Shade Tarp - fixes - a surprise addition!

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Reference: R-Pod 179, purchased fall of 2014 but with a 2015 date... I've posted many 179 modifications in the past.

Several times a year I meet friends in remote locations in the western US to do serious Astronomy. Most recently our location was Logan Valley, OR in east central Oregon.
The tarp system I use is a simple Harbor Freight grey tarp (reflects sun) with additional grommets. I use a 2" length nylon water hose (1/2" diameter?) drilled one side in middle to hold a 6" parachute chord. These are feed through the canopy trough as I stand up in the doorway while feeding and tying the chord through the each tarp grommet. Spreading them out then using three adjustable poles secured by strong cordage and steel camping stakes stretches the tarp to make a nice sun shade or rain shelter. Quick, cheap and easy to set up and store.

Unfortunately my Dometic fridge started losing its propane cooling capacity. Out in the field we did as much as we could even made sure it worked on an AC generator, which it did. Finally had to turn off the fridge propane and use my backup ice cooler.
     Back home I went right to this site and found suggestions. The issue was a clogged up pinhole needle jet at the propane source to the burner. Using suggestions here, one only needs a Philips screwdriver; Torx 20; 7/16 and 9/16 wrenches to take the burner assembly apart. quickly I found the jet issue and cleaned it out with a simple sewing needle. Then used CRC contact cleaner in the propane supply line then dried out with canned air. Several Q-tips with cleaner on them to clean the burner grate. It took around 1.5 hours. But thanks to the R-Pod owners who posted their fixes!

My next addition is I found a 1ByOne vinyl record turntable from Goodwill (cheap but like new) which operates on 12v and has Bluetooth. My sound system in the R-Pod accepts Bluetooth so the only wire hookup is the 12v connector! Not only can you play records inside but also outside since it is Bluetooth. Very strange indeed, more of a novelty but I still enjoy vinyl. Works perfectly and I have a cordura-foam case to protect it while traveling.

Our 179 has brought us a lot of great adventures over the years. Like 'Viking' sez, "Unpack once while traveling in Cooomfort".

John B.
Spokane

Strawberry Mountains Wilderness in background

1ByOne 12v turntable with Bluetooth

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
john_benham Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 31 May 2015 Location: Spokane Status: Offline Points: 46	Post Options Post Reply Quote john_benham Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Shade Tarp - fixes - a surprise addition! Posted: 29 Jun 2025 at 3:11pm
	Reference: R-Pod 179, purchased fall of 2014 but with a 2015 date... I've posted many 179 modifications in the past. Several times a year I meet friends in remote locations in the western US to do serious Astronomy. Most recently our location was Logan Valley, OR in east central Oregon. The tarp system I use is a simple Harbor Freight grey tarp (reflects sun) with additional grommets. I use a 2" length nylon water hose (1/2" diameter?) drilled one side in middle to hold a 6" parachute chord. These are feed through the canopy trough as I stand up in the doorway while feeding and tying the chord through the each tarp grommet. Spreading them out then using three adjustable poles secured by strong cordage and steel camping stakes stretches the tarp to make a nice sun shade or rain shelter. Quick, cheap and easy to set up and store. Unfortunately my Dometic fridge started losing its propane cooling capacity. Out in the field we did as much as we could even made sure it worked on an AC generator, which it did. Finally had to turn off the fridge propane and use my backup ice cooler. Back home I went right to this site and found suggestions. The issue was a clogged up pinhole needle jet at the propane source to the burner. Using suggestions here, one only needs a Philips screwdriver; Torx 20; 7/16 and 9/16 wrenches to take the burner assembly apart. quickly I found the jet issue and cleaned it out with a simple sewing needle. Then used CRC contact cleaner in the propane supply line then dried out with canned air. Several Q-tips with cleaner on them to clean the burner grate. It took around 1.5 hours. But thanks to the R-Pod owners who posted their fixes! My next addition is I found a 1ByOne vinyl record turntable from Goodwill (cheap but like new) which operates on 12v and has Bluetooth. My sound system in the R-Pod accepts Bluetooth so the only wire hookup is the 12v connector! Not only can you play records inside but also outside since it is Bluetooth. Very strange indeed, more of a novelty but I still enjoy vinyl. Works perfectly and I have a cordura-foam case to protect it while traveling. Our 179 has brought us a lot of great adventures over the years. Like 'Viking' sez, "Unpack once while traveling in Cooomfort". John B. Spokane Strawberry Mountains Wilderness in background 1ByOne 12v turntable with Bluetooth