Sxy Flxy - The Building Of A Motorhome
- by Pete Snidal (C)2002
The Mechanicals - Plumbing And Wiring
1. The Water System: Design
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A simple design for the water system incorporates storage, facility for
filling storage tanks or direct use from shore supply (fancy name for
garden hose), draining tanks, and of course pumping into the house
system from the tanks. |
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The chosen spot for the propane furnace and water heater was
between the kitchen cabinets and bed. A "desktop," holding a small wash
sink as well, would be the cover for this area.
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The water system in the flesh. Looks complicated - pump, bypass
valving, etc. - but it's compact! |
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2. The Furnace
Furnace installation was straightforward. Furnace was located behind
water heater, with rear duct directed around rear of furnace to front,
front duct run up to dump into aisleway just to rear of closet.
Thermostat was located in the "living area" above the rear of the
kitchen counter.
The Cover-Up
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A small cabinet covers the water heater, providing some storage space as
well as neatening things up. Water level indicator tube will be clamped
into place at top.
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3. The Electricals
For Shore Power, the bus was wired with standard 14-2 Lumex, and
CSA-Approved terminal boxes and receptables, in two circuits, one down
each side. Provision is made to feed each circuit from a separate 120V
leg, in series for 240 with a common centertap, or with the two legs fed
in parallel from 120. A fanned and thermostated wall heater is installed
under the front dinette seat, dumping into the aisle. All other 120 AC
is fed into receptacles, 3 on each side.
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DC Elements of the system are many. Mostly lights, although a "com
stack" fitted to the underside of the front header incorporates stereo,
CB, and 2 Meter Amateur radio rigs.
A 600W Yamaha genset is built into a bay beside the engine compartment on
the left side. This provides 120VAC, primarily for driving the 30 Amp
battery charger. The charger has variable output, so some 120 can be
used for power tools, etc. with the charge rate reduced. 2 Deep Cycle
100 A-Hr batteries will be incorporated into the system when we hit the
road, and possibly a 6A solar panel.
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The Genset In Place |
