Tempory Storage Required
Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 02, 2004 at 04:17
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Hi! Everyone – have frequently checked the content of the
forum - the collective knowledge, wisdom and experience expressed by many of the contributors never ceases to amaze me.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> My wife and I have a van on order for delivery in July – actually, it’s been on order since May 2002. Unfortunately we had to request Steve and Tracy to reschedule delivery a couple of times as we presently live overseas and it has taken longer than anticipated to dispose of the last vestiges of some business interests. Our concern of course was not to have to put the van into storage for an extended period of time.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> We are still not 100% sure whether we will be back in <st1:country-region><st1:place>Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region> by July but there is a good chance that we will be. In the event that we are delayed a month or two we were wondering if anyone could suggest where we might be able to rent a suitable storage facility for a few months – a small light commercial building with a roof comprising a section of translucent material would be ideal so as to maintain a charge on the batteries - the van will be 20’6” long with standard A frame.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The second query I have is in regard to the electrical system – it is a query I probably should ask BTI direct but I thought I would ask it of the group in either case as many of the queries raised by others have yielded some interesting answers. The query I have pertains to the electrical system and that is, to what extent do BTI supply information about this at delivery e.g. do they supply a comprehensive wiring diagram of both the AC and DC systems as well as info regarding installed wire sizes etc. John and Cristina
Reply By: Luvntravln - Tuesday, Mar 02, 2004 at 04:19
Tuesday, Mar 02, 2004 at 04:19
Mate Ha! Not a chance!! When I asked BT for a wiring diagram I was told in so many words: "no way, Jose"!!! Every BT is apparently wired differently and there is no diagram, paperwork, or scratch notes on toilet paper!!!! I was told that if the wire runs were important I could come to BTi and take all the pics I desired. Hey man, what can I say? They turn out the best off-road caravan in the business, have a waiting list out the door, and they simply don't sweat the small stuff like wiring and plumbing diagrams. Mate, if you can't get a cold glass of water, find an air conditioned room to cool your heals when visiting BTi and spending $100,000.00, how can you possibly expect them to provide something like diagrams and manuals that explain how all the different systems work? Oh well, thank god its never too late/jay
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Deleted User - Tuesday, Mar 02, 2004 at 04:20
Tuesday, Mar 02, 2004 at 04:20
John and Cristina, You wrote.... The query I have pertains to the electrical system and that is, to what extent do BTI supply information about this at delivery e.g. do they supply a comprehensive wiring diagram of both the AC and DC systems as well as info regarding installed wire sizes etc. <end> Not to my knowledge ! Because every BT is virtually different in layout, battery position, 240v points, sound, lights etc it would be hard to standardise the wiring diagram. The wire gauges would be the same I'd imagine especially the 240v but where it runs can be a problem if you've never seen it. Having a chat to the sparky about general layout of your BT might be 10 mins well spent at delivery time. Also a look at a partially built BT (on delivery day) that is wired but not skinned might help give a general idea. I treat every panel as having wiring behind it so I'm very careful drilling holes to mount things etc. When drilling into a panel I use a drill depth gauge set to 4 or 5mm so the drill doesnt go right in past the panel near any wire. Then I have a feel with a scriber and only use screws that go just beyond material that I'm screwing into ...e.g. a 2mm thick bracket screwed through the 5mm panel into the 3mm wall SHS BT frame only needs an 11mm screw not 25mm. You're not going to tinker are you John !!! [smile] Welcome to the ranks of the mystical, elusive science that is BoggerTink !!! Regards Anthony Explore this Great Land ...Do it Easy ...Tow a
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Reply By: Deleted User - Tuesday, Mar 02, 2004 at 04:21
Tuesday, Mar 02, 2004 at 04:21
Re : Tempory Storage Needed if you go to the Caravan
forum - and Look up Merlin - he rented a small industrial shed at the back of the Gold Coast - while he built his caravan the shed was rented on a month to month bases. It also was zoned so that you could sleep in it if you wanted too. I am sorry I cannot be more helpful I have been to the shed but don't remember the address - I think it was off Exit 89 try Chinese John he is a great friend of Merlin he may know the address etc .
