BigJohnD's Mods to 28BHBE

[BigJohnD]

Appreciate it RedHorse1. You’re so right in saying it’s a dying art form. I /we try to retain a LOT of old school mentality and skills at our place. From cooking to iron work to everything else. Things just aren’t made or done like they used to be, so we try to do a lot of things like, they used to be done.

[ibra0078]

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

So, no thanks to another forum member (Mustang65 / Don I think) posting a easy cheap addition, I had to get this economical voltage / percentage display for the 2 - 6 volt batteries.

Nice install, where did you end up tapping into the wires from?

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[BigJohnD]

Just ran some t-stat wire from the gauge, down through the floor and from there ran it along side / tie wrapped with the inverter conduit underneath. On the battery end it’s just connected with alligator clips.

I can post pictures if you want.

[ibra0078]

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

Just ran some t-stat wire from the gauge, down through the floor and from there ran it along side / tie wrapped with the inverter conduit underneath. On the battery end it’s just connected with alligator clips.

I can post pictures if you want.

Thanks if you don't mind. Also where did you end up picking that usb wall charger from?

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[BigJohnD]

Here's a few pictures of the wiring on that battery gauge. Showing first, coming from the gauge, then down through the floor, running along the other conduit housing the 12v inverter wiring, then into the battery box with the alligator clips. The USB charger is OEM / came with the camper.

[BigJohnD]

Just a misc picture. My 6 year old son’s ocd kicking in like mine. Polishing the prop on boat. He had already waxed half the boat after asking me to teach him how to do it. As far as he’s concerned, it’s his boat.

[Magnolia Tom]

John

Can your boy come teach my boys to do that? They do nothing to our boat except complain about not going faster, lol!




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[Origjcc]

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

So, this isn't an RV mod, but it is kind of related to camping. We love camp fires. With that you usually need a fire poker. For as long as I can remember, we just grabbed a stick out of the woods and used that. Well, one day decided to tie in the black smith thing with home schooling and made this fire poker out of a piece of ground rod I had in the welding shop. I love the black smith thing, just don't do it much. Kids had wondered what that funny looking thing was in the shop (Anvil). It didn't take long with my kids watching, and it clicked with my older daughter. Hey dad, this is like forged in fire. So, the older two got to learn how tools USED to get made. They enjoyed this simple project using an anvil, torch, 5 lb hammer and of course a bit of flap disc grinding to clean it up.

(Yes, that's a flame genie in the picture, but we typically use an old stainless washing machine tub for our fire pit. The flame genie hasn't been camping yet.)

That’s an awesome memory made right there, not to mention passing on history with application!


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[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

Just a misc picture. My 6 year old son’s ocd kicking in like mine. Polishing the prop on boat. He had already waxed half the boat after asking me to teach him how to do it. As far as he’s concerned, it’s his boat.

Hope you’re ready to take it to the lake for him for a few years yet. 👍

[BigJohnD]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Tom

John

Can your boy come teach my boys to do that? They do nothing to our boat except complain about not going faster, lol!




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Maybe. He likes speed as well. Unfortunately he never got to see the faster one we had before he came along. Had to compromise with Wife on speed, function and lay out this time. However, we’re searching for a house on Toledo now, so I informed my wife I will be getting a bigger faster boat in the near future.

[BigJohnD]

Originally Posted by Origjcc

That’s an awesome memory made right there, not to mention passing on history with application!


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Yes sir. Trying to keep old school alive, and they think it’s cool.

[BigJohnD]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

Hope you’re ready to take it to the lake for him for a few years yet. ��

Oh yeah. There’s a story behind this boat. I had sold the last one and was without for a bit. He was beyond upset. Opportunity for life lesson. Save your money and we can get one. That he did. Every bit of change he could earn or round up he did. He didn’t know, but at the time I had bought the boat while at work offshore. I had also worked with a lady at dealer behind the scene (retired school teacher) to work up a kid friendly contract to purchase it. The day came, thankfully he picked out the one I had bought, he handed the money over and signed his paperwork. Valuable lesson for a young kid. As far as he’s concerned, it’s his, and he takes care of it. And still today, he’s tight with his money and says he’s saving for a house and bigger faster boat.

[Vasquez Kid]

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

Oh yeah. There’s a story behind this boat. I had sold the last one and was without for a bit. He was beyond upset. Opportunity for life lesson. Save your money and we can get one. That he did. Every bit of change he could earn or round up he did. He didn’t know, but at the time I had bought the boat while at work offshore. I had also worked with a lady at dealer behind the scene (retired school teacher) to work up a kid friendly contract to purchase it. The day came, thankfully he picked out the one I had bought, he handed the money over and signed his paperwork. Valuable lesson for a young kid. As far as he’s concerned, it’s his, and he takes care of it. And still today, he’s tight with his money and says he’s saving for a house and bigger faster boat.

Nice job there dad.

[Magnolia Tom]

John
You’ve got my nomination for best dad!
That’s awesome


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[BigJohnD]

Thanks Vasquez / Tom. Now if I can get my oldest daughter to follow that path. She can’t keep a dollar in her pocket.

Just realized I hijacked my own thread. Oh well.

[BigJohnD]

Anybody want to take a shot at what this is? Not camper related, but little John requested. Remember, if you can’t buy it, kids know dad will build it.

[Magnolia Tom]

John

Is it some kind of ninja warrior training device? Lol


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[BigJohnD]

Could be. Ok I can’t stand it as I’m having more fun with it than him. He’s been hounding me about a boat house with a lift for his toy boat for a while now. I finally gave in. It was going to be a 2 stall where the pontoon boat I made him would have a stall too, but it was going to be way too big. In the end it will have a full roof covering the boat slip and walk areas, a lift to pick his boat up, and a fish cleaning sink / area. Cheapest boat house I’ll ever build for sure.

[Magnolia Tom]

Man, that’s awesome John!


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[BigJohnD]

Thanks Tom. I’ll post a few pictures when I’m done. May take a bit as I’m balancing work, this, other maintenance and still trying to buy a house on Toledo. Never enough time for sure.