Alu-Cab Canopy Camper Roll Call

[Steven_B]

Looking for some advice on how people are maintaining their water tanks. The placement of the water tank outlet(s) mean that there is an inch or so of water left in the tank that can't be easily drained. Wondering how hard I should try to get this remaining water out. The tank is going to sit unused for maybe a month or so between trips.

I personally rotate the water out every few weeks and keep it full. I use this RV water treatment (think it's basically bleach). I keep the Jeep ready to go as an emergency shelter and the water is my emergency water supply.

https://amzn.to/3NstqpJ

And the old water isn't wasted, I use it to water the grass or for washing stuff.

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[ParatusExpeditions]

That bleach got me a bit worried, especially for drinking water (as advertised).
How about using StarSan? This is used to sanitize Keggs and other things in the Beer crafting industry & other. I use it already on other Kitchen things that need sanitization (juicer, etc.). Did anyone try t?

It's on my todo list, but I didn't get to it yet so figured I'd ask if anyone tried it yet. Otherwise, will report with results.

 

[Steven_B]

That bleach got me a bit worried, especially for drinking water (as advertised).
How about using StarSan? This is used to sanitize Keggs and other things in the Beer crafting industry & other. I use it already on other Kitchen things that need sanitization (juicer, etc.). Did anyone try t?

It's on my todo list, but I didn't get to it yet so figured I'd ask if anyone tried it yet. Otherwise, will report with results.

I've thought about StarSan also, just haven't tried it. I love that stuff, used it a ton when I brewed beer.

 

[ParatusExpeditions]

Cool! I think I also did not pay enough attention to how to use the Bleach thing; it seems like you're flushing out the water and refilling it with new water one before using/drinking, right? I think that's the part I got wrong, and it would make much more sense.

 

[Steven_B]

Cool! I think I also did not pay enough attention to how to use the Bleach thing; it seems like you're flushing out the water and refilling it with new water one before using/drinking, right? I think that's the part I got wrong, and it would make much more sense.

With this stuff, I barely add a half-cap full to my tank and then fill it with fresh water. You can still taste that it has been treated, but nothing more than some of the tap water I have tasted over the year.

https://amzn.to/3NstqpJ


I also use an RV pre-filter prior since I am filling off a garden spigot, but it's just for sediment.

https://amzn.to/3oUn7Bg

 

[fourfa]

Copying over some off-topic posts elsewhere to the proper thread...

My Alu-Cab install shop wired the camper third brake light to the left brake light, so of course it flashed with the turn signal. Sigh. Removed the vampire tap behind the taillight. Searched on the best way to wire a simple brake signal on these trucks and found the same thread linked above

Turns out the wiring harness in my (unused, in storage) tailgate was already hacked by the installers to steal the wiring connector to install the backup camera (SIGH) so I didn't feel too bad about fishing it out of the tailgate and repurposing it for brake and lock signal into the Alu-Cab. Working on a power locks project for the Alu-Cab so it really is PERFECT for me. (If someday I ever need a working tailgate I'll just have to order the replacement harness I guess). Wired Alu-Cab's purple brake input to the white/green wire, and it just works. Comes on with brake, does not come on or blink with signals.

Regarding power locks: some angel over on Expedition Portal pointed me towards these guys:
https://www.canopylocks.com.au/alu-cab.html

Well, I went for it. Ordered from Australia as the USD price for 4 actuators + control module seemed reasonable to me. (They added a 4x option for the Camper to their website at my request, instead of the 6x used by the plain canopy with 2x extra on the rear window. Either with or without the remote control module.) Total $253 USD shipped to California with control box; arrived ~9 days after order.

The pin modules are smaller than they look on the website. Looks like you can skip the control box entirely (saves ~$44 USD), and wire it to the tailgate power lock signal instead. No instructions or wiring diagrams for that - they say contact an electrician. The pins have only short wiring harnesses, same with the control box, so it's up to you to sort out the wiring in between. Doesn't need much wire gauge at 675mA stall current per actuator, and only momentary at that.

