Groot 2.0 Build Log

[reaver]

Solar panels came in on Thursday. I managed to set them on the trailer, and was getting about 10-11A in what is basically winter sun. I'm curious to see how it performs during the summer months, but I'm honestly very happy with that. I went from 17% charge to 77% by the time the sun went down. Not bad, I say!

I just need to get some more super strut, so I can make some slightly longer crossbars.

Today, I started building the heater box. Got all the panels cut, and the heater shelf installed.



I had to order a different set of sp21 connectors, as my soldering skills are hawt garbage. The replacement connectors will be here Tuesday, and use screw terminals for creating the connections. This will be a 14-5 wire bundle. It will carry power/ground to the heater, as well as the signal for the controller mounted in the cabin.

[reaver]

I've been fighting with this diesel heater for a few weeks now, and at this point, I'm 98% sure the control board is bad. I have a new one on order, which will be delivered wed. Once it's here, I'll confirm that it works before finishing the install, and send the other one back.

But, the power cord is made, both ends have been tested, and the heater box is ready to swap the new heater in once it gets here. I've also tested the door, mounting, and fitted the exhaust, power port, intake vent, and quick connect hot air coupler.



In the meantime, I managed to get the new 300Ah battery in the trailer:


I also got my 400W worth of solar panels installed on the rack, as well as made some longer crossbars, so they don't interfere with the vent lid:

[mmccrumb]

This looks amazing! Wow! What size TV is that? I’m considering adding something like that.

Mike


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[reaver]

This looks amazing! Wow! What size TV is that? I’m considering adding something like that.

Mike


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's actually a 13.3 inch usb-c powered portable monitor. I have a 5 port, 12v USB power supply that I use to power an ONN android TV box behind the panel. The sound bar is a USB powered pc sound bar with Bluetooth, which connects wirelessly to the android box. The whole setup draws less than 1A.

[reaver]

Got the diesel heater sorted out a couple of weeks ago. I ended up buying a replacement unit, and when I tried returning the original one, they just gave me my money back, so now I'm trying to decide whether I want to keep it for spare parts, or get a replacement control board, and build a portable unit.

Also, finally got to take the trailer out and off the pavement. No technical stuff, but it was still a fun trip. Heater and fuel tank worked fantastic, and kept me nice and toasty!

[mmccrumb]

I did not know those monitors existed for USB-C powered. I have a few backpacking batteries I could use so I don't have to run wires (now that my walls are done) and can still power a monitor. Thanks for the info. Just found a cheap one on Amazon for $50.

Mike

This looks amazing! Wow! What size TV is that? I’m considering adding something like that.

Mike


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's actually a 13.3 inch usb-c powered portable monitor. I have a 5 port, 12v USB power supply that I use to power an ONN android TV box behind the panel. The sound bar is a USB powered pc sound bar with Bluetooth, which connects wirelessly to the android box. The whole setup draws less than 1A.

[reaver]

I had this setup all planned out when I ran the wires in the trailer. There's a pair of 12v wires run into the cubby behind that panel. The positive wire runs to the switch, then to the power supply (so it's not drawing any current when not being used).

[WYWander]

Hey Reaver!

[reaver]

[list=][/list]

Hey Reaver!

Greetings man!

You gonna make a build log over here as well, so people can see what you built?

[reaver]

It's been super cold this winter, so not much in the way of modifications or work done on the trailer. I did spend yesterday building some additions for the galley though.

Before:


After:


I also now have a functional tank level sensor using a cheap pressure sensor, and a current to voltage conversion board. It works well in the driveway, so I'm excited to get it out in a few weeks to test that out.

[reaver]

Heading out on Thursday for a 4 day trip. I'll finally be able to test the water tank sensor. Im still not sure how I'm going to solve the freezing water lines, but it's getting warm enough where I won't really need to worry about it for a while.

I've been getting some smaller tasks done on the trailer.

Ran the wires through conduit underneath the trailer.

I also made a rack for the top of the fridge box, and mounted dewaltmounted dewalt on the frame up there. I store a drill, wheel chocks, spare fuses, and some screwdrivers up there.




I also finally made new control panels for the inside. These look MUCH nicer than the temporary panels I had before.



I also added an air inlet port to the side of the trailer. I used a 4 inch marine inspection port, and used high temp epoxy to connect a 3 inch coupling to that. Now I just unthread the cap, and thread on the hose, then connect the magnetic side to the heater. I sealed all around it with sikaflex.



I covered the front of the trailer with a rubber diamond plate, and trimmed 3 sides. The vertical trim is the edge trim that I used on the rest of the trailer. This will allow me to have a rack there as well. I plan on moving the traction boards to the front, and possibly the axe and shovel, if there's enough room. I need to paint the aluminum angle along the top, and get another piece for the bottom.



I also had a mishap with the Xterra last weekend. It seems the locating pin through my drivers side leaf pack decided to take a hike at some point. While scouting a trail last weekend, my axle decided to shift back about 1.5 inches. I was able to get it fixed enough to drive 120 miles home, but won't have time to fix it properly until after this trip. So.... I'm taking the Frontier.

I made this out of the tongue box for my original trailer, and some Jerry can holders.

[FischAutoTechGarten]

Fun build to watch. Thanks for sharing. I love how everyone does very specific things for their use case scenarios... stuff I wouldn't do because my use case scenario is different, but man I appreciate seeing the creative problem solving.

[reaver]

Fun build to watch. Thanks for sharing. I love how everyone does very specific things for their use case scenarios... stuff I wouldn't do because my use case scenario is different, but man I appreciate seeing the creative problem solving.

That, I think, is the best part about building your own trailer. You can build and modify to fit your exact needs, and not what some manufacturer thinks most people need.

[S. Heisley]

Have a safe trip!