Well we have our first weekend away and camped at the Clayton Bay Caravan Park for a couple of nights. On the shore of Lake Alexandriana the largest fresh water lake in Australia I have be3n told. Only an hour from home but nice to relax. Cheers Robert

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Very nice around there on the lake.  We free camped at a free cam at Narrung Ferry could of years back which is further east.

Good to see you out and about.

Thanks Derek gave us a chance to see what we needed to do, handles well but you know she is there. Water tanks empty on the way out but now filled. Will see if it makes a difference. Cheers Robert

Hi Robert
Enjoy your little holiday away. Thanks for the photos.
Good Luck
regards Kev ;)

Enjoy the weekend and what a nice looking spot to spend a couple of days.

Jeff

Good spot Robert, have spent a few days there myself a few years back.
Muzz

Yes it is a nice spot except for the resident Karen who objected to where I parked the car and spoilt her view but bad luck.

Another photo of yesterdays sunset and one of the foreshore I liked. Have a great week cheers Robert.

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few years back...Clayton Bay hosted Paddle steamers

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Great photos Dave.

couple more

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Was that for a special occasion Dave????

Yes think it was something like 100 years of paddle steamer " Oscar W " not sure ...was while back

Left yesterday afternoon and camped 35 k nth of Port Augusta.
Lost all 12 volt power and no screw drivers to take the battery cover of.

Van towed well and no problems with passing trucks so far. Nothing of interest here except the mud on the van from this area receiving road works.

Have a great weekend folks. Robert

Hi Robert
Have a great  trip and safe travel/
regards Kev ;)

Hi Robert
I hope you are having a great time away
regards Kev ;)

Hi Kevvie thank you, unfortunately I woke up Thursday morning with a bung neck. Went through the day in bad pain from the side of the neck all along the muscles in the right shoulder.

Friday went to emergency at Palmerston hospital, saw a doctor who said ir was Wry neck and the had the physio see me. Not much to doo except heat backs and light stretch exercises. Excellent service and my thanks to all who helped me.

Tonight a family meal at the Howard Springs Tavern, excellEnt meals and Molly got to see quite a few family members she has not seen for years. My neck and shoulder muscles were giving mehell sp not that much enjoyable for me.

Back where we are staying with the aircon on and a heat pad on my shoulder and neck. Tomorrow is another day. Cheers Robert

Hi Robert
Sorry to hear about the health. I wish you all the very best
and hope it gets better soon.
I am glad you both have meet up and enjoying time with family.
regards Kev ;)

Morning Kevvie bit better this morning but pain is intense. Would like to head home Thursday so hoping for major improvement. Cheers Robert

That’s a bit of a bummer Robert.  Hope things improve from here on.

Thanks Derek hope it does improve but the pain is near unbearable. Cheers Robert

Hope you improve soon Robert.
Being away and in pain is not pleasant.

Aart

Thanks Aart large improvement in the last 24 hours, heading home Thursday morning cheers Robert

Hi Robert
I glad your health is on the mend
Take care
regards Kev ;)

Left Humpty Doo NT for the return trip yesterday, stopped at Adelaide River for a chat with an old mate and a footpath look at our house. Filled up at Katherine and took the bypass rd to avoid the main drag.

Temperature rising again between 40/41 c and sitting on about 94 klm/h average. Come 5 pm and still 40 c pulled into Dunmarra roadhouse and booked into the van park to use the 240v and run the aircon. Took over 2 hrs to bring the temperature to a reasonable level but worth it.

Will fill up this morning and continue on to Ti Tree as it is expected to hit high again. Ute traveled well and no overheating of the transmission fluid. Must be the down hill run making it better.

Nuthing exciting just a wish to be home after the conditions up north. Take care Robert

Another 40c + day down the track and 2klm from Ti Tree the ute started to go into limp mode due to overheating of the transmission oil. Main caravan park full and after some reluctance mentioned the Ti Tree farm stay across the road.

This is through the store over the road who was glad to offer a paddock to park in but no power available. Set up and run the gen set for the 240 fan and battery charger.

