AL: What ya doing up there on the roof of your R.V.
Tim, you’re gonna fall.TIM: Well since you ask Al, I’m up here getting all that winter dirt & debris off my roof, before I wash the rest of my coach.
AL: Well why are you worrying about that, when it rains it will all wash off (and driving down the highway at 100 kmh should do the rest…)
TIM: Actually Al, it won’t, and by doing this a couple of times a year I help reduce the black/grey streaking that occurs on my sidewalls.
AL: Huh?, how is that gonna help?
TIM: Glad you asked
Al. Part of the natural aging proc-ess of these modern rubber-roofs, is this chalky-grey residue that contributes to all that black streaking on the sidewalls. Plus, this gives me a chance to inspect my roof and fixtures for gaps/voids in sealants, that by the way Al, should be inspected annually, and serviced with the appropriate seal-ants.
AL: So Tim, your telling me I have to wash my roof a couple of times a year.
Tim: You bet Al. Not only should you wash it with the correct rubber-roof cleaner, you should protect it from the harmful U.V. rays of the sun and apply a rubber-roof pro-tectant after cleaning. This will not only keep the rubber roof membrane in excellent condition, you will reduce the work and effort needed to clean the sides
.AL: Wow Tim, I had no idea you were so “up” on roofs…
TIM: funny Al! ha, ha..
AL: Hey Tim, I see you got one of those Solar-Panels. Could you run your micro-wave oven with one of those?
TIM: No Al, you can’t run a micro-wave with a Solar-Panel., but what I was going to say Al. Once you finish washing and protecting your rubber-roof you can then continue with the rest of the exterior with proper R.V. Black-Streak removers and cleaners.
AL: Then we’ll finally be ready to go down to the lake and get some serious fishin’ in?
TIM: Well actually Al, not really. I have my Spring check-up appointment already booked at Arbutus R. V. & Marine, where they will go over all the critical components in my R.V., like the propane systems and appliance servic-ing, wheel-bearing & brake servicing, check the under-car-riage and suspension components for wear, and what ever else I am not comfortable doing myself.
AL: Wow Tim, you hardly put on 2000 miles last year, is all that necessary?
TIM: You bet Al! the best R.V’ing trips, are those without surprises!
AL: So, what Can you run with that Solar Panel Tim?
TIM: Actually Al, you really can’t run anything with a Solar-Panel.
AL: Well what good is that? Something that can’t run anything??
TIM: Well since you asked Al, a Solar-Panel gives me the freedom to get away for more than just those weekend trips. The Solar-Panel utilizies all that “FREE” energy the Sun provides, (direct & indirect Light), and converts it to usable energy that keeps my battery-bank topped up. Remember when we used to go out to the lake for the weekend, and by Saturday night the lights were starting to dim, and the furnace wouldn’t even run anymore.
AL: How could I forget Tim, if I remember right, I had to keep you warm..
TIM: Yeh, right Al. anyway, as I was saying. Solar-Panels free me up in many ways, like if there is no hydro-electric service at a campsite, I don’t need to worry, or if I want to get away from you…I mean, get away from work for an extended period at the lake, I can be confident I won’t run out of battery power.
AL: Well, what if I wanted to micro-wave some pop-corn at the lake, then what?
TIM: Fortunately Al, I had an Inverter installed at the same time I had the Solar-Kit installed.AL: You Converted to what?
TIM: No Al, INVERTER. It is a high-tech electronic device that allows me to utilize all that extra battery power and convert some of it in to useable 110V Alternating Cur-rent for short durations. So to answer your question Al, we can pop some corn if we need too, oh, and watch that great new D.V.D. I got last week on the proper grouting techniques of bathroom tile.
AL: Oh that sounds exciting Tim… say Tim, where did you find out all this useful information.
TIM: Glad you asked Al. Those helpful and knowledge-able people at Arbutus R.V., helped me assess my needs, answered my questions with easy-to-understand technical answers, and they had all the products I needed, at prices I couldn’t miss out on.
Submitted by: Douglas Berney, “Red-Seal” Certified R.V. Tech Parts & Service Department, Courtenay Location, Arbutus RV, (250) 337-2174, Toll Free 1-866-330-2174.
CALL ANY OF THE FINE SERVICE REPS AT
ARBUTUS RV
Marianne in Sidney at 655-1119 or toll-free 1-888-272-8888
Rolf in Mill Bay at 743-3800 or toll-free 1-800-665-5581
Dwayne or Rick in Nanaimo at 245-0282 or toll-free 1-877-245-0282
Paul or Doug in Courtenay at 337-2174 or toll-free 1-866-330-2174
