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Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
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RE: Tank removal
I removed and replaced the black water tank in my trailer. The toilet flange just unbolted, but the vent pipe had to be cut. On the new tank, I glued a threaded fitting for the vent pipe. Next time, the tank will be easier to remove.
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lzcamper
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08/26/08 10:26pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: European Sprinter Windows
Dometic is the company that handles Seitz windows, but I don't know if they sell them in the USA. I've seen them on Gulf Stream Sprinter conversions. Maybe that company will sell you some. Motion Windows by Peninsula in Washington state make nice sliders with large openings. Do a search on the internet for Motion Windows. Here's some Dometic info.
Seitz Polyurethan-Technik Gmbh/Dometic
800-387-4800
www.dometicusa.com
dual pane European-style windows
Rick
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lzcamper
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08/25/08 10:40pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Opinions about 1994 Born Free 21-foot Class B?
I always thought that Born Free motorhomes were class C. I've never heard any negative comments about their quality. The only thing that I heard about the 21 foot model was that the entry door is in the rear. If you tow something behind it, access through that door can be difficult.
Rick
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lzcamper
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08/22/08 09:41pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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Want to install a city water line in a DIY camper van.
How difficult is it to install a city water line to an existing water system in a camper? The water line in my DIY camper van will supply 2 sinks. Is installing a city water line as simple as installing a tee in the existing output line from the pump and running the line from there?
Rick
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lzcamper
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06/27/08 01:13pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Charger/converter question
I'm still building my van camper and will be installing a charger or converter in the next couple of weeks, so I'm trying to find out which would be best; a charger with some seperate A/C circuits (for a hair dryer or TV) or a converter charger? I know that there are chargers and converter/chargers, but do not know the advantage of one type over the other.
Rick
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lzcamper
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06/19/08 08:05pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Charger/converter question
Thanks for the information. Answers to one question lead to many more questions.
I had planned to install a charger/converter in my DIY van in a couple of weeks, but I'm wondering if I could just use a charger instead of a charger/converter. All of the appliances in my van run on DC, so what's the advantage of using charger/converter instead of a charger? When plugged in to shore power with a charger/converter, it seems like one could save the propane that the refrigerator uses, but what else? Does a charger charge batteries faster?
Rick
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lzcamper
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06/19/08 07:46pm |
Tech Issues
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Charger/converter question
Does a charger/converter charge both the starter battery and the house batteries or just the house batteries?
Rick
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lzcamper
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06/19/08 09:37am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Wheels not reinvented
Have you thought about making a fold-out bed on top of the storage area? The back of the sofa would fold down and the bed would flop out over it. I'm putting a fold-out bed over a storage area and it flops out on top of bench seats that are installed on each side of the van.
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lzcamper
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06/05/08 09:33pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: gas or diesell with water added
Check out this discussion in the Sprinter forum. http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1294&highlight=HHO
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lzcamper
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05/27/08 12:36am |
Tech Issues
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Engel refrigerator question
A friend of mine just purchased an Engel 35 for his van. He installed two 6V batteries (220 aH) to power it. It needs to be plugged into a "power point" when running on DC. While driving, would it be better to plug it into a "power point" that is wired directly to the auxiliary batteries or into the "power point" on the dash of his van (which I assume gets its power from the alternator)?
Rick
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lzcamper
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05/17/08 05:26pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Ever installed propane????
bananadanna,
My propane tank is bolted to the underside of the floor of the van just behind the sliding door. An opening was cut into the double side wall of the van to provide access to the fill fittings. The tank is about 24" long and 12" in diameter, so it hangs down a couple of inches.
Rick
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lzcamper
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05/17/08 05:00pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Ever installed propane????
I'm also building a camper in my van and the propane tank is installed, but not hooked up. I was going to run a solid copper line up through the floor and split it inside the van into two lines, one to the refrigerator and one to the furnace. A friend, who has built van campers, said (for safety reasons) to split the line beneath the floor before you run the line inside to the appliance. As mentioned before, protect the line where it runs through the floor with a grommet, a piece of garden hose or something that the edge of the entry hole will not chew through.
Rick
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lzcamper
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05/16/08 07:23pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Converter/charger question
Thanks for the explanation and additional information. I had previously purchased a small (30 amp) Elixer single stage converter/charger power center, but aml now thinking of selling it and buying the three stage WFCO 8735 for a pair of 6V AGMs.
Thanks again, Rick
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lzcamper
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05/03/08 10:56pm |
Tech Issues
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Converter/charger question
I'm going to install a converter/charger in my van, primarily for the purposes of: (1) providing 120 AC for AC outlets in the camper, (2) converting the AC to 12V DC to run lights and appliances that need DC (water pump and fan) and (3) charging the house batteries.
Right now, the van has an auxiliary battery and an "isolator" to keep the starter battery from discharging when using the aux. I assume that if the converter/charger is hooked up to those wires, it will not charge the starter battery.
Do converter/chargers only charge the "house batteries" or do they have a set of wires that bypass the "isolator" to charge the starter battery?
Rick
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lzcamper
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05/03/08 02:30pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: GVWR and carrying capacity
This topic really got me thinking about what kind of materials to use when constructing my homebuilt conversion. I have an '06 Sprinter 158" high top passenger van with no extras. The plate on the door post says that "the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 2996 lbs". Is this the CCC of this van?
Rick
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lzcamper
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04/29/08 06:55pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Battery cable length question
Thanks for the help! It looks like 6 guage should work and 4 would be better. If I'm correct, the two 6V AGM batteries (220 amps) will provide about 110 amps of usable power. The converter/charger (3 stage-35amp) will be used occasionally to recharge the batteries when we plug in to shore power at a campground (one night). Although we camp out in the boondocks (up to a week at a time), our battery use should be modest. A propane refrigerator, fantastic fan, furnace (catalytic with ventilation system), electric-flushing portipotti, water pump, CD/radio, 2 overhead lights, and 2 hotpoints (used for charging small batteries or a laptop) will be wired to the house bank. The van's alternator is 90 amps, so I'm hoping it will efficiently charge the batteries as we drive from one location to another. Do you think it would be wise to upgrade to a larger alternator? We may also charge the laptop computer, cell phone, GPS, or batteries while driving. We do not plan to get an inverter or generator, but may add a solar panel if needed.
Rick
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lzcamper
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04/04/08 07:53pm |
Tech Issues
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Battery cable length question
I'm going to install 2 6V AGM batteries in my van (Sprinter) and they will be located beneath the floor just in front of the driver's side rear wheel well. I would like to put a converter/charger/distribution panel in the space under the front passenger seat. This would require a run of about 10 feet from the batteries to the converter/charger. Is this feasible? If so, what size cable would you recommend?
Rick
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lzcamper
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04/03/08 09:07pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Wiring overhead lights and fan question
The Thinlites and the Fantastic fan wires are black and white, no red. In this case, is white positive and black negative? Rick
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lzcamper
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01/23/08 10:44am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Installing refrigerator vent on roof of Sprinter question
Don,
The links work. The fan looks like a excellent unit although my Dometic refrigerator is not listed as a model it will fit. If my installation requires a fan, I'll give them a call to see if it can be modified for my refrigerator. Thanks for the information.
Rick
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lzcamper
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01/23/08 10:36am |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Wiring overhead lights and fan question
I'm wiring for DC and the stated amperage is for 12 volts. Each light is a dual 8 watt light (Thinlite 622) and 12 guage wires will be used. The 3rd wire suggestion came from a wiring diagram drawn by a hardware store clerk.
Thanks for your suggestions. Rick
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lzcamper
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01/21/08 08:51pm |
Tech Issues
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