Flboy - Custom 6x12 Off-Road Toy Hauler Conversion

[flboy]

Are those fridge shelves tempered glass or acrylic? I was thinking of returning the 4.2cu ft MAgic Chef one I got as the shelves are glass and I am afraid to really use them while traveling. I was thinking of replacing them or maybe just returning it for one without the glass. Also, if you don't mind me asking, what are you intending to use to keep the fridge door closed in transit? Thanks!!

I believe the shelves are glass. The 4.3 CuFt Magic Chef I have in my existing CTC is the same. Never been an issue for travel. I use a baby lock to keep the door closed during travel.. below is an example. There are other similar types that will do the job also.

[flboy]

Can you meter the kwh usage for a 24 hour period with the kill-a-watt? That will tell you a lot more about the energy usage than just the watt draw.

Bruce

Hi Bruce. I can for sure and am in the process. I will update tomorrow on 24 hours... may be a little high since it has to pull some water and etc.. down... will do again for 48 hours and assume the second 24 hours will be more typical..

[bdosborn]

Perfect!
Thanks,
Bruce

[ISOTNT]

Are those fridge shelves tempered glass or acrylic? I was thinking of returning the 4.2cu ft MAgic Chef one I got as the shelves are glass and I am afraid to really use them while traveling. I was thinking of replacing them or maybe just returning it for one without the glass. Also, if you don't mind me asking, what are you intending to use to keep the fridge door closed in transit? Thanks!!

I believe the shelves are glass. The 4.3 CuFt Magic Chef I have in my existing CTC is the same. Never been an issue for travel. I use a baby lock to keep the door closed during travel.. below is an example. There are other similar types that will do the job also.

Ahh, very cool. Thank you! I was just trying to decide how I wanted to connect magnets like I am using on cabinet doors/drawers, but I like the baby lock idea better as if something falls from the fridge in travel, I could be surprised by a big mess once I get to camp.

[hankaye]

ISOTNT, Howdy;

Have you contacted the manufacturer to see what the type of glass is? That would have been my
first call/email. Get the info. straight from the horse's mouth so to speak. Then there is NO doubt.

hank

[flboy]

Well, my trailer is delayed according to manufacturer. The 5,200 lb straight axle is backordered. They are not expecting it until April 2 now and said it would be mid to late April for finish. Guess I will go camping until then.. Taking the 7*18 out for 4 days next week.

Have al the stuff to build except the most important piece! LOL

[BigDave_185]

Just bring all that stuff up here and I’ll show ya how to weld like a champ and we can hit the single track all morning


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[flboy]

Just bring all that stuff up here and I’ll show ya how to weld like a champ and we can hit the single track all morning


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Thanks... going to try welding today. Setting up the garage now. Going to try to fabricate some tilting solar panel racks for the roof. It might be ugly... LOL

[flboy]

Okay... Fridge ran 24 hrs. and took .510 KWK or 510W hours @ 110VAC. Basically that breaks down to 40.8aH for 24 hrs at 12.5 VDC.. I think that is high, but the fridge only had 4 bottles of water in it and a small ice cube tray, so no real thermal mass. I am going to load it up like I was going camping... let it all come down to temp, and then measure a 24 hour period with the door being opened up randomly a few times. Will report back Wednesday PM for anyone interested. That would be a more realistic use case.








Okay.. loaded up. Once this get down to temperature, I'll reset clock and Killawatt meter and check after 24 hours.

[onehoser]

hmmm, something’s not quite right........i don’t see beer...

[BigDave_185]

Just bring all that stuff up here and I’ll show ya how to weld like a champ and we can hit the single track all morning


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Thanks... going to try welding today. Setting up the garage now. Going to try to fabricate some tilting solar panel racks for the roof. It might be ugly... LOL

What welder set did you pick up?


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[foxontherun]

Good morning Don,
Wouldn't a more realistic test be to put fridge in your garage or other trailer since your house is "conditioned" space? (Making the assumption your picture is from inside your house )

Harry

[bdosborn]

You're at 1.6 amp-hr @13.2V (Lithium voltage), which is a little higher than I would have expected based on my kegerator tests. Is your fridge Energy Star rated? But then again, the kegerator had some thermal mass in it . I suspect my meter might be a little off too as it's a chinaclone and not a real Kill-A-Watt. Good info, thanks for posting it!

Bruce

[bdosborn]

P.S. Just checked and I think it is Energy Star rated.....

[flboy]

BigDave... sad to say what it is. I got it for nothing about 5 years ago and never used it. It is a Chicago Electric 90A Flux Wire Welder from Harbor Freight that runs from 110VAC. I am using .030 flux core mild steel wire in it. Not good for too much I suppose , but I will learn to run a good joint and then move up. Reportedly it will weld 18 gauge (0.048") to 3/16 (0.19") mild steel... which should be enough for the steel tubing (1/8" I believe) on the CTC Framing. Going to use it to frame the windows and a few minor things. If I need more than that , I have access to use professional type welding equipment at my brother's shop. I wish I had a bandsaw too... would make some cutting much easier!

This is ugly and I am not proud of it, but never welded before today. Built a roof mount that will bolt onto side trim into roof frame. Had to notch out for the drip edge to fit so it would mount flush.


Need to make three more that will bolt on side and then I am going to use aluminum angle stock to bolt on for mounting solar panels. Still working out how I am going to tilt. Toying with some ideas using electric linear actuators so I can tilt panels up with the push of a button.











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