Picking up T@B Camper tomorrow!

[ElementCamper]

Found a used 2006 T@B 16 T-1 in Knoxville, TN, I pick it up in the morning.

Not only excited about that but it also will have it's inaugural trip to the Fort in two weeks!

Already heard from one Diser who has one and will be there when I am, and we both requested Loop 2000, how much of a coincidence is that!

Will post pictures as soon as I can and of course will take lots while I'm at the Fort.

I guess my avatar will have to change, been using a picture of what my Element would have looked like converted to Ursa Minor's ECamper, guess I'll have to get my moneys worth out of this one first.

See you real soon!

 

[clkelley]

Welcome to the T@B family!!

 

[ElementCamper]

Thanks!

Mine's not Disneyfied...yet.

Silver with the grey trim, not the wild colors I've seen. Pictures soon!

 

[kaguilbeau]

Congrats! Does this mean you decided not to turn the Element into a camper?

wonder if you'll still be there when we arrive on the 12th?

 

[ElementCamper]

Congrats! Does this mean you decided not to turn the Element into a camper?

wonder if you'll still be there when we arrive on the 12th?

Thanks!

Alas, the ElementCamper project is shelved for now. It was planned to be a trip to DL while the conversion was being done in CA. I started adding up the costs, hotels, driving to CA, gas and it was going to end up being close to the price of the T@B. I'll probably use the T@B for awhile and then 'flip' it like I did the last camper, these hold their value pretty well. Then can do the ECamper, but for now the T@B should be loads of fun!

The Element is still my tow vehicle of choice, it should do really well. Researched this thoroughly on the Honda Element Owners Club forums before making the decision.

Unfortunately will be leaving the morning of the 12th so probably won't be there when you arrive.

 

[AuburnJen92]

If you need help Disneyfying it, let Carol and I know!

 

[bama_ed]

After you pick it up we'd like some pictures, please!

Congrats!

Bama ED

 

[ElementCamper]

If you need help Disneyfying it, let Carol and I know!

Will do! Shopping at WDW for housewares, need to start with the kitchen. And I hope to find some cool patio lights. Of course, Disney doesn't have a huge selection of merchandise for sale, do they?

 

[ElementCamper]

Got home with the camper, pulls really nice. Just a little slow on uphills but fine on the flats. Already had to give some tours when I stopped for lunch!

Exploring the first mystery problem, hopefully won't find any more. The power cord is a 30 amp with the two diagonal blades, not a normal 20 amp 110 plug. Had to run to Camping World and get an adapter, no problem there as they sell multiple ones. Got home, plugged the adapter into the shore power cord and then plugged into the garage, the GFI immediately trips!
Uh oh! To late to mess with it tonight but will have to dig in, got a ground fault somewhere. We'll keep you posted!

Other than that, everything works, Heat pump A/C-Heat, LP Furnace, stove, water pump, stereo. Looks like a new unit.
I'm thrilled even with the electrical problem, that can be sorted out I'm sure.

If anyone had this problem on theirs, let me know.

 

[ElementCamper]

Make sure that everything is turned off before you plug it in. If the breaker doesn't blow, then turn things on (and then off) one at a time until you find out what is drawing too much amperage. I would put money on the A/C. Was it on when you plugged it in? Most A/C units draw more than 20 amps, especially when cycling on. You most likely won't be able to run the A/C without tripping the circuit breaker unless that outlet is on a 30 or 50 amp circuit.

Good luck and happy camping!

Thanks Lil' Lisa! I had everything off when I plugged in but that is good to know about needing 30 amp to run the air. More than likely a short to ground somewhere as it was the GFI in the garage that clicked off, not the breaker. Starting fresh in the morning doing as you suggested, breakers all off and one at a time until she triggers something. I'm sure it will be fixable, just have to fiddle with it for awhile. Oh, and I promised pictures, they're coming!

 

[Judy in Texas]

When we "driveway" camp with the Aliner, we plug it in to a standard household outlet using a 30 amp to 120 volt adapter (I hope I have that right). We've run the AC all night without issue.

Pictures?

 

[thecplusplusguy]

If you have manuals, for the AC it will tell you how much it draws. Most of the newer ones draw less than 20 amps even when starting up. The problem is that most 120 extension cords and or adapters aren't spec'd to the full 20 amps (most extension cords are 13 amp). Even with that (mine draws like 12 amps) I have run my AC in a 30' motorhome in the driveway with no problem.

Dan

 

[des1954]

Congrats on your newest family member! But, be warned....CLKelley is always giving tours of her T@b when she's at the Fort! Of course, you don't need to worry about anyone tracking dirt in when taking the tour. They just stick their heads in the door!!

 

[disney4dan]

If you have manuals, for the AC it will tell you how much it draws. Most of the newer ones draw less than 20 amps even when starting up. The problem is that most 120 extension cords and or adapters aren't spec'd to the full 20 amps (most extension cords are 13 amp). Even with that (mine draws like 12 amps) I have run my AC in a 30' motorhome in the driveway with no problem.

Dan

Speaking of manuals, ever notice the difference in the amount of information provided with the RVs? My 2001 Jayco manual came with a lot of useful information. The Keystone Passport - not so much.

