Cool Mods - Thread restored 10/18/2012

[2Rad4U]

My daughter was getting a little warm in her bunk during our last camping trip, so I decided to put her a fan in to keep the air flowing.

I had been wanting to add a 12-volt fan to the main living area anyway, so I decided to tackle both jobs today. A trip to Wal-Mart for two fans($8.48 each) and we're halfway there.

She picked the spot, and I got to work -



I picked up the power from her overhead light. All I have left is to install a short piece of wire cover and I'm done -



I added one in the main area -



I dropped by Lowe's and found this cool soap dispenser. I also just installed these Pop-a-Toothbrush holders -



I added a sopa dispenser to the kitchen area as well. I also installed a Pop-a-Napkin under the radio -



Here's an easy mod. I found this over the door towel rack at Walmart and it works great -

[4x4FF]

RSD559 wrote:
It has a little ventilation, but your're probably right. I'll put a couple of small vents in the back. I'll just have to find some that will keep water drips out, and spiders out. 'Specially the spiders!

How about something like those little circular soffit vents? Some are screened and louvered. Just drill a hole in the box with a circular saw and good to go.

Steve

[RSD559]

It has a little ventilation, but your're probably right. I'll put a couple of small vents in the back. I'll just have to find some that will keep water drips out, and spiders out. 'Specially the spiders!

[danimal53]

RSD559 wrote:
This was my project for Saturday. Got the box from Harbor Freight for Father's day. It's made for their little ute trailers, so modifications were needed. First, I needed new u-bolts. They were only 4" long. Tractor Supply has 2 x 5s. I also needed a new lock mechanism. The original is blocked by the propane tank. Got the hasp at a local hardware store, and the cool lock that doesn't bounce from Harbor Freight. And, I got some large self-tapping screws and fender washers. Drilled new holes for the u-bolts, and two large 5/8 holes for the battery wires. Yes, they have grommets in them. For good measure, I put the screws and washers to anchor the back of the box to the a-frame. I used some strap brackets, again from Tractor Supply, to hold the battery box in place. It locks up the battery, and has room for all of my set-up and emergency gear. Note: the two goopy screws are where the propane regulator was mounted. Haven't figured what to do with them yet.

looks like a really nicely done mod! Very pro looking.

my only question: doesn't the battery need venting? my understanding is the battery gives off a faint amount of gas/vapor (i'm no chemist, but something potentially bad) that's why battery boxes have small vents in them. not sure how serious, but wouldn't want your mod/tt/tv to explode or something.

[RSD559]

This was my project for Saturday. Got the box from Harbor Freight for Father's day. It's made for their little ute trailers, so modifications were needed. First, I needed new u-bolts. They were only 4" long. Tractor Supply has 2 x 5s. I also needed a new lock mechanism. The original is blocked by the propane tank. Got the hasp at a local hardware store, and the cool lock that doesn't bounce from Harbor Freight. And, I got some large self-tapping screws and fender washers. Drilled new holes for the u-bolts, and two large 5/8 holes for the battery wires. Yes, they have grommets in them. For good measure, I put the screws and washers to anchor the back of the box to the a-frame. I used some strap brackets, again from Tractor Supply, to hold the battery box in place. It locks up the battery, and has room for all of my set-up and emergency gear. Note: the two goopy screws are where the propane regulator was mounted. Haven't figured what to do with them yet.

[pdmac1946]

I have a wireless backup camera that I put in the back window of my 28ft travel trailer. It works well. However, because it is an inexpensive unit I have to make sure the wires are tightly tucked away because if they jiggle to much it screws up the picture on the monitor. There are too many wire connections. What is interesting is the monitor can pick up the camera signal up to almost 100 yards away.

[RSD559]

Not sure what flavor of wifi it is, probably 802.11g. I didn't check when I had it hooked up. I'd be concerned. 40' of trailer, 15' of tow vehicle, and a bunch of walls in the trailer.

