2006 Safari SE (The Shiny Marshmallow)

[Tucker74]

Just purchased a 2006 Safari SE 75th Anniversary (23D), super excited to join the club Mine’s got the front couch and fold out table/desk nook as opposed to the L-shaped couch. It was super clean and original, so I jumped in with both feet.

Forming some plans for adding some improvements:

1) Want to address the lack of vent fan for spring camping. Was considering adding a Maxxair fan with remote to the rear, but am concerned about lack of light with the cover. Should I consider one of the newer Fan-Tastic (reversible) with the see through covers?
2) Thinking of replacing the lone front roof vent with a Maxim skylight, do you think another vent would be more prudent?
3) Going with a Progressive SSP-30XL surge protector
4) Want to upgrade to a multi-stage battery converter/charger, considering the IOTA DLS45. Others that should be considered?
5) Going to add a Victron BMV 702 after #4 (still recommended?)
6) Will add a Micro Air soft starter this spring.
7) Interested in a 3” lift and 15” wheels/tires.

After that I’ve got a list of tinker projects:
* Fridge fans
* 6volt batteries
* LED awning lights
* LED light replacements
* Microwave securing
* Cabinet extension shelf
* Pantry shelf/additional arms
* Solar rabbit hole

Doesn’t look like there is a lot of traffic around here, just wanted to keep all my progress in one thread.

Tucker

[Tucker74]

First small project was replacing the melted porch light with a LED, picked up the OEM on current models from Out of Doors Mart pretty inexpensively. Here’s some pics:

Tucker

[Tucker74]

Got a Maxxair Maxxfan deluxe installed in the rear vent, was more challenging than I hoped due to not having power pre-wired for it. Otherwise pretty straight forward, used the RecPro 1021 self-leveling sealant others had recommended.

Cheers!
Tucker

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by Tucker74

First small project was replacing the melted porch light with a LED, picked up the OEM on current models from Out of Doors Mart pretty inexpensively. Here’s some pics:

Tucker

I don't think the scare light lens is melted, I think it's made that way. I still have ours but replaced the light bulb with an LED. I had to make a gasket for it too, nobody sold them unless you bought the whole light. If we sit outside and want some light I have some cheap work lights I can hang so I don't bother the neighbors.

[Tucker74]

The newer led is definitely too bright, will have to come up with a shade or just some bistro lights for hanging out. I put a led bulb in the step light, the lens is pretty yellow but not much that can be done about those. Need to get camping more so I stop worrying about all this little stuff I think the fan will be nice for spring camping though.

Tucker

[SandKSmith]

Welcome! We bought a 2006 25’ Safari SE a bit over a year ago. The Best first thing is to visit www.led4rv.com and replace all those power sucking halogen bulbs with LEDs. In our Airstream, we have 11 lamps in the kitchen/dinette/hallway that all come on at the same time! And 4 more in the bedroom, plus reading lamps, bath, shower, etc. They run 1 amp each. Our first outing was dry camping in February last year near Tucson and we drained our 100 ah batteries (50 usable) to 50% in no time. Had to drag out the brand new generator the next morning to keep from freezing (ok, it was only 45 outside, but still....) The LEDs are 0.1 amp each. The batteries last a lot longer. We’ve since added 400 watt solar, 3” lift, a Yetti 1400 for 110v convenience power (gotta have coffee & laptops), new converter,, surge protection and an automatic transfer switch for the Yetti. Our floor plans are a bit different, but if I can help in anyway, please let me know.
Steve

[Tucker74]

Hey Steve, you’ve done most of the stuff on my list. Getting it ready for her first trip, so been outfitting in addition to what I’ve posted. How do you like the Yeti? I’ve been eyeing it but it’s spendy, I see you have it in addition to solar. Is the house still not enough for boondocking even with solar and upgraded batteries? I’ve upgraded all my bulbs to 1156s from superbrightleds.com, guess time will tell if that was as wise as the pads led4rv sells (he sells these bulbs too).

