Preparing a 1991 Scamp 16

[jwcolby54]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Jim,

Here's the link. If you do a search on Amazon you'll see it comes in different lengths.

Amazon.com: LED Bar Light - Pivoting, Water proof, 18" Lamp, 12 Volt DC LED courtesy convenience lamp, 18" with on/off switch: Home Improvement

.18A, that's just amazing! Count me in!

[honda03842]

Mine came without instructions. Mounting consists of removing the end caps, they slide off to the right and left. After that it simply takes 2 screws to mount it, a 3rd hole is required for the wires.

[jwcolby54]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Chinks in the armor.

In NL we found that flying creatures of the night could get in. One weak link is rhe rear sliding window. When open there's a gap between the sliding window and the screen. I added a piece of foam to the middle edge of the screen closing the gap.

I get so many bugs in that way. In my 2009 Scamp there is actually a piece of foam on the back of the screen frame, but that frame bows slightly it seems.

I am a camp host and like to leave the porch light on for wayward campers. That attracts a zillion tiny little gnat like thingies, and then they like the bright light over the sink... and from there they worm their way in that window over the sink.

The other problem I have is that the screens slide very easily. On more than one occasion I have unintentionally opened the screen a crack, then they just flood in. I'm thinking of using a small dab of silicon sealant (close your eyes Donna) to form a little something to prevent the screen from opening unless I INTEND it to open.

BTW a trick I learned...

I have a little trailer size vacuum. I set the fan to exhaust (out), set it on high, turn off all the interior lights, then use a led flashlight as a "lure" to attract flying thingies to the flashlight. I hold the light right under the screen, on the far side from the pests. As they fly towards the flashlight, they fly under the screen and the fan sucks them up to the screen. I must have cleared a hundred bugs in five minutes that way the other night. When I have "trapped" them all, I get the vacuum and vacuum them off the screen.

It is oddly satisfying to watch them fly to the light... and their impending doom!

[jwcolby54]

Originally Posted by honda03842

USB AC Outlets

Just bought 3 of these for our Scamp. One each in the anglrd face of the each dinette and one in the couch.

Our son has installed a similar product from Lowes that works well.

U-Socket 15 Amp Standard Tamper Resistant Duplex AC Wall Outlet - White with Built-in USB Charger Ports-ACE-7837 at The Home Depot

Have you installed them yet? The box for the existing outlets looks maybe too small for these thing.

[honda03842]

JWC,

I haven't received my AC outlets yet but I understand they fit in a normal outlet box, though tightly. They may not fit in the Scamp standard outlet boxes. My intent is to install them in 3 locations where I have installed outlets. I will let you know if they fit in the Lowes standard boxes.

We usually only get a mosquito or two in our trailer. I think they mostly come in via "leaks" like the gap in the back window or on us when we come in. Over our ownership I've continually looked for these places where they can sneak in, like the fridge vent and have sealed them off.

We don't seem to get the little flies, maybe because we don't turn on an outside light except when unlocking the door. As to the vacuum we've used one to clean up some flies after an infestation at home, could suck them right out of the air.

On the road we use a 'crumb sweeper' on the floor. We also have two throw rugs, one at the door and one at the sink that catch a lot. The floor is pretty much my job.

We basically never slide our screens however if it were a problem I might consider using a small piece of soft foam insulation and just jam it under the end.

[cpaharley2008]

I found out that these can only charge one IPAd at a time, the 2.0 amp is for both usb ports combined, if you use one, the other is reduced.

[jwcolby54]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I found out that these can only charge one IPAd at a time, the 2.0 amp is for both usb ports combined, if you use one, the other is reduced.

That's pretty typical. However the "spec" says .5A so having 2.1 amps to split between two devices is way better than that. And if you happen to only have a single device plugged in that one gets the full thing.

I have found a dual waterproof usb outlet, designed for marine uses.

Amazon.com: Blue Sea Dual USB Charger Socket - 2 USB Ports w/Watertight Cap: Sports & Outdoors

My only issue is that it is black, but I am thinking of going with that. One on either side next to the AC outlets. ATM I have a dual usb charger plugged into the 12V socket which works just fine but it does tie up the one and only 12V outlet.

[honda03842]

Mark asked for some pictures of our bumper brackets.

Here's a couple of pictures of our brackets. These shelf brackets are available everywhere. I believe the arms are about 18 x 10". As you can see they are bolted to the trailer's bumper and mounted flat to the top surface of the bumper. I cut the short arm of the bracket and drilled a second mounting hole near the bottom of the cut arm of the bracket.

I have mounted three of these brackets.




End view of a bracket. Note I have two plastic fence posts mounted below our bumper box. They are supported from the same brackets. Screws for them go thru the bottom of the bumper box, bracket and post.

