14*7 V-Nose Conversion

[flboy]

Looks great!

Where did you pick up that bag awning?

Thanks! I actually found it on E-Bay and I ended up calling the guy. The have a website. Link below. I am really happy with it.

http://www.rvawningsrus.com/

[dustboy]

Wow, cool. I'll definitely get my awning from him. Made in the US and good prices too. Wish I knew his secret!

[flboy]

Wow, cool. I'll definitely get my awning from him. Made in the US and good prices too. Wish I knew his secret!

I am actually using the awning tonight. I got to my campsite and it was raining. I popped out the awning and just sat and enjoyed the cooling rain. For the price, this is a great awning. The only drawback with bag awnings is they are challenging to set up solo until you figure it out. In any case, I could not use the regular easy pop out awning like RV's have because of where my door is vs the top of the camper. The geometry just doesn't work, plus they are about $500 more.

I'll post some pics camping this weekend so you can see it better.

[flboy]

The camping trip got cut a day short. I came home today instead of tomorrow. Long story, but the short of it is that my dirt bike had a rear wheel bearing fail and I could not ride today, so no point in staying.

The camping went well. I am happy to say that the Solar Panels kept up with the refrigerator all weekend and I had power to run lights and etc. It was partly cloudy and rained on and off Friday and Saturday so it wasn’t optimal conditions for solar cells. (I did use the generator to brew coffee. I forgot my stove top coffee maker and although I could have used the inverter… that little coffee maker is a power hog at 600W. It has to be on for while too. )

The AC worked out great. I do think I am going to buy a Honda Generator however. The box worked great for the sound and etc. but it was just clunky to carry and manage. I also don’t like how dirty the power was. It seemed to fluctuate about 15-20V for no reason. The Honda is expensive, but I hear nothing but good things about them.

I installed the fan with zip ties. It was so easy. I still have to conceal the wire, but it is in and I used it all weekend. It is quite (cannot hear it) , but 150CFM isn’t what I thought it would be in terms of wind volume. Having said that, it did keep the hot air that rises from building up. In fact, it moves it right out when cooking and etc.. . Even in the hot part of the day, it was much better. It only uses 290 milliamps at 12VDC so it is great for the solar power system. This motor only moves one direction. Reversing polarity does not reverse direction (it stops). Bottom line, it is an inexpensive option for a vent fan given a fan with similar specs is 3 times more for RV’s. I think it looks good there too.

The camper all set up .


The awning side.


The fan install. Fit perfectly and held to the existing bar with zip ties.

[flboy]

I finally broke down and bought the Honda EU2000i Generator. I found a great online deal at $899 with free shipping and no sales tax. That is about as cheap as you will find for one of these.

With the solar and the Honda.. I am all set for off grid power rain or shine. I am going to build the fuel extender cap for it so it can run for extended periods with an auxiliary tank if needed for overnight AC operation. I bought it mainly for it's quiet running. There are a lot of options out there in the 2000W range, but they all seem to use the Honda as the benchmark. Supposedly this is the quietest one. From what I have read on it, this is most likely the last generator I will need to buy for a long time.

The sound box I built for my other generator recently truly did work well for limiting noise, but it was clunk to carry (box in a box) and the generator itself had real dirty power when running the AC. It was rated for 1500W continuous, but if loaded to that, the RPM's dropped and voltage would drop to less than 100V. When that happens, current goes up in the AC motor to maintain same power and it really risks ruining it.

I'll give a review next time I go camping.

[norcal2]

You wont be dissapointed in a Honda I have 2 1000is i used in tandem when i want to use my AC, i usually 1 generator when im camping, and i charge when I am driving between sites, or in the campground and they are quiet etc. I built a rack and cabinet on the front of my V-Nose with pull out drawers for the generators works real good and when im not using the other generator I use the top rack for storage.

[flboy]

You wont be dissapointed in a Honda I have 2 1000is i used in tandem when i want to use my AC, i usually 1 generator when im camping, and i charge when I am driving between sites, or in the campground and they are quiet etc. I built a rack and cabinet on the front of my V-Nose with pull out drawers for the generators works real good and when im not using the other generator I use the top rack for storage.

I am sure I will like the Honda. Nice Cabinet you built. I am going to most likely just carry mine in the bed of the truck since I have a hard top locking cover.

[Slyhuntr]

I finally broke down and bought the Honda EU2000i Generator. I found a great online deal at $899 with free shipping and no sales tax. That is about as cheap as you will find for one of these.

That is a great deal. At my previous employer we had two Hondas that we used as a backup to the emergency genset for the facility. They were super quiet and easy to start. If I ever got a portable it would be a Honda.

[rebapuck]

Looks like you have the trailer just like you want it. But you ask for suggestions...

Put the microwave to one side. Leave the center so you can make a sandwich without twisting yourself.

[flboy]

Got my Honda today.. All set for remote power that is stable and quiet.

[flboy]

Going to take out the CTC for a weekend of camping and dirtbiking next weekend. It has been a few months since I had it out. Going to run off the solar panels and generator. Expecting it to go well.

[CGRotorhead]

What fan is that?

[flboy]

It is a computer fan I got for about $16.03 on Amazon. It is quiet and works off of the 12VDC system. For some reason, as similar RV fan is much more $. It seems to work fine.

Model info: BitFenix Cooling Case Fan BFF-SPRO-20025WW-RP
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008UY ... UTF8&psc=1

[CGRotorhead]

Thanks man. Do you think It works pretty good?

[lrrowe]

I checked it out and it only draws .33 amps which I think is good. The CFM is 148 at 900 RPM. It should work fine.
Bob