EarthRoamer XV-JP "Northwest Edition"

[patoz]

If you think you will only need the inverter every now and then, you could set it up as a portable unit, and connect it to the batteries via an Anderson connector mounted somewhere convenient. Then just put it in for trips where you know you will need it, otherwise leave it out.

 

[Herbie]

Pretty sure the rear cabin will be only 12 volt... Why put a big inverter in if it really isn't needed...???... Refrigerator, fan, lights, hot water, etc. are all 12 volt... I have never used 120 volt in my Sprinter for anything other than old camera battery and laptop chargers... Your thoughts...???...

I've spent my money on making sure I have 12vdc chargers/adapters for all my electronics (including the laptop), rather than the inverter. Been very happy to leave it out.

 

[thethePete]

I agree with leaving it out. No need to add complexity and cost unnecessarily. If you had a screaming need for AC power, then sure, but otherwise why add the expense and weight?

 

[GR8ADV]

Agree with the inverter thoughts. Ours is used only for the instahot in the sink, the propane hot water heater for the shower and the espresso machine (hey we are from Seattle). None of these I expect you will have.

 

[Arclight]

Pretty sure the rear cabin will be only 12 volt... Why put a big inverter in if it really isn't needed...???... Refrigerator, fan, lights, hot water, etc. are all 12 volt... I have never used 120 volt in my Sprinter for anything other than old camera battery and laptop chargers... Your thoughts...???...

I'm an electronics geek, and I also went this route, more or less. I put two USB outlets and two 12V Anderson Power Pole outlets in for general use (they make a nice chassis-mount version) and Power Poles for other accessories like the fridge. I would advise not using cigarette lighter plugs at all. These things are genderless and good to 40A. Just carry an adapter for those rare times you need to use a cigarette lighter accessory.

For AC power, I have a small, 300W pure sine wave inverter from Samlex. It's handy for charging cordless tools and other people's tech. It gets turned on with a small remote-start switch. A couple of inside outlets from the shore power circuit might not hurt, so that you can hook up a space heater or a small AC if camped near someone's house or an RV park.

If you want to go minimalist, consider dropping the house battery bank and just running off of one large battery under the hood. If you get a low voltage disconnect like the Priority Start, you won't have to worry about being stranded if you leave something on.

http://www.prioritystart.com/

LED lights and a couple of phones should be OK on a single battery. Get a Lithium Ion jump pack if you want a backup plan.

On the subject of lights, I'm a big fan of warm white LED and some additional red lights for night light and early-morning prep use. I built a custom lighting controller that lets me control the lights from anywhere in the truck with one circuit. I add more momentary switches on it as needed, and I can program what it does. I'd be willing to donate one and set up a program for you if you're interested. You could also control some relays too if needed.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/91893-New-Build-T100-SAR-and-expedition-rig/page2

Arclight

 

[Jeep or Tacoma]

800w

I put an 800w inverter under he passenger front seat of my kJ I don't alway use it but whenI do i use it to power hand tools which drills grinders sawzall etc. and to charge stuff while i drive like camera batteries. It takes up about an area 3 inches high 6 wide and 10 long. Not being an electronic geek ( no offense intended I wish i was) it was the easiest route for me. I am not sure that 12 v would handle the stuff i use from time to time. I guess the question is will the rig be equipped with a small honda or similar generator? if so no inverter in not I would saw put one in , just my thoughts.

 

[Arclight]

I put an 800w inverter under he passenger front seat of my kJ I don't alway use it but whenI do i use it to power hand tools which drills grinders sawzall etc. and to charge stuff while i drive like camera batteries. It takes up about an area 3 inches high 6 wide and 10 long. Not being an electronic geek ( no offense intended I wish i was) it was the easiest route for me. I am not sure that 12 v would handle the stuff i use from time to time. I guess the question is will the rig be equipped with a small honda or similar generator? if so no inverter in not I would saw put one in , just my thoughts.

