Armed Polite Society

Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Grandpa Shooter on September 12, 2021, 09:47:02 PM

Title: This is what I do for fun....
Post by: Grandpa Shooter on September 12, 2021, 09:47:02 PM
When I am not in front of my computer, or bowling, I rebuild things.  We recently sold a truck bed camper I built, the 28 foot bumper pull we remodeled, the ambulance we converted and the slide in truck bed camper I bought and remodeled.  We didn't make any money on the sales, but it did keep my wife out of bed and busy.  Keeping her motivated has become my full time job since her cancer diagnosis in November of 2019.  This project is a Uhaul box truck with a Ford F350 chassis and V10 engine.  I took out the roll up door and build in a back wall with the lower portion storage doors, and window and AC unit above that.  The side door (RV style) has drop down height adjustable steps.  We framed out the entire inside and installed 2" R10 insulation foam board throughout.  The cabinets will get new custom doors and counter tops after being painted by my wife.  I am the builder, not the interior decorator.
Title: Re: This is what I do for fun....
Post by: Bogie on September 12, 2021, 10:11:29 PM
I'd probably go with a roof mounted unit, or two, with a breaker box to handle that... And... Have you considered doing buggies like that for folks who are into "I need my workshop along" stuff like Benchrest target shooting? Because, damn, if I hadn't fallen in love, and ended up living in my van down by the lake for a couple of years, and then clawing back, I'd be all over that.
 
We had a LOT of guys who would set up the enclosed cargo trailers, because they had the weight capacity...
Title: Re: This is what I do for fun....
Post by: Grandpa Shooter on September 12, 2021, 10:53:52 PM
This rig is being designed to be off grid friendly.  I have a 2000 watt inverter generator, and a 100 watt suitcase Renogy solar panel and 100 amp hour battery to go with it.  I will wire the unit from a land line plug to an converter out of a pop up camper, and run it through a switch to run off solar and battery so we have 120 and 12 volt available from the land line or from the generator and 120 and 12 volt off the solar and battery through a 2000 watt inverter.  I will add solar panels and another battery if needed, but not initially.  We will use propane for cooking and heating if off grid and carry a small electric heater if we are plugged in.  The idea is to keep it as simple as possible.  My wife says this is the learning curve for the bus she wants to convert.  I will hold out for a truck front bus.  I don't like the motor being part of the driver's compartment.  That small A/C unit is a 6,000 BTU high efficiency one with dehumidifier and fan settings, that will cool 250 square feet and we only have 8 by 14 to cool.  The roof is insulated with R 19 batts because I dropped the ceiling 5".  I can post before and after pics, but I seem to only be able to get 1 or 2 to load.
Title: Re: This is what I do for fun....
Post by: Bogie on September 12, 2021, 11:21:18 PM
Most car AC systems can run close to 20k BTUs... It's hard to deal with summer sun.
 
I like that thing, and I REALLY like the payload capacity that will be available.
Title: Re: This is what I do for fun....
Post by: Brad Johnson on September 12, 2021, 11:27:14 PM
Cool. Nice work!

Brad
Title: Re: This is what I do for fun....
Post by: Grandpa Shooter on September 13, 2021, 09:22:09 AM
Most car AC systems can run close to 20k BTUs... It's hard to deal with summer sun.
 
I like that thing, and I REALLY like the payload capacity that will be available.

Vehicles have crap for insulation and leak like crazy.  This thing has been sealed up tight.  The real trick is to go where it's cool in summer and warm in the winter.
Title: Re: This is what I do for fun....
Post by: K Frame on September 13, 2021, 09:30:22 AM
"Vehicles have crap for insulation and leak like crazy."

And massive solar gain potential with all of that glass. A car is basically a greenhouse.

I still miss the AC on my old Plymouth Sundance. Before it crapped out it was incredible. I could have hung a side of beef in there in the summer.