Cuppa's Camper

[Shaunous]

Hey Cuppa,
Awsome build mate.

Im looking at the BCDC1240 also, what brand solar panels are you running and where did you get them from, I see everyone these days advertises them, but im not sure which ones to stay away from or whats good, i'll probably only want one 120w portable setup.

Cheers,
Shaun..

[mudduck]

Looks great mate, keep those pix coming, thinking of going that way myself down the track.

[Cuppa]

Hey Cuppa,
Awsome build mate.

Im looking at the BCDC1240 also, what brand solar panels are you running and where did you get them from, I see everyone these days advertises them, but im not sure which ones to stay away from or whats good, i'll probably only want one 120w portable setup.

Cheers,
Shaun..

Hi Shaun, sorry I've been slow to answer, I haven't been here for a while & only just saw your post. My solar panels came from OzPlaza on ebay. 120w folding units for $290 each. I bought two from them, but one was damaged in transit. They replaced it after a minor drama. Panels seem fine & others I know have bought them too & are happy. Another seller on Ebay that folks seem happy with is 'Bit Deals' who also have good prices. That's where I'd go if I were buying again. The folding panels come with lightweight cabling & an el cheapo regulator attached to the rear of the panels. I'll junk the reg, & replace the cabling with heavier wire to avoid voltage drop. The back of the panels is not really a good place for the regulator anyway, best as close to the batteries as possible.

When the broken panel was replaced they did not want the damaged one returned, so I scored half a folding 120 watter for nix, so I now plan on having the fixed 125w panel, plus 2 x 120w folding panels & a single 60w one. The broken panel (glass completely shattered) has reduced output but is in use at home for trickle charging some old batteries I use for electric fencing, utilising one of the el cheapo regulators they came with, & with some clear film stuck over it to prevent me getting glass slivers in my hands. :-)

Regards
Cuppa

[mattyh]

How did you pick up an ex telstra ute just from an auction??

[Cuppa]

G'day mattyh,
I bought from a company in Melbourne called Orix. ( http://www.orix.com.au/used-cars/moorabbin.html ). They lease the vehicles to Telstra, & then sell them to the public when they are 4 or 5 years old. As I understand it, they only sell the better ones & send any that might be a bit suss to the auctions. They are like a car yard, & were the first such place I ever bought a vehicle from, all previous vehicles being bought privately. Came with a 3 month warranty, & I got my own inspection done at a 4wd place 'cos I didn't trust the RACV report provided. It was $100 well spent as it resulted in a list of things I wanted them to fix, which they did without a quibble. I'd buy from them again. Vehicle has a full mechanical history from Telstra.

cheers
Cuppa

[Woof]

Hey Cuppa, how did you go with the recovery points mate?

[Cuppa]

Hey Cuppa, how did you go with the recovery points mate?

Hi Dogman,
The recovery points from Brett fitted on without problem thanks. I should take some pix ....... I'm due to post a few more, & having made a small start on the camper fit-out have a couple things to point the camera at now. In the past week I've pulled out all the Telstra shelving, fitted additional batteries (3x120Ah) inside the canopy & made storage arrangements for 300w of solar panels. All bolted frameworks as my only welding skills are with oxy, & I no longer have the oxy gear. I do have an arc welder, but have rarely used it, blowing holes in 1.2mm walled square tube when I had a practice run last week convinced me that wasn't the way to go & living way out of town makes getting someone else to do it impractical. Riv nuts (nutserts) are my friend having recently acquired an air operated insertion tool. Will try to get some pix tomorrow.

Regards
Cuppa

[Cuppa]

Ok, a little done & some pics to prove it! ;-)
Lot's still to do.
'House' batteries secured, Solar panel storage sorted, recovery points fitted & rooftop tent fitted. (You can see the tent is currently secured with ropes, it needs a replacement top tarp to be made up incoprporating a more convenient tie down arrangement. Tool is the air operated nutsert (riv-nut) insertion tool.

cheers
Cuppa

[AB]

I'm very jealous Cuppa, looks great!

[Dark 1]

Yours or Rosscoe's ......... I can't decide which one i'll have when you pass on .......... Oh stuff it i'll just have both !

Top stuff Cuppa really looks the goods.