Thread: Homestar's new home?

Somebody has done a good job on the start of the paint removal.

Nice looking driveway too.

that axle swapunder has really made a difference,, thats looks factory!

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

that axle swapunder has really made a difference,, thats looks factory!

It is factory. I haven't touched the axles or suspension other than fit electric brakes to the front axle.

So a bit more done - have bought the 12 volt system into the 21st century with a new lithium battery and some shiny new Victron bits - a solar controller and a battery monitoring system so I can see what the new battery is up to.

Out with the old - 400Ah of deep cycle batteries weighing in at over 120kg, and the old PWM charge controller.
371AE7A8-7DD4-4001-A504-152C6DB6896D by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr
40451360-3949-43CE-855D-76AA99E67296 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr

In with the new - 100Ah Lithium weighing in at 15Kg - For those that don’t know, the Lithium’s capacity can be fully utilised whereas the lead acid batteries are good for around half their stated capacity depending on how you discharge them, worse than that if you hit them hard. The Lithium’s discharge is also linear no matter what load is applied.
7405E377-6345-47B7-9DC5-01974C1FD9E5 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr

Solar panels yet to be connected - am waiting on an isolator to show up for this.
BA204D9B-BD62-46A0-A2FA-05F1DA04F9F5 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr

Easy to read display with everything I need then some.
D8FA3284-05E7-4305-9702-AC9557988745 by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr

And it connects via Bluetooth to an app - can’t see me using this while camping but it does display trends and graphs etc so something to look over after a trip to see what’s been going on.
1AA80BF0-3F21-4389-B48C-9D41808C9E0B by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr

I'll bet that you will use it. It's much more interesting than TV. Good system by the way.

Thanks - I’m not a fan of phones to be honest and it would be in the car somewhere turned off when camping - I only have a work phone so don’t want that anywhere near me on the weekends. 😉

Originally Posted by Homestar

Thanks - I’m not a fan of phones to be honest

You will quickly change your mind.

I too hate mobile phones but as more and more apps come along, my phone is now getting a hammering, and I still try not to use it as a phone.

So I’ve spent the last 2 weekends in the van - 7 nights in total. New power system is doing the job admirably and I’ve got no concerns with its long term suitably. Having run everything I need to including the heater for several hours on a few cool nights, the battery is more than up to the task. Main load is the 90 litre Engel fridge and lighting. Even on overcast days the solar controller is dropping to float mode well before lunch. Even with warner temps when the fridge will work harder I have no doubt it will keep up.

Shower cubicle is also water tight and operating now although final panelling is to be completed. Will need to upgrade the size of the water tank but I knew that already.

Overall very happy. Having thoughts on changing the double bed as well now, but I’ll probably sort that after I finish the exterior. That’s probably the next thing - finishing the window replacement and repainting it. 👍