Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

I’ve had my detector go off with the buddy multiple times, even with windows open. Never had it go off from cooking inside (and I cook inside frequently).

I always turn it off. Open flame is a no go for me, plus just in case.

 

Here is the 160W up on the roof. Perfect fit for the Drifter.

 

That looks like a really clean install. Do you find that 160W is enough to keep your battery charged during the day? I have 2 x 100W panels and typically can get about 10% of my charge back in a day when the weather is good. Usually I will start out with 100% when I drive in, then through the evening and night I will get down to 75% and get back up to 85% - 90% depending on weather. This is with a 100Ah AGM battery.

 

This guy? Been in my Vagabond wish list for a while...
Renogy Solar Panel 160 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline, 160W Compact Design

Renogy 160 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel,160W Mono, High Efficiency Module PV Power for Battery Charging Boat, Caravan, RV and Any Other Off Grid Applications

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MZKY9H5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_Kz-SFbMHZ8V5S?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

That is the one. I just like the clean install directly to the L-Track. Because it is 51.3” long, it fits right on the track.

 

My detector goes off after 30 minutes. I have found that cracking the back and opening the fan (fan off) I can minimize the CO issues. But, it reduces the warmth to have all that open air. Last winter, my wife was sitting on the bed while I had the Mr Buddy running. She got some Carbon Monoxide symptoms (headache and nausea) for about 8 hours. I think the gas got trapped in the “loft”.

You don’t want to mess around with CO. I got me a CO detector after that incident.

 

Yes it can keep the battery topped. If anything, I need to get rid of this heavy 100aH battery for a Battleborn

 

I usually crack one of the side windows an inch or 2 and the fan. condensation is definitely a lot less.

 

Thats incredible, being in California with excellent weather most of the time must work miracles with the solar panels. Up here in Minnesota the best I have seen out of my panels was 170W with perfect alignment to the sun at noon. Most of the time its below 100W so with the fridge running I can barely get 10% of battery back through the day. Do you think that a Lithium battery would take charge much better? Its hard to justify a $1000 Lithium vs a $180 AGM

 

You guys need to get a Redarc DC-DC charger. I do not have any solar panels, honestly I do not think I need one, yet... I do not have any battery monitor to see what my SOC or energy use is. Hard for me to justify spending $200 on a shunt when I am a weekend warrior, if I was spending weeks living in it sure its justifiable.

That said I spent 6 nights last weekend, running the fridge, lights etc. No issues battery or power issues.

 

Get this. Great for you as it charges down to -5C which is pretty uncommon for a LiFePO4, and 170Ah. Will Powers tried to break it and couldn't. diysolar is a 10% off coupon.

https://bigbattery.com/product/12v-lifepo4-power-block/

 

did a quick test this morning:

one unfinished 10" extension (no aluminium U-channel on front and rear edges)
loaded 340lbs of sand bags and 2 um... full sized adult males for a total of 820lbs. There was some flex but no cracking or any other discernible damage. Ran out of convenient heavy objects but will attempt to load to failure at some point... for science When I do that it'll be a fully assembled panel which will actually deflect less because the aluminium U channel adds rigidity

 

So one unfinished panel can support two drifters on it. Got it lol

 

That is pretty nice, I think I could probably get by for three days without charging but definitely not six. Keep in mind that if you discharge your AGM battery below 50% you are actually decreasing its life expectancy. Typically an AGM battery will last around 300 cycles of charge/discharge down to 50% if you go lower the number of cycles drops as well. At this point the battery is not totally ruined but I think most manufacturers will state that its max charge will be around 70% so you have 20% to play with.

The Lithium batteries on the other hand can be safety discharged down to 20% and are rated to take around 3000 cycles. So the the benefit is that the battery will last you for ten years, weight half as much, and allow you to safety use 80Ah out of a 100Ah battery. These batteries take charge a lot better than an AGM as well, my Optimas are happy with 25Ah charge up to 80% and then its a snails crawl to 100%

My DC-DC charger has a Lithium charge profile in it so I will be able to upgrade in the future. I even found a battery company that makes one with a heater built in so that when you plug it in it will warm up the battery first and then charge it. Dont try to force charge a Lithium battery when its cold, I almost burned down my garage doing that.

 

Do you know if they were recirculating the heat or just drawing cold air in, heating it and then blowing it threw the tent to atmosphere? The thing with the Vagabond is the roof is insulated. I'm opting for the wall insulation and putting reflectix on the floor under my storage areas. Also thought about trying to get my wife to sew some Thinsulate panels for the tent portion.

 

Here is the link to the video where they prep the truck(starts at 5min mark): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zo_hGKbmmo

 

Thanks @tyfoon11 for risking it all for science. That is amazing and puts my mind at ease.

 

Does anyone with a Propex (looking at @Iggy or others) used it below freezing? Does the 2kw heater kick out enough heat to keep the Drifter warm? I am hoping to keep the temperature in the 60s if possible. It would hate to install a Propex and find it only works above freezing.

In related news, has anyone heard any updates about the VO insulation package? I saw a prototype about a year ago. I am planning to cut out a Reflextix insulation package to get me through the winter.

 

I am also curious about the insulation package for the tent walls. I have reached out to Strawfoot to see if they were working on it but they told me that VO decided to go with a different supplier but they didnt know who. Also, I havent run the Propex heater but with a 2kW electric heater I was barely able to keep the drifter warm when it was 32F outside last weekend so for me the Propex is a no go right off the bat.

 

Lithium battery holds charge much better, can be used till about 20-30% (lead acid shouldn’t dip below 50%), and is a hell of a lot lighter!! I can’t wait to switch.

I’m blessed to live in So-Cal with good sun conditions - Lowest I’ve been able to get my lead acid down to was ~32% in Montana with 3 days of rain.

Check out this video: https://youtu.be/WVxvBkeY0UY