Community Forums

N8gilbert · 02-13-2025, 08:21 AM

We recently moved over to a Class A unit after (most) timing in travel trailers for many years. We looked at so many our heads hurt, as our needs/ wants were pretty specific. Being a family of 3 we needed a space for our 8 year old, plentiful storage, and a good sized kitchen. Most everything we looked at was lacking in some way, but we decided we definitely required an opposing slide and forego any bunk models as they seemed to waste so much space. In December we settled on a 2005 Bounder 38N with a diesel as we want to be able to pull something eventually. Since then we have been updating what seems like continuously, and are making headway. As is typical, I didn't take good Before pictures but I will try to keep pictures coming as I make updates (cuz we all know they never end). I have been completing a lot of maintenance items as well that needed one or were done terribly bad.

One of the first things we did was remove a small 54" flexsteel loveseat and replace it with a built-in cabinet unit. It provides much needed counter space and storage (and a place for the trash can!). Then removed the insanely heavy stock microwave and I am currently building this out. The Wife has been painting away as I complete things. We removed the dinette and are building a bed with storage for the child and will be putting up a sliding curtain wall for his area. As well as removed the sofa-bed and replaced with a recpro 94" reclining sofa.

I think the PO sold it as they were having electrical issues after replacing their chassis batteries. I determined the connections on the coach batteries were backwards and after switching them (luckily no damage) is has been working well. Yesterday I upgraded the inverter to a Victron Multiplus 2 2x120 unit and put in a 300ah lithium battery. I still have a few things to clean up on that but it is coming along.

N8gilbert · 02-13-2025, 08:24 AM

Sorry about the sideways pictures, not the best at uploading things I guess.

N8gilbert · 02-13-2025, 08:27 AM

The Wife likes her dishwashers, and we have been using a small countertop type, but a couple days ago the Blue store had a Fisher and Paykel dishdrawer return that was still in the packaging. We got it for half off and I suppose I will be installing that in the near future.

Tony Ramirez · 02-13-2025, 08:38 AM

Just curious, what made you decide to change out to the MultiPlus? Was your old inverter/charger bad, or are you planning on needing more Invert capability? 300Ahs might limit you then. Any solar?

N8gilbert · 02-13-2025, 08:56 AM

Hi Tony, I'm wanting more boondocking power capability. I got a cheap lithium for this summer season and am planning on upping battery capacity next fall and adding approx 1600w solar. I am no expert by any means and I sure there is a lot of debate, but from what I've read the newer inverter should have better charging profiles for the lithium and has the ability to supplement limited shore power when we are plugged into 20amp power. I just completed a 6k watt off grid solar array for our winter site so I'm exhausted with solar projects at the moment and am getting ready to travel for the summer.

Tony Ramirez · 02-13-2025, 09:12 AM

N8, 10/4. With more AHs & solar, the MultiPlus will be GREAT. I just thought 300Ahs wasn't that much for the Multi.

I'm in the middle of trying to justify changing out my Magnum 2000W for the Multi.

N8gilbert · 02-13-2025, 09:31 AM

Tony, I agree with your assessment of the AH capacity I currently run based off of what I know. I wanted a good base on which to build off of which is why I chose to go with the Multiplus. I can't really give any insight into the unit yet.

N8gilbert · 02-13-2025, 09:44 AM

I have also installed a diesel heater but I have not used it yet. I plan on eventually replacing the rear LP unit with it completely, but for now I have installed it in the basement and plumbed it into the stock venting. I haven't turned it on so I cannot speak to whether this will even work or how well.

David 70 · 02-13-2025, 09:58 AM

Perhaps someone on here could tell how to get the pictures to post correctly. I have done it once but the last time I tried I could not get it to work.

N8gilbert · 02-16-2025, 09:10 PM

I got the electrical sorted the other day. I didn't know exactly how to get the Multiplus to power the circuits previously powered by the xantrex. I read on another post here where someone had bypassed their inverter temporarily so I used that method, only just behind the power distribution box. The 10AWG xantrex input wire was connected directly to the 2 xantrex output wires. I'm sure there may be a better solution, such as putting jumpers between relays and breakers, but this has been working without incident thus far. I will post a picture of my reconfigured electrical box area when I get a chance to do some tidying up. I moved the coach battery to the electrical compartment with the inverter in hopes of keeping it out of the weather. Been finishing up a Casita project so should have more time soon!

FIRE UP · 02-16-2025, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N8gilbert

The Wife likes her dishwashers, and we have been using a small countertop type, but a couple days ago the Blue store had a Fisher and Paykel dishdrawer return that was still in the packaging. We got it for half off and I suppose I will be installing that in the near future.

Well Sir,
Forgive me for maybe being a bit blunt here but, for someone who's trying to maximize space, and renovating the inside of a motorhome, you're gonna add a DISHWASHER!!!!!! And you've been using a COUNTER TOP one? I mean, what do you get into a "counter top dishwasher, two coffee cups and a spoon? You're doing quite a bit to re-work the interior to accommodate all the needs of a small family so, I myself just can't see wasting space for a dishwasher. To each their own but if it were me, I'd sure use available space for something other than that but, that's just me.
Scott

N8gilbert · 02-16-2025, 10:40 PM

I can see where your line of thinking makes sense, but for us it works. Being mostly retired, i guess it keeps me busy. We have figured out over time we never really use our oven so I'm putting the dishwasher there. In our north trail TT we used it once on 4 yrs. I do have a question though for people more experienced with class As, I am gonna try to attach a photo of the edge "banding", gutter, on the sides of the tpo roof. Does this need sealed where the tpo meets it on top? I'm sealing the roof and slowly taking off what appears to be ACRLYIC interior caulk that PO laid over original dicor.

N8gilbert · 02-16-2025, 10:41 PM

Since its sideways, I'm speaking of the gutter rail to the right side of picture

Tony Ramirez · 02-17-2025, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N8gilbert

I got the electrical sorted the other day. I didn't know exactly how to get the Multiplus to power the circuits previously powered by the xantrex. I read on another post here where someone had bypassed their inverter temporarily so I used that method, only just behind the power distribution box. The 10AWG xantrex input wire was connected directly to the 2 xantrex output wires. I'm sure there may be a better solution, such as putting jumpers between relays and breakers, but this has been working without incident thus far. I will post a picture of my reconfigured electrical box area when I get a chance to do some tidying up. I moved the coach battery to the electrical compartment with the inverter in hopes of keeping it out of the weather. Been finishing up a Casita project so should have more time soon!

Right now a 30Amp Breaker feeds my inverter, then that feeds a sub panel w the fridge, micro, & most of my outlets. IF I do my switchover, I will go from the 30A Brk direct to the sub panel, abandoning the existing runs from Brk to Inverter & Inverter to Subpanel.