Australian Retro Rambler

[MickinOz]

Dude, that is pretty cluey. Has the conduit been permanently rolled into a curve, or is it just flexed to the curve when you erect it?

[cluttonfred]

Very cool build, love the Wiley windows and overall retro look. Not sure I would have put a brass hook right where it would always find my head, but maybe that's just clumsy me. Thanks for sharing!

[edgeau]

Dude, that is pretty cluey. Has the conduit been permanently rolled into a curve, or is it just flexed to the curve when you erect it?

It started straight but doesn't go back straight so it might travel on the roof with some saddle clamps

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[edgeau]

Very cool build, love the Wiley windows and overall retro look. Not sure I would have put a brass hook right where it would always find my head, but maybe that's just clumsy me. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the kind words. The hooks are actually really out of the way, only a few centimeters (less than an inch) from the wall and not where the head travels

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[edgeau]

Raising the awning height to accommodate the change room exacerbated another issue. We often put the solar blanket on the roof but there is a shade problem from the awnings now. Solution, use some old aluminum tarp poles to make a roof rack to lay it on. For those thinking "that won't hold much weight!" You are right. I only need it to hold 7kg (about 15 pounds).


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[edgeau]

I know the solar is not as effective flat as angled to the sun. This one is overspeced, rated at 200w but I only need 100w. If we happen to be parked with the front facing north (we are southern hemisphere) I can hang it over the curve of the 'drop. I also have enough lead to put it on the windscreen of the tow vehicle. It is all about having options.

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[edgeau]

Latest modification. The better half asked for some shelves near the bed head for glasses etc. We fold the mattress up when loading a lot of gear so the shelves fold up to make room.


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[edgeau]

New tail lights. No more banging shins on the silly outrigger ones.


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[edgeau]

Latest modification. Added a slim line ceiling light. The reading lamps are under a shelf so I had to feel for things or use a torch. They are also not much use when everything is packed up high before a trip and I want to find something. I went a bit overboard and put in two single pole double throw switches so either can be used to turn it on / off. I know you could reach a central switch from either door but this was just for the fun of it as I was fascinated by the circuit needed to achieve this when I was a kid.



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[MickinOz]

Hey Edge, I've had a look through and I'm thinking that, from what I see in the photos, to mount your side awnings you just took the basic L brackets they provide and through bolted them to the roof?

[edgeau]

Hey Edge, I've had a look through and I'm thinking that, from what I see in the photos, to mount your side awnings you just took the basic L brackets they provide and through bolted them to the roof?

Big screws into the cross beams. Held fine for years

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[MickinOz]

Hey Edge, I've had a look through and I'm thinking that, from what I see in the photos, to mount your side awnings you just took the basic L brackets they provide and through bolted them to the roof?

Big screws into the cross beams. Held fine for years

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I think I may have over engineered mine, then.

Awning 2.JPG (112.13 KiB) Viewed 2174 times

[edgeau]

Hey Edge, I've had a look through and I'm thinking that, from what I see in the photos, to mount your side awnings you just took the basic L brackets they provide and through bolted them to the roof?

Big screws into the cross beams. Held fine for years

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I think I may have over engineered mine, then.

Awning 2.JPG

At least it gave you a good mount for the solar too

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[edgeau]

I scored big time! I noticed a FB Marketplace ad for a "broken" 60litre camping fridge that allegedly only ran on 240v. $50. I figured that as long as as the compressor works I could find a way to get some electrons to it. Turns out it was so easy I almost feel guilty. The issue was just a blown fuse in the 12v plug!
I had it running in the car on the way home from picking it up. It is way too big for my galley but that is OK, I have the existing fridge there. On longer trips with two teenage boys in their tents we need a mountain of food so I have been taking the Esky (translation ice box / cooler) as well as the fridge. I now have both fridges running in the garage with the TD hooked up to a 180w solar panel to test capacity to cope with both running. So far it looks pretty good I was down to 85% on the lithium battery this morning after getting the big fridge down to 4°C (the little one was already on and at temp). When camping I can usually be back to 100% from that level by midday with my 200w solar blanket.
No more daily ice changes and dealing with melt water making things soggy!

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[bdosborn]

Score!
Bruce