Our Excellent Adventures

The underside of our Sprinter looks clean. Looking closer reveals some added components. (Click image for larger size.)

This is the drain for the black water tank which is inside the Sprinter. It is the only component you can see looking at the Sprinter from a normal view. All others are hidden.

The grey water goes into this tank has an 8 gallon capacity. If we are going for several days we carry a wheeled portable tank we can drain this into as it is a little small. We were limited by space so this is the only size that would fit.

Hidden away the hose for draining the black water tank. It is a little hard to get to but we don’t use it much and would rather it be hidden than easy to get to. The gray water tank can also drained with this hose but is normally drained with just a garden hose.

The propane tank has an 8 gallon capacity and runs the heater and stove. This should last quite a while and is much larger than we had previously.

Outside access is through this door. Also in this compartment is city water (used also to fill the water tank), shore power, cable TV (just in case we end up in a fancy place) and our extend-a-stay connection.

Here is the 4D-AGM battery and the fuel tank. Fuel capacity is 25 gallons.

The battery would have to be lowered with a hydraulic jack if we need access. It weighs 132 pounds and is 20.5″ x 8.13″ x 10″

The top side of our Sprinter has been used as well.

To the left you see the new Fiama awning made to attach to the rails which come standard on any Sprinter. Because of the high side door, the awning ends up on top instead of the side. It adds about another 4″ to our height which puts us close to 9-1/2′.

The antenna on the front is a power amplified antenna. What is that? I don’t know. I think it makes reception better.

The 2 Kyocera Solar Panels are multi-crystal photo-voltage blue panels, encapsulated between tempered glass and a PVC back sheet. The panels are installed in an anodized aluminum frame and feed into a Blue Sky Solar Boost 2000E Controller and then into the 4D-AGM house battery. The house battery provides the 12 volts DC we need and feeds into a 2000W Triplite Inverter for any AC requirements. 

These are the spec’s:

• Max power output 130 watts
• Max voltage 17.5 volts
• Max current 7.4 amps/hr
• Weight 29 lbs.
• 56″L x 26″W x 2″H

Behind the panels is the cover for the Fantastic fan and in the back, a vent for the marine toilet.

Since the awning used the right rail, we had to add another short rail on that side. It would be possible to mount a Thule M.O.A.B. behind the top of the fan cover but getting to it might be a problem.

If you look closely at the photo you will see there is a color change above the antenna. I haven’t any information on that.

I don’t have a lot of friends. Especially close friends who would drop everything and come to my aid if I needed them - maybe 3 or 4 like that. I think one should pick and choose friends wisely.

We are judged by the company we keep (at least that’s what Mom said). Would I have a friend who protested in the 60’s or fled to Canada or participated in crimes against the government - no.

It is a fact in America we are quick to forgive and forget.  Partly because we really don’t teach history but mostly because we are always looking to the future. Not necessarily a bad thing.

But some, like me, don’t find it easy to forgive and forget some things. I think it is because of the time I spent in the military. Bill Ayers (a legend in his own mind), shown here in a photograph from Chicago Magazine, would not be my friend. Not only do I see him as a weak coward, I am mad he is teaching, writing and making a profit from being a revolutionary.

”I don’t regret setting bombs,” Bill Ayers said. ”I feel we didn’t do enough.”

Oh really. That is exactly how I feel. I don’t feel like we did enough to squash worms like him.

And now, Ayers is making money from his days of crime. He is not really a true rebel. He was and is that way only when it is convenient. When it brings him attention. When it strokes his ego. Otherwise he wouldn’t just be talking about it from his comfy college job with his Starbucks in hand. He would be out there blowing something up. (How brave to stomp on a flag with no one about except the photo crew.)

And sadly, some people are drawn to idiots like this - even those running for political office. That is their mistake and I am not likely to forget that either. In fact, because of their association with Ayers, I am willing to conclude that they share some of his beliefs. Not something I would want in a President.