Our Next Mega-Mini

[Shadow Catcher]

Ya it is kind of out fault, one of the big advantages of the MM is that no two of them have been alike, one of the disadvantage is that it can take longer to come up with those custom pieces.
I talked with Chris at Eye4Design yesterday and what they are waiting for now is the rear galley cabinetry designed by Nancy (my wife). He said the base cabinet was test fitted and 'looks great' last week. The roof goes on after the cabinets are in and then I can install the solar panel mounts.

The Graphics came out of the theme, from the Compass Rose quilt that Nancy is working on finishing now. A friend who is a graphic artist took a basic compass rose graphic and altered it to what you see now, and with the vector graphic I was able to take it to Bad Brush Design locally who designed the swoosh to match.

One of the things I have found is the willingness of individuals from various companies when presented with my to them unique needs, that have been willing to help, or answer questions. I spent the better part of an hour on the phone with a 3M engineer discussing the VHB tape I will be using to stick the panel mounts to the roof, concerning wind load and surface prep. The local company who was able to get the VHB tape as a free sample, the local heating and air conditioning place that built the adapter for the AC unit and modify its wiring.

I still have tasks ahead including the modifications of the mounts for the air shocks so that the suspension is variable and final design of the rear awning/shelter.

[Shadow Catcher]

Latest Up Date
I have been looking for a generator to supplement the solar panels and happened on a Kipor 2400W new used as a display for 300$, in Elkhart. So I stopped in to visit and see progress at Eye4Design.

Front view


Side


Galley


Lower cabinet (upside down ) There a shelves for the center a drawers for the right side.


Inside


The plumbing is done, and the wiring is with in a couple of hours of complete.

[Miriam C.]

Very Nice! Your new cabinets are great!

[AussiePeej]

mate, it's turning out suh-weet. It's funny how some companies, and people, whom you approach with an idea sometimes left of centre, can get as excited as you and others... well.. less said about them the better. Glad you've had such a positive experience re the graphics. Excellent. Wish I could see them in person

[fastway40]

What size tubing aluminum is used for the frame of the side walls and roof? I imagine is a standard size considering the door and windows?

[Shadow Catcher]

Tubing is 1X1.5 .040 aluminum and is MIG welded. I was asking if I could stand on the roof to mount the solar panel and was told, not a problem. Electrical is routed through the tubing.
I have copies of the engineering drawings and the design is well executed.

[bushido41]

Hello SHadow,

I was wondering if you have any updates on your MM? I am anxiously waiting to see the completed trailer . I can't wait until I can order mine .

Ed

[grizz]

Love this build.

Everything to me , speaks of thought and consideration.

[Shadow Catcher]

There have been some problems at Eye4Design but I have been assured I will have the trailer in time for the Buckeye Tearjerkers gathering in May.
Ed they tell me they can build a "normal" MM in weeks, ours is very NOT normal.
I managed to get a set of the construction plans for the aluminum frame and have seen it going together. I am frustrated that we do not have it yet but know the care that has gone into it. I asked if I could stand on the roof to do the solar panel install and was informed it would not be a problem.

There are a number of tasks I have, substituting the LED's in the marine light fixtures and yellow SMD's for the "porch lights" (just got here from China).
Adapting the case fans for the smaller vent which has wiring ready for me, this time I am going with a three way switch and single plug into a brass plate.
Setting up the air compressor and shocks to very suspension height (likely to be an involved process) the compressor air tank check valves and fittings are going to be in the tongue box along with generator when it will be needed.
Mounting the solar panel.
Finding 4" hose for the air conditioner, and who knows what else.
I did find a source for the sand through multimat from Australia here in the US and I need to order one for the galley area.

[myoung]

Beautiful workmanship!!!

I'll be following your research and experience with replacement LED lights. They sip power but the lumens are an issue with me along with the cost, of course.

[Shadow Catcher]

The last news we had from Eric was that the roof needed to be reattached and trim added, the cupboard doors attached, holes drilled for the 4" deck plates and, that he needed to pick up the TV antenna and tongue box and he would work on it this weekend. It is now however 10 months late.

The reading lamps in the pictures already have the G4 LED arrays in them and are adequately bright. The G4 LED arrays that will plug into the marine light fixtures have the same number of SMD's as the ones I had to butcher the conventional RV lights to make fit in MM#1, and they were equal to the light output of the original incandescent bulbs. The arrays I used in MM#1 all came from China and were not particularly expensive. One had one of the SMD's fail but it did not impact the light out put enough to warrant replacement (I carry spares).

[knockabout]

Hey Shadow Catcher--been watching your build when I have the time. We spent 5 weeks out in Utah/Colorado in MM#5 and it was great. The best unit for the best price in MHO. For me quality was issue #1 and I think we got that. Anyhow here's a question cause I know you do tons of research. I'm looking for some type of solar that will run the AC and Heat. Not sure what size to get but we do a lot of boondocking so I'm thinking of something that will allow us to have that creature comfort when needed. Any suggestions? Dan

[myoung]

Hey Shadow Catcher--been watching your build when I have the time. We spent 5 weeks out in Utah/Colorado in MM#5 and it was great. The best unit for the best price in MHO. For me quality was issue #1 and I think we got that. Anyhow here's a question cause I know you do tons of research. I'm looking for some type of solar that will run the AC and Heat. Not sure what size to get but we do a lot of boondocking so I'm thinking of something that will allow us to have that creature comfort when needed. Any suggestions? Dan

Whoa!!! Running A/C off a solar array. Ain't going to happen unless you want to carry a huge, HUGE array and are fortuitous to have intense sunshine at low temperatures for an hour or two at midday. Solar on a trailer is good for keeping batteries topped off, but not directly for powering appliances.

I you want to power A/C while boondocking, the only viable solution would be a gasoline-powered generator of 3kw or perhaps 2 generators of 2kw each.

[knockabout]

Well myoung thanks for letting me know that. I've already axed the generator idea--as the kids say that's to harsh on my mellow. I just thought maybe with the advancements in technology I might have a solar option I wasn't aware of. So charging the battery and running the fan is the way it's going to be. Thanks a lot for the info.

[vtx1029]

The little Honda generators are pretty quiet. Or if you stay in dryer areas maybe a swamp cooler...