Leaving Z

14th February, Valentine's Day. And yes, Art had remembered! In fact he bought Gillian more chocolate than vice versa!

The last week we have been tidying up and putting things away getting ready to go. To be fair, Gillian does 90% of the work, Art not having the strength, flexibility or stamina these days. This year we were well in time, not mad rush the last day.

Yesterday the side curtains went on the Jeep as did the towbar, bike rack and Art's Pedago electric bike. Oh--and tire pressure checked--all 6 still up to spec!

Today was the chairs, awning sunshade, ground mat, plus putting everything inside away where it could travel safely and without rattling and crashing around. Oh, and of course, putting the dinette into bed mode to make room for the dogs' soft crates which they travel in.

Since we would be leaving early in the morning, (the alarm would be set for 6:00 AM!) while Gillian walked the dogs Art moved the motorhome from its spot to a more accessible place, sideways across 4 small spaces alongside the driveway and facing the gate. Then he connected the Jeep ready for towing. This would allow for bring in the slides, retracting the stabilizers, filling the air suspension bags, and the air brake system checks, all of which required the diesel engine to be running. Better at 5:00 PM than 6:00 AM!

We were done, showered and dogs fed in time for dinner. Not cooking tonight!

Dinner tonight was in the El Manglar Restaruant, excellent as always, goodbys to the staff and neighbours and back to the rig to make our lunch for tomorrow. we were in bed and asleep at a reasonable hour, though of course Tia woke us up a few times.

15th of February, a few hours short of three months since we arrived.

6:00 AM the alarms went off. Glad we don't have to do that everyday! Tia got her meds (an hour before breakfast) we got our breakfasts, dogs walked, then they were fed, then another short walk. 

Art had hoped that by not putting the jacks down for the night the air would come up quicker. It did, but not as much as hoped. The air suspension had settled a bit overnight. There is obviously a slow leak somewhere. However it only took a few minutes longer and the neighbour behind us was already up and about. We were out the gates at 7:30. Art had hoped for 7:00 but no big deal. 

The road north was in reasonable shape, though it is narrow in many spaces. The Michoacan coast is very rocky, on the edge of the mountains; lots of curves, twists and hills. About 400 kilometers, Art guesses six to eight hours with minimal stops.

At 9:35 Art realised that he probably shouldn't have had two cups of tea at breakfast and drunk another two on the road. Fortunately at the Playa |Azul junction there was room to pull over to take care of that problem! We had done 118 kilometers in just over 2 hours. Though we were through the built up area of La Mira, which stretches almost from the city of Lazaro Cardenas, we hadn't yet hit the hills and tight curves. Yup, gonna be a long day!

For note taking purposes, an hour later we were at the kilometer 65 marker, just north of Nexpa. Averaging about 60 kph.  Another 15 kilometers further we passed the location of our incident of three years ago. Glad to get that behind us!

Here is a snap shot of the GPS as we traveled the really twisty bit.

As we went past "Zapote Tizupan Centro Ecoturismo" what was known as "Kilometer 103 and a half" consisting of a restaurant, pool, camping and RV Park, we had confirmed what we had heard: It had burned down. Three more or less separate building, it looked a bit suspicious. There had been some internal conflict and arguments about the development of this spot, within the Ejido.  Too bad, it had been a good stopping place.

12:25 Two hours later, at Maruata, we took a 10 minute P break for the dogs. Our average now 53 kph.

A bit further on at the town of Aquila we came across an Indigenous peaceful protest against the Federal Government where the highway was blockaded by heavy trucks and equipment. Mostly the southbound traffic was being held up; we were able to move on after just a short delay.

Once through the delay we were behind a couple of cars and a very heavily laden gravel truck and a couple of vehicles behind us. The truck driver occasionally signaled that it was safe to pass, even though we could see nothing and the cars all took advantage of it leaving us directly behind the truck.

Followers of the blog may remember a year and a half ago when entering Mexico he had managed to shatter the glass of the right hand mirror and successfully taped it together. Later, in Zihuatanejo, he had a glass shop cut another mirror which he glued over it. It had lasted quite well, though it was beginning to vibrate a bit. He had planned to replace it last summer but. . . . .  

