Crackacoldie's 16.49-3 - now in the hands of a new family

[crackacoldie]

On the 20th of January, we picked up our new to us, Expanda from Coffs Harbour. After a week of travelling home I can say that it is a very comfortable unit for the 5 of us.

The expanda is a 2011 model with 156l Waeco fridge, dual 100aH batteries, 2 120w Kyocera sloar panels, riding on simplicity suspension with a hyland coupling.



Since getting home the mods have started, abeit little basics to begin with.

First up went on some front mud flaps to try and stop underneath damage. These will be followed up with a stone stomper, when the budget allows.



Next up was a flickmixer to the drawbar. I find when cooking on the BBQ outside, it is easier to clean up with hot water.



Cheers

Craig

 

[expanda]

Looking good craig...

Where did you tap into the water to get hot water outside?

This is a mod that has to happen for me !

 

[Burnsy]

Lookin good mate, have you used the fridge for a weekend on batteries yet? Flick mixer on A frame, that's gotta be a first, now your spoiling yourself!

Cheers.

 

[expanda]

I like how he has also gone to effort of modding the flick mixer spout to fit a hose connection in it !

Waiting for details and hopefully [MENTION=2428]MrsExpanda[/MENTION] doesn't read this she has been waiting for hot water outside for so long!!!

 

[crackacoldie]

Looking good craig...

Where did you tap into the water to get hot water outside?

This is a mod that has to happen for me !

Will climb under and grab a photo for you.

 

[crackacoldie]

Lookin good mate, have you used the fridge for a weekend on batteries yet? Flick mixer on A frame, that's gotta be a first, now your spoiling yourself!

Cheers.

Have left the fridge running for three weeks on the batteries now, without plugging into power. Batteries drop to around 13v overnight, but have been fully charged by 9am, even on overcast days.

 

[cruza driver]

Thats a 1st CC, very impressive.

:tea: Cruza

 

[crackacoldie]

For the hot water to the flick mixer, I tee'd into theline from the HWS to the sink, under the left hand side of the van, almost directly under the sink.



While I was under taking the photo, I thought I'd grab one of the Simplicity set up.



Cheers Cracka

 

[macca]

Good stuff Cracka. How easy is that pipe to use. Did you use stiffeners in the pipe? What else can you show/tell us about your solar set up.

Cheers Geoff

 

[crackacoldie]

The pipe was pretty stiff to start with, used several clamps along the way to hold it in place, then got a plumber mate to complete the fitting at the T.

The solar was fitted by the previous owner, I will grab a happy snap of the controller and add it.

 

[Burnsy]

Have left the fridge running for three weeks on the batteries now, without plugging into power. Batteries drop to around 13v overnight, but have been fully charged by 9am, even on overcast days.

Very impressive, thanks mate. Gives us a good idea what 2 batteries and 2 solar panels can do!

 

[Xpandafan]

Have left the fridge running for three weeks on the batteries now, without plugging into power. Batteries drop to around 13v overnight, but have been fully charged by 9am, even on overcast days.

Good to know. Have never used fridge on 12v...might give it a try. Mine is the Dometic not a Waeco. Always have full charge on my two batteries by time I've finished breakfast with similar solar set-up.
Impressed with external mixer. Well done. Trying to keep wife from reading it!

 

[Brad]

Mmmmm..... Flick mixer with hose fitting...... Very nice. :thumb:

 

[crackacoldie]

Good to know. Have never used fridge on 12v...might give it a try. Mine is the Dometic not a Waeco. Always have full charge on my two batteries by time I've finished breakfast with similar solar set-up.
Impressed with external mixer. Well done. Trying to keep wife from reading it!

If it is a 3 way fridge, it will chew the batteries in no time. The Waeco is a 12v compressor fridge.

Cheers

Cracka

 

[crackacoldie]

Thought I would include a pic of the solar controller and the fridge. The fridge is more to demonstrate the size that is constantly running.

 

[Burnsy]

Like I said, very impressive mate. That fridge from go to woe would be cold in no time! :thumb:

 

[macca]

Cracka, Can you notice the fridge noise at night? My mate swears by his compressor fridge.

Geoff

 

[crackacoldie]

Cracka, Can you notice the fridge noise at night? My mate swears by his compressor fridge.

Geoff

The noise was something I was worried about, as the early compressor fridges did make quite a lot of noise, have not heard this one at all. That may because I drown out any noise with the zzzzz's

Honestly, I won't go back to a three way again.

Craig

 

[crackacoldie]

Had a weekend camping at a private secluded campsite on the Murray River. Was a hot weekend, with the temperatures in the high 30's, so not as much fishing as I would have liked, but nice to sit and watch the world go by. The generator and air-conditioner got a workout.

The view from under the awning was pretty hard to take.

A nice and secluded spot.

 

[bigman0510]

Looks awesome mate! Jealous!!