[jonsobi]

I did not put any caulking on the back. That might have been an oversight from too many rainless months in Arizona!

I did try placing the plywood into the side grooves, but it seemed too tight a fit. The power windows move very quickly and can jam hard. Would not want my wife to lose a finger! I finally decided on the top only insert, and a tight side cut fit. Some wiggle room at the bottom is more forgiving, and my simple turn latch has about a 3/4" catch margin.

One thing I found wierd was the odd angle of the sides vs top of the windows. It gives the oblong grill a different look from the outside as the angle does not flow with the van lines.

It works though!!

 

[RandomJoe]

I was thinking about making some screens like this and wondered how the power windows work. Will they stop when they hit an obstruction if you accidentally hit the "full close" part of the switch? (Er... I'm assuming here that the Transit does that - slightly press the window switch and it runs as long as you hold it, fully press the switch and you can let go while the window goes fully open / closed.)

I'd hate to slip up, hit the "full closed" switch, then break something... Probably the most expensive part in the door, knowing my luck...

 

[hammerhome]

Nice

 

[orton]

Still trying to avoid that jigsaw on my tin roof!

The only problem is the first hole. After that it is easy.

A 14" square hole vent does work very well with a hole in the floor but the floor is another hole that is easy after the first cut!

 

[jonsobi]

Cutting my roof will be postponed, like doing my taxes, until I know it just has to get done.

 

[jonsobi]

I was thinking about making some screens like this and wondered how the power windows work. Will they stop when they hit an obstruction if you accidentally hit the "full close" part of the switch? (Er... I'm assuming here that the Transit does that - slightly press the window switch and it runs as long as you hold it, fully press the switch and you can let go while the window goes fully open / closed.)

I'd hate to slip up, hit the "full closed" switch, then break something... Probably the most expensive part in the door, knowing my luck...

The one-touch-up PW feature does have a safety cutoff (no pun intended) if something gets jammed. I tried it 5 mins ago using a replica of my wife's finger and took a short video.

https://goo.gl/photos/avYqC7RnSgLGW9e68

 

[jonsobi]

Loaded for 30-Day Touring.... and Hauling

We are all loaded for the trip home tomorrow. The pack went well. Took some extra time fitting the quilting machine, keyboard stand, amp, and chair, power tools, hand tools, and hardware all under the bed head, and in two stacked totes behind the fridge. The mountain bike is in its normal spot. The keyboard sits on top of the totes during the day, and is the only thing moved (to the drivers seat) at bedtime. The bed drops down and is usable in 1 minute.

I turned the chest fridge forward-facing to optimize access in this mode. It is accessible with bed down. I also added a vented board barrier to contain stored items abaft. The galley-alley is clear but for the pooch mat, and counter space is clear. Access to the PP is as before. The his-her backpacks are stowed up for travel, but can be relocated to the rear when lounging to free up a second counter top.

We are glad to have the versatility to tour and haul at the same time. We simply could not have done this, and with the MTB inside, in any of the New class Bs we looked at.

Will keep you posted as the trip unfolds.

 

[gmartens]

For $89 buck you can buy some like these, but they are smaller then these, I think:

http://www.eurocampers.com/2015--20...ransit-Full-Size-Van-Airvent-Cab-Window-Inserts-includes-both-sides_p_1716.html

Easier for us technically challenged folks.

 

[jonsobi]

Those look decent. Probably more custom look than my home mades!!

 

[jonsobi]

Three Weeks and 5000 Miles in The T-Pod 130

What an adventure journey! Five thousand miles of remarkable scenery and relaxing day-stops at some wonderful locations. Many great lay-overs in a variety of locations from scenic overlooks to friends and family driveways, several quiet residential streets, one Wall-Mart (non-24-hour), a small town Hospital parking lot, one $20 camping hotel with WI-FI, showers and laundry, a community Fair Ground with mountain views, and a couple of nights in motels to catch up on laundry and showers.

Route: Arizona-Nevada-Idaho-Oregon-Vancouver-The Gulf Islands for a week. Then Whistler BC, Kamloops (Ford Problems), through the Rockies to Banff Alta, Calgary, Swift Current, Winnipeg, Thunder bay, Lake Superior coast to Sault Ste Marie, finally home to Ottawa.

Total satisfaction with the T-Pod Conversion. It really exceeded all our expectations. Can't really think of anything fundamental we would change. The plan to swivel the passenger seat will improve things when I figure out a design that retains the under-seat storage access.

