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Anode Dilemma
- Geoff Peel from a magazine (Ed. Abridged version)
Q: "I'm replacing the anode in my hot water service and it seems rusted
in....". What can be done?
A: "First up, are you using a 1 1/16 inch socket? Make a well under the nut
with Blu-Tack, and flood it using Innox from Autobarn (or
equivalent) to penetrate. Leave for a long time. Don't overly force the nut as
it may damage the vitreous enamel lining inside the tank. Try gently banging
the head with a hammer to loosen it if necessary. When you get it out, don't
completely cover the threads - use only 3 wraps of teflon - or you will
insulate it from the tank and won't act as an anode. Replace it every 6 months
in SA/WA or using bore water, or yearly otherwise.
See
http://www.around-oz.com/diy_mh/diy_sacrificial_annode.htm for more
info." |
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Caravan Stove
Top Glass Lid Breakage - John Booth
.... pulling out the 240 volt plug from the power point in the cupboard
for the hot plate when not in use. I suggest to everyone to do the same in
your van, plug it in again when you need it. It might save you the hassle of
replacing the glass top and a possible fire in the van.
To read the whole story,
click here. |
| Strengthening the towing mirror support - Geoff Peel
Just
a tip for the people having difficulty with mirrors that tend to "blow in"
when large trucks go past. I fitted a second support arm and over the weekend
travel to Moama ... no problems at all.
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| Negating the smoke alarm - Sue Boardman
If your smoke alarm keeps going off every time you make toast for breakfast,
fit a shower cap over it! Do not forget to remove it afterwards though. |
| Taking the push bikes along - Chris and Annie Smart
We've been pondering for some time how to get our 2 adult cycles with us
whilst towing our van. I have tested our set up and found that the cycles do not
foul or touch the van when driving and turning. We already had the Cycle Rack,
and Annie came up with the idea of turning the boomerang shaped base around
and it appears to work OK. It is bolted on under the treg/thread. We are aware
that there will be the additional weight on the towball. The rear doors of the
Landcruiser open as well.
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| In Case of Emergency (ICE) - Courtesy of NSW Coromal Club
Isn't it true that we all carry a mobile phone with hundreds of numbers/names
stored in the phone's memory? In case of an Emergency, WHO DOES ONE CALL?
The ICE concept has been adopted overseas with great results. The idea was
conceived by a paramedic who found that most people carry a mobile phone.
Programming the phone with ICE1, ICE2 etc enables the Emergency team to
contact the right people if needed. Let's spread the ICE concept within our
Club and among our family and friends. |
| Awnings - ??
To avoid damage to your awning when putting it up in high winds, feed it
through the awning rails and peg out the canvas before you assemble the frame.
When you have done this you can move the pegs to their correct position.
Likewise, to take down the awning in high winds, leave the canvas pegged out
until you have fully dismantled the frame. |
| Line up the Ball and Hitch - Chris and Ian Morgan
Put a small mark on the rear window of the car and another on the front of the
caravan so that from your normal driving position the ball fits under the
hitch by lining them up when reversing. (Paraphrased - ed.) |
| Raising the pop-top roof - Alan and Joan Andrews
Try raising the roof of your pop-top with the door open by first lifting the
rear from the outside by standing on the rear bumper bar and then going inside
to lift the front using the ceiling handles. This technique avoids having to
kneel on the double bed and lift using the rear ceiling handles. The front is
easily lifted from the inside afterwards. |
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 Getting
a handle on things - Ken and Beverley Winnell
If
you are travelling, especially in the cold night deserts where the temperature
can drop below freezing, the last thing you want is skin stuck to cold metal in
the morning.
I have made a cover for my jockey wheel handle from a
piece of old washing machine hose. You can usually find old washing machines
on nature strips ready for hard rubbish collection. I just went and knocked on
the door and asked if I could take the hoses. I have attached a picture of my
little set up. The original tip came to me via the towing school class
Beverley and I did when we first purchased our pop-top caravan back in 2003."
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