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dznf0g · 04-03-2012, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkR

I'm not a plumber, not even a D.I.Y. plumber, but could I put a "Y" connection on the "in" side of my existing pump to connect the "straw" end and then a "Y" on the "out" end of the pump (the "hose" side) - (w/a shut off valve) and then run that into the tank so I could dip the "straw" into a water jug and open the valve on the "hose" side and fill the tank? (sorry, that was a long sentence . . . i'm not a linguist either)

In theory, yes. In practice, I think it would be a lot easier to use a second pump. I use an old FloJet (the one that was OEM in my AS) that had its brains quit. It still pumps, just has to be a manual on and off. I use it with a 40 gallon bladder and pump from the back of the truck into the AS tank.

Bluto · 04-03-2012, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamuJoe

Here's a mod for easy water refill from portable containers. I bought a 200 gpm Marine Utility Pump from Harbor Freight, mounted it in the exterior refrigerator access compartment, and wired it with a toggle switch to 12v. Now I just drop the suction hose into a portable water container, flip the switch, and discharge into the water fill inlet. An inline water filter can be added to the hose. Coiled hoses remain attached and store nicely in compartment. About $40.

Very nice.
Could you post a close up of the system? I could not enlarge your photo and bifocals don't help.

Hibby · 04-03-2012, 07:12 PM

JamuJoe, that's a brilliant solution.... My wife and I have been carrying up to six of those 7-gallon jerry cans full of water in our boon docking adventures!

In the past, my wife holds the 56 lb. water can up high enough that I can hold the funnel. This allows her to slowly pour the water into the funnel, refilling our tank. My arms get tired holding that silly funnel for so long. With a setup like yours, I can just have her do it without me!

wrochdvm · 04-03-2012, 08:38 PM

We like to rehydrate with plain, unsweetened seltzer water. However, we find it difficult to find in many places. Plus, paying a dollar for one liter seems expensive. So, we built in our own seltzer water maker.
Here is a link to our blog that details how we make inexpensive seltzer water;
Tin Wheeler Adventures: Home made fizzy water, made easy
Happy Streamin

barts · 04-03-2012, 11:44 PM

Once I bought a pump, I decided I didn't need to haul the small containers any more ... so I bought a new 55 gallon water drum for about $50 and put it in the back of the pickup. I can easily fill it w/ a hose, and the water pump lets me fill the trailer easily.

- Bart

3campers · 04-09-2012, 12:14 PM

That's a great idea! Stealing this! *Newbie*

3campers · 04-09-2012, 12:20 PM

Great photo's thank you! I'm at the entrance to the learning curve on Airstreaming. So the photo's really make all the difference. At my current level of expertise, all those posts with details of upgrades you're psyched about, they... might as well be in French! OUI. Keep the pictures coming! Thanks and nice stuff from everyone!

ROBERTSUNRUS · 07-27-2012, 11:23 PM

Hi, today I replaced my half melted porch light lense, and bulb. I bought a new LED porch light. It stays cool, is very bright, and fits perfectly. Comes with a new gasket and new screws too. In the pictures with the lights on, my camera adjusted for the light and it looks dark, but you can see the color difference. [about $28.00 with shipping]

ROBERTSUNRUS · 07-27-2012, 11:33 PM

Hi, after one of my previous mods, when I made my own water pump silencer hoses, it was much better. But still too loud at times, so I ordered an accumulator. Tonight I made a mounting board and installed my new accumulator. I decided to use the connector fitting that came with the new accumulator. Doing this, I thought it would be best to mount both units to the same base to prevent movement of the connector fitting. I put water into my fresh water tank so I could test it out and it really makes it nice. Also while I was in there I noticed one of the water pump wires was pulled out of it's connector. Possibly from the rough roads to Alaska and back last year. So, of course the wires got redone too. The cost of this job was about $43.00 total.

desertair27 · 07-28-2012, 07:05 AM

Nice work Bob!

OB Bambi · 07-28-2012, 02:04 PM

Bob:
Do I detect another Bob & Sue's Random Trip?

Randy

ROBERTSUNRUS · 07-28-2012, 10:51 PM

Hi, I have been wanting to do things to make my trailer more livable and I always want my trailer ready for another random trip. The only trip planned so far is the Jackson Rancheria Rally in October. I'm just now, decorating my bathroom. The only room in our trailer that hasn't been personalized yet. Well now [maybe tomorrow] my bathroom will definately be personalized.

crazeevw · 07-28-2012, 11:38 PM

Removed existing Florescent light fixtures, gutted it of all of the florescent ballast, wiring etc. Found 300 LED warm white on eBay. Finally getting to the soldering part of it all. What a difference, plus instant on, no need to wait for ballast to fire up the floresent light bulb. Only 4 more to go in my 345. Have also converted to LED in bath and bedroom. Once complete, I'm going to check what kind of amp draw there is. 300 rolls on eBay are 'buy it now' for around $7.50 with free shipping.
Thanks, Derek

ROBERTSUNRUS · 08-02-2012, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, I have been wanting to do things to make my trailer more livable and I always want my trailer ready for another random trip. The only trip planned so far is the Jackson Rancheria Rally in October. I'm just now, decorating my bathroom. The only room in our trailer that hasn't been personalized yet. Well now [maybe tomorrow] my bathroom will definately be personalized.