As well as being supported by the 3 brackets, the bumper box is screwed to the bumper in its rear corners. The fact that the back of the bumper box is behind the spare also keeps it in place. The installation is pretty rugged now in year 6.




This shows where the front of the bracket comes under the box. (In retrospect it's har to see but the front of the bracket is just under the right corner of the box. Screws go thru the bumper box and the bracket at the rear and front of the box. There are 3 brackets, one at each of the outside edges and the third in the center.





This looking up at the bracket from underneath with the bumper at the top of the picture. You can see 3 bolts holding the bracket to the bumper.

If there's something else, please ask.

[Mcmarkrazz]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Mark asked for some pictures of our bumper brackets.

Here's a couple of pictures of our brackets. These shelf brackets are available everywhere. I believe the arms are about 18 x 10". As you can see they are bolted to the trailer's bumper and mounted flat to the top surface of the bumper. I cut the short arm of the bracket and drilled a second mounting hole near the bottom of the cut arm of the bracket.

I have mounted three of these brackets.


Attachment 64083

End view of a bracket. Note I have two plastic fence posts mounted below our bumper box. They are supported from the same brackets. Screws for them go thru the bottom of the bumper box, bracket and post.

As well as being supported by the 3 brackets, the bumper box is screwed to the bumper in its rear corners. The fact that the back of the bumper box is behind the spare also keeps it in place. The installation is pretty rugged now in year 6.


Attachment 64084

This shows where the front of the bracket comes under the box. (In retrospect it's har to see but the front of the bracket is just under the right corner of the box. Screws go thru the bumper box and the bracket at the rear and front of the box. There are 3 brackets, one at each of the outside edges and the third in the center.



Attachment 64085

This looking up at the bracket from underneath with the bumper at the top of the picture. You can see 3 bolts holding the bracket to the bumper.

If there's something else, please ask.

Ty my freind and im hoping the weather has gotten a little better for you all

[honda03842]

We had a break today with cooler weather expected.

Thanks for the thought.

[SharonM]

hey norm -- well, the place you got your flexible solar panel(s) from is gone (defunct?). I was going to buy them also. Oh well. Looking everywhere now for same basic panels. Sigh.

Sharon

[kenl]

If you find those flexible solar panels, please post the information. I had the site bookmarked and it was going to be my next purchase (damn). I just ordered the LED bulbs per Norm's recommendation and solar charging was my next project.

Ken

[honda03842]

Ken and Sharon,

I went to the site and also found it gone. I'll do a more intensive search in the morning.

[honda03842]

Ken and Sharon,

I have no experience with the following company though their panels seem similar and less expensive.

semi-flexible solar panel - eco-worthy solar panel online shop

[honda03842]

AC/USB OUTLETS

I'm installing 3 of these outlets, one in the front corner of each dinette.

Began by outlining the hole with blue tape to guide and protect.



The outlet box has wings that tighten against the back side of the fiberglass when front screws are tightened. One wing standing up in picture.



The outlet is larger than a normal outlet but easily fits in the box. Shown with a normal outlet.



Finished product.

[D Davis]

Luxurious Norm! Good call on the install.

[honda03842]

Left out one picture.




As well I've used it to charge my Nook.

[Andrew Morris]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Ken and Sharon,

I have no experience with the following company though their panels seem similar and less expensive.

semi-flexible solar panel - eco-worthy solar panel online shop

I too have followed much of Norm's advise and installation ideas, with great satisfaction!

Earlier this year I installed 2 x 50 watt flexible solar panels (I chose 2 panels wired in parallel, rather than a single 100 watt panel in order to have better performance in partial shade). The original company that Norm purchased from is out of business, I called them earlier this year and the previous owner confirmed they are no longer deal in solar. The panels that I ended up purchasing are flexible monocrystalline ones from Discount Solar (Semi-Flexible 50 Watt Solar Panel 12V High Efficiency Sunpower), purchased through their eBay store:

discountsolar | eBay


They have performed flawlessly, in combination with a Morningstar Tristar-45 charge controller (Morningstar Corporation » TriStar)


It is basically the same style install as the one done by Norm. You can see some pictures in my registry.

Andrew

[honda03842]

Thanks Andrew.
I installed the last two outlets. The second in the water tank dinette and the third in the end of the stove side counter. The stove side outlet was a 22 year old original and too small so I replaced it with a blue box.


Corner of dinette


End of stove counter with Nook Charging. Actually fully charged the Nook last night. Found it also charges our 7" Samsung pad as well.

[cpaharley2008]

you have to be hooked up to 120v for these chargers to work, correct? If not hooked up you will still need the 12v adapter USB charger, correct?