6pm and reset the computer and now have full revs again. Temperature is expected to be 21c tonight so that is fine.
Will head off early tomorrow morning to try for better temperatures south of the border.

Have to decide if we are keeping the ute and if yes will be getting a transmission cooler on. Need it with the combine weight we are with this van. Take care Robert

Hi Robert
Sorry to hear about the problems you are having car wise.
At least you found a camp site away from a rest area.
Hope your health is going OK. and you are on the mend.
At least with each K  you travel to getting you closer to home.
Take care travelling tomorrow
All the very best  Kev.. ;)

What a bummer.  Would be so frustrating.

I take it you got the 12 volt system sorted??

Safe travels.

Kevvie shoulder is good with minor problems which will be sorted when I see my chiropractor next week.

Derek the car power I hope will know when I go to start this morning. Ran the generator yesterday for about 4 hrs and that also runs the battery charger for the house batteries. Now I am sitting with flat batteries in the van again so major over haul of charging system when we get home.

Either car is not charging,
fridge is drawing to much
Or battery charger is stuffed as well.

Home on Monday just have to get out of this heat if outside is 40c + hate to know the tarmac temperature.

Have a great weekend cheers Robert

Hi Robert
Thanks for the update. Glad health going OK.
If we don't hear from you before you get home We will listen from you next week.
All the very best to you both.
regards Kev

Back home and glad to be, had a good run today and continued home. This will give us tomorrow to clean the van out. Will write up a bit more later thank you Robert

glad to hear you are at home
Kev ;)

Thanks Kev now to sort the van out cheers

Glad you are home safe and sound.

Jeff

Thank you Jeff glad to be back.

Thanks Robert...would like to head North soon

How far north because around Tennant Creek to Katherine was 40c and Darwin was 40c and over 90% humidity. My lungs felt like they were doing a slow cook stew. Painful to breath most days.

Lived there for over 20 years and most wet season days were 33c and a rare day hit 35c. Now 40c appears to be the norm. The only thing that will get us back there is a death in the family I am sad to say. Cheers Robert.

Maggie and I are wondering about a trip up there in winter next year.  Will see how this pandemic plays out.

Hi Derek / Robert
I see that Katherine and Darwin are going into 72 hours lock down
regards  Kev

Quite interesting Kev in that Katherine is in LOCKDOWN yet greater Darwin and Palmerston are in LOCKOUT.

This means that in Darwin and Palmerston only unvaccinated are actually locked down.

On the run home my fridge battery in the ute decided to call it a day and join the great recycling roundup.

Would like to go lithium and also set the battery up behind the rear seat. Waiting on prices, size and cost. I know I can get AGM batteries at a reasonable cost but the lithium ones are still a bit high. Will wait and see what my bloke comes up with.

Not only the battery cost but everything else has to be compatable.
So I made a start setting up a power case in the tub, could not make it myself for the cost and is well constructed and the wiring very tidy.

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It's good to have things all set up neat and tidy like that.

Jeff

Hi Robert
That looks great set up and better to handle.
Enjoy your travels.
regards Kev. ;)

Thank you will now be putting lights in the back and outside on the roof rack already have them. Amazing what you find when you go searching for something and find Santas sack. Cheers Robert

Robert, have you looked at the iTech Lithium Batteries.  When I changed all my house charging system in the motorhome the intent was to eventually move to iTechs when the original AGM’s gave out.

Still going strong at this stage though.

https://itechworld.com.au/

Hi Derek would be nice but price is still stretching me at this time.
Just had a read of the specs and certainly not a set and forget like a AGM battery. Cheers Robert

Bought myself a new 160w solar panel for the ute, the old flexible 100w was 4.5 years old and became brittle from exposure. Have gone back to a solid one, a few kilos heavier but believe it will last longer.

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Nice size.

Todays effort still have to attach a Anderson plug and fix the line to the battery. Rest of the gear should be here by next weekend.

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Very neat.  What are the brackets you have used to attach it?  Not seen those before.

