So Many Mods, So Little Time

[rbryan4]

Man these people in Silicon Valley. The nerve of them. They actually expect me to work to get paid. Sure doesn't leave any time to finish all the mods I want to do - or camp and enjoy them.

Right now I have parts sitting in my workshop for the following:

Grab Handle replacement
Cooktop replacement
Range Hood retrofit/upgrade
Power Cord retrofit
Converter/Charger retrofit/upgrade
Vinyl Plank floor installation

So far this year all I've managed to complete are:
Propane Pressure Regulator replacement
Belly Band replacement
Sliding Pantry Shelves installation
Custom Teak Bath Mat

At this rate they'll be done in 2020.

[Viajante]

Do you mind giving a little more detail on what you are doing and why?

[rbryan4]

Well since you twisted my arm....[emoji23]

Just doing some minor mods and improvements. I like to tinker. So, the black grab bar is being swapped with a white one. I already replaced the black plastic door lock with a white metal one...oops, forgot that mod. Going for a cleaner look on the outside.

We never liked the heat output of the 2 burner cook top, or the fact it takes up so much counter space when not cooking. So, I'm replacing it with a Dickinson Marine cook top that's recessed and has a cutting board that sits flush with the counter.

Upgrading the stainless range hood fan and light assembly with one that exhausts far more air, has better LED lighting, can be closed from inside the trailer, and is much quieter.

The power cord will be converted to a detachable, with a spring loaded cover with an LED light.

The WFCO converter charger will be retrofitted with a better charge unit and better board, eliminating light flickers from dirty power and giving the batteries the voltage they need to charge properly.

And, the vinyl plank floor just because it looks cool. Admittedly, most of my mods fall into this category.

[Viajante]

Thanks. They all sound good.

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Man these people in Silicon Valley. The nerve of them. They actually expect me to work to get paid. .....

Look on the very bright side, Robert. At least you don't have to pay the housing prices around the bay area, nor do you have to pay California income taxes or put up with California politicians.

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Well since you twisted my arm....[emoji23]
...
The WFCO converter charger will be retrofitted with a better charge unit and better board, eliminating light flickers from dirty power and giving the batteries the voltage they need to charge properly.
...

Can you say a few more words about this one? Are the parts coming from WFCO? I don't like the dirty power either as I can hear the noise on my ham radio.

Thanks,
Alan

[rbryan4]

Yeah Alan, I'm just pulling the WFCO converter and board and replacing it with the "boondocker" from bestconverter. It's a direct replacement and doesn't require replacing the WFCO housing. Not quite the 15.2 volts recommended peak charging voltage recommended by Interstate, but much better than the stock WFCO and a true 4 stage charger with a desulfation cycle. It also has a much better DC filter and users have reported it ends the flickering light issues common with the WFCO - although I can't speak to whether or not it means less noise/interference with a ham radio. If it can make the power more stable and extend my battery life, I figure it's worth the trouble.

http://www.bestconverter.com/Boondoc...rs-_c_154.html

[C&G in FL]

I can identify with you Robert. It seems every time I Go on a trip with the trsiler I come up with another one or two mods to improve things. I sometimes wonder if the process will ever stop!

[MyronL]

Wow, the pay musn't be too bad in Silicon Valley. The Dickinson 2 burner model 00-2BP is a $734.14 cooktop. That'll heat my water. Looking forward to see the pix when the mods get done.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by MyronL

Wow, the pay musn't be too bad in Silicon Valley. The Dickinson 2 burner model 00-2BP is a $734.14 cooktop. That'll heat my water. Looking forward to see the pix when the mods get done.

They're pricey. I'd seen it in Chris R's custom 5.0TA photos and just thought it was the nicest looking one out there.

I was able to get it from Boat Owners World for under $500.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Man these people in Silicon Valley. The nerve of them. They actually expect me to work to get paid. Sure doesn't leave any time to finish all the mods I want to do - or camp and enjoy them.

Right now I have parts sitting in my workshop for the following:

Grab Handle replacement
Cooktop replacement
Range Hood retrofit/upgrade
Power Cord retrofit
Converter/Charger retrofit/upgrade
Vinyl Plank floor installation

So far this year all I've managed to complete are:
Propane Pressure Regulator replacement
Belly Band replacement
Sliding Pantry Shelves installation
Custom Teak Bath Mat

At this rate they'll be done in 2020.

Hi: rbryan4... Remember, "Hind sight is 2020" Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[John David]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

We never liked the heat output of the 2 burner cook top, or the fact it takes up so much counter space when not cooking. So, I'm replacing it with a Dickinson Marine cook top that's recessed and has a cutting board that sits flush with the counter.

We also are not happy with the heat output and lack of self ignition of the standard cooktop burners. We have a Dickinson on the sailboat and may get another similar one to replace the one in the trailer. I agree it will be nice to reclaim some counterspace with the flush cutting board. What will you do to replace the function of the stove cover and flip out side as a heat and spatter shield preventing grease spots on the walls?

John

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

At this rate they'll be done in 2020.

What's your hurry?

In the infamous words of my Great Uncle Ferd "It is no longer a hobby if it is done".

Originally Posted by MyronL

Wow, the pay musn't be too bad in Silicon Valley. The Dickinson 2 burner model 00-2BP is a $734.14 cooktop. That'll heat my water. Looking forward to see the pix when the mods get done.

You can get it WAY cheaper by phoning Dickinson, or even through some of the resellers. I got an especially good deal having brought them lots of business. Now after buying their cooktop, a few others, like Chris and Robert have bought one too. Kinda funny, I bought mine first (last September), but will get to use it last.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by John David

What will you do to replace the function of the stove cover and flip out side as a heat and spatter shield preventing grease spots on the walls?

John

We didn't get a cover and we haven't missed it.

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

What's your hurry?

In the infamous words of my Great Uncle Ferd "It is no longer a hobby if it is done".

Very true. I just miss having the time to tinker.

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Kinda funny, I bought mine first (last September), but will get to use it last.

At this pace you'll probably beat me. [emoji23]

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

At this pace you'll probably beat me. [emoji23]

At least you have the trailer.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

At least you have the trailer.

Why, what happened to yours?

(Oh no you dih-unt!) [emoji23]

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Why, what happened to yours?

(Oh no you dih-unt!) [emoji23]

I do have my pretty stickie, but am not going to do lotsa mods on it.

Though getting lotsa use out of it.

[rbryan4]

Wow, it's amazing what you can get done when you have an extra day off!

Did the install of the Dickinson Marine Cook top today. I must say, it adds a lot of wow factor to the trailer. I love that when not cooking, the entire counter is useable space.

Turns out I didn't have to run a new copper line. The original one terminated near the center and the new stove inlet is on the right rear on the bottom. So, I had too much pipe -- not too little. Just a cut of the pipe, a single bend, flare tool and done.
Love the piezo electronic ignition (no more matches) and the difference in heat output is impressive.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Rossue]

Looks great Rob; did re-routing the gas line go fairly easy?

[Greg A]

Nice looking stove, Robert. Was the stock stove you had rotated 90 or standard orientation before you enlarged the hole?