"Phoenix" 5'x11' Build

[cjlangellier]

Why don't you pick up an inexpensive indoor/outdoor thermometer and test things?
Maybe like: https://smile.amazon.com/Indoor-Outdoor ... 98&sr=8-29

Thanks for the suggestion. I may give that a shot once all the electronics are installed.

Tonight I got the rough wiring started and was able to wire the cabin switches in the headboard. I did run an extra wire branch to the headboard that will not be connected to anything for now. I figured it would be good to have an extra branch up there in case we want to add anything down the line or if a wire in the roof breaks. My wife really wanted the square 110 light switches over any of the 12V options I showed her. I was pushing for the much smaller touch on/off buttons but I was vetoed. Each side has an identical switch panel. There are 3-way switches for overhead cabin lights and the headboard and under cabinet accent led strip lights. Each side has a switch for an exterior porch light. Hoping to get the lights installed tomorrow and complete the rough wiring in the roof so I can start insulting soon.

[GarthB]

Looking good! I like the organization and centralized location of your electrical cabinet.

It's funny to see we're neck and neck with our build progress. If I were betting, I'd put money down on you finishing before I do.

[cjlangellier]

Looking good! I like the organization and centralized location of your electrical cabinet.

It's funny to see we're neck and neck with our build progress. If I were betting, I'd put money down on you finishing before I do.

Thanks Garth! Your build is looking fantastic as well. I am enjoying watching our builds come together, seemingly side by side. I suppose it depends on what you consider "finished" . We are leaving for a two week 5 National Park camping trip on July 17, so the plan is to have our trailer roadworthy by then. I don't imagine the galley cabinetry will be complete but hopefully the cabin will be done and the trailer will be ready for an early shakedown.

[cjlangellier]

2021-06-18

I managed to get the skylight and vent openings trimmed out tonight with a flush bit router. I then wired all the cabin lights and finished all the rough wiring for the cabin. I’m waiting on some parts to get the converter and battery installed but those should be here Sunday to wrap up the electrical inside the cabin. Tomorrow I start construction on the hatch!

[tony.latham]

I managed to...

You've managed a fine bit of craftsmanship. I'm eager to see a pic of her in the wild.

Tony

[cjlangellier]

I managed to...

You've managed a fine bit of craftsmanship. I'm eager to see a pic of her in the wild.

Tony

Thanks so much Tony! You can bet when she does make her way into the wild there will be plenty of pics to document it!

Today I started with a trip to my local lumber store to have them mill down a piece of solid oak to 2”x2” for my hatch spar. I took a page out Garth’s book and rounded over the bottom two corners of the spar and left the top two at a 90. I like the softer look on the portion that will be exposed to the galley. Next up I started to layout my galley. I cut down a couple cabinet dividers and a counter top. I installed aluminum angle on the outside walls to hold the countertop in place. I’m thinking I’m going to find some laminate to install on top of the birch for the countertop. There will be three cabinet areas under the countertop the far left houses the massive camp stove we salvaged from our pop up camper. And will have a slide out for the stove and one for pots and pans below the stove. The far right will house a fridge slide out. We’ll be limited in size due to our countertop height but there is plenty of room for a 20qt fridge. The center will be the sink, water pump, water tanks and grey tank. I tried to talk the misses out of the sink but she really wanted one so alas, I’m complying. Once I had the layout down I made a spar template for the rear hatch. I cut and routered all the spars to the template and glued up the two spar that will form the outer frame rails. Tomorrow I’ll cut the crossmembers for the hatch and notches where they will run in the spars.

[cjlangellier]

Went a different direction than planned today. I got all the wiring in the roof cleaned up and ready for insulation. Then sanded/finished and installed the oak hatch spar. Finally, finished the day up by cutting and dry fitting the headboard and headboard storage pieces. I used a piece of 3/4” Baltic Birch for the front trim piece. I rounded over the corners with a router to further expose the layers of the ply wood. I think it will look pretty cool when it’s finished. Still need to determine how I want to create the access to the storage compartment.

[cjlangellier]

2021-06-22

Tonight I worked on installing the PD4045 and the DC side of that system. I made a panel with a battery disconnect, a breaker and an ANL fuse block for the DC-DC charger. I made custom length leads for the battery and the ground bus bar. All the cabin wiring is now connected and powered by the AGM battery. I got the DC-DC charger and solar panel wiring installed. I still need to ground the bus bar to the chassis and connect the DC-DC charging cables. I also have all the galley circuits to run. Tomorrow I’ll work on insulating the roof in preparation of installing the roof panels.

[pchast]

I think you'll want some kind of battery hold down also?

[cjlangellier]

I think you'll want some kind of battery hold down also?

Yep. There will be a battery tie down installed, just haven’t gotten one made up yet.

[cjlangellier]

2021-06-22

Got the ceiling insulated this evening. I had enough leftover r-tech insulation from my cargo trailer conversation to get the job done. It was nice to get something checked off the list without having to make a run to the hardware store for materials!

[pchast]

That's comming together well, and quickly too!

[cjlangellier]

That's comming together well, and quickly too!

Thanks!

Tonight I got the first two roof panels on. The weather wasn’t cooperating so the last panel will have to wait for tomorrow.

[cjlangellier]

I built out the hatch frame today and skinned the interior portion of the hatch with birch. I struggled with the sharp turn my hatch makes a bit but eventually settled on running a few screws on the hatch spars to tighten things up. I’m happy with the results so far.

[cjlangellier]

I pulled the clamps and retaining blocks off the hatch at lunch and it looks like things are holding solid. I'll be wiring the lights in tonight and then sheeting the outside half of the hatch. Tomorrow I'll be sanding and finishing the interior half.