Not a Self-build, but a Tweaker

[wildebus]

....Slightly annoyingly, the cables were around 2" shorter than I would have liked for the neatest job, so that will be dealt with on Tues or Weds when a new combiner kit arrives which will effectively lengthten the cables by around 3".

The new Combiners arrived today and are just the ticket to allow the extra cable reach and which will mean I can get some conduit in place once it stops snowing!

Have to say it is so nice to have solar harvesting again - makes such a difference to get free charging again

 

[wildebus]

Solar been installed for around 10 days now and looking at my general numbers over month, looks like doing the job nicely.
Initially quite a bit of harvesting to bring the battery back up but then essentially just in maintenance mode keeping up with the general overhead whilst parked up. (I had deliberately left the charger off to allow the batteries to drop to check the solar operation)

You can see the points BS (Before Solar) where the EHU was removed and was connected.
I am not expecting the 270W array on the roof to actually keep up completely each day when away and using the motorhome but it will be a very good contributor and when accompanied by the 100W portable panel that can be deployed, pointing and tilted at the sun when appropriate , I should be able to be off-grid for a good time.

 

[Nabsim]

You may be surprised Dave, I have 300W on the roof but only a 250W controller so less max available than you and in good weather/summer I have no issues. My usage is spread out a lot though as main drain is my fridge, you will probably get more spikes with the inverter

 

[wildebus]

You may be surprised Dave, I have 300W on the roof but only a 250W controller so less max available than you and in good weather/summer I have no issues. My usage is spread out a lot though as main drain is my fridge, you will probably get more spikes with the inverter

I am expecting to use the electric for the water heater and small induction hobs (2 x 500W max) and potentially the fridge (not being a Compressor model it is very inefficient on electric).
But we shall see
The portable panel will be interesting - and because of the price of them I am actually considering keeping two of them as it is the kind of array I would put on the roof anyway if I had room.

 

[wildebus]

Added some extra battery capacity to the Motorhome over the weekend - so now have 300Ah of Lead Carbon and 100Ah of Lithium in combination (see Turbocharging thread for more info), which gives a "nicely useable" total of around 300Ah without any untoward effects on Battery Service Life. Can't see really needing any more ever but it does extend my running options for using Electricity for cooking and water heating. Can run the fridge as well of course, but that is a real power hog so the combination of using AC and Gas will remain in place until/unless replace it with an efficient Compressor model.

Weather gone to pot again so my crawling underneath to fit stuff and run cables in various places is postponed yet again Not essentials to do but would be nice to get out the way - especially running the external plugs for the Portable Solar Array.

 

[wildebus]

....I am not expecting the 270W array on the roof to actually keep up completely each day when away and using the motorhome but it will be a very good contributor and when accompanied by the 100W portable panel that can be deployed, pointing and tilted at the sun when appropriate , I should be able to be off-grid for a good time.

Just got back from a trip into town and found a very surprising result!
Today is a pretty yucky day - cold, miserable and rainy -so I don't expect much from the solar.
But ..... a very surprising peak and harvesting from the PV array

I would not expect to see 261W from a 270W array until the summertime. There must have been a clear bit of sky just as the sun was overhead

And the energy taken out by the fridge between 12:15-12:45 has been put back. Nice

 

[trevskoda]

One thing i can say is, if using a large bank of batteries and charging from the engine, you may find the fan belts wear out fast or slip under load at first start, also alts my not last as long and brushes burn out faster.

 

[Tookey]

One thing i can say is, if using a large bank of batteries and charging from the engine, you may find the fan belts wear out fast or slip under load at first start, also alts my not last as long and brushes burn out faster.

Trev could you explain why (layman) please

 

[wildebus]

Just got back from a trip into town and found a very surprising result!
Today is a pretty yucky day - cold, miserable and rainy -so I don't expect much from the solar.
But ..... a very surprising peak and harvesting from the PV array
View attachment 3813
I would not expect to see 261W from a 270W array until the summertime. There must have been a clear bit of sky just as the sun was overhead

Just checking what is going on today and ....

