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Old 08-22-2017, 02:50 PM   #481
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Quote:
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@DOCINABOX, @SWIZ, @TROUTBOY

Got any pictures of the solar on your roof, particularly where the combniner box penetrates the roof? Where did you run the wires down? I was planning on running them down the fridge vent, then I realized we don't have one.

I'm planning on running the cables where a fridge vent would normally be, as I think that's going to be the best bet for me to get the wires where I need them. Apologies if I missed the posts about this. I read this entire thread a week ago (along with many others) and I couldn't find the pics in here today.
My system is a high-voltage system therefore, I used the factory pre-wire which is by the rear fantastic fan. Since the pre-wire terminates in the front of the trailer under the street side dinette, this is where my inverter is. My 720 AH of lithium batteries (which weigh 165 pounds with the battery box) are under the couch. This does add some to the hitch but my hitch weight is 150 pounds less than It was with the AGM batteries. My total trailer weight is 5500 pounds with most of our camping gear in it and about 18 gallons of water aboard(As measured on a CAT scale)
The first picture shows the roof combiner box with built in mc4 connectors. The roof penetration is next to the fantastic fan. This combiner box allows for multiple matched voltage strings, and the deployment of ground panels.( The flexible panels were a miserable failure in the first iteration of my solar power system) The next picture shows the 720AH battery bank during installation. The next shows the circuit board with Orion bms, victron inverter and both solar controllers. The Morningstar controller has been repurposed for additional ground panels run through the old external battery box.
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Old 08-22-2017, 03:15 PM   #482
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YES! That is a SERIOUS battery bank. I think you win the prize for most battery capacity. Thanks for the pics and info everyone, that helps a ton. I think solar will be going in over the next 2 days.
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Old 08-22-2017, 03:51 PM   #483
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Thanks but my purpose is not to win a prize. My purpose was to make my wife happy! We are going for this idea of having a completely electric Airstream. We would like to be independent from propane altogether. My wife has acquaintances who have died in propane related fires. With larger battery banks and better solar panels, being propane independent is close to a reality. We believe it is possible with this set up to completely run everything on electricity including the refrigerator water heater and electric space heaters and A/C. This of course would still require camping in more moderate climate so you don't have to use high demand appliances constantly. The only catch I can think of is if you're Boondocking in cold weather you still would want to have the forced heat around the tanks. By the way, people don't talk about it much but removing the propane tanks altogether drops the hitch weight a lot more. This is yet another advantage for this hitch heavy trailer.
In the end, I would like to thank everyone in this forum who helped educate me about many of these technical ideas. I think it's great that we have forums where someone can take a potpourri of ideas and consolidate them into an interesting outcome.
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Old 08-22-2017, 04:37 PM   #484
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As of now, it looks like I will be meeting a tow company this Saturday down in SW Va to take over my new (to me) 2007 23ft Safari. From there will head up to the Va Highlands park and spend the night before heading home.

Trying to get a lot of things completed in a short amount of time, but my WDH was delivered today, so trying to get as much as I can ready.

-New 15inch wheels are due in any moment now, unless Fed Ex couldt fit everything on one truck (and I expect 5 wheels can take up some space).
- Bought all my "essentials" and they are packed and ready to go.
- Hoping to get my title tomorrow, get it registered tomorrow and overnight a temp tag down to the PO to get it affixed for travel.
- Insurance is all done.
- New Michelins go on Thur if the wheels come in tonight.

But anyway, back to the issue of the hitch, thinking of installing the ball mount assembly on to the shank now, at least without completely torqueing it down.
Do you know if there is a specification anywhere on the board here, or through Airstream. Actually I could probably use a new spec with the 15in wheels since the trailer I am getting has the old 14's on. Are the new tires Michelin 235/75's?
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Old 08-23-2017, 06:52 AM   #485
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I'm hoping to find a spot under the bed for my charge converter.
At least on our trailer, there is extra room around the water heater that can't be otherwise accessed. Take off the bed platform, and you'll see what I mean.

Tom
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Old 08-23-2017, 10:49 AM   #486
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Rich,

I can probably help you, I've become pretty familiar with the pull-out pantry,and can give you some suggestions.

But, it will be me t week... I'm in Panama now, and will return home late Sunday evening.
If you would like, you can PM your phone number to me and indicate the best times to call.

Have a great weekend.

Rob
Hi Rob, just got back from the eclipse viewing with my brothers. While we had the AS out I had my brother take a look at the pantry and its tracks. He was able to figure out how to remove it.

Posting for posterity, in case someone else has the same problem.
1. Empty the pantry
2. Extend the pantry to near fully out
3. Push the outer slide roller back into the opening, but keep pantry out
[This exposes a black plastic tab on each side]
4. Push on the black plastic tab on each side at the same time while pulling the pantry the rest of the way off the rollers. (Helps to have assistance.)

The rails are attached to a 1X2 on each side of the opening. My left one is lower than the right by a couple millimeters (factory installed this way).

The left rail had a middle screw missing and the screw at the far end had pulled out because it wasn't long enough to go through the side wall of the pantry, just 2 staples holding it, so the left side 1X2 had fallen down.

