Ordered a cell repeater to add before installing the new ceiling. But the Boss had a better thought. We should leave the wire for the antenna below the ceiling in case we need to replace or upgrade it in the future.
Upper cabinets are roughed in so the ceiling is next.
Stand by I’ll add some pictures when available.
Upper cabinets are roughed in so the ceiling is next.
Stand by I’ll add some pictures when available.
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Started the ceiling
Using 3/4 “ pine boards that I planed the paint off. They are very light but taking a little off made them lighter. There sure is a lot of stuff in the ceiling. I mean like vents, lights and speakers. There is even an AC cover grill that I haven’t gotten to yet. I bought the boards at HD on clearance $3 for a 8’ board. They are edged for shiplap. I think they are working out nice. More ceiling work tomorrow.
Pictures are front looking back and looking forward. Those are the original seats. Too much of a mess during construction to install the new seat. We do love the swivels.
Also you might see the gap I left between the new ceiling and the plastic covering the insulation. I plan on leaving an opening at the AC return to draw some air from that opening/space. Kinda like an attic vent system. You can see the opening on the second pic.
Using 3/4 “ pine boards that I planed the paint off. They are very light but taking a little off made them lighter. There sure is a lot of stuff in the ceiling. I mean like vents, lights and speakers. There is even an AC cover grill that I haven’t gotten to yet. I bought the boards at HD on clearance $3 for a 8’ board. They are edged for shiplap. I think they are working out nice. More ceiling work tomorrow.
Pictures are front looking back and looking forward. Those are the original seats. Too much of a mess during construction to install the new seat. We do love the swivels.
Also you might see the gap I left between the new ceiling and the plastic covering the insulation. I plan on leaving an opening at the AC return to draw some air from that opening/space. Kinda like an attic vent system. You can see the opening on the second pic.
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Pine up and sanded
Installed the rest of the pine boards on the ceiling. I found that the AC cover works well recessed. We installed all the lights, vents and speakers only to take them down to sand the boards. Next prime and paint. Then all the lights, vents and speakers can go back up. Hopefully they stay up for a while.
Installed the rest of the pine boards on the ceiling. I found that the AC cover works well recessed. We installed all the lights, vents and speakers only to take them down to sand the boards. Next prime and paint. Then all the lights, vents and speakers can go back up. Hopefully they stay up for a while.
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Painted the ceiling
Paint and added back the lights, vents and speakers.
Testing a Maxxfan shade on the front roof vent. We didn’t opt for the lighted version because the reviews said that the light color was too harsh.
Notice the magnets. I added magnets to the inside of the collars we may use them in the future. The two on the outside are holding the inside ones down till the gorilla glue dries.
Paint and added back the lights, vents and speakers.
Testing a Maxxfan shade on the front roof vent. We didn’t opt for the lighted version because the reviews said that the light color was too harsh.
Notice the magnets. I added magnets to the inside of the collars we may use them in the future. The two on the outside are holding the inside ones down till the gorilla glue dries.
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Cell repeater came in. Missing the instructions, power supply and the indoor antenna. Dealing with Amazon to get a replacement. Actually bought a better name brand, figured there would be less issues.
We added one to our van and it was a game changer. Bought a cheap one that supported 5g when it first came out. Never had any issue with the van’s cell repeater.
What happened to “You get what pay for”?
We added one to our van and it was a game changer. Bought a cheap one that supported 5g when it first came out. Never had any issue with the van’s cell repeater.
What happened to “You get what pay for”?
Made a mess, Oh man!
Decided to rewire the wire mess at the door. Moving the 3000 watt inverter up to eye level. Rerouted the solar feeds more logically. Added more control and monitoring. I am at the stage of labeling and documenting. I will get a picture of the finish product.
Decided to rewire the wire mess at the door. Moving the 3000 watt inverter up to eye level. Rerouted the solar feeds more logically. Added more control and monitoring. I am at the stage of labeling and documenting. I will get a picture of the finish product.
