Saturday, February 25, 2012

A Brief Update

I received my final "installation" item this week; a docking kit for my XM Satellite radio.  I installed the radio in the truck and now will be able to take the receiver into the camper and have satellite radio there.  We really like oldies music from the 60's and 70's, plus Blues for me and Elvis radio for Rosie.

My RV guy tells me we should be able to get inside the shop on Thursday, the 1st of March, and get started on all the projects.  I will cut expenses by ripping out the old carpet myself; and being a compliant assistant with the installation of the new carpet.  The RV tech, Tim, will also be installing the solar panels, charge controller and the two inverters.  He will also pack the wheel bearings and fire up the fridge and hot water heater to make sure everything is working like it should.  I also asked him to check the shocks on the camper to see what condition they were in.  I will post pictures of the modifications in my next blog.

We had the first showing on the house this morning and the buyer ( a young fellow) wants to bring his parents back with him this afternoon.  Looks promising, but you never know.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Ready to Boondock

The inverters have arrived; 2 Xantrax 600 watt units from Camping World showed up yesterday on the UPS truck.  Camping World made an error on my original order; and to make up for it they gave me an additional discount of $35 and free shipping.  Total cost for both units = $358.  Pretty good considering the local State Trailer and RV Supply has them on the shelf at $249 each.  So we have the solar panels, inverters and carpet on hand.  Waiting to set an install date with our local RV Service Shop.

A big welcome to new followers; Ash, Encourage One Another, QHSI.LLC, Mello Mike, and Me and My Dog.  I will try to keep this interesting as we go through the transition to full timing.  Once we get on the road, there will be plenty to write about.

Another step in the transition happens tomorrow.  Our agent is coming over to do the listing on the house.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Solar Power

FedEx brought my new 125w solar panel today.  When I pair that up with a 35w panel I already had, we will have 160 watts of power to maintain our batteries when we are out in the boonies.  Also picked up 396 sq. ft. of new carpet on Monday.  Things are going forward as planned.

The weather in southeast Idaho continues to be unseasonably mild.  Temperatures in the high 30's and low 40's all week long and predicted out for at least the next 8 days.  Life is good.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Bought New Stuff.

Yep; preparations continue for the full time target date in June.  I bought a 125 watt solar panel with charge controller today from Amazon.com for $799.99 including shipping.  Also invested in 2 inverters at 600 watts each; one for the audio cabinet in the living area and one for the TV cabinet in the bedroom.   The inverters are true cine wave units and cost $188 each.  The bedroom is also my office where I will need to run my laptop charger and a printer in addition to a 19” flat screen in the TV cabinet.  We will probably pick up the carpet and pad this week.  That means a big installation project soon.

Welcome to new followers; Eve and Steve, Lady Dyna Ryder and Marie Weber.  I am following more blogs and am getting more excited every day.  Can’t wait to get to Quartzsite and all the other great winter spots in the desert southwest.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Steps along the way.

We sold our master bedroom set yesterday, less than 24 hours after putting it up on Craigslist.  Internet advertising rocks.  Ads are generally free and results are usually good.  In 2009, we also sold our former travel trailer within 24 hours of listing it on Craigslist and on KSL.com, a Salt Lake City based radio station website with a large classified section.

We found new carpet for the camper on Monday.  I also found a new 125 watt solar panel with charge controller on Amazon.com for $815; heck of a deal.   February is upon us and we are looking at early March  for the new carpet installation and the solar/inverter installation.  Weather continues to be unseasonably warm for southeast Idaho.  Only about an inch of snow on the ground and that is melting a little bit every day when the temps get close to 40 degrees.

Welcome to new followers; Dayton C., Mike Mills and Rick & Kathy.   I love to see my “following” grow a little more every month.  If you want to follow along on our preparation and eventual full time journey, click the Follow button at the top of the screen.