The Ikea Queen mattress gave us good sleeps. The cross-ways bed was just long enough, so not recommended for anyone over 6'. The bed flips up and the mattress folds simply for great use of space. We used no heating system during the trip. The temps rarely got down to freezing outside, and were never uncomfortably cold enough inside to interrupt sleep. Cuddling was mandatory once or twice, but I'm good with that.>

There were a couple of days when we traveled with the bed made up. The spouse even slept for a couple of hours while I drove, at one point, due to 24 hour flue symptoms. Access to the fridge with the bed down involves kneeling, but its okay for the occasional use.

The potty use, storage, and access, was simple and exactly what one would expect from a portable device. It was emptied three times over three weeks using available Community Park dry outhouses, and a camping resort lavatory.

The 5 gallon fresh water jug was refilled only once, in the third week at my sister's Calgary home, and remains only half empty now, so water capacity is not lacking. The grey tank was emptied once using a length of fridge ice maker tube installed to siphon slowly under the T-pod as I drove.

The Coleman Triton two-burner, one-pounder system was a marvel of efficiency. We used one tank, and only started the second near the end of the trip. We used it mostly for coffee and eggs, usually on the drop-down shelf, once on a picnic table, and once inside at night. Do not like using it inside when buttoned up.

We bought an $8.00 Wall Mart small slow-cooker, and used it through the inverter several times to heat our lunch or supper as we drove. There are several brands of frozen bagged meals that are quite good quality. From frozen, they take 3-4 hours to heat. We prefer leaving them to thaw a bit in the fridge for a day and then they heat up in 2-3 hours. This was very popular with the spouse, as I did the prep and monitoring. Nice to be a hero once in a while.

I would not hesitate to try a trip such as this using only the factory dual batteries. At no time did the fridge or LED lights bring the triple AGMs anywhere near below 80% SOC. I never used the Noco Charger. There might have been one day on the whole trip that the van was not driven somewhere.

The four HD double-hooks I installed across from the slider door proved to be invaluable in a small space. There is always a need to hang a rucksack or extra coat or change of clothing. Very useful and practical. The full-length curtain rod across the upper cabinet above the sink was also excellent for hanging towels, toilet bags, dish cloths etc. Little improvements go a long way. We never actually needed the front window vents that I made. We simply cracked the front windows an inch or two each. This will change as evenings get warmer.

The Transit is an excellent fundamental platform for conversion purposes. I am now a huge fan of the 3.5EB/6 speed as a touring power plant combo. This engine moves a moderately loaded vehicle up a hill as if it were empty. No noise, no fuss; It needs to be experienced to be fully appreciated. We carried 1700 lbs of conversion and extra cargo, which is close to the max pay load of my last F150. Yet the Transit somehow never felt heavy or loaded. And there is still another 1500 Lbs capacity left. This can really matter on bad roads (Canada's #1 between Regina and Winnipeg is a disgrace). At times, hitting a bad dip or pothole at 65 mph I cringed waiting for the bottom-out. It never came. The Transit suspension absorbs trouble exceptionally well.

Fuel consumption from the dash computer, over three legs totaling 5000 miles, ranged from 17.4 to 18.9 MPG. Actual MPG would be 16.4 to 17.9 after accounting for known dash error. Speeds from 55 to 70 Mph, up and down the Rockies, and across the plains.

So there it is for now. I hope to post a link to some pics in the near future.

 

[orton]

Thanks for the review.

To reduce cuddling , you might try a DC heating pad. I have found that to work very well and has low power consumption. Mine has 7 heat levels and I have never used it higher than the # 2 setting. At the # 1 setting it uses about 1% of the 255 amp-hr house battery.

 

[foxharp]

sounds like a great trip! i'm having horrible visuals regarding starting that siphon, but presumably you've got that covered properly.

i've driven from boston to new mexico, and mileage was similar to yours. the dash seems to be perhaps 5% optimistic. as you say, that engine makes up for a lot of other sins. you don't even know you're in a 10 foot tall by 20 foot long behemoth.

i suspect we have the same ikea mattress (Malfors?). my wife and i agree that it may be the most comfortable mattress we've ever owned (we like 'em firm).

how big's your inverter? what fridge do you have? i'm sure these are in your thread, but i've forgotten.

 

[jonsobi]

I need to work on a better way to start the siphon!!

I believe it is a malfors, it's about 5" thick, and yes, firm. Cut 4" off the end, and trimmed the corners to fit cross ways.

