I originally said I was building this camper with Caviar tastes on a Tuna Budget!! My original idea for the camper was bare bones minimum. Then as my project progressed, I pondered power? Then I pondered AC or DC or both?? Got a deal on Ebay for an electric distribution panel with a charging unit built in! Went for both AC/DC power! Going to be nice if I go camping at a National Wilderness Park, will still be able to have my coffee and limited lights or if I go to a private campground(with AC hookups) will have full power capability. Maybe down the road will look at going the next level with a solar panel?
Then the question came, easy hookup with a cord that comes outside to plug into an outlet at the campground or get a real hookup attached to the outside of the camper and step it up a level. Stepped it up a level!!
Started thinking about sound, lookout Ebay!! Found an RV- AM/FM CD unit. Put a bid on it, increased the max bid once, twice and resisted a third time. WOW, won the unit at a reasonable delivered price! I am a little over what I wanted to spend on the whole project but, have added a few features that will not only add value to this camper but enjoyment as well!!
Took last weekend off from doing anything to the camper but found it was driving me crazy! I have to get out to the garage and get back at it. I hope to have the power all wired this weekend and maybe start on securing the roof. Have everything I need, just have to get at it. Was kinda waiting for Dad to get home to help? But then thought, what is the worst that could happen? I screw it up and have to start over. Oh well, I know I can do it!!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Galley is in!
For the last 2 weeks I have been busy painting the interior and the galley components! The galley is now in and not lookin too bad if I say so myself. Also got the electrical panel in and the electric outlets put in place. They are not wired yet though! Still waiting for the Shore power inlet I ordered through ebay to get here. (little tip: if you find the pic's too small, click on them and you will get a much larger pic and can see details much better)
My neighbor has built me a nice battery tray for the front of the trailer to sit on the tongue, he is going to weld the corners and drill some holes in it for me! He has also given me a piano hinge for the door and made some suggestions of how to weather proof it. He wants to build one himself but his wife is not too keen on the idea! That's OK, he can live vicariously through me on this project. He has really given me some great suggestions!
I also got the exterior porch light installed and
the 2 interior(DC) lights installed as well as 2 AC outlets in the sleeping area. The wires you see hanging on the left side of the top picture are the wires from the porch light. I am getting some 16 guage wire to connect them back to the electical panel. I have lots of room left in the electrical panel but I am sure as time goes on, I will be adding to the camper. The window on the floor is the one that will be going in the door.
I also got the door prepared with the window opening cut out and the first coat of paint in the interior side of it. Finished prepping the other side of the camper where the other window is going to be installed and place the window in that spot. My helper was inspecting my work!
I will be at a standstill for the next few weeks. Going house sitting for Mom and Dad. Besides that, I also am going to need some help from Dad so I have to wait for him to get back. The next steps will be to do the wiring and then work on getting the door finished, install the roof, get the galley hatch cut out, install the hatch and handle hardware, finish installing the window and door, epoxy the exterior, trim it all out(interior/exterior), paint the exterior and last but I am sure not least, build some cupboards in the galley. There are a few steps in there that have been missed I am sure!
Anyway, stay tuned for more to come.....:)
My neighbor has built me a nice battery tray for the front of the trailer to sit on the tongue, he is going to weld the corners and drill some holes in it for me! He has also given me a piano hinge for the door and made some suggestions of how to weather proof it. He wants to build one himself but his wife is not too keen on the idea! That's OK, he can live vicariously through me on this project. He has really given me some great suggestions!
I also got the exterior porch light installed and
the 2 interior(DC) lights installed as well as 2 AC outlets in the sleeping area. The wires you see hanging on the left side of the top picture are the wires from the porch light. I am getting some 16 guage wire to connect them back to the electical panel. I have lots of room left in the electrical panel but I am sure as time goes on, I will be adding to the camper. The window on the floor is the one that will be going in the door.
I also got the door prepared with the window opening cut out and the first coat of paint in the interior side of it. Finished prepping the other side of the camper where the other window is going to be installed and place the window in that spot. My helper was inspecting my work!
I will be at a standstill for the next few weeks. Going house sitting for Mom and Dad. Besides that, I also am going to need some help from Dad so I have to wait for him to get back. The next steps will be to do the wiring and then work on getting the door finished, install the roof, get the galley hatch cut out, install the hatch and handle hardware, finish installing the window and door, epoxy the exterior, trim it all out(interior/exterior), paint the exterior and last but I am sure not least, build some cupboards in the galley. There are a few steps in there that have been missed I am sure!
