1987 Starcraft expedition popup

[Brad]

It's going to take several mods. I will update frequently.

Specs:
1987 Starcraft Astrolite (no frills model)
Sleeps 3 but am going to convert the benches into another bed.
A/C
No stove or sink
No furnace
110 w/ 12v converter with 2 110 outlets
Icebox

Current mods:
2500w solar power setup
Storage shelf w/ propane and battery on tow tongue
New curtains

Future mods:
Lift including bigger wheels and tires
Shelving above counter
External rear shelf for additional gear storage
Water tank under camper but above axle
Memory foam mattresses
Internal and external LED lighting
24v setup for more reserve power
More as I think of it

Pics:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/bdbba8fc.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/8a4244b7.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/154b32fc.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/720ec5c1.jpg


First major mod underway:
Before:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/ae059e06.jpg
After:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/6d4d96c6.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/a3ace9c9.jpg

Here is picture of where the cables come out of the camper:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/21bf2ac1.jpg

[southpaws3]

nice

[Smash]

Going to add stove/sink/furnace? Or just keep it as a tent on wheels? Looks like fun, I had a great time working on the popup I had (but sold it to help a friend out).

[MelloYello]

That is Awesome!

[edog]

Nice job! What are the specs/details on the solar setup? I would like to do something like that to mine. I have a 1997 starcraft that I am working on various projects with.

[Brad]

Here is what I bought for my solar setup:

85w panel with charge controller on amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OSAB2I

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51gTqR8sOgL._SS400_.jpg

2500w inverter from whistler:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003R7LQDI



2/0 cable from Storm Copper 5 foot length:
http://store.electrical-insulators-and-copper-ground-bars.com/solar-battery-interconnect-cable-20.html $60 shipped

15 feet of black 8 guage and 15 feet of red 8 guage 600w rated (same as solar panel) wire from home depot $20

Deep cycle battery and battery box from Walmart. Waaay cheaper than anywhere else I looked. $85 total.

[Brad]

Going to add stove/sink/furnace? Or just keep it as a tent on wheels?

Not sure on the sink. But am adding a furnace. We have a coleman 2 burner stove which is portable so we will just use that.

Our first splurge for our coffee (Jenn and I are coffee snobs) is this:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41D%2BRYfU2HL._SS360_.jpg

Hardly uses any power and makes great coffee. Plus it is compact and can fit easily in the cabinet.

[Smash]

Fantastic. Will watch this carefully. I really like your plans. Interested in your experience with the solar setup, after a year or so under your belt of real world use.

[Brad]

I have been primarily consulting with my coworker Bob who has had a similar solar setup in Wyoming at his getaway. It is completely off grid. He has had that set up since 1989. He is on his second rig right now.

[Chris]

Can you give an idea of the expected total cost? Is it cost effective vs a second battery and/or a trickle charger running off an inverter on the tow vehicle?

[Brad]

It is cost effective no matter what as it is renewable energy.

My total cost will be in the neighborhood of $750 when I am fully done with the 24v setup.

[Brad]

Finally got the final piece of the puzzle:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/4acf2346.jpg

[Pathrat]

Pretty cool set up, I like what you are doing with the solar power. You have your priorities straight: coffee and heat!

[Brad]

Another Update..

Got the solar charge controller mounted and partially wired
Installed wires from the controller to the battery.
Connected main cables and charge controller cables to the battery
Installed the inverter
Added corrugated plastic to protect the cables and wires to the battery
Added tongue jack with wheel to make moving it a hell of alot easier!
Couple of pics:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/b475324b.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/5a933735.jpg

As soon as I have the wiring secure she is coming to you Pete! I am thinking of putting a second battery on next to the one in the picture and putting the propane tank in front of them.

[Smash]

Awesome solar panel... Can't wait to see how that works out real world.... thanks for the update!

[Roostercruiser]

Nice. I had a 72 starcraft and I did a springover on it and gave me 8inchs of lift.

[RockGrinder]

That's looking really nice, and I am almost becoming jealous (Just kidding), but it does look and sound neat the way you have set it up and all.

[Brad]

Thank you all for the compliments. So far this has been as much educational as fun.

[Brody]

As soon as I have the wiring secure she is coming to you Pete!

Looking really nice!

Should be able to arrange the propane tank mount wherever you want it within reason. Keep in mind the length of propane line that you ere going to be running if you have the tank sitting near the tongue, too. If I had a choice of what cable/line I was going to have to run the longest and most exposed, I know mine would be the one that didn't carry explosive gas. Just a thought...

[RockyMtnHigh]

Looking good Brad, I like the solar panel set up!

[Brad]

Looking really nice!

Should be able to arrange the propane tank mount wherever you want it within reason. Keep in mind the length of propane line that you ere going to be running if you have the tank sitting near the tongue, too. If I had a choice of what cable/line I was going to have to run the longest and most exposed, I know mine would be the one that didn't carry explosive gas. Just a thought...

I already talked with Pete about this. Unfortunately I am limited to keeping my battery cables as short as possible to keep the maximum amount of power getting to the inverter. A decision I had to make. Plan on running a temporary rubber hose to the propane tank for the time being but am going to plumb in a hard line to a furnace of my choosing later.


