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Rivnuts (rivet nuts) are the most popular way to add threads to sheet metal, but in mobile applications like the sheet metal on a vehicle (aka van) are thin enough that rivnuts can pull out or get loose and spin. For stronger retention in thin sheet metal, Plusnuts are a lot better. Plusnuts are very popular for Sprinter, Transit and Promaster van to campervan conversions. I've used them all over the Sprinter van to attach things inside and out, and they have worked perfectly

The Flowtron bug zappers I've had always die after 1-2 years of use. The coil burns up and it stop zapping. I found a zapper replacement on Etsy that uses a higher quality circuit and should last longer than the original. One issue is that this only replaced the zapping grid circuit, but not the bulb circuit. You'll need to find another solution for that, the easiest being to use a UV LED strip, or UV LED bulb to replace the florescent bulb. Link to Zapper circuit on Etsy. Th

HOW TO CHARGE THE STARTING BATTERY FROM THE HOUSE SOLAR PANELS (OR HOUSE BATTERIES) OF AN RV Ok, so we're successfully keeping the house batteries charged up using the solar panels. Now, how can the starting battery be kept charged when the RV or van is sitting unused for some time, or to prevent accidentally discharging the battery? The solution is a 12V to 12V DC-DC charger that goes from the house batteries to the starter battery. If there's already a 12V-12V DC-DC charger

It's time to upgrade the solar power and house battery charging system. Technology has improved since I first installed it and the charge controller I was using was designed for lead acid batteries, with too few settings for LiFePO4 batteries that I use now. This article focuses on mobile solar power for RV, camper, van and trailer use. Most of the electrical system components that I'll be recommending below are VICTRON brand. Their products might be a little more expensive t

Self-heating LiFePO4 batteries are necessary for use in non-climate-controlled areas that go below freezing. Charging LiFePO4 batteries below freezing will damage them and reduce their capacity and lifespan. At a minimum, the batteries should have low (and high) temperature cut off (the BMS should control this, but not all do). Even with a low temp cut off, the battery can't be charged without heating it up first, so you need to add a heater pad or some heat source to the bat

How To Repair Multiport Valve Diverter Tutorial on how to replace the rusted spring and rebuild a PENTAIR multiport valve diverter on a pool filter multiport valve. These springs only last a few years max, and then most people buy a whole new multiport valve diverter top assembly, which costs at least $150, and I've heard pool stores charge as much as $450 for. These springs can be purchased for less than $5, and easily replaced with basic hand tools. ▼ WHERE TO BUY MULTIPORT

The original finish for the Marksmith Ti Permanent Marker was a brushed finish. The markers are spun on a lathe, and an abrasive non-woven mesh pad like Scotch-bright is used to create the brushed finish. This finish looks amazing when new. Unfortunately, although titanium has a great strength-to-weight ratio, it is a relatively soft metal, even in its GR5 alloy form, and therefore it scratches easily. The brushed finish can therefore get scratched in use. It is easily refini

DISCLAIMER The following info are changes that were made to our equipment and for our reference only. Do not attempt to make any changes to your equipment. Only certified technicians with the proper skills are permitted to make changes to equipment. Open TM-1 machines had spindle speed limited to 4000 RPM and rapids limited to 200 ipm for safety reasons. An enclosed TM-1 has a 6000rpm spindle and 400 ipm rapids. We're going to enclose our TM-1 milling machine, so we can incre

DISCLAIMER: The following info is documentation for scientific research purposes only. Do not attempt to recreate any of the equipment described. We are not responsible for any damage caused by information documented here. Read at your own risk. DESIGNING A LITHIUM ION CHARGING CABINET Lithium-ion battery charging cabinets that can contain a fire and smoke from a battery catching fire are very expensive... for good reason. It's very difficult to contain and prevent the spread

This beach shade design is supported by poles inserted into the ground and therefore does not need a sandbag and cord in front to hold it up. Using two 11ft by 9ft beach blanket provides up to 200 square feet of shade. To hold it in the sand, I used 2 beach umbrella lower poles from beach umbrellas that had been thrown away. The poles are 25ft of heavy-duty aluminum tent poles, although fiberglass tent poles could also work. The aluminum poles are stronger, stiffer and corros