My BaseStation

[Base23]

Ply wood cut to size, have to iron on the edgeing and assemble it.


Shelf assembled
Usb and 12v sockets fitted


All fitted and wired up and working

Solar controler easier to see and push buttons and usb port more accessible

Side view. Had to mount controler back a bit to clear cupboard door hinge when door is closed.

Happy how it all worked out, more storage space with out sitting everything on top of satellite box and all eaiser to get to.

 

[NoWorries]

Where did you get the correct color ply and edging ?

 

[Base23]

Where did you get the correct color ply and edging ?

I got the correct colour ply, glue on edging and the corner plastic brackets all from the Jayco dealer service center here in Adelaide. They are called All RV Parts and Accessories. I had to buy a full sheet 1200 x 2400mm that I got when I made the extra bunk bed so now I am just using the left overs to make smaller things like this. They had it all in stock so I am guessing most dealers / spare pats places will have it. I tried to buy it from a few timber and kitchen manufactures but had no luck.

 

[bigcol]

fantastic mods you have done @Base23

adding to my list of things I would like - but probably never get a round tuit to do

 

[Dobbie]

fantastic mods you have done @Base23

adding to my list of things I would like - but probably never get a round tuit to do

Me too...I'm too lazy

 

[Base23]

I am thinking of installing a draw slide system including a BBQ to the front storage area of the base station but have to shift a few thing first to get the measurements I need to start making the slide system.
So I removed all the stuff I had squeezed in the storage area so I could remove and relocate the center divider and the water pump.
The water pump was located in the most stupid spot as it took up a lot of storage room and was always in the way

This is how it looked before


I moved the pump to the side of the hot water service so it should be less in my way.
I swapped over the clear supply hose grommet with the brake-away wiring grommet so I did not have to drill and extra holes in the floor of the van.

I also moved the power point over towards the side a bit so it is not in the opening as it was always in the way when loading items through the top.
In moving the power point I noticed that Jayco had screwed one of the brake away unit screws through the power cable


This is how it looks now


I now have almost 1600mm of side access draw space.

 

[davemc]

you are the King of mods.. I still have not added by extra 12v outlets bed side yet
Yes the waste of space under our dinette where the water pump is just centred to use all the space

I still need to go through the new van and put John Guest Locking clips in I worry the hoses will come loose
http://www.rvpartsexpress.com.au/jg-12mm-locking-clip.html

 

[Base23]

Went to the SA caravan show over the weekend and picked up an inverter, I ended up getting the Projecta intelli-wave 2000W as it comes standard with a remote display and control, Built in Residual Current Device (RCD) and also has built in AC transfer switch (automatically switches between mains and battery power).
It is a big unit so working out where to fit it but I think it will go on the side wall of the pantry.
I will be wiring it up using the CMS 240v Interconnecting cables (factory DIY cables) so it is just a matter of changing a few connections so the power point for the Setec Battery charger is before the inverter so that it is not powered up when the inverter kicks in. (ie. trying to charge the battery while the inverter is drawing from the battery) All other 240v point will be powered of the inverter.

Inverter Pics


Here is where I think I will put it

 

[G Daddy]

Will it get enough ventilation for cooling in there

 

[Base23]

Will it get enough ventilation for cooling in there

Not sure if it will or not but I do not know where else to put it.
May have to look at a vent in the cupboard

 

[Base23]

wired up the inverter last night,
Started of with 2 CMS 240v Interconnecting cables and cut 1 in half striped the lead and prepared it to wire up to the inverter.


I then connected the DC cables that came with the inverter and the cable glands on the 240v cables.


I then fed the cable into the cupboard and passed around under the club lounge to where the battery is located.
The inverter is attached to the wall of the cupboard with 4 screws ( not easy to squeeze my arm in to put the screws in)


I then had to rewire the power point the the Setec battery charger plugs in to.
This is going to be hard to explain but I will give it a go.
First I disconnected the main power inlet cable from the rear of the 240volt Van power inlet socket
and connected this cable to the 240v outlet cable of the inverter


I then ran a new CMS 240v Interconnecting cable from the rear of the Van power inlet socket to the power point for the battery charger and also connect the 240v inverter power inlet cable to the same power point


Last to connect were the 12v DC cables to the battery.
I have just connected directly to the battery at the moment but I have on order a 250amp ANL fuse and holder for the positive connection and have also ordered a 200amp shunt from Setec for the negative connection so the drifter control panel can see what is being drawn through the inverter.
Setec have advised me that the drifter control panel is only calibrated to read up to 100amp load so when my inverter is drawing more than that I will not know about it but at least the bigger shunt will handle the load.

So when mains power is connected to the van, The batter charger will power up and start charging the battery and the inverter will pass mains power straight through it
When mains power is unplugged the charger will power off and the inverter will automatically switch across to inverter power

 

[Base23]

This is my wiring diagram.
Hope this make it a bit clearer how it was wired it up.

 

[pauljygrant]

Sounds well designed any easy to follow what you have done.
My only query is whether you risk inadvertently draining the battery when you disconnect mains power but forget, or delay to turn off 240v appliances. Eg, you pack up at a caravan park but don't turn off the electric water heater. Otherwise, looks a great set up.

 

[NoWorries]

Nice setup, but I almost fell off my chair when I googled the inverter I hope you got a good discount.
But I want one

 

[Base23]

Sounds well designed any easy to follow what you have done.
My only query is whether you risk inadvertently draining the battery when you disconnect mains power but forget, or delay to turn off 240v appliances. Eg, you pack up at a caravan park but don't turn off the electric water heater. Otherwise, looks a great set up.

That could be a problem but as long as I remember to turn the inverter off from the remote that will be mounted near the drifter control panel just inside the door and it shuts down all power to all power points. I always turn off the water pump switch when towing so I should remember to turn off the inverter.

 

[Base23]

Nice setup, but I almost fell off my chair when I googled the inverter I hope you got a good discount.
But I want one

Got a very good price from the caravan show but still not a cheap unit, but the way it works with the AC transfer switch and remote display makes it easy to install and use.

 

[NoWorries]

Can I ask what you got it for.

 

[Base23]

Can I ask what you got it for.

$1050 but don't tell my wife, If you do tell her, tell her what I saved not what I spent

 

[G Daddy]

Great setup @Base23 be interested to read how it all goes when you get to testing. I been waiting for the price to come down a bit more, have seen them on ebay for $ 1065, was show better than that?

 

[Base23]

Moved the battery box over to one side tonight to make room for second battery.
Do not know why jayco would not put it to one side in the first place!

Before


After the move