Campomatic upgrading and Americanization

[winn442]

I purchased this from a coworker who spent several years in Oz, he bought it new and was able to bring it back to the States wih him. It's a 2001 model, and wired Aussie 220V. So I'm starting this thread to document the upgrades.

As bought:


Storage on tongue is very inefficient, also the LP brackets are for smaller tanks. I want to be able to pick up a standard tank anywhere I am. Also I bought a huge 85 quart fridge, so it wouldn't have fit in the box that was on it. The cradle bolted to the tongue is a heavy galvanized unit with rock guard welded to it. The battery box was also up there, I plan on moving the batteries to a location under the back to lighten the tongue and give more storage space.

Everything removed:


Here is galvanized cradle...anybody need it?


Beginning of new battery box:


That's all for now, I'm having a local guy build an aluminium box with side doors. The fridge will be on a slide, and slide out baskets next to it for the pantry. The other side of the box will have a place for LP tank and instant hot water unit.

 

[winn442]

Battery storage with batteries installed, just need to make a cover now.

 

[indiedog]

Hi Winn, they are a good unit to use as a base, hope you enjoy it.

Just wondering if that's really a good place for the batteries? You'll greatly reduce your departure angle so the tray I suspect will hit the ground with some regularity. Is there room under the bed floor for the batteries? I've seen several smaller AGM batteries (say around 60AmpH) connected in series under those beds in similar units. Works well and everything is nice and dry and centrally weighted.

Cheers, Indie.

 

[winn442]

You're right, the more I look at it, it will will probably drag a lot. I just didn't want to take up valuable storage space under the bed. If I put them all the way up front right behind the slide it might not be so bad, they will be only slightly forward of the axle and not contribute too much too tongue weight. My tow vehicle is a 90, so I'm having to watch tongue weight.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Heh Heh, yeah--remember, water finds the easiest route DOWNWARD for leaks and

Rocks/stumps find the most UNPROTECTED spots, under the vehicle/trailer

Good luck-

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[winn442]

Alright, here's where I'll put them:

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Outstanding, but-

Alright, here's where I'll put them:

If they're lead-acid, just be sure of secure mount and proper ventilation--

Good luck

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[winn442]

Worked on the A/C wiring today. Pulled out all the 220 stuff:
View attachment 253417
View attachment 253419

Installed a outside 115v 15a receptacle:


Found a neat switch in the sale rack in Lowe's. I have the big switch wired to be the master, the other two switches will be for the on board battery charger and the receptacle in the front storage box (fridge):

 

[winn442]

Wish I could afford some AGM's, but just had to replace the two Optimas in the 90, so it's lead acid for now....

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Heh Heh, nothing wrong with Lead-Acid--just keepem upright/check fluid monthly and keepem charged-

Wish I could afford some AGM's, but just had to replace the two Optimas in the 90, so it's lead acid for now....

I've gotta OPTIMA in my trailer 3 years and Lead-Acid in my Jeep/Ranger-

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[winn442]

Just picked up new box for the tongue. Just sitting there for now, still have to mount, wire 12v and 110v, install slide for fridge, sliding baskets next to fridge for food storage, divider panel to separate left from right,, mount LP tank bracket, mount on demand hot water, add locks and struts to doors....looks kind of big in this photo, but it's the same height as the top of the camper when it's closed.

 

[winn442]

Well, after 10 months of working 30 minutes here, an hour there, we finally got to take the Campo out on a voyage Labor day weekend. Everything seemed to work as planned, the on demand hot water system, with a quick disconnect for the shower stall, was very welcome, as was hot water at the sink. The 110/12v conversion worked as well, with the fridge kicking over to 110 on shore power. Since we had shore power where we set up, I did not get to use the little Honda 220v generator that came with the camper. It was tested in the yard a week earlier, with the step down converter box running the battery charger and charging the battery bank completely. Stretching the tongue 12 inches did not seem to affect the handing, in fact I think is was better. That and the fact that I can open the back door on the 90 now! The only issues were a small water leak where a hose rubbed against the kitchen slide mechanism, and a thermocouple not wanting to work on one of the stove eyes. All in all, I was very pleased. Can't wait to use it again (except in cooler weather)!

 

[Xrunner]

Looks great! Did the tongue weight change much with the addition of your new box and fridge?

 

[winn442]

It's probably the same.....it originally had a steel box with a heavy Australian fridge in it (can't remember the brand name, it was severely overbuilt and heavy, former owner kept it),and a galvanized cradle with rockguard (see pics at beginning of thread) The galvanized piece was heavy. Plus I extended the tongue about 12 inches.