Anyway, stay tuned for more to come.....:)
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Big Visable Milestones are almost finished
In the next few weeks, the large milestones will almost be done. Getting down some of the nitty gritty, where you will not be able to SEE major progress but it will happen!
On Thursday morning did a quick check on kijiji. WOW, listed a New RV mattress, 48" X 72"! $50.00 no tax!! I was as a bit worried it may be too wide as the cabin is only 46.5" but figured I could squeeze it in there. Left work early with my car pool folks to get it. DOUBLE WOW. It is perfect, not only does it fit just snug, but it is 6" thick and is a true mattress, not a foam mattress. It may be more comfortable then my home bed? Will have to wait and see??
On Friday, got the first coat of Varathane on interior walls. Did not get too much of anything else done because we had to get ready for Hurricane Earl! Fun, NOT!!!!!!!
Saturday morning and Hurricane Earl is just starting to kick up. Decided it might be a good idea to sand down the interior so I could put a second coat on. Good idea accept, I did not realize how slippery the back steps are when they are wet! Slipped off the fourth step from the bottom!! Thank god I have lots of cushion on the posterior end, but if does not negate the fact that it still hurts!! Tjis said she thought she heard a thud outside??? Needless to say between the Hurricane and falling, did not get anything done on Saturday!
Well, it is Sunday morning and am stiff as hell from the fall. Decided I have to get out there and start doing something!!!! Spent a whole day(Saturday) doing nothing, time to make up for it! First on the list is to sand down the interior from the first coat. Did not get enough Varathane so ran up to Home Hardware to get some more. While there, decided to get a gallon instead of a pint. Also saw some Cherry Wood Stain and thought it might be good for the Galley? Not sure yet if I will do that or not? After I had all the sanding done, decided to start working on the Galley. Roughed it all in and I think it will work out great!
Mom and Dad stopped in tonight by Surprise. Oh so glad they did! Got a chance to show Dad what I was doing and pick he brain!! He gave me a great suggestion about how to get the mattress in and out after everything is built. I am really going to need Dad now to help me with the fine issues on this project. His timing is perfect...
This is why the title of this blog is "Big Visible Milestone are almost finished". Short of finishing the Galley and the hatch, Large visible milestones are almost finished. Please stay tuned though, there will be lots more to fill you in on until I take her for her first trip? Starting to think of a name???? ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!! Either on this blog or on my Face Book Page.
On Thursday morning did a quick check on kijiji. WOW, listed a New RV mattress, 48" X 72"! $50.00 no tax!! I was as a bit worried it may be too wide as the cabin is only 46.5" but figured I could squeeze it in there. Left work early with my car pool folks to get it. DOUBLE WOW. It is perfect, not only does it fit just snug, but it is 6" thick and is a true mattress, not a foam mattress. It may be more comfortable then my home bed? Will have to wait and see??
On Friday, got the first coat of Varathane on interior walls. Did not get too much of anything else done because we had to get ready for Hurricane Earl! Fun, NOT!!!!!!!
Saturday morning and Hurricane Earl is just starting to kick up. Decided it might be a good idea to sand down the interior so I could put a second coat on. Good idea accept, I did not realize how slippery the back steps are when they are wet! Slipped off the fourth step from the bottom!! Thank god I have lots of cushion on the posterior end, but if does not negate the fact that it still hurts!! Tjis said she thought she heard a thud outside??? Needless to say between the Hurricane and falling, did not get anything done on Saturday!
Well, it is Sunday morning and am stiff as hell from the fall. Decided I have to get out there and start doing something!!!! Spent a whole day(Saturday) doing nothing, time to make up for it! First on the list is to sand down the interior from the first coat. Did not get enough Varathane so ran up to Home Hardware to get some more. While there, decided to get a gallon instead of a pint. Also saw some Cherry Wood Stain and thought it might be good for the Galley? Not sure yet if I will do that or not? After I had all the sanding done, decided to start working on the Galley. Roughed it all in and I think it will work out great!
Mom and Dad stopped in tonight by Surprise. Oh so glad they did! Got a chance to show Dad what I was doing and pick he brain!! He gave me a great suggestion about how to get the mattress in and out after everything is built. I am really going to need Dad now to help me with the fine issues on this project. His timing is perfect...
This is why the title of this blog is "Big Visible Milestone are almost finished". Short of finishing the Galley and the hatch, Large visible milestones are almost finished. Please stay tuned though, there will be lots more to fill you in on until I take her for her first trip? Starting to think of a name???? ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!! Either on this blog or on my Face Book Page.
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