Hi Robert
That looks pretty cool.  But will it keep the car cooler ?
regards Kev ;)

Hi Kevie as long as it keeps the battery charge, battery gets the fridge cold, fridge keeps the wine cold no problems cheers Robert

Robert
I will pay that one.  HA  HA ;D
regards Kev ;)

Looks a good setup Robert. Any wind noise from the platform?

Jeff

Hi Jeff have not taken it for a run yet expect there will be time will tell cheers

Bear wrote on Nov 22^nd, 2021 at 1:55pm:

Hi Jeff have not taken it for a run yet expect there will be time will tell cheers

Ok there will be some noise but hopefully no annoying whistle.

Jeff

Went for a bit of a run this morning up to 80kh and no whistling so should be good. Will give it a good run when it is not rainin*. Cheers Robert

Derek wrote on Nov 20^th, 2021 at 6:11pm:

Very neat.  What are the brackets you have used to attach it?  Not seen those before.

Robert, did you miss this.  Cheers

SorryDerek yes I did, bought mine and the panel from 4wheel Drive super centre. But believe they are available in a few places. 

Depends how you need to attach them so do some checking as T bolts are expensive. Cheers Robert

  https://www.4wdsupacentre.com.au/products/solar/solar-panel-mounting-brackets-to-suit-kings-110w-fixed-solar-panel-mounting-hardware-incl-stainless-steel-adventure-kings.html

Thanks.  Not seen them before.  That 4WD Supa Centre really is the place to go these days.  They have an amazing array of gear.

BCF have a similar set available as well.

Started wiring the battery set up and then wanted to finish the soar panel. Never checked before installing it which wire was positive. So took the panel of soldered on the anderson lugs and reinstalled.

Connected the cables up and using an extension cord and solar controller from my portable unit I tested the panel. Worked ok so back to figuring out the BCDC wiring. Cheers Robert

Sounds like you are getting it sorted. My Brother in-law and I wired up a second battery in the back of our Mux before we went away this year. I attached the BCDC charger to the portable battery box.

Jeff

Hi Jeff yes they even sell them now with the charger is attached.

Mine will sit behind the rear seat but at a stand still now as I have to bring both the charging wires and solar wires in from the tub to the new battery. Just physically stuffed and not able to get down and do it, so will be calling the Auto electrician in to finish for me. Cheers Rober5

Bear wrote on Dec 1^st, 2021 at 4:18pm:

Just physically stuffed and not able to get down and do it, so will be calling the Auto electrician in to finish for me. Cheers Rober5

Know how you feel; my brother in-law got under the vehicle for me. Something I have extreme difficulty with these days.

Jeff

Have organised for my auto electrician next Thursday. Get it done and dusted then we can go some where. Will add some photos when installed cheerx.

A little bit further along, auto electrician will be next week but have assembled the battery system and done a bit of wiring. Using a kickarss 120 amp slim line battery and battery holder Redarc 1225D BCDC unit, kickarss LVS and 50 amp resettable switch.

Would have loved to have lithium but the quote is just to high at the moment.

Installed a Kings switch board and added another Anderson plug and 50 amp fuse for the compressor.

Installed the 240v battery charge4 under as I can have a 240v lead running inside with the tailgate window down and locked.

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Hi Robert
Looks like you are going to have a bit of a power house
there. I hope it all works out for you.
Enjoy
regards Kev ;)

Auto electrician has just left, new battery installed with a Redarc DC DC and new 160w solar panel connected.

All so had a Lightforce facer to replace the original one that had the two 12v outlets each side. This enable me to have the two way radion, usb’s and light bar switch in the centre instead of feel around for the originals.

Power board with AC charger and volt meter for easy reading.
2 x views of battery install.
Light Force facer.

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Hi Robert
I hope it all goes well for you
regards Kev

Thank you Kevvie cheers

Good to see it all fitted and ready to go. It should all work very well.

Jeff

Certainly hoping mate cheers Robert

It’s great when things come together,

Funny bit with it when I drove it after the work and the auto elec had gone it seemed hard in reverse and when first going forward.

Was a bit worried and unsure of what was happening as I have never had any problems before.

