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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Renovations => Topic started by: John Haygarth on January 03, 2013, 09:49:57 pm

Title: renovation by way of hitting a rock
Post by: John Haygarth on January 03, 2013, 09:49:57 pm
Well leaving my Brothers before heading down south here I caught a big rock and did a bit of panel damage on  the wheel panel at rear passenger side. here in mexico I have taken it off to fix and fibreglassed some ply wood strengthening pieces into the bottom of it. I bought some resin/hardner and glass mat and a litre of white gel-coat (plenty for other fixes in future) from next town, and the gel coat was only $10 for litre. Is that good?? In the morning will file and sand ready for the gel. Then back on it goes. Today I also got my new solar panels ready to install and next I get to the battery terminal change over to buss bars. Watch out for pics.
John H
Title: Re: renovation by way of hitting a rock
Post by: Don & Tys on January 04, 2013, 01:18:46 am
How many watts of solar will you have then John? It would be nice to see a pic from the roof if you get a chance...
Don
Title: Re: renovation by way of hitting a rock
Post by: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart on January 04, 2013, 11:12:16 am
John,

Looks as if we might buy another panel for the roof. I figure you know the latest and best deals so what's hot and what's not?

How is San Carlos? Where are you staying so we can Google Maps (http://www.googlemaps.com) it? Fishing? Like to visit after Quartzsite but Puerto Penasco is a lot closer and Gaylie is going to get Lasik in PV in Feb so we will probably fly down for that.

Any ultra low sulphur diesel that far down for the late rigs?

Have some fajitas and a margarita for us.

Pierce

Title: Re: renovation by way of hitting a rock
Post by: John Haygarth on January 04, 2013, 09:39:01 pm
27°57'55.33" N 111°01'15.33" W
this is the google maps location in San carlos. We are in a residential devpt at friends and parked next to their home on a pad they built many years ago for me. Full 50 amp hookup etc for free.
 
Don, I have 700 watts now as of today and although we do not need it here it is plenty for our needs. Tommorrow I start to change over my battery cables to the Buss bars. I have 12 ft of 4/0 welding cable so have lots.

Pierce, I have been getting my panels etc from AMSOLAR and maybe not the best price but I know if I have a problem with anything they are good to replace etc. I paid $289 for 100 watt incl all wiring brackets etc. All others are 150 watts.
Here are a couple of pics of damage to panel I am fixing.
John
Title: Re: renovation by way of hitting a rock
Post by: John Haygarth on January 05, 2013, 06:33:48 pm
well it does look a bit better now. I will put the trim back later and forget about it  till I get home then fix a couple of scratches.
Next comes the Battery change.
John H
Title: Re: renovation by way of hitting a rock
Post by: Raymond Jordan on January 05, 2013, 08:50:16 pm
The work done by some of our members is amazing. That's a real good job John.
Raymond
Title: Re: renovation by way of hitting a rock
Post by: John Haygarth on January 05, 2013, 09:42:15 pm
Thanks Raymond, and it is a heck of a lot stronger than the original too. It is all white gel coat finish too!!
John H
Title: Re: renovation by way of hitting a rock
Post by: wa_desert_rat on January 06, 2013, 10:27:42 am
Yet another reason I want to be just like John when I grow up!! (Except for the hitting-stuff part. :P )

If you get a chance, say "HI" to the Grossmans at Marina San Carlos from Craig and Sue aboard Kibitka. Our daughter, Kristy, spent many hours playing around the old offices and loved Panchita's new baby. In fact, when her baby brother was born she wanted to trade him for Panchita's baby girl. LOL.

Wonderful folks. Great repair job!!!

Craig
Title: Re: renovation by way of hitting a rock
Post by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on January 06, 2013, 10:56:30 am
Craig, Haven't heard if you got your electrical problems fixed.  Are you back on the road with your FT ?
Gary B
Title: Re: renovation by way of hitting a rock
Post by: John Haygarth on January 06, 2013, 09:40:06 pm
Now the new battery cables are done and this is my new set up. I will never really know if it is better for them (batteries) for a few years I guess but hope it is. I do have a cover that bolts to the top 2 screws so if anything falls against it no massive sparks/fire will result as it covers to below the lower cables.
John H
Title: Re: renovation by way of hitting a rock
Post by: kb0zke on January 08, 2013, 08:57:25 pm
John, that looks like a great idea. It looks to me like you have to take the entire negative bar down in order to disconnect any of the cables, since it looks like the nuts for those bolts are on the back.
Title: Re: renovation by way of hitting a rock
Post by: John Haygarth on January 08, 2013, 09:15:04 pm
actually no Dave, the copper bars are threaded so you just undo the bolts. No nuts on back.
John H