Thank you for sharing so many details about building your teardrop. You inspire me to copy/incorporated many of them. Hope you have many happy days and nights ahead of you adventuring in your beautiful teardrop.
I have read the solid copper can become work hardened from motion and can fail and that stranded wire of the same gauge is better for trailers. Not trying to be negative just would hate to see something happen to all your hard work, it looks amazing!
So when the battery is charging inside the tongue box and it is giving off explosive hydrogen fumes and there is an electrical circuit inside that has the potential to cause a spark, is that dangerous?
Check out the Dremel VersaTip butane torch. Has several attachments that would come in handy. I use the knife tip for cutting nylon/polyester cordage, and would be super useful for plastics. Also has a soldering/woodburning tip, and others. It's a handy little tool.
M Langford Hey, great to hear from you! Yep, doing better than I deserve. Starting a cargo trailer to camper conversion. Hopefully, I’ll build another teardrop afterwards. How many trailers have you built so far?
Nope, you didn’t miss them. I’ve decided to take it out first without brakes, then again with them to see what kind of difference it makes. I’ve heard lots of arguments for and against, so I figured I’d do a comparison. I’ve already ran the wiring for them though.
Thanks for sharing! Great info here. I have some questions if you wouldn’t mind giving your input... would the charge coming off the aux power on the 7 pin be enough to top off the battery for a couple day trip (assuming say a 2 hour drive/charge)? My camper only has a fan, a few led lights and usb outlets.. also if I were to add a 100w solar panel and charge controller, would that mess anything up while towing/charging?? Thanks again for your great videos!
I doubt a 2 hour drive would top the battery off if it’s fairly low. As for solar, it shouldn’t hurt anything while towing. I do recommend unplugging from your tow vehicle at night though. On some vehicles, a trailer can drain the vehicle battery.
You'd need to figure out how much power you're pulling when you have your different accessories turned on. If your pulling a total of 10 amps a 100 Ah battery will last 10 hours, then you need to figure out how much amperage you're getting from your alt to charge the battery. My guess is maybe 5-10 amps at the most. They make DC to DC chargers to charge a 2nd battery for a car. I have a 20 amp DC charger in my Jeep, to charge the battery in my power station I built. As far as solar go with a MPPT charger for solar it's the most efficient. I'd have a 100 watt amorphous panel on the roof, and then a secondary monocrystalline panel to move around the campsite to get the most sun as possible. You're looking at atleast 5 hours to charge a battery. I'd also go with Lithium ion battery 1) for weight ( my 100 ah Lithium weights 36lbs vs 65lbs AGM) 2) you can use 100% of Lithium vs 50% of AGM before you can damage the battery.
Hello! I'm sorry beginner here - how are you charging the battery? Is it going to be charged from solar or do you have a charger/invertor that I missed? Recommendation for am inexpensive one?
The battery can be charged 3 ways: from my vehicle while in transport, from the onboard WFCO 8735 power center/charger while hooked up to shore power, or by the 100 watts of solar.
Do you have room in the tongue box to put a 20 Gal Propane tank ? Been trying to figure out if it will fit in the Dee Zee box but having trouble getting exact inside measurements. I know it is close. Great Video
@@MichaelCook1981 totally agree. Don't copy what they do in Mexico. I have no hard feeling about Mexico but I rented a house that had two propane tanks and the electrical main in the same cabinet. The main was two screw in type fuses with pennies in both sockets, an accident just waiting to explode. No I would never put gas in my electrical box. In fact I would put the tanks on the opposite end of the trailer. Prevention is more important. 73
I must have missed the part where u wired from the brakes up to the junction box, in a previous episode no doubt... may I ask what guage wires was needed and did you have to run 2 wires?
I ran two wires to each wheel and tied them up for now. I’ll put the actual brakes on before I start towing with my SUV. I’m towing with my heavy truck right now, so I’m not using them. 12 gauge will work, but 10 gauge is more than enough.
I’m absolutely dreading it! I bought four 500lb casters to lower the frame onto after I pull the fenders, lights, lp tank, axles, and wheels off. My chainsaw is on standby in case the door frame needs a little convincing. Weather permitting, Sunday afternoon is the day!
