We took our maiden voyage shakedown overnighter a couple of weeks ago, so now is a good time to document progress so far. Before I start the next phase.
I am taking a Proto typing approach to building out my shell. My wife and I have not owned a camper before or even done any RV type camping. So everything I've built is an experiment, that we will try out and then likely change.
I am having trouble putting pictures in this topic. I better post what I have so far and do the rest and subsequent posts.
Bobcat prototyping build
Started by
drumwood
, May 26 2017 10:08 PM
29 replies to this topic
#1
Posted 26 May 2017 - 10:08 PM
#3
Posted 26 May 2017 - 10:40 PM
I am building the boxes as light as possible. The front is a mitered frame. I plan to fill the frame with a fabric panel. That will give me access from the front, so I don't have to dig down from the top if something is at the bottom. And the cabinet can have shelves since there is front access.
#4
Posted 26 May 2017 - 10:42 PM
We think we like the side dinette configuration, but wanted to try it out to be sure. I got a Coleman Pack-Away 4-In-1 Table for a prototype.
https://www.amazon.c...i_0BlkzbJ4Y78AC
The leg length options make it good for this type of experimentation. I used half to simulate a site dinette table, and half to simulate a counter.
https://www.amazon.c...i_0BlkzbJ4Y78AC
The leg length options make it good for this type of experimentation. I used half to simulate a site dinette table, and half to simulate a counter.
Edited by drumwood, 26 May 2017 - 11:16 PM.
#9
Posted 26 May 2017 - 11:06 PM
Besides the standard lights, I am running a truckfridge, furnace fan, and lights. I just wired in a USB charging outlet as well.
I've got the trimetric 2030 controller and monitor. It is giving me a good readouts so I can evaluate my usage.
Since I haven't camped like this before, I did not really try to estimate my usage. I had no usage to estimate. But by reading the posts on this forum I've figured that we could get by to start with a 100 watt Renogy panel on the roof and a 110 amp hour Crown AGM battery. I hope to monitor our usage and adapt our camping methods to the system we have. But if necessary there is room on the roof for another panel. Or I can add a portable.
I've got the trimetric 2030 controller and monitor. It is giving me a good readouts so I can evaluate my usage.
Since I haven't camped like this before, I did not really try to estimate my usage. I had no usage to estimate. But by reading the posts on this forum I've figured that we could get by to start with a 100 watt Renogy panel on the roof and a 110 amp hour Crown AGM battery. I hope to monitor our usage and adapt our camping methods to the system we have. But if necessary there is room on the roof for another panel. Or I can add a portable.
#10
Posted 26 May 2017 - 11:10 PM
By the way, the shake down overnighter went very well. We went to Fort Stevens State Park on the Oregon coast. My wife and I both slept through the night in comfort. Better than at home. The weather was good. We saw some very interesting birds. A hopeful harbinger for trips to come.
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