New Van On The Way

[nut17]

Just when we thought that our current van would easily see us out - along comes the new Jayco Silverline with even more bling and that wonderful "J-Tech" independent suspension. Went to place our order only to find that all production scheduled until the end of 2014 has been allocated. However I managed to find one unallocated 25' Outback due for December 2014 delivery in NZ. Have arranged for factory install of 600w solar, 3rd 82lt water tank, satellite dish, and bike rack. The weight of these new vans has "ballooned" and our new one will have a tare of just under 3000kg and will be close to the Jeep's maximum of 3500kg on the road. We will be transferring the lithium battery and Votronic computer out of our existing van along with my DC charging regime and PSW inverter.

Exciting times all over again

Cheers Chris

[mottleemob]

Mongrel cheers Phil
PS Hope you enjoy it

[nut17]

A few minor "speed bumps" with the new van. There are some issues around wheel alignment and condensation with the new Silverlines.

I have always been a "tyre concious" person and would have quickly picked up on tyre wear issues if it was me - particularly with the Outback version which with the raised chassis does leave the wheels exposed and easy to inspect. Nothing wrong with the design, just an oversight in the pre delivery checks by the dealer that should be part of every new vehicle delivery.

A new wall to roof joint extrusion will be used by the time our van is produced, and an effective repair has been approved as a "recall" for all existing Silverlines to solve the condensation problem.

Our specification is evolving, as by eliminating the rear bedroom roof hatch I have room to fit 980w X 24v solar, feed it into an eTracer 60 amp MPPT controller, and will also double up the lithium battery bank to a total of 400Amp Hrs. I will split the panels into two banks, individually switched so that the controller does not get overloaded during the summer months.

Unfortunately the "Drifter" electronic control panel which is an excellent device including a 100 amp shunt for accurate SOC battery management as well as tank monitoring and pump/12v switching, cannot be upgraded to cope with the higher load required to run our 1200w PSW inverter. I will still need to fit another monitor / battery management system. ( Will run with Votronic with 200Amp shunt)
Terry, although you will not agree with my choice of panels/controller, you will be pleased to know the the cell logger will be installed to monitor the 8 cells in the new installation

The colours have been chosen along with the the other options including some more 12v and 230v outlets and some USB sockets. No aircon but will have the big 7kg Ariston front loader washer/condenser dryer. Delivery still early - mid Jan 2015.

Cheers Chris

[T1 Terry]

The results from the tracer will be interesting, I hope not bad interesting for your sake. I'd recommend the Victron 600s BMV or newer 700s BMV as an excellent battery monitor. It will be interesting to see what the 'true' charging current is from the Tracer.

T1 Terry

[nut17]

Always allowing for my right to change my mind Terry, I have purchased today an Outback Flexmax 80 Amp MPPT controller for the new van. I have purchased from an Australian supplier on Ebay for A$599 + A$29 freight total $NZ730 at my door. Best I can do here for the same device is $NZ1150 !!! I will not purchase the panels until we have the van.

Cheers Chris.

[T1 Terry]

If you have the room, you won't go far wrong with the Outback MX80 MPPT controller, they do work and have dropped in price quite substantially via evil bay sellers. That always makes me nervous, are they the real thing of Chinese copies, but it's also possible Outback have released a new version so this is the old stock being flogged off cheap.

[nut17]

Time for a bit of an update on the new van. It has arrived in Christchurch and I have been down to see it - And it is bloody brilliant!!! We have booked the ferry from Wellington to Picton on the 8.30am crossing on Monday January 12th, with the swap to the new van happening later that week.

The Flexmax Outback 80 solar controller arrived and is a Chinese "knock off" which has disappointed me but the Aussie supplier is not returning my emails so I will fit it and see how it goes. I am now going to fit a total of 1160w solar to keep the pair of 200 Ah lithiums topped up particularly as I have opted for a 215lt Waeco compressor fridge after the bad press the new RM 8555 Dometic 3 way has been getting. Between now and when we pick up the van there will be a Webasto diesel heater fitted along with a 250lt grey water tank, wind up satellite dish and a full wall kit made up for the annex. My son and I will install the solar when I get the van home in early February.

I have spent the last two weeks preparing out current van for sale and removing most of the extras, returning it pretty much to "ex factory" specification. It will still have 330w solar, 180lt grey tank, satellite dish, SOG and lots of extra 12 and 230v outlets. The Bosch 100amp/hr AGM battery supplied in the new van will be transferred to our old one.

Only three weeks and counting

Cheers Chris

[Dot]

Happy travels in your new van Chris.

[BernieQ2]

The telly next to the dunny looks odd?? haha
Bernie.

[Dot]

Shows how much you know about laundry appliances hey Bernie:)