The small "universal motors" in angle grinders and similar tools have a very low startup current draw. You can actually run one on a 300-400W inverter, especially a pure sine wave model. Where it gets complicated is having to run #2-#00 cables and have enough battery for a really big one. A 300W model needs at least #10.

Arclight

 

[PaulJensen]

09 - Interior essentials..

Made good progress today... Sad to say the pictures of that progress are lost in my computer's trash bin... I will re-shoot them tomorrow...

I worked on the layout and placement of the essential systems... First the entire rear floor was cleaned up... Gone are the residual old adhesives, scraps of sound deadening, spray foam, etc... Scraping first with a very sharp chisel, then scrubbed with an industrial strength solution of TSP... Followed with a garden hose wash down of clean water and vacuumed, then towel dried... Nice..

Next, the battery placement was decided and a plywood 2 battery box was built... The batteries will be behind the driver seat as low on the floor as possible...

After that, the water tank was placed and marked for size, to be enlarged later (this week)...

The water heater and the air heated were placed, but not set.. The water heater will be just behind the passenger seat and the air heater behind the driver seat...

The fridge was placed on the driver side, near the rear door, and the bench seat/bed was placed on top... Should be great to look out of the future curb side window...

The old teak floor will likely be the new curb side countertop with the sink and single burner cooktop very close to the rear door...

Finally, the loose side panel, where the curb side back door was, had the old propane locker door cut into that panel (again)... Next the new vapor proof propane locker was cut out of 1/4" plywood and hot glued together, to be fiberglassed tomorrow morning...

It's coming together very naturally...

I will re-shoot pictures tomorrow...

 

[IdaSHO]

I look forward to pics! :ylsmoke:

 

[dlh62c]

It all sounds good Paul. I can see it in my Mind's Eye.

Does the golden ratio ever factor into your designs?

 

[PaulJensen]

Does the golden ratio ever factor into your designs?

For sure...The less gold I have, the more creative the project becomes...

Seriously, I have no formulas or ratios in mind, ever... It's mostly "has it been done this way before...???..."

 

[fog cutter]

...2 battery box
...water tank
...water heater
...air heated
....fridge
...rear....bench seat/bed
....countertop with the sink and single burner cooktop
.... new vapor proof propane locker ...

"...... Why put a big inverter in if it really isn't needed...???... Refrigerator, fan, lights, hot water, etc. are all 12 volt... I have never used 120 volt in my Sprinter for anything other than old camera battery and laptop chargers... Your thoughts...???... "

if you could find space for an inverter (placeholder), doesn't need to be big, down the road it might come in handy.

 

[PaulJensen]

"...... Why put a big inverter in if it really isn't needed...???... Refrigerator, fan, lights, hot water, etc. are all 12 volt... I have never used 120 volt in my Sprinter for anything other than old camera battery and laptop chargers... Your thoughts...???... "

if you could find space for an inverter (placeholder), doesn't need to be big, down the road it might come in handy.

In the inventory of stuff is a Xantrex 1800 watt inverter... If I put it in as a placeholder, it makes sense to me to just hook it up, and that is what I was wondering if it would be worth doing... I can see the use of 120 volt if I run power tools, or a microwave, etc., but I really doubt that those needs would ever come up...???...

 

[PaulJensen]

09 - Propane Locker...

(above) The curb-side rear door lower panel was cut to have the access door for the propane locker... Originally it was the access hatch for the canister toilet...

(above) Using 1/4" plywood and a hot glue gun, the compartment was tacked together and to the panel...

(above) The notch on the cabinet is due to the water heater placement... As always, things are tight...

(above) Fiberglass tape on all the corners...

(above) On the inside too... It needs to be vapor-proof to the cabin...

(above) The tank fits fine and there is room to mount a pressure regulator on the wall...

With the propane locker essentially ready to install, measurements for the new custom fresh water tank can be made and the tank built...

Sorry that I didn't get more photos of yesterdays work, it was a long day on the construction site and I am tired...

More tomorrow...

 

[veilside180sx]

Looking good Paul


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