Brake Controller Replacement

I suspected this one was about to happen. Since I replaced the brake assemblies at the start of the season, and perhaps even before that, the braking of the Alto just seemed to be a bit off. I first thought the brake shoes needed further adjusting, but that made no difference. The magnets were buzzing, so they were getting power, and given the adjustment attention the shoes were getting, the next possible cause was the controller.

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2018 Trip 9: an Ottawa Valley get away

We were off to a new destination this year for the closing weekend. Our regular spot had decided to convert their overnight sites into seasonal sites, which was not overly surprising and we guessed something was up given the mass cancellation they did in the spring. A little search for a similar campground turned up the Opeongo Mountain Resort, situated on Lake Clear.

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Weboost Cellular Amplifier

Cellular signal boosters are a popular accessory for full timers and those looking to improve the odds of having service, when out in the boonies somewhere. Weboost is a popular choice, and it is the brand I went with.

There are three main components, the two antennas and the signal amplifier. Mounting the amplifier and indoor antenna is pretty straight forward, it’s just a matter of finding your preferred location and then sourcing the power. How to elevate and attach the exterior antenna to the Alto is the creative part. Drawing from the solutions already done by my fellow Alto owners, I crafted my own little version.

The extendable paint pole easily solves the elevation part, but the attachment took a little more thought. I was hoping for something easy, with minimal parts to deal with. The photos show my take on the external antenna.

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2018 Trip 8: and then the power went out

Dale’s annual girls weekend at Bonnechere, so Barley and I once again are sherpas for her kayak and gear, along with a mountain of food. Cooler temps were forecast, so we switched our site to an electrical...why not be comfortable?

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Turn Signal Retrofit

I have always thought the rear stop/turn signals were a little inadequate. One 4 inch LED to perform these functions just did not seem visible enough...especially given the numerous distracted drivers out there now. I'm a big fan of a yellow light for turn signals, as it is far easier to notice than when just red is used. Our Santa Fe uses only red indicators as well, and quite frankly, I think they suck.

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2018 Trip 7: just a little road trip

Green Lakes SP, NY

Our first foray into the world of post Labour Day mid week retirement camping. When we made our reservations, the site selection was almost absurd...so many to choose from. It was a bit strange heading out late on a Monday afternoon, but the feeling soon passed.

A quick overnight in Ogdensburg has become the norm when we head  towards the Adirondacks, but it just simply a practical move. Gets all the logistics of crossing the border and groceries out of the way, enabling us to head out first thing in the morning.

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2018 Trip 6: back to the The County

Ten days in “The County”, always a treat when that happens. We have been staying here in one manner or another for decades. We have seen the area grow from a quiet rural feeling destination, to one that is now, for better or worse, more vibrant and bustling. Regardless of your perspective on the changes, it remains a great area to explore and then relax.

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2018 Trip 5: sun drenched relaxing

What are those damn flies? Zooming around your ankles at warp speed, they then land and quickly settle in to gnaw away at your flesh with what feels the point of an ice pick. Any attempt to swat or crush them is generally thwarted by their keen eyesight. Incredibly annoying little bastards.

Regardless of the flies on this particular trip, Driftwood remains one of our very favourite parks. Securing a waterfront site makes for a perfect stay. The sites are nice, the beach nicer, and the swimming is the nicest...or should I really say the floating.

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finally...some air

Some readers may recall my first attempt at increasing the screen area in the Alto, but compared to this, the first was a tad lame

We were over at our friend Sandra’s place for dinner last summer, and on her back porch she had installed one of those magnetic screen doors, the ones where you can just walk though the middle of it, and then it magically closes again on its own. Thinking this was very cool, my mind soon got to wondering if there was the possibility of a future Alto mod, right there in front of me.

pretty easy to see why this version works better...

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Not a mover...but it helps

Ever since the Caravan Mover became available as an option, I have been intrigued not only by its capability, but also by the dual jack wheels that comes with it. We have contemplated retrofitting the mover, but decided we did not really want to make this somewhat sizeable investment. I have though, continued to wonder about that dual set of jack wheels.

even mounted on alloys

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