Central Arizona Project

 

Central Arizona Project

At the RV resort in Tucson, the weekly Lecture Series has begun.  Today's lecture was the Central Arizona Project (CAP).  These lectures are seasonal, when the RV resort is very full. 

Both G and I attended the lecture. It was informative and relevant.

I'll put a few of the slides in this post. The last slide includes website URLs for those who want more information.

The Central Arizona Project is about water management.  A number of states share in the water from the Colorado River.  The project is about the involvement of states in that sharing.  It is also about how Arizona manages the water it receives.  

There are reasons to be optimistic. However, there are also serious problems, some political. For example, Arizona is doing a very good job of managing the water under the auspices of the CAP. 

California, always big on talk, isn't doing so well. This is creating water stress in rural areas of Arizona, where California companies, such as nut growers, are moving.  They sell the land in CA, vacate California and then buy land in Arizona to raise their crops.  This is not a solution.

The current multi-state agreement about water sharing will expire in 2026. It remains to be seen to what extent California will cooperate in the formation of a new agreement of water sharing between the states.

Ariona is currently looking at a variety of means to increase the potable water available in the central area of the state.  Methods include desalination because some groundwater in AZ is brackish. California has been slow to adapt such methods, despite the ample coastline and access to the Pacific Ocean. Here's a recent article about one CA project:

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/desalination-advances-california-despite-opponents-pushing-alternatives-2021-07-28/

I include the above article to illustrate the problem in CA.  It is easier to leave the state and grow pistachios in Arizona.  Of course, that puts additional stress on AZ groundwater sources.  Growing such crops is very inefficient in water use. 

(c) Norman Retzke 2022

Frigid January

 

Back in the Frigid Northland..... -5F

It is that time of year when we are happy to be at our winter lilypad.  We do get some cool nights in Tucson, but 40F seems okay, considering this morning it was 45F warmer here!  With bright sun it will be downright balmy this aafternoon,

To give the interior heat a boost in the morning I make and bake scones.  Very easy.  It is important to have heavy cream.  I mix the flour and dried fruit with the heavy cream, roll into a ball, flatten into a 6 inch diameter circle.  Then cut into 8-segments, sprinkle cinnamon sugar and bake at 350F for 25 minutes. I can sprinkle before cutting or after. 

After breakfast, we took a walk and sat in the resort courtyard.

There are always honey bees in the area.  The citrus trees and flowers attract them. On occasion there will be a swarm, but we simply avoid them.  

A walk at the Saguaro National Park - East to relax and work off a few calories

For dinner I marinated a steak from Dickman's Meat & Deli, then on to the BBQ.  Yellow squash and a baked potato as sides.  If we have coleslaw or a big salad with lunch, we skip a raw salad at dinner.

And freshly baked Marie Callender Razzleberry pie for dessert. Bake at 400F for about 70 minutes; G prefers a browner crust. Great with vanilla bean ice cream.

Sunsets are usually pleasant. 

Gaslight Theater Tucson

 

We went to see the current production.  Always a lot of fun at the Gaslight Theater!

Escaping Winter, 2021-2022

 

Saguaro National Park - East, January 14, 2022

Our trek to our winter lily pad was delayed for a variety of reasons.  

Long Island Sound, viewed from Connecticut

After a trip to the east coast, we retrieved the Roadtrek only to find that in our absence we had made a political donation; Thieves, or to use the woke term, a "disadvantaged person" had stolen, er, "appropriated" the catalytic converter.

While getting the Roadtrek repaired, we packed and prepped the condominium for winter. We run the furnace at 65F, put insulation in the kitchen window, shut off the water and drain the lines, etc. During checkout of the gas furnace in the condo, it wouldn't ignite. We needed to get that operating, and with time short available I hired a professional.  He attributed the issue to a failure of the electrical “sparker” which ignites the pilot. He didn’t have the part, a kind of “spark plug” but contacted his office to get a quote and determine availability. He also suggested that I consider a total furnace replacement, for no other reason than furnace age. Not something I was excited to do in November as winter was approaching; besides, we were supposed to be elsewhere. 

I decided to run my own diagnostics as I waited for the proposals. I concluded the issue was not the “spark” but was the pilot gas valve, which was not opening on electrical command. I determined the valve was good and the source of the problem was the “Intermittent Pilot Ignition Control”. I went online and purchased one for $98. It arrived the next day and I installed it. That solved the problem.

Was it a good use of my time? I think so, as it 1) Solved the problem for a total cost of $218 including the professional’s time, 2) Saved us the $8,500+ for a new furnace and 3) Allowed us to promptly leave for our AZ winter location. I remotely monitor the condo, and interior temperature has been a steady 65F ever since.