Tucker

[SandKSmith]

Our meager 100ah marine batteries that came with our Airstream seem adequate for Boondocking with the solar. Nine days dry camping in CA a few weeks back showed they are marginal in cool weather because the furnace would take them down to a bit less than 50% at night. But they were fully charged the next day, even in cloudy weather. However we were away from the Airstream all day and not using any power and had no tree shading.

The Yetti and a transfer switch is great. It is spendy but I caught mine on sale at REI and that helped a lot. The 1400 is more than we need and has a Wi-Fi feature that we don’t use. At the same time, the 1000 wasn’t available anywhere. They announced new models at CES with a 2000 watt inverter, so that should run anything you might plug into a typical wall outlet. But the 1500 watt runs a travel hair dryer, coffee pot, microwave, and our laptops effortlessly. It works well with short duration high power stuff. Laptops and TV’s are easy for it. It’s also nice because it’s isolated from the house batteries so you can run that stuff without draining the 12 volt batteries needed for lights and heat. You just have to remember to turn off the 12 v converter and keep the fridge on gas, not auto.

We just put the lift kit on last week. Two of us took 4 hours to get that done. Im in the process of getting the hitch set up for the new height.
Steve

[Tucker74]

Got the IOTA DLS-55/IQ4 4-stage converter & charger installed, not the easiest spot to work in but not a difficult install.

Tucker

[Tap]

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[Tucker74]

Not a lot to update here, just been using it ... Garner & Lost Maples state park and our place on Lake Travis every couple weeks. Have had to fix some little things (heater coupler, hinges on closet), but no major issues. Bought a micro-air controller, but it’s just been too hot here in Texas to install it ... will be a winter project.

Tucker

[Tucker74]

Finally got a weekend we were home with some cooler weather, installed the Micro-Air EasyStart 364 I bought a while back. Pretty easy installation other than being up on the roof or a ladder off the side, my 2006 is an early Pinguin I model with the sheet metal condenser box. Got it all buttoned up per the detailed instructions, cycled it through 5 cycles on a dedicated 30A plug then tried it on a 5 plug 20A circuit w/o any issues. Success 👍

[Tucker74]

Here’s the pictures 😉

[Tap]

Wow, good timing. I was just watching the install video tonight for that, as I plan to install that on MY 2006 Safari SE as well! It’s good to hear that there were no surprises. I love the freedom that this little gadget provides. Very cool. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Tucker74

Finally got a weekend we were home with some cooler weather, installed the Micro-Air EasyStart 364 I bought a while back. Pretty easy installation other than being up on the roof or a ladder off the side, my 2006 is an early Pinguin I model with the sheet metal condenser box. Got it all buttoned up per the detailed instructions, cycled it through 5 cycles on a dedicated 30A plug then tried it on a 5 plug 20A circuit w/o any issues. Success [emoji106]

[Tucker74]

Installed some retro-inspired wheels, 15x7 Wheel Vintiques Smoothies with Goodyear Endurance ST225/75R15s. Also installed the Dill 1504-416 tpms kit with the internal mounted sensors. Lift is up next ...

Tucker

[Tucker74]

Also added the Elfa x-narrow drawers that were recommended 😉

[Tap]

Originally Posted by Tucker74

Also added the Elfa x-narrow drawers that were recommended [emoji6]

Oooh, those drawers are perfect, do you have a link to those? Thanks!

[Tucker74]

These were from the container store, unfortunately you have to piece them together. What I bought:

• Elfa X-Narrow 10-Runner Frame Platinum
• Elfa X-Narrow Mesh 2-Runner Platinum (x5)

Tucker

[Tap]

Originally Posted by Tucker74

These were from the container store, unfortunately you have to piece them together. What I bought:

• Elfa X-Narrow 10-Runner Frame Platinum
  
• Elfa X-Narrow Mesh 2-Runner Platinum (x5)
  

Tucker

Thanks so much!

[Tucker74]

Installed a Camco wintering kit on the water pump located under the closet, was surprising it didn’t already have one. Was also surprised how much water was still in the lines after blowing them out with air a few weeks ago -