[christover1]

http://www.victorian4wdshow.com.au/

My partly built camper will be on the Suzuki 4wd Club stand at the Wandin 4wd show, Sunday 16th Feb.
We had a display car pull out, and the camper was towable just in time.
If anyone needs a close up look in person, come along.
Just try to be kind, as it isn't finished, yet

[christover1]

Went across town to pick up me solar goodies today,
thanks to Steve from Mandrake Solar.

http://www.mandrakessolar.com.au/index.html

Was just over 2 hours drive, with freeways, city driving, and some country highway driving.
Took the camper with me for a test run.
Aerodynamics is much better than expected, though there wasn't much wind to cope with.
Didn't over heat the auto, which is pleasing on a hot day.
Only peaked at 90 in the traffic jam in the city.
Highway speed handling is great, but get a little bounce over railway lines.
Next Summer Air Con will be fixed
Should get panel fitted in time for 4wd show, the wiring etc will be next week.

[christover1]

Perfect fit, how good is that.
It sits nicely between the flashings, giving the edges some protection.
Wouldn't fit vertically, but looks better horizontally anyway.
Will give it a bead of silicone around the edges, for extra water proofing.
I chose the position on the front edge of camper, rather than the roof,
so as to protect it from branches etc, off road.
It also means shorter wiring to battery.
I can also see it in the mirror, so I will be able to keep an eye on it.

[PJ.zook]

Awesome job dude. Never even knew you had it at meeting, wish you mentioned something lol, woulda loved a look at it.
BTW if you need the welds re-done, come round to my joint and we can get 'er done. My MIG doesn't mess around.

[christover1]

PJ.zook wrote:

Awesome job dude. Never even knew you had it at meeting, wish you mentioned something lol, woulda loved a look at it.
BTW if you need the welds re-done, come round to my joint and we can get 'er done. My MIG doesn't mess around.

Thanks.
I was totally knackered, overwork, the heat and smokey air was getting at me.
So I chuffed off early.
Would have hung around normally.
Welds are fine, now I have sorted out the welder problems, but may take up that offer if it becomes needed.

[christover1]

[kenn]

Was good to catch up with you again Chris, was going to chat to Steve also but he'd disappeared by the time I'd finished look at your camper, oh we'll maybe next time. That trailer has come a very long way Mr, it's an absolute credit to you. It was the one of the standout things on your club stand other than the Sierra with way illegal tyres parked on an oil can.

[christover1]

Thanks Kenn.
I thought Blue was totally street legal
Was fun watching the dismount, wish I'd seen it driving onto it.

[kenn]

Credit where it's due, Chris.
Of course , if it's got plates that makes it legal right Didn't someone once say that flex is for ghey posers Now who was that ? Hmmmmm............

[christover1]

Moved my jockey wheel to it's permanent position, so I could mount the battery holder. (Thanks Jon)
It is a temporary battery, as I will get one much smaller later. (Thanks Matt)
Been researching wire sizes, and considering position of regulator etc.
Needs to be water proof, but not wanting it inside, so will it probably go in a junction box type thing.
I reckon it needs air, though, so won't be air tight.
Should I put a fuse anywhere in the solar circuit, or just for the accessories?
Not sure if the regulator is fused.

[Matthew]

How close are the terminals to the camper skin? Is there a risk of them contacting if there were to be an accident?

[christover1]

Matthew wrote:

How close are the terminals to the camper skin? Is there a risk of them contacting if there were to be an accident?

Not as close as it looks in the photo.
But can put terminals other way round just in case.
Planned battery will have a lot more head room.

[got_bar_work]

Fuse the reg cables at batt

[christover1]

got_bar_work wrote:

Fuse the reg cables at batt

Thanks, will fuse similar to the car battery.
It is a 12 A reg, so guess that means fuse should be a 15 or 20. ish.

[christover1]

Can't go any further on wiring the solar system until pay day.
Need to find a battery, and a water proof battery box that will also house the regulator and a fuse.
But then I realised I needed to paint the rock guards first, anyway.
Got the etch primer and first coat done.
Hopefully have enough for a 2nd coat tomorrow.
Machinery grey apparently.
Then I need to find some free jobs to do till next week, which I'm sure I will do.

[christover1]

Looks better with a 2nd coat of machinery grey, and the masking tape removed.
Hopefully will be a bit less shiny once dried.
Made a temporary rear support leg, which may become permanent,
as it will only be needed when not attached to the car.
I reckon that won't be very often.
A proper leg may happen next year, this will suffice for now.
I can still insert the original piece, and use as it a jack stand, when needed.
Gee I'm a tight a###
I carry a jack stand on long trips anyway, so it is not a huge problem.

