody foot, and fortunate not to break the slide controller mounted only an inch from where I fell through the panel. Now we follow Motel 6 and keep a light on.

3. Redistributing weight to dinette: We carry a 7gal jug of fresh water to extend our boondocking. I needed to get some weight off the tongue, so I put it under a dinette seat. Bringing in the slide. Crack! Luan panel on the other side of the one I had already broken breaks into several pieces. No damage to slide, but now obvious, you shouldn’t put excessive weight in the slide when opening/closing.

I’ll probably do many more things to destroy our lovely camper. Now to fry myself while installing an easy start. Now if I could only find a couple more stooges to make it an even three.

Wow, what are those boxes under the slide for?

If it makes you feel any better, I put my knee through the luaun panel under the bed. I was messing around with the mattress (replaced it) and never would have thought that would be simple luaun... <crack!>

And on that note: I found a mattress at Ikea for $250 CDN that is super comfortable, and fits *perfectly* in the place of the original mattress. The OEM mattress is just garbage. Couldn't believe when I looked inside. The bunk mattresses are even worse. It's not even foam, but 100% poly batting. Just enough to inflate that soft cover for photos. Winnebago should really be ashamed of that one.

I re-used most of the material from the "queen" bed, cut it up, and replaced one of the bunk beds. It wasn't good enough for adults but is fine for the kids. Now just need to find some good foam for the second bunk.

Not to complain too much, most things are great. These are just the few negatives I've found.

At least it's not as bad as what I discovered about the roof construction on my 2014 Coachmen Apex. The roof is a luaun/foam/luaun foam composite sandwich. Which, when knew would be quite strong. But after 7 years of moisture... not so much. But what's worse, it appears that they cut slots for all the aluminum trusses, but then left half of them out... I kid you not. It's the only way I can explain how it feels. And then I was working around the skylight in the shower, and found that where there should be a truss in front of the skylight, it's just a void. The aluminum beam is just missing.

shanghaimom · 07-25-2021, 01:05 PM

Anyone have SoftstartRV or equivalent? Intend to use 2350 peak watt generator (Wen) to be able to run 15,000 BTU A/C. Also, good reviews on the Wen at low cost vs Honda 2200. Anyone have a Wen? Thanks, Steve

Bigbird65 · 07-25-2021, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shanghaimom

Anyone have SoftstartRV or equivalent? Intend to use 2350 peak watt generator (Wen) to be able to run 15,000 BTU A/C. Also, good reviews on the Wen at low cost vs Honda 2200. Anyone have a Wen? Thanks, Steve

I installed the SoftStartRV on my Dometic Brisk II AC about 2 weeks ago. It works great with my Wen 2350. Here is a photo of it mounted on my AC. What else would you like to know? Do you have the same Dometic AC?

Bigbird65 · 07-25-2021, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shanghaimom

Anyone have SoftstartRV or equivalent? Intend to use 2350 peak watt generator (Wen) to be able to run 15,000 BTU A/C. Also, good reviews on the Wen at low cost vs Honda 2200. Anyone have a Wen? Thanks, Steve

Here is a photo of my Wen 2350 running in a 1500 watt load.

Same load but exactly 60 Hertz.

I bought a magnetic dipstick accessory.

For the money I don't think you can beat it. I run mine for 30 minutes once a month when not camping. It usually starts on the first pull. A good friend who has a Yamaha says it has the same engine. $439 at Target. Amazon lists it but no price shown.

R_Lefebvre · 07-26-2021, 07:42 AM

Funny, I was just looking at those soft starters. I like the idea of them to reduce LRA on the compressor, but man are they ever expensive, hard to justify at that price.

I have found my 3000W inverter can start my AC unit. The only problem I have had is that when the compressor starts, the surge can pull the battery voltage down momentarily. The batteries normally have a 10.0V cutoff, but I set the inverter to stop at 11.5V, and I was hitting this. I had to drop that setting to 10.4V to make sure the AC can start. Not a huge deal...

But again, would like to have an a soft starter, just can't justify the price right now.

Bigbird65 · 07-26-2021, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R_Lefebvre

Funny, I was just looking at those soft starters. I like the idea of them to reduce LRA on the compressor, but man are they ever expensive, hard to justify at that price.

I have found my 3000W inverter can start my AC unit. The only problem I have had is that when the compressor starts, the surge can pull the battery voltage down momentarily. The batteries normally have a 10.0V cutoff, but I set the inverter to stop at 11.5V, and I was hitting this. I had to drop that setting to 10.4V to make sure the AC can start. Not a huge deal...

But again, would like to have an a soft starter, just can't justify the price right now.

Sorry, I don't understand. What does the AC compressor starting have to do with the battery voltage dropping? Are you saying that you are using a big inverter rather than being connected to shore power or a 115 volt generator?

Bigbird65 · 07-26-2021, 08:05 AM

shanghaimom, Steve, you asked questions and then disappeared. Where did you go?

R_Lefebvre · 07-26-2021, 08:21 AM

Yes, sorry. I've got a 3000W inverter drawing from 2x170Ah lithium batteries.

Bigbird65 · 07-26-2021, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R_Lefebvre

Yes, sorry. I've got a 3000W inverter drawing from 2x170Ah lithium batteries.

That makes sense. Thanks

LVMicroMin · 08-07-2021, 04:10 PM

2100bh

Bigbird65 · 08-07-2021, 04:13 PM

Congratulations! Now go have fun.

orangeminnie · 08-08-2021, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R_Lefebvre

Where is that location? I don't recognize it.

I'm aware a lot of this is available on bluetooth, but a few issues:
1) I've got the Renogy battery monitor, and there is no BT option for that.
2) I've got wifi/bluetooth gear all over my house, and flat out, it's not reliable. All brands. All the time. It doesn't "just work" so backup manual controls are necessary. Most of the time, it's flat out easier to just use a manual light switch.

Pass through

shanghaimom · 08-09-2021, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigbird65

shanghaimom, Steve, you asked questions and then disappeared. Where did you go?

Sorry, went off the grid! I bought the Wen 2350 and m having the softstartrv installed now. Will let you know if it can start/run my 15000 BTU Dometic A/C.

Have you installed a high altitude kit on your Wen? I live at 2500' and likely will be at this or above on most trips

Thanks for your patience! Steve