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The plan for 24 volts
Got the wiring reworked. Came out much nicer, more logical and cleaner looking. Still need to get a picture of the changes. The solar is charging the battery banks. I moved the refrigerator to a 24 volt to 12 volt transformer. I also moved the supply to the furnace, AC and vent fans to that transformer as well.
We have 2 main battery systems one is at 12 volt and the other is 24 volt DC.
The 12 volt has 2 110 amp hour lithium 220 total and the 24 has 4 at 800 amp hour total. The goal is to be able to be off grid and still run the AC. We kept the generator but may get rid of it later.
800 watts of solar plus 2 30 amp B2Bs charge the 24v batteries when not on shore connection. 200 watts of solar and a yet to be installed 20 amp B2B will charge the 12v batteries.
I am working on documenting the systems, before I forget.
The picture is of the simplified 24 volt system.
Got the wiring reworked. Came out much nicer, more logical and cleaner looking. Still need to get a picture of the changes. The solar is charging the battery banks. I moved the refrigerator to a 24 volt to 12 volt transformer. I also moved the supply to the furnace, AC and vent fans to that transformer as well.
We have 2 main battery systems one is at 12 volt and the other is 24 volt DC.
The 12 volt has 2 110 amp hour lithium 220 total and the 24 has 4 at 800 amp hour total. The goal is to be able to be off grid and still run the AC. We kept the generator but may get rid of it later.
800 watts of solar plus 2 30 amp B2Bs charge the 24v batteries when not on shore connection. 200 watts of solar and a yet to be installed 20 amp B2B will charge the 12v batteries.
I am working on documenting the systems, before I forget.
The picture is of the simplified 24 volt system.
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Pictures
Here is the shots. Jerry thanks for the recommendation for the Rich MPPT controllers. You were right about separating them. They are working like a champ.
Had to take the control wall in two shots. The surge protector is shown in the first picture bottom right. Two battery disconnects. Working on labels.
Here is the shots. Jerry thanks for the recommendation for the Rich MPPT controllers. You were right about separating them. They are working like a champ.
Had to take the control wall in two shots. The surge protector is shown in the first picture bottom right. Two battery disconnects. Working on labels.
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Added an awning
We installed an awning over the driver side window. It went up nice and seems to work as expected. It matches the camp side awning and it does a great job limiting the sun exposure. We need some rain so we can test leaving the window open during a rain storm.
We installed an awning over the driver side window. It went up nice and seems to work as expected. It matches the camp side awning and it does a great job limiting the sun exposure. We need some rain so we can test leaving the window open during a rain storm.
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Acoustic tile install
Found this cool acoustic tile and tested it as a covering under the new upper cabinets. I like working with it and it seems nice. We installed it on the bottom of the entrance near the steps. Also under the cabinets and on the wall behind the TV. It works for sound deadening and insulation. Tried to install it with panel glue, but the setup time was a bit long. Used Gorilla spray adhesive and had good, fast results.
Found this cool acoustic tile and tested it as a covering under the new upper cabinets. I like working with it and it seems nice. We installed it on the bottom of the entrance near the steps. Also under the cabinets and on the wall behind the TV. It works for sound deadening and insulation. Tried to install it with panel glue, but the setup time was a bit long. Used Gorilla spray adhesive and had good, fast results.
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One bed built one to go.
Built in in three sections. 2 compress to 26” and the one close to the from seat compresses to 20”. Need it at 20 so we can enjoy the from seat swivels. When the seats are forward the front bed section matches the others at 26”. They all put out to 37”. A twin bed mattress 72” x 37” fits nice. We plan on cutting 11” the length of the mattress. That section will be the bolster.
Started the lower kitchen cabinet so I can build the driver side bed starting from that.
Much fun.