268W yield from my 270W array is really good I think. These are Victron Panels I have fitted and I am wondering if, like other Victron kit, they are "under-declared" in terms of their true capacity?
And with 253W into the battery - so a 94.5% efficiency - that is a pretty decent conversion rate as well by the controller

 

[wildebus]

For Monitoring the Victron based system, there is the web-based VRM system, and you can connect via a browser to the Venus OS unit and run a remote console, which works pretty well and I have used for the last few years.

The original Victron CCGX (Colour Control GX) had a small (2.5"?) display built into it which was handy but the CCGX is both a bit outdated and expensive. Their most recent Venus OS device is the Cerbo GX and that has an HDMI port which supports an external monitor and Victron would like you to buy their GX Touch 50 for around £215 - a little pricey for a 5" display I think?

I thought it would be handy to have a dedicated screen for the system to just glance at and also control a couple of features quickly but I really didn't want to pay £200 for the privilege
Decided to try plugging in the 7" display I have kicking around that was £54 (the bigger screen will be much nicer to use I reckon as well).
The Touch 50 is a touch screen which has drivers built into the Victron OS. My 7" screen is also a touch screen but with a different driver so that aspect didn't work - but didn't matter as I plugged in a dongle from a Mini-Keyboard that I got originally for a Mini-PC I plan to install in the Motorhome and cost only £8.99 - (now £9.99 and link here if you want one. It's pretty neat https://amzn.to/3opl046). The keyboard is actually nicer than the touch screen interface as well I reckon, so win-win

Need to decide where to place it permenantly - probably fit on the wall by the sofa, but right now is just sitting on the cushion ...

and this is the little keyboard ....

 

[wildebus]

I bought a couple of HDMI and micro-USB adapters that turn the connectors 180 degrees, which means can hide the cables neatly behind the screen.
I was planning on mounting the screen to the wall as mentioned, but with the new cable adapters, I am tempted to just leave it where it is as it is nicely tucked away and saves drilling holes in the woodwork ...

What you guys reckon? Wall-mount or leave where it is?

 

[Tookey]

I bought a couple of HDMI and micro-USB adapters that turn the connectors 180 degrees, which means can hide the cables neatly behind the screen.
I was planning on mounting the screen to the wall as mentioned, but with the new cable adapters, I am tempted to just leave it where it is as it is nicely tucked away and saves drilling holes in the woodwork ...

View attachment 3873
What you guys reckon? Wall-mount or leave where it is?

Personally, on the wall with 50mm velcro so I could pull it off and sit down at a table with it if need be. It looks smart there though and no messy cables which is nice.......mmm, I'm indecisive now as well!!

 

[SquirrellCook]

I think that your better half would be happier if it wasn’t on permanent view.

 

[Tookey]

I think that your better half would be happier if it wasn’t on permanent view.

Good point......he wont stop looking at it otherwise!

 

[wildebus]

Good point......he wont stop looking at it otherwise!

well, it is actually behind the seat I sit at.

Personally, on the wall with 50mm velcro so I could pull it off and sit down at a table with it if need be. It looks smart there though and no messy cables which is nice.......mmm, I'm indecisive now as well!!

I can't be doing with exposed/trailing cables if on the wall would have to drill a hole and run the cables behind to hide. doable but making holes is not a great idea in such a prominant area in case of changes.
Thinking maybe a little triangular "table" where is it - so more of a regular support? with the cloth sides there could make a support and if removed no marks left. That might be the way?

 

[wildebus]

Time to get a few odd jobs out the way today

Firstly the roof. Fitted the Solar Panels a while back and cabled up, so got the loose cables running from panels to the cable entry box...

Finally got round to fitting the conduit on the side to give a cable a channel to tuck away into.

Getting one with a ready-fitted self-adhesive tape made the job nice & easy and just a few minutes work.