Condominium weather January 23

Condominium Ambient Conditions, January 23

We did eventually get into the Roadtrek and headed to the Southwest, arriving December 8, 2021.  The trip was very relaxed.  The weather was the best we have encountered since we began travelling this way in 2014.  Mild daytime temperatures, low nighttime temperatures 40-50F and easy traffic.  We avoid the cities.  

Sunset, December 8, 2021

Catalytic Converter RV Theft

 

Typical Van Catalytic Converter Assembly

It has been reported that thieves are now targeting RV storage facilities as a source of catalytic converters.  A number of nearby RV storage facilities were targets.  At  one town in Michigan theft of many catalytic converters has occurred in recent months. 

At one storage facility it was discovered that five vehicles were targeted.

I'm including info on catalytic converter and vehicle theft in this post.

Vehicle theft is also a problem

According to the recent FBI statistics, in 2020 810,400 vehicles were stolen. That's the highest annual number of vehicles stolen since 2008. Separate statistics on RVs are difficult to obtain, because they are lumped-in with vehicle thefts.  I include a link in the notes. 

Why steal a catalytic converter?

Here's one perspective: "The main reason that catalytic converters are stolen is because they’re valuable to scrap metal dealers. They contain precious metals, including rhodium, platinum, and palladium. These metals can be sold to scrap yards for $150 to $200 per piece, depending on the size of the converter and the current rate for the metals contained."

Can we prevent the theft of catalytic converters?

Probably not.  For one thing, they are a part of the RV or automobiles exhaust system, and it only takes seconds to put a scissors jack under the vehicle, lift it, and then cut out the converter.

I spoke with the Chief of Police of a nearby community about this problem.  He stated that thieves are now transporting stolen converters out of state, making recovery or capture of the thieves more difficult. There are thieves and then there are unscrupulous scrap dealers.  They are both a part of the problem. 

Nevertheless, here are some things that might make it less likely that your RV will be targeted:

• Install an alarm system that goes off when the vehicle is vibrated. However, it has been reported  that loud, audible alarms may be of little value.  A more sophisticated alarm system is required.
• Park the vehicle indoors and keep all doors closed and locked.
• Park in well-lit areas and close to building entrances, when possible.
• Weld the catalytic converter to the vehicle frame. This may make it more difficult to steal.
• Engrave your vehicle identification number (VIN) on the catalytic converter.  However, the police chief I spoke too did not offer any confidence that this is a deterrent, or may lead to an arrest.

RV Storage Facilities

One might think that a RV storage facility with night lights and cameras would be a deterrent, but that is not true.  It is my understanding that the RV storage facilities that were targeted were lit and there were cameras present. 

 

Alarm Systems

An alarm system might be helpful, but because noise by a loud alarm does not seem to be a deterrent to vehicle theft, the lowest cost alarms might be useless.

Some alarm systems are two-way alarms.  In such a system the alarm sends information to a remote location. This could inform the vehicle owner that someone is tampering with your vehicle or if the engine has been started. However, such remotes have limited range.

Some vehicle alarms can be linked to a smartphone. This will provide two-way communication over a great distance. However, if an owners gets an alert from a vehicle alarm system, the owner might not be able to respond, but could notify law enforcement that their is an attempt underway to steal the vehicle.

However, any effective alarm system should:

1. Disable vehicle start
2. Be triggered by vehicle  vibration. 

Other Theft Deterrent Systems

There are other systems that can deter thieves. I'm a believer that a really motivated, talented thief will steal an RV and overcome any deterrent system.  However, I am also of the opinion that a thief will go for the easiest mark.

Anti-Theft Devices reduce the possibility a vehicle will be stolen, or will assist in the recovery.  Examples include:

• Vehicle alarms.
• Vehicle start disablers or immobilizers.
• Motion detectors.
• Steering wheel locks.
• Recovery systems.

Recovery Systems

A recovery system does not prevent theft.  A vehicle recovery system is a tracking system designed to help vehicle owners get their RV, car or truck back after it has been stolen.

Active recovery systems include GPS-enabled vehicle recovery systems. These can help recover a vehicle during an active theft situation. They include a transmitter and work by remotely alerting the vehicle condition.  Some include ignition or start blocking. Examples include:

• GM's Onstar
• LoJack

Vehicle trackers use GPS but don't block operation.  Because some use the OBD port of the vehicle, simply unplugging the dongle may disable it.

Passive Recovery systems include etching the VIN on windows.

Links and Notes:

Insurance Information Institute:  https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-auto-theft

(c) N. Retzke 2021

Older Roadtrek may have fewer Technology Problems

 

Low Technology - no batteries  required

For those who own older Roadtreks my recent post about technology issues might seem bizarre.  Older Roadtreks use less proprietary technology and less high tech.

