Flooring and 12 VDC modifications May 17, 2018, 10:11:59 am I'd been thinking about removing the original carpeting from my bath and lounge areas and replacing it with some sort of wood flooring for some time, but wasn't sure I wanted to take it on by myself. When I was down in Florida a few weeks ago visiting my old friend and trusted carpentry expert of nearly 40 years, we decided over a couple of adult beverages we could replace the carpet with bamboo flooring without too much trouble. Including the carpet and staple removal, installation, the custom cuts and transition pieces he made, we probably had ten hours or so in the project after clean up, over a couple of easy days. We didn't want to overdo it. ;-) The flooring matches the interior cabinets well. I may change my mind one of these days. Of course two boxes of bamboo was not quite enough, so I have almost a full box left over to do it if that time comes. The CB was not reliable in my rig, and I've never been a fan of them anyway. Back home, I decided I wanted a couple of 12 volt receptacles for my dash cam and GPS that would allow me to have them plugged in without using the dash receptacles, mostly to keep the cables out of the line of sight when driving, but also to have a dash receptacle available for my phone. The 4" box I bought fit perfectly into the existing bracket for the CB. I installed an ON\OFF switch, a couple of 12 VDC receptacles, brought the existing CB power into the box. The cables are secured above the rear view mirror out of the way when I'm on the road. 7 Likes
Re: Flooring and 12 VDC modifications Reply #1 – May 17, 2018, 12:23:01 pm Any laminate project will end up one board short when you run thru the 'last box'. It's a corollary to the butter side down rule. 2 Likes
Re: Flooring and 12 VDC modifications Reply #2 – May 17, 2018, 01:00:53 pm krmugn ... Excellent and thank you for taking the time to post your upgrade and the pictures. Every time you walk on those floors you're going to smile and say to yourself ... well done Self! 1 Likes
Re: Flooring and 12 VDC modifications Reply #3 – May 17, 2018, 01:32:37 pm That looks really nice 👍 1 Likes
Re: Flooring and 12 VDC modifications Reply #4 – May 17, 2018, 03:12:22 pm Both jobs look very professional-grade! Can you provide "box specifics"? 1 Likes
Re: Flooring and 12 VDC modifications Reply #5 – May 17, 2018, 05:35:22 pm Beautiful! When I see a project like that, or Ed & Margee's lovely kitchen tile job, I get all excited--but then I have to remember my limitations & talk myself off the ledge before I dive headfirst into what would be the shallow end that a knowledgeable person knows to wade into carefully. Now, if you could just clone your "...old friend and trusted carpentry expert of nearly 40 years..." I believe there is a ready market for such a product (especially for those of us who cannot easily access Famous Larry's LD Wizards R Us & other such facilities).Lynne 1 Likes
Re: Flooring and 12 VDC modifications Reply #6 – May 18, 2018, 09:24:35 am Thanks to all for the comments! My friend deserves all the credit for the flooring. I was just his helper. I wish he weren't 1300 miles away. I miss his good company and collaborating on projects with him.JCT, Regarding 'box specifics', I'm afraid I can't provide much. I had the components for some time sitting in my 'RV stuff' storage area. The box is a Cantex 4x4x2 junction box, probably from Lowe's. The On\Off switch may have come from there too. The panel mount, waterproof receptacles I don't know where I got, but easy to source online of course. Bill
Re: Flooring and 12 VDC modifications Reply #7 – May 18, 2018, 09:37:56 am "The box is a Cantex 4x4x2 junction box, probably from Lowe's. The On\Off switch may have come from there too. The panel mount, waterproof receptacles I don't know where I got, but easy to source online of course. ----Thanks; I thought that the box looked like a standard junction box, but wasn't sure.