After this, moved inside to do another job that maybe been 6 months outstanding?
Bought a Lagun Table System and where I want to fit it I have a 13A socket in the way

It won't go to the left of the socket (which I would have preferred) as the fixings would not be contained within the seat base, so need to move the Socket. And removing the socket leaves a big hole so that essentially decides for me where it is going!

First things first - find a new place for the socket.

Made two holes in fact as decided to double up. Mounted vertically as the holes are as far to the left and top as they can be.
Needed to complete the socket fitting fully so I can see just where the Lagun mounting plate can go.

Wired up the two sockets. The way the AC wiring is done in the Autotrail is quite nice. WIth the Plug & Socket on the cables it makes it very simple to wire up the pair of sockets "on the bench" rather than having to bend over with your head under the seat to connect cables.

And then fitted in place. You will have noticed there was a slot hole between the upper and lower round holes. This makes it very easy to wire up and then put into place - the yellow interlink cable just slips through the slot.

You might spot that one socket is fitted normally and the other is rotated? That is deliberate as if they were both conventionally fitted the cable from a standard plug on the upper socket would foul the lower socket.

And the rear view with the cables reconnected.

Now onto the table mount ...
This was just a matter of fitting as far to the left as possible while leaving enough clearance for the socket trim cover and also making sure the big hole left by the socket is covered up.

Within the seat base there is the Backing Plate that gets supplied with the table kit to give extra support and strength

I needed to trim the top and the right side back to allow it to fit


So Mounting is complete!! yea - only 6 months after buying the kit!

I don't have a table top sorted for this yet. Because of the flexibility of the mount there are a lot of options and I'll probably watch a few Youtube videos for ideas on mount position (do a search for "Lagun Table" and you will see loads of videos).

I used a bit of ply around the likely size of the table top I want and mounted the table fitting to it. I offset the mount fairly significantly as this seems to get the most flexibility. I may well try different positions to see how I like them.

And a few pictures showing some positions ...

Side Table for the rear lounge. Handy for putting stuff on

Bit of a Desk for when sitting on the sofa?

Or maybe a desk when sitting in the cab?

Unsure what kind of tabletop to have at this stage apart from where to fit the mounting plate. Could go very traditional with a standard wood effect to match and blend in with the vans woodwork.
Or could go a bit more funky? I like this guys work and have seen it "in the flesh" also and is nice quality - https://chippysworkshop.co.uk/

 

[Tookey]

Time to get a few odd jobs out the way today

Firstly the roof. Fitted the Solar Panels a while back and cabled up, so got the loose cables running from panels to the cable entry box...

View attachment 3876

Finally got round to fitting the conduit on the side to give a cable a channel to tuck away into.
View attachment 3875
Getting one with a ready-fitted self-adhesive tape made the job nice & easy and just a few minutes work.


After this, moved inside to do another job that maybe been 6 months outstanding?
Bought a Lagun Table System and where I want to fit it I have a 13A socket in the way
View attachment 3877

It won't go to the left of the socket (which I would have preferred) as the fixings would not be contained within the seat base, so need to move the Socket. And removing the socket leaves a big hole so that essentially decides for me where it is going!

First things first - find a new place for the socket.
View attachment 3878
Made two holes in fact as decided to double up. Mounted vertically as the holes are as far to the left and top as they can be.
Needed to complete the socket fitting fully so I can see just where the Lagun mounting plate can go.

Wired up the two sockets. The way the AC wiring is done in the Autotrail is quite nice. WIth the Plug & Socket on the cables it makes it very simple to wire up the pair of sockets "on the bench" rather than having to bend over with your head under the seat to connect cables.
View attachment 3879

And then fitted in place. You will have noticed there was a slot hole between the upper and lower round holes. This makes it very easy to wire up and then put into place - the yellow interlink cable just slips through the slot.
View attachment 3880
You might spot that one socket is fitted normally and the other is rotated? That is deliberate as if they were both conventionally fitted the cable from a standard plug on the upper socket would foul the lower socket.