I drilled the mounting holes into the latches at the work machine shop. Gotta say, I'm impressed by the stiff pre-punched cardboard drill templates, which drop tightly onto the stud in the latch mechanism. Makes it trivially easy to mark the centers with a spring loaded center punch. The nylon housings drill easily with just finger grip, and using the drill diameters they recommend, the template keeps the drills going in on-center. Very simple and precise.

The actuator base plates are threaded, so you put the mounting screws thru the housing into the base plate. Pretty clever package, mechanically.

Here's the simplest possible setup, actuator directly wired to the tailgate power lock signal. Looks like it works great. Following the wiring diagram, power locks are on F28, fused at 40A. Vendor says these miniature pin actuators pull 675 mA each when moving, so 4x = an additional 2.7 A. But we've gone from 5 stock power lock modules to 4... I'm going to continue testing 1, 2, 3, then 4 modules on the stock circuit and see what the multimeter says about current draw, and voltage on the line. If there's any sign of trouble I'll insert a relay, but for simplicity I'd love it if it just works directly. (Either way it's looking like there's no need for their control box and the wee remotes that come with it)

 

[hakoda]

That bleach got me a bit worried, especially for drinking water (as advertised).
How about using StarSan? This is used to sanitize Keggs and other things in the Beer crafting industry & other. I use it already on other Kitchen things that need sanitization (juicer, etc.). Did anyone try t?

It's on my todo list, but I didn't get to it yet so figured I'd ask if anyone tried it yet. Otherwise, will report with results.

Bleach is 100% safe to use to purify water. Its not the most ideal but absolutely ok to use

https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/emergency-disinfection-drinking-water

(amounts per gallon in the link)

 

[chorky]

That bleach got me a bit worried, especially for drinking water (as advertised).
How about using StarSan? This is used to sanitize Keggs and other things in the Beer crafting industry & other. I use it already on other Kitchen things that need sanitization (juicer, etc.). Did anyone try t?

It's on my todo list, but I didn't get to it yet so figured I'd ask if anyone tried it yet. Otherwise, will report with results.

Bleach is 100% safe to use to purify water. Its not the most ideal but absolutely ok to use

https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/emergency-disinfection-drinking-water

(amounts per gallon in the link)

I second this. most all public water supplies (cities and towns) that treat their water, which is a federal requirement, uses bleach. Usually you can smell it in your tap water even.

the hard part is finding bleech without any additional cleaners, scents, or anything. It must be the old school bleach and only bleach. I have been trying to find some for water purification but I cant seem to find any anywhere lately. All of the stores have some type of cleaner agent added in.

I used to rinse out my water jugs after a camp trip with a slightly higher concentration of bleach as well which practically eliminated bacterial or mold growth when water cans were. Left empty in a hot vehicle.

 

[ParatusExpeditions]

Thanks guys that’s good to know ?

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

I have been adding some new products for the Alu-Cab and more coming! What do you think? I am not a huge fan of the red Packout boxes but they are super handy for organizing and stay secure. Starlink mount, stainless step, Redarc Display Mount, etc

 

[Thebigboowah]

I have been adding some new products for the Alu-Cab and more coming! What do you think? I am not a huge fan of the red Packout boxes but they are super handy for organizing and stay secure. Starlink mount, stainless step, Redarc Display Mount, etc

Your stuff is the bomb!! The foot rest and alu cab door support work like a champ. We possibly will be partaking of the starlink storage when we head out west. Thanks.

 

[Steven_B]

Still need a camp table storage solution

Keep up the good work!

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

Your stuff is the bomb!! The foot rest and alu cab door support work like a champ. We possibly will be partaking of the starlink storage when we head out west. Thanks.

Thanks! Much appreciated. I have several of the Starlink mounts in stock. I just added one to mine truck yesterday. I picked up a setup from a friend this week at a great price so I plan to work on some more mounting solutions. I have one of the Starlink adjustable bases on the way to incorporate into a roof mount

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

Still need a camp table storage solution

Keep up the good work!

Are you using the Alu-Cab table? I may have to bite-the-bullet and buy one to work with.

 

[Thebigboowah]

Your stuff is the bomb!! The foot rest and alu cab door support work like a champ. We possibly will be partaking of the starlink storage when we head out west. Thanks.

Wishlist - back seat window molle for us back seat delete folks.

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