A running List of Corrections / Mods

[2019_V22]

The next project has been on the list for a while, Adding a tool box to the front tongue. I purchased a Sherline tongue scale to check tongue weight first, which came in at 635Lb. So I have some room to add a few things.

https://www.sherline.com/product/sherline-trailer-tongue-weight-scale/

A pre-made box was chosen that best fit the dimensions I wanted. The propane tank holder was moved as far up to the tongue jack as possible, then the battery angles were cut off. The V will be spanned by 1/4" X 4"w aluminum flat stock for the box to be secured to. The battery was going to reside in the new box, but will be changed to lithium and moved inside under one of the dinette seats.

 

[2019_V22]

Once the lid bumpers arrive, the box will be done...

 

[2019_V22]

Next project will be an industry first, a 110v outlet on the awning end cap for lights. A weatherproof outlet was sourced, a new extension cord used as the supply wiring. The extension cord was cheaper than buying the 3 wire by the foot. The cord is 16/3 rated at 13 amps, which is more than enough for a string of lights. A singe 10 amp breaker will be added to a vacant spot in the converter panel to accommodate this new run. The rear idle head was chosen since there is no drive motor, and room for the outlet in the endcap, likewise it's closest to the converter panel. Since the awning is screwed into a vertical wall stud, the penetrating hole was drilled in a sharp angle to create minimal loss of the wall stud, and get into the wall space. The drill bit ended up going through the inside wall behind the converter, which was absolutely what I wanted. The awning arms are symmetrical, so a hole at the bottom already exists. The new wire will be rigged the same as the drive motor side, I have ordered the wire channel strips too.

 

[2019_V22]

10A Breaker installed, ready to test.

 

[cookie]

You sure are ambitious, once again nice job.

Peace
Dave

 

[2019_V22]

The real work begins now, dropped front portion of the Coroplast so I can pull/run the battery wires through to the forward dinette seat storage. Not to my surprise there are a handful of items to be corrected from production. I have been itching to tear into the underbelly from day one. Let the fun continue..!!!



All the wires are re-routed the space under the dinette seat.


At least 1 lithium battery will go here instead of the Acid battery.





Replaced the split loom tubing with a more appropriate size, the clamps, and neatened things up a bit.

 

[2019_V22]

Replaced the OE tongue jack LED board with a much better one from a scrap fridge. You can actually see in the dark now...!!!
I also reversed the tongue jack switch wires so that when the switch is pushed up, the tongue goes up, and the reverse for when the switch is pushed down. It's more intuitive this way.

 

[2019_V22]

Since the gas manifold piping had to come down to get into the underbelly, I removed it all the way today and completely coated all sides several times with industrial grade rubberized coating, it was starting to get rusty.

 

[2019_V22]

Added split armaflex insulation to the exposed hot and cold pex tubing that terminate at the kitchen sink. The split armaflex offers 2 gluing methods, a seam glue, and a flat tape seam cover, all for a good seal. The avail space where the hoses passed by one of the tanks was a bear to over come, but the lines are now insulated. No more waiting for the hot water to arrive in cold weather, even if i was just used 5 or 10 minutes earlier..!!
I decided since the underside is still open, I'll be running a future wire from tongue to rear bumper for reverse lights later on. Otherwise I ready to close it up after running the wire.

 

[2019_V22]

We are now pre-wired for bumper reverse lights. Power will be used from the #7, 7 pin round trailer connector. All wiring under the camper was covered with split loom sheathing.

 

[2019_V22]

Sometimes a good modification needs it's own mod.
My fridge fan mod has been great, but I have decided I'd like the ability to turn them off when I feel like. Today I modified the fridge control panel, and installed a fan switch. An Exacto knife kit was used to carve out an un-used switch bay, and the decal face, a little hot glue, solder the wires on, and tap into my fan wires down at the main board, of course it works...

 

[2019_V22]

A little more modification to the fridge, been wanting a temp display for Fridge, and Freezer compartments. Something I didn't want was the wireless, or Bluetooth versions. I was unable to find a single instrument offering dual temp fields in fahrenheit, I settled on these compact ones from Amazon. They run on their own button cell batteries, so no draw from the camper battery, have a tethered thermistor probe, and mount flush to the OE panel. Each sensor probe will be drilled through the box and into each compartment for the most accurate temp measurement.

 

[2019_V22]

The fridge mod is almost done, waiting on the sensor covers to arrive. I added disconnects to each temp unit for easy future removal and servicing.

 

[2019_V22]

Started the entry steps courtesy light addition. Pretty straight forward here, there was already a cover plate for the lighted grab handle. I removed that, and the batten strip, pulled power from there, ran wires between the door jamb and wall stud, and through the floor to the steps. The light is blue, LED, and will be on whenever the grab handle is turned on.

 

[2019_V22]

Just finished the reverse lights in the bumper. A bit more wiring occurred in the background that I did not take pics of, mainly left to right in the underbelly area at the rear linking both lights. These will activate with the vehicle is in reverse using the center pin of the 7 round tow plug.

 

[2019_V22]

Moved all future posts to the Facebook group, but wanted to add this one here.

Maintenance time on the rooftop Dometic A/C yesteday. Looked it over a couple weeks ago, noticed both coils need to be cleaned. Decided to seize the moment to open the system up and do a proper evacuation, and charge. A point of access is made, the freon recovered, and this access point remains till the work is done, then pinched off. This will allow me to take the coils, blower wheel, and fan blade out to be cleaned with cleaner and rinsed with a garden hose. I never felt this unit cooled well, or was up to par from the start. Often the factories do a sweep charge, or pull a quick vacuum then charge. This can lead to inefficient operation. The end result seems to offer better operation, as shown by the freeze sensor on the thermostat display.

 

[2019_V22]

more pics