MOIRAI 1995 4x4 Fire Rescue BUILD Thread

[Jdubucsd]

Thule load bar and fairing installed. Oddly enough barely any clearance on the under side for the base.

All the electronics nicely laid out in these on the reverse headliner side. hinges down and is heavy

 

[Jdubucsd]

After two weeks of trying to figure out what to do.

Basic mounts for these are too low. The Renogy adjustable ones are too high. Typical goldilocks syndrome.

So i drilled holes into the sides of the panels. And used the base or foot of the Renogy adjustable ones.

Total pain in the ass. To take em all back down. Undo the hardware. Go to the hardware store for longer bolts since the sidewalls are thicker etc.

One panel mounted. All the wiring is tucked into the sides of the panel for a clean look.

Super clean holes into the fiberglass. 1/8” pilot hole. Counter sink bit. Then 5/16 or so bit for the main screw. Perfect fit all around. Took three hours though.

You can see the huge difference in my rear mounted panel and the unmounted tall legged panel. Way too high. Its like a second deck I didnt think would be good.

 

[Jdubucsd]

All latches and pulls installed. Really nice ones too. Nice and heavy feeling.

 

[Jdubucsd]

Always keep scraps around. Made a semi intricate rear platform in my 2005 Chevy Trailblazer. Back underside along the bench has a 2-1/4” rail. To keep from tipping into the bench. Underside front has left, middle and right support legs with a super beefy 3/4” frame all under. Mini deck goes into the arm rest. No gaps for any falls or accidents. Cut 1” foam I found to fit. Covered with towels that are washable.

Unrelated to van build...

 

[Jdubucsd]

Three panels installed. Really tricky to get them aligned and true. As luck would have it. Each bracket gets 4 screws into the fiberglass. 7 of the 1/4 screws dont grab too well. Went to see what size #16 or size #18 screws available. 5/16” are too big. Seems they are a bit of a unicorn to find.

10awg solar wiring nicely tucked and zip tied on the underside of each panel so they are not touching or bouncing off the roof.

Also the brackets are where the original mounting holes are for the panels. I didnt want to move them out to make the back side accessible in case the panel had to be pulled. With a super long ratchet extension and elbow. With some patience the inside nuts can be accessed and the bolts undone without pulling out the mounts.

 

[Jdubucsd]

Renogy 3x160 watt panels. Midday in El Cajon, CA. It works!

 

[Jdubucsd]

Xantrex Prosine 1800 wired in with a dedicated Blue Sea circuit breaker. Next up 120 outlet

 

[Jdubucsd]

Special thanks to Mike at Battery Cables USA for answering all my questions and for always sending supplies fast!

And the folks at Espar Parts over in Michigan for having excellent customer service.

And for Adam at Northern Arizona Wind and Sun for continued advice and support.

Got me a muffler for the Espar D2, extra exhaust piping. And some new 4awg 6awg and some cool connectors with 3/16” and 5/16” holes in the shoe

 

[Jdubucsd]

Mounted and wired up with a circuit breaker ahead of the Blue Sea fuse board.

Got one fridge powered up. Yay it works!

 

[Jdubucsd]

Replaced the old red inlet cover with a new black one.

 

[Jdubucsd]

Safe and secure 120volt outlet.

 

[Jdubucsd]

Espar D2 fuel pump wires through a Perko hull fitting.

 

[Jdubucsd]

We have power!! Finally after all the tid bits and small things. The Xantrex fires up the hair dryer on the highest setting. Did I shock myself during the process...yeap. Also wired in a phone line extension for the panel to be moved remotely. Didnt work! Guess Ill have to pony up for the real Xantrex remote panel kit!? Outlet does have a cool proximity LED when its dark, also lets me know the Xantrex is still on. Its like a night light.

 

[Jdubucsd]

Next up. Plumbing engine coolant from the rear heater core to the Isotemp unit heat exchanger. Odd note, needs a BSP fitting to fit an NPT fitting. Got some Loctite 592 and the recommended activator bottle

 

[Jdubucsd]

Spec sheet for the 12volt AC unit I picked up. Its the U-GO portable unit. Its like a 15” cube with tubing for exhaust. Not sure where it will go.