The inverter is 1000w pure sine. Canadian tire brand, $180ish. Works well, runs the breville espresso machine and crock pot. The somewhat noticeable cooling fan activates as determined by power draw. It activates even when my laptop hard drive cycles!

I bought a whynter 45 qt freezer/fridge. US$350ish online from HD. It is an outstanding performer. Quiet, use as freezer or fridge. Switches automatically between 12/120v. Fast freeze function is no joke, probably faster than a home freezer. Good quality hardware. Flexible locations is a big bonus in a small van.

 

[foxharp]

how did you hook up the inverter -- multiple CCP points? and your charger -- permanently attached, or will you just alligator clip it when/if required?

i just have the dual batteries so far, and am slowly convincing myself that i can get away with just those. our needs are simple (sounds like we're similar in that way), so i think we probably can. i'm willing to install solar if need be, though in the northeast campsites are under full tree cover as often as not. i just need to do the full consumption/supply analysis, along with possible future additions (fridge? microwave?).

btw, you're the second person i've seen mention using the inverter for their espresso machine -- are stovetop espresso machines not practical on a camping stove, for some reason? i'm not a huge espresso guy, so boiling water and a filter or an aeropress solves my problem, but if i wanted espresso, i think i'd try and make it with propane. (or, rather, butane in my case.)

 

[jonsobi]

Third battery and inverter ganged to two CCPS. Inverter through a 100a ANL fuse. Noco charger hard wired. Fridge and LEDS available 24/7 from the third CCP thru a fuse box.

I am sure I could manage with the stock dual AGMs for our use. If you try this, it is important to be aware of voltages and SOC to avoid accidental discharge. I keep a plug-in meter front and center for constant monitoring. Pay attention to voltages in the morning before start-up. Even those can be misleading if the fridge compressor is active and Ford interior lights are on. The warning bar for me is 12.4v or less. But the critical no-start point is far far below that. In fact 12.2 is often considered the 50% SOC point. I have never come remotely close to that even after a 36 hour engine-off period with fridge, phone charging and lights.

The Coleman two burner stove can satisfy 100% of our needs. We regularly use a melita cone filter with some quality ground and a boiled kettle, aaaahhh!! The inverter is in the nice-to have category. Crock pot while we drive, laptop, low watt hair dryer, espresso. But none of these items are essential to getting out and seeing the world.

Some of the above may change in a hot humid summer. Fans running and fridge cycling more. We seldom travel in that period, but I will do so this summer and see what happens.

 

[foxharp]

just two CCPs for a 1000W inverter? 2 x 30A x 12.5V = 750W, which is quite a bit less than 1000. oh -- i guess the inverter is also pulling from the third battery at that point -- that's why it works. assuming the 2 CCPs and the battery provide equally, then 3 x 30 x 12.5 = 1125.

 

[jonsobi]

The CCPs are 2x60a = 120a. My third AGM is also connected to the 2 CCPs. A theoretical 100a inverter draw would take about 33a from each AGM. If the alternator is active at engine run, that would be another amp source at 14.4v.

None of the loads I use get much more than 750W. The crock is less, the Espresso is maybe 800W, the ceramic heater at low is 750. The inverter is quite sophisticated and will warn of low voltage or over-draw very quickly.

 

[foxharp]

jonsobi -- did you match your third battery to the original pair?

i'm thinking that simply adding a third battery, as long as i leave room, would be a nice fallback plan if just two batteries don't cut it for some reason.

 

[jonsobi]

Thanks for the review.

To reduce cuddling , you might try a DC heating pad. I have found that to work very well and has low power consumption. Mine has 7 heat levels and I have never used it higher than the # 2 setting. At the # 1 setting it uses about 1% of the 255 amp-hr house battery.

I have been keeping an eye out but not seen one up close yet. Seems like the perfect quiet solution.
Maybe for next winter.

 

[jonsobi]

jonsobi -- did you match your third battery to the original pair?

i'm thinking that simply adding a third battery, as long as i leave room, would be a nice fallback plan if just two batteries don't cut it for some reason.

Yes, I bought an identical Ford AGM and installed it right away as a three-battery single source for all electrics.

I am running out of pic capacity, but here is a link to a shot of my setup.

https://goo.gl/photos/KocAwxGDhoM3CVMf8

It doesn't show well on the pic, but there are two red #4s from the left side of the ANL fuse, connected to the two CCPS. The inverter is fed from the ANL fuse. The isolation switch is on the negative side, because a short length of 1ga was too hard to work with.

It has worked well. I can test the third battery voltage individually by opening the isolation switch.