7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

[McDave]

Hey flboy,
I haven't been over here for a while, but man you've been busy! I'm gonna have to go back and re-read a lot of this. Couple quick questions;
What is your observed voltage in Eco?
Have you tried leaving fan on while compressor is off in Eco, then letting comp cycle? Voltage with fan only in Eco?
The fan left on may put the inverter closer to the ramp up amperage soon enough. If possible get a tach reading at Eco and Eco off. What happens when you start another hi amp load (drill, saw) in Eco? Normal or a delayed or labored start?
Just for a control, you may want to try the 5500 again. It's possible there is a performance issue with the Honda.
Whats the model # of the Frigidaire? Does it have the thermistor to signal relay for comp? I may be able to get schematic or tech sheet for you. I'd be happy to try it.

McDave

[flboy]

Some more progress tonight. Got the intake for the AC installed tonight. You can kind of see the idea of what I am doing. This weekend, I'll be building the shelf for the AC to sit on and then I'll build a cabinet with the exhaust of the AC butting up to the side vent and isolated from the remainder of the cabinet, and then the sides of the AC will draw from the roof vent. The AC will simply then just slide in place. I want to get the AC working inside soon as possible given most of the remainder of work will be inside the trailer and it is hot in there!

I am basically just using the same venting a gas Fridge would use, except that the top is an intake and the side is exhaust.

BTW... I'll be installing the electric refrigerator right below the AC, but up off the floor so I'll be eye to eye with the 4.3 cu. Ft. refrigerator. Below the fridge will be one of the fresh water holding tanks. No drawings... but I have it all in my head.. It should start unfolding next week because I have off all week and I intend to get a lot of build time in.

[McDave]

[quote="flboy"]
I am basically just using the same venting a gas Fridge would use, except that the top is an intake and the side is exhaust.




Excellent use of space, and lateral thinking. Just a thought, given it's proximity, perhaps you could include in your design to exhaust refrig. condenser heat thru the same side vent. Taking it's heat out of the cabin directly as opposed to removing it via A/C. May require some ducting to isolate from cabin air?

McDave

[flboy]

I am basically just using the same venting a gas Fridge would use, except that the top is an intake and the side is exhaust.




Excellent use of space, and lateral thinking. Just a thought, given it's proximity, perhaps you could include in your design to exhaust refrig. condenser heat thru the same side vent. Taking it's heat out of the cabin directly as opposed to removing it via A/C. May require some ducting to isolate from cabin air?

McDave

That's a good idea Dave. Thanks. It would probably be easier to out another small vent on the side than ducting; however, I really don't want anymore holes on the side. I'll have to see if the AC struggles at all keeping the iside cool. In the winter, that would be a bonus to keep some heat. I do need to vent inside or out in any case since it will be further enclosed. I will take the opportunity to add another layer of insulation around the fridge since it will be in a cabinet. That will help with power consumption also.

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

[McDave]

Hey flboy,
I'm doing a similar install w/refrig. (Dometic 12v/120) mounted @ eye level above sink. There is a storage (outside) directly below @ floor for batteries and propane, which needs to be vented, then the microwave, then sink. I'm cutting vent at top of outside wall, and putting false wall from storage compartment to top vent, to act as a duct, then just cut the appropriate size hole for the condenser and comp, and seal around rear refirg. wall. The storage compartment has a vented door, so we're lookin for the chimney effect here. The false wall will become the backsplash for sink.
When you said refrig. heat could help in winter, it reminded me that we have to HEAT our shop refrig. in winter. Just feels wrong, ya know? But anyhow, a refrig. just pumps the heat in circles, if you don't get rid of it. The A/C does that for you, eventually.

McDave

[flboy]

I agree.. it does pump in circles.. the loss/heat from the motor introduces new energy.. in any case, this fridge only draws 56 watts when running.. likely not a large factor any which way it is mounted.

Your setup sounds nice. Is the fridge 12v/120ac a compressor type or are you boiling amonia or whatever they use for refrigerant.

I guess mine essentially runs off of 12vdc or 120ac. .. with the use of the inverter and automatic transfer switch.

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

[McDave]

I misspoke earlier, it is not Dometic, It's a small Norcold DE-251E. Compressor, R134A. 120v @ .4 amp, 12v @ 3.5 amp, 1.7cu ft ? 18" wide x 20 high x 20 deep. I got it off Ebay for 170.00 shipped. Its brand new, came out of a boat. I also added insulation to the outside. It works just like yours, but the inverter is built in. It has a small freezer and the cutest little ice trays you ever seen. It will make ice, but realistically its probably best to buy ice and just store it in frig.
Ice cream in freezer, Whiskey, Irish Cream, candy bars and breakfast burritos in frig. Oh, and bottled water for the aspirin.
I mostly fly solo to the rallies and meet up with the gang, but the wife goes to 3-4 a year. We don't spend a lot of time at campsites or hotels, so we eat at bars/restaraunts/roadside BBQ mostly. Maybe burgers/dogs or bacon/eggs for late night or early AM, but not a lot of cooking going on. Hydraulic Sandwiches have plenty of calories, and without all the chewing.
Jameson and coffee and an Irish Cream milkshake with 2 aspirin and a smoke on the side, mmm, Breakfast of Champions.

