Gary Lewis Posted February 10, 2023 Author Share Posted February 10, 2023 Well, I think Big Blue is just about ready to tackle the OOAT. As detailed in his Transformation thread I've replaced the idler pulley as the old one was making a noise, and I installed new fan belts while "in there", placing the gently-used ones in the spares bin that will go in BB's toolbox. And I extended the vents for the front and rear axles to get them well above any water level we are going to meet. So I think we are "there". I'm sure I'll find other little things to do, but they'll be really minor, like cleaning the windshield. I realized today that the Coyote deflaters were set at 15 psi, which I think is too low given what I saw in Colorado two years ago. And after some discussion with the guys on the OOAT FB page I chose 25 psi for this round and adjusted the deflaters to that, although I'm wondering if 30 might be better. We shall see. Anyway, with that done I set the tire pressures to 60 psi, although now I realize I didn't check the spare so must do that. And I bumped up the air bags/springs from the 5 psi they were sitting at to 20 as we'll have a little bit of a load back there. And Janey and I went to a thrift store and got several pans in which to cook on the trip. And yesterday we picked up a 10F sleeping bag, pad, and pillow. So things are coming together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 18, 2023 Author Share Posted February 18, 2023 I realized today that the Coyote deflaters were set at 15 psi, which I think is too low given what I saw in Colorado two years ago. And after some discussion with the guys on the OOAT FB page I chose 25 psi for this round and adjusted the deflaters to that, although I'm wondering if 30 might be better. We shall see. Anyway, with that done I set the tire pressures to 60 psi, although now I realize I didn't check the spare so must do that. And I bumped up the air bags/springs from the 5 psi they were sitting at to 20 as we'll have a little bit of a load back there. And Janey and I went to a thrift store and got several pans in which to cook on the trip. And yesterday we picked up a 10F sleeping bag, pad, and pillow. So things are coming together. It is getting real, and real close. Our son comes in Wednesday and we leave Thursday. So I'm busy checking every possible thing. Today I got the spares together and in the truck. That includes: Bill's ECU TFI ignition control module Large and small relays and one of each size and amperage of fuse Air filter Fan belts Idler pulley But it just dawned on me that I don't have spare megafuses in. Like the 150A one for the alternator and the smaller one for the inverter. Best check that out. And it goes w/o saying that every possible hand tool is included in the toolbox. As is the Ridgid sawzall and blades. Plus two batteries, one of which is in the charger which is plugged into the inverter, so it like all of the lighting (flashlights, headlamp, string lights, and camp lantern) and walkie talkie radios are being charged when the engine is running. What might I be missing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBrother-84 Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 What might I be missing? Probably already in your luggage, but... -Spare spark plugs -Manual winch -Strong cable, straps -12V air pump -Tubeless tire repair kit -Shovel -Ace -Bow saw (or chain saw + mixed fuel) -SpotX (or satellite phone) if no phone zone Plus, a lot of smiles and fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 19, 2023 Author Share Posted February 19, 2023 What might I be missing? Probably already in your luggage, but... -Spare spark plugs -Manual winch -Strong cable, straps -12V air pump -Tubeless tire repair kit -Shovel -Ace -Bow saw (or chain saw + mixed fuel) -SpotX (or satellite phone) if no phone zone Plus, a lot of smiles and fun! Jeff - Thanks for the list. Here's my response: -Spare spark plugs: I have one in. Should be enough. -Manual winch: I have two very strong & long ratchet straps in addition to the 12K lb electric winch -Strong cable, straps: The afore mentioned ratchet straps plus lots of chain -12V air pump: Nope, mine is 120v. And it'll blow the 12v units into the weeds. -Tubeless tire repair kit: I don't have one of those and should. Will see what I can do. -Shovel: I meant to put one in but forgot. Thanks! -Ace: ? What's this? -Bow saw (or chain saw + mixed fuel): I have a Ridgid sawzall with 2 long blades and 2 batteries + charger -SpotX (or satellite phone) if no phone zone: We have the Garmin Montana with inReach. That gives us the ability to send an SOS message and as many of the three pre-canned messages we want in a day. Right now we have the three messages as: Starting OOAT: we'll send this on Thursday when we get to the trail and Fri & Sat morns as we start Making camp: we'll send this each evening to let them know we are safe Headed home: we'll send this on Saturday when we get to the state highway and boggie -Plus, a lot of smiles and fun! We have the smiles packed already! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBrother-84 Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 -12V air pump: Nope, mine is 120v. And it'll blow the 12v units into the weeds. Of course! I should have known! -Ace: ? What's this? Oooops! Couple of letters jumped out while typing! I meant hatchet. Sorry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 19, 2023 Author Share Posted February 19, 2023 -12V air pump: Nope, mine is 120v. And it'll blow the 12v units into the weeds. Of course! I should have known! -Ace: ? What's this? Oooops! Couple of letters jumped out while typing! I meant hatchet. Sorry! Ok, hatchet makes sense. I have one and if I can find it I'll put it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpin Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 Ok, hatchet makes sense. I have one and if I can find it I'll put it in. Chewing gum. Sounds like you have things covered… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 20, 2023 Author Share Posted February 20, 2023 Chewing gum. Sounds like you have things covered… Thanks, Dane. But, as it turns out I don't have everything covered. I've forgotten spare megafuses for the alternator and inverter. So tomorrow I'll go visit our member DeWayne at Skiatook Auto Parts and pick up some. Both the alternator and inverter are currently fused at 150A. I'm sure that's good for the 130A alternator, but don't know if it is right for the inverter, although it has been handling the compressor ok so far. But tomorrow I'll use my new Ames CM610A 600A clamp-on ammeter on the feed to the inverter to see how much it pulls when running the air compressor, and then go buy some spares. And, by the way, that meter goes with me in Big Blue at all times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 21, 2023 Author Share Posted February 21, 2023 Thanks, Dane. But, as it turns out I don't have everything covered. I've forgotten spare megafuses for the alternator and inverter. So tomorrow I'll go visit our member DeWayne at Skiatook Auto Parts and pick up some. Both the alternator and inverter are currently fused at 150A. I'm sure that's good for the 130A alternator, but don't know if it is right for the inverter, although it has been handling the compressor ok so far. But tomorrow I'll use my new Ames CM610A 600A clamp-on ammeter on the feed to the inverter to see how much it pulls when running the air compressor, and then go buy some spares. And, by the way, that meter goes with me in Big Blue at all times. As explained in Big Blue's Transformation thread the current to the inverter hit 150 amps before I shut the compressor off. So I bought 150, 175, and 200 amp fuses and will put them in the spares bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted February 22, 2023 Author Share Posted February 22, 2023 As explained in Big Blue's Transformation thread the current to the inverter hit 150 amps before I shut the compressor off. So I bought 150, 175, and 200 amp fuses and will put them in the spares bag. Well, Bob Dylan wrote "the times they are a-changin'" and he was sooooo right! Our son, Bret, called yesterday and was miserably ill. Called again today and is no better. So we've called the trip off for later this week as he couldn't enjoy it at all, and has no business flying. But, his tickets are non-refundable so he's going to come at some point and we picked April 27th - May 1st. And by that point Arkansas will be wet, warm, and buggy, which won't be as fun. But, New Mexico's roads should be open by then, so it looks like we are back to Plan A. And honestly, that will probably work out better since he doesn't yet know how to drive the truck and the NM roads are easy compared to the forest service roads in AR. So that will give him a better chance of getting familiar with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts