Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: So what did you do to your Truck Camper today?

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Topic: So what did you do to your Truck Camper today?

Posted By: Ski Pro 3 on 01/20/13 09:05pm

ggadwa wrote:

Skipro3
Pictures would be nice. We'd like to see your Camper improvement projects.

GARY

As I promised Gary, here are photos of my projects. First, the solar panels. I used 2 50 watt panels. A single 100 watt panel would be cheaper, but I realized that a panel can loose a lot of current if there's even a slight amount of shading. I tested this with my panels, measuring the current into a dead short. With full sun, the panel would put out 3.2 amps of current at 3:30 pm today. If I put my hand over it, a palm, it would drop to as low as .2 amps depending where in the panel my hand was placed. If this was a single 100 watt panel, then I would have zero charging during that time. With 2 50 watt panels, at least one of the panels was still outputting 3.2 amps. I tested this by connecting both panels in parallel, then shaded one panel with my hand. The current went from 6.5 amps down to 3.4 amps.
I used Instapark panels;
http://www.amazon.com/Instapark%C2%AE-Bl........colid=ZO07J7YSGGZ7&coliid=I3HU2PQV02SF7P
[image]

I attached them to the roof using Instapark universal mount kit. I used threaded rod a couple nuts and wing nut to attach the panel to the mount. By removing the wingnut, the rod will slide out and I use the rod to tilt the panel to the sun.;
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008LMIHNQ/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00
[image]

I used the Morningstar Prostar Controller;
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0070OS4JS/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00
[image]

The panels come with MC4 connectors. To connect the panels in parallel, I used these MC4 T-branch connectors;
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004N725UE/ref=oh_details_o01_s01_i00
[image]

I routed these over to the existing solar panel connector on the roof of my Lance camper. Lance prewires for solar at the refrigerator vent. I cut the connector off at the splice and added MC4 connectors to the wires that go into the camper.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004N70DKI/ref=oh_details_o01_s02_i01
[image]

To connect the T-branch connectors to the wires now terminated with MC4 connections, I used a 25 foot MC4 extension cable;
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005FFWZ4O/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00
[image]

I attached the solar mounting brackets to the roof of my camper using sikaflex 252;
[image]

Here's some photos of my install;

[image]

* This post was edited 01/22/13 10:33am by an administrator/moderator *

Posted By: Grodyman on 01/20/13 09:18pm

Can we kill this thread? Thank you.

Gman

2017 F150 CC/5.5' 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost/3.55
2018 Passport Ultra-Lite 153ML

Posted By: Ski Pro 3 on 01/20/13 09:21pm

Grodyman wrote:

Can we kill this thread? Thank you.

Gman

Why would you want to do that? Is it anything I've done? (I've been posting frequently lately...)

Posted By: Jaxom on 01/20/13 09:31pm

Grodyman wrote:

Can we kill this thread? Thank you.

Gman

Indeed, just cancel it from your view if it offends you in some way. It doesn't offend me in the least.

Jerry
2015 Jayco Seneca 36FK
2011 Jeep Wrangler Sport 2 door
2011 R & R 20' Aluminum Enclosed Car Hauler
2007 Montrose 16' Aluminum Flatbed ATV Trailer

Posted By: Ski Pro 3 on 01/21/13 08:31pm

Photos of the cabover/bed area speaker install;
The stereo has three outputs; Speakers A, B and C. A is for the speakers over the dining area, B is the outdoor speakers, but there was nothing connected to the C speakers.
Removing the stereo from the wall cabinet, there was a connector and plug marked for the C speakers. I hooked wire to those and attached to my speakers. The speakers I bought were these;

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CXXDBM/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00

[image]

I drilled a small hole in the wall connecting the stereo cabinet to the cabover bed. I routed the speaker wire furthest away under the curtain track.

[image]

* This post was edited 01/22/13 10:38am by an administrator/moderator *

Posted By: ggadwa on 01/22/13 09:28am

SkiPro,
Thanks so much for sharing your photos. Looks like a real nice job on the Solar Panels.
I really enjoy this Thread.

GARY

HAM RADIO Operator since 1964 'W7FSI'
EAGLE CAP 2011 950 CUSTOM BUILT by the great folks at LaGrande Oregon
2012 FORD 350 XLT 6.7L Diesel 4x4 Super Cab with lots of stuff

Posted By: Ski Pro 3 on 01/22/13 09:59am

Here's photos of the hand bar I installed. I bought this off Camping World when I read a post here on RV.net how well constructed they are and also inexpensive. The bar installed easily but size it up to your door when the door is shut, otherwise you might make the bar too long and the door won't close.

[image]

Posted By: Ski Pro 3 on 01/22/13 10:10am

Since I did those projects, I've done a couple other things that I've also taken photos of.

Yesterday;
I replaced my lights inside and the yellow outside light bulbs with LED lights.

[image]

Posted By: Ski Pro 3 on 01/22/13 10:21am

Last night I mounted a bear spray bottle to the camper. I camp in Grizzly country and I can grab this when I step outside. Also, I think this stuff would put down anyone bothering me. "I warned you to turn down that damn rap music!!" Ha!

It's mounts so it rests on the top of the shade and with velcro.

[image]

Posted By: jtlingo123 on 01/22/13 07:09pm

Skipro3,
Hey make sure you shake the can up every once in a while if it sits for a long time. If you don't when you finally go to use it, it wont spray worth a dam!

Just a little FYI as a former Detention Officer. [emoticon]

Josh Lingo
Snoqualmie,WA.">

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