I tried to avoid falling too much in love of any initial ideas. To be implemented I have to convince myself that the change is for the better and weight the pros and cons carefully. Amongst the considerations are:
- how long would the device last?
- would replacement be available should the addition fail; and if not would it leave an eye sore?
- does the change require cutting and hole drilling, and if it is reversible?
- do the benefits out weight the drawbacks?
- am I trying to solve a problem that does not exist?
LED task light for the kitchen counter
One recent enhancement that I envisioned but was aborted after the prototyping is an Ikea LED light fixture. While the James Cook design has no shortage of lighting I thought I would like a bit better illumination onto the kitchen counter where all the food preparation is done. The two halogen lights (which I reduced from 20W to 10W) under the cabinet throw out enough light for working in front of the burners and sink. My left arm always cast a shadow when cutting on the counter. I found this clean and sleek LED fixture at Ikea (for about $20) which I planned to mount on the top of the upper cabinet projecting out a couple of inches as a task light for the counter.
led light fixture from ikea - it is the best looking fixture ikea ever carried
It is designed to be power by 110Vac using the adapter supplied. Where there is no marking of the output voltage supplied by the adapter to the LED lighting I guessed it must be 12Vdc. It is perfect because I would just not use the adapter and wire the light to the same circuit of the halogen lights. I even envision adding a miniature on/off switch to the aluminum arm of the fixture. I bought the fixture and began the prototyping.
I first verify the adapter indeed outputs 12Vdc to the light - which it indeed does. So far so good.
Next I took some duct tape and tape the fixture to the top of the cabinet projecting out 2 inches as I had planned. I didn't want it to project out more least it hinder one accessing the upper berth and knock it lose.
As with most Ikea LED fixtures, the output luminance is not exactly stellar. Still it provides marked improvement over without. At that point, I re-examine if I am solving a problem that does not exist? May be I am. There is already the two florescent lights on the sides of the upper berth. If only I turn on the one to the right side of the counter it provides slightly brighter illumination on the counter than the Ikea LED fixture. Sure the Ikea LED fixture may draw only a fraction of the florescent light, but lighting never cause power consumption during my camping. While the envisioned installation is very reversible I felt that the installation just try to solve a problem that does not exist. I aborted the project.
adding piezo ignition to water heater
Shortly after acquiring the camper I was annoy the need to manually light the water heater with a match. I had this piezo ignitor which I purchased for another project laying around and I played with seeing how I can install it on the Suburban water heater.
ventilation fan
At times during stagnant and hot weather cabinet temperature can rise significantly due to solar gain. I want a sensibly sized fan to augment natural cross ventilation. I had rejected replacing the very well made factory skylight in the bath with the popular Fantasticvent. I like the clean look and the built-in fly screen of the factory one and the popular alternative is quite ugly.
I have a large collection of computer fans at home and I selected one largest one with low CFM so it would be quiet. After playing around the most optimum locations my current plan is to use it on the side wing windows on the upper berth. In this prototype set up I mounted the fan onto a cardboard.
prototype venting fan
The cardboard would eventually be replaced with a sandwiched foam core hardboard found in arts supply stores. I want the assembly to be removable and store as one light weight assembly.
While it does not move huge volume of air as the Fantasticvent my goal is to move enough air to significantly lower the cabin temperature when the vehicle is parked and not occupied. I have been using the prototype set up to keep the vehicle interior much cooler even at home.
I think I would use 2 fans instead of 1 in the final rendition to double the air flow. I would however only make one as I never open both wing windows at the same time. I always close the one on the sunny side together with the sun blind.
reflective window inserts
While in San Francisco I found this silver foil reflective sheets for very cheap and I snapped up 2 roles. I reckon I could made use of them to reduce solar gain on the camper.
silver foil reflective sheet
p.s. When I bought my mini I deliberated the skylight option. I rejected the idea as it was very clear to me it has two major drawbacks - huge solar gain when closed and added weight high up for good handling; After owning a convertible I no longer have the urge to drive open top in the summer sun.
small shelf for lower berth
While it was on my punch list, I just completed this one today while writing this blog. This has been an enhancement I wanted to implement ever since I first acquired the camper. I was somewhat surprised to find out one cannot fold up the small shelf when the lower bed is set up. The depth of the shelf is too deep to clear the mattress of the bed. I made a replacement shelf with 7 inch depth and it is just perfect. Very often I want to have a cup of coffee in bed and it is a pain not to have a handy place to put it.
The beauty of this alteration is it is totally reversible. I just save the stock shelf.
remove the stock shelf
i would like to paint it gray to match the interior but that is a project for another day
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