I replaced the missing middle screw and put a longer one at the end so it went through the side wall for support. It now tracks OK, not scraping the side, but I may have to uninstall it again to put that left 1X2 to be the same height as the right side. The whole pantry still travels from one side to the other when you open/close it. This may be because of the difference in the rail heights or the pantry itself may be warped somehow.
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Old 08-23-2017, 11:44 AM   #487
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Hopefully will be pulling home a 23 Safari next week, that has a couch in the front. Am thinking about removing the couch and table/stand that holds the rolling table and replacing it with a dinette/bench and perhaps a table like yours.
Will see how the couch works out first, but if it does stay, will want to upgrade the covering and cushions/covers, so there is work ahead, just not sure how much.
[/QUOTE]
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That's a pretty rare trailer. We have one and love the couch. Way better than a dinette.
When you say couch I'm thinking L-couch, which is what we have. My wife and I have a difference of opinion about the setup. She's 5' and can fit neatly on the short "L" portion of the couch, putting her sock feet on the roll out table cabinet side. I'm 5'7" and trying to get comfortable on the long portion of the couch is an exercise in futility; not going to happen. The bottom cushion is so long that I have no back support when I sit. The long skinny board that supports the back cushions slides down, pushing the bottom cushion out even further. I'm more comfortable using a 'bag chair'. If you have long legs, it's probably not an issue.

When converting the L-couch to a bed, unless you have a mattress to cover the cushions, it's not comfortable. If you do have one, then you have to store that mattress someplace when you switch to a couch again.

The roll out table, when extended, won't let you get up to get anything; you're trapped on the couch. We very rarely use it extended anymore, so it just adds weight to the front when stored in the cabinet. I'm trying to convince her to go with some folding tray tables instead. I DO like the side cabinet and 3 drawers, very handy for storage.

If I had a magic wand, I'd change the whole front to be 2 recliners with a cabinet between them that had drawers for storage and a slide out table with wings. The wings fold out to give each person a side tray for food and drink. The recliner opposite the door would be extra wide and would recline totally to become a bed. An Ottoman in the corner under the TV would complete the bed. I don't have the tools or skillset to make this happen, so if I can get her to use the TV trays, we can use the table store area for more storage, maybe add some shelves there.
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Old 08-24-2017, 12:28 PM   #488
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I found a HUGE spot for the charge controller. There's a big hidden box behind the bottom shelf under the sink. I cut it out and fit it in there. I'm trying to avoid puttong anytging under the couch/lounge in front of the fridge because I hope to put a desk there eventually.

It's been a tight fit, but it's going to work... I think...
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Old 08-24-2017, 05:39 PM   #489
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Squirrels, green, sappy pinecones, and 80' Ponderosa pines... You can figure out the rest!
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Old 08-24-2017, 05:40 PM   #490
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I found a HUGE spot for the charge controller. There's a big hidden box behind the bottom shelf under the sink. I cut it out and fit it in there. I'm trying to avoid puttong anytging under the couch/lounge in front of the fridge because I hope to put a desk there eventually.

It's been a tight fit, but it's going to work... I think...
I would love to see a photo of the hidey-hole you've found...
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Old 08-24-2017, 05:52 PM   #491
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Hey man! Y'all good?
I think Steve is talking about the spot behind the trash can under the sink. Look promising.
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Old 08-24-2017, 05:56 PM   #492
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I wish there were an easy way to post pics from my phone here. I'll have a video out in a week or two showing all of it. Its the height of the bottom shelf and as deep as the oven.
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Old 08-24-2017, 07:05 PM   #493
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Hey man! Y'all good?
I think Steve is talking about the spot behind the trash can under the sink. Look promising.
Yep, Ronnie, we're doing great. The Fortune Cookie is "working" great for the two of us. I wish all of "The 23D people" were here!
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Old 08-24-2017, 07:44 PM   #494
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Rob,
Glad to hear y'all are well. Enjoy.
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Old 08-25-2017, 08:10 AM   #495
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Rob,
Glad to hear y'all are well. Enjoy.
Thanks, Ronnie.

So, the morning blitz has begun. The danged squirrels are 'harvesting' green pinecones and letting them fall on and around the Airstream. I think they must enjoy the sound one-ounce pinecones makes when they hit aluminum at Mach 5.

We, however, are NOT amused.

This will go on for 30-minutes or so
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Old 08-25-2017, 08:11 AM   #496
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Wink

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I wish all of "The 23D people" were here!
I'm sure most or many of us are here lurking and learning Just that we're not as experienced and outspoken as most of ya's here
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Old 08-25-2017, 08:50 AM   #497
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The 23D thread

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Thanks, Ronnie.



So, the morning blitz has begun. The danged squirrels are 'harvesting' green pinecones and letting them fall on and around the Airstream. I think they must enjoy the sound one-ounce pinecones makes when they hit aluminum at Mach 5.



We, however, are NOT amused.



This will go on for 30-minutes or so


Rob, I should have loaned you my dog. She's a pretty good squirrel deterrent!
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Old 08-25-2017, 09:13 AM   #498
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Pup climbs trees, that I got to see.

Nature's symphony. A universal experience. We had a morning in Canada when the birds started chirping at 4:00am. The longer day thing was in play, you see. The acorn harvest generates a similar bombardment. Nature has her ways of welcoming folks.

Hope you have a bottle of headache pills to see you through the racket. Pat
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Old 08-25-2017, 09:20 AM   #499
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Rob, I should have loaned you my dog. She's a pretty good squirrel deterrent!
Ah ha! Addison to the rescue. 😉

We're going to move to a different site later this morning... I scoped out an area where there is not a single pinecones on the ground (there must be over 300 surrounding - and on - the trailer.

The Luftwaffe-rodents will probably follow us there. 😱
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Old 08-25-2017, 02:18 PM   #500
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Still sounds fun Rob, hope you are enjoying everything else. My nemesis seems to be the black crow, I think the same two followed me from NY, to NC, and now here in CO.

Pest are, well pests..... I remember as a youth practicing with a cheap BB gun for weeks to get good enough to shoot one of these cawing loudmouths.... when I finally got one in sight and landed a pellet, the darn pellet just ricocheted off his think feather armor...... BB guns back them must not have had much power.

Sounds like your approach is more environmentally friendly and more likely to work..

Can a pine cone like that leave a mark on the AS?
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