You Say Tomato, I Say Tomahto

Here we are once again inside the cabinet of curiosities.  I will figure this out one way or another because I'm as stubborn as a mule ... and they are pretty STUBBORN.  I called the Pleasureway van folks ... nice guys who still answered my questions even though they were on the road driving ... and found out they speak some foreign language unknown to mankind.

I get the charger ... it takes the energy and charges the batteries.  The inverter takes the energy and runs the DC stuff.  I can turn the charger off, but the inverter and the fan that keeps it cool, continue to run.  

However, I'm getting closer and closer to learning Squidditcher ... my name for this panel.  By the way, there is no other way to turn anything on or off except here.  There are five panels.  The only one I get is that which opens the vent and turns on the fan!!  Tomato ... tomahto because apparently the inverter and the charger are the same critter hiding under the back seat.

Time to hit the sack.  Honestly, I'm sure this is much easier than I'm making it out to be.  I think if someone stood there and told you exactly what to do and you wrote it down, it would not be so much of a problem.  It's like trying to learn a computer when you've never used one before.

The good news is I can turn OFF the Charger whether I'm boondocking or plugged in.  They tell me the fridge draws directly from the batteries, no inverter required, and it should last for 3 days without ANY added power.  This is definitely a different animal.  

First things first, I cut out a piece of foam for the bed and got out my old sleeping bag.  No use carrying lots of blankets when a lightweight 36 degree sleeping bag is easy to set up and roll up.  

I turned the charger off but the inverter and its fan kept running.  I finally shut off the breaker at my panel where I'm plugged in and was able to shut off the inverter.  Oooooohhhh ..... quiet!!  The two touchpads continued to run on battery, but they shut off automatically.  Can I charge my phone?  Who knows, but I'll do that routine a couple more times today (writing it down as I go) for practice.  

Once I get that down, it will be a piece of cake.  If I'm plugged in, I'll just turn off the breaker.  In the morning I'll flip it back on because I don't care what's running in the daytime.  Truly, all this stems from having a solar system big enough to boondock forever, thus the huge inverter.  It boils down to me not being able to sleep with the noise.  I'm sure no one else would have a problem with it.

So .... the rest of the day involved Mr. Mr. getting a bath.  He hates it!!  He's still a little went around the ears, but got treats for being a good boy.  

And then there was lots of baking.  Yeah ... this is definitely something that would come out of my oven.  I got too involved in the rig and left it in the oven a tad bit too long ... like maybe 30 minutes.  Believe it or not, that's mozzarella on top.  Aren't you glad you don't have to eat it???

Here's another "I'll try it so you don't have to".  This is spinach/cheese ravioli (big ones) layered with sausage, marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.  It called for ricotta but I didn't have any.  Though I didn't expect much out of this one, it was actually VERY good!!  Fake lasagne!  Who knew??  It needed a little more sauce, but I would make this again for the freezer.

This is one of my all time favorites ... scalloped potatoes.  I had only one lone russet potato left, so I cut it up, added onions, cheese and cream.  Yessiree ... a tip I learned from a Chef back in the day.  Heat some cream with garlic in it and pour over ... not adding too much.  YUM!!!  I had this for breakfast today.

And so I'm going to relax with my coffee this morning before heading back out to test my newly acquired language of the Inverter.  If nothing else, you have to admit I'm determined!!!