Regarding the extension cord, you may be able to get some discounts on RV extension cords this time of year. Maybe it's more of a seasonal thing up here in the great white north where camping season ends too early, but I got a 30-amp extension cord about 25% off in the late fall once.

I suspect a ground fault is the source of the trip; have you used this outlet much before? All it would take is a loose connection in one junction box and that technology will find it.

 

[Judy in Texas]

If you have manuals, for the AC it will tell you how much it draws. Most of the newer ones draw less than 20 amps even when starting up. The problem is that most 120 extension cords and or adapters aren't spec'd to the full 20 amps (most extension cords are 13 amp). Even with that (mine draws like 12 amps) I have run my AC in a 30' motorhome in the driveway with no problem.

Dan

The camper sales person told us to get a heavier extension cord - not the standard orange outside one - when plugging it in at home.

 

[retired and happy]

Mine is Yellow with a black stripe and is 10 gauge. That size matches the power cord connected to my MH and is suitable for 30 A service. One of these days I will get around to completing my installation of a real 30 A outlet near my MH parking spot so I don't have to use an extension cord.... with a dedicated breaker in the main box. One day.... Maybe even a 50 A outlet.....just in case.

 

[ElementCamper]

Congrats on your newest family member! But, be warned....CLKelley is always giving tours of her T@b when she's at the Fort! Of course, you don't need to worry about anyone tracking dirt in when taking the tour. They just stick their heads in the door!!

I hadn't left the dealership for more than an hour before I stopped for lunch at a McDonalds, and had to give my first tours! I had a line of people in the parking lot. A friend suggested I put a sign out, Tours, .50 each a head, 2 for .75.

I'm headed out in a bit to fiddle, will start with isolating the breakers and then turning on, plugging in things one by one from the wall to the camper to the various units inside. The camper was plugged in at the dealer before I left for the checkout and had no issues so it could be a fault with the GFI or house plug itself, maybe a loose ground there or one that is too 'sensitive.' I am using a 30 amp to 20 amp adapter because I went to plug in the camper when I got home and found that 'crazy' plug end. Evidently T@B wants you to have plenty of amps at the campground, the cord that came with it is what looks like a shore power cord, it's as big around as my thumb!

Thanks everyone for the info, hope to update this afternoon. If I get pictures today they won't be pretty, it's very cloudy and grey here today.

Leaving in less that 2 weeks, gotta get this issue worked out so I can start packing.

 

[clkelley]

I hadn't left the dealership for more than an hour before I stopped for lunch at a McDonalds, and had to give my first tours! I had a line of people in the parking lot. A friend suggested I put a sign out, Tours, .50 each a head, 2 for .75.

I'm headed out in a bit to fiddle, will start with isolating the breakers and then turning on, plugging in things one by one from the wall to the camper to the various units inside. The camper was plugged in at the dealer before I left for the checkout and had no issues so it could be a fault with the GFI or house plug itself, maybe a loose ground there or one that is too 'sensitive.' I am using a 30 amp to 20 amp adapter because I went to plug in the camper when I got home and found that 'crazy' plug end. Evidently T@B wants you to have plenty of amps at the campground, the cord that came with it is what looks like a shore power cord, it's as big around as my thumb!

Thanks everyone for the info, hope to update this afternoon. If I get pictures today they won't be pretty, it's very cloudy and grey here today.

Leaving in less that 2 weeks, gotta get this issue worked out so I can start packing.

Running the CoolCat is iffy on a 15 or 20 amp plug with an adapter. However, you do need to keep it plugged up OR have a battery cutoff switch cause even with everything off there are some parasitic drains on the battery. Do you have the 12volt fridge or 3-way?? The 3-way on battery REALLY drains the battery. Also, do you have a charge line installed on your tow vehicle (to charge the battery while driving). The T@B users manual is USELESS. Read through all the files on the Yahoo Group!!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I got me one o them brown extensionable cords at Wally World and use it on my trailer home. It was okay, but I had to cut that darn 3rd prong offn the power cord on the trailer home. Works fine but keeps a smokin when I turns on the microwave.

 

[ElementCamper]

Running the CoolCat is iffy on a 15 or 20 amp plug with an adapter. However, you do need to keep it plugged up OR have a battery cutoff switch cause even with everything off there are some parasitic drains on the battery. Do you have the 12volt fridge or 3-way?? The 3-way on battery REALLY drains the battery. Also, do you have a charge line installed on your tow vehicle (to charge the battery while driving). The T@B users manual is USELESS. Read through all the files on the Yahoo Group!!

**Update**I now have the trailer plugged in and running on a non-GFI plug for now. So the battery will remain charged. I suspect the GFI in the garage is the issue, the dealership had it plugged in with no problem. I have the 12v fridge so the drain is less than the 3way one. The charge line on the vehicle will be installed next weekend so the battery will charge while driving and can keep the fridge on.
You're right clkelly, the T@b manual is about useless. I did find the T@B Yahoo users group, thise folks are about as detailed as the Honda Element forum I belong to. There is extremely detailed information on there. I hope to see you at the Fort soon. And I found your 'Mouse-ke-tab' blog, you are my new hero with your modifications!
I especially like your double 10x20 EZ Ups, pure genius!

Got pictures today, too late to get them on tonite but stand by, they're coming!