Groot 2.0 Build Log

[reaver]

So, update from sunday. Throughout this whole process, we've been dealing with warped 3/4 ply for the skeletons. Spent much of sunday morning building a frame for the front spars that would be used to basically pull the whole front to be more straight.

We went through a whole 28oz tube of PL Premium adhesive gluing on the side walls, front interior wall, and framework

We also slid the front interior skin in, and got the front storage glued and clamped into place.

We should be able to permanently attach the rear cabin storage, and galley cabinets next weekend, as well as finish up the interior roof panels and spars. Then we start running all the wires...

 

[ghcoe]

Now, the question is, do I want to switch to XPS for the roof? R 7.5 vs R5.6...

You'll sleep with the windows and vent fan cracked. You'll never notice the difference in R value.

Tony

In a foamie you will. I always thought it was much warmer in the foamie than outside when I open the door in the mornings. By how much I could never tell but it was enough to notice. Finally on the last trip out I took an indoor/outdoor thermometer with me. There was nearly a 13 degree difference in the morning. I was surprised that there was that much difference. I have 4 2" Non closable vents in the corners, and I sleep with the window open about 1".

What was even more interesting was that the inside humidity was lower than the outside humidity. It did rain on us for most of the night though so that may have been the difference.

 

[reaver]

Now, the question is, do I want to switch to XPS for the roof? R 7.5 vs R5.6...

You'll sleep with the windows and vent fan cracked. You'll never notice the difference in R value.

Tony

In a foamie you will. I always thought it was much warmer in the foamie than outside when I open the door in the mornings. By how much I could never tell but it was enough to notice. Finally on the last trip out I took an indoor/outdoor thermometer with me. There was nearly a 13 degree difference in the morning. I was surprised that there was that much difference. I have 4 2" Non closable vents in the corners, and I sleep with the window open about 1".

What was even more interesting was that the inside humidity was lower than the outside humidity. It did rain on us for most of the night though so that may have been the difference.

I had a full sheet of 3/4 Inch left over after insulating the walls, so I ended up double layering it on most of the roof, and using the 1.5 inch to fill the gaps in a few places. I figured I'd rather use all of the more expensive stuff first.

Also.... she's ready for paint!

 

[philpom]

Are the pictures playing games or is your door on the driver side? This will make things a little odd at camp. Maybe you have good reason for it or maybe I am seeing something that doesn't exist?

 

[reaver]

Are the pictures playing games or is your door on the driver side? This will make things a little odd at camp. Maybe you have good reason for it or maybe I am seeing something that doesn't exist?

There's doors on both sides. That would definitely make things a bit interesting, having it only on the driver's side!

 

[reaver]

Finished getting the trailer painted this weekend. After that dried, I got the doors mounted with butyl tape. I also got the camp side porch light and roof vent mounted.

Tonight I need to make the faceplate for the battery monitor made, and mount the overhead light, then I'm done with the interior of the cabin.

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This week, I'll be getting the trim on, sorting out the rack mounting, as well as the kitchen box mounting (I need the rack in place before I can mount the kitchen box - more on that later).

I'll also be building the drawers for the galley.

I have an additional USB outlet, as well as a dual powerpole outlet I need to install in the galley as well.

I stopped and got a quote to have the axle moved and squared up. I thought I could get away with not moving it right off the bat, but as soon as I started lowering the jacks when I went to bring it home, the back end started to drop. That's going to happen the weekend of father's day.

 

[reaver]

I got my drawers built:

Then got the trim mounted, awning installed, and stove box mounted:

We then loaded it up, and took it out over Memorial Day weekend!

There are some tweaks that I'll be making. I'm planning on building the fridge box this weekend,since I need to use the trailer again next weekend for a Girl Scout event. After that, it's off to overland expo pnw!

 

[reaver]

Spent this weekend working on the fridge box.

Got the framing and plywood done on Saturday:

Then attempted to PMF it on sunday. Unfortunately, I ran out of canvas, then I tried spraying the box with my new spray gun. Paint can fell over, then as I was trying to clean it up, it got caught on the hose, and fell over again! FML.

I had enough canvas for the sides, and the top. Unfortunately, I need to use the trailer this weekend, and the fridge box, so I'll have to pull the canvas off the top soon, and repaint it. I decided to not do the final color, since it would be a waste.

I'll be ordering more canvas and paint in a couple of weeks, and re-doing that part of it.

 

[reaver]

So, I've not had as much time to use the camper this year for various reasons. I have been making adjustments and tweaks to it though, as I have time.

