"The X-Cubed" C.T.T.

[bdosborn]

That's the first time I've seen something like that. What a cool idea!



Bruce

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Thanks guys! It was killing me that the hatch wasn't finished and wanted to do something different!

Have been pretty busy with Thanksgiving and getting ready for Christmas, so haven't made much more progress until tonight. Pretty much have the panels finished and ready to install. Still have some more wiring to do.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Feel like I'm finally on the home stretch! LED panels are installed and wired. Just need to install the center skin and some trim. Can't believe how bright these are!

The lights do dim pretty low, but it should be good for tailgating and music festivals!

[noseoil]

Very nice job on the lighting & good frames. I like the approach, wait until it's a good idea, then just do it! Better to wait for the ideas to come to you than rush to finish & have to start over again. The hatch will be a show stopper!

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Very nice job on the lighting & good frames. I like the approach, wait until it's a good idea, then just do it! Better to wait for the ideas to come to you than rush to finish & have to start over again. The hatch will be a show stopper!

Thanks! As the projects keep adding up I realize that I will probably never finish this thing! Going into season #4 and still making major changes. But I guess thats how it goes. Speaking of projects...

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Havent quite finished the galley hatch yet (still needs paint) but I decided to get started with another project that I've been pondering for a while: a new headboard.

My headboard pulls triple duty acting as a night shelf, charging station, and electrical compartment cover. The current version was cobbled together in March 2015, and has served its purpose well, but I've wanted something a little more "finished".

Electrical compartment...



Current cover...






Which brings me to the new design. An angled panel that can also be used as a backrest, while still covering the electronics compartment, etc. The best use of space uses sliding doors which require no swing clearance. I was looking online for sliding door track but couldnt find exactly what I wanted for a decent price.

So I went to the big box store and found a 3/8"W x 1/2"H aluminum channel that nested into a 3/4"W x 9/16"H aluminum channel perfectly! The 3/16" luan that I wanted to use for the sliding panels fit in the channels with plenty of room to spare, but they would have easily slid around during travels. To prevent this, I found some fleece backing and some denim at JoAnn Fabrics. Mocking up the tracks and panels allowed me to tweak things just right to see how many layers of each fabric worked best. Here's the mockup...



No pictures of the cutting and assembly process, but heres the headboard with the panels mocked in place.





Wrapping the panels with fleece backing...



http:[img]//www.tnttt.com/gallery/image.php?album_id=530&image_id=146995[/img]

After the fleece was wrapped, next came the denim...



And with the panels and track installed in the headboard...



And finally test fitting the headboard in the camper...





I've ordered a new electrical panel to replace the volt meter and usb outlets I previously had.



This meter will replace the meter in the picture above.



I still need to work on the shelving and electrical panel mounts, but as always... more picture to come!

[Alan_H]

I like that panel and meter, care to share the source?

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Found them both on Amazon....

I found the meter alone for 18.99 but for a few dollars more you can get usb outlets too.... https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MAY72 ... c6a4b9661a

And the quad panel.... https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MTBXH ... c6a4b9661a

[KCStudly]

I like that quad panel, as well. I see it is also available with blue light scheme.

Question: Can the switch be used to isolate the meter so that it is only drawing current when being used momentarily (my guess is yes)? Also, how does the LED light in the switch toggle function? Does it light up when the switch is open (presumably so that you can find the switch in the dark) or does it light up when the switch is closed (indicating that the circuit is complete)? I ask because I would like to avoid any full time current draws on my battery.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

The switch is independent from the other 3 devices, so it can be wired however. On my headboard version 1, I had a switch wired to toggle a meter on and off, and another switch to toggle the usb and 12v outlet on and off. I haven't quite decided how I want to configure this yet. I may use the switch to act as a master cutoff for the whole panel, but then that would require the meter to be on while charging any usb devices. So I may wired the switch to only toggle the meter, but then the illuminated USB outlet would be on all the time.

As far as the switch itself (3 terminal, illuminated SPST switch), I think you can wire them to have the LED on all the time, but I've always wired them so the LED is off when switched to the off position.

[KCStudly]

Thanks for the explanation, Zach, I hadn't noticed that the charger ports were lit as well, but I see that now. I'm thinking that I might add one of these built into a cover for the electronics that will go into my tongue box, so it wouldn't be hard at all to add a couple of dedicated switches to shut things off when not in use (like the logic module used to parallel my linear hatch actuators).

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Got the inside of the headboard finished and installed. Just have a few more finishing touches to do yet.





Soooo ready to go camping!

[KCStudly]

Ultra modern and slick looking!

[ae6black]

Picture look great but I am sure don't do your build justice. Hoping I can see your unit this summer at one of the outings.

Art

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Ultra modern and slick looking!

Thanks! 3 years later and its finally "getting there"

Picture look great but I am sure don't do your build justice. Hoping I can see your unit this summer at one of the outings.

Thanks Art! We'll get together one of these days!