Refrigerator Thermometer
It’s helpful to know the temperature of the refrigerator without opening the door. Better yet, it would be great if you could monitor the temperature from the galley or even the driver’s area. For less than $20, you can purchase an AcuRite digital indoor/outdoor thermometer with remote display. Place the sender in a zip-top bag and put it on the second shelf of the refrigerator. The remote display can be located anywhere in the galley, or you can take it up to the front when traveling. You will know exactly what the temperature is in the refrigerator. It also records the minimum and maximum temperatures during the past 24 hours. Because opening the refrigerator lets in a lot of warm air, you will see more significant temperature fluctuations than you would if you were to monitor the temperature by suspending an aquarium-type thermometer in a glass of water. The latter is a good way of measuring food temperature but can be messy.
Brett Wolfe, F252125
League City, Texas
Towed Vehicle Power Solution
Sometimes an important accessory in the towed vehicle (such as a GPS, supplemental brake, cell phone, or computer) needs 12-volt-DC power, but no DC outlet is available in a convenient place, or the power ports are not functioning because a fuse was removed. Products such as the Add-A-Circuit from Littelfuse Inc. (www.littelfuse.com) and the Tapa-Circuit from Wirthco Engineering Inc. (www.wirthco.com) are available at many auto supply stores. To use these devices, you must first find a fuse in the vehicle’s fuse panel that is active when the ignition is OFF or in the ACC position. Remove the fuse and replace it with the fuse holder. This will provide a 12-volt-wire (also fused) that can be used to tie directly to an accessory, or be connected to a DC power port that can be located wherever you need power. The fuse holders are available in the standard ATO and mini fuse sizes. Determine what size fuse you need before making your purchase. Read the instructions before installing.
Bill Hendrix, F761s
Erie, Colorado
A/C Deflector
While traveling in the Midwest last summer, we experienced extremely warm temperatures that required our air conditioner to run day and night. Although we were thankful for the air-conditioning, the bedroom’s A/C vent is located in the ceiling directly over the head of the bed, which resulted in cool air being directed at our head and shoulder areas. To solve this problem, I constructed an A/C deflector to redirect the air. Using a lid from a whipped topping container and springs saved from worn-out carpet covers for the RV steps, I drilled three equally spaced holes in the lip of the lid and attached a hook from each of the springs into each of the holes. The hooks on the other ends of the springs attached to the A/C outlet cover. Problem solved!
Gordon K. Smith, F399703
Greeley, Colorado
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