McDave

[flboy]

I misspoke earlier, it is not Dometic, It's a small Norcold DE-251E. Compressor, R134A. 120v @ .4 amp, 12v @ 3.5 amp, 1.7cu ft ? 18" wide x 20 high x 20 deep. I got it off Ebay for 170.00 shipped. Its brand new, came out of a boat. I also added insulation to the outside. It works just like yours, but the inverter is built in. It has a small freezer and the cutest little ice trays you ever seen. It will make ice, but realistically its probably best to buy ice and just store it in frig.
Ice cream in freezer, Whiskey, Irish Cream, candy bars and breakfast burritos in frig. Oh, and bottled water for the aspirin.
I mostly fly solo to the rallies and meet up with the gang, but the wife goes to 3-4 a year. We don't spend a lot of time at campsites or hotels, so we eat at bars/restaraunts/roadside BBQ mostly. Maybe burgers/dogs or bacon/eggs for late night or early AM, but not a lot of cooking going on. Hydraulic Sandwiches have plenty of calories, and without all the chewing.
Jameson and coffee and an Irish Cream milkshake with 2 aspirin and a smoke on the side, mmm, Breakfast of Champions.

McDave

Yes... breakfast of champions!!

I go solo a lot also. This build is so I can take the Mrs. when she cares to go. The good part is I have a nice camper for solo also. A Win win! .

[flboy]

This is what I got done today. I finished the furring strips. Insulated some more. I did have to stop insulating to start running wires. I have many wires going in the ceiling (fans, light, speakers, tank sensor wires, etc..) as well as crossing wire over to home run to the area where I am putting the electrical panel and etc.. I have to have all the wires in the ceiling before I put the last layer of insulation up. The wires will be sandwiched between in the little gap that remains between the two layers. . More wiring tomorrow and then I'll finish the insulation. So much to do. I have a list of wires I need to run.. so I got to check them all off!

[flboy]

Finally got some reliable help today!


Got the all the wiring in and completed the ceiling insulation today. I'll take some pics with all the insulation tomorrow and post.


I'll cut in the dinette window tomorrow and insulate the sides. With that competed, I should start the paneling Thursday if all goes well. Hopefully will get as far as framing walls by the weekend. We''ll see.

[McDave]

Dang Son,
You just got right after that, didn't ya? So, as usual I'm just a little late with this but here it goes anyways.
I happened across one of those DYMO LectraTag label makers at Wally World last night. Never wanted one before, but it suddenly dawned on me that it would sure be nice to be able make some nice clean legible labels for the wiring as you were running it in. First thing I thought of was you with 10 days off and nothing better to do, well, a man could really have a OCD flare up with one of these around. So I bought one. Came with a roll of label tape to get you hooked, er, started and we were off. The wife says if finds one more label on her butt that says "Sugar Britches" she's throwin it out. Best 12 bucks I've spent in a long time. So, I guess I'll have to get some more tape and use it on the wiring instead. It does make some nice lablels and how cool would it be to have that (if) when you need it. Might make things too easy, if I could find my glasses. Anyways, thought I'd share that with ya. Too much information? No? OK

McDave

[flboy]

Those label makers are nice. I was labeling all the wires using a Sharpie and some painters tape. Will certainly be easier when I start to install the breaker panels, switches and etc. I actually have one of those my wife bought. I may use it to label things in the electric cabinet. It is going to be busy in there!

[flboy]

Well, this is what I have to show for today. The ceiling insulation is finished and taped. All of the insulation is in the sides, but not finished yet. I still need to trim all the expanding foam off and then tape and seal it all before I start paneling. Once I had all the foam in, I used about 7 large cans of the expanding insulation to fill in any gaps. Going to be real airtight. I decided not to seal along the bottom of the aluminum where it meets the chassis. It will be able to breathe some between the skin of the trailer and the foil side of the insulation. I think this will help keep it dry and mold free if there is ever any condensation that forms in the winter.

I hope this will be enough insulation. There is R10 in the ceiling, and the ramp door and R5 in the walls. I am not sure how much more the small air gaps between the insulation and the interior plywood will create... but the insulation will not be flush on the plywood. There is somewhere near a 1/4 in gap.

More to come tomorrow. I still have another solid three days to work on this to progress the build.

[McDave]

Getting there Mr. Keep chippin away at it. A little somethin' to keep ya movin?
I'll leave this right here, if you need it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpUMsK6h0-I


McDave

[Iconfabul8]

Stopped raining long enough for me to get the outside entry light up, hand grab (the Mrs. wanted this)

I have been shopping entry lights. They seem to range from $3 to $50. Which one did you use? Is it waterproof or do you think it matters? By the way I am enjoying your build. I am looking forward to your plumbing tie ins. I have all this ahead of me soon.