Sitting there thinking and looking around I notice the drive dial had been moved from 2L to 4L so was engaging both diffs. Turned it back had a spin problem solved. Now just have to reset the scan gauge with out stuffing it up.

Have a great weekend folks cheers Robert

Bit the bullet today and bought two of the Kings 60 litre fridge slides. One for the fridge and one for the generator. Will post some photos once I have them installed. Cheers Robert

I get a daily email from Kings.  Boy they have an amazing array of stuff.

Looking forward to seeing photos Robert.

Have slowly worked on getting the two fridge slides mounted. Because of my health lately I have had to rely on my son when he is available to give me a hand. Yesterday I did a bit more in the back of the ute and bolted the slides base board down and finished the job.

Also mounted the fire extinguisher and power board so another two jobs of the list. Certainly paying for the work today with the jammed nerves in the back.

With the advent of hot weather I also mounted two 12v fans in the caravan and positioned them so they can do different areas of the van with a nice breeze. Had to reposition the fire extinguisher to the other side of the door so the fan folds in flat out of the way when not in use.

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Looks good.  We have one of those fans at the foot of our bed.  Gives a nice breeze over the bed.

Coming together well. We have one of those fans also but haven't mounted it so we can use it in different areas.

Jeff

Chally wrote on Feb 3^rd, 2022 at 8:35pm:

Coming together well. We have one of those fans also but haven't mounted it so we can use it in different areas. Jeff

We did the same Jeff. I made a wooden base plate for it.

shackles wrote on Feb 3^rd, 2022 at 9:30pm:

Chally wrote on Feb 3rd, 2022 at 8:35pm: Coming together well. We have one of those fans also but haven't mounted it so we can use it in different areas. Jeff We did the same Jeff. I made a wooden base plate for it.

Good idea with the wooden base. We store our fan in the microwave as it doesn't get used to heat anything up because we freedom camp 99% of the time.

Jeff

Thought I had mentioned the problems with the fridge but appears not.

We have a generic Chinese compressor fridge which when operating on the 12 v side did not work. Narrowed the problem down to the change over switch so tested and yes not switching to 12 v.

Bit of a bummer as it is a rotary switch and 3 places I checked here no longer stock them or get them in. After some search I found one on Dick Smith @ $21 so ordered. Overseas and 2 to 3 weeks delivery. Arrived this morning after 2 weeks so first job this morning. Switched to 12v and fired up no problems. Bought the temperature back down and holding well.

Trust this is the end of this problem cheers Robert

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Good to hear Robert.  Sometimes those generic fridges are actually quite a good fridge with just a generic name tag.

Here is the link and a photo giving a description and sellers nam for future reference cheers Robert

https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/buy/shinuoshop-220v-20a-3-position-rotary-select-power-switch-changeover-k1x225648prqmfg3b/?utm_source=dse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=postsaleorderconfirm

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I still not got my waeco 40L fixed yet....
works down to -18 but the temp up/down buttons dont work

Well yesterday I had Pats Caravan and Mechanical over to service the van. Checked and degreased all bearings, checked and adjusted breaks, checked break away battery and general run over all suspension.  All good except foe one tyre wearing badly on the inside so replaced with spare which had not been used. Wheel alighnment arranged for tomorrow afternoon and both van and ute being weighed on the 11/3.

Intend to do two weeks over on the Eyre Peninsular before being back for a specialist appointment on the 30th then head towards Yetman. Looking forward to the trips. Cheers Robert

Decided we would take of around the Limestone coast for a week. Left Sunday 13/22 and ambled down the highway to Naracoorte Showgrounds.

Nice green grass area with about 25 other travellers. Outside temperature was around 34 c so decided we needed the power on.

Good friendly care takers and $22 a night with power and water.
Will move on today and find a camp with internet as Molly will have to work tomorrow

Will be setting of next week to Yetman if nothing else happens. Take care Robert.

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There are a lot of nice budget priced Showgrounds around.  We use them a bit.

Today waiting on an aircon guy to turn up.  Need a hose replaced on the motorhome or we won’t be going anywhere.