[striker99]

This teardrop is looking awesome...How long till you start taking orders?

IMO as far as fuses go, if you plan on using smaller grade wire to run any accessories you should make sure they are fused, otherwise a simple fuse on the battery may be all that is needed.. Might be a good idea to have one after the solar regulator however?

[christover1]

Yes I have decided to have a fuse after the regulator.
And on the main power wire between battery and camper.
Unsure where the camper fuse box will be located, will be either in the battery box or inside camper.

[killazook]

I would put the fuse box inside other than that superb work looks really good

[christover1]

Scored Mikes unneeded battery box.
Thanks Mike.
So I have fitted it up permanently, including the regulator and wiring to the camper.
Camper will get a little fuse box inside,
and charge lead from reg to battery will get a fuse inside battery box at some future stage.
Stainless steel (found on a hard rubbish pile) hides the bolt heads and plates, and protects bottom of battery.

[christover1]

Was looking through my ply off cuts, getting ideas for the back porch, rain protection and annex support piece.
(Was originally going to be part of the roof section, but it became impractical,
and would have meant buying and cutting up a new full sheet of ply)

Didn't like my ideas, due to ugliness, hitting head, and blocking light, being broke, and wanting to use available stuff in shed.

Then I tripped over the suitcase with the left over perpex, and a better idea appeared in my head.
Must be the Zooki Camper Gods.
Happy with result, color matches, and can hardly see it there.
Brackets were made from a mates off cuts donated at the beginning of the build.
(Thanks Steve)

[zukenutter]

Great "parts bin" addition, kudos!

[christover1]

zukenutter wrote:

Great "parts bin" addition, kudos!

That is this weeks challenge, finding free jobs to do, rather than sit around waiting for pay day.
Tomorrow will be packing around vents, for the lining to sit up against.
Then will be whatever pops into head by scrounging around

[christover1]

Matching the size of the outer vent and inner closable vent was becoming a problem,
as was a method to join them.
Keeping dust/water/mud etc. from building up between outer and inner walls is important off road and on.
This is my solution, I didn't try to match them.
Inner and outer can be in different positions, and be a different size.
Gunk can be easily cleaned out of the small area if needed.
Will be using butterfly vents on the inner, fitted to the panelling, but screwed through to the packing.

[christover1]

Ran the internal wiring in a more permanent way.
Using some panelling packing to support the wires.
Have decided on using metal foil type insulation, so I ran all wires through plastic tubes for safety.
Changed my mind on having the two side lights, having one in the roof instead.
Didn't want the light in my eyes when doing crosswords in bed.
Have decided on the positions for a fuse box and power outlets etc.
Pension day tomorrow, hopefully will see some interesting progress on the inside soon.

[christover1]

Christover's Crazy Clamping Company is working again
Finished packing for the areas that don't have any electric gizmos to fit.
Will possibly fit fuse box etc to some packing, see how it goes.
Got started on roofing insulation, I really don't feel comfy working overhead for long.
Sides insulation has to wait for glue to dry, and painting of the end grains on packers.
I thought the silver would be too bright, but it is better than the white.
Panelling type and colour still undecided.
Doesn't really need to be super water proof, but should be damp proof.
Trying to avoid any more painting, but some panels aren't water proof,
though with the foil behind, is unlikely to need the rear side sealed.

[christover1]

Finished the insulation and packer slats.
It is all shiny in there, and now it warms up when I am working in there,
so I guess it works.
Decided on wider slats around the fuse box and outlets, so I can change stuff later if wanted.
Will make it possible to have an access door to rear and front electrics, for ease of changing mind later,
but also so I can get on with the lining without buying electrics first.
Ran out of wood and glue at the same time, which didn't matter, had also just finished the job.
Sometimes Ya winn.
But the Zook Gods have a sense of humour, was 3 short on the foil brads
Get some when panel shopping.

[zukenutter]

Great work lamp

[christover1]

zukenutter wrote:

Great work lamp

Busted all my work lamps over the years.
Been using LED torches ever since.
But this job needed 2 hands,
so I used my bedroom light, which is my visual alarm.

[pezz]

coming along well chris..
white melamine paneling would be handy as it wipe over easy and you can use it a a giant white board
i think you can get it on 3mm mdf