[4x4FF]

RSD559 wrote:
I bought it on e-bay. Here is the url:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181777460741?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D181777460741%26_rdc%3D1

I wonder how the range would be if it were on the back of a 40' 5th wheel? Might have to look at that.


Steve

[RSD559]

I bought it on e-bay. Here is the url:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181777460741?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D181777460741%26_rdc%3D1

[Bigbird65]

RSD559 wrote:
The wife is out of town, so I was able to play this evening. I bought a cheap wifi backup camera on e-bay for about $30. I also bought a plastic electronics enclosure for $5. It's about the size of a deck of cards. I attached the camera itself to the bottom of the enclosure (box), and put the wifi module in the box. Drilled holes in the box for the antenna and the wires. I used heavy duty adhesive tape to mount the box just below the center clearance light. I spliced the power for the camera to the light wires, and sealed it all up. No news holes in the trailer. Rear view camera for under $50. It connects to my phone as a wifi hotspot. I'll probably buy a cheap mini tablet as a dedicated monitor. I would take a picture, but it's just a little black box on the back of the trailer. Not really picture worthy.

I would like fo you to post a link where you bought it. Sounds interesting.
Thanks

[RSD559]

Walmart. Cheap tablets.

[chr_]

Yeah, I've been considering this too. DW always brings her IPAD, and the wireless one I have has a screen that is waaaaaay too small.:h

[RSD559]

It's about 30 feet. The resolution is pretty good. But it occasionally cuts out for a second or two. It was also doing that when I was testing it out 5 feet apart. Seems to smooth out after a few minutes. I'm really pleased with what I got for what I paid.

[Zeppe807]

RSD559 wrote:
The wife is out of town, so I was able to play this evening. I bought a cheap wifi backup camera on e-bay for about $30. I also bought a plastic electronics enclosure for $5. It's about the size of a deck of cards. I attached the camera itself to the bottom of the enclosure (box), and put the wifi module in the box. Drilled holes in the box for the antenna and the wires. I used heavy duty adhesive tape to mount the box just below the center clearance light. I spliced the power for the camera to the light wires, and sealed it all up. No news holes in the trailer. Rear view camera for under $50. It connects to my phone as a wifi hotspot. I'll probably buy a cheap mini tablet as a dedicated monitor. I would take a picture, but it's just a little black box on the back of the trailer. Not really picture worthy.

What's the distance from your cab to the back of the trailer, and how is the resolution? Sounds like a good option.

Joe

[Zeppe807]

RSD559 wrote:
The wife is out of town, so I was able to play this evening. I bought a cheap wifi backup camera on e-bay for about $30. I also bought a plastic electronics enclosure for $5. It's about the size of a deck of cards. I attached the camera itself to the bottom of the enclosure (box), and put the wifi module in the box. Drilled holes in the box for the antenna and the wires. I used heavy duty adhesive tape to mount the box just below the center clearance light. I spliced the power for the camera to the light wires, and sealed it all up. No news holes in the trailer. Rear view camera for under $50. It connects to my phone as a wifi hotspot. I'll probably buy a cheap mini tablet as a dedicated monitor. I would take a picture, but it's just a little black box on the back of the trailer. Not really picture worthy.

What's the distance from your cab to the back of the trailer, and how is the resolution? Sounds like a good option.

Joe

[RSD559]

The wife is out of town, so I was able to play this evening. I bought a cheap wifi backup camera on e-bay for about $30. I also bought a plastic electronics enclosure for $5. It's about the size of a deck of cards. I attached the camera itself to the bottom of the enclosure (box), and put the wifi module in the box. Drilled holes in the box for the antenna and the wires. I used heavy duty adhesive tape to mount the box just below the center clearance light. I spliced the power for the camera to the light wires, and sealed it all up. No news holes in the trailer. Rear view camera for under $50. It connects to my phone as a wifi hotspot. I'll probably buy a cheap mini tablet as a dedicated monitor. I would take a picture, but it's just a little black box on the back of the trailer. Not really picture worthy.