Well, six hundred bucks later we have air coming out of the vents at 3.9 degrees.

New hose and three hours labour.  :-[

Hi Robert
Thank you for the photos. I appreciate it when  people like yourself likely share your trip with us by of photographs.
Enjoy you trip.
regards Kev (Kevvie)

Thanks for the update and enjoy your travels.

Jeff

Still more photos to come of the trip around the south of the state.
Had to pull up short again as the old power problem reappeard and we came home a couple of days early.

Been trying different things and then swapped the solar controller for a MPPT controller. Thought we had it beat but the crap really hit the fan and now we start from the beginning.

Took the batteries out to be test and will not know or get them back till maybe Tuesday. If batteries ok the same old same old, if not then will up grade to a lithium and rewire to controller and charger with heavier wire. Will also upgrade the Charger and Controller to Victron products so I can keep track via their wireless app.

All up this will take time and money but we can not fully enjoy our journey until it is right. Take care Robert

That is a bugger.  Always something to go wrong isn’t there.

I like to know the temperature inside the fridge and some years back bought a dual sensor gauge and it died just a while back.

Bought this one that turned up today.  Although slightly different half price of the original.  Good thing it has a magnetic base so attaches to front of the fridge.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/304123479896

I use the king brand one and take the readout inside to keep an eye on the temperature while I am testing it.

Derek wrote on Mar 25^th, 2022 at 3:09pm:

That is a bugger.  Always something to go wrong isn’t there. I like to know the temperature inside the fridge and some years back bought a dual sensor gauge and it died just a while back. Bought this one that turned up today.  Although slightly different half price of the original.  Good thing it has a magnetic base so attaches to front of the fridge. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/304123479896

I am happy with this. 

Temperature set half way along the gauge and today it is minus 18 in the freezer and 2 degrees in the fridge.  The whole thing is empty.

As you can see in the cool of the night it got down to minus 22 in the freezer and 0 in the fridge.  It also shows 28 in the freezer and 26 in the fridge when I initially turned it on.

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Late yesterday the battery mob called and as expected both batteries stuffed. Auto elec will drop round today or tomorrow to discuss best options.

Thinking of heading down the lithium path and then adding an inverter. Until the upgrade is done we will be going no where.Robert

Robert is it only the caravan batteries that are stuffed or the Ute batteries as well?

Bear wrote on Mar 30^th, 2022 at 7:40am:

Late yesterday the battery mob called and as expected both batteries stuffed. Auto elec will drop round today or tomorrow to discuss best options. Thinking of heading down the lithium path and then adding an inverter. Until the upgrade is done we will be going no where.Robert

Bugger, bugger, bugger

It is only the caravan batteries that are stuffed. But now looking at upgrading main wiring as well as it is too small as far as I am concerned.

Robert, do you know what has actually caused it??

Cheap Chinese batteries put in during manufacturing They are manufactured in China and then shipped out in a container to be fitted out in Adelaide. Do not believe the batteries were suiable for the Australian heat. Original owner did two trips to Cairns and one to Darwin. We have done one to Darwin as well.

We bought ours second hand last year, only 18 months old. The batteries, stereo and fridge and micro wave are generic Chinese.

These days they fit Dometic fridge. They are a well built van but you get what you paid for. Fix the battery system up and we have a excellent van. Very comfortable with a large shower, good size toilet area, washing machine.

I have been thinking of going to lithium as well, my batteries are ok and I will repurpose them in the shed.
I have been thinking I might build the battery myself using 3.2v 320ah Lifepo4 battery cells.
More compact and I can arrange the battery size to suit what I want.

I have been carefully following the iTech Lithium Battery technology and more so the feedback from users. The specs are good with a high drawing of power.

Two 120 lithiums would basically double my current battery capacity at half the weight for less than two grand.

Not saying they are any good.
But with everyone  talking lithium. This advert popped up.
Aldi's.

