Can I still be a member if I go over to the dark side

Stone Stomper

Stone Stomper

Well-Known Member
Jul 2, 2011
388
336
63
Glenelg SA
www.stonestomper.com.au
The Wadamses said:
Question 2, if you're up for it...
The extra in-line mixer tap for shower
- How's it going? Has it made the difference that you'd hoped? Awesome, saves so much water as your not mucking around getting the right temp all the time and we even still use it when on mains Is there anything we can ask for to have the issue dealt with during the build process? You can fit this afterwards as it is just inline with the shower rose hose
I know nothing about water systems in caravans either, except what I want and how to use the end result, but if you're up for messing with the plumbing systems like this, you clearly have a wealth of clues I don't :encouragement:
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: The Wadamses
Stone Stomper

Stone Stomper

Well-Known Member
Jul 2, 2011
388
336
63
Glenelg SA
www.stonestomper.com.au
The Wadamses said:
Q3: Your aircon system with the external Kelvinator compressor.. are you still loving it? The absolute best ever, so quite at cooling when sleeping you can just hear the fan but also has a quiet mode so you then don't even hear the fan and you can just hear the compressor but as it does not kick in and out it's a very slight hum.

On the genny with the Heron 2.2 we were lucky to get 4 hours run time where as last Christmas at the Lake Bonney 45deg day and 30 at night we got 10 hours run time overnight as the generator stayed at idle or just above.

I bought one of those power plugs that give the watts of an appliance and on flat out with the temp around 35 deg with the turbo button on it uses 880 watts then as the van cooled the power consumption drops and on the lowest cooling setting when the van cooled it was using 180watts.

Heating is super fast and almost too hot even on the lowest temp 16deg but has a very low fan speed, so not too bad but we still use the diesel heater most due to the nice non drying warm air it gives out.


Would really appreciate any comments and recommendations you might have please. Do it again......without a second thought, changes I would do would be great to mount the compressor unit like Hump Back vans do in a compartment with a large door you open when running. Also the way they mounted the head unit I would of liked some access panels inside the cupboards so if needed you can get to the back of the unit as if I need to do this I think I will need to cut some small trap doors.

I measured up last week at our local Crusader yard and the one I was measuring also had the inverter A/C fitted, so more and more are being installed now.

From the reports Mitsubishi seem the be the ones they recommend now
We currently have the Ibis3 on the list, but i keep coming back to your posts again and again...:cool:
Thanks heaps for any tips, insights and suggestions you might have, Christian.
All the best!
Walksie
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: The Wadamses
The Wadamses

The Wadamses

Active Member
Jan 13, 2014
102
86
28
Tassie (near Launceston)
Thank you, thank you.. So appreciate your time, experience and expertise!
That's invaluable info. Back to Crusader with my list I go :cell:

Don't want to push my luck by over-interrogating you, but I do have some more questions...

1 - what's so terrible about Hyland Hitch system? Notice you replaced it with a D035 - is this what you'd recommend instead?
We were told you can't use weight distribution bars on these?

2 - Am guessing from what you've said in the thread you'd recommend the compressor fridge over the 3-way?
At the moment we have a226L auto-selector jobbie.
Seems that advantage of compressor fridge is colder stuff; disadvantage is power draw... this right?
Other considerations?

3 - your club lounge; is it the space limitations you feel you've compromised on? We're trying to fit the biggest one in possible for the five of us... any comments please?!

Thanks heaps again for your time and generosity.
All the best
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stone Stomper
Stone Stomper

Stone Stomper

Well-Known Member
Jul 2, 2011
388
336
63
Glenelg SA
www.stonestomper.com.au
The Wadamses said:
Thank you, thank you.. So appreciate your time, experience and expertise!
That's invaluable info. Back to Crusader with my list I go :cell:

Don't want to push my luck by over-interrogating you, but I do have some more questions...No worries at all, ask as many as you like.

1 - what's so terrible about Hyland Hitch system? Notice you replaced it with a D035 - is this what you'd recommend instead? Horrible, Horrible and heavy, I found it is very difficult to disconnect as it binds on and you have to try and hold up the T handle which has a very strong spring and wind the jockey wheel at the same time.

I would estimate the DO35 weighs min 5kg lighter and has a very nice handbrake to use and Crusader will now fit them for you, I would even go for one on an on road van there that nice to use.

We were told you can't use weight distribution bars on these? Not at all, I use H/R WDH and DO35 (Vehicle Component's) have an extension bracket if the DO35 is too close to the up stand of the hitch.

2 - Am guessing from what you've said in the thread you'd recommend the compressor fridge over the 3-way? Yes but you need a good solar set up and battery bank
At the moment we have a226L auto-selector jobbie.
Seems that advantage of compressor fridge is colder stuff; disadvantage is power draw... this right? Yes they hold the temp very well as I know this with the kids seem to stand there with the door open 5min trying to decide on what they want on a 35deg day and recovers the cold really fast, with the 3 way and the kids doing that it got to a loosing battle and the fridge would only then recover over night (when they were asleep). Also with the compressor you turn it on once and forget, it is very quite also.

I see on the caravaners forum quite a few people are now using the house hold inverter Samsung 255L off a 300watt inverter, they say it uses 90watts but I think that would work out to near 9 amps but may run less.
Other considerations?

3 - your club lounge; is it the space limitations you feel you've compromised on? We're trying to fit the biggest one in possible for the five of us... any comments please?! It's boarder line for the four of us but generally just eat tea there and the kids sit in the bunks after that or on our bed but very nice for the two of us as you can put your feet up, happy to send my plans to you I drew up for our van with a the measurements as Crusader built exact to my plans keeping the body length to 6m on the outside.

Thanks heaps again for your time and generosity. No worries.
All the best
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: davemc and The Wadamses
Meanderthals

Meanderthals

Aka PhilD
Mar 16, 2012
837
1,356
93
Near Darwin
  • Like
Reactions: The Wadamses
The Wadamses

The Wadamses

Active Member
Jan 13, 2014
102
86
28
Tassie (near Launceston)
Just about to do the final list now to send through for pricing and sign off... Excited!
Have you got any particular brands at the top of your 'considering list'?

Still be a bit of too-ing and fro-ing for us yet, I imagine, bc there are a few non-standard bits we're going with, like split aircon, digital inverter fridge and lithium battery system... @ShaneT and @Redbarn both recommended T1Terry and his work in this field, and he's been sensational with his expertise, so really looking forward to it all coming together.
We're supposed to be booked in for a Sept build, as in we are, but might have to push that out a month just so we get everything nailed. As much as I want this van 3 months ago, I'd rather take the extra time and get it right
(Like that'll ever happen, bc there'll be more amazing new technology available before it's even out of the factory!)
 
  • Like
Reactions: FiveInAVan and davemc
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom