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The next step will be to connect the bulkhead with the floor frame, square and level everything, and build the sides and wings. I have been able to buy some new curved bottom edge extrusions from Chuck Cayo in Michigan so I can get a good clean connection between the shell and the frame.
On a different subject, here is the grab handle and nameplate. Badly pitted. I took them to a local chrome shop. Too badly pitted to rechrome. He referred me to Pot Metal Restoration in Florida. These folks say they can restore and rechrome. The price seems reasonable. However they have mixed reviews when I did a web search. Any of you have any experience with them or have another place? Can't have a buffed -out camper with badly degraded fixtures!
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And last but not least, a couple of the boys in the Avion factory have reached out to let me know that they took pride in the job they did installing the fiberglass bustle...
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That's all for now from soggy California where it's finally started to rain!
Dick
67avion wrote:
Thanks for the info on Solar. We had located a kit with mono-crystalline silicon wafers. It had what appears to be very high efficiency producing 9 amps from a 160 watt rating. That seems to be enough to keep my batteries charged up taking into account our camping style. We move every day or every other day so the truck charges the batteries as well. In the event we thought that we could always add another panel if this wasn't enough.
Thanks for the info on Solar. We had located a kit with mono-crystalline silicon wafers. It had what appears to be very high efficiency producing 9 amps from a 160 watt rating. That seems to be enough to keep my batteries charged up taking into account our camping style. We move every day or every other day so the truck charges the batteries as well. In the event we thought that we could always add another panel if this wasn't enough.
Should work out ok
Quote:
Unfortunately I hadn't measured the usable space ----- and when I did I learned that it is around 40 inches between the vents. The panel is 60+ inches. So that is a non starter.
I went to the website of the company you recommended and found a panel, for a good price, of 100 watt rating and also high efficiency. Its also about 40 inches. If I put two of them on the roof, I think they would fit for a total rating of around 200 watts and 10+ amps.
Unfortunately I hadn't measured the usable space ----- and when I did I learned that it is around 40 inches between the vents. The panel is 60+ inches. So that is a non starter.
I went to the website of the company you recommended and found a panel, for a good price, of 100 watt rating and also high efficiency. Its also about 40 inches. If I put two of them on the roof, I think they would fit for a total rating of around 200 watts and 10+ amps.
Shadows are one thing to consider. In general, if part of the panel is in a shadow, the output of the entire panel will drop. I believe the amsolar panels are wired so that they do a little better than non-rv panels but you still want to avoid mounting them where any roof protrusions will cover them for a substantial part of the day.
I have an air conditioner and a Winegard antenna which doesn't leave much room. Maybe a panel on top of the a/c.
1971 Cayo C-11 truck camper, 2010 Airstream Classic, 1997 Chevrolet K2500, 2004 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 8.1.
D1trout wrote:
On a different subject, here is the grab handle and nameplate. Badly pitted. I took them to a local chrome shop. Too badly pitted to rechrome.
On a different subject, here is the grab handle and nameplate. Badly pitted. I took them to a local chrome shop. Too badly pitted to rechrome.
I'm not sure what to do since I thought that rechroming was not that problematical. I think I would check around locally before sending it off to Florida. At least you'll get another opinion. Re-chroming is very expensive, but all the motorcycle guys do it. Should be a lot of expertise in the Bay Area.
So, its raining in California?
It's been freezing so long here in the Midwest that crop circles are appearing on my swimming pool.
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If you don't mind me asking, how much will it be to restore the Avion badge?
Dennis
Not cheap but probably not available anywhere, unless I find someone
parting out an Avion. On hold for the moment. There's a metal polisher in
Santa Cruz I'm going to ck with. Gary the welder - kind of a Gyro Gearloose character - has contrived an aluminum casting set-up. He could duplicate the parts in pure aluminum! I'll ck with him also. That might be very cool. Polish them up brightly. Paint the red in as appropriate...
Dick
67, I took the parts to a rechrome shop in San Jose that gets rave reviews. It was the owner who told me they were too pitted for him to deal with and produce an acceptable result. I'm liking the cast aluminum idea...
D1trout wrote:
They want $96 each for the Avion badges and $75 for the door grab handle.
Not cheap but probably not available anywhere, unless I find someone
parting out an Avion. On hold for the moment. There's a metal polisher in
Santa Cruz I'm going to ck with. Gary the welder - kind of a Gyro Gearloose character - has contrived an aluminum casting set-up. He could duplicate the parts in pure aluminum! I'll ck with him also. That might be very cool. Polish them up brightly. Paint the red in as appropriate...
Dick
67, I took the parts to a rechrome shop in San Jose that gets rave reviews. It was the owner who told me they were too pitted for him to deal with and produce an acceptable result. I'm liking the cast aluminum idea...
They want $96 each for the Avion badges and $75 for the door grab handle.
Not cheap but probably not available anywhere, unless I find someone
parting out an Avion. On hold for the moment. There's a metal polisher in
Santa Cruz I'm going to ck with. Gary the welder - kind of a Gyro Gearloose character - has contrived an aluminum casting set-up. He could duplicate the parts in pure aluminum! I'll ck with him also. That might be very cool. Polish them up brightly. Paint the red in as appropriate...
Dick
67, I took the parts to a rechrome shop in San Jose that gets rave reviews. It was the owner who told me they were too pitted for him to deal with and produce an acceptable result. I'm liking the cast aluminum idea...
Nice job on your camper. I also like the idea of "cast" aluminum name badges. You sure could polish them up real nice.
Ford F-350 4x4 Diesel
1988 Avion Triple Axle Trailer
1969 Avion C-11 Camper
67avion wrote:
Garry, thanks for explaining all that. I see now how you laid it out - and remember you writing about it.
I have looked at every Engel model and can not figure a way to set one in the cabinet. I'm now considering a front opening Engel fridge in the spot where the old fridge was located. And the "fussing" is whether we want to have a top opening freezer that would slide out, or a fridge that was mounted into the wall.
Garry, thanks for explaining all that. I see now how you laid it out - and remember you writing about it.
I have looked at every Engel model and can not figure a way to set one in the cabinet. I'm now considering a front opening Engel fridge in the spot where the old fridge was located. And the "fussing" is whether we want to have a top opening freezer that would slide out, or a fridge that was mounted into the wall.
One advantage of a wall mounted Engel, is the option of a small freezer in the fridge... That is the only drawback to the MT-45, is that it is either a fridge or a freezer. not both at the same time. So we have a small Engel Ice Box, that we put the refer items into when we want to use the freezer function. And with a family of 6 traveling, the ice box is helpful for quantity of food stuffs. For just a couple, you will be pretty happy with a wall mounted Engel.
Garry
Garry K
Wife + 4 kids
Retired Military Family.... Alway's on the move....
2002 F350 CCSB 5.4 6spd 4x4 in AK
1966 Avion C-10 Truck Camper
Garry what about an MT60? Its a combo
freezer/fridge at the same time. I personally
like the expedition style: its engineeringwise
more efficient to keep cold in with a top opening.
I am thinking of some kind of top counter surface
with the Engel underneath. Double duty the space.
Oh yes! D1 your the man of the hour! That Al
framework is drop dead gorgeous!