Motorhoming Lifestyle Newsletter

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	Motorhoming Lifestyle Newsletter  Issue [52 | [July 2009]
Motorhoming Lifestyle Newsletter
Dear Friend, Welcome to the latest edition of the Motorhoming Lifestyle ezine. It has been some time since my last newsletter. After a successful week at the Brisbane Caravan and Motorhome show, and 7 month off, I went back to work full time the very next day. Whilst I enjoy my job and do get some satisfaction from it, the politics and bureaucracy of the public sector is very frustrating. Give me the motorhoming lifestyle any day. It was great meeting so many fellow motorhomers and other travellers at the show and hearing stories of their travels. I look forward to this again at the Rockhampton rally. Until then I suppose it is back to the office. I look forward to meeting you on the road. Gail Surfing the Net Whilst on the Road  At the Brisbane show I collected email address of those people who purchased Nomads Notes so that I can notify them when the program is updated. I found that well over 80% used Telstra Bigpond as their internet service provider (ISP). When I commented about this to some people they stated that as they are travelling there is no other realistic option than the Telstra wireless USB modem. Whilst I agree Telstra is the best option for your phone service, due to its unrivalled Next G coverage away from the big cities, it is not the only option whe it come to internet access. When I travel I use the internet though my Telstra Next G mobile phone connected to my laptop. I have a data plan attached to my phone plan that is cheaper that the wireless USB modem plans, and can be turned on and off when I want. As I am not full time on the road this is a great option. I simply connect my phone to my laptop via a cable provided with the phone, or Bluetooth, and connect to the internet. The software comes with my data enabled phone and is easy to install. I find the 150mb for $10 plenty for a few days to week on the road each month for email and maintaining my websites. A similar USB Modem plan is $20/month as well at the $149.00 up front for the modem. If you wanted to just keep up with emails to the family for full time travel this would be more than enough. Plans with higher downloads are also cheaper than the mobile USB option with $29.00 for 300mb with the data pack compared to $40.00 for the USB option, and $60.00 will give you 1GB with the data pack on your mobile phone and only 750 MB with the USB option. You can even get a $5MG plan for infrequent users for only $5.00 per month. If you have not purchased your mobile phone yet, or you are considering a new one ensure you check out the data enabled phones and then just add data to your phone plan Nomads Notes Website Update  I get some great feedback from Nomads Notes customers about what a great program it is for recording their trip, and how it is easy to use. I also get a small percentage of customers who have some troubles with the program and contact me to ask me questions. Most are easily answered with one simple email giving more detailed instruction on the particular aspect they are having trouble with. I have noticed there are some trends in these questions, so I have updated the Getting Started page on the Nomad Notes website with more information and screen shots. I have also put up new Troubleshooting page with some of the more common sticking points for first time users. So if you have already purchased Nomads Notes Comprehensive Travel Diary Software and are having some trouble check out these new help guides. If you are still having problems please do not hesitate to email me. I am happy to provide all after sales support. If you have not yet purchased your copy of the best software package around written specifically for the Motorhome or caravan traveller get you copy here Solar Panels and Hail I have had an email from a subscriber this month worried about his solar panels during a hail storm. With hail storms appearing to becoming more frequent and large stones falling from the sky onto glass panels this is a valid concern. A bit of research though find there is no need to worry. If the solar module bears UL1703 mark, it has been tested for an impact effect like following. "A module or panel is to be subjected to a 5 ft-lb (6.78 J) impact normal to the surface resulting from a 2-in (51-mm) diameter smooth steel sphere weighing 1.18 lb (535 g) falling through a distance of 51 in (1.295 m). The module or panel is to be struck at any point considered most vulnerable. The pass criteria is that there shall be no accessible live parts, and breakage of the front material is acceptable provided there are no particles larger than 1 square in (6.5 cm2) released from their normal mounting position." Most Australian made panels bear this mark. BP Solar test their panel to the following specifications Temperature cycling range -40°C to +85°C (-40°F to 185°F) Humidity freeze, damp heat 85% RH Static load front and back (e.g. wind) 2,400 pa (50psf) Front loading (e.g. snow) 5,400 pa (113psf) Hailstone impact 25mm Ø (1 inch) at 23 m/s (52mph) This information shows that you should be well protected in a hail storm and there is certainly no need to try and find shelter, especially under a tree that may be more of a risk from limbs falling on the motorhome than hail damaging the solar panels. Gas Systems in your Motorhome  I have had an email from a subscriber asking about what is required when fitting a gas stove in a motorhome. David is building a new bus conversion in Perth, Western Australia and finds information confusing. All gas installations are required to be fitted in compliance with AS 5601 – 2004. This standard requires that the system be fitter by a licensed gas fitter. Whilst your local registration authority may or may not check on your system it is also a good idea to have your entire system checked on a regular basis at least once per year. A well maintained system will give you trouble free gas usage without the fear of leaks or other problems. It is also a good idea to have a gas leak detector and smoke alarms fitted to your motorhome. Your gas fridge should always be turned off when you are refilling with fuel. There are no laws against driving with the gas turned on and many people do this. You can read about our interesting experience see a vehicle explode whilst driving with the gas fridge on at the Motorhoming Lifestyle website or this link. Collyn Rivers has a great article on his Caravan and Motorhome Books website on the subject of Propane Safety, or you can find information in his books found at the Motorhoming Lifestyle Bookshop Photos in this ezine Photos in the ezine are of Australian landscapes and are compliments of Rob Gray . This month they are all very different images of the same sand dune near Birdsville in far south west Queensland. It is not on the normal route for the motorhomer due to the dirt roads on route, but certainly not beyond possibllity. The purpose is to either inspire you to get out on the road and see what the country has to offer or bring back the great memories for those who have done it or are currently doing it. Rob is the owner and builder of "Wothahellizat" a magnificent 'weird off road truck'. He can be found at robgray.com. His entire web site is regularly archived by the National Library of Australia as a "publication of national significance". On his web site are the diaries of his five year (so far) trip around Australia as well as all the details on building/rebuilding his motorhomes and some of his photographs. The site has won many awards and rated in the top ten photographic sites. The photos in this ezine are available for purchase at his web site. Link to Rob Gray's site Disclaimer The information in this email and on the Motorhoming Lifestyle website has been made available for general personal use only and is provided without any express or implied warranty as to its accuracy or currency. All access to, and use of, the information is at the user's risk. We accept no responsibility for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information on this site, nor for the accuracy or completeness of any material contained herein. Motorhoming Lifestyle expressly disclaims all and any liability and responsibility to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done by such person in reliance, whether wholly or partially, upon the information contained in this site. Before relying on any information on this site, users should seek confirmation from their local state or territory authorities. 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