1977 Safari restoration

[Zeppelinium]

2 Renogy 100w panels connected in series.
2 100AH 12V lead acid flooded batteries.
Bright sun, air temp 45-50 degrees F.

Discharged the batteries overnight about 600WH, down to 12.4V.
Solar panel output was about 35V at 5.6A.
Charged the batteries for 2.5 hours, about 475WH total, until the controller decided it had done enough.
Charging current was consistently 14A as the batteries went from 12.4 to 14.1V.
Solar controller decided the battery was fully charged when it got to 14.1V.

Overall, performance seemed nominal and this is plenty of power for the way I camp.

[Zeppelinium]

Fingers crossed, hoping I have all the electrical like I want it. Regardless, it's time to move on.

I've switched over to using Havelock Wool van insulation; soooo easy to work with (get a good pair of scissors!) and it fits the shell depth. I use a spray adhesive to hold it in place.



The dome is up for a trial fit. After all these years, it's nice to see that the lower and middle skins fit tight to the stringers and the dome, currently in two pieces, can be installed as one piece.

[AirstreamGypsy]

Originally Posted by Zeppelinium

Luke (up in Ft Colins) pretty regularly finds that fish plates are not lined up opposite each other by significant amounts--my Overlander was off by 1/8" (fixed that by pulling with cables opposite directions) and the Sovereign was off by, what was it, maybe 3/8", so we flame cut the slots on one side. If your fish plates are off, your Airstream will track down the road a little bit sideways and you tires will wear out early.[/LIST]Good luch. The first one is scary but after that it's just work.

Zep

Oh my, this is interesting. I never saw this post back 9! years ago. When I got my new dexter axle installed (2006) I was told that is was purposely offset in case of the trailer detaching from the tow vehicle. The trailer would then veer (I’m sure, ever so slightly) away from the opposing traffic. If this is a scientifically proven probability, I have no idea. However, I have not seen any unusual wear on my tires.

Didn't mean to semi hijack... Great you are getting back to this. I am about to tackle Bambi AGAIN!

[Zeppelinium]

OK, the dome is finally installed. It's got to be the longest Airstream job ever, except of course for Aerowood's full monty. Here's the Havelock wool insulation install. I use 3M Super 77 spray adhesive and it keeps everything in place. It took 14 batts to cover the entire front (dome and lower walls), so that's 70 sqft.



The dome was actually built in two pieces. I don't think there's any way to install it as one piece, since it has to go under the adjacent skins. After cleaning the two pieces today, in full sun, I checked the focus and it was too hot to leave my hand there for longer than 2-3 seconds. Not an ideal parabola, but close enough.



Installed. Considering all the different finishes (alclad, machine, and vinyl), I'm going to paint the interior.



The plywood on the left is the faux TV. The final layout is bed up front, so I think this will work.

[Bauxter]

Did you apply adhesive while the area was experiencing full sun? In Ohio I have had trouble using adhesive products on the ceiling, due to heat from the sun
Mike

[Zeppelinium]

No, I'm inside the shop, which is at 58 degrees this week. Outside it's 40 degrees. Yay, Colorado.

You might improve performance if you spray some on the back side of the wool, too.

Originally Posted by Bauxter

Did you apply adhesive while the area was experiencing full sun? In Ohio I have had trouble using adhesive products on the ceiling, due to heat from the sun
Mike