You could burn up your alternator by running a wire straight from the alternator. You should have a DC to DC charger between the battery and the alternator. Modern alternators are designed to stop charging when the vehicle battery is charged. Look at some videos on DC to DC chargers.
Have you considered having an Amazon Associates account. I think it would be useful to viewers who want the exact same kill switch, fuse box, etc. and it would be a source of revenue for you.
Thank you for sharing so many details about building your teardrop. You inspire me to copy/incorporated many of them. Hope you have many happy days and nights ahead of you adventuring in your beautiful teardrop.
Thank you very much! It’s been a pleasure both building and videoing. Hopefully, I can document add ons and travels with it.
Excellent video! Can't wait to see this thing in action! It's by far one of the best teardrops I've seen on TH-cam!!
That’s quite a compliment! I hope to have a Camp EZ Tour video up in a few days.
I second that opinion
Very much appreciated. I’m humbled.
Love the Videos... I think I’ve seen them all at least twice. Thank you for making great content.
I really appreciate that! I’ll try to keep them coming. It’s quite a bit of work, but very rewarding when I hear comments like that.
Excellent video and work! Can't wait to catch up on your build completion. Thank you for sharing.
I have read the solid copper can become work hardened from motion and can fail and that stranded wire of the same gauge is better for trailers. Not trying to be negative just would hate to see something happen to all your hard work, it looks amazing!
Thanks for the info!
First time I have seen your video. Excellent presentation! Thank you. I look forward to more.
buick300 I’m so glad you found us!
Where does the yellow Romex Wire go to on the back of your unit? That is a good idea having 110 or 120 Outlet on the front of your unit
Wow! Love the neatness of your work. Almost done!!!
Thanks! I’m pumped about getting it on the road!
In the south, you use what you have instead of buying more crap. Saves money.
Yum the smell of molded plastic!
solid mods, solid video
So when the battery is charging inside the tongue box and it is giving off explosive hydrogen fumes and there is an electrical circuit inside that has the potential to cause a spark, is that dangerous?
Great video,I can’t wait to see on the road.
Thanks! It should be soon!
Check out the Dremel VersaTip butane torch. Has several attachments that would come in handy. I use the knife tip for cutting nylon/polyester cordage, and would be super useful for plastics. Also has a soldering/woodburning tip, and others. It's a handy little tool.
Thanks for the tip!
Hay Camp how you doing I'm still building Teardrops, and I still watch your build
M Langford Hey, great to hear from you! Yep, doing better than I deserve. Starting a cargo trailer to camper conversion. Hopefully, I’ll build another teardrop afterwards. How many trailers have you built so far?
Way to go brother 1.1K subs nice reward for great work and always great video too.
Thank you very much!
My daddy always said it’s better to safe than sorry!
did I miss the video of putting the breaks on? and man its getting close im excited for yea and to see where you take it
Nope, you didn’t miss them. I’ve decided to take it out first without brakes, then again with them to see what kind of difference it makes. I’ve heard lots of arguments for and against, so I figured I’d do a comparison. I’ve already ran the wiring for them though.
Thanks for sharing! Great info here. I have some questions if you wouldn’t mind giving your input... would the charge coming off the aux power on the 7 pin be enough to top off the battery for a couple day trip (assuming say a 2 hour drive/charge)? My camper only has a fan, a few led lights and usb outlets.. also if I were to add a 100w solar panel and charge controller, would that mess anything up while towing/charging?? Thanks again for your great videos!
I doubt a 2 hour drive would top the battery off if it’s fairly low. As for solar, it shouldn’t hurt anything while towing. I do recommend unplugging from your tow vehicle at night though. On some vehicles, a trailer can drain the vehicle battery.
Camp and Camera thanks for the reply! A straight generalized answer is always appreciated as I realize there’s a ton of variables. Happy camping!