AnswerID:
561352
Reply By: Deleted User - Tuesday, Mar 02, 2004 at 04:22
Tuesday, Mar 02, 2004 at 04:22
Hi! Jay,<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Yo to the one with an enquiring mind, I well understand what you have silently expressed in many words – I think it is probably only since the commencement of the
Forum that Steve and Tracey have been exposed to the situation where folk in general desire a better understanding of what it is they are throwing their money at and understandably want to be part of the decision making process with this. It seems to me that prior to the
Forum, many folk probably had little input into what they ended up with aside from the layout and the selection of various items from a standard list of options. Given the number and caliber of the Bogger’s on the
Forum expressing sound opinions of a technical nature, it would not surprise me if BT were to respond to this in due course and provide a greater deal of customer satisfaction to this segment of their clients.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I suspect things have worked very well in the past for most if not all who have purchased a BT as I find Steve and Tracy are not fools and I for one certainly respect their first hand knowledge and experience of what works and what doesn’t work in unforgiving circumstances. Having said that, I agree with you and others who have expressed an opinion on this matter that it would make for a better customer relationship if one were given a full understanding of what it is one is spending their money on and if necessary, have the flexibility to select equipments in lieu to that offered by BTI etc. I do not believe the old axiom “the customer is always right” necessarily applies in this case as BTI have worked hard to build a reputation that is probably second to none in the caravan industry and they have every right to protect this by refusing to install equipments they believe are substandard to that which they offer or which would badly reflect the standing and status of the
Bushtracker name – nevertheless, there’s the rub, who decides.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Regarding the lack of a carpeted reception room and some pampering to secure the transfer of what amounts to a significant sum of money from one pocket to another – well, I guess in the absence of any real competition you pays your money and just have to have faith in your judgement about the folk you are dealing with – I think from my limited dealings with Steve, Tracy and their team there is little doubt in my mind that they are people of integrity and will deliver satisfaction even though small problems will inevitable occur with anything that is custom built. I have visited the factory several times over the past two years and have always received a warm welcome from everyone but as you have pointed out, never the offer of a cold drink but it is also fair to say I have never wanted one but I get your point.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I very much enjoy reading your postings and as Brian pointed out recently, things are awfully quiet without Jay.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Anthony,<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I very much enjoy reading your postings also and the generous way you have given of your time to share your knowledge positively with those that have requested assistance or comment about a wide spectrum of matters.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Regarding the query I raised about the info pertaining to the electrical systems, I appreciate each BT is custom built and virtually unique and I wasn’t anticipating that an “as fitted” plan as such would be supplied but did somehow expect that a simple generic schematic of sorts would be that reflected the circuitry together a schedule of wire sizes associated with each of the breakers fitted etc. after all this is not a big task requiring a great deal of time of anyone.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>John and Cristina
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561353
Reply By: Deleted User - Tuesday, Mar 02, 2004 at 04:23
Tuesday, Mar 02, 2004 at 04:23
Hello John,
Many thanks for you suggestion - I will follow up on it. I will be in Brisbane again at the end of the month for a couple of weeks and would like to get something organised at that time if I can .
I forgot to mention that storage anywhere in the Brisbane, Gold Coast area would be fine.
Thanks
John & Cristina
AnswerID:
561354
Reply By: Deleted User - Tuesday, Mar 02, 2004 at 04:24
Tuesday, Mar 02, 2004 at 04:24
John, Once you have your BT and study a few areas 80-90% of the wiring can be traced in your minds eye. Recently I had to run two sensing wires, from the batts to charger, to read true voltage. With the charger one side of ensuite and the batteries the other I thought the only way would be down through the floor and back up near batteries. Low and behold a bit of investigation revealed a false floor in the ensuite with a wiring channel. Put the wires in a piece of 10mm conduit and it went straight through .... Voila !! The low voltage wiring in the BT is not complex and in the main is done very well. A mate and I are building a race car (Club Sprints) at the moment and we are swapping wiring and complete drivetrain from a 2003 Jap import STI to a 95 model Imprezza body. Quite a task considering some of the looms are large and we are using an aftermarket ecu interceptor (able to be tuned via laptop) to alter voltages that tricks the factory ecu etc. This "is" difficult mainly involving checking and re-checking and will probably see us in adjoining padded cells before it is complete. [smile] Lucky we have patient first ladies !!!! How does the ad go ...Just going out the shed dear ! To fix the coffee plunger .... Regards Anthony Explore this Great Land ... Do it Easy ...Tow a
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Reply By: Deleted User - Tuesday, Mar 02, 2004 at 04:25
Tuesday, Mar 02, 2004 at 04:25
Although I don't have any forseeable plans to change or add (read tinker) to that which I wish BTI to install for me regarding the electrical systems, it is inevitable that as the electrical features of a typical BT are one of it's attractions, there is bound to be some additions or changes one would probably wish to make along the way.
Notwithstanding the above comment, I have pretty well settled on installing a Mastervolt battery charger and inverter (probably as separate units). In the fiirst instance I thought I would have BTI install the battery charger and I would install the inverter at a later date after I have had the opportunity to assess what we might want to draw from it - for instance, neither my wife or I are microwave fans but would probably find a small microwave handy at times to maybe defrost something. From a previous thread, it appears Griff installed a Dakar Combi 1500watt/65amp unit but I feel aside from the weight and other considerations that I would prefer to install separate units - I think the Combi unit (something like 23kg) employs a fairly hefty transformer compared to the individual units (60amp charger 5kg and 1200watt inverter 3kg) which both employ high frequency transfer technology thus making them much lighter and probably better suited for a bit of rough treatment vibration wise. Anyhow, as you say, a few moments spent sitting on an apple box considering how things have been physically installed (wired) will generally reveal all in the absence of anything better if one wants to tinker - like Jay, however, I think there is merit to have as much info as you can in hard copy form even if it is to only satisfy the tidy animal bit of me but as he also commented "what the heck".
Anthony, I find your sensible comments about a whole array of subject matter to be quite amazing at times.
Regards
John
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Reply By: Deleted User - Tuesday, Mar 02, 2004 at 04:26
Tuesday, Mar 02, 2004 at 04:26
John, One thing I'm doing (as suggested by a BTI director) when the skin comes off, to repair hail damage, is to fit a 25mm conduit in the ceiling terminating in each overhead cupboard just forward of the 12v circuit breaker housing. This will allow a wire to cross the BT from power side to kitchen side ....or speaker wires or tv feed to flatscreen etc etc. Well , when I get around to fitting them the conduit will be there. Members of BoggerTink might find it very useful !!! Anthony Explore this Great Land ...Do it Easy ...Tow a
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AnswerID:
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