PTooTi's 1996 Ford 7.3L gas E350 Eldorado - Aerotech

[ptooti]

Hi there I'm new here and have a new project just bought a 1996 Handi Van with passenger side lift which I plan to be using for my Honda Ruckus scooters. Anyway looking at putting in a dinette kitchen area with a bed no bathroom or toilet but will have a water tank and pressure system
here is my bus

[ptooti]

Sorry for the double post I thought it was my computer didnt realize the board was not live but had to be moderated before the post went up ...my bad

[sdwarf36]

Welcome! Nice shorty!

[ptooti]

yours is looking good too! I want to put a roof vent as there is nothing really not sure how to go about it actually kinda nervous about cutting it up

[ptooti]

Well I got the floor heaters out today will start mounting all the fittings.

below ~ got the heaters out saving the wiring to add a couple of 12v fans or whatever.


Below is the kitchen cupboard that we will install the drawers are kinda sticky at the beginning of the pull it was designed that way so they will stay closed when travelling, a 15 inch sink will be installed in the cabinet side if the unit. we were looking for different things to use for a kitchen this is a 4 Foot maple top work bench from Canadian Tire got it on sale $269.00 and tax I think it will work well for our needs.
the dining area will be across from the kitchen area below

Now back to work making brackets for the fridge

[ptooti]

so what is the solution to the leaky windows? silicone the $@!T out of em?

[Stuff]

make sure the channels are clean. if not , ya, silicone the crap out of them aslong as you can make them open if you want.

[ptooti]

My power center has arrived today and I don't have a clue how to hook it up here is the specs any one who wants to take on mentoring please step up your help is greatly appreciated thanks in advance I'm not sure exactly what I need for the power cord that will hook it to AC its says its a 55amp are most parks 30 amp? sorry if this is a stupid question
http://www.wfcoelectronics.com/docum...%20English.pdf



WFCO WF-8955 RV POWER CENTER CONVERTER
CHARGER WITH PANEL - 55 amp - BLACK
The WF-8900 Series has revolutionized RV power centers with its lighter weight, decorative doors and superior features. The WF-8955 model provides 55 amps and a clean, constant 13.6 Vdc nominal output, for reliable operation of electronics and appliances. Automatic three-stage charging extends the life of your battery with output voltage modes of 13.2 Vdc range “float” mode, 13.6 Vdc range “absorption” mode, and a 14.4 Vdc range “bulk” charge mode. The 8900 Series also maintains peace and quiet, as the cooling fan runs only when needed.

FCC Class B compliance for every power center model means that the units are dsigned not to cause interference with televisions, radios or other signals. Electronic current limiting automatically shuts down the power during overload or short-circuit conditions, protecting the life of your power center and electrical system.

The 8900 Series models provide AC and DC distribution with innovative features. They can accommodate a 30-amp main AC circuit breaker and up to five branch circuits. Eleven-branch DC circuits are available with LED lights for each DC circuit to illuminate and identify open circuits

Specifications:
UL® and cUL®-Listed. FCC Class B
Output power: 55 amps DC output

Input: 105-130 VAC, 60 Hz (950 watt)

Output ranges:

- Nominal (Absorption Mode) 13.6 Vdc (includes charging and load)

- Boost (Bulk Mode) 14.4 Vdc

- Trickle (Float Mode) 13.2 Vdc (after 48 hrs.)

Dimensions: 13.875” wide; 11.625” high; 9” deep

Weight: 7.75 lbs.

[bus-bro]

That's 55 amps of nominal 12 volt DC power. The campsites are AC power, most are 120 volts at 30 amps, some are also 240 volts at 55 amps , but you can buy adapters to get some sort of AC power. Which you will need to plug your converter into the parks power. Then you have 55 amps of 12 volt DC power (about 660 watts) that you have to figure out what to do with.

[putterspitt]

its really easy, they have a manual online for it, I hooked mine up with no problem
well after reading your post again I see you know that
its not that complicated though

[ptooti]

Thanks for the quick replies I guess what I need to know is what kind of cord? ends on cord? or sockets for the main in and kind of main breaker, any kind? (30 amp) do I need for the AC power setup.