Eventually, the truck driver signaled again that we could pass so Art pulled out, had a look and could see far enough (as long as a fast car didn't come around the distant corner too soon) though the road was narrow, absolutely no shoulders and the trees and bushes right to the edge of the highway. Concerned about the sharp edge of the road as we passed the gravel truck Art didn't notice how close the mirrors were to each other. Gillian warned "Watch the mirrors!" Art glanced right as he heard a slight "Tick" and the main glass of the right hand mirror was gone. This is what remained. With a bit of adjustment the small convex mirror would serve for now.







A couple of hours later we left Michoacan and crossed into the state of Colima and by 3:35 we had arrived at Coconutz RV Park in Cuyutlan.

403 kilometers in 8 hours. 50 kph average (including stopped time of about 20 minutes) To be generous, say 55 kph average travel speed.

Last Three Weeks in Z

The days passed quickly, not sure why--we certainly weren't very busy! Other than trying out a few restaurants!

I'll try to get back here and post a few more photos and a few more details but since it is now well into February I had best get onto posting details of our departure and the trip up the coast to Puerto Vallarta (Where we are now as I write this!)

Meanwhile, here is the Orelio, the Chef from El Manglar Restaurant, harvesting a fresh banana leaf from the mangrove (manglar) estuary for one of their dishes, fish filet in banana leaf.

Is There an Electrician in the Family?

Oh yes! There are a couple. But they are 5000 kilometers away!

The new voltage regulator has arrived! Got a call yesterday afternoon from Electronica Mitron saying that it had come in, took the Jeep into centro and picked it up this morning.

Now to transfer the input and output cables from the old unit to the new one.

While getting ready to start Art had a closer look in good light at the EW50 and was able to see signs of damage--one small part looked like it had over heated and there were sooty like deposits on the inside of the cover and on the outside of the fan vent. With no schematic and no schematic not much to be done. Art sent an email to the company, we'll wait and see. The warranty runs out before we get to Mazatlan, but there is a Home Depot in Puerto Vallarta. As I said, wait and see.

The Ecowise unit is much more high tech--mostly electronics, the SOLA BASIC mostly transformer with some solid state switching and control.

The EW50 was set up for very standard connections. Hot, Neutral and Ground input connections on one side, and Hot, Neutral and Ground output connections on the other. Two large openings accommodated the two large gauge three wire cables.



But! The SOLA BASIC had only three connections in total; Hot in, Hot out, and a single neutral. Ground? What ground? This is quite common in Mexico. Art did notice that the electronic circuit board had a small gauge green wire going to a nut on the metal box. So here was where he attached the two grounds from the input and output cables. He had to splice the two neutrals together (as shown on the diagram provided). He had his soldering gun and heatshrink tubing to do a reasonable job. He also had to pare the cable cover right back and was just able to get the six individual wires through the small hole. Cable clamp? No room! A few wraps of PVC Tape and a cable tie for a strain relief and we were good to go.

Plugged in, breaker turned on, no smoke! This will be a re-do project when we get home and have the tools and space to work on it. So far it is working in that the power is coming through, though the inverter did have to come into play when the AC started up, the SOLA BASIC didn't correct fast enough for the compressor startup voltage sag. We'll see how it does with the high voltages overnight.

Well it works well enough on the high voltages though unless there is a good load it idles somewhere between 108 and 112. And it boosts the low voltages up to a reasonable level (about 115) BUT it is much too slow to going into boost mode. 108 is the minimum allowable voltage for the heatpump.  The Xantrex is still having to go into invert mode to start the compressor. Once that is done the voltage is usually somewhere between 112-115 with the heatpump running.

Concerned with the inverter switching on and off so much under high current load I eventually took the SOLA Boost 4000 out of circuit and stored it away. The heatpump will sometimes start if the morning line voltage is approaching 130V. We will move north to Puerto Vallarta soon and hopefully will be able to do without the air  conditioning.

Zihuatanejo, January 2017

Having a bit of an electrical problem with very high and very low AC at the RV Park connection. The Xantrex of course protects the rig and equipment by stopping incoming  power that is out of spec. If it is set to "Invert" then it does and supplies a nice 118 volts from the batteries. Which is fine unless we forget to disable the high current devices such as the air conditioner!






Another problem is high current heating to the 50A shore power cord where it connects to the 50A-30A adapter. Probably due to poor connections inside the fitting and/or low voltage.