Built in in three sections. 2 compress to 26” and the one close to the from seat compresses to 20”. Need it at 20 so we can enjoy the from seat swivels. When the seats are forward the front bed section matches the others at 26”. They all put out to 37”. A twin bed mattress 72” x 37” fits nice. We plan on cutting 11” the length of the mattress. That section will be the bolster.
Started the lower kitchen cabinet so I can build the driver side bed starting from that.
Much fun.
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Front risers done and a booster
Finished the 2 front risers and added a power strip with usb chargers. Install the cell phone repeater behind the passenger seat on the campground side of our camper. I installed the outside antenna on the top of the ladder. ATT boosts from 2 to 4 bars. Verizon increased just one bar.
Finished the 2 front risers and added a power strip with usb chargers. Install the cell phone repeater behind the passenger seat on the campground side of our camper. I installed the outside antenna on the top of the ladder. ATT boosts from 2 to 4 bars. Verizon increased just one bar.
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dpitchai
Advanced Member
Wow... You are actually building a new unit 
Keep posting!
Keep posting!
Thanks for watching.
Wasn’t sure if anyone was looking.
Our back story is that we had a 97 Dodge conversion van. We remodeled 3 times. Got the conversion bug.
We ordered a Ford Transit Trail but the Ford strike killed that. We were set to build it out and didn’t get a chance. So we bought the 2021 BT 5210. Love the engine, not a Eco boost but plenty of power.
Checking out the BT and wanted to add some storage. Every time we opened a cavity up we found something that needed to be fix or changed for the better. The beds weren’t very comfortable so they needed to be changed. Lots of space for solar so fill it up. The plumbing and electrical needed a refresh. Now we are seeing the end of the work in sight. Should be good.
Wasn’t sure if anyone was looking.
Our back story is that we had a 97 Dodge conversion van. We remodeled 3 times. Got the conversion bug.
We ordered a Ford Transit Trail but the Ford strike killed that. We were set to build it out and didn’t get a chance. So we bought the 2021 BT 5210. Love the engine, not a Eco boost but plenty of power.
Checking out the BT and wanted to add some storage. Every time we opened a cavity up we found something that needed to be fix or changed for the better. The beds weren’t very comfortable so they needed to be changed. Lots of space for solar so fill it up. The plumbing and electrical needed a refresh. Now we are seeing the end of the work in sight. Should be good.
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Water tank reinstall
Have to get the water tank re plumbed and make sure the pull out bed on the driver side is going to work correctly. Added a led light behind the tank to help get a visual conformation of the water level. I install a different water fill port on the outside of the coach, I wanted a locking door and tried to get it higher than the tank. The fill is a bit higher then the original height, hopefully that will help keep the water in when it’s full.
Have to get the water tank re plumbed and make sure the pull out bed on the driver side is going to work correctly. Added a led light behind the tank to help get a visual conformation of the water level. I install a different water fill port on the outside of the coach, I wanted a locking door and tried to get it higher than the tank. The fill is a bit higher then the original height, hopefully that will help keep the water in when it’s full.
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dpitchai
Advanced Member
How did you overcome the suspension issues to improve the ride quality? If you can please provide part details too, many here are struggling with rough ride.
Also, what is your solution to the waste space in the entertainment center?
Also, what is your solution to the waste space in the entertainment center?
Air suspension
I added air bag lifts and a remote controlled compressor. The air bags have 2” lift spacers on the rear. I connected the compressor to the rear bags in parallel so both inflate together. They raise the rear 2” at 80 psi. On my camper van I had them connected independently and could level it 4” from side to side. That is a future want on the BT. I did buy the softer coil springs for the front but have not installed them. They were spect in a earlier reply in this post.
I added air bag lifts and a remote controlled compressor. The air bags have 2” lift spacers on the rear. I connected the compressor to the rear bags in parallel so both inflate together. They raise the rear 2” at 80 psi. On my camper van I had them connected independently and could level it 4” from side to side. That is a future want on the BT. I did buy the softer coil springs for the front but have not installed them. They were spect in a earlier reply in this post.
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