Ackidge's Adventures

[Ackidge]

I am in the process of converting a 2013 Transit connect to a RV.  It will be very basic. Refrigeration, bed, storage, and space to put my bike in while traveling.

The layout will be bed across the back with a pull out extension so it will be 6' long & 38" wide. Folding mattress for couch/bed area.  Not doing anything about interior water.  I had a class B for 4 years & never used the water in it.

I have ordered a Dometic refrigerator, but honestly have not figured out electrical.  I  will NOT be living in it full time and will be at a campground with electrical hook ups most of the time.  That being said, I know I need to figure out some kind of battery system.  Preferably within a $500 budget.  Any suggestions?  I have absolutely ZERO understanding of electrical systems.

 

[BradKW]

A couple good Transit Connect conversions you might like to look at:

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-My-2010-Ford-Transit-Connect-conversion?highlight=transit+connect

 

[Ackidge]

I have seen those. I am amazed at some of these conversions. Since the Transit only has 48" between wheel wells the side bed configuration doesn't really work for me. I need at least 24" just for my bike. There was a local RV place that was going to help me with the electrical & then they changed their minds. So for now I will just be running an extension cord.

 

[Ackidge]

Just trying to add some pictures of my progress.  My folding mattress arrived today. So I could sleep in the van now if I wanted to, although still a bit chilly here in MA.

 

[highdesertranger]

what model refrigerator? what else to you plan to run off electricity? how do you plan on recharging your house battery? are you planning on solar or just charging via the alternator? highdesertranger

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

Hi neighbor, I'm in Plymouth, Ma

 

[Ackidge]

what model refrigerator?  what else to you plan to run off electricity?  how do you plan on recharging your house battery?  are you planning on solar or just charging via the alternator?  highdesertranger

I have a Dometic CFX28 on order.  The only other electrical needs will be occasional phone/tablet charging & my portable dvd player.  Maybe a light.
I am woefully naive about the electrical systems.  I will be using this for recreational camping and 75% time I am at a campground where I plug in.  Thinking about cutting hole in side of van & have a electrical hatch installed so I can run an extension cord. Run off car battery while driving.  I know I need to do something about a house battery & was looking at a GoalZero Yeti400 & would recharge when I am plugged it.  But not sure if the battery is strong enough to keep fridge charged for a couple of days when I am not plugged in.

I'd love to hear any opinions as you all have 100% more knowledge about this stuff than I do!

 

[Ackidge]

Hi neighbor,  I'm in Plymouth, Ma

Hi back!   I wish the warmer weather would hurry up & get here!  Road trip up to Kennebunkport planned for Memorial Day weekend.

 

[rvpopeye]

Have fun in K Bunkpt
You will have plenty of company on MD weekend !

 

[masterplumber]

Looks like a good start. Just my opinion, but I think Goal Zero products are overpriced for what they are. That said, if you don't have the knowledge/ time/ experience to build a small system yourself, they are a good alternative. National Luna used to have a similar system that was built even better, but also even more expensive.

I looked up the specs for the fridge and Yeti 400. The fridge draws roughly .5 amp hour depending upon ambient temperature. I assume this is once it's at the set temperature, So you'll want to plug it in to 110 volt at home before leaving to get it cold first. The Yeti 400 has a 33 Amp Hour battery, so in theory if you had no other electrical draws you could run the fridge for 16.5 hours without recharging. You never want to drain a battery past 50% capacity as it will greatly reduce the life of the battery. The good news is the Yeti 400 is designed for solar to be plugged right into it, so you could buy one of their panels, or a Renogy 100 watt suitcase model and set it up during the day to charge the power supply. That way you wouldn't have to permanently install all this in your van, and could move it to another vehicle, or even a tent at a campsite, if your future needs changed. I would recommend having someone run a dedicated power line from your vehicle charging system to where you want to plug in the Yeti. The cigarette plug just won't carry enough current to properly charge the Yeti.

 

[Ackidge]

There is a cigarette type plug in the back of the van....would that work for running the fridge while driving?

 

[masterplumber]

While not ideal, it would probably work for the fridge. But I'm sure it wouldn't be enough to charge the Yeti. A dedicated line run in the largest wire practical would deliver more power to the back, therefore making it more efficient. Vehicle manufactures put those plugs in as a selling point, but I've never seen one wired with very heavy gauge wire. The longer the distance the more important that is, as the resistance in the wire causes power loss. Then there is the issue of the plug itself. Cigarette lighter plugs are fine for small draws like phone chargers etc. But when the fridge cycles on, or the Yeti needs a charge, an Anderson Power Pole connector will be able to transfer much more current with much less heat build up. While usually it's just an inconvenience, there are actually several vehicle fires each year attributed to cigarette lighter type plugs catching on fire - most are attached to a cheap Chinese product that was wired with to small of wiring for the amp draw to begin with.
http://www.amazon.com/Anderson-Powe...sr=8-3&keywords=anderson+power+pole+connector

 

[Ackidge]

I was thinking if the Yeti could run the fridge for a couple of days when I am not plugged in, then I could recharge it when I am plugged in. I am at campgrounds with electrical most of the time & those times I would just run an extension cord to plug fridge in directly.

 

[masterplumber]

That could work. Especially in the beginning. I find that as people get further into traveling, they get tired of planning around electrical availability. Or even worse, like me, they have to go buy ice every few days to a week max. If you head west and find a nice place to boondock in the forest you probably won't want to role up after a couple days and go find power. The good thing about your set up is it's expandable, so you can add some solar panels to keep the Yeti charged, and in turn keep the fridge cool.

 

[Ackidge]

Progress on my conversion.  My Dometic fridge was on perpetual backorder so ended up with a Norcold.  Still don't have the electrical part figured out yet, but I'll get there.

I have built my bed.  Goes across back & is 3' deep. then There is another 3' deep 38" wide piece of plywood I pull forward to make a full twin size bed.  The extension rests on a box that will eventually be a small storage area.  When the bed is in the stowed position, my bicycle fits in behind the seats for travel.  

I still need to build some shelving on one side, but happy with how it is coming out.

 

[ArtW]

well that a pretty clever bed setup, good work

 

[BobBski]

Looking good

 

[Ackidge]

I built the side shelves today.  I am feeling really good about all I have gotten done !

 

[masterplumber]

Looks like it's coming along. These Transit Connects are really starting to grow on me. I just towed my cargo trailer 600+ miles round trip with my work truck to spend a couple nights visiting a friend. I think one of these would be just about ideal for one person and much more efficient. I wonder if anyone has come up with a small suspension lift to fit slightly larger tires yet? I'd definitely need some rough road capacity even if I didn't have 4 wheel drive.

 

[Ackidge]

Looks like it's coming along. These Transit Connects are really starting to grow on me. I just towed my cargo trailer 600+ miles round trip with my work truck to spend a couple nights visiting a friend. I think one of these would be just about ideal for one person and much more efficient. I wonder if anyone has come up with a small suspension lift to fit slightly larger tires yet? I'd definitely need some rough road capacity even if I didn't have 4 wheel drive.

They are pretty low. I slept in it this past weekend & it was comfortable.  I have to get some more efficient storage bins for the shelves, but I am really liking it.