[bus-bro]

On a conventional skoolie the AC power is often an extension cord out the window, one side plugged into the campground recepticle, the other plugged into your stuff. On the campground power pedistal there's a regular plug-in also.

[putterspitt]

go to your nearest camper supply and get a 30 amp cord, 25' or 50'
its all you will need for most campgrounds
you might need an adapter for a 50 amp service sometimes

[james843]

nice bus i wish my bus was a dually

[Stuff]

according to page 2 of the manual it handles a 30 amp imput breaker so 30 amp service cord is what you go with. 30 amp is 110v and you can get those adapters for the end of the cable to plug into a house type cord. do not get a 50amp 4 prong plug, your system is not made for 240volt.

so you get the cord, wire it in. your :MAIN: breaker will be the 30amp breaker. then from there max of 20amp breakers for microwave, plugs, etc etc up to 5 circuits. with a 30 amp service you can have electric heat and water heater and a microwave but only run ONE at a time...


for the DC part it shows 11 circuits available to run all your 12v stuff. 2 of the 11 circuits can handle a 30 amp fuse, the rest are 20 amp max.


all in all not a bad unit for 30amp service!

[ptooti]

perfect thank you for the info I phoned up to my local RV shop and they have a 25 footer for about $55.00 I will pick it up next time I'm in the city about 30 miles from here

[ptooti]

Sorry have not worked on the bus lately, have been battling asthma from a cold I got from taking a school bus full kids on a sports trip!
things are lookin up though and hope to get back at it this weekend...
just a few questions though about water tanks has anybody had any experience mounting one one the Eldorado Aerotech? and where / how did you do it. Also if anyone has any ideas about a moveable bed I would like to use the integrated mounting rails in the bus to make a queen size platform bed that when not hauling our scooters inside the back of the bus the bed could be moved into the cargo area to give more space. Below is a pic of my plan

[Tango]

Hey Ptooti --- you might look into a "jacknife" bed that folds into a sofa when not in use. With any Shorty you have to try and think "multifunction, collapsible, hide-a-way" or you run out of space really fast. Just a thought.

[ptooti]

Originally Posted by Tango

Hey Ptooti --- you might look into a "jacknife" bed that folds into a sofa when not in use. With any Shorty you have to try and think "multifunction, collapsible, hide-a-way" or you run out of space really fast. Just a thought.

thank you for your ideas but Yes unfortunately I have had no luck sleeping on futons, hideabeds, and van seats won't do it for me, If I want to be able to walk the next day.
I'am opting for making a Queen mattress out of memory foam chopped down to 72 inches in length and about 9 to 12 inches thick then will put that into a futon cover. With the 72 inch queen I will have 4'8" left at the back of the bus for the cargo area that should be good for our little scooters, then when the scooters are off-loaded I could move the bed back there or use it where it is. And a table bed is out of the question only in rare emergency I just never liked getting up from the table to make the bed and vise-verse. So its back to figuring out a rail/sliding lock system for this movable bed. I was thinking of using the existing q-straint wheelchair tie-downs for securing the bed frame when in motion.

[ptooti]

Originally Posted by bullwhacker

Water tanks? Hmmm...
Have you thought of using heavy wall PVC pipe? 6 to 8 to 12 in diameter?
Find where you want to put a water tank measure put heavy pipe caps on and drill and cement fitting to the pipe for your hookups?
I thought of this AFTER I bought almost a thousand dollars worth of RV fresh, gray and black water tanks for my bus.

Hey that's a great idea! I have already purchased my water tank for $80.00 off ebay not very big about 8"x16"X40" I was thinking of building into a box inside. The box Will be 18"X70" and 10 inches high in one end will be the water tank & pump then have the rest divided off for my power converter and cable storage. on top of this box I will mount my Wicker (light weight) dresser and portable air cond unit. Now you have given me an idea I'am considering extending the bumper out a bit just enough for a step I could attach the grey water pipe system under there and it could be the width of the bus.