1974 Coleman Valley Forge - Complete gut job

[slepe67]

I admire your ambition and tenacity. I probably would've lit the thing on fire if I'd opened it and found what you did.

********! Thanks for the compliment! This build really is not as bad as I thought. Pretty straight forward and CHEAP so far.

I was very close to burning it...Then I saw Vintage Overland's teardrop and thought about using the frame to build a replica of those units.

Since Coleman trailers have pretty good frames, I wanted to see what kind of shape that part was in. Then I started reading about other builds. It was a tough choice, but my job made up my mind for me: I simply dont have time to start from scratch..and be ready for THIS camping season.

In the meantime, I'll be reading up on electrical.

 

[slepe67]

Looks great so far, love seeing these get a new life. As for your power requirements, don't count on the 7-pin from the tow vehicle charging the batteries enough to make much of a difference. It will keep them from losing charge to just sitting but won't charge a half drained battery. If you have 2 deep cycle batteries why not pick up a 100w solar panel and mount it on the roof of the trailer? I got mine from Amazon.com with a basic charge controller, mounting brackets and cables for under $200. I run an ARB 12v refrigerator in my FJ cruiser from a 50w panel mounted on the roof rack and have left it parked with the fridge on for days and the battery was fine. I have the 100w panel from Amazon on my trailer and it has no issue keeping my two batteries ....

Im also running a bone-stock 2007 FJ. We've had it since brand new and my wife is in love with it. I think it'll tow the Coleman better in the mountains than my F250. LOL

I have been reading about solar and really want to go that route. Didnt think about running the fridge on a 50W. Great idea!

 

[slepe67]

Needed a break...painted up some of my old govt issued Pelican cases. Found my dufflebag stencil from 1991 and a Metallica stencil from 1993. Damn Im old....

 

[slepe67]

Thread isn't dead. I had to head out of town for work.

Spoke to Bear Creek Canvas. They have my canvas in stock, so I'll be ordering that so it's home when I get back.

Now to think about bed and dinette cushions....

 

[Wildcat]

subscribed for updates

 

[slepe67]

Still overseas for a while. Canvas was ordered last week.

 

[bshinn]

Just reviewed the earlier posts, I would ditch the idea of charging through the 7-pin and install some 6ga cable and Anderson SB50 plugs on the trailer and FJ. you can get them here: https://powerwerx.com/custom-dc-power-cables You'll never pull enough current through the7-pin to accomplish anything. It will maintain a full battery no problem, but charging is another thing.

Don't know how long you plan to be out, but I have 2) 100 amp hr AGM batteries in my trailer (100AH effective) that will run my Dometic 65qt fridge for 3ish days without the panels hooked up. I carry a 90 watt Zamp panel that seems to be all I need here in the south. I don't pull much current, all lighting is LED and the only thing else I run other than the fridge is some USB charging ports for phones/iPad/BT Speaker.

 

[slepe67]

Just reviewed the earlier posts, I would ditch the idea of charging through the 7-pin and install some 6ga cable and Anderson SB50 plugs on the trailer and FJ. you can get them here: https://powerwerx.com/custom-dc-power-cables You'll never pull enough current through the7-pin to accomplish anything. It will maintain a full battery no problem, but charging is another thing.

Don't know how long you plan to be out, but I have 2) 100 amp hr AGM batteries in my trailer (100AH effective) that will run my Dometic 65qt fridge for 3ish days without the panels hooked up. I carry a 90 watt Zamp panel that seems to be all I need here in the south. I don't pull much current, all lighting is LED and the only thing else I run other than the fridge is some USB charging ports for phones/iPad/BT Speaker.

Good to know and thanks for the input. This camper will likely be a weekend warrior only.

I was thinking of using a battery charger (at home) to get the battery/batteries up to full charge, then the 7-Pin would be used only to maintain said charge while getting to the campsite. Then again, I cant think of anything pulling current that would be IN the pop up while cruising down the road.

I honestly don't know at this point. I'll have to use it a few times and see exactly what my needs are.

In the future, I can see a fridge/freezer, but not much else. I dunno....I'm completely ignorant when it comes to electricity.

 

[slepe67]

Update (or lack thereof)...

I was a day late on ordering my canvas. They're sold out of the product I need, soooo 6-8 weeks.

I'll say one thing about Bear Creek: They apologized for being out of supply and forwarded me to their competition. I called their competition twice and left messages. Waited a few days. Never got a reply. I went back to Bear Creek and will await their product.

 

[shade]

Good to know and thanks for the input. This camper will likely be a weekend warrior only.