You can see where the rubber has partially melted on the 50A plug. (Right)






Of the two adapters I have (the black one is new and is the spare) the yellow one at first glance seems OK but on closer inspection may show some sign of heating in the middle. There seems to be a small shallow depression in the plastic.

The cord runs about 75-77 degrees F, the plug right beside the terminals was running about 100F. Runs cooler (92) with the new adapter. 


UPDATE February sometime. The plugs and cords were running cool enough, just slightly over ambient. Noticed though that the breaker box was warm as was the supply 30A outlet, though slightly less so. Advised Mundi, (the park owner) who came and had a look: the buss on the box was burnt!  The electrician arrives soon; a new box, new breaker and new wire spliced in. I wish I had had the nerve to photograph the job but I thought the electrician would take offense! I foot long piece of #8 red wire spliced in to replace the scorched original wire, and a piece of what looked like # 10 or 12 green wire spliced into the white neutral! However, it works. All nice and cool now.  The electrician said that these should be replaced almost every year because of the humid salt ridden air.




Last year (and in previous years) we have also had problem with high voltage overnight and sometimes, during the afternoon when the demand is high, with low voltage. We looked into various voltage regulation devices and last year on the way home, in Mazatlan we purchased a high tech electronic one. At home Art wired in the required cables and plugs and tried it out when we got here in November. It worked great! The inverter did not have to interfere once, the EW50/1 holding the voltage at 118V even when the incoming voltage rose to above 130.

Until one day a month or so later the lights flickered a few times and the inverter came on. Investigation showed that though there was acceptable voltage at the post there was no output voltage. The indicator lamp was flashing a code which the manual stated showed short circuit in the device. Disconnecting the output, so there was no out connection, the same code showed.

Art unplugged the unit and plugged the shore power cord into the campground supply. So we're back to depending on the inverter. No one here can service it, we'll try in Mazatlan.



Meanwhile, friends in the park across the street last year purchased and installed a SOLA BASIC 4000 which they report as working flawlessly. Their friends and neighbours bought one this year and we get the same reports from them. Art ordered on Wednesday from Electronic Mitron, delivery a week to ten days. Waiting now with fingers crossed.

A few photos of El Manglar to end the year

New bar installed at El Manglar Restaurant yesterday, the "Grand Opening" was today.

And by 6:30 PM in full swing.

Another boring sunset.

THE SUBLIME

Humming birds showed up a few weeks ago. While looking up feeding info I confirmed what I thought I had remembered about sugar syrup for them: DO NOT use raw sugar or brown sugar. The colour is iron which is highly toxic to humming birds in those amounts. Even the light brown granulated sugar that is common here in Mexico is toxic and will kill them in time. Nor should powdered sugar be used--it contains anti-caking agents which is bad for them. Never thought that I would be hunting for "healthy" granulated white sugar! Finally found 2 kilo bags at the Comercial Mexicana!

AND THE RIDICULOUS

PAINTING IN THE PARK

We had had some body and paint work done just after arriving and when our friends Dale and Barb arrived we told them about Margarito. Dale and Barb had been hit in the rear by a runaway trailer while on their way home from Mexico last year and totally smashed in the rear of their motorhome. It was deemed a writeoff but they decided to patch it up. On arrival here this year there was a lot of screw holes etc left from the temporary plywood repairs done in Mexico. Also the decals were quite sun faded on the left side.

Margarito and Dale discussed what was wanted/needed and soon they were at work. Those curved waves on the side are not decals: Photographed, paint matched and painted on.

About a week later Fred arrived, planning to stay a day or two while making his way further south. When Art noticed some serious damage to the fibreglass body on the left rear of his 1990 Winnebago Warrior he said "I know someone who can fix that."

Margarito came around and Fred was quoted a few thousand pesos. Then they began looking at the years' and decades' collection of dents, bumps, tears and scrapes. A little bargaining and 15,000 pesos and one week later a full body repair and repaint:

 (note, 15 pesos to the Canadian dollar, 20 to the US dollar)

El Manglar, Zihuatanejo

Not done a lot since we got here; wash and wax, small body and paint repairs to the motorhome


Microwave/Convection went BANG when Art pressed the Start button to reheat some tea in the cup. 40 seconds later the tea was hot, no smoke, no smell.

