1999 Astro Dirtbag Mobile

Logan Hamilton wrote:Hi love your van! Im curious did you install fuses on your solar rig? Im just installing one on my truck. Also if you have any pointers let me know. Thanks

Logan, I did not install a fuse although my inverter called for one in he installation. I think it said to put one in the ground wire and that didn't make sense to me so... ya. No problems since. Only advice I would give is I didn't buy all the expensive connectors and it didn't matter. One thing someone recommended to me that I didn't think about is to do all electronics in 12v. When I convert to 120v I guess I am loosing power and you can find most of what you need that opporates on 12v.

seandoe wrote:looks great! Just got a 2004 Astro, looking to do something similar. I might have to hit you up for some advice.

Hit me up! thecornyman@yahoo.com is a good way. Astro for life! Highly recommend the front seat swivel. :)

Nice rig!

I also have a solar set up with my van. The fuse thing also confuses me, as the set up called for it. When installed 'correctly' the system didn't function correctly. After I removed the fuse, no problems. I would also recommend for everybody looking to install one to get a closed cell battery, venting for a normal marine battery is a pain in the ass and means more holes in your van.

OP-Have you considered lining your van with that bubble wrap looking metal insulation? I think its made by reflectix. Its pretty cheap and thin enough to not really effect space considerations; but it will provide a decent layer of insulation. I put it under my floor and in the cealing and it works great. I also cut sheets of it with velcro to cover the windows, which helps out a lot here in El Portal where its often triple digits. I would recommend caulking for the installation of it, spray adhesives and other products seem to give up on holding when its hot.

Clayton Knudson wrote:OP-Have you considered lining your van with that bubble wrap looking metal insulation? I think its made by reflectix. Its pretty cheap and thin enough to not really effect space considerations; but it will provide a decent layer of insulation. I put it under my floor and in the cealing and it works great. I also cut sheets of it with velcro to cover the windows, which helps out a lot here in El Portal where its often triple digits. I would recommend caulking for the installation of it, spray adhesives and other products seem to give up on holding when its hot.

I was going to pass on the insulation just out of laziness and the fact that I spend so much time in CA... but under my carpet would be super easy and keep my feet way warmer. Good call.

Clayton Knudson wrote:The fuse thing also confuses me, as the set up called for it. When installed 'correctly' the system didn't function correctly. After I removed the fuse, no problems.

Clayton, what happened with the fuse in? Mine is good without but my inverter acts a little funny. It's suppose to read the voltage the battery is putting out and then show what voltage is being used currently. I basically will use the battery until the voltage is showing 12.0 (not below 12) but the display always shows 0 for what is being currently utilized. As a solar newb anyone know if this is ok or why it never reads what I'm using? maybe a fuse?

thecornyman wrote: Clayton, what happened with the fuse in? Mine is good without but my inverter acts a little funny. It's suppose to read the voltage the battery is putting out and then show what voltage is being used currently. I basically will use the battery until the voltage is showing 12.0 (not below 12) but the display always shows 0 for what is being currently utilized. As a solar newb anyone know if this is ok or why it never reads what I'm using? maybe a fuse?

Same here, I couldn't get a battery reading and my inverter would often not work properly. Cutting the fuze out eliminated both of these problems. Plus the panel charge controller called for an inline fuze, which is 3 amps max regulating a 10 amp charge. It had to be replaced constantly.

Clayton Knudson wrote:Same here, I couldn't get a battery reading and my inverter would often not work properly. Cutting the fuze out eliminated both of these problems. Plus the panel charge controller called for an inline fuze, which is 3 amps max regulating a 10 amp charge. It had to be replaced constantly.

Which fuse are you talking about exactly? You should definitely have at least one fuse on the positive side of the battery and as close to the battery as possible. Of course a 3 amp fuse on a 10 amp load will constantly blow...that's just wrong.

What lengths and gauge are you guys using for your wiring?

thecornyman wrote:the display always shows 0 for what is being currently utilized

Either the controller is broken or you have the wiring wrong. For the load reading on the controller to work, all of your components must be wired directly to the controller, NOT to the battery.

For a simple setup with a 15A solar controller, isolated from the vehicle electrical system, it should look something like this (sorry the ascii art doesn't work too well):

(battery)
|
(15A fuse)
|
(controller) --- (15A fuse) --- (load)
|
(15A fuse) --- (solar panel)

I like the van and your design looks awesome. I too have an Astro cargo van that is converted, not as cool as yours but I had to make it livable for two people so I was a little more limited on space. As far as insulation I used that metallic finish bubble wrap stuff they sell at the hardware store and it works fairly well. It gives the inside a very shiny feel quite reminiscent of a Flash Gordon space ship and doesn't hardly take up any space at all. It is super easy to install just roll it out, cut it to size, and screw it in place with tiny screws so you don't punch through the outer hull of your interstellar love machine.

Nathan Bell wrote:I like the ... interstellar love machine.

You get it :)

Just curious, how are you storing the propane tank? I would like to cook with propane in my van, but have heard that it ought to be sealed and vented? Suggestions or opinions? Thanks!

O'neil Van Horn wrote:Just curious, how are you storing the propane tank? I would like to cook with propane in my van, but have heard that it ought to be sealed and vented? Suggestions or opinions? Thanks!

Ha, um... I turn it off when I'm not using it? It sits under my bed. :)

a carbon monoxide alarm is a great idea if you're going unvented

Awesome solar setup... I recently put together the same thing for a small beach cabin I leased this year and I used a 125ah battery (Vmax). Its run lights (5watt LED), fans, computers, music, charging, all of it all season. Charged once a weekend and only used 2-3 days at a time and it never once even got to medium level. Amazing battery and I'd highly recommend to anyone looking to check out this brand as I did hours of research and ended on a Renogy 100W panel, Morning star controller and Vmax battery.

And yes, using an inverter to convert DC to AC uses a bunch of juice, its MUCH smarter to just go 12VDC for all stuff. Most laptops are actually 12v. Ipad 12v, iphone 5v, really there's no reason for 120VAC on the road. THey even sell 12vdc blenders! I also have the prostar 30 and only have fuses on the load. Solar and battery connnect directly to my controller. As someone said to me, if ur spending $250 on a battery you better spend at least $100 on the controller since that's you're insurance policy on your battery so don't cheap on that even though you can.

vmaxchargetank.com/
renogy.com/
morningstarcorp.com/product…

Hey man, I'm trying to do a similar conversion to my newly acquired 96 Astro ScumMobile. I was wondering what roof rack system you used on yours, I'm having a hard time finding which ones fit on the roof. Thanks man!

looks great! Just got a 2004 Astro, looking to do something similar. I might have to hit you up for some advice.