I was looking at a ICECO dual purpose fridge that can be 110v or 12volt but haven't made any decisions yet.For the fridge, you going A/C or 12vdc or one that is both?
Steel Soldiers now has a few new forums, read more about it at: New Munitions Forums!
I was looking at a ICECO dual purpose fridge that can be 110v or 12volt but haven't made any decisions yet.For the fridge, you going A/C or 12vdc or one that is both?
Good!!! On mine, water ran down and disintegrated the metal under the wood floor. Ripped all out and replaced with double layer of 3/4" marine plywood. It was alot of work. You are in a much better situation no doubt.I looked at them and I will look into it. The roof has a very slight spot of surface rust and it doesn't look like it went through. I'm going to inspect it more closely when I get inside the box more. And might have to take some panels out. On a side note, The floor is perfectly solid and straight with no rot which is nice.
Yeah I have read multiple guys builds where the box needed to be gutted and started new. I'm trying to avoid that at all costs.Good!!! On mine, water ran down and disintegrated the metal under the wood floor. Ripped all out and replaced with double layer of 3/4" marine plywood. It was alot of work. You are in a much better situation no doubt.
I've been considering a SunDanzer, I've read that it's very efficient.ICECO dual purpose fridge
Right I haven't figured out all the details yet. I was wondering about securing the appliances myself. I just want the items to be secured safely.I've been considering a SunDanzer, I've read that it's very efficient.
![]()
I've done a lot of research on electrically efficient appliances. I got a Wisco countertop oven. I'm not sure how much off-road travel I'll be doing, but I don't want to shy away from any. Don't know how any of these appliance will fare in rough conditions, I guess I'll find out. Right now, I'm thinking about how to secure everything.
There are handles on the side, but I don't know that they are strong enough for tie downs. I think maybe an exoskeleton built around the item, at the very least a frame built around the bottom with strapping. It also might be prudent (or not) to open the appliance up and see what's inside. For instance, the fridge/freezer will have a compressor and maybe this might need to be secured better though anything designed to be picked up and moved will probably already have something going on in this area. I was thinking for smaller items, cabinets and padding - buy big blocks of foam and custom form them around items. My list of appliances include the fridge/freezer, countertop convection oven, induction hot plate, hot pot, & toaster. The oven might be a little over the top for some, but as I plan on living in this for maybe months at a time...I just want the items to be secured safely.
I want a fridge, microwave and air fryer. Plus ac/heat. Then a tv & DVD player. Trying to keep it simple but comfy.There are handles on the side, but I don't know that they are strong enough for tie downs. I think maybe an exoskeleton built around the item, at the very least a frame built around the bottom with strapping. It also might be prudent (or not) to open the appliance up and see what's inside. For instance, the fridge/freezer will have a compressor and maybe this might need to be secured better though anything designed to be picked up and moved will probably already have something going on in this area. I was thinking for smaller items, cabinets and padding - buy big blocks of foam and custom form them around items. My list of appliances include the fridge/freezer, countertop convection oven, induction hot plate, hot pot, & toaster. The oven might be a little over the top for some, but as I plan on living in this for maybe months at a time...
Sorry to say, but what you're talking about may not be simple. How were you planning on supplying the power? The HVAC unit will probably be your biggest draw. If you're gonna use a generator, you can probably use a mini-split system. If you don't want to use a generator, it starts getting complicated and/or expensive really fast.Trying to keep it simple
I plan on having a generator, As I do more research I will change the setup.Sorry to say, but what you're talking about may not be simple. How were you planning on supplying the power? The HVAC unit will probably be your biggest draw. If you're gonna use a generator, you can probably use a mini-split system. If you don't want to use a generator, it starts getting complicated and/or expensive really fast.
Wow.I second the suggestion to inspect the roof / ceiling very closely before building out your RV interior. I had mine completely stripped out in 2013 and thought I had the rust issues fixed. The whole inside got sanded, holes patched, floor replaced, rust ground out / neutralized, etc. I found out that one of my patch panels leaked during a camping trip last fall, and in the tear down over the winter I've found that it had much more rust inside than I thought was possible. The all-metal interior holds in moisture better than you would think, and spreads rust everywhere. The attached picture is from last month, and all the surfaces pictured were clean and in good shape when I primed them in 2013. At a minimum, I would recommend pulling out the light fixtures and checking for surface rust on the bottom side of the roof. Pulling out a few roof panels would be better.
If you use an RV power cord / plug system and ground the truck to it, then you shouldn't need another ground if plugged into grid power. If you are running off a generator, the generator should be grounded per its instructions.
View attachment 798876
Thank you very much. I was planning on running an inside air conditioning unit. I don't like the air conditioners on the outside and the rear exhaust vent is a great place for that. I would need to drill a hole for the vent line. And my plan is I wouldn't be having the air conditioner/heater on while moving. Only when stationary. I can open windows when I get to my destination and then turn on the AC or heat depending on the situation. Things may change in the future the more I get into the project. I'll def have more questions as I work on the inside of the box.On your a/c....I had a window unit on the front like some have done...decided that it is in the most vulnerable place for limbs, etc... I know you could build a shield like peashooter but I decided against it and removed it. Sealed it up completely just as I did the center windows on each side. The windows of these damn things are an atrocity and I felt alot better when i raised the blackout cover over the hole and sealed it up. Did the finishing work on the inside to seal it up good.
More on the A/C....I did all the math and budgeting for using a mini split with batteries and yep it can be done but it gets into the $1000's real quick. What I have decided to do is get a smaller portable a/c with heat and build my counters around it. Requires a drain line and a vent both of which are no problem.
This way, it is protected and cost is minimal. I bought a champion inverter 3500w dual fuel generator and it is good to go for all power needs when solar is not enough.
If you need pics of the braces and so forth in the walls, just ask. Several of us have taken these damn things down to parade rest. You really need to know where some of the braces are before boring holes in the sides and so forth. Running along each side about 3' high is a piece of flat steel that is 1/4" thick that could ruin your day if you were planning on using that area.
Good idea. I will look into it.For heat you could also go with a mini wood stove, like this one:
![]()
This thing is a little bigger than a loaf of bread and is designed for boats. I'm planning on using one and installing it in the same area where the shower will be - It'll be on a stand and I'll also put down a welding blanket for safety. Figure I can break it down, remove the exhaust pipe, seal it off and store it when it's not in use. There are other tiny stoves out there, but the Neport is probably among the smallest, and you just won't need anything big for the size of your camper.
We get it, advertisements are annoying!
Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website like our supporting vendors. Their ads help keep Steel Soldiers going. Please consider disabling your ad blockers for the site. Thanks!