You'd need to figure out how much power you're pulling when you have your different accessories turned on. If your pulling a total of 10 amps a 100 Ah battery will last 10 hours, then you need to figure out how much amperage you're getting from your alt to charge the battery. My guess is maybe 5-10 amps at the most. They make DC to DC chargers to charge a 2nd battery for a car. I have a 20 amp DC charger in my Jeep, to charge the battery in my power station I built. As far as solar go with a MPPT charger for solar it's the most efficient. I'd have a 100 watt amorphous panel on the roof, and then a secondary monocrystalline panel to move around the campsite to get the most sun as possible. You're looking at atleast 5 hours to charge a battery. I'd also go with Lithium ion battery 1) for weight ( my 100 ah Lithium weights 36lbs vs 65lbs AGM) 2) you can use 100% of Lithium vs 50% of AGM before you can damage the battery.
Cutoff switch under camper....rivets.....exposed to salt.....corrosion?
Good video
I am looking for a smaller tongue box. Where did you get that one. I need a small size like that. Thanks
This is a DeeZee tongue box. You can get them at etrailer or even Amazon.
@@CampandCamera thank you
Hello! I'm sorry beginner here - how are you charging the battery? Is it going to be charged from solar or do you have a charger/invertor that I missed? Recommendation for am inexpensive one?
The battery can be charged 3 ways: from my vehicle while in transport, from the onboard WFCO 8735 power center/charger while hooked up to shore power, or by the 100 watts of solar.
@@CampandCamera what do you use to connect to your vehicle while in transport? Thank you so much!
@@gwenvmac It’s a standard 7 pin RV tow hookup.
@13:51 is that a shallow electric box or a standard size?
It’s a shallow box.
Love it
Do you have room in the tongue box to put a 20 Gal Propane tank ? Been trying to figure out if it will fit in the Dee Zee box but having trouble getting exact inside measurements. I know it is close. Great Video
Here’s a link to the box on e-trailers site. They list the full dimensions:
www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Toolbox/DeeZee/DZ91717P.html
I wouldn't put a propane tank inside a box with a battery, it could cause an explosion. It might not be likely, but I personally wouldn't risk it.
@@MichaelCook1981 totally agree. Don't copy what they do in Mexico. I have no hard feeling about Mexico but I rented a house that had two propane tanks and the electrical main in the same cabinet. The main was two screw in type fuses with pennies in both sockets, an accident just waiting to explode. No I would never put gas in my electrical box. In fact I would put the tanks on the opposite end of the trailer. Prevention is more important. 73
I must have missed the part where u wired from the brakes up to the junction box, in a previous episode no doubt... may I ask what guage wires was needed and did you have to run 2 wires?
I ran two wires to each wheel and tied them up for now. I’ll put the actual brakes on before I start towing with my SUV. I’m towing with my heavy truck right now, so I’m not using them. 12 gauge will work, but 10 gauge is more than enough.
One question- where did you get your shore power outlet? I need a new one at some point.
I picked it up on eBay. It was pretty inexpensive.
The tension is building to see if she fits... 😬
I’m absolutely dreading it! I bought four 500lb casters to lower the frame onto after I pull the fenders, lights, lp tank, axles, and wheels off. My chainsaw is on standby in case the door frame needs a little convincing. Weather permitting, Sunday afternoon is the day!
You could burn up your alternator by running a wire straight from the alternator. You should have a DC to DC charger between the battery and the alternator. Modern alternators are designed to stop charging when the vehicle battery is charged. Look at some videos on DC to DC chargers.
Put the cutoff switch on the positive side you don't switch the ground. You could have a cut off on both sides of the battery. 73
Did you see the question I asked you a week ago ??
Sorry, the Romex wire goes to a WFCO8735 power converter inside the teardrop.
Why didn't you zap glue on that baby
Lol! Zap would hold it together for sure!
ALWAYS ALWAYS positive side of the battery, Negative makes no sense....
Have you considered having an Amazon Associates account. I think it would be useful to viewers who want the exact same kill switch, fuse box, etc. and it would be a source of revenue for you.
Yes I have, but don’t know how to go about it. Any tips? I’m at campandcamera@gmail.com if you know of an info link. I would love to do this!
Get a job and buy the correct equipment, that is already installed !
I do believe you missed the point he made in this video or even better yet missed the purpose of the entire build