Okanagan build - my first Teardrop

[Koko65]

I have been able to spend a bit of time in the shop despite work getting in the way all the time. Most recently I have been getting the counter top for the galley ready. In order to conserve weight I made the counter top from a layer of 1/4" ply with a 1/2" ply support frame underneath. This was then covered in laminate leftover from the house construction. I could not make up my mind about how I wanted to place the fridge, but ended up cutting a hole in the top of the counter. I plan to make a support to place the top of the fridge level with the counter providing easy access. The picture below has it sitting a bit high, but you get the idea. I originally was going to have it on a pullout drawer, but it would have to pull out farther than the drawer would allow in order to open it. I hope I do not regret my choice...

Tomorrow I am going to pick up some wire and then I have three days off in a row, so I should have most of the basic wire pulling done before I go back to work. I should pick out a stereo too, then I can make the housing for that which would complete the cabin interior.

Bye for now.

[Koko65]

I started to work on the electrical components this weekend. I picked up some wire and shrink tubing, a stereo, and got busy. I made a new framework that will house the stereo head unit and have open shelves on either side. The speakers were just going to take up too much room so I omitted them from that unit and moved them to the rear bulkhead. This makes the shelves wider and hides the speakers somewhat. The lights that I ordered showed up today so I was able to install the reading lights today too. The porch lights came as well but I won't install them till the outside is finished of course. I still need to get some switches and the fuse block, but at least I could get started.


Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr

This is the speaker enclosures I threw together.

[Koko65]

Here are more pics.

This is the framework for the stereo as well as some trim pieces.


Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr

Speaker boxes mounted, in between them is where the wire chase is.

Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr

Testing out the head unit. Music to my tears.

Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr

Gluing up some support for the reading light.


Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr

Lights mounted and wired up.


Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr

The inside view.


Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr

[WhitneyK]

... I omitted them from that unit and moved them to the rear bulkhead. This makes the shelves wider and hides the speakers somewhat...

That's the great thing about building it yourself, change and adapt to whatever you like / don't like. You did a good job on the stereo faceplate.

Keep up the good work!

[Koko65]

For the stereo head unit I bought an inexpensive dash mount kit at Wally-World. That way I knew the dimensions of the opening would be correct. I then made a frame to fit that. I may have placed the frame too far forward though, there might not be enough room for the light switches. I have not bought them yet so I need to double check dimensions.


Stereo head unit by Onno 65, on Flickr

I hope pictures are displaying better now, I am using Flikr to host the images instead of uploading them directly from Tapatalk.

[pappaw]

Wow, I'm really impressed with your talent, and trailer.

Cheers: Jeff

[Koko65]

Thanks Jeff

I am just a newbie so I'm glad to hear that it looks OK. I'm learning lots as I go and have made plenty of mistakes. When I was routing out the hole for the fridge in the countertop the router decided to take it's own path and ruined my laminate. I was lucky to have enough on hand to cover it again. Now I have a double thick countertop! "Experience is something you get right after you needed it"

Onno

[Koko65]

I picked up some switches at the local RV dealer the other day and ordered a fuse block from vintage trailer supply along with some other parts. Work this week is real busy and I will only have Sunday off. The bonus is that I may have 2 three day weekends in a row coming up which should provide plenty of quality teardrop bonding time.

I have not found a dome light that I like so I am pondering making my own with some LEDs that I picked up when I was in Tokyo last year. These are just the raw chips, so I am thinking of making a wooden frame that neatly sits around the vent frame. I have not finalized a design in my head but an idea is starting to gel, either that or I am just sleepy.

Take care all and Happy Easter!

Onno

[Koko65]

With little time off due to Easter I have only had a little progress. I have been working on light switches and other 12v wiring over the last couple of days.

In order for there to be room for the switch body and wiring I built a mounting plate for the switches by sandwiching 2 pieces of ply together. After cutting out some holes and finishing them I installed them on the inside of the trailer. I needed to double check how to wire a 3 way switch, thankfully there are lots of recourses right here in this forum. I also wired up the roof vent. I still need to make the dome light, but the wires are in place. I have a 3 day weekend coming up so more progress is sure to be made.

[WhitneyK]

Ohno,

You're doin' a great job on your build

In order for there to be room for the switch body and wiring I built a mounting plate for the switches by sandwiching 2 pieces of ply together.

We can never just run out and purchase exactly what we need for our builds, they just don't make it!

[Rlowell]

Onno,
I love your build thread!!! You are a craftsman of the 1st degree.

I was just over on the Kreg site and found your post there. I have the Ketza Kamper. The build is never done...

You build looks real good!!

Rod

[Koko65]

Finally time for another update. As I mentioned before I wanted to make my own dome light as I don't care for most of the ones I've seen. They're either too big and bulky looking or look too much like it came from my parents '76 station wagon (with fake wood trim no less). I also was not too keen on the plastic trim from the roof vent so I decided to solve both issues by making my own dome light that would hide the plastic trim. Below is a series of pics showing the process.

I considered making the lights using some raw LEDs that I brought back from Japan last year, but decided to hack some Ikea light strips instead. They come as a three pack so I needed two packs, I can still use the leftovers in another project. They cost about $12 for a pack.


Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr


I started by cutting some birch wood to width on the table saw, then using a dado blade I cut a groove the width of the LED strips.

Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr

Next a shallow wide groove was cut into the back the thickness of the plastic trim piece, then a little time at the router table gave the new trim some detail. Ok... So it was a bit more than a little...

Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr


Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr


Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr

The strip light needed some modification in order to allow room for the wire connections. Originally they just clip into each other so had to solder on some wire to connect them together. Note the melted end piece to expose the tabs to which I could solder the wires to.

Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr


Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr

Next I mitered the wood pieces to final length and assembled the frame. At this point it looks like a regular picture frame. The light strips were glued in place with a hot glue gun. To hide the wires I made thin strips to insert into the grooves.

Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr


Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr


Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr

Then it was time to test them out!

Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr

I actually tested out the lights at every step... I have little experience with such small soldering tasks. I painted the plastic trim a dark brown to hide it as much as possible.

Thanks for looking... More to come soon!

[WhitneyK]

WOW, WOW, WOW, Excellent job Ohno!!! Fine, Fine craftsmanship!

[droid_ca]

You are doing an excellent job on that light cant wait to see it installed...just goes to show what a little imagination can do....thanks for sharing

[Koko65]

I forgot to include a picture of the frame on the trim it was designed to cover. I won't instal the light until the roof is on, I was planing to do it today until I realized that I would have a hard time cuttin the aluminum roof skin with the trim installed. But it would be easier to do the wire connections now. A chicken and egg thing.


Teardrop Construction by Onno 65, on Flickr

Thanks for the comments. Now I better get down to the shop!