Thanks Jock! Cannot wait to try it out. I am only a couple connections and some wire routing to having the panel set up for trial use.

[Jackie]

You have your priorities straight: coffee and heat!
Couldn't have said it better myself!

You're going to have fun with that. Looks good!

[Brad]

Got all the solar done, tested and it charges. Wired up the truck with a trickle charge line while I drive through the 7 pin connector. Also will act as a charger when there is no sun. Here is the final product, heading to Pete tomorrow for some fab work.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/443e8ae2.jpg

[Funrover]

How did you run your 7 pin? What brake controller did you use?

[Chris]

Why run a brake controller on a trailer of this weight?

[Brad]

It does not have brakes. It is not heavy enough.

I ran my 7 pin with a light combiner for the driving lights/brake lights, 2 seperate turn signal wires, aux wire for the trickle charge off the truck, Ground. On the trailer side I have aux hooked up to the solar charge controller which will also monitor the trickle charge from the truck.

[RockyMtnHigh]

Thanks Jock! Cannot wait to try it out. I am only a couple connections and some wire routing to having the panel set up for trial use.

Well when you're ready, let me know, I may head out with you!

[Brad]

There are going to be several trips this year locally. Need to get my updated fishing license as well. Maybe bug you for some fly lessons. :thumb:

[RockyMtnHigh]

Maybe bug you for some fly lessons. :thumb:

Bugs are what fly fishing is all about! :D Of course, I would be happy to! :thumb:

[Chris]

I mentioned a year or so ago that I'd like to give it a try when my shoulders healed Jock. This year I say eff it, I'll give it a try anyway!

[Brody]

It's all in the wrist anyway Chris and there is nothing that I know of wrong with your wrists.....No excuses....

[Chris]

No excuses Pete! Now that I'm not hobbled I can do anything! :lmao:

[RockyMtnHigh]

I mentioned a year or so ago that I'd like to give it a try when my shoulders healed Jock. This year I say eff it, I'll give it a try anyway!

Not going to hijack this too much, it's going to be hard to tell until you're actually out there doing it whether your shoulders are going to bother you. High sticking running a nymph rig may pose some problems, but the position maybe something you can handle. Dry flying more than likely won't, which is by far my favorite, you actually get to see the take and set the hook, hardly ever snag on anything unless it's on top of the water, nypmhing can be a pain especially after Spring run off with all the debris on the bottom and sub surface, lots of re-rigging.


It's all in the wrist anyway Chris and there is nothing that I know of wrong with your wrists.....No excuses....

I probably don't want to know, how you know, there isn't anything wrong with his wrists. :eek::lmao:

It's a finesse thing, unlike spin gear you don't want to chunk it out there like you're trying to kill it on casts. Let the rod do the work, load and release, it's one of the reasons fly rods are so much longer than spin rods. Again though, casting is a small part of it and the other stuff may cause him some issues, we'll just have to wait and see.

[Brody]

It's a finesse thing, unlike spin gear you don't want to chunk it out there like you're trying to kill it on casts. Let the rod do the work, load and release, it's one of the reasons fly rods are so much longer than spin rods.

I used to do a lot of fly fishing back in Florida wading around the various lakes and also fishing in the mangrove flats off the Gulf Coast. Fish down there don't have an IQ, probably because they live south of the Mason Dixon Line, so they are easy to catch. Fish up here are a lot smarter and since I fish to eat fish (and don't 'catch and release') my fishing methods aren't too 'sporting' here.....

[Chris]

High sticking running a nymph rig may pose some problems.

Lost me quickly on that line Jock!:erm:

[Brad]

At least you guys could mention something nice about my pop up every now and then.. ya bunch a hi jackers! :D

[Chris]

:hijack:

Sorry to hijack Jock's fly fishing thread but nice progress on the trailer Brad!

:lmao:

[RockyMtnHigh]

I already said nice progress on the camper, you're the one who got us on the topic of fly fishing, BRAD! :lmao:


Lost me quickly on that line Jock!:erm:

Here's an example of high sticking, the idea is to keep the line off the water.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpJz-8YUgu4&feature=related

There are 6 different types of bugs we use out here, nymphs, emergers, midges, dries, terrestrials and streamers. Nymphs, emergers, midges and streamers are all below or sub surface flies and dries and terrestrials are surface.

[Brad]

I already said nice progress on the camper, you're the one who got us on the topic of fly fishing, BRAD!

Yea.. but YOU ran with it! All kidding aside I really enjoy learning about fly fishing so please keep up the info! Technically speaking it is related to my trailer build. :thumb:

[RockyMtnHigh]

Apparently my abilities will allow me to delete posts, delete the entire thread, merge the thread with another one or close it, but they won't allow me to move posts to another thread, WTF Aaron? :lmao:

I was going to start another one and move the FR4x4 A.D.D. from this one over to it, but I can't! :frown:

[Chris]

It would probably be good if Aaron breaks this in two threads.

