BOV Solar Installation

I could not find the type of Solar Panel needed for our BOV Solar installation in Taiwan but managed to get one from China instead. I needed a Semi-Flexi 20W Solar Panel which is lighter and more durable unlike those glass reinforced with Aluminium frames that are much heavier.  

Delivery took less than a week and the package was well packed. Also included was a 2 metres cable with connectors and that save my effort to hunt for more cables and connectors. Currently I got only one Solar Panel to test it out, if it is good, I will get probably 2 or 3 more to ran in parallel for more Amperes for BOV camping and survival.

Base on the calculation a 20W Solar Panel only produces 1.2 amp current. It is definitely insufficient if we were to use for self sustain BOV camping. 

Based on our need, estimated ampere hourly ampere usage calculation what we will use are the;
  • Cool Box 3amp 36Watt hourly and if on it for 8hour and off it during the evening, we would consumed 288Watts 
  • LED x 3@ 0.12amp = 0.36amp = 1.44watts x 3 = 4.32Watts hourly and for 8 hour in the evening = 34.56Watts. 

Mobolo PWM Solar Charge Controller Modification


Got this Solar Charge Controller locally made in China by Mobolo Electronic Technology Co. Ltd. It came with a 3 page Mandarin user instructions and the Solar Charge Controller. This model is EPOW-PS10 10amp PWM Solar Charge Controller, on their website you can download the User Instructions but it is in Chinese. PWM, Pulse Width Modulation are one of the most sophisticated technology as it is able to monitor, adjust and control the charge going into the battery.  


Mashin KS-1210 Intelligent Battery Charger


For the whole last one week, we been having problems with our vehicle stater battery. The vehicle was left too long not running and the battery was totally discharged. Checked the battery it was 11.9V, managed to jump start and drove around for 2 hours. Next day, it was not able to start again the battery reading was 12.1V.

Just the other day when our friends from Singapore came to visit us, the battery was dead again. Decided to use the Aux Battery through Joeypa Battery Isolator to boost the starter battery and it started the engine. After travelling in the vehicle for 4 to 5 hours. The next day the battery reading was 12.38V.

Suspected the battery was not able to hold the charge well, the sulphuric acid might have coated the battery plating inside causing the battery failing to hold charge. From many information on the internet, they would recommend to change the battery if it falls below 11.9V.

Found new information on rescuing battery, apparently they claimed they can resurrect a dead battery provided there is no internal plating damage. This new technology is called Pulse Charging. A Taiwanese company Mashin Electric Corp, they manufacture Battery Chargers and they have the Pulse Battery Charger. I contacted the supplier and they recommended to use their latest product just released in 2012 to try it out. So I did


Rear Storage Upgrade


The last time I had the rear storage carpeted. Since we have our dog in 2010, we had a problem with his fur dropping around and stuck to the carpet. It made cleaning nearly impossible. I have decided to remove the tile carpet and used lamented flooring instead. This will make cleaning much simple.


Cabin Interior LED Lighting

Bought these cheap LEDs, some connectors, switches and 10mtrs wire to use with our vehicle Aux Battery. One white LED will be used on the cool box, the other will be the kitchen and the red LED for night vision so that it is not obvious from outside of our vehicle and also not to disturb partner when she is asleep. 

Planned to installed these switches on the seat belt mechanism cover. I removed the covers back home and started measuring and cut a few holes for the switches. I did all the necessary wiring on cover so that it was easier to installed in the vehicle.

Total cost for installation NTD383

Travel Life Bike Carrier SBC-01

We have owned couple of bike carriers before and  for almost 2 years we have been hunting for a second hand bike carrier that can fit our Delica rear. It was not easy looking for such bike carrier as our vehicle rear is rather tall.

Finally we found someone was selling his for a good deal. He was a police man and we had to drive to his station to view the bike carrier. Formerly he had use it on his SUV until his car crashed. The original price for this model SBC-01 cost NT7800 but we only paid NT2800.


Cabin Lamp LED 3020 SMD


Sometime we would camp out in the night and used the vehicle cabin lamp. After sometime the lamp gets very warm creating the air flow in the cabin warm too. I decided to change it to LED and found this model selling reasonably priced, less than USD10. Made purchase for two pieces, one for the cabin and another for the rear door lamp.

This is a 3020 SMD 18 LED 12V type. Rating at 1.14watts, 0.08Amp producing around 525 Lumens. The size of the LED is 20x45mm and it comes with various connectors to suit your needs. The spring type connector able to fit between 31mm to 38mm.

Installation is rather simple, remove the old bulb and use the correct conectors to fit. The LED backing has a 3M double sided tape, simply stick it to the lamp housing and it is done. The result, it was brighter than before and less warmer.

Last installed was in Dec 2010, so far it has not failed. Below this Post there are different types of LEDs

Logos Recliner Lounge Chair


Size: 81 x 61 x 96cm
Seat height: 42cm
Packed size: 14 x 92cm
Weight: 4kg
Material: polyester and steel
Price: Around NT1200
http://www.logos-co.com/


This is probably one of the most comfortable camping equipment in my list. After surveying local and oversea made lounge chairs, I decided to purchase the Logos from PC home Online shopping. Logos products are all from Japan and they do not come cheap, I was pretty surprise that it arrived the next morning. It came  in a carton box and there was a storage sack with it. After using on couple of camping trips we were pretty happy with the purchased. Unlike many camping chairs, the Logos chair is able to recline into a very comfortable position. Couple of times we actually fell asleep on it. 

RS-MF50 Mobile Cool Box



RS-MF50 Specification
Capacity: 50lts
Temp Range: +10 deg C to -20 deg C
Compressor: Danfoss anti-vibration
Current input: DC12V/24V and AC110V/240V
Weight: 21Kg
Dimension: 485x680x460mm
Warranty:  1 year

Scooda Side Awning Tent




Partner has been pestering for a year to get this tent. Personally, I like to keep it simple and avoid too many camping gears in our BOV (Bug out Vehicle). Previously I would only use 2 telescopic pole and a tent footprint as a Tarp. I like playing with rope works and I like simplicity. Well, she wanted it to keep insects away, for me is not a problem. That the difference between a SE Asian and an East Asian. 

When I was in Dubai outstationed, she pestered me once more and I gave in. Now that I am back and tried out this new tent so here is the review. 


BOV Awning



Having an awning is like having a tent tarp. It provide shelter from the rain and sun so that you can sit outdoor or cooking with nature. I have seen many RV vehicles with fixed retractable awning and have checked the prices in the market. Somehow I was not in favour because it was too expensive and the addition of the RV awning create weight and wind drag issues for the vehicle. I came out with an idea using my 3 men tent  footprint. 

Side Storage Top Rack

Due to storage space constraint, I decided to build an over head side storage. The side Air con ducting in the Delica was really not of much use so I decided to remove and replace with a storage rack. Removing the ducting did take time, firstly in involves removing the vane and there are screw holding the ducting to the vehicle chassis. 

Go-Sport Camping Kitchen Rack


Specification
Open up: 111x63x80cm
Packed: 79x33x14
Weight: 6.36kg
Material: Aluminium / Stainless Steel

Safety Warning Add-On

I was in Dubai for 2 months and noticed every heavy or cargo vehicles had these safety reflective stickers on the rear. Thought was a cool idea and brought some back to install on our Campervan. Also found an interesting lamp that makes beep sounds when the vehicle is backing up. This will alert anyone who is at the rear of the vehicle.  

Back-Up Alert
Back-Up Alert for vehicle that does not have any back up audio warning, this will be a nice to add-on. Comes with Bright Halogen bulb and a warning audio of 87dB