tallest porta potti that fits in a Northstar tc800

[skrewd]

Hello, Obviously have a Northstar but am not home to play and measure it. It's "new to me" and have been servicing and updating it, new mattress, solar panels, roof rack, agm, inverter, etc. So I was thinking I could treat myself to a new toilet as well. I have one, about ten years old and its' a virgin, untouched, too low to be comfortable and would probably crush under my weight. Gee that sounds creepy and I should edit that out but for me going forward, Thetford has some taller models today. I like the 550p, at 16 1/2 inches tall but will it fit in the Northstar rear compartment?

Also I have a great way to extend my season. The 24 inch mylar/bubble wrap roll is a perfect insulating insert. It slides right behind the lift mechanism all around the canvas walls no trimming needed. The AC, cooled the camper in no time and it stayed cool much longer. I'm guessing come late fall it should be toasty with fewer furnace cycle times. It rolls up or folds up, to sit neatly under the mattress.

Another thought, I am installing two 100 watt solar panels for my single group 31 agm, 96 a/h. Is this too much? Will I cook the battery or can the controller prevent this? Guessing 200w peak @14.5 volts is near 14 amps, seems too much. A second battery is really not an option, too little space left ( I put a Honda 1000 beside it) and unneeded weight. She's a 2005 Duramax 3/4 ton with dual alternators and dual starting batteries upfront. So maybe leave one panel off? Controller upgrade? Add a battery box for a fourth battery under the truck bed?

The plans are for several Colorado, Utah off road excursions beginning next summer alone with Labs, maybe tow my CJ along from NC, A northerner in exile.

 

[Regcabguy]

I have the identical camper. A Thetford 345 is the one. It fits in the rear compartment with ample space for tp,etc. When in use we leave it on the area where the two table posts go through. This gives us about 4" more altitude. Works fine. Good suggestion on the Mylar wrap. Where did you source that?
I'd like to turn our mattress,but the emergency exit zipper is on it's last legs. Did you use this method? The front door appears too small.
Enjoy your camper. Ours is 13 yrs young now and everything still works.

 

[skrewd]

porta potti

Thanks, the 345 is now replaced by the 320 p.
I checked Amazon this morning, $122 for the 550 p, now 7 hours later $139, and not one was sold but $17 more expensive???

The mylar wrap sold both Lowes and Homedepot, you need 2 25 ft rolls, the extra great for window, shower door ,rear window door, fantastic fan insert and lp tank inserts. It makes an instant nightfall, nice for an afternoon nap. Also much more quiet. A square piece fits into the window valance to back rest, no velcro needed.

The mattress was rolled in place and tide, comes out fine;yes, it only rolls in one direction. Replaced it with a 7 inch, 3 layer memory foam, vast improvement, no hard spots.

 

[olsen_karl]

I have the same camper. How bulky is the mylar wrap when stored? I assume you roll it up... ? or can you fold it and store it in the long compartments underneath the bed, or in the side compartments on top, next to the mattress?

I replaced the small battery & box that came with the camper (white plastic box, lid screws onto base) with a knock-off Action Packer from Walmart, in which I have two golf cart batteries. That took up almost all the space in the front storage compartment, but I don't have a generator either, which IIRC was what that space was designed to hold.

Other than the batteries, the best modification I have done was to replace the furnace thermostat with a digital battery-powered one (under $20, from Walmart or any Home Depot type store). It's much more accurate in turning on/off the furnace -- the stock one allowed the temperature to fluctuate between too hot and too cold. Also, a memory foam mattress topper makes the bed very comfortable, without making the mattress too tall to close down the roof -- I can leave sheets & comforter on top, but not pillows.

I just replaced the sink faucet, as the stock one was leaking. A 4"-on-center utility sink faucet fits the existing holes in the countertop, and the pipe threads match up to the stock plumbing.

Sorry about the thread drift...

 

[skrewd]

mylar

Hello the mylar is about 3/16 inch thick, not flimsy but easily rolled up. I have had it in a tight roll that weights maybe 3 lbs. But I see it as seasonal, carried when needed stored in the front window dead space folded like an oriental fan. You could leave it folded on the bed, 8 layer fold, inch and a half thick. But once I open the top I can slip it in place in less than 2 minutes no fuss, friction fit but can benefit from a few velcro tabs by the long bed wall. The lift does a great job holding the rest in place. Once I'm home I might post a few pictures but I think it is self explanatory 36' by 24", sits on the hardside edge, friction fit to the ceiling.

Are 2 100 watt panels too much for the single battery? I know they have to have better controllers, maybe a controller/ smart charger?

 

[Regcabguy]

No shower in mine. I have the wing doors in the rear to store my shovel,broom,entrance mat,rake,snatchup straps,on and on. The rear compartment on mine is to the immediate right after opening the door. It also has a smaller door opening to the back.
My wife took a Space Blanket,doubled it,sewed it and attached it via Velcro across the front of the bed wall. The sides we use giant sized aluminized sunshields from Walmart. They stay in place as you stated. Our bedding is side to side. I'd love to have the 2011+ 850sc with the 4" higher ceiling but mucho buckeroos there.
I wish I'd made sure after dropping the roof that I folded the fabric neatly in the rear corners. Because of that neglect I'm developing pinholes. I dab some silicone over them and everything's kosher. Not a whole lot of rain down here. Mine stays on the truck 24/7 only to remove it to service the water system once a year.
Sure nice getting to your destination and setting up in 5 minutes.

 

[skrewd]

insulation

I only have the cowboy shower but the access door is not air tight nor insulated. I cut two layers of mylar bubble wrap, spray adhesive together, and place it behind the door, nice tight fit. The lp tank is not insulated, so in addition to expanding foam on the inside( I don't have the draw, so a piano hinge and now an 18 x 18 x 8 inch new storage) and a mylar bubble cube lp tank box jacket.

Working on wobble stoppers install and a way to insulate the onboard water tank.
Did the near door panel knock out for leveler storage spot.
Mounting wall step cleats for canoe loading.
Pulled the coat rack for a folding chair, folding table, shower stall tent storage area.
Found a complete 1960's West Bend stove top oven set along with a ten piece Magna set.
Xantrex 2000 watt inverter.
The digital thermos is a great idea.
Will also need to source led replacement bulbs.
Fast guns are great.
Front end receiver hitch with 2 ga quick connects for winch front and rear or edge 12v freezer.

Why are solar panels mounted raised? For heat dissipation, warping, moisture??

 

[4x4tripping]

The smallest camping toilet is this i guess:

the perfect travel toilet

Foldable, full size, small packaging size, heavy duty, lightweight, biodegradable bags. Why not using them inside (or outside), when you need them? And use the saved space for something else?

 

[skrewd]

potti

That's great, reminds me of the 2 inch receiver hitch toilet seat or the Top Gear UK "scum class" peoples train, "move along, nothing to see". I like the new version, padded seat, separates number one from number two, it's like having a dog in New York City, who collects all the pigeon poop, that's a tough job?

There's a youtube video on it, do I dare see the demo?