I was thinking of using a battery charger (at home) to get the battery/batteries up to full charge, then the 7-Pin would be used only to maintain said charge while getting to the campsite. Then again, I cant think of anything pulling current that would be IN the pop up while cruising down the road.

I honestly don't know at this point. I'll have to use it a few times and see exactly what my needs are.

In the future, I can see a fridge/freezer, but not much else. I dunno....I'm completely ignorant when it comes to electricity.

Looking good.

Carry a jump pack in the FJ.

 

[slepe67]

I do have a jump pack ready to go.

As mentioned earlier, I'm pretty ignorant on most things electrical. With a proper schematic, I can re-wire motorcycles & cars, shrink wrap & solder to excellent working order. But when people start talking about Ohms, Amps, Volts, draw,...well, I'm completely lost....

As mentioned earlier, I plan on having only a one or two battery setup, minimal usage for this camper. This setup will be used for recharging phones, cameras, some minor LED lighting, and a 12V refer (to be purchased later). I don't plan on air conditioning, perhaps a low-draw electric fan???

I was thinking about going solar...until a friend told me about the Honda Inverter Generator. The super-quiet (and EXPENSIVE) Honda Inverter Generator ($1,009): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R1HK2RL/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

from the label on the generator:
AC OUTPUT: 120V 50A
12v 8.3A "battery charging only"

Could this be used instead of solar in my situation to simply recharge the batteries?

If it were YOUR money, would you go solar or use this generator?

I wish I knew what I don't know. LOL

Thanks again for all the help, guys...I'm learning.

 

[shade]

I do have a jump pack ready to go.

As mentioned earlier, I'm pretty ignorant on most things electrical. With a proper schematic, I can re-wire motorcycles & cars, shrink wrap & solder to excellent working order. But when people start talking about Ohms, Amps, Volts, draw,...well, I'm completely lost....

As mentioned earlier, I plan on having only a one or two battery setup, minimal usage for this camper. This setup will be used for recharging phones, cameras, some minor LED lighting, and a 12V refer (to be purchased later). I don't plan on air conditioning, perhaps a low-draw electric fan???

I was thinking about going solar...until a friend told me about the Honda Inverter Generator. The super-quiet (and EXPENSIVE) Honda Inverter Generator ($1,009): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07R1HK2RL/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

from the label on the generator:
AC OUTPUT: 120V 50A
12v 8.3A "battery charging only"

Could this be used instead of solar in my situation to simply recharge the batteries?

If it were YOUR money, would you go solar or use this generator?

I wish I knew what I don't know. LOL

Thanks again for all the help, guys...I'm learning.

That generator doesn't output 50 amps AC.

https://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/models/eu2200i

"2200 watts, 18.3A, 120V"

It's a great generator. I have the former model in this class, the Honda EU2000i. You can definitely use that generator to recharge your 12V DC batteries, but you'd want to use an AC to DC charger, not the relatively puny 8.3A 12VDC output. A cheaper, louder, much more powerful DC option is being discussed here: https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/portable-dc-generator.206366/

There are pros & cons to solar and generator charging. For the loads you described above, a few hundred watts from solar charging combined with whatever your vehicle provides while towing will probably be fine. One big advantage to solar for me is the ability to charge fully autonomously while I'm backpacking away from the vehicle. An efficient fridge can be left unattended for days without needing a large battery system.

 

[slepe67]

That generator doesn't output 50 amps AC.

https://powerequipment.honda.com/generators/models/eu2200i

"2200 watts, 18.3A, 120V"

It's a great generator. I have the former model in this class, the Honda EU2000i. You can definitely use that generator to recharge your 12V DC batteries, but you'd want to use an AC to DC charger, not the relatively puny 8.3A 12VDC output. A cheaper, louder, much more powerful DC option is being discussed here: https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/portable-dc-generator.206366/

There are pros & cons to solar and generator charging. For the loads you described above, a few hundred watts from solar charging combined with whatever your vehicle provides while towing will probably be fine. One big advantage to solar for me is the ability to charge fully autonomously while I'm backpacking away from the vehicle. An efficient fridge can be left unattended for days without needing a large battery system.

Thanks for the info. I'm leaning towards solar, as I'm reaching my limits [READ: HULK SMASH!] when it comes to ethanol gas' effects on small engines & carbs. Much more research to do.

 

[bshinn]

For what you're describing a 100ah battery and this panel: https://amsolar.com/rv-solar-panels/solar-z90lcc-f will handle a long weekend no problem. Order the one with the built in controller and add a port: https://amsolar.com/rv-connections/plug-2poleflat-roofwall on the camper and it's plug and play.

When you add the fridge, you might want to add a 2nd battery.

 

[slepe67]

Thank you! I'll dig into the info you provided!