Contemporizing 1976 Argosy D - opinions please - Page 16

SmokelessJoe · 04-10-2007, 07:55 PM

Malcolm,

I did the drainpipe and Ipex lines with acrylic primer yesterday and will use oil based Melamine when I paint.
The real world will test things, of course, but it’s been my experience that today’s better paints seem to cover everything pretty well.

Sergei

Sugarfoot · 04-12-2007, 07:56 PM

Sergei, I just went back through from the beginning of your thread. You've done LOTS of cool things and a fabulous job. Pocket doors, how cool is that? I love the Marmoleum, clever work with the cabinets, and your vessel sink is really the bomb. You've come a long way with your Argosy and had some hair-raising moments as well. You have something to be proud of.

BTW, I had no idea that Ultrafab tongue jack was made in China. It never occurred to me that could have been the reason it cost less than other brands. Hope your's works as well for you as mine has for me.

SmokelessJoe · 04-12-2007, 09:34 PM

Sugarfoot,

I’m pleased that you like what’s happening to my trailer.
Did you note that I made the stainless steel vessel sink from an IKEA salad bowl? It set me back $19 ($16 US).

You can find the real ones on the internet, starting at $400.00.

Sergei

SmokelessJoe · 04-14-2007, 05:06 PM

We didn’t finish the Blue Sea distribution panel this week but not because the local electrician couldn’t come. Wendell Hill, a Wiltsie worker who is good around electrical things, volunteered to help.

We found the box I had had built wasn’t deep enough to cope with all the wiring for the Main plus 6 circuits panel.

So, Monday I will have the Wilitsie shop make a 2” extension, which I can screw onto the face of the existing 3” deep box.

Phil has been away preparing for a Judo tournament. We should get more done next week.

Sergei

Sugarfoot · 04-15-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokelessJoe

Sugarfoot,

I’m pleased that you like what’s happening to my trailer.
Did you note that I made the stainless steel vessel sink from an IKEA salad bowl? It set me back $19 ($16 US).

You can find the real ones on the internet, starting at $400.00.

Sergei

A genius solution and great new use for a salad bowl.

SmokelessJoe · 04-17-2007, 04:20 PM

Friends:

Keeping in mind that the power inlet on my trailer has been moved to the front and that my 110v supply options (shore, inverter or generator) will all be truck-based, I don’t think I need an inverter in the trailer.

But I need

a good charger/converter

a good 12v distribution panel

a reasonably sized battery or battery bank

Can you offer me your suggestions; based either on what you’ve used or have heard is good/best out there?

Can you also explain how the converter is wired to the battery (batteries) and 12v distribution panel? In other words, how does the panel know when the 12v is coming from the converter, not the battery and visa versa?

I note that some converters have various amp ratings. How do I know which one I need?

We are installing the 110 AC panel by Blue Sea right now. It is very cool.

So, next, I have to get on with the above 12v things.

Any help you can offer is very much appreciated.

Thanks.

Sergei

Safari Tim · 04-17-2007, 04:28 PM

Call Randy and Bestconverter.com and he'll help you out. He's a forums member too.

You can check here for a diagram of how it all goes together.

http://parallaxpower.com/Dist_Panl/FB%20Series.pdf

malconium · 04-17-2007, 06:34 PM

Sergei,

I think the key think to notice in the wiring diagram just mentioned is that the positive 12volt side of things is all tied together. Fundamentally this means that there is only one 12volt source that you have to worry about.

Malcolm

SmokelessJoe · 04-20-2007, 06:21 PM

Wendell Hill, who works at the Wiltsie shop, installed the new Blue Sea panel last night.

I’ll send a photo showing the cool LED lights and back lit signage in action soon.

No more extensions and plugs all over the place.......

Sergei

bilby05 · 04-22-2007, 08:34 AM

The black tongue and hardware look really good. I have been following this thread to get ideas for our Soveriegn. Could never afford a full treatment like you are doing, but am getting some great ideas for small touches for our project.
thanks for keeping the tread updated.
cheers, bill b.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokelessJoe

The Ultra Fab Electric Jack has been mounted and the tongue and accessories painted with two coats of Tremclad black.

Now, we permanently re-mount the LG A/C compressor and the diesel heating plant.

Inside, we begin installing the Blue Sea AC electric distribution panel.

Sergei

SmokelessJoe · 04-22-2007, 08:11 PM

Bill B., thanks for your interest.

The compressor, painted black, has been permanently mounted now. The simple connections to the inside unit should be completed this week.

The Webasto diesel coolant heater was also re-installed and ran beautifully. It’s aluminum enclosure will be completed this week as well.

Inside, the Blue Sea electrical distribution panel has been completed.

We’re on a roll now, everybody.

Sergei

SmokelessJoe · 04-23-2007, 08:23 PM

This is the Blue Sea 110v distribution centre, already enclosed now in the combination wardrobe/desk as we moved ahead with the work today.

The toggles on each breaker move with a quiet but solid “click”. LED lights indicate power. There is even a built in Reverse Polarity Indicator.

The circuit nameplates remain constantly backlit with 12v power. You can read the labels in pitch darkness. I really like that feature.

Sergei

bhayden · 04-24-2007, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokelessJoe

The circuit nameplates remain constantly backlit with 12v power. You can read the labels in pitch darkness. I really like that feature.

Sergei,
The back lighting is on even when AC isn't plugged in? That sounds like a battery killer on par with the stupid Dometic "Climate Control" that stay's on unless you flip the hidden switch irregardless of whether or not the fridge is running. Hope you've got that 12V on a separate switch that's in a spot that'll remind you to turn it off.
-Bernie

SmokelessJoe · 04-24-2007, 03:20 PM

The LED's draw 7 mA (.007/Amp) per label. I don’t know about things electrical but that’s probably not very much.

I’m not worried about 12 v draw. I have a modest amount of devices and when I don’t have shore power, I will have either an inverter/battery pack and/or a generator on the truck producing 110v.

There will also be a Blue Sea marine style on/off switch at the house battery.

Sergei