[Brad]

I really have to give thanks to Pete. He has once again exceeded my expectations. Here is a before and after pic.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/41bac8cc.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/78eabe89.jpg
And a pic from the top:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/082709f9.jpg

I asked for a double battery box and a propane tank mount and he added a space for a storage container.

[RockyMtnHigh]

Damn Pete, that looks good! I will be needing something similar done on mine for a double battery too, guess I know who to call (like I didn't already:rolleyes:).

[Aaron]

Brad!!! Lots of good parts here. Furnace, Fridge, stove, sink... Bet he would part it out for ya...

http://denver.craigslist.org/rvs/2321676622.html

[Brad]

Close. Fridge is too big. I think we are going to buy our own Mr. Heater instead of adding another electrical consumer ie the furnace, in favor of the fridge.
Thanks for the find! :thumb:

[RockyMtnHigh]

To be honest Brad the furnace isn't that bad, I ran mine quite a bit for two days and still had plenty of juice for the lights and water pump and I got a single battery. The fridge I ran on propane, which seems to cool better anyway. I know this one is too big, but if you get a dual operation it's something to consider.

The first time out with mine I ran the furnace for several hours, I thought the guy I was with was cold so I left it on longer than I wanted to, he thought the same thing, then it got to point where it was unbearably hot and I turned it off. About the only time I have run it now is before bed and in the mornings.

[Brad]

My latest modification. A 12v system. Only a couple more things to do electrically which is install a 12v display on a switch
to easily check the battery. Add another battery with box to the system and tie them in together. Then off to Pete for the
lift and stabilizer setup.

I installed 3 rockers to control the roof LED's, floor LED's and the circulating fan in the icebox.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/bd9c91a6.jpg

The incredibly lame wiring behind the scenes. This is only temporary until I can wire in a
real switch panel. Notice the fuse block in the background!
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/a21bb208.jpg

Floor LED's:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/2423cecd.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/5da936de.jpg

Ceiling LED's. Had to create a shape to go around where the door collapses against the ceiling and far enough away to light up the larger bunk. Plus a strip over the kitchen counter for food prep. There is a second strip above the smaller bunk side of the ceiling.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/b1b9191c.jpg
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/e399ce8e.jpg

Circulation fan in the icebox.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/bc3c4e99.jpg

I also added one of these although it is not electrical:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/0a53b1c4.jpg

[Chris]

Looks good Brad, a couple things there that are on our list now that we've found the need.

[Funrover]

She is looking good. :thumb:

[Brad]

Thanks guys. If you ever need help setting up this stuff let me know.

[Funrover]

I need help....

[Zukrider]

I like. sensible mods for sure.

[Funrover]

I just want to see how you wired it all, I have the idea how this all works but phisically looking myself helps!

[Rob]

Nice work, Brad. :thumb:

[Brad]

I just want to see how you wired it all, I have the idea how this all works but phisically looking myself helps!

I have it set up in my garage all the time when it is not in use. We will set up a time and meet up.

I forgot to mention, thanks to Chris, we now have a furnace which I will be installing this winter. Most likely when I add the second battery.

[Dirt Claude]

Yeah, I'd be interested in coming over and checking it out too. I haven't done any mods to my camper yet, but would like to get started.

[Brad]

You are more than welcome! I have a smoker. I will toss on a Pork shoulder and we can make a afternoon of it. :thumb:

[ColoJeeper]

If somebody is interested, I have a 95 Flagstaff popup that has some water damage to the roof and canvas, but all of the interior is in good shape including 3-way refrigerator, stove and furnace that I would let go cheap. $ 900 to replace all the canvas, or could just take the damages sections out and replace much cheaper. I'll let the whole thing go for $ 500

[Brad]

If somebody is interested, I have a 95 Flagstaff popup that has some water damage to the roof and canvas, but all of the interior is in good shape including 3-way refrigerator, stove and furnace that I would let go cheap. $ 900 to replace all the canvas, or could just take the damages sections out and replace much cheaper. I'll let the whole thing go for $ 500

I might be interested in that Don. Could you email me some pics?

[Chris]

If somebody is interested, I have a 95 Flagstaff popup that has some water damage to the roof and canvas, but all of the interior is in good shape including 3-way refrigerator, stove and furnace that I would let go cheap. $ 900 to replace all the canvas, or could just take the damages sections out and replace much cheaper. I'll let the whole thing go for $ 500

How about just the refigerator? What powers it? Electric? Propane?

[ColoJeeper]

I'll set it up and get some pics. Fridge runs off of propane, 110 and 12volt power. I'm not interested in parting the trailer out, and want to sell it as a unit.

[Chris]

1st in line for the fridge? I think Brad already has one.

[Brad]

Nope. I have a Icebox. I actually want the camper for restoration purposes. Have a sneaky project planned.

[Chris]

Sounds like a deal for you to pick up Brad! Not quite as good a deal as mine for $600 but as a project you should grab it. :thumb:

[Funrover]

Someone shoulf buy his camper so I can get a furnace..LOL

Colodisco - I will call you soon-ish and see if we can set something up!

[Brad]

We decided I have too much to do on the Rover, Porsche, and our current camper so we are going to pass. Someone should definately pick it up though! He took a bunch of pictures, I can forward the email if anyone is interested.