2001 Lance 815

[BajaSurfRig]

Landed all of the 10 AWG solar wires on busbars yesterday evening. Then ran 6 AWG down to the solar controller off the 1/4” lugs. Getting closer to having power ?

 

[BajaSurfRig]

And then I proceeded to break my cheap Amazon crimping tool…. Time for another fxxking run to the hardware store haha

 

[BajaSurfRig]

Got the solar live today. Now gotta try and figure out where to put my 2000 watt inverter as it is huge for this camper.

 

[elsiedubs]

This weekend I caulked the front of the camper and re-dicored the whole roof in prep for solar panels. I also removed the old three way fridge and capped the old propane line.

View attachment 746627View attachment 746628

Hi there, we have a 2002 Lance 815 and also just got the Dometic 1110. Can I ask how you got the old fridge out? We are trying to not take everything off the back of the old one in case someone wants it (works on shore power), but haven't been able to figure out how to get it out yet.

 

[BajaSurfRig]

Hi there, we have a 2002 Lance 815 and also just got the Dometic 1110. Can I ask how you got the old fridge out? We are trying to not take everything off the back of the old one in case someone wants it (works on shore power), but haven't been able to figure out how to get it out yet.

I had to take the front door off of the 3 way fridge to get it out of the camper door and it just barely fit out.

 

[NOPEC]

Hi there, we have a 2002 Lance 815 and also just got the Dometic 1110. Can I ask how you got the old fridge out? We are trying to not take everything off the back of the old one in case someone wants it (works on shore power), but haven't been able to figure out how to get it out yet.

Take a good look at your back door. On my 90's Kodiak rebuild, I had the same issue. However, there is a flange which encompasses the door, held on with Phillips screws. When removed, it just gave me enough clearance to remove the old 3 way fridge. I can't image that the original build saw the fridge in place prior to the final installation of the door, however, some of the RV build stuff you see might question that logic......

 

[BajaSurfRig]

Got some work done on the camper today. Installed a USB charging port, made some trim pieces to bump the fridge out as it was a touch too deep for the opening (had some scrap redwood 2x2’s around) and got the fridge in and powered up.

 

[BajaSurfRig]

Also mocked up where the inverter is going to go. Still trying to decided what type of box/ platform I want to build around it.

 

[BajaSurfRig]

Got the inverter box built today. Those 1” holes are so I can run a cord inside or outside the camper (through the front window) and gives it some ventilation. Going to stain and seal it at some point. Up next install the Guzzle Stealth water filter…

 

[ripperj]

Looks like a nice build out.

I suspect the inverter is not going to be happy in its little coffin
Might want to look at much bigger vents or a fan(another useless load on the system)

 

[BajaSurfRig]

Looks like a nice build out.

I suspect the inverter is not going to be happy in its little coffin
Might want to look at much bigger vents or a fan(another useless load on the system)

I suspect you might be right here. It can pull air from elsewhere in that region of the camper as it is open to the water tank below it. If need be I will drill some more holes around it and install some 12v computer fans. Vamos a ver.

 

[BajaSurfRig]

Got the FROLI mattress system installed tonight. Going to put a king memory foam mattress on top of it.

 

[ripperj]

I put a Froli system in my Northstar and love it. It does keep the cabover floor bone dry and makes a big difference in comfort.

Watch out for head room, it disappears quickly

I added the Froli, then upgraded to a 6” memory foam mattress. The mattress was slightly too hard, so I threw the 2” topper I had just bought for the original mattress on the new 6”. The whole pile is very comfortable, but I miss the 6” of lost headroom(and I’m not a big dude)


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[krj]

I too recently got an older 815 that I'm prepping for a winter trip to a warmer climate. Unlike yours, mine was NOT well maintained or cared for. You scored!
Most of my work is based on needed repairs, not fun upgrades like you. Something I think that is going to be on my long repair list soon is the frig.
I've always had good luck with 3 way (absorption) frig's. They're quiet, pretty low maintenance, & I find propane to be an efficient and readily available fuel source. Recently though, I've been reading of a lot of folks (3 on this thread alone) replacing absorption with compressor frigs. Obviously I'm missing something. Why did you go that route? Is that upgrade the reason for your stout solar set up?
Looking good btw.

 

[BajaSurfRig]

I too recently got an older 815 that I'm prepping for a winter trip to a warmer climate. Unlike yours, mine was NOT well maintained or cared for. You scored!
Most of my work is based on needed repairs, not fun upgrades like you. Something I think that is going to be on my long repair list soon is the frig.
I've always had good luck with 3 way (absorption) frig's. They're quiet, pretty low maintenance, & I find propane to be an efficient and readily available fuel source. Recently though, I've been reading of a lot of folks (3 on this thread alone) replacing absorption with compressor frigs. Obviously I'm missing something. Why did you go that route? Is that upgrade the reason for your stout solar set up?
Looking good btw.

@krj congrats on your 815! Hope it treats you well! I replaced my working 3-way fridge as I have had issues in the past with them on past campers and they don’t do great in hot temperatures in my experience. The new 12v compressor driven fridges are quite efficient and I can make ice cubes in the desert. My solar system is overkill for what I really need. I just like to overkill systems when I build stuff.