Our Journey Begins - 2018 AI TB Lounge

[wachuko]

I am tired of the dangling cords for charging the phones... going to do this mod in my AI... with USB charging ports instead of 12 volts outlets...

http://roadtreklife.blogspot.com/201...owered-12.html



Using two of these (one on each side)... I will have a switch in the dash to turn them off/on manually in case I want to do so...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...oop_bw_c_x_3_w

[Titus]

Wonder if this hot sunny location is the best place for a cell phone?

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by Titus

Wonder if this hot sunny location is the best place for a cell phone?

Not for the cellphone... for the charger cord. Right now the cord that I have is connected to the bottom 12volt port... so the cord comes up around the shifter and to the phone that is with a magnetic base inserted in the air vent...

I am making the same modifications they made for supporting the phones. That way I can eliminate the mount I now have in the vent... same mount, different mounting point with a home made curved aluminum base with double face tape to the dash...

http://roadtreklife.blogspot.com/201...etic-cell.html



Not sure if you can see it in the photo, kind of dark, but making these changes will keep the cords in the top tray on each side.... instead of how they are now with the cords all over the shift knob and on the floor. Phones will still face us. I need to play with mount location...seeing the photo maybe I can install the mount on the dash and not in the center console...will see. Also, remember that the windshield has the 3M film, not much heat to the phones...

[Air99]

Originally Posted by wachuko

I am tired of the dangling cords for charging the phones... going to do this mod in my AI... with USB charging ports instead of 12 volts outlets...

http://roadtreklife.blogspot.com/201...owered-12.html



Using two of these (one on each side)... I will have a switch in the dash to turn them off/on manually in case I want to do so...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...oop_bw_c_x_3_w

Sure like to see how this is done...

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by Air99

Sure like to see how this is done...

Check the link. Good photos on how they did it on the Roadtrek

http://roadtreklife.blogspot.com/201...owered-12.html

Only difference is that I will use one of the dash-insert switch (I got those a few months back) to turn them on/off.

Perfect time to also install the switch for the Fusion. Should look something like this:

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by Alex AVI

Nice job! Everything matches, just like it should've come out from AS

Just a curious question - obviously this helps remove all the heat for ref to work efficiently but that heat is still inside the AI. Seeing your interior pics, I can only assume inside mine is similarly done & access to/from outside is pretty visible. Can I have an exhaust port also, like with water heater? Don't get me wrong, I am in no way even dreaming of boring a new hole on my AI body, at least not until all the warranty is over. But at some point, I may be brave enough to risk it few years later

Speed reading is obviously not my thing, duh!!

You were indeed talking about an exhaust port for venting the fridge heat to the outside....

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by Air99

Sure like to see how this is done...

AIR99 -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yrn-7jomDxo

WACHUKO - ever since I saw above YouTube vid and due to Fusion usb port freaky behaviour, I wanted to do this mod. BUT I have not found a direct-to-12V usb port like in your pic that has the new QualComm 3.0 QC technology. It is a quick charge 3.0A port. So far, only see them in plug-in type chargers, which is what I use (Link Depot QC 3.0). I just like the 3.0A because it charges so fast.. But as soon as I find one, I am a drillin' them holes Or if I don't I may just do what you doin' but use 12v cig adapters there, then plug in the QC 3.0 usb adapter

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by Alex AVI

...I wanted to do this mod. BUT I have not found a direct-to-12V usb port like in your pic that has the new QualComm 3.0 QC technology. It is a quick charge 3.0A port...

Was not aware of this. Thank you for letting me know... guess I will have to go back and replace them when those become available... already ordered the ones in my previous post... should be here Friday.

[Air99]

Thanks Gents, for the links!

[wachuko]

Nothing to see… just stuff I have pending to do (a few new items added that I do not want to forget). Here is the list:

• Make lid out of side sill cutout. I have the stainless steel piano hinge...This is in progress and hoping to finish over the weekend. Memorial Day I just rested and spent quality time with the family…
• Install USB charging ports in front dash area
• Install phone magnetic base in dash… might need to make a new base if the one that it comes with does not contour to the shape of the dash… if that is not needed, this will be an easy install.
• Switch for Fusion head unit. Got the switch, just need to wire the sucker…
• License plate relocation kit – for when using the carrier with the scooter. Need to figure out something that I can easily move back and forth.
• Cargo tray for Vespa. Want to replace the rods, which are made to be adjusted, for thick flat aluminum pieces. This is easy; I just need to buy the aluminum pieces and secured them in place with pop-rivets.
• Switch for propane valve. Got the switch, just need to identify the correct wire to use for the install. Oh, and if I am going to place the switch on the dash…that is one long wire run… might just use a different switch and install next to rear breaker panel… hum… I just remembered… I did get a different switch for this, huh… something about the first thing to go…
• Elongated toilet –Dometic 321 Series Low Profile Toilet. Not available locally… wanted to stop by local Camping World store to see if they have one that I can look and see if I have any way of getting it to fit without cutting the wall and making an insert...Reading the reviews in Amazon, some folks claim to only needing 10.5” from the wall… I am going for it. Order placed. Went without the hand spray since there is already a shower spray in the bath… figured it would be less stuff in the way.
• Redo the cover of the foldable bed. I need to round the corners that I forgot to do and are damaging the vinyl. Will recover each piece of wood panel separately in a different material (cloth and beige color). Got everything that I need for this task.
• Screen room – this will move higher in priority as the days get warmer and insects are out… we had a great first few months of ownership without bugs… that is about to change… The feedback on the initial one I was looking at were pretty bad… need to look for a better alternative without being stupid expensive…
• Buy and install a drain valve for the fresh water tank (suggestion from Protagonist) to replace the plug currently there.
• Install the ShowerMi$er. Parts sitting in the garage… need to see when I tackle this one…
• Reroute the generator exhaust. Low in priority list...
• Rear shelve with matching TB laminate – link to what John did... - I will have to order the matching laminate. Also not high on the priority list but something I would like to make/add.
• Self-leveling system ... due to cost, this will take a while, but keeping it on the list. There are less costly alternatives like Bullseye system that I could install myself (if they can get their s* together and have all the parts available for shipping)
• Prime Design - Rear Door Access Ladder . Don’t care that the wife does not like the looks of it… I want the rear (door-mounted) ladder… She is not the one having to clean the solar panels and having to drag the ladder out every time I clean them…
• Order or get locally, viper alarm system - this will have to wait for now...not even sure if I want to do this one.

[wachuko]

Relocating the exhaust for the generator should be easy... just need to cut the stock pipe to make it straight and shorter and done! The way Airstream mounts it, it has a slight curve at the end of the generator... A straight and shorter pipe will position it a few inches after the generator... Meaning that the only thing that would now kit, if I go that far back, would be the generator.

Will also do what others have done and find a nice looking chrome or stainless steel tip for it...

[InterBlog]

Careful with LEDs that require adhesive of any type. Many don’t hold as advertised. The LED chips fall off and make contact with the housing, melting it and possibly causing a fire hazard in certain instances. I’ve had this happen in multiple places in our retrofitted rig.

[wachuko]

Solar panels nice and clean again...as well as the rest of the AI... Some clouds so panels not at full capacity...

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by InterBlog

Careful with LEDs that require adhesive of any type. Many don’t hold as advertised. The LED chips fall off and make contact with the housing, melting it and possibly causing a fire hazard in certain instances. I’ve had this happen in multiple places in our retrofitted rig.

Thank you. Will inspect again and hold them in place with something else as a preventive measure.

[wachuko]

Happy to report that the hinge setup works great. In place with double-face tape and now ready to drill and install pop-rivets.

And yes... I will remove blue tape and paint that area gloss black...

Also, looking at the photos... I could cut the plastic strip on the lid that is not covered by the hinge... humm... more clearance for when filling the tank with LP...

[Alex AVI]

[QUOTE=wachuko;2109628
Also, looking at the photos... [/QUOTE]
WACHUKO - Nice - this is both RV porn and a work of art

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by Alex AVI

WACHUKO - Nice - this is both RV porn and a work of art

Thank you!

Hinge installed.

Photo of the black duct tape around heater pad...

Also painted all the bolts that hold the tanks... exposed threads were rusting.

As mentioned earlier... chrome trim to be replaced with color matching trim later on.

Still have to figure out what I will use for a latch to keep the door closed.

[rowiebowie]

Nice job!

[toskeysam]

Looks great! Good job! Worthy of some sort of Forum-Award for most bang for the buck...and sweat.

[Boxster1971]

Fantastic job on raising the LP Fill Panel! Your work is an inspiration. This is something Airstream should do on all Interstates.