That was fast!

 The news regularly covers the story on the delays with Australia Post, freight and courier services due to strike action and COVID-19 absenteeism to the need to quarantine. 

Our Motorhome has more fuses than anything on wheels I've ever encountered. So far I have found 3 fuse boxes and a 240VAC combined ELB/Current breaker! 

I ordered a box of assorted fuses from Sydney yesterday at 11:30am and they were delivered the following day by Aramex (ex Fastway) midday.😮

In a previous life, I was partner in a business and our experience with Fastway lead us to calling them Slow (as) Snails. How things change, well done Aramex!

This will go into the handy kit of things, along with one of my multimeters.

Happy Hour and a BBQ

 Happy Hour and testing out the BBQ.

The BBQ connects to the motorhomes external LPG gas outlet

Steak and Salad preparation under the supervision of the tribe.

The evening was a great success!

Modifying and Equipping Our Motorhome 3

 The outdoor BBQ

Our Motorhome BBQ was sent from Kaiser Boating by Australia Post on the 19th of August and arrived today 23 days to travel from Seaforth Victoria to us here in Largs NSW. COVID-19 has adversely impacted post in both NSW and VIC.

Samantha, Trent, Aubree & Abbie had sent me a nice BBQ flipper tool for Fathers Day which goes very nicely with it.

We are looking forward to the rain going away and for us to try out the BBQ here at home.  A purpose made cotton canvas storage bag is on its way.

Why not a cheapie BBQ? 

One well known camping store has a BBQ for only $119, a well known hardware chain have one for $149 and a Webber is $329, but buying a BBQ is not that simple.

The BBQ was bought to plug into an external gas outlet on our Motorhome and therefore must comply with the regulations requiring it to have a Flame Guard Safety Stop. Marine BBQs have had this requirement for longer than RVs.

Currently most of the big names products do not comply with this requirement!

It is a false economy to take risks with a RV worth $150K plus and remember insurers don't like paying out if they don't have to.

For a detailed explanation read below.

AS/NZS 5601.2 Gas Installations – LP Gas installations in caravans and boats for non-propulsive purposes clause 6.3 states “all appliances shall be fitted with flame safeguard systems to all burners.”

When a BBQ is connected to a bayonet or fixed installation it is deemed to be a part of the installation and must have flame safeguard.

If the BBQ is fixed to a caravan or on a product such as a slide out, the BBQ is deemed to be a part of the installation and must have flame safeguard.

Having a gas bayonet is legal if fitted by a licensed gas fitter. Appliances with flame safeguards can legally be run from that bayonet fitting. In the case of some popular barbecues on the market they do not, so legally they cannot be used off the bayonet fitting.

The report continues on: The solution is to have a BBQ that has flame safeguard or to not fix the BBQ to the caravan or a product such as a slide e.g. supply loose, connect via a gas bottle directly e.g. the gas bottle sitting on the ground and have labels to ensure the gas bottle does not get fitted into compartments where BBQ is. See This Link.

Modifying and Equipping Our Motorhome 2

The next item to be fitted is the antenna mount.

This is the 2m/70cm/CB antenna mount. 2m is an VHF Amater Radio Band, 70cm  is a UHF Amateur Radio band and CB is often what gets referred to, in error, as "The UHF". Used by Truck drivers and travellers.

In truth the UHF Radio Spectrum is used by many services such as, Government and Public two way radio/data, Digital TV, Garage Door Openers, Car Remotes, Military, Amateur Radio etc and CB uses a small part of the UHF spectrum too.

Depending in which state you are in dictates the rules on mounting antennas, light bars etc, so check with the rules that apply to you.

Some states frown on antennas on the drivers side  and anything that sticks out beyond the dimensions of the vehicle. Having said that I'm constantly amazed in what we do see on the road!

Deni Ute Muster 2014

The install of a commercially available mount was quick and easy once I knew where. 

A neat solution

Now to run in the cabling through the firewall gland and tap off the 12 volt power.