Propane Leaks Stink
05 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
We came home a while back to a smell. Smelled like rotten dog farts. Damn, propane leak. We pulled the tanks and aired out the rig; fortunately, none of the animals were sick.
Just the Facts, Ma’am
06 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
I just realized that I haven’t posted basic data and vital signs. Here we go!
1979 Wickes’ Empress, made in Canada
1976 GMC p30 chassis (probably made in Michigan)
454 Chev engine, 4bbl Rochester QuadraJet carb
Registered as 1979 Unknown make & model
24′ long, can sleep 2 adults and maybe 4 big kids or 6 little ones. The sleeping platforms are twin- and full-size, but the upper ones wouldn’t hold two full-grown adults.
LP water heater and furnace with thermostat.
We have a fridge, double sink!, four-burner LP stove with oven, microwave, and lots of galley cabinets.
The bathroom has a tiny sink that also supplies water to the hand shower. The floor is plastic, and slopes gently to the corner drain. We have a regular RV flush toilet, as well as a fair bit of storage.
The table is missing, but Dylan is a good carpenter, so we see that as an opportunity. The cushions are all gone, but I would have replaced them anyway after 30+ years. We get to make these things ourselves: customization at its best!
We have 2 duplex receptacles for electricity. Our house lights run on the 12V House battery system.
Winterizing on the Cheap
06 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: LP, propane, renovation, safety, water, winter
First, I investigated the water leaks. I saw a few layers of various repair materials, but there were cracks and separation. My best course of action is to strip down the roof, and do some extensive fiberglass repairs. That was not an option at the time, and there was more rain coming.
To the tarp section! The only 24-25′ tarps were 50′ wide and way out of our price range. They did have two 9×15′ tarps and a roll of Gorilla Tape: EUREKA! I had to go to the laundromat anyway: I took advantage of the big folding table to French seam the tarp with the tape. When we were installing it, we found that one grommet was flawed. Dammit! It’s on a corner! Fortunately, being theater people, we’re knot geeks. One tarpaulin knot later, we were watertight.
We didn’t want to use the propane systems until we could get them teched out by someone with an LP license. Since we have an electric hook-up, we got an electric radiator for heat. We have to be aware of power usage since we only have 20 amps for everything, but we stay warm.
Electric heat turned out to be a wise move. We came home one evening to a propane leak. I hadn’t closed one tank all the way. We closed and removed the tanks, opened all the vents, and ran both the kitchen and comfort exhaust fans.
I think the leak is in an old fitting near the aft tank. In the spring, we’re going to redo all the propane lines. I have found that the standards for boats are appropriately high: the Coast Guard is pretty fussy about safety, and seafaring boats have many of the same operating parameters we do. We will use marine-grade everything.
We sealed every air leak we could find, and put easily removable cardboard covers over the LP heater intakes. The kitchen exhaust vent released a lot of heat, but wrapping the filter with a plastic bag, then putting it back in did the trick.
I don’t really trust “pink” water. They say it’s potable, but it’s still propylene glycol. I’m glad our water systems and holding tanks are empty and dry. We’re using a camp sink, chemical toilet, and 5-gal. water container. The Spring will bring a thorough tech-ing of the water systems, and hopefully, inside showers.
Thank FSM that Wickes is Canadian, and builds a well-insulated Home. `
Please comment with ideas or advice!
The First Night
06 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
Our first night in the Empress was Halloween night. We had moving boxes in the bed/table area, so the only space we had to live and sleep was the hallway. Fortunately, a twin air bed fit perfectly. It was COLD. We hadn’t found the drafts yet. Neither of us really slept, which was actually a good thing.
We hadn’t rebuilt the carburetor yet, so we couldn’t drive Empress to her spot; we were on the side of the road. A couple of times, we heard voices right outside, but one good Bianca Bark took care of those.
About 2 that morning, we found out there was a leak in the roof. A burst of icy water drenched Dylan. We stuffed a garbage can under the leak, and put away the bed. We tried to cuddle together to get some rest, but around 5, we gave up.
We went to McDonald’s for a welcome hot coffee and bathroom. Dylan went to work; I went home and tried to start setting up housekeeping.
Living Safely
06 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: crime, safety, stick
Someone asked me if I feel safe in my home. Yes!Yes!Yes!
Our “stick” residences have been riddled with crime and/or hazardous levels of neglect. Repairs and maintenance have been greatly simplified, and we have absolute control over the condition of our Home.
Our Plott Hound is a proven defender: she once held a crackhead at bay (he thought she was going to eat him!). Her authoritative bark would deter all but the most determined ‘bad guy.’ A firearm would likely be more dangerous than beneficial. In the past, a loud, aggressive presence has worked well for me in the face of criminals.
Blessings! Blessings! Blessings!
17 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
Space. The Final Frontier. This is the voyage of the land ship Empress. Our mission: to remake our world, to renew our lives and our relationship to civilization…
To boldly live as we have not lived before.
