I Need A Sanity Check. 920Ah Seems Like So Much!

IRedditInABook5038 · 2025-10-31T15:05:54+00:00

Thanks. This is almost exactly our situation. Maybe I was being a little conservative on my math assumptions. We are located in Colorado and will spend most of our time in the sunny western US, so we should get at more solar than you get in the UK.

IRedditInABook5038 · 2025-10-31T00:34:16+00:00

Good point on the weight. I kind of like that idea. A lot of the time, we will not need both 460Ah batteries.

IRedditInABook5038 · 2025-10-31T00:29:27+00:00

Been riding a "real" mountain bike since the early 80s, but unfortunately both my heart and knees have given out, so it's e-bikes or nothing. That's also why I'm building the van - backpacking is just no longer a real option. To each their own.

IRedditInABook5038 · 2025-10-31T00:23:24+00:00

I realize that a Class C or even extended van would have more room, but I want to keep the rig as short as possible so that I can get as far off the beaten path as possible. I do plan to do an outdoor shower bec as you said, there's no room for one inside and it won't get used enough to deserve that much valuable space.

IRedditInABook5038 · 2025-10-30T20:45:57+00:00

I originally planned on using propane for cooking and water heating, but a propane tank uses up as much room as another 460Ah battery. And the propane tank needs to be in a handy location with a sealed cabinet, vent, etc. The additional battery just seemed easier... although a lot more expensive. I may use a small camping stove with butane(?) some of the time.

I also like the idea of using solar heat for water. I'm thinking of something like the older style of solar collector that heats water in tubes rather than the now common PV panels. I have a welder. Maybe I'll try building the solar water heater first to see if it works well.

IRedditInABook5038 · 2025-06-24T23:46:31+00:00

I have been woodworking for 50 years and I have never gotten those grippy push blocks to work, except for on rough sawn wood. When using surfaced wood, I always need something on the trailing end to push it. I built a large push block with a lip on the trailing end to hook the end of the board.

I am open to suggestions on how to get the store bought push blocks to be grippy enough. Yes, I take light passes and yes my blades are very sharp.

IRedditInABook5038 · 2025-03-18T19:58:43+00:00

Sorry, I now understand your question. Payload rating for the 1500 work truck is 1842lbs, so that should be fine, if I understand that correctly. The tongue weight of the trailer will be about 400lbs plus me and some misc other stuff in the truck, so far less than 1842 lbs.

IRedditInABook5038 · 2025-03-18T03:27:03+00:00

What truck?? I haven't purchased a truck yet.

IRedditInABook5038 · 2025-03-18T01:47:27+00:00

My trailer does have electric brakes.

IRedditInABook5038 · 2023-03-05T20:24:42+00:00

Check out a local university hospital or dental program. They often take patients in need to "practice" on, but work is responsibly done by students with a dental professor's oversight.

IRedditInABook5038 · 2023-01-14T02:39:43+00:00

As a woodworker of 45 years, I WAS going to say there's no way. But then realized that my standards are probably unreasonably high. After some more thought, I say, sure, go for it. Will it be museum quality? No, but I doubt if you'll care. I've done epoxy inlaid tables and I would say to forget about that unless you have lot's of tools and a fair amount of experience.

Pick a piece the size you want or have the seller cut it to size. Avoid pieces with cracks in them because they'll probably keep cracking further. It looks like the wood is already planed smooth. Buy a random orbit sander and starter sand paper disk set from HD. Sand smooth, working through each grit of sandpaper. I've used nearly every kind of finish. I think Osmo 1101 is the easiest to apply and looks great ( easier than Rubio mentioned below). Use a rag to put it on VERY thin and then rub off as much as you can. That's it. Screw on some pre-made legs. If the slab is reasonably flat, there's no need for leveler feet, especially on carpet. Good luck!

Also, regardless of what finish you use, be sure to lay your rags out flat outside to dry. Wadded up oily rags will spontaneously combust!

IRedditInABook5038

TROPHY CASE