Ice Maker
The ice machine cometh. Dometic’s HZB-12 is a compact machine that cranks out 26 pounds of ice every 24 hours.
Just pour in water, select the cube size, and a batch is ready in about 14 minutes. A removable basket holds up to 2.5 pounds of ice. A clear window in the lid lets you check the ice level without opening the unit. The HZB-12 is powered by 120 volts AC and draws 1.2 amps. It weighs 21 pounds and is 12.9 inches high, 9.5 inches wide, and 14.1 inches deep. It’s available in black or stainless steel. The suggested retail price is $179.98. (A larger version, the HZB-15S, makes up to 33 pounds in 24 hours.)
Dometic Corporation
2320 Industrial Parkway
Elkhart, IN 46516
(800) 366-3842
www.dometic.com/usa
LED Television
TV or not TV? That is not the question (for most people, anyway). More likely, it is which TV should I buy? The choices now include a new model from ASA Electronics, the Jensen 28-inch LED DC TV, also known as the JTV2815DC.
The slim-profile TV features 12-volt operation, front controls, circuit boards designed to resist humidity and corrosion, and an industrial-grade brushed-metal cabinet reinforced to resist an RV’s vibration, according to ASA Electronics’ website. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $419.99.
ASA Electronics
2602 Marina Drive
Elkhart, IN 46514
(574) 266-3135
www.asaelectronics.com
Flashlight/Charger
Got a light? With the SP-4002 Four-in-One Car Charger from Secur Products (a division of Maverick Industries), you’ll have two. One is an LED flashlight; the other is a flashing red emergency light. A magnetic base and a swivel head add to the device’s flexibility.
And there’s more: When plugged in to a vehicle’s 12-volt receptacle, the SP-4002 can charge any USB device. (A USB charging cable is included.) It’s also a portable power bank with a capacity of 1400 mAh; carry it with you to bring a dead cell phone back to life. The SP-4002 is approximately 5 1/2 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. The suggested retail price is $39.99.
Maverick Industries
94 Mayfield Ave.
Edison, NJ 08837
(855) 452-8388
www.securproducts.com
Portable Keyboard
If you like to make your own kind of music (and sing your own special song), the K-Board from Keith McMillen Instruments might interest you.
The backlit keyboard can be plugged in to any USB device — such as iPads; Android tablets; and Mac, Windows, and Linux laptop computers — to produce music anywhere. It works with all leading music software, such as Apple GarageBand, Apple Logic Pro, Ableton Live, and others. The keyboard is 13 inches by 3.5 inches, weighs 12 ounces, and is marketed as being sturdy enough to survive being run over by a car. Whether the same is true if it’s run over by a motorhome, we do not know. The suggested retail price is $99.
Keith McMillen Instruments
2325 Fourth St., Suite 3
Berkeley, CA 94710
(877) 812-0408
www.keithmcmillen.com
Portable Grill
Ready to fire up a grill? The two brothers who founded FireDisc Grills say their handcrafted, portable products are designed to withstand the rigors of camping and tailgating. The grills operate on a small propane bottle or a large propane tank.
Each carbon-steel grill features a 2 1/2-inch-high heat ring, a flame burner that has been powder-coated to prevent rust, and a three-piece construction that reportedly disassembles in seconds. Grills are available in red or black. The suggested price is $399.99 for a 36-inch-tall model and $379.99 for the FireDisc Mini, which is 24 inches tall.
FireDisc Grills
9550 Spring Green Blvd.
Suite 408-250
Katy, TX 77494
(281) 206-2678
www.firediscgrills.com
Inlet And Power Cord
Conntek’s 30-amp RV Straight Blade Inlet and 30-amp RV Straight Blade Power Cord offer greater protection against loose shore power connections than twist-to-lock systems. That’s according to the company’s product description, which says the cord plugs in easily to the straight blade inlet, making a secure connection that reduces electrical arcing and wear and tear.
The inlet, which has a suggested price of $69.99, has the same NEMA TT-30 configuration as standard RV campground hookups. The 30-amp straight-blade cord is available in a 25-foot version for $82.99, or a 30-foot version for $86.99. The cord features Conntek’s Ergo Grip Handle to make unplugging easier; blue LEDs on either end indicate when power is on.
Conntek Integrated Solutions Inc.
2122 E. Birchwood Ave.
Cudahy, WI 53110
(877) 267-3788
(414) 482-0800
www.conntek.com
Keyless Door Lock
Cars have ’em. RVs can, too. Referring here to keyless door locks. The Bauer EM from Bauer Products is a keyless RV deadbolt lock that is designed to be an upgrade over the two-pin, plunger-style locks often found on Type C motorhomes. A programmable, four-digit code operates the lock, which employs capacitive-touch technology like that used on some smartphones and mobile devices.
The buttons illuminate when you touch the surface beside them, so they’re easy to see at night. The Bauer EM operates on four AA batteries, and an indicator alerts you when they are low. The key still can be used if needed. Instructional videos for installing and using the Bauer EM are posted on the company’s website. The suggested retail price is $390.
Bauer Products Inc.
702 Evergreen St. S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
(866) 682-2837
(616) 245-4540
www.bauerproducts.com
Awning Mister
You can figure that at some point this summer, it’ll almost get hot enough for chickens to lay hard-boiled eggs. One way to gain relief from sweltering temperatures is with the RV MisterTrak, an awning accessory misting system from Valterra.
The system includes a misting tube, equipped with six metal water jets, that comes preassembled in five 3-foot sections of RV TwinTrak. Those sections slide into the awning utility slot. (The RV TwinTrak’s second track is then available for a shade or additional accessories.) The unit connects to a water source via a 25-foot supply tube. A hose wye shutoff, a pressure control valve, and a nylon storage bag are included. The suggested price is $66.43.
Valterra Products LLC
15230 San Fernando Mission Blvd. #107
Mission Hills, CA 91345
(818) 898-1671
www.valterra.com
Insect Repellent Blanket
In the ongoing battle against bug bites, there’s now a polyester blanket with odorless, invisible protection built into it. The blanket is from Insect Shield, which makes apparel and gear designed to repel mosquitoes, ticks, and the like.
Each blanket’s fabric has been treated with the repellent permethrin, and protection is supposed to last for the life of the product. Because the repellency is not on a person’s skin, there are no restrictions on the blanket’s use, and no special care is required, according to Insect Shield representatives. An outdoor blanket measures 56 inches by 74 inches, weighs 18 ounces, and is priced at $29.95. A mini blanket measures 28 inches by 36 inches, weighs 6.4 ounces, and costs $15.95. Available colors: red, dark blue, and green.
Insect Shield
814 W. Market St.
Greensboro, NC 27401
(866) 712-7110
www.insectshield.com