Cliff starts a Grasshopper / Weekender!

[Cliffmeister2000]

Progress is slowing down. I now have to think of the consequences of every decision.



-Cliff

[bobhenry]

Progress is slowing down. I now have to think of the consequences of every decision.


-Cliff

You said a mouthful there ! I can't count the un-do's and re-do's and re-designs because something got in the way of something else.

The best example is paneling the inside after the roof spars are all in place

[Cliffmeister2000]

bobhenry says:

The best example is paneling the inside after the roof spars are all in place

Interesting... How could you panel the inside without the roof spars in place?

- Cliff

[bobhenry]

I took the spars all back off stood 2 sheet of 1/4 " luan side by side on each wall then glued and pin nailed them to the osb subsiding routered off the excess with a flush cutting bit removed 1/4 " of the spar at each end and then reinstalled them.

[Cliffmeister2000]

Getting ready for the main section ceiling



Ceiling held in place



Installed!

[Cliffmeister2000]

Dry fitting the galley countertop


Putting sheet metal inside the fenders



Sealing the seams with TAR!


- Cliff

[Cliffmeister2000]

Sunday - last day of my Brother's vist. Going will really get slow now. We've been working 12 hour days for 9 days straight!

Galley Cabinet faces




Dry fitting countertop -oops! Cabinet faces a bit low. They will have to do!




Beginning to skin




Positioning A/C unit




Love my staple gun!

[Cliffmeister2000]

BTW, as I take a break and do some reflecting on this project, and some studying on the future of this project, I need to say Thank You to some very special people.

To Mike, and his weekender plans, which I review from front to back at the end of every workday. Thank you.

To Frank, who finished the weekender, and gave me great insight into how my hatch will ultimately look. Thank you.

To Joanne, whose Desert Dawg diary has also been daily reading, especially the electrical section. Thank you.

To my brother, who helped me get off my butt and get to work. Thank you.

And to all of you members of this fantastic support group. So many of you have given freely of your experience, wisdom and even sarcasm. Thank you.

Cliff

[toypusher]

Cliff, That thing sure is looking good! Should be done in no time now!!

[mikeschn]

Looking good Cliff!

Mike...

[Cliffmeister2000]

Cliff, That thing sure is looking good! Should be done in no time now!!

Thanks! It seems like months yet to go!

- Cliff

[Cliffmeister2000]

Looking good Cliff!

Mike...

Thanks, Mike.

Now that I am a little more than 1/2 done, I have been asked (by my brother) what I would do differently....



1. I would not use furring strips at all. Too brittle, too full of splinters. I switched to pine, poplar and oak before I got too far in this. Pine for the spars, oak for both doorframes and a brace under the shelf that the a/c unit sits on, poplar for all cabinet frames and eventually doors.

2. I opted for luan panels inside at $11.97 each from Home Depot. I should have found a source for a lighter colored wood (birch), even at twice the price. I'm afraid it's going to be dark in there. All HD or Lowes had was traditional paneling, and stuff made for wainscotting. Birch was 1/4 inch and larger; I wanted 1/8 inch.

3. I would have built my own trailer frame. Well, I don't weld. I would have designed it and found someody to weld it for me. It would have been worth the price.

4. I would have used 4/4 lumber. I used mostly 1x3, with a 2x4 box in the center for extra strength. With 4/4 lumber, I would have felt more comfortable with less overall lumber.

Now that I am committed, I have no real regrets. This thing is going to be awesome!

Cliff

[Cliffmeister2000]

I have some questions on lighting and electricity.

I am thinking of using all LED lighting. Has anybody done this? Pros and cons? I already have 2 LED reading lights, but thinking about putting LED lights inside the cabinets, as a courtesy light in the cabin, and under the door outside, like this one:

Even LED lights in the galley. I'm thinking these would handle vibration better than 12v flourescent.

I'm also thinking about LED running, tail, and brake lights. Kind of my hi-tech tribute to a lo-tech vehicle.

Second question, I've been seeing a lot of high-dollar converters available online for campers. I was actually thinking of a 12v charger wired to the trailer battery. Kind of a lo-tech solution to a simple problem.

Last question: isolating the trailer from my tow vehicle so the trailer doesn't drain the truck battery, while still allowing the tow vehicle to charge the trailer battery.

I imagine these are all discussed somewhere in the forum, but I confess I haven't mastered searching this site yet.

All opinions welcome!

- Cliff

[ARKPAT]

Cliff that is what I'm doing also. The LED lights save the battery with less current drawn from the battery ( as long as they are designed to work on 12 volt DC ). Some people do not like the LED lights inside all I can say is try one in the same kind of enviroment as you will be using them and see. If you do not like them exchange it or E-bay it and try the other versions out there till you find something you like and can afford.



Pat

[Cliffmeister2000]

Cliff that is what I'm doing also. The LED lights save the battery with less current drawn from the battery ( as long as they are designed to work on 12 volt DC ). Some people do not like the LED lights inside all I can say is try one in the same kind of enviroment as you will be using them and see. If you do not like them exchange it or E-bay it and try the other versions out there till you find something you like and can afford.



Pat

Thanks, Pat. Good point on LED light. Tends toward blue. My wife might have trouble with that.

I did just discover the amazing sticky on battery chargers, and ordered a Deltran Battery Tender 12V 5A from BatteryMart. $85.47 with shipping!

- Cliff