I was scheduled to go on a week long trip with Ghcoe, but the weekend before, my wife broke her foot, and needed surgery to put pins in. I told her there were much easier ways to get me to stay home, but good on her for committing!

I got my driver's side modular rack installed, as I needed a way to carry an additional fuel can. This also gives me a space where I'm planning on mounting the diesel heater, and swapping that for a shower during warmer months.

I also re-wrapped the fridge box, and got it painted.

And finally, got the bullk of the tv/entertainment system installed for winter camping, and when the weather turns to crap. my 8yo daughter loves to go camping with me, and if the weather is crappy, we can climb inside, watch a movie, or play some retro games. The whole system draws less than 1A, and uses a micro-usb powered google tv box, and a USB-C powered portable monitor, and rechargeable bluetooth soundbar.

My 2k diesel heater should be here tomorrow, then the fun of building that box begins.

 

[featherliteCT1]

Looking great!

 

[reaver]

Solar panels came in on Thursday. I managed to set them on the trailer, and was getting about 10-11A in what is basically winter sun. I'm curious to see how it performs during the summer months, but I'm honestly very happy with that. I went from 17% charge to 77% by the time the sun went down. Not bad, I say!

I just need to get some more super strut, so I can make some slightly longer crossbars.

Today, I started building the heater box. Got all the panels cut, and the heater shelf installed.

I had to order a different set of sp21 connectors, as my soldering skills are hawt garbage. The replacement connectors will be here Tuesday, and use screw terminals for creating the connections. This will be a 14-5 wire bundle. It will carry power/ground to the heater, as well as the signal for the controller mounted in the cabin.

 

[reaver]

I've been fighting with this diesel heater for a few weeks now, and at this point, I'm 98% sure the control board is bad. I have a new one on order, which will be delivered wed. Once it's here, I'll confirm that it works before finishing the install, and send the other one back.

But, the power cord is made, both ends have been tested, and the heater box is ready to swap the new heater in once it gets here. I've also tested the door, mounting, and fitted the exhaust, power port, intake vent, and quick connect hot air coupler.



In the meantime, I managed to get the new 300Ah battery in the trailer:


I also got my 400W worth of solar panels installed on the rack, as well as made some longer crossbars, so they don't interfere with the vent lid:

 

[mmccrumb-TNT]

This looks amazing! Wow! What size TV is that? I’m considering adding something like that.

Mike


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[reaver]

This looks amazing! Wow! What size TV is that? I’m considering adding something like that.

Mike


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's actually a 13.3 inch usb-c powered portable monitor. I have a 5 port, 12v USB power supply that I use to power an ONN android TV box behind the panel. The sound bar is a USB powered pc sound bar with Bluetooth, which connects wirelessly to the android box. The whole setup draws less than 1A.

 

[reaver]

Got the diesel heater sorted out a couple of weeks ago. I ended up buying a replacement unit, and when I tried returning the original one, they just gave me my money back, so now I'm trying to decide whether I want to keep it for spare parts, or get a replacement control board, and build a portable unit.

Also, finally got to take the trailer out and off the pavement. No technical stuff, but it was still a fun trip. Heater and fuel tank worked fantastic, and kept me nice and toasty!

 

[mmccrumb-TNT]

I did not know those monitors existed for USB-C powered. I have a few backpacking batteries I could use so I don't have to run wires (now that my walls are done) and can still power a monitor. Thanks for the info. Just found a cheap one on Amazon for $50.

Mike

This looks amazing! Wow! What size TV is that? I’m considering adding something like that.

Mike


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's actually a 13.3 inch usb-c powered portable monitor. I have a 5 port, 12v USB power supply that I use to power an ONN android TV box behind the panel. The sound bar is a USB powered pc sound bar with Bluetooth, which connects wirelessly to the android box. The whole setup draws less than 1A.

 

[reaver]

I had this setup all planned out when I ran the wires in the trailer. There's a pair of 12v wires run into the cubby behind that panel. The positive wire runs to the switch, then to the power supply (so it's not drawing any current when not being used).

 

[WYWander]

Hey Reaver!

 

[reaver]

Hey Reaver!

Greetings man!

You gonna make a build log over here as well, so people can see what you built?

 

[reaver]

It's been super cold this winter, so not much in the way of modifications or work done on the trailer. I did spend yesterday building some additions for the galley though.

Before:

After:

I also now have a functional tank level sensor using a cheap pressure sensor, and a current to voltage conversion board. It works well in the driveway, so I'm excited to get it out in a few weeks to test that out.