Happened again three more times yet ran perfectly in between. Something is Arcing intermittently.

Went onto RV.NET to ask for advice, and also how to take the oven out so he can followup on the suggestions. One poster asked for a photo of the installation in order to best advise on how to remove it. So here are the photos. Now I can copy their URLs and post it on RV.NET

UPDATE:  It BANGED once more a week later, and now, 29th of December, almost the end of the year it has worked perfectly since. Must have burned all the carbon off!

There is nothing to stand it on here while I investigate, so I think I will leave well enough alone for now.

And another photo I need for rv.net

MaxxFan with fuse in the fan. (Someone said they didn't make them.)

But just to prove that we are really here:

Full Moon 13 December 2016 

Greeted with this returning to the rig after dinner in the restaurant.

 

Catching Up! Laredo to Zihuatanejo

Since I am so far behind and really all we did was travel I'll put the next three days into one pos

 12 November 2016  Lardeo to Matehuala

We left the Info Center at 8:00 AM, much later than planned, as usual! There are two options for the route; north a bit and take the toll road, or continue south on the I-35 then west to meet the toll road at the Columbia Bridge crossing. Since the tolls are take automatically either by a license plate reader or Toll Pass reader we opted to take the free road.

NOTE:  Garmin does not recognise this crossing and shouted at us the entire way until we had actually crossed the bridge. This is the reason that we keep the voice option turned off!

The directions are somewhat different than from last year though fairly well signed. Watch for signs for Solidarity Bridge or Colombia Bridge. The full name of the bridge is Laredo-Colombia Solidarity International Bridge. Eventually you need to be on Mines Road, numbered FM 1472, then after what seems like a very long way it intersects with 255, (the toll road) where you must turn LEFT. The sign here this year was not very obvious and was quite close to the turn.

We arrived at the Columbia toll Bridge  at 8:35 and were at the border on the other side a few moments later.

How to navigate the crossing (At least this year):

They keep changing the setup here: This year they wanted big rigs to park  by the fence on the far LEFT before going through the lights and walk across to get paper work done.

Then proceed through which ever gate has the green light--or as directed--the rig will probably have to go through the X-Ray machine after the paperwork has been completed.

Everyone and pets( or every live animal) except the driver MUST exit the rig while the driver takes the rig to the X-Ray. The driver exits the machine and hides behind a very thick concrete wall with the attendant while the X-Ray apparatus moves over the rig. When done, the rig has to make a U-Turn and go back towards the north bound lanes. DON'T go through! Park alongside the grass and wait until the X-Rays are checked and you are cleared by an agent to proceed. This involves another U-Turn and you're on your way.

We were finished with Immigration Customs and the vehicle permit and cleared the X-Ray at 10:05

The exit from the customs winds around quite a bit before meeting highway 2. Here you turn left.

The highway started out in good shape--last year it was terrible--but soon deteriorated. The police are very vigilant along here but there was no way we could maintain the 80 Km/H speed limit for most of it. 

At about 11:00 on the main highway south we stopped at a Pemex/OXXO for phone cards. The  machine for adding time directly to the phones was not working but we were able to buy one 100 peso card (they only had one!) and a 200 peso card that we could add to the phones ourselves by entering the number. Art did his right then but Gillian decided to wait as she had to find the SIM card adapter.

Then 15 minutes or so down the road another Customs check but we were waved through once they saw the import decals on the vehicles.

Heavy fog around Monterrey and heaver still as we climbed the mountains. Fortunately it was not as bad as it had been the first time we took this route some years ago.

Approaching Matehuala we went straight ahead to the city NOT taking the bypass around it as the GPS was insisting. We knew that our way would work as we wanted fuel. A few kilometers along we stopped at the Pemex at 5:35 and by 6:08 were parked and level at Las Palmas Midway Inn 

We didn't bother to connect to power, water or sewer, power here if often iffy at best, batteries were fully charged and tanks were appropriately full or empty. Relatively expensive here for unreliable services, AND they charge in US dollars and convert to pesos! Put it on VISA at 364.14 pesos, which came through on our VISA statement as a charge to Motel 6 of $24.55

If you are heading for Las Palmas from the north as we were you can see the sign on the left but it is not near the road but on a high tower near the rear of the park. Look at the map available in the link above and if you look closely you will see a break in the divided highway where you can turn left. Not a 90 degree turn, a much broader angle: you need to cross the north bound traffic at a diagonal and (in a big rig) make a U Turn at the entrance so that you end up parallel to (but not in) the north bound lanes. On the map you can see a dark lane angling towards the north corner of the property. This is the gate they will open for you if you cannot fit under the arch at the front of the hotel which is quite low--check it out first even if driving a van.

