Grandby Shell build, it takes a Village, a bit more install info, Zero Declination drop down shower

[Stokeme]

Added this switch to the galley cabinet to control power to pump as needed

 

[Stokeme]

Grandby Shell Lite version, aka my best stab at a Sprinter Van substitute (happy life/happy wife). After 40 years, of tent camping, a heated place to make coffee was a big first step.

 

[longhorn1]

Nice job, happy camping.

 

[Vic Harder]

0E971C29-8F7E-4A9A-B42C-9AA3EE1408DE.jpeg

Drawers constructed of Hardrock Maple ply purchased from FWC. 4’x8’ sheet was $117 when I bought it last Fall. It is what they predominately use for their interior cabinetry. When drawer hardware gets attached I will take a quick pic. I purchased (cabinet) slam latches & (drawer) push button, overhead airline type, locking latches. Couch frame aluminum stability supports were custom fabricated.

This is looking very good indeed, and inspires me to maybe find someone who does cabinet work to help me with my new build.

I am puzzled by the dead space between the drawers. What are your plans for that?

 

[Happyjax]

Impressive

 

[Happyjax]

I do have a query.... Do you have a 100AH battery in parallel to a 50AH battery? I see one is Lifepo4. Curious about that configuration.....

 

[Stokeme]

Hey Vic ... in lieu of drawers we initially had 2 Rubbermaid tubs with a large, bathroom sized, trash receptacle that fit snugly between the tubs. It carried overflow kitchen & cooking accessories. It morphed into an specific tote for cooking needs outside. We do all cooking outdoors, except for morning coffee, if possible. After the drawers were finished it luckily still fit perfectly. The drawer size was patterned off the tubs so it makes some sense. It was going to continue having the same function, but, during our latest outing (FWC NorCal Rally, extended, great time, great folks) it became our dirty clothes basket. It worked really well for that & it might well remain a laundry basket.

 

[Stokeme]

My Batteries are both Bluetooth LiFePo4. Made by StarkPower, now defunct, they have internal Bluetooth monitoring capability with proprietary App. They are run in parallel, as are the 2 flex panels on my roof, which are mounted on an aluminum tube frame, secured to my Yakima tracks. The BT monitoring is awesome. I can see SOC, voltage, resting/charging, & even individual cell specs. My Victron controller also has internal Bluetooth with App. It seems there are less Bluetooth capable batteries, on the market now, not sure why. Would like a small one for my fishing canoe. LiFeBlue is one company offering this capability. I talked to the “owner” on the phone, he knows his product. But now only produces 100aH & above. Check with the Battery supplier to see if they can be run in parallel, with their own product, some can not, or importantly with another supplier’s product. I am no expert, it would pay to put in the needed research. It is now difficult to find Batteries smaller than 100aH in size, especially, not priced upward at a premium.

A caveat here ... I do have a concern about my Battery App. With StarkPower out of business, how long will the App be live & functioning? Since it is on my phone, & App’s can transfer from old phone to new phone, is that like forever basically?

 

[PaulT]

For smaller LiFePO4 batteries, consider the following:

bioenno batteries. 3aH to 50 aH plus and solar charge controllers for LiFePO4
Bioenno Power

Thornwave.Bluetooth shunt/battery monitor
PowerMon - Bluetooth LE Advanced Battery Monitor / DC Power Meter with data logging

PWRBox by Powerwerx
Solar & Portable Power | Powerwerx

I bought the PWRBox with 30 aH Bioenno battery, and appropriate AC charger & mppt charge controller. I’ve had it only a short time so can’t speak to longevity. However, in addition to powering my ham radio & charging various USB devices, I’m making appropriate changes to the camper to allow it to be backup power for the fridge if the camper batteries are too low at night.

I don’t have the Thornwave monitor yet but thinking about it.

Paul

 

[Stokeme]

The PWRBox looks interesting to use with my canoe, thanks for that link. Bioenno does carry several smaller LiFePo4 Batteries. I would love to have that BT capability though. I may end up getting their 40aH one to double with my canoe & a smaller playmate size Dometic 12v, specifically used as a freezer, for long US travel.

Photo below is my sink drain & water tank fill. I chose a circular fill to be able to use a 4” hole saw. Cutting a rectangle with a saw seemed problematic. I actually prefer the circular version as it is simpler, more compact & is made of a much heavier duty composite.

 

[Stokeme]

Lagun mount, Starboard Table, trial & error to figure the best top placement for actual usage, & for articulation away from the couch, when not in use.

 

[Stokeme]

Out of the way

 

[Stokeme]

Game night

 

[Stokeme]

Stadium seat for now, Dometic countertop

 

[Stokeme]

Removable Dometic Countertop, Gorilla glued, custom fabricated brackets using a clip & pin mount. This one idea was way out of my league including the needed skill set. I am lucky to have supportive friends.

 

[Stokeme]

Starboard has been great to work with for sink & countertop, also table. Tap Plastic did a commendable job with radius & bullnose finish work. A $$ idea ... the table top was 26”x20”, material cut to size was ~$58, four corner 2” radius & bullnose edge was ~$22, so Total was ~$80. Reasonable imho. The countertop with its added drip perimeter was done by another friend.

 

[Stokeme]

Meant to post this earlier, included below is a great link for those who may not have encountered this thread. Great mod.

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/10848-fantastic-fan-variable-speed-control/?hl=fantastic

This variable speed module is a couple $ more on eBay than when originally posted but still really cheap.
One side ...

 

[Stokeme]

The other side ...

 

[Stokeme]

Hot glued onto fan housing. Drilled a hole for new control knob. I found it easier just to bypass the wiring for the old 3 speed knob. I left it in place & did not attempt its removal, less collateral aftermath.
Got great tech consultation from my son on this attemp.
The above link is excellent & covers everything in detail

 

[Stokeme]

StarkPower Bluetooth LiFePo4 App. I have 100Ah & 50Ah batteries, connected in parallel, in my FWC battery box. I purchased both about 1.5 yrs ago, same generation, parallel compatible.
I am not that handy. When I found out that internal Bluetooth existed in LiFePo4, I saw it as an opportunity. I did not have to buy a Victron battery monitor, mount it or wire it, add it to an already, for me, complicated wiring task. I am now a bit more confident. StarkPower has gone out of business, but, they were in business for some years, & I am happy with my purchase. I followed an earlier FWC post, the op a LiFePo4 pioneer, had owned SP for 2 years & was happy. There were Positive reviews about the company on the net. The owner was a former automotive industry innovator. Oh, also, they were priced ~$150 less than the competition, among several that did not offer Bluetooth. After buying the 1st Battery (100Ah), I had reasons to add more Ah(50) & to have separation. I asked for a discount & received a 15% off coupon code. It helped.
Two issues give me pause ... Will my SP App last “forever”?, 7 years is what I hope/expect. The 2nd issue occurred to me with this post, w/o the use of my phone for some reason, I will have no monitoring capability because I do not have an independent dedicated monitor.
Below are some screen shots taken off my iPhone SP App. #1. Both devices shown. #2 & 3. SOC, voltage, status, health, capacity. #4. Temperature & cycle life. My battery group has been through five cycles. #5. Real time individual cell activity. The tech is cool, it’s internal, it’s live. How long will everything function at a high rate .....