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Old 05-31-2018, 04:48 PM   #61
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Looks really good, did you bend the new sheet metal at the bottom of what was the window to match the slight stair step pattern ?
If so how did you accomplish this ?

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Old 05-31-2018, 07:36 PM   #62
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Looks really good, did you bend the new sheet metal at the bottom of what was the window to match the slight stair step pattern ?
If so how did you accomplish this ?
I have a 50“ Baileigh shear and a matching magnetic brake.
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Old 06-01-2018, 04:45 PM   #63
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Bending the Ridge Profile

Probably a little more explanation:

for each bend, scribe a line on the inside of the bend. each "ridge" requires two bends. Scribe on the back for the first bend and on the front for the second bend about 1/8" away (up) from the first line.

Here's a test piece of metal. it already has the first bend in it (the lower one).. going to bend the second..



The back side is up:

First break is 20 degrees:


Turn the sheet over and put a couple of narrow pieces of sheet under the front edge of the brake (on the part that rotates..).. line up the scribe line:



engage the magnet and just pull up slightly on the brake handle... just enough to straighten the panel and.. you're done.

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Old 06-12-2018, 08:54 PM   #64
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Ceiling

I've started on the ceiling. it's Tongue and Groove knotty pine bead board..

Got some of it done so far:



I stopped here so I could do this !!:



I have heating and cooling and dehumidifying !!! and it all works..
I really wanted to see if the Solar could keep up with "normal" heating and cooling activities.. The unit draws about 800W when running flat out, but it's an inverter unit so it draws only what it needs.

Key things I like:
1. It's really quiet, both inside and outside.
2. SEER 22 efficient

I'll post energy results.. it's fairly mild here right now. in the 50s at night and upper 60s, lower 70s during the day.. we have a few hot days coming (90s) it'll be a good test..
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Old 06-13-2018, 11:28 AM   #65
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Clean looking solar and electric setup. Will be interested to hear the results of the power test with that mini split.
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Old 06-20-2018, 11:46 AM   #66
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Originally Posted by nanoplane View Post
I've started on the ceiling. it's Tongue and Groove knotty pine bead board..

Got some of it done so far:



I stopped here so I could do this !!:



I have heating and cooling and dehumidifying !!! and it all works..
I really wanted to see if the Solar could keep up with "normal" heating and cooling activities.. The unit draws about 800W when running flat out, but it's an inverter unit so it draws only what it needs.

Key things I like:
1. It's really quiet, both inside and outside.
2. SEER 22 efficient

I'll post energy results.. it's fairly mild here right now. in the 50s at night and upper 60s, lower 70s during the day.. we have a few hot days coming (90s) it'll be a good test..
I'd be interested in all of the details on your AC unit.
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Old 06-20-2018, 12:59 PM   #67
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I'd be interested in all of the details on your AC unit.
I would also......
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Old 06-20-2018, 01:17 PM   #68
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AC.

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I'd be interested in all of the details on your AC unit.
The AC unit is a 9000 BTU, 22 SEER, 120V Inverter MiniSplit from "Pioneer". It comes pre-charged and using a vacuum pump and set of AC Gauges, it was easy to install.

It's really efficient, draws about 700 Watts running flat out and most of the time much less. So far, I'm able to run it and charge the batteries fully at the same time during the day after using it to keep the temp "nominal" the previous night (overnight, its using 20-30% of the battery capacity) and that's with only about 1/2 the insulation installed).

I've added a WiFi dongle to the unit so I can access it remotely from anywhere (after you connect it to wifi of course).

Some extra features:
- Sleep mode - adjust temperature over time 1 degree in first hour, 2 degrees the second hour and for the rest of the night.

- Really quiet, both inside and outside. (outside unit is on the rear deck. I sealed the Deck from the rest of the bus and replaced the rear windows with expanded metal:



Even running flat out, you need to move behind the bus to hear it.. no buzz or compressor noise, just a fan (white noise). about 50 dBA.


