Kimbo Camper BS and Mods

Nice work! Very clean storage work. Always wanted to make something like you have under the table. Very cool.

 

Baskets on the inside of the closet is a great idea too. Was thinking it doing shelves but this may be a better option for us.

 

Thanks Volron, I've had a bunch of inspiration from this thread. The space under the table has my batteries and inverter (and it worked for opening up the lounge).
Originally the baskets were purchased like most folks, but after trying to better utilize the closet they seem to work there.

 

Anyone dealing with a drastic decrease in solar input to the battery? With the sun directly overhead it’s maxing out at 107watt input, when I’ve seen 170-180 in past similar situations. Cleaned off the panels and didn’t make a noticeable difference. Curious if anyone has dealt with this situation?

 

Guys I answered my own question. Just have to deselect AC slow charging in the app, this is something you’ll probably want to have selected if you plug the battery in to an outlet, but it turns out that it also throttles solar charging.

 

Very nice! The aluminum looks super clean and compliments the wood nicely. How are you retaining the baskets in the shelving?

 

Thanks Profloundering, The baskets sit below the 80/20 about 1/4" which works as a lip. In an effort to keep the weight down I went with this idea. I'm not confident yet that they'll stay in place when I go off-road so I'll have a bungee a backup

 

Found this on a local CL page --
https://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/rvs/d/edmonds-2019-kimbo-camper/7640157603.html

 

Did anyone end up tying these powered jacks?

 

I have skimmed through the thread over the last two days. Forgive me if I missed this. I know there are portable air conditioners, but does anyone know if there is some type of small shore powered window unit that would fit the side or front window? I would like that option as opposed to the factory kimbo air option. Unless I'm wrong (which i could be), it seems that you can't remove the factory air when not in use. Thanks!

 

Not yet (actually not the power option I'm looking at but the quick release portion) but I have a line on a CNC plasma table that may be in my future.

 

I realize this answer is tangential to the question you posted, but I'm hearing very good things about 12 volt mini split AC for vans and other RV rigs. Supper efficient in power usage, and because they are split, you can keep the noise and heat outside your rig. If you are only interested in shore power AC, there are lots of mini splits that will accommodate that.

 

My windows seem to be sticky when opening after a lot of sun exposure, almost like the rubber is adhering itself to the acrylic window. Does anyone else have this problem or think some type or grease or lubricant might help?

in preparation for winter I’m trying to find a little heater I can run on the drive to the mountains in the evening. I charge my Kimbo house battery off my truck inverter while driving and I’d like to run a little electric heater to get the Kimbo warm before parking and heading to the Kimbo for bed at night after a long drive. I’m pretty sure my truck inverter is quite weak, like 400w, but a little heater running for 1-2 hours on the road would probably heat the Kimbo up just fine.

All the best!

 

Hey nelsonator - I have not had any issue with the acrylic windows (yet) and have not heard anyone else on the forum mentioning it either. Assuming it's not pollen that has collected on the seal or a harsh chemical used to clean the rubber sea (melting it). It might be worth it to try a silicone lubricant? Is it happening on all the windows or specific ones?

The heater is a tough one - can't remember if you opted for the dickenson heater but I have used that to keep the inside above freezing while travelling. The other option would be a diesel heater. It seems like the electric heater would use quite a lot of power and anything propane (like a buddy heater) has many challenges.

 

I have a Honeywell HeatBud electric heater in my wedge camper. It only puts out 250w in high mode so it shouldn't be TOO much of a draw on the battery. You will have to secure it as there's a safety feature built-in that turns it off if it tips over. Not really recommended to leave any space heater unattended, however, so not sure of potential fire risk- even for one this small.

I find it takes the chill off in morning. It raises the temp 10-15 degrees inside my camper if I keep everything buttoned-up tight.

 

Thanks for the responses. I do have a Dickenson, which works great once I get to where I'm sleeping, the little electric heater that Unresolved Taco Issues is talking about will probably fit the bill, I'll just run it off my truck inverter while I am driving to camp so that once I park the Kimbo is already a little warmed up, then I'll fire up the Dickenson.

The windows seems like a bit more of a mystery, I may have used some window cleaner on the inside once, but the acrylic doesn't seem to be etched. I won't use any window cleaner other than dish soap and water from now on. I think the rubber just gets hot in the direct sunlight, it hasn't torn the rubber, but it seems to get a little sticky after a hot week. The silicone lubricant sounds like a good fix. I might reach out to the manufacturer and see what they say too. I'll let you know...

 

Is there a reason you're avoiding running the dickenson heater while in transit?

 

Yeah, I am worried about the flame blowing-out and gas leak. I guess the thermo gas shut off takes care of that problem? Do you regularly run the Dickenson while driving in the winter? What speed do you go? I might be going around 70MPH, do you think that would work?

 

Yeah, we started running it when temps drop last winter when we began charging the goal zero from the bed outlet while driving - If I remember correctly, the stack was designed to avoid blowing out the flame. We travel at highway speeds, so 70 isn't uncommon...I guess I figure if the flame blows out, the gas will continue to exhaust out the flue and we monitor the temp in the kimbo with a remote thermometer in the cab so that will also indicate it's been blown out (it's not happened yet). We also turn the flame down just past the lowest "notch" on the dial until it's just barely a flame to keep things from getting too warm.

 

Awesome. What remote thermometer do you use, would you recommend it?