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Daisy- Electrical Upgrades
I added a bunch of pictures of the spring projects to the Daisy folder, most notably to the house electrical system. Modernizing the 35 year old charging system, fuse block, and breaker box so I had room to add a couple 100W solar panels was big on my to-do list. I threw in a bunch of other small projects, then piled the two youngest kids and the dog in the RV for an overnight test. A little snow, a bunch of rain, then a change of location for a drier area (after a lot of driving and looking). The kids were asleep in the back, so I had the fire going and camp set up before waking them. Hotdogs and s'mores around the fire were a big hit.

Nothing burned down, so that was nice. 

The thermostat was pretty much dead, which made the night a little chilly until I realized what was wrong. A little bending and scraping got it working, and I picked a new one up on the way home. The new one didn't have an off switch, so when the temperature got below it's lowest setting the fan ran all night in the driveway. I'm going to wire in a switch or just replace the thermostat (again). It's a work in progress, which makes it more interesting to me.
1983 20'
Re: Daisy- Electrical Upgrades
Reply #2 –
It's not as clean as I would have liked, but working with the existing wiring and space constraints limited my options. The contortions I had to go through to do the work under the bench (circuit breakers, buss bars, shunt, cabling...) will be echoed in my back for a long time. At a certain point, you just have to say it's "good enough" and get out there and use it.
 
I have a thousand other projects pending, so this will have to do for now.
1983 20'
Re: Daisy- Electrical Upgrades
Reply #3 –
Other than the thermostat, I'm probably going to look at doing some exterior rehab. The inside looks a lot better than the outside, although the "Breaking Bad" nature of Daisy's appearance probably deters would-be thieves. That, and the big black lab inside.
 
I know I have to re-bed the windows this summer if it would ever get dry and temperate. Not a job I'm looking forward to, because you never know what you're going to find. The previous owner kept up the maintenance for much of its life, but you never know...
 
I'm also looking at the paint and some body work on the cab. Brown '80s vans never looked all that slick, even when new, but I'm thinking a coat of something might do her a world of good. Another big project I'm waiting for the weather and my attitude to change.
 
To be honest, I just want to get out there and spend some time away from things this summer. A warm, dry place to kick my feet up and vegetate in sounds pretty good these days.
1983 20'
Re: Daisy- Electrical Upgrades
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Alaska Mike  - 

Nothing burned down, so that was nice. 

Keeping the smoke inside the wires is always a good thing, it's so hard to put it back in once it has escaped .

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Daisy- Electrical Upgrades
Reply #5 –
Quote from: Ed & Margee  - 
Good to see your LD updates. Great work. Btw, next time you’re in Fort Worth please drop by. I’ve got a short list of projects that are right up your alley. 😉


Actually, Chillicothe is in north Missouri (& I've got 50 acres of pasture for quiet boondocking for any LD cult members passing through)--we've got Jesse James/Walt Disney/Gen. John Pershing/Mormon history/Calamity Jane/Walter Cronkite/the Pony Express & lots more within about an hour all the way around town, & we're just about 40 minutes east of I-35, so you could stop through here on your way to see the sights of Fort Worth (& Ed & Margee), since that's just a piece down the road on I-35 (piece being relative when you've come all the way from Alaska).   ;D

Thx for the travelogue through your impressive renovation journey...besides the memories made with camping trips, I hope you're taking the kids on the renovation journey--as a 63 y/o "girl" I wish I'd paid more attention, & asked my dad questions, instead of burying my nose in a book all the time.   :P

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: Daisy- Electrical Upgrades
Reply #6 –
The older three kids all have a had a part in the project, with my daughter probably doing the most. Sweat equity helps build a bond stronger than the attraction to newer, flashier RVs.
1983 20'
 
Re: Daisy- Electrical Upgrades
Reply #7 –
Replaced the thermostat with one that was a little more complex than I needed (cooling and fan functions), but wired up easily and has an off switch.
 
I'll be doing the closet shelves this week, and maybe a smaller project or two before the wife gets home from her vacation. Should be all set to go for some weekend getaways- that is, if the weather will cooperate for a change.
1983 20'