Some things are limiting.. the "Automatic" mode doesn't allow you to set the heat and cool temperatures... you just get to specify a single temp.

All that being said, I'm pretty happy with it so far and I expect that once is complete the insulation and walls, it'll work as expected.
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Old 06-20-2018, 10:56 PM   #69
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Those mini-splits really seem to be gaining popularity, and I'm glad to hear how quiet they are. Considering installing one in my house to get a feel for the noise, cold output, and power usage over the next year or two.
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Old 06-21-2018, 08:17 PM   #70
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Any recommended solutions to preventing problems caused by the heavy bouncing around?
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Old 06-21-2018, 08:36 PM   #71
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Those mini-splits really seem to be gaining popularity, and I'm glad to hear how quiet they are. Considering installing one in my house to get a feel for the noise, cold output, and power usage over the next year or two.
That just gave me an idea. The heat pump went out on the house a few years ago, didn't have the $2K they wanted to fix it. I finally had the $2k only to be told now they want $3550, WTF. I am going to end up with a mini split in the bus anyways. I can get it now for a bunch cheaper than fixing mine in the house, use it in here during this hot spell and then to the bus when it's ready. The heat pump will have to wait till they release the trust fund.
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Old 06-21-2018, 10:12 PM   #72
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Yeah, we don't have AC at all, you didn't need it 20 years ago when my place was built, but our summers are getting relentlessly hotter.
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Old 06-22-2018, 08:50 AM   #73
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da bounce

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Any recommended solutions to preventing problems caused by the heavy bouncing around?
The inside unit is attached pretty rigidly to the metal frame and it isn't all that heavy (15/20 pounds or so...)

The outside unit is bolted to a frame with rubber mounts and then bolted to the rear deck.

I'm not sure how all this will react yet to the usual road conditions..
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Old 06-27-2018, 07:29 PM   #74
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exterior replacement panels and window resizing.

Panels and Windows - Done ! ! Almost ready for paint! A lot of work resizing the windows and since I've used Galvanized panels, painting requires a few extra steps..





Cutting the internal safety glass membrane with flames...
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Old 07-21-2018, 08:48 AM   #75
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Paint

Well, we now have paint on the outside !!!





Took about a week of prep, prime and paint but I think it turned out ok. Still a few things to clean up, a few "prep" f-ups and a little overspray to rub out, but, I'm glad it's done..

Used automotive paint from tcpglobal, grey/white primer and acrylic enamels: Champagne Gold metallic, light grey metallic, victory red and black.. and a ton of masking tape, paper, film....

hope the paint stays on...

A few pics from the prep..



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Old 07-21-2018, 09:04 AM   #76
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Very cool styling!
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Old 07-21-2018, 09:11 AM   #77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cycle61 View Post
Yeah, we don't have AC at all, you didn't need it 20 years ago when my place was built, but our summers are getting relentlessly hotter.



you guys are getting all the nice hot summers and we are getting the cold / rain / craptastic summers..



67 today and solid rain.. just like yesterday.... and tomorrow.. normal is 87..
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Old 07-21-2018, 09:44 AM   #78
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you guys are getting all the nice hot summers and we are getting the cold / rain / craptastic summers..



67 today and solid rain.. just like yesterday.... and tomorrow.. normal is 87..
Yea, it was "nice" having dry weather to do the painting... high 70s
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Old 07-21-2018, 11:45 AM   #79
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Are your half windows full windows with just the bottoms cover in metal outside?
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Old 07-21-2018, 04:47 PM   #80
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Are your half windows full windows with just the bottoms cover in metal outside?
No, I took the windows out and resized them by cutting the frames and the glass. For the front 1/2 windows, I just cut the bottom glass so they only open a few inches at the top. for the tiny window (where the bathroom is going to be), I cut both the upper and bottom pieces.

Oh, there's also a door on the driver side that is now gone..
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