Overland Hadley
on a journey
A shell is an empty box is an empty shell.
The TARDIS - A Four Wheel Camper Build
- Thread starter Overland Hadley
- Start date
A shell is an empty box is an empty shell.
Every Miles A Memory
Expedition Leader
My mistake, I thought the inside wasnt finished, but the wiring and items like that were already run
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Most of the wires are run, but I had to take the wall off to access the wires so I could put in a house fuse box and 12v outlets.
Wires are run for 12V circuits (usually to a 12v fuse block, not sure if OH requested something different) but to take 120V and power 12V requires a converter. Which is an extra accessory not standard on an empty shell (hell it wasn't even standard on the complete campers 10yrs ago). If I was buying a shell I wouldn't wan a converter installed because chances are it wouldn't be the one I wanted to use and if it's installed that means I paid for it one way or another.
AeroNautiCal
Explorer
I love your use of the Blue Performance Cabin Bags, I also like that the wide size, shape and capacity range of the Peli Case Lid Organizer's can be used on the vertical surfaces and interior roof in any type of camper, van or truck, both in the driving and living area's.
Overland Hadley
on a journey
They are one of my favorite things in the camper at this point, but there are lots of other cool things to come.
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Just a little update on the camper progress.
When it rains it pours. I am currently in the process of moving across the woods (instead of across town), I found a place the day after I got home with the new camper. So my evening building time is being spent building kitchen cabinets, closet storage and book shelves. It is hard, as I have spent the last two years planning the build of this camper, but I guess it can wait another couple months. Anyway, I would not want the fun of the build to be over too fast now would I? I plan to sneak in some time in the camper, so stay tuned to minor updates. Like the aluminum pieces that I got from a plane builder, he said they were scraps from his gyrocopter.
When it rains it pours. I am currently in the process of moving across the woods (instead of across town), I found a place the day after I got home with the new camper. So my evening building time is being spent building kitchen cabinets, closet storage and book shelves. It is hard, as I have spent the last two years planning the build of this camper, but I guess it can wait another couple months. Anyway, I would not want the fun of the build to be over too fast now would I? I plan to sneak in some time in the camper, so stay tuned to minor updates. Like the aluminum pieces that I got from a plane builder, he said they were scraps from his gyrocopter.
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Overland Hadley
on a journey
I was able to get some work done on the camper. Finally.
After spending some time in the camper I decided to go ahead and install a Fantastic Fan. I went with the 5000 model, as it has the thermostat but no other fancy do-dads. I did not realize that there is no "on'' switch on the thermostat, so currently the fan does not work below 40* and that is not much of a help for four season camping. I now have the switch to bypass the thermostat, just need to wire it in.
The install was a bit of work, as I had to strip down the new model and strip all the parts off the vent leaving only the sealed casing. So it ended up being more work than I would have thought. Then when all the parts were moved over it did not work (because of the thermostat) so I took it apart again trying to find the problem. Finally I called Fantastic and they were super helpful, so that was nice.
I ordered the 5000 model from ebay. Link
Photo is from when I was tearing it apart trying to find out why it was not working, so the trim is not on.
I also installed the doors on the turnbuckle access hatches. These are made from leftover aluminum from a gyrocopter build. The builder I got them from said I could polish them to a mirror finish if I wanted, but I went the other way.
Tomorrow I hope to swap out all the white interior screws for stainless ones, and mount the second Lagun table bracket. But my non-mobile living quarters might win the rights to my building time, humph.
After spending some time in the camper I decided to go ahead and install a Fantastic Fan. I went with the 5000 model, as it has the thermostat but no other fancy do-dads. I did not realize that there is no "on'' switch on the thermostat, so currently the fan does not work below 40* and that is not much of a help for four season camping. I now have the switch to bypass the thermostat, just need to wire it in.
The install was a bit of work, as I had to strip down the new model and strip all the parts off the vent leaving only the sealed casing. So it ended up being more work than I would have thought. Then when all the parts were moved over it did not work (because of the thermostat) so I took it apart again trying to find the problem. Finally I called Fantastic and they were super helpful, so that was nice.
I ordered the 5000 model from ebay. Link
Photo is from when I was tearing it apart trying to find out why it was not working, so the trim is not on.
I also installed the doors on the turnbuckle access hatches. These are made from leftover aluminum from a gyrocopter build. The builder I got them from said I could polish them to a mirror finish if I wanted, but I went the other way.
Tomorrow I hope to swap out all the white interior screws for stainless ones, and mount the second Lagun table bracket. But my non-mobile living quarters might win the rights to my building time, humph.
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Thanks for the info, this is what I ended up doing.
Every Miles A Memory
Expedition Leader
That fantastic fan moves a lot of air, but like you said, the thermostat part of it sucks. Wish I would have known you were ordering this because I think ordering the thermostat is a more expensive option, so you could have saved some money just ordering the same fan with a simple on/off switch.
We made the same mistake.
You're might be new enough that it came with it automatically, but they now offer a quick release screen option so you can just click a lever and the screen pops out for easy cleaning or if you get a leaf or some debris up there
We made the same mistake.
You're might be new enough that it came with it automatically, but they now offer a quick release screen option so you can just click a lever and the screen pops out for easy cleaning or if you get a leaf or some debris up there
I wasn't aware of this, good to know while evaluating which model to go with. I would assume this likely affects all models above the 4000R.
Every Miles A Memory
Expedition Leader
If I was installing a new one, I'd simply go with the 4000R. It has dual directions for the fan and a simple on/off switch and not all the gimmicks
Here is a LINK for that Screen I was talking about earlier
I know most folks are worried about their roof top clearance, but this is another option. We have two of the the Fantastic Fans in our camper, but didn't like the noise of the fan right above our bed where there is another vent opening. In that vent, we installed a Turbo Maxx Fan and like it the best. It moves the fan away from the opening, so you don't see the fan blades or mechanism at all. The fan is quieter because it's not right above the vent opening and allows more light in also.
If you're not worried about the height restrictions it causes, it's probably the best option. Plus, it allows you to keep the vent open at all times, even when driving down the road in a bad rain storm and not worry about water coming in. This helps keep the inside of the camper aired out and cooler when exploring in hot climates
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You can add a simple switch & resistor to it as well to make it a 6speed (a reduced speed from each main speed), I did that in my current FWC because the low isn't really that low.