Sophia's Hauler...

[galladanb]

I should tell you how frustrated I am, but I won't...

I could tell you how the 2/0 cable just mushrooms or
fans out as soon as you take the jacket off, but I won't...

I could tell you of the high freakin cost of buying the
wrong cable length by missing it by one freaking inch...
Yes, I measured, but that fat cable don't bend well...
But I won't...

I can tell you that I'm taking tonight off, but DONT ASK!

Don't worry, I'm good, just having a couple of those days, back to back...

Such Fun!

 

[Gunny]

Do you ever just look at all those wires and cables and go "What the Hell?".

I would be so lost that a search party couldn't find me. Congratulations on your progress, looks good.

Rob

 

[galladanb]

I do! And often!
I feel sorry for my sweet wife of 41 years.
She has to put up with all of my self generated stress and bs...

And it does not help when I come in with that vacant look... Ya know?

Anyway, I'll get thru this, but I swear I'm having way to many of those moments.

They say what does not kill, strengthens...

 

[Gunny]

Well, you built Air Force One, I guess this sort of thing is easy to you. My biggest build was a large fighting hole with sandbags and runway links.

Seriously though, well done.

Rob

 

[galladanb]

Holy WHAT???? I actually got something done today! Can you believe it? 

Found this class III hitch on Craigslist for $40 bucks and I just finished installing it!
By myself too!!!!! Woot!

SUCH FUN!!!!!!!!

 

[highdesertranger]

good job. retorque the mounting hardware after 50 miles of towing. highdesertranger

 

[dr_nelson]

I should tell you how frustrated I am, but I won't...

(...)

I totally hear you!!!
Keep truckin'

 

[Dennis]

You must have been the first to see the hitch for sale. Or first to call. I like those kind of deals.

 

[galladanb]

HDR, will do! Good advice!

I torqued them to 55lbs, does that sound about right for 3/4 inch nuts?

Also noticed there were some wires down there tucked into the chassis beam box.
They seemed to have four or five wires in each, (I think...?) in a flat female type quick connector.
Like side by side, two connectors of four or five....? Kinda goofy...

I was expecting four or six, right?

Such Fun!

 

[masterplumber]

Most factory trailer wiring has a flat 4 unless you have the towing package with trailer brakes. Then its usually a round 7 pin to include 12v power, ground, and trailer brakes. If you google it you can usually find the color code for your vehicle making it easy to wire the trailer. Also google trailer wiring so you make it standard so you can occasionally tow someone else's trailer without redoing the wiring.

 

[galladanb]

Good advice, masterp!

These connectors don't look like any of those.
I'll try to get a picture later today... I'm gonna be on wifey duty today...

 

[highdesertranger]

I posted up a link to all the connectors and their wire diagrams here, https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-trailer-electrical-connections . highdesertranger

 

[galladanb]

Just added a Chassis to Body grounding pass thru thingie,
so that I can have full contact grounds accessible from the inside...

Here's a few images for ya...

 

[galladanb]

IT'S ALIVE!!!

Almost three months of buying stuff, agonizing over what to get, where to put it, how will it all work together...
All of that design paralysis, Done...



It's Alive! Our little van project is finally alive.
The inverter / charger is running, I have 12 v power to the outlets, the fan is running,
OHHHH MY, finally!

Well, It's functional anyway, I still need to go back in and make the final placements,
add some beauty panels, and bolt everything down to make it road worthy, but the 12v and 110AC systems are powered up!

I still need to add the line for the solenoid cutoff, and of course the solar system, but today was a major step!!!!!!!

SUCH FUN!!!

 

[galladanb]

More images of the chaos that is not yet finished,
but most of the van's electrical systems are finally up and running...

Well, limping along actually... LOL!

Inverter / charger cutoff switch...


Wiring chaos behind the curtains...


12v Distribution panel cutoff switch...


Looking down towards the Inverter /charger and grounding buss bar...


Battery bay, still needs a good hold-down system...

 

[ArtW]

nice! got it functional!

 

[galladanb]

Wiring Perfection?

NAILED IT!

 

[Ballenxj]

From what I see, you're doing one bang up job! Nice.

 

[AbuelaLoca]

Looks fantastic! Congrats!!

 

[galladanb]

Lately, I've been slacking, big time...

Two days ago I managed to get the electrical systems up to about 95%.
I have some last minute buttoning up to do, panels to complete, and wiring cleanup to do.
I still need to complete the lighting, or at least decide on placement of each...

I would like to start the insulation as well as finish wall and ceiling boards by next week.

Then there is the bed and cushions, and oh yeah the cabinets!

I keep saying to myself, one thing after another, just keep going...

I do find myself losing steam, and the get up an go seems to have gone...
Not giving up, no way, just a continued sense of overwhelm...

Thank you all for the encouragement and following me on this wild and crazy journey!!!