And the rear view with the cables reconnected.
View attachment 3881

Now onto the table mount ...
This was just a matter of fitting as far to the left as possible while leaving enough clearance for the socket trim cover and also making sure the big hole left by the socket is covered up.
View attachment 3882

Within the seat base there is the Backing Plate that gets supplied with the table kit to give extra support and strength
View attachment 3883
I needed to trim the top and the right side back to allow it to fit


So Mounting is complete!! yea - only 6 months after buying the kit!

I don't have a table top sorted for this yet. Because of the flexibility of the mount there are a lot of options and I'll probably watch a few Youtube videos for ideas on mount position (do a search for "Lagun Table" and you will see loads of videos).

I used a bit of ply around the likely size of the table top I want and mounted the table fitting to it. I offset the mount fairly significantly as this seems to get the most flexibility. I may well try different positions to see how I like them.
View attachment 3884

And a few pictures showing some positions ...

Side Table for the rear lounge. Handy for putting stuff on
View attachment 3885

Bit of a Desk for when sitting on the sofa?
View attachment 3886

Or maybe a desk when sitting in the cab?
View attachment 3887


Unsure what kind of tabletop to have at this stage apart from where to fit the mounting plate. Could go very traditional with a standard wood effect to match and blend in with the vans woodwork.
Or could go a bit more funky? I like this guys work and have seen it "in the flesh" also and is nice quality - https://chippysworkshop.co.uk/

'Could go more funky'........zebra stripes, you know you wanna!

 

[mb2tv]

Looks nice!
I was surprised to see the MH has full plywood as walls. I tried to do something in tbe caravan and discovered a 2mm wall and either hollow or cardboard in the middle.

 

[wildebus]

Looks nice!
I was surprised to see the MH has full plywood as walls. I tried to do something in tbe caravan and discovered a 2mm wall and either hollow or cardboard in the middle.

Interesting you mention that. I happened to watch a Youtube video from "RV with Tito" this morning (recommend that channel greatly!) and he was fitting an AC Spur (which is why I happened to watch out of interest after just doing similar) and he made a cutout for the twin outlet and it was just as you describe - ~2mm super-thin plywood). His RV is a large 2007 Class C (so like UK Motorhomes).

I don't know if Autotrail are more sturdily built then typical, but all the side panels, doors, etc. are proper 19mm solid plywood (as opposed to hardboard or chipboard panels). It is nice to see. When I fitted a pair of AC Spurs in the electrical cupboards (pic below), I had to make a 36mm hole though nearly 60mm of wood!

I guess the downside is additional weight, but I am happy to have that consequence for the better construction.
I suppose that thin-wall build is why Lagun supply the thick ply backing board, just in case somebody wants to fit the mount on a flimsy panel?

 

[wildebus]

Got another little job out the way this morning
I bought for Clarence a dashtop combo display showing various things. Never really found a neat place on his dash for it and when I got "Monty the Motorhome" (name changed again!) there was the ideal place on the centre document holder/tray . So put there but never got round to wiring it up - until today! I really can't be doing with trailing wires, so any thing that is remotely permanent MUST have hidden cables whenever possible.
At the moment it is right at the back of the tray. Might move it forward after using it - we shall see. It is secured with one of those odd sticky pads that are very secure but can be pulled off and respositioned easily.

Cable dropped down hole under the tray (I think all the holes underneath are for heat ventilation within the dash? and into the centre storage box where I could connect to an ignition signal wire, plus a ground, so the unit goes on and off with the key.

A Closer view ...

So on the left GPS info giving Speed in MPH and Location co-ordinates.
On the right is a Compass.
In the middle are the inclinometers for side to side and fore and aft. I am thinking these could be handy for approximate levelling? The numbers above I think is a digital version of the analog graphical display (it has been so long since last powered up I can't remember!)
Then at the bottom you have Altimeter, Time of Day and the Battery Voltage (starter battery in this case).
How useful this will prove to be I really don't know but I like the look of it


There is a different model that you connect to the EOBD port and can display engine info. This unit has an RJ45 labelled EODB, but I think that is just because the two units use the same shell.