If you don't need fuel and would rather pay the toll than deal with the traffic you can take the 57D Toll road and take the first exit right into the city.  When you reach the 57, DON'T go under the highway but turn north on the lateral. Just as the lateral ends and merges with the main through you will see the Las Palmas Inn on your right.


13 November Matehuala to Queretaro 

9:30 on the road through town it seems to take forever to get out of the city. Low speed limits for quite a distance though many locals seem to ignore it. Might be worthwhile to take the toll road next time but then again, it might not!

11:50 one small toll 115 peso ($7.75 Canadian)

 Lots of new construction into Queretaro. The highway is being mostly elevated with wide laterals on each side, several cross streets providing Retornos. Or at least they will when finished. Some are blocked off. For most of it we are on the laterals, the through lanes not yet finished. Looks good for next year though.

We soon spotted the Pemex and the Hotel Juriquilla Inn on the left side of the road so knew to be watching carefully for our exit. Again changes from previous years but we knew we had to cross the highway and head back north a little. We spotted the exit and were soon over the highway and making the 270 degree turn over the highway and another one to head us back northbound on the highway and then we were there. 2:30 PM

This exit is a little hard to spot; Keep to the right lane as you pass the Pemex/Hotel Juriquilla Inn on the other side of the highway and take the exit the instant that you go under the over pass. As said above, a 270 degree turn takes you over the highway then an immediate 270 degree from the exit puts you north bound again and the hotel and pemex are on the right.

While Gillian went into the office to check in Art began disconnecting the Jeep. We would top up with fuel here to avoid any delays in the morning. We had a long day ahead of us tomorrow.

Art fueled the motorhome while Gillian moved the Jeep then she took the dogs out and scouted our parking place.  The mute lad that opened the gate was quite excited when we recognised him. And very excited when we reminded him of our getting stuck in the very wet grass some years ago. He and another young man spent three hours digging us out!

The spot they gave us this time, he assured us was very firm. Art took a look and was not so sure. However, we reversed around a pile of rocks and were soon in place parallel to the wall. Tires sinking somewhat into the sod. Art found a flattish rock about 8 inches across and 4 to 5 inches thick which he placed on the grass under the right rear jack where the grass seemed softest. Then a couple of squares of plywood which we carry with us on top of this, and also under each of the other three jacks. Then he put the jacks down. They sank in a little but not too much. Hopefully we will be able to drive out in the morning!

Parked, level, slides out and Satellite dish locked on at 3:15

Again, not worth hooking up and at 200 pesos quite reasonable. (Less than $14.00

14 November Queretaro to Zihuatanejo

8:30 on the road. North for a few kilometers, retorno, back through town to the 45D toward Celaya and Silao. There was one retorno that we could have taken but missed it. There is a lot of construction here, there should be a retorno or two under the new highway being built.

Once southbound into the city watch for the signs for Celaya and Silao Cuota. It is well into the city and a right exit about where the laterals end.  WATCH CAREFULLY FOR THE SIGNS. The last on is not all that obvious until the last minute. It is not necessary to keep to the laterals.

9:15 First of many tolls today on the Quota out of the city. This would be an expensive Toll day.

There are several tolls quite close together and not cheap! One of the tolls you take a ticket and pay at the end.

Crossing Lago Qutizeo we sometime spot cows up grazing, to their knees in water! Not so this year.

One across the lake we began keeping our eyes out for any signs to the new toll road that would avoid Morelia and the periferico traffic. We knew that we would have to turn north towards Guadalajara but were not sure what the signs would actually read. If memory serves me right Patzcuaro was listed!  Once north bound watch for signs for the Patzcuaro, Uruapan, or Lazaro Cardenas. I believe it was actually marked 37D somewhere!

For first timers on this route: There is quite a bit of up and down and we were almost past Patzcuaro before we realised it! Once we hit the big downgrades between Patzcuaro and Uruapan  we knew exactly where we were.

