Skersfan's build for Old Sarge, May 2012

[SWITAWI]

Last update from yesterday...

Valuable lesson learned today, never put final framework up before galley wall is installed. Just worked two hours getting the darned thing in there. Cut the counter top. Not a final cut as I still have welding to do above it on the door, but it is in and fits nice. With the light wood and the white all around it is really going to look nice. I am also enclosing the door so no frame is exposed, that should make it look cleaner, all wires will be hidden and bought those white 'run-the-wire-on-the-wall' fixtures so they will really look clean and sexy, lol.

When I built the prototype I put the galley wall in very early, and I know now that is the thing to do. Due to the fight getting it in I may not stain the wall, we will see.

Still need to get to town and buy struts, headed out now. - Bob

More pics to come when work stops taking up all my time - Reid

 

[SWITAWI]

 

[SWITAWI]

From 6/13 in the post-meridian...

Got the struts in and working on rear door this evening, kitchen has the sink and faucet installed along with stove top, the outside entry doors for onboard water, shower, and water heater are cut and in. Will remove the wall again to place the protective white panel on and seal up the kitchen.

Need to do electrical soon. I've been putting it off as something else always comes up. The electrical is my favorite part of the build so I am really looking forward to the Progressive Dyn system I am installing in this one. - Bob

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Very nice. Like the tight and clean approach your using. Great build thread.

J

 

[SWITAWI]

Update from last night...

Got the door locks made, the rear door frame painted, and built the battery lock down system. That was about it for today. - Bob

Myself, I just want to know if Bob intends to continue his 'floral motif' in all future builds.
It will surely contribute to the trailer's high S.A.F. rating (Spousal Acceptance Factor)

 

[greentruck]

Tell us more about that battery. Anything special besides the form-factor?

 

[Rubiconcruiser]

May I say this is awesome, especially the roses. Really Nice.

 

[skersfan]

https://www.altestore.com/store/Dee...-2580L-12V-258AH-AGM-Deep-Cycle-Battery/p304/

Greentruck

We use these in all of our solar micro wave towers. They have been virtually indestructable. Some are in their 12th year, not this specific battery but a group 31. I found them want more amp hours with less weight, I normally run two group 31 Concorde/chairman batteries and was going to go to 3. The cost an the weight would have been considerably more than going this way. You can read about it here and that should answer what ever questions you might have. I can get them far below the retail price so if there is interest, it truly is a fantastic way to go for long range expeditions/overlanding.

And I was thinking you guys would be more into pink, silly me.

 

[picoraspy]

stunning.

 

[picoraspy]

did you have a approx weight on this so far, fully loaded?

 

[skersfan]

I am thinking 23 to 2500. This will have the fox Wing awning, the battery and all the other standard features. I weighed the frame last week, with axle, 35's and flooring it weighed 1040 pounds.

 

[SWITAWI]

Sorry for the delayed posting folks. Been seriously sidetracked this week. Got a ton of pictures from Bob dating back to Friday night and lots of commentary. Shall we get on with it?..

From late Friday, 06/15 - After checking everything out, the original position of the stove top was correct, but I moved it back an inch and in from the wall another inch. I feel better about it anyway. Sink and faucet are in, the stove is set but not screwed down. I have worked on the inset boards and have them all cut. Will need to stain them yet. Worked on the 12 volt system, almost all wires are looped and ready to run to site. Each one is color coded. All are crimped, soldered and shrink wrapped.

Will finish up the wiring of the 12-volt prep in the morning, I have two more wires to prepare. Then I'll run the 110VAC and the wiring to the fridge, the TV, the AC/Heat unit, two outdoor light fixtures and three interior light fixtures, and I will run the inverters directly off the solar system. The solar controller will also get installed tomorrow. Try to build the header system for the water systems and install the water pump and the hoses from under the trailer. May try to attach outer skin to the rear door, will cut side doors out and finish interior painting. Sunday I hope to cover the top and seal it up for fiberglass early in the week - Bob

 

[SWITAWI]

From late 06/16 - I still have to wire in for the TV, need to ask Curtis (Old Sarge) if he thinks he will be putting satellite TV...

The tent and the two Foxwing awnings just got here. Patti is off shopping, getting her hair cut, and what ever excuse to get away from here she can come up with. I will have her here help me tomorrow to put the Foxwing on my prototype trailer so you can see what it looks like. I will also put up the tent but do not have the attachment rail needed for it yet. Forgot to pick it up when I was in town, get it Monday. - Bob

 

[SWITAWI]

Electrical is coming along nicely. One plug is for the fridge (on its on fuse). As a matter of fact the water pump, interior lights, outside lights, tent light, and hot water heater are all on their own fuses. The 110VAC system will have a breaker for each piece of equipment. All the wiring so far is under the counter, trying to keep all wires hidden in the upper area. Welded in a new ground, must bring running light wiring up from under the trailer, also the hot wire from the truck. Just wondering on the TV as I have enough 110VAC slots for their console. Taking a break now. - Bob

 

[SWITAWI]

I have figured a way to put most of the electrical wiring in the main system box. The box needs ventilation so it is behind the sink and below the ActionPackers. I will be able to bring the cord through the wall into the box, and I can run the microwave power cord over on the rail, unseen and drop it into the box and connect both with the GFI box. Saves me a lot of time and wiring hassles.
I am adding a 110VAC outlet to the driver side front of the trailer, again for tent set ups. There will be one extra location for an additional plug in the electrical box from over the top if needed. - Bob

 

[titanpat57]

lol..you beat me to the punch RJ...

Lookin' Good Bob!!

 

[SWITAWI]

From Sunday, 06/17 - The wiring is coming along pretty good. All wires are color-coded now, soldered and run to the location of the corresponding switch or plug. I'll start on the 110VAC this afternoon. I plan to have one outdoor plug on the driver's side in front of the door and one at the passenger rear and possibly the driver's rear. With a shower containment system, the female half may want to dry their hair in the there, but we haven't decided if that is necessary or not... The wife says no, so that is that. - Bob

 

[SWITAWI]

lol..you beat me to the punch RJ...

I'm a little late to the party sometimes, but I am known for 'making an entrance', lol. Was up late all weekend slaying piggies and work has been totally manic this week.

Now back to our regularly scheduled program...

 

[SWITAWI]

In the first picture the red taped wire set is the house unit, meaning you plug it into 110VAC or generator and it charges the battery. The yellow is for the solar panel to charge the unit. This is a top of the line Progressive Dyn unit, I have never used one before. It converts 110VAC to 12VDC, monitors the 12-volt system and only charges when it is needed. There will be 4 breakers when it is all done. Now I do not know how the breaker system will work offroad, but if it comes loose we'll have to make a plate to hold them in. I doubt it will be any problem, but having never used these before I am not sure. Most road teardrops use this system, and Frank at Vintage Technologies says it will not be a problem.

All of the 110VAC wiring is done other than connecting, but cannot do that until the fiberglass is on. Water heater still has to be connected, but again, fiberglass.

Will work on the driver's side rear wall, get the plastic on and the switches hooked up for galley lights and water pump. - Bob

 

[SWITAWI]

Cut in the driver side door, will finish the plastic coating on the inside of kitchen next. Discovered I still have one 110VAC outlet left to do, forgot the interior one. Ran out of brown wire for running lights and need to get speaker wire anyway. I do not have the outside lights yet, hopefully will pick them up when I get the fiberglass. - Bob