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Old 11-19-2017, 12:48 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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The Swamp Thang

Well, we've lurked on this site and posed a few questions, so it's time to reveal the fruits of our labor. This is a 1992 Chevy G30 short bus, 6.3 liter diesel with only 135,000 miles. Mechanically, we had a few transmission issues, now addressed, and put in new starter and alternator, and front steering components. It could still stand to have the front suspension air assist bladders replaced, but it doesn't do too badly. It has 320 watts of solar panels on the roof and a LiFePo battery for storage, all led lighting, Fantastic Vent, a dual-voltage Engle fridge, Ramblewood cooktop, a full-size Ikea sink, on-board tank and 12volt pump. The only thing requiring shore power is the 5,000 Btu a/c unit. We opted not to sacrifice space for a bathroom. The couch is also a short queen-size bed with rear access storage underneath, and oodles of storage above and below. Paint is hand-done by Artie Barksdale, a muralist in Durham, NC, who loves to camouflage anything that doesn't move.
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Swamp Thang.jpg   Swamp Thang2.jpg   Rear view.JPG   Kitchen.JPG   Front view.JPG  


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Old 11-19-2017, 01:18 PM   #2
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One of the best I've seen .... except I can't see the bus in the first two pics
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Old 11-19-2017, 01:50 PM   #3
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Cool, are you from Durham or is that just where the paint job was done?
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Old 11-19-2017, 01:58 PM   #4
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nice job,
I like the offset skylight. Did you put the solar panel on top of the original escape hatch? That cover would help with ventilation during rain.
What capacity and voltage is your battery bank. Do you have a BMS ?
Can your solar panel support the engel 24/7

Later J
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Old 11-19-2017, 02:28 PM   #5
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Nice looking bus!
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Old 11-19-2017, 03:32 PM   #6
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Quote:
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Paint is hand-done by Artie Barksdale, a muralist in Durham, NC, who loves to camouflage anything that doesn't move.
...and a few that DO move.

Wonderful mobile hunting lodge ! Very nicely done. Hope you get the mechanicals ironed-out and enjoy using it.
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Old 11-19-2017, 03:53 PM   #7
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Well done!
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Old 11-19-2017, 05:48 PM   #8
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Twigg, it can be a problem when we camp in places like the Okefenokee!
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Old 11-19-2017, 05:50 PM   #9
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Jolly Roger, we live south of Chapel Hill.
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Old 11-19-2017, 06:00 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by joeblack5 View Post
nice job,
I like the offset skylight. Did you put the solar panel on top of the original escape hatch? That cover would help with ventilation during rain.
What capacity and voltage is your battery bank. Do you have a BMS ?
Can your solar panel support the engel 24/7

Later J
Thanks! In no particular order, one panel is in front of the emergency hatch/vent and the other is offset along side the Fantastic Vent. My wife made mosquito net coverings with magnets for the stock escape hatch/vent, as well as for the side windows. The fridge only draws 2.7 amps, so yes, the panels will power the fridge 24/7, as well as the lights, fan, and water pump. The battery is a 12-volt 100 amp-hour, but that is the equivalent of a 200 ah marine deep cycle because you can use 85-100% of capacity, whereas the deep-cycle can only be drawn down to 50% to avoid damage to the battery. So far, there have been no issues, but I left space for a second battery if it's needed. I typically see the battery brought up to full charge by around midday, though we haven't done any late-night binges or wild parties. The BMS is built into the battery (from Bioenno). One of the considerations in offsetting the skylight/Fantastic Vent was to keep it closer to the cooking area for more effective exhaust. All in all, I have to say the various folks we have worked with on this project have been great, even when we have had difficulties on the road (transmission and alternator), so it's been a wonderful experience overall.
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Old 11-19-2017, 07:10 PM   #11
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Twigg, it can be a problem when we camp in places like the Okefenokee!
Yep ... I'm sure we left it around here somewhere
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Old 11-20-2017, 06:55 PM   #12
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Year: 2000
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Awesome paint job!

Does the passenger side and rear look the same?
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