Tuesday, December 23, 2008 - Brenham TX

Sunrise at Okatibbee Lake, Twiltley Branch Campground, Collinsville MS, December 8, 2008

Do it yourself, John

Some days it takes a while to settle down and eject the notion that keeps creeping into my head that I need an expert to do these things. It's just a sensor held in place by two screws. What's the big deal? As far as I can tell from a bit of internet research there is no big deal - put the new one on and let the computer get used to it. I think I was mis-led by the Patriot Ford mechanic who diagnosed the problem and told me at the time that Ford 460 engines used in RVs require a special TP sensor that has limited availability. For my search of the part number he gave me and how it relates to the commonly available sensor I'm going to a calculated guess that he's wrong. We'll see.

A little Googling turned up a Napa store, a phone call had a part ordered and I had it in hand at 2:00 pm. By 4:30 I had my propane tank filled at a propane dealer recommended the Napa guy, had dumped my tanks at a municipal dump station the propane gal sent me to, and had the doghouse off and the new sensor in place.

The engine seemed to run fine and the transmission seemed to hold lockup on the brief test run I made - tomorrow we'll see how things go on my travels.

Travel route for the day

From Brenham TX

• Wander about town

To Brenham TX

Night camp

Wal-Mart Parking Lot in Brenham TX

Wal-Mart Supercenter in Brenham TX

Wal-Mart Supercenter Store #321, 203 Us Loop 290 West, Brenham, TX 77833 - (979) 836-1118

• The store is on the southeast corner of the US290 / US36 interchange south of Brenham
• This Superstore has a nice level parking lot and propane and a dumping station are readily available from here.
• Get propane at Brenham L-P Gas Inc, 302 W.Main, Brenham TX - (979) 836-3221
  • From Wal-Mart head north on TX36J / TX105 / TX283 / S Day Street which becomes S Austin Street. Turn left at the next stop sign AFTER the traffic light at Alamo Street. Brenham L-P is the second building on the right.
• Dump tanks at the municipal dump station in the field next to the EMS station on E Blue Bell Road across from the fairgrounds.
  • From Wal-Mart head north on TX36J / TX105 / TX283 / S Day Street which becomes S Austin Street, then at Alamo Street it becomes N Park Street. Turn right onto E Blue Bell Rd. The EMS station is 1/4 mile or so on right and the dump station is just beyond the EMS station.
• Verizon cell phone service- yes, excellent signal
• Verizon EVDO Broadband service - yes, excellent signal
• Find other Wal-Marts in the area
• Get a Google map and Steeet View
• Check the weather here