Hi, well I finished my bathroom personalization. My wife and I both like the finished product. I made wall paper from pictures of our travels and installed them on the one wall in our bathroom.

SilverRanger · 08-02-2012, 04:34 AM

What a great idea. Nice pictures too.

Taylormade · 08-02-2012, 05:25 AM

I had the monitor already, else, this would be an over $100 mod, but it's made my life 100% easier, so I thought I'd share. I installed two cameras... one in the tow vehicle in the rear bumper to assist with hitching, and the other one the license plate frame of the Airstream to see what the heck's going on behind me in traffic and backing into it's camping (or storage) space.

Hitching is a one stop process now to remove the hitch lock. No more hopping in and out of the truck to move it half an inch. First time, damn near every time now.

GeocamperAS · 08-02-2012, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylormade

I had the monitor already, else, this would be an over $100 mod, but it's made my life 100% easier, so I thought I'd share. I installed two cameras... one in the tow vehicle in the rear bumper to assist with hitching, and the other one the license plate frame of the Airstream to see what the heck's going on behind me in traffic and backing into it's camping (or storage) space.

Hitching is a one stop process now to remove the hitch lock. No more hopping in and out of the truck to move it half an inch. First time, damn near every time now.

Where did you route the wires for the camera on the AS or is it wireless?

BigGrey · 08-02-2012, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylormade

I had the monitor already, else, this would be an over $100 mod, but it's made my life 100% easier, so I thought I'd share. I installed two cameras... one in the tow vehicle in the rear bumper to assist with hitching, and the other one the license plate frame of the Airstream to see what the heck's going on behind me in traffic and backing into it's camping (or storage) space.

Hitching is a one stop process now to remove the hitch lock. No more hopping in and out of the truck to move it half an inch. First time, damn near every time now.

Can you give any more detail on camera/s and monitor ?

Thank You

AtomicNo13 · 08-02-2012, 08:36 AM

For $99 I found a JVC music server head unit at Best Buy. Basically, this is a replacement stereo that offers bluetooth connectivity. This means you can wirelessly (via Bluetooth) stream music and music files from almost any source with a Bluetooth output. Additionally you can stream any online music source (Pandora, Jazz.com etc.
For audio nuts like me, this is a great piece of gear, as it allows access from any number of sources including cloud services.

Overall functionality is good, and audio quality is very good even without an external amplifier. It comes with a little remote that controls most very basic funstions.
I wouldn't say this is reference or even audiophile grade.
It has a modest 4 x 20 watt mosfet output, and runs pretty cool.
It certainly is an upgrade over any stock Airstream head unit.

For the older AS products it is not a plug and play, some mode will be required to both the electrical and means of mounting, but the newer coaches from 1999 on, should be plug and play.

Taylormade · 08-02-2012, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiger

Where did you route the wires for the camera on the AS or is it wireless?

It's hard wired... being in IT, I ALWAYS try to hard wire when possible. I ran the signal wire straight down behind the plate and drilled a 3/16" hole through the lid hinge in the bumper. From there it goes into the power cable storage locker and I drilled another hole for it to escape underneath the trailer. I ran the cable through the existing propane hangers underneath and zip tied where appropriate to the tongue where the connector attaches to my truck's signal cable that's run to the monitor.

For power, I ran the power and ground through the same hole in the access hatch that the license plate hatch uses and found power in there as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigGrey

Can you give any more detail on camera/s and monitor ?

Thank You

The monitor in the picture is a bit overkill for the application. It's a 7" touchscreen XVGA monitor that I used to have connected to a laptop I had in the back of the truck. Now it's just displaying the two cameras, so any monitor you can find will suffice. Here's one, for example, that I suspect would do the job just fine.

The bumper camera I've had for years in a couple different vehicles. It's nothing special, just a round camera I drilled a hole through my bumper to install. If you have hidden factory back up sensors, make sure you know where they are, lest you want to drill through them.

The license plate frame camera was purchased, cheaply, off Amazon.

I haven't had the cheap license plate camera in any torrential downpours, but it's supposed to be water proof and I would suspect that the license plate light would absorb most of the punishment anyway.