46

Share your adventures! / Re: Official random Van pictures! Post a picture of stay out!

« on: July 27, 2015, 12:33:17 pm »

Itsamoto

Thanks for tip.  Will try it with Google+.

"...nice private campsite"

Cropping/framing of photo helps a lot.  See photo - EVC on left side

47

Share your adventures! / Re: Official random Van pictures! Post a picture of stay out!

« on: July 26, 2015, 10:19:18 am »

Our EVC this June on Ocracoke Island NC (NPS campground).

ps - why do some posts have thumbnails (that is what I get when I attach photos) and others have nice large photos in the message?

48

CaveVan Stuff / Re: Free CaveVan Stickers

« on: July 26, 2015, 08:37:17 am »

Great sticker!  Thanks Cole

Joins my Ocracoke Island sticker on the rear window.  Sorry for just a photo of my EVC in the garage; will post a better one in someplace more exciting soon.

49

Winnebago "Full Campers" / Re: Winnebago AUX/house battery, solar thread.

« on: July 24, 2015, 07:52:12 am »

DRotblatt,

I did the cutoff switch per David's instructions on http://1705.net  - straightforward and the particular switch he used is very well made (used on many boats).  I found that the best tool to cut the hole in battery box was the saw blade on a swiss army knife - drill some starter holes and then hand saw around.

I am pretty sure the 12V outlet on the panel above the stove (only one on my EVC - you have 2? "both of the outlets") is off the house battery.  Shows it that way on the schematic; it is where I plug my digital meter in to get a quick read of SOC.  There is another at the rear of the EVC. The dash 12V outlet is off the engine battery.

Check GoPower - they have many accessories for solar panels - connectors, controllers, etc.

50

Winnebago "Full Campers" / Re: Winnebago AUX/house battery, solar thread.

« on: July 23, 2015, 06:38:29 am »

sdunn

I can send/post the schematic I did (David did review it).  The only caveat -  David told me that the published Winnebago schematic may not agree with what's actually installed on your vehicle.

If you do the conversion, please take step by step photos for those of us who are electrically challenged. 

Also thinking I should upgrade battery to AGM at same time.

The biggest issue I have found with existing setup (and I don't think that will change with a new one) is charging when dry camping for extended time.  This past June, we spent 2 weeks at Ocracoke NPS campground (no hookups).  Driving into the village (3 miles each way) every other day or even every day was not enough to charge the battery.  LEDs worked fine, but when I turned on water, the lights dimmed.  I am thinking of adding the Westy Solar package.  Yes, I could put together my own, but the Westy (80W system made by Zamp) has (1) carry case (2) controller panel is not on the solar panels, but designed to be mounted inside my EVC (3) includes extra long (50') cord (4) includes direct battery connectors, not just alligator clips and (5) has quick disconnect plugs to the panel.

51

Winnebago "Full Campers" / Re: Winnebago AUX/house battery, solar thread.

« on: July 22, 2015, 05:03:59 pm »

Don't know if David at 1705.net is registered, but he has a number of electrical upgrades on his site.  One is the battery cutoff switch. I followed his instructions and took additional photos for reference.

See http://1705.net


I am thinking of tackling his converter upgrade. I am a relatively decent carpenter, okay with plumbing, but electrical schematics confound me. Others say "just follow the schematic" but that does not work.   I had difficulty connecting his photos to a schematic, so I emailed back and forth with him to get the Winnebago "after" schematic done.  I can share that, but it would really be helpful if someone has more detailed step-by-step photos.

52

Winnebago "Full Campers" / Re: Interior Mods, Gadgets, or Additions

« on: July 06, 2015, 04:37:06 pm »

I have added shelves, new LEDs, etc. but best mod has to be adding a Porti Potti.  Housed in nice simple cabinet, that is also (1) the step up to get up into the pop-top and (2)  a coffee table and (3) a seat.

Everyone has woken up at 3am, it's pouring rain, the campground is so dark you can't even see your feet, where's my flashlight, the critters outside are making strange noises, and you need to pee.  This is a wonderful investment.  My wife is very, very happy now.

2 photos attached.  Can post/send pdfs of construction drawings and more photos if wanted.  Porti Potti is Thetford 320P, and cabinet is made of 3/8" birch ply with clear coat.  Cushion made by my wife.