This year, automobile manufacture was halted by a "chip shortage".  Except for Tesla, and that's an interesting story about adaptability and hard work.

Microprocessors and related technologies are now an integral and necessary part of any vehicle. Electronics now dictates the performance and experience of owners of cars and vans.  It also has influences the performance and operability of RVs.

If you read the posts on various forums about Roadtreks, you might conclude that "less technology might be better technology".  I conclude there is a lot of frustration among recent owners, and that includes the other classes of RVs including A, C, travel trailers and 5th wheels.  I am separating the "build quality" complaints from other, technology related complaints.

There is a reason for the disappointment with technology and it is about what we call a curve of diminishing returns, as well as the transition in skill requirements. If we, as purchasers,  are on one side of the curve, where the benefits outweigh the problems, it is a wonderful experience. If we find ourselves on the other side of that curve, where problems exceed benefits, it is not so much fun.

We expect performance, serviceability, and low operating costs. But RV mechanics are the ones who deliver after purchase, and they may be hamstrung by sophisticated technology built into rigs, and for which they have not been trained, or have little control.  Only a few years ago, RVs were about engines, transmissions, and electro-mechanical devices. 

In high production vehicles with millions of units (cars, trucks or vans) with extensive dealer networks, maintenance might be readily available. However, low volume, proprietary manufacturers are in another place. There is the pull of marketing hype and the demands and sometimes unrealistic expectations of purchasers.  In RVs I have concluded that if the manufacturers claims are too good to be true, they probably are. 

 When one manufacturer promotes the hype, that puts pressure upon the marketing departments of other manufacturers.  As a possible purchaser in such situations I ask myself "Is this a race to the top, or to the bottom, or total hyperbole?" 

Some RV buyers may approach their purchase as it is a high volume automobile.  That's a big mistake.

Manufacturers may be inclined to push the envelope and in so doing, they may cross over the curve. If we, as purchasers are then on the other side because of the manufacturer's decisions, it may seem that there are constant breakdowns or unfulfilled expectations. Furthermore, there are diminishing returns to contend with.  Lower benefits = more problems and higher maintenance costs.

In the last decade, technology and in particular electronics has become predominant. One reason is because the cost of some electronics is now so low that manufacturers may go overboard when integrating it.  For example, there is something called the IOT, which is the "Internet of things".  This was facilitated by the invention of a website on a chip, and microprocessors for $1 as well as really inexpensive memory. In my experience of industrial automation, we purchased sensors such as temperature or pressure. They included a built in "web server". I could connect to a system with thousands of devices via the in plant (facility) network  and I could interrogate each one.   That began two decades ago. 

Today local (nearby) communication is facilitated via other standards including bluetooth.  For example, at our summer lily pad I monitor the amount of propane in the tank for our grill using a simple and inexpensive load cell device which is blue tooth enabled. I get a readout of the amount of propane in the tank on my Android cellphone. Alternately, I could use my old UPS spring-loaded scale, which is accurate to about 1/2 pound and a maximum of 75 lbs. No batteries to replace.

Modern automobiles and Roadtreks incorporate intelligent systems to monitor the entire chassis and that includes the radio. RV manufacturers can exploit this technology and use it to reduce wiring costs.  

For example, in my 2013 210P the radio is powered up by an intelligent module called a "Scosche" module. When that module (which is a "bus controller" and is actually a micro controller about 1 inch x 3 inches x 1 inch) is sent a signal by the chassis computer that the engine is running, that module energizes a power relay which in turn provides 12VDC to the Fujitsu and TomTom GPS provided by Roadtrek. 

That intelligent bus controller failed.  When it did, the radio could not power up on engine start.  It took a bit of research to determine what had failed. I got a replacement "Scosche" module, but installation required tearing the dashboard apart.  So I put in an Off-On Toggle Switch.   

Scosche module

My point is, this technology has permeated our lives. We don't even realize the extent. The problem is the application in everything from Roadtreks to intelligent home thermostats.  In a RV, this "intelligent" and "communicative" technology must be maintainable.  It often isn't.  For example, try to get your LED TV repaired.  It was designed to be scrapped when it failed.  Now translate that to the intelligent battery systems and chassis of a Roadtrek. Yes, those LiFEPO4 batteries have a BMS which is shorthand for "Battery Management System".  That system does calculations and controls the charge and discharge of the battery.  In complex systems batteries are interconnected and must communicate and share information. Even more complex RV systems integrate lead acid AGM batteries and Lithium Ion batteries. Wow!

A comment over at the FMCA Roadtrek group on my comment about our Roadtrek and which I also posted at this group:

"Norm:

Awesome monolog on the '13 210pC!

We bought with the same reasoning.

I am going to frame it and hang it over the entrance!"

(c) 2021 N. Retzke