Although interesting mods, many of us haven't had a chance to understand some mods made by our
Casita Compatriot in Japan, Mr. Aki. I noted with interest that space is at a premium where he lives and therefore, presents an interesting challenge to store, manage and maneuver the
Casita. I ommitted some for the sake of saving time.
I'll try my luck at translating these mods now...:) (Mind you that machine translation is still in it's infancy so its just going to be sort of show and tell). I used a conversion rate of 100 yen to the dollar.
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Oil-filled Panel heater (works at 100v) bought from local home center in his neighborhood. 100V and 350 watts for both. About $30 for the first one, $40.00 for the second
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9b7e81d249panel.jpg/>
Another oil-filled electric radiator (Bill's note: these are made and
sold by DeLonghi Inc. in the US).
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9b9cfaaa0fpanel02.jpg/>
Indicator for OUTSIDE/INSIDE Temperature. Works on 12V. $27.00 about
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9b8af30bc5ondokei.jpg/>
Small UK-made Fire extinguisher installed next to the A/C indoors. $18.00
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9b8c6a19f1shokaki.jpg/>
Ten inch Funai Brand Combo VCR/TV. $128.00. 5 Kgs or 11 Ibs
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9b8d4871d8tv03.jpg/>
Handy way to pack silverware. Came in a package like this. $8.00
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9b8de80088buki.jpg/>
Over-priced Barometer/Hygrometer bought from the Tokyu Chain of stores. His words not mine.$78.00
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9b8ea45bb8kiatsu.jpg/>
Lever-Implement found, larger wheels swapped. He calls it a monocycle wheel -- to maneuver the hitch tongue by leverage. $23.00 for the wheels .
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9be3a2330b1.jpg/>
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9be45873542.jpg/>
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9be4e549193.jpg/>
50ft. Hosereel from Campingworld.com in the USA ($39.98) and also a quickconnect ($6.95) for the waterhose (Japanese hose connections are different from the USA.)
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9bf78179cbhosereel.jpg/>
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9bf89a5a60quickconect.jpg/>
Interesting way to draw up the
Casita onto an inclined driveway using a winch on the bumper and an anchor on the driveway. Winch model T1500 bought from Northerntools.com in the USA $129.00 plus $30.00 shipping to Japan. Winch secured to bumper using a 3mm rubber pad and bolts.
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9c025e422awinch.jpg/>
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9c043b407c020405anchor.jpg/>
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9c057d6101020404winch.jpg/>
The concrete bolts were driven in using a HILTI (borrowed from work).
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9c0637ca5b020405hilti.jpg/>
The flooring was changed from carpeting to Wood flooring and a heated carpet runner was laid loosely on top of it. Brand is National (of panasonic fame) (100V/200watts). Nice and warm to walk on. $168.00 about.
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9c0e33b613hotcarpet.jpg/>
<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3eb9c0ec232ffhotcarpet2.jpg/>
Last but not least, a quicktime (QTVR) virtual reality show of the whole interior.
http://www.papapaddler.com/trailer/quickti...timecasita.html
Bill's note: When inputting text for the post I noticed weird things happen when you put ! or ? right after a ). This site has some quirks which I'm still trying to figure out. :)