Vagabond Drifter Camper Buildout and Mods

My Dometic CFX50 runs on 7.8 amps.

Each circuit on the Blue Sea aux fuse panel is rated for 30A max and I played it safe because I have a ton of electrical in the Drifter: fan, rear lights, R & L flood lights, LED bar in front, interior light - lower and upper, water pump, diesel heater. (btw the other electrical I have in the Drifter that’s hooked up separately is the back up camera - powered from oem camera under bed, fridge - separate run to other blue sea aux fuse panel under hood, and air compressor - directly to starting battery)

If you even think you’ll add any other electrical in the future, run a larger gauge.

 

7.8 amps, is that at the initial start up?? Or is that a constant draw??

 

IIRC when the compressor is on

 

I am curious what the initial draw is when the compressor starts up. I know the fan I installed in my parents RV would only draw a little over an amp while running on high, but it would pull over 9 amps on startup.

 

Not sure but I wouldn’t doubt it having a higher amp draw upon startup.

I have horror stories of my old Edgestar fridge not working mid-trip on a few different trips for different reasons. The Dometic is a lot better of a fridge overall but I’m still overly cautious of anything wiring related the fridge. Last thing you want on a multi-day trip is your food going bad.

 

That is weird as my CFX50 shows a draw of 4+ amps (ammeter shares with strip leds and usb charging outlets but never breaks 5A). I haven't noticed a large spike in startup but maybe I wasn't paying attention closely when it kicked on.

I am running (I think?) 4awg, from main. It passes through an 80A breaker at the battery, into the cab behind the rear seats to a stereo panel that has an amp and a fuse panel, then another 50A breaker, and continues to the rear bed to another fuse panel on the Drifter. Grounds are inside rear of cab and back frame.

Next iteration is looking like a 100-150Ah LiFePO4 in the engine bay with a VSR handling charging, then swinging the "aux" run to that battery and add a 1000W inverter to the back.

 

Interesting. I pulled the numbers from their website
https://www.dometic.com/en-au/au/pr...oolers/dometic-waeco-cfx-50w-_-137972#index-2

 

So far I have used 30' of cable to go from the starter battery into the back of the cab to where my house battery/charger will reside. So I just ordered another 20' that will hopefully be enough for the run from the cab to the rear of the bed where the disconnect will be. Word to the wise, if your using plastic split loom to protect your cable get it from Amazon. I ran short for the first run and just stopped to grab 50' at Napa and they wanted goddamn .88 cents a foot!!!!! I should get some fancy braided stuff for that price.

 

I shredded my puffy jacket this past weekend getting into the Drifter.

Anyone have any solutions for the sharp, exposed aluminum around the rear window?



This is the only aspect of the drifter that I think could be greatly improved. The AT Habitat rear door is much more secure and doesn’t have this exposed sharp metal issue...

 

While not a scientifically accurate instrument, I'm running the accessory grounds through a variant of this ammeter/voltmeter to measure. Rated for 10A. Red LED so it doesn't disturb sleep.

$16 WATERWICH DC12-24V/0.1-10A Dual LED Digital Multimeter Amp Voltage Meter 2-in-1 Current Tester and Voltage Tester for Boat Marine Vehicle Truck ATV Car Camper LED Round Panel

https://www.amazon.com/WATERWICH-DC12-24V-0-1-10A-Digital-Multimeter/dp/B075V19H8W

It isn't switched, so I have the entire camper on quick disconnect plugs when not in use.

 

Man that solid rear door looks nice.

 

Replying to a pretty old post here, but figured you'd appreciate it. If you haven't checked them out yet, take a look at the Sur Ron instead of the Zero. Half the price, half the weight (only about 100 lbs) and really cool little bikes. If your goal is exploring around camp you'll love this thing, plus they rip.

Check it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw2YrNIL0dU

 

Dude I’ve been reading about those. I don’t ride enough anymore for a devoted dirt bike, but those little things look like so much fun.

 

Any ideas on keeping the LiFePO4 cool in the engine bay? I have shied away from that location because I didn’t want to see my lifespan for an expensive pack reduced prematurely. My current Valance (eBay) pack specs say not to charge higher than 113deg F. Something I am betting happens often in the engine bay. On the plus side, the engine bay would almost always be above freezing for winter charging!

 

Where did you stick the thermometer on the outside?

 

On the Drifter with the maxtrax sandwiching it in place

 

This morning, I realized I had a stowaway inside of the camper. Only way it got in was climbing through the gap between the window and my bed

3 mouse traps set. It is hiding inside my bed cap...I did not place it in this location. I put all of then in corners where I saw Jerry.

Weirdest thing ever. Pretty sure I just heard one go off right now...will report back in the morning!

 

Mouse traps have changed quote a bit... haha

 

This thing was so high tech, and 3x for $7!

It worked though! I caught the mouse.

 

RIP