Maintenance & Restoration

itlives · 02-07-2017, 08:16 PM

Apparently there have been several fans on this camper in its life. I fixed the holes with resin and tooth picks.
The clamps on the far side are holding the frame up as some fiberglass and mat set. The frame was loose. It's not anymore!

itlives · 02-07-2017, 08:23 PM

There was LOTS of sealers on the fan and solar panel. Very nasty. I got it all cleaned up.

itlives · 02-07-2017, 08:29 PM

Got the nasty cleaned up and gone. Fiberglassed the old solar panel mounting holes. I took advantage of an 80f February day and got some primer on it.

I felt so good about my progress in the dead of (Louisiana) winter, I ordered a Maxxaire fan and a new 40watt solar panel.
If anyone else wants a replacement solar panel the measurements I used were 18" x 30 ". The original was around 12"x 24". The makes it around a
20 - 30 watt , I think. I'm sure someone has the original spec.

itlives · 02-13-2017, 06:00 PM

Had some unusually warm weather for Feb - even in Louisiana- 80+. So, I painted where the new solar panel and fan will go.

itlives · 02-13-2017, 06:09 PM

I got this solar panel kit -
COMPLETE KIT SuperBlack 40w 40 Watts Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit 12v Battery | eBay
It was $2 a watt which is 2 X what I would pay for most panels. But, it came with a charge controller , brackets and was the size I wanted. It looks great in place and the brackets just barely clear the raised area for the fan and the center rib. I put a rubber washer under each bracket and a dab of silicone on the bottom of the screw head.
The pictures show the clearance.

itlives · 02-13-2017, 06:19 PM

I'm going to rewire the whole trailer. This was the first wires to be replaced. Here's a tip - DON'T cut the old wire so short you can't grab it!. The picture is of a Harbor Freight flexible dryer vent cleaner the I cut the brush off of - a homemade snake . It went through fairly easy but that was after I tried with a stiff wire for about 30 minutes.

The proper thing to do is tape the old wires to the new and gently persuade (pull) them through the body.

itlives · 02-13-2017, 06:29 PM

As I was cleaning the old contact cement off the roof, I noticed I could actually see through some pin holes. That's the light spot. I put a layer of resin and mat on it and will finish off any imperfections from the top side when I paint. The black spot is mold. That's what got me looking closely in the first place.

itlives · 02-21-2017, 05:56 PM

These pics are of the front shelf under the front window. It's where the bunk bed hinges would be....if there was one. The holes (and nut inserts) were worn out.

itlives · 02-21-2017, 06:03 PM

In the previous pics you can see where I cut off the lip (where the clamps are). I did it so I can take the bow out of the front. It will be a lot easier to find a flat replacement than a bowed one.
In these pics I ground off all the gel coat and re-fiberglassed the shelf and lip back together. I clamped it to the camper with a straight board. I think it'll work just fine.

itlives · 02-21-2017, 06:12 PM

Here's a side view with board clamped to the body.

itlives · 02-21-2017, 06:17 PM

Forgot to mention I got my Maxxair fan in and mounted. It is super quiet on low and has 4 speeds. I got a no frills fan. I don't need another remote to lose. A reverse would have been nice but that's what $65 delivered gets you.

itlives · 02-21-2017, 06:20 PM

Fan fit great. The trim ring, not so much. I have since painted it white and it would look ok once the ceiling is up but I'm thinking of making a wooden on and painting it.

itlives · 02-21-2017, 06:22 PM

This monster is hideous to me. It has to go.

itlives · 02-21-2017, 06:26 PM

There, that's better. Thank you Harbor Freight and your cheap 4"angle grinder. Second pic - I cut the tower so I could bend over one side and resend it- making it strong again. Got to go next door a borrow back my welder. I'm going to put a carrier rack there.

itlives · 03-03-2017, 08:11 PM

I'm taking the bow (curve) out of the front window frame. I'm going to put a Scamp window in and it needs to be flat.

itlives · 03-03-2017, 08:15 PM

I like when the primer goes on. Not too long after that, PAINT!

itlives · 03-03-2017, 08:17 PM

Going to be rewiring this weekend. Figuring out what previous owner (s) thought was a good idea is always fun.....

itlives · 05-03-2017, 05:23 PM

Been sidetracked with other life things. I have been making good head way though. I replaced the old solar technolo gym with a new charge controller. The new solar panel charges even under the silver tarp.