My escape pod!!!

[EscapePod]

Here is a link to my sprinter RV conversion build currently in progress. Any seasoned sprinter builders Feel free to offer any suggestions!!

LINK (http://www.defineinc.blogspot.com)

[Hit The Road Jack]

Excellent conversion to date EscapePod...:thumbup:

Be sure to use HEAVY Battery Cable #0000 AWG and Primary #12 AWG...:hmmm:

Here is a very useful site for reference factor...:professor:

http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm

[teamtexas]

Nice work on the POD. Keep it up (between trips of course). :cheers:

Dan

[EscapePod]

There is no between trips! This will be my home for at least the next year..

[businessgypsy]

I ran those same coast roads (San Diego to Vancouver BC) in the 90's. Can be magic, if you keep your radar on. Beware of trolls. Want to hear more about your journey. Great work on the POD!

[EscapePod]

who needs a radar! hit the 1 at twice the posted in the v-dub with no tickets....might have sh*t myself a couple times...but no tickets.

[Master of Nothing]

How far from the back did you mount your second vent? Were you able to mount it flush? I am trying to figure it out.....

Also which model of fridge did you end up getting?

[EscapePod]

I have given up on the 3-way fridge idea. I am going with a unit that requires no outside venting. I just don t want to cut huge hole in the side of my precious sprinter!

[NBB]

I purchased a similar fridge, and like you, was pretty sketched about cutting huge ugly holes in the side of the van. From Van Specialties site:

20400

How would I feel if I left my van for a few days at some upfitter and came back to this? I'd be pissed! Then I'd start crying! Then I'd have to sell the van!

I also looked at those round little west-fail-on-ya vents, but decided they are too cheap and small for such a fridge and would hurt cooling performance.

I found vent selection to be a tough nut. Vents are hard to find online, and the ones you do find are big, ugly and cheap looking. However, with some effort, some phone calls and a some time on hold, Rob at Vanspecialties was willing to get me the vents you see in the second photo I took of a Roadtrek. Maybe $35-$40 each or so. I think they are a good option. They are pretty compact and do not seem like they will let much if any water in. You'd have to see them close up.

20401

However, I noticed on the Dometic international site that the same vents existed with winter covers (LS100 and LS200, same dimensions as above, so you can look this up...). I really liked that concept, as I do a lot in the winter. I found them at www.caravan-parts.org. They are NOT available in the US - they are designed for a specific euro fridge. It was expensive to import these! However, that's what I did. I have not yet installed them, but they will be positioned almost exactly as in the second photo with respect to the window and lower trim.

I didn't worry too much about what vent has been certified or whatever to work with the fridge. I'm in the ballpark. However, I am also planning a small 12V vent fan along with a thermo relay that will kick on a very low current fan. I think this will work pretty well. Check digikey p/n 317-1436-ND for the thermostat I was considering. The fan would be a simple dc brushless, maybe 50mA draw or so.


I didn't want a 12V fridge, as I think it will not work well for a vehicle sitting parked possibly for weeks at a time, possibly in the shade or under bad skies. I also pack 4-10 days of food at a time, so I need something big. I have a propane fridge now and love it. 10 lbs of propane lasts 3 weeks in my current fridge. Frankly, I think that is pretty cool. This one will probably consume a little more, but I'm planning on 40 lbs of tanks with the option to pack more if I feel the need.