My Big Mod Day Part 2 (lotsa photos)

[naganthunter]

For those who have not seen part one, it can be found here:

My Big Mod Day (Part 1)

Although with over 1400 views, I think most HAVE seen it  

Here we go:

First up is the my Satellite TV system and DVD player.  The sat sytem is from Dish Network.  They have a program called "Dish Now" which is a no contracts, pay-as-you-go setup.  For more info on this program check here:

Dish Now!  Pay as you go

Here is the sat dish and tripod.  The tripod was purchased from Radio Shack for $15.  It did not have a mast, so I built one out of fencing pole, as it was the correct diameter.  I've used screws on the feet so I can level it up (important for finding the signal).  Not shown are the sand pads with holes drilled in the center for staking the tripod down, the grounding block, and grounding wire.  



This next photo shows the tripod folded up for travel.  The dish is in the camper:



The coax line goes into the side of the camper where I installed a weatherproof fitting.  I couldn't get it down with the other coax fitting without removing the furnace.



From there, it goes into the cabinent where I installed the Dish Network box and my DVD player.  I simply affixed everything with industrial velcro for the time being.  I also have an inverter stored in the cabinent for dry camping use of the sat box.



Directly above the cabinent shown in the last photo, I installed a 15" flip down TV monitor.  The monitor also has IR out for headphones, so you can watch TV without waking the others in the camper.  Unfortunately, there's no easy way to run the wires up to the roof in a pop-up...



Speakers are mounted under the "gaucho" bench, directly across from the TV.



That's it for the entertainment system.  Next post will show more inside mods.

For those who are wondering how much I spent on this, it really wasn't that much:

$69 for the sat dish, sat box, and wiring - Radio Shack Outlet store
$25 for the tripod (approx) $15 for the tripod + $10 for pole and screws
$75 for the DVD/CD/AM/FM deck - Millionbuy.com
$10 for the speakers - Millionbuy.com
$170 for the flip-down monitor - Millionbuy.com

I paid for this by selling off some of those frequent flyer miles  

[naganthunter]

Here's the rest...I couldn't post all these photos at once...

My temperature gauge from My Big Mod Day 1 already crapped out.  Had to put in a new one:



Here's the outdoor sensor:



I also installed a light over the cassette potty/shower.  I mounted it to the roof with screws.  I'd tried velcro on this at first, but it kept falling off.  After mounting the television to the roof, I felt more confident about screwing stuff into the ceiling without it messing something up.



Now exterior mods:

I installed 3 PVC tubes.  2 in the rear for grey water hoses, 1 for fresh water hoses.  1 of the grey water tubes and the fresh water tube each hold 35 feet of hose.  What I did was cut 5 hoses at 7 feet each and installed fittings on each hose.  This way, I only use the length of hose I need for both grey and fresh water - up to 35 feet which I hope will be adequate.  The other grey water tube holds the special connectors I built to run the shower and sink together into one line.





Reflectix for the bunkends:



It may be hard to make out in this photo, but I installed a "drip line" for my AC unit so it stops dripping all over the bunkend.  



So, that's it.  We are off to Big Bear this next weekend to try all of this new stuff out.  I'll report back as to how everything functioned!

Big Bear Campground

[prncssgeek]

Nice job! I may have to "borrow" some of those ideas! I especially like the PVC pipes.

[naganthunter]

Nice job! I may have to "borrow" some of those ideas! I especially like the PVC pipes.

I certainly can't take credit for the PVC pipes.  My only original idea regarding the PVC pipes was cutting the 7ft hoses to fit in there - at least I've not seen that anywhere else!!

[butterflyfish]

Nice job! I may have to "borrow" some of those ideas! I especially like the PVC pipes.

I agree I also love the PVC pipe idea!  Our hoses take up so much room!!!  Now to checkout your day 1 mod post...  

[naganthunter]

I agree I also love the PVC pipe idea!  Our hoses take up so much room!!!  Now to checkout your day 1 mod post...  

Yep - hoses take up A LOT of space.  My 15 foot hose was a pain.  I can't imagine what 35 ft of hose would have been like!  Also, my experience has been that no matter how much you hang them and shake them, the hoses always have left over water in them - which may end up in the camper.  I'd prefer to avoid that, especially with any type of grey water.

[PUJOBOB]

I would love more info on the a/c drip line.  We just got our Fleetwood Westlake and I really hate all the water that drips down.

[naganthunter]

I would love more info on the a/c drip line.  We just got our Fleetwood Westlake and I really hate all the water that drips down.

I used this product I found at CW:

EZE RV Gutter System

It installs with a very strong adhesive tape.  I then sealed the top edge up with some caulking to make sure that the water would not go underneath.  Make sure you have one high point in the middle with a slight downward incline on both sides of the high point so water doesn't sit in it.  I did take out the screws that were in the camper from the manufacturer, and set them thru the gutter with some silicone to seal out the water, and to hold it in place.

I extended the ends of it just enough to make it drip on the ground.  I figured I could also find some tubing to connect to it if needed to run it down to the ground and away from the camper...

[naganthunter]

Everything worked great!

The sat TV setup was easy to setup, once I got this little guy:



If you don't have this, then you have to deal with way too many variables to make it work.  You have to have the exact correct bearing to the south, the exact elevation, the "skew" or "turn" on the dish, AND it has to be level!  With this thing, all I needed was the skew, and then it was just hunt around for about 5 minutes until the signal was just right.

I really liked not having to mess around with 30 feet of hose when I only needed 10.  The 7 foot lengths of hose were easy to take out and hook up.  When it was time to put 'em away, it was easy to get the water out of it, and I didn't need to worry about it dripping on something in the camper.

The temp gauge was fun, as I got to see just how cold it was outside (got down to the high 20's) and how toasty it was inside!  



I'd say that the reflectix made a difference as to the interior temp as well.

That's it!!  I'm not sure what's next on the mod list, but I'll think of something....

[wavery]

Phwew.....I'm tired just reading about it.....think i'll go have a beer.

[naganthunter]

THIS CAMPER IS NOW FOR SALE!!!!!

http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?p=187171#post187171

[spicyville1]

THIS CAMPER IS NOW FOR SALE!!!!!

http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?p=187171#post187171

I am sorry to see that you have to sell the pup. You did a lot of mods to it that most of us may not be capable of doing. Whoever buys it will be one lucky camper!

[dkutz]

I would buy it in an instant if I had the $$ and could tow it with our TV.

Good luck

[naganthunter]

Thanks to all.  I appreciate it!