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I liked the look of these, but they will not fit in my camper as the battery is to wide.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002877772224.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.204a2e0e5fN5Qg

I think I will be going with 4 of these, and a 200a bms to keep them balanced. I have not worked out which seller to get them through.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003666626301.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.204a2e0e5fN5Qg

Speaking with my auto elec today about the system, I think I will go with 2 x Solar King 150ah battery's. $1800 Australian with a three year guarantee and a well established local company to back them . Just need the other gear to handle lithium to its full capacity. Hoping to know by the weekend cheers Robert

Derek wrote on Mar 26^th, 2022 at 12:53pm:

Derek wrote on Mar 25th, 2022 at 3:09pm: That is a bugger.  Always something to go wrong isn’t there. I like to know the temperature inside the fridge and some years back bought a dual sensor gauge and it died just a while back. Bought this one that turned up today.  Although slightly different half price of the original.  Good thing it has a magnetic base so attaches to front of the fridge. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/304123479896 I am happy with this.  Temperature set half way along the gauge and today it is minus 18 in the freezer and 2 degrees in the fridge.  The whole thing is empty. As you can see in the cool of the night it got down to minus 22 in the freezer and 0 in the fridge.  It also shows 28 in the freezer and 26 in the fridge when I initially turned it on.

They reckon the real test for the fridge temperature is in the actual temp inside the ingredients.  I was making a coffee earlier and noticed that the milk was around 3 degrees.

Very happy with that.

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Auto elec managed to come yesterday and rewire and install the new equipment. Have had it running the fridge and lights since yesterday afternoon and all going well.

Replaced and upgraded most of the wire from charger, new bcdc and ran a new heavy duty Anderson connection from the front to the bcdc.

Installed a Redarc 1250 bcdc charger, lithium compatible 240v charger, 2000 watt inverter, victron shunt, heavy duty fuse holder and tidied up the original wiring. Inverter works of a remote controller so I do not have to touch the inverter. And not forgetting the 2 x 150 ah lithium batteries.

So trusting this is the end of our power problem. Now to balance the van out and we are right to go. Cheers Robert

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Hi Robert
Good luck with it all
Regards Kev  (Kevvie)

Poor internet up here and first time been able to open the images. 

That is one very serious battery system.  Nearly three times the three times the useable energy than my current AGM’s. Well done.

What are you looking at running off the inverter, appliance wise??

Hi Derek not sure but the microwave will be the max just in in case it is needed. Have a small 150 watt that operate through the 12 volt plug for Mollys computer. Just took the chance to install while we had the chance. A 3000 watt is too big to fit in.

Will be great to head off knowing we will not be having power problems. Cheers Robert

Can not drain the water tanks unless you pump out which still leaves a fair bit in. Installed a couple of solenoid valves in a fitting and installed. Now waiting on the switch panel and will have it wired up.

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Last of the modifications for the time being. In for a day procedure tomorrow, another series of injections up the spine to stop the nerve pain. Last lot was good but has now worn off and the 24/7 pain has returned. Will be a month or 6 we3ks doing nothing if it works. Cheers Robert

Are you going to put some sort of covering over it. Looks a bit vulnerable from rocks throwing up.

Another job for another day mate will not be able to get under for a few weeks until the back settles down. Will not have the fittings in the end of the valve in while travelling.

Aways feared being overweight with the ute, know the van with minimum in is at its maximum GTM and BW. Do not want to risk the fines they will start issuing.

Yesterday had the GVM and GCM upgraded by Lovells atEdward Town. Very professional people, quite happy with their work. So the figures are


INCREASE

GVM.  300kg.    3500. Kg
TOW.  300kg
GCM.  600 kg.   6600 kg
Rear Axle 170 kg

This will allow us to carry what we want with no fear of being overweight. As it is I remove gear we do not use as there is always something else you think you do need.

With the increase talk of caravan tow licenses and states pulling people over to weigh it is better to be safe than leaving a pile of gear by the road and a hefty sum in the states cofferes. Cheers Robert.

More caravanners should think like you do Robert.
So many rigs that we see must be overweight. 

Aart

Hi Aart yes see too many and sure they would not know what to do if something happened. Take care cheers