Trails in the Sand new updates 9-28-11

[GuyllFyre]

I bought the relay and socket at a local frys electronics, the online store is frys.com. The relay is a three pole, so if I need to add later its there.
I believe they had an 8pin relay that would have worked but didn't have the socket, so thats really why I ended up buying the 11 pin relay.
Alan

I don't have Fry's locally here but I tend to order stuff like this to be delivered to my house. Finding electronics stores locally that are open after I get out of work or on the weekends is seemingly impossible.

FWIW, Parts Express has the 8-pin version and socket available online. They have better description/specs listed than the Fry's site.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=075-100
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=075-166

[Alan and Lianna]

FWIW, Parts Express has the 8-pin version and socket available online. They have better description/specs listed than the Fry's site.

That site does have a better description. The relay they stock does not have the led indicator which I find usefull. If you could find the R02-11A10-120N that one has the led.

Alan

[Alan and Lianna]

Well we took the tear to Inks Lake a couple of weeks ago, and it was cool outside, cool inside, and just too darn muggy inside. I decided it was time to install a fan. As luck would have it, the fan was on sale for $123, so I jumped on that. Using a router flush cut bit I cut out the hole for the fan.

I epoxied the inside of the hole(no pics), and layed down some butyl tape and screwed down the fan. Then I pulled out each screw, squeezed in some sika-flex 221 into each hole and reinstalled.

I then waited several days, then I cut off the excess butyl, taped 3/8 inch around hole, layed down a thick layer of sika-flex 715, and removed tape before it started drying.

And here is the inside all done.


Looking forward to our next outing.. 9 so far....

Alan and Lianna

[Alan and Lianna]

Well, the crank-out windows, it has been nice not to worry about closing during the rain, but sooner or later a wind will catch the door and..

So after a trip to West Marine, this is what I came up with for a solution. Here is the Door side

On the inside, I mounted a small C-Cleat Cam, the harder you pull the tighter it gets. I don't really need the knot to hold, I just don't have to figure where to adjust each time.

Now with the door open it will stop short of hitting the side with the window wide open



Now I can sleep better knowing that when I open the door I wont be cursing and staring at the side of the trailer all day...

Alan and Lianna

[aggie79]

Alan,

Thank you for posting the details of your door "limiter". I need to make these for my teardrop, but was having trouble coming up with a simple but sound design like your design. I'll probably duplicate this if this is okay with you.

Take care,
Tom

[GuyllFyre]

Simple and cheap, why go overboard?

http://www.buyacehardware.com/ace-scree ... 99664.html

[Alan and Lianna]

Alan,

Thank you for posting the details of your door "limiter". I need to make these for my teardrop, but was having trouble coming up with a simple but sound design like your design. I'll probably duplicate this if this is okay with you.

Tom, do it quickly before the damage. Not only will it mess up the side, it also bends the window and makes it more difficult to open and close.

Alan

[Alan and Lianna]

Since our trailer weighed in at over 2000 lbs, we decided to install a brake system that would be legal in all states. I ordered everything I would need for the install from etrailer

I removed the old hub

Installed the new Brake Assembly

Packed the new bearings and installed the new drum

Wired everything to this new terminal box

Installed a new 7 & 4 way receptacle on the truck

And a new Plug on the trailer

In the engine compartment, I installed two circuit breakers and a relay, one breaker is in line with the Brake Controller, and the other is in line with contact side of the relay, to charge the tow battery while driving.

To control the relay I used this add a circuit adapter to connect to a circuit that is only hot when the key is on.

The Aux circuit

I installed the P3 Brake Controller on the dash

And installed a Break-Away switch

So, now We should be legal anywhere we decide to go..
We have some more updates on the trailer, but still need to get the Pictures in order...

[bdosborn]

What a lovely, elegant solution! Where did you get the cleat?



You'll love the P3 controller. I just upgraded from a Voyager to the P3 and its *MUCH* better. Set it once and forget it. I run it at 5.8 and B1 on my trailer.

Bruce

[Alan and Lianna]

Where did you get the cleat?

Found it at West Marine, a boat supply house

Alan

[Alan and Lianna]

Well, after sitting outside for a year, we had a couple spots of minor water damage


I ground out the damage with my dremel and filled it with epoxy mixed with wood flour

Re-fiberglassed the top edge

After 3 coats of epoxy, sanding, and 2 coats of varnish, were looking good again

We had a 12v receptacle that would occasionally short out when something was plugged in, so I had to tear out this cover to get to the wiring

Found the source of the short

Replaced that outlet and installed a couple of new outlets inside the cabinets, so we could have devices on charge and not out in the open.

In this side, I also installed a fuse block, so each outlet would be on its own fuse. I haven't decided where to mount the 12v meter yet.

To repair the torn out panel, I decided to make a couple of handles out of some scrap wood.

After the scroll saw and some sanding

Assembled, epoxied and installed

We had installed this light and 2 12v outlets last year, but was never quite satisfied with it,

So we built something new, here is the wedge I cut to mount the light too

And here it is mounted

With the light on

and at night, (it appears much brighter in the picture)

We still have more updates to post...

Alan and Lianna

[aggie79]

Very nice Alan!

I can't wait to see the updates at LCG.

[mezmo]

Hi Alan and Lianna,

I just reviewed your build again and need to compliment you both
on your great achievement! I LOVE the look of the natural finished
birch wood. The grain figuring and its 'dazzle' are just perfect and it
is complimented fully by your profile shape. It definitely identifies
itself as a TD without copying any other specific design, in fact it adds
itself as a very appealing profile in its own lines. Your craftsmanship is superb.

And now, in a build full of beautiful details, comes this 'piece de resitance'!
The 3-D light screen is fabulous! Its wonderful how creativity, some hard
wood/plywood and deft scroll saw work results in such a beautiful scene.
What a great gift you gave yourselves - it's one of the first things you see
in the morning and one of the last as you retire.

Bravo to you both!

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[Texas Sandy]

Alan, this is a beautiful Tear drop. You did a fabulous job. What are the dimensions of your little camper?

Sandy

[Alan and Lianna]

What are the dimensions of your little camper?

Sandy our trailer is 5 by 9, but the sidewalls are 5 by 10. We almost ordered the trailer 5 by 10, but then realized we would have had to splice another foot onto the side to get the shape we were going for.

Thanks Tom, Norm, and Sandy for the comments.

Alan and Lianna