Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Glitch Update And Other Expenses

We took the rig into Bill Howich RV Repair. The fridge only needed the burner area blown out with compressed air and it works fine - no charge. The ceiling fan (did I mention it did not work?) worked for them and works now. It just needed a drive to the repair place. The furnace was another story. The main board was shot so they replaced it with a Dinosaur brand board ($236) they had in stock and replaced the high limit switch ($34). Add labour and taxes and it came to $650! Ouch!

I called Desjardins in Quebec for travel medical Insurance and feared the worst as we are not getting any younger. I was pleasantly surprised when she told me $3,700, only $200 more than last year. About $10 per day each. Great. I then called for Mexican vehicle insurance. I had advice to change to another company but we stuck with San Xavier as they treated us really well with two previous claims and their price was only a little higher. The peace of mind was worth it. Anyway that came to $684 US to insure the motorhome, dolly and car for six months. After currency exchange, it totaled out to $923 on my credit card. In BC we are lucky because when we get home I can claim whatever portion of my Canadian insurance that we were out of their jurisdiction (Mexico) for and get a refund of more that what the MX insurance costs. Move to BC folks, it's a perk!

So that is the major expenses done. Ferry to get off the Island will be around $350 followed by gas to get to Algodones and the dentist and after that it will be only ice cold beer and fish tacos! Oh yes, and wait for the magic of compound interest to re-fill the piggy bank. Ya, Right!


40 comments:

  1. I figured that was the problem with your fridge. The pipe that is the exhaust for the burner gets corroded and small bits of rust drop down onto the burner and stop it from staying properly lit. The last time I had my fridge partially out in Mazatlan I actually cleaned that tube and it's been much better since. Like I said, the burner needs to be cleaned at least every six months. It sounds like they didn't actually take it apart which means there is still stuff in there. You'll be good for a few months like that (fingers crossed), but the proper way would have been to take it apart.

    Your replacement Dinosaur board is probably universal. You should call them and ask them, because if your fridge board were to go while in Mexico, you could (in a pinch) use it to power your fridge. Likely more important than needing a working furnace at that point!

    Looking forward to your trip to see how much things have changed since we were there 8 years ago!

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    1. Thanks Kevin. The receipt says it is a Fan 50 Plus control that looks like it is specifically for the furnace.

      http://www.dinosaurelectronics.com/Fan_50_PIN.html

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    2. Hmm. Too bad they didn't put a universal one in.

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  2. Whatever those tacos are.... I want one (or more!)... fish? don't care. They look delicious!!!

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    1. My mouth started watering just looking at the photo!

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  3. Yeah those fish tacos look mighty tasty!

    There's a little restaurant (if you can call it that) a block or so west of Sani that I've been to several times. They make a great fish taco and other good items really cheap. Ask the guy who acts as the concierge at Sani and he will take you over there.

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    1. Thanks Don, I will look for it.

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    2. It's almost literally a "hole in the wall". It's Mariscos y Taquerea "El Paisa". This link should take you to a Google maps street view.

      https://www.google.com/maps/@32.7160533,-114.7302791,3a,75y,280.61h,76.66t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdNVTgtEZt9laMjQQWb382g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

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    3. OK. now I recognise it. We have been there on previous trips. We wintered in Yuma three different years and made several trips to Algodones. We have eaten here and yes, it is very good!

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  4. Of course we were hoping you were coming down our way - but we will follow your every move amigos - have a safe trip!

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    1. Thanks John, it will be different from what we are used to in Mexico but we will have fun!

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  5. If you don;t mind my asking, how many pesos do you get nowadays to a Canadian dollar in Mexico? TD's rate today is 11.89 pesos to one Mexican peso. Thanks!

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    1. I use http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=1&From=CAD&To=MXN to get the official rate but of course we never get that rate because every one takes a little commission. The legal rate is 12.64 pesos to the Canadian dollar so your 11.89 rate is probably what we will see at the ATM.

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    2. One more question: do stores take CDN, or USD or do they just take pesos? Thanks very much?

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    3. Canadian dollars are impossible to spend, some folks insist on using US dollars and pay a huge penalty as Mexican banks will not accept US dollars from a merchant because of the drug problems. Always use pesos in Mexico. They are readily available at ATM's and it shows respect to our hosts. Imagine a Mexican trying to buy a meal in Seattle (or Edmonton) with pesos! Same thing.

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    4. Very kind thanks for that information!

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