When these are more or less done you have to watch carefully because to continue to Zihuatanejo and the coast rather than Uruapan you will actually have to EXIT on the the right. This exit will merge with traffic coming from Uruapan. Should you miss the exit don't worry too much, you'll just have to find a place to turn around as the Cuota ends and becomes the main road into the city.

Still more tolls to come! And hot hot hot. Infernillo is not named that in jest! Still a picturesque drive for the most part.

Eventually we arrived at the junction with the 200, and turned left to Zihuatanejo. One hour away. 
Since it seems that someone may be using this blog to follow our route I'll give specific direction to El Manglar RV Park, including a small detour for fuel.

South on the 200 towards Zihuatanejo the highway is in pretty good shape. The upgrades have cut 20 to 30 minutes off what it used to take.

As you enter Zihuatanejo at the bottom of the downgrade after the Ixtapa cut off keep in the right lane. Do not take the lateral. After a bit the highway divides and goes around what is more or less a large roundabout though that is hard to see.


IF you want to stop for fuel, stay in the left lane but DO NOT return around the roundabout (though you could go around again) but go straight to the traffic lights. At the light, keep in the left lane, you will see a PEMEX station ahead and on the left.  The left turn lane here (at the light) has a green filter. Turn left on the green signal and enter the Pemex from the cross street, right at the corner. This PEMEX has only ONE Diesel pump, it is the one nearest that corner. 

The best way to get back on the 200, you will have to head north again for a block, is NOT to use the side street but turn right onto or hopefully ACROSS the lateral to the main highway lanes. Immediately after the traffic lights you need the far left lane and keep going left around the roundabout again. As you go around there will be a cross street--this is the one you came in on--
keep left but use the RIGHT lane as you go around past that cross street.

 Almost immediately you will see another two lanes entering from the right: THEY have the right of way. Here you carry around heading south you need to stay right (If you went for fuel, the first time around you were staying left) as you will need to immediately exit to the lateral. You have the right of way here entering the lateral but note that buses and taxis may want to argue the point!

From the lateral turn right at the next (very close) street, just past the bus station. This street will take you past the Comercial Mexicana department store on your left. (Good place to shop if you need to. Also there are 4 ATMs inside.  IF you do, LeaveCM by the same entrance exit.) This street Ts into another street, turn right. Watch OUT for 2 topes in the next short block. Further down there in another that is almost impossible to see. Watch other traffic for hints!

Soon is another roundabout. You want the third exit. This puts you on the La Ropa Road which will take you up then down a hill or two. At the bottom of the hill a road leads off to the right at the Dolfin Statues. Keep going straight (the road bears slightly left). The road surface deteriorates badly here. Around the next curve another road goes left. Again, keep going straight. WATCH OUT: after you pass that road and round a slight curve, La Ropa road divides ahead of you. You will  see at the last minute two lanes bear right and two lanes are straight ahead. KEEP RIGHT.  These lanes soon merge into one and La Ropa road is back to one lane each way.  Don't ask why this road is like that. Too long to go into here!

 The straight section of road goes up hill ahead of you. DON'T go up the hill! Turn right. Depending on your height you may be able to take the one lane on the right. Note the ARCH at the end of it. If in doubt, don't go there! The height notice was painted over some years ago. I know we don't fit!

To avoid the arch you need to go down the wide street along side, just on the other side of a treed  divider. This is a ONE WAY street: Put your hazard lights on, keep to the right and drive slowly. Once immediately past the arch turn right and cross the road the goes under the arch. If you were able to drive under the arch turn right once you exit the arch. Take the next left under low trees and the worst road surface you have seen in a while. In maybe one hundred feet turn a hard right to El Manglar.


4:25 Fuel at the Pemex on the highway (just south of the roundabout).

4:57 Arrived El Manglar

Sometimes it seemed to be taking forever but we're here at last and suddenly it all seems worth it.


Numbers to date:  Distance travelled from home to here: 6,554 kilometers. (4,072.6 miles)
Fuel burned (From fill at Port Angeles) 1882.22 liters. (414 Imperial gallons, 497.23 US gallons)
Fuel/distance:  28.7 Litres per 100 Kilometers :O ! (9.84 mpg imperial, 8.19 mpg (US)
Total fuel cost: $1,694.00 Cdn  1.11 per litre.