The "Cathouse"

Looking very nice.

This will be a sweet addition...

KickerM,

Went back and forth with the windows between lexan/plexi and regular glass. And when I say went back and forth we had the plexi panels made up and decided at time of install to go the other way. SO... if anybody has a need for and the ability to cut and trim this material I have 10 panels with the bend in them for sale at deep discount. I am hoping this will be our sole setback with this project.

With this said we ended up going regular automotive type smoked glass due to overall durability. Wont scratch as easy (think fogged up windows and hand drawn happy faces), resists the elements better, easier to clean etc.

And believe it or not, CHEAPER! I mistakenly based my decision on cost on an earlier replacement job of one window. BUT I did not consider economy of scale. Labor was a big part of this job, the guys (Don's Mobile Glass - probably the best in the Central Valley of California) are mobile installers, as the name implies. Once they are onsite unit pricing gets cheaper. I ramble, because I am trying to defend my original decision. I might be a tad bit embarrassed... but feel this worthy of sharing so that others don't do the same.

The joint or breakover point at the top is sealed with silicone between the two pieces in each opening very much the same way as in a CAT loader.

The seals are from Trim-Lok (trimlok.com). You can buy direct from them. They have many styles and sizes along with the tools should you need.

No worries.

Change orders are a normal part of things....It is nice if they come before the $$$$ get spent, but that does not always happen in the real world...

Thanks for info! I hear ya...my build has already incurred some change orders, and by the time I pay return shipping and restocking fees the parts I might as well keep it with the rest of my “extras”... I first thought plexi glass but for the same reasons you talked about I’m also thinking glass, I need 15 pieces of glass for my build [emoji33]

Carpet Complete. A teaser of the wrap... Interior, seating and tunes next week.

Pressure is on... Sun Valley coming up quick...

………… cool ,... lookn good …. how many occupants are you planning to seat up front ,... do you have a website to purchase tickets; …..

olympicorange said:

………… cool ,... lookn good …. how many occupants are you planning to seat up front ,... do you have a website to purchase tickets; …..

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Apologies if I’m coming across as full of myself. Just got a bit excited about the project. May have drank a bit of my own kool-aid...


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Are you going to have any heat in the unit? A propane brick heater would probably work.

turbinator62 said:

Are you going to have any heat in the unit? A propane brick heater would probably work.

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Yes. It has two diesel fired webasto heaters. Same type used for heating sleepers on trucks.


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ktalley said:

Apologies if I’m coming across as full of myself. Just got a bit excited about the project. May have drank a bit of my own kool-aid...


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Click to expand...

I didn't get that impression at all. VERY cool build!

The "Cathouse"

Are you using Webastos’ or a copycat? I’m curious if the copies are a good choice as they are 1/4 of the price, and I think a cabin air heater would be awesome for camping in the cat!

I'm not familiar with that type of heater but it makes sense when a truck has lots of diesel. I haven't spent much time around big trucks. (airplane guy). Where is it located in the cathouse? I couldn't see from the pictures where it or the tank would go.

Not sure if you guys are familiar with the Chinese diesel heaters but search for them on Ebay. They run about $150 and have been getting rave reviews by the van camping crowd.

There are several configurations, the one below was just a random one that came up in my search.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12V-8KW-Al...437878?hash=item288d11adb6:g:IqYAAOSw7PNeU6aA

Re: The "Cathouse"

KickerM said:

Are you using Webastos’ or a copycat? I’m curious if the copies are a good choice as they are 1/4 of the price, and I think a cabin air heater would be awesome for camping in the cat!

Click to expand...

I discovered the copycats after purchase of webasto... I’ve not heard anything good or bad about them.


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turbinator62 said:

I'm not familiar with that type of heater but it makes sense when a truck has lots of diesel. I haven't spent much time around big trucks. (airplane guy). Where is it located in the cathouse? I couldn't see from the pictures where it or the tank would go.

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The natural colored one is the diesel tank. Each heater consumes 1 gallon per 22 hours of high output. Tank is five gallons.

The heaters are mounted on each side as shown then ducted into a channel that blows up onto the windows.


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Thanks for the pictures. That thing is way smaller than I thought it would be. I'm familiar with propane forced air heaters in RVs that are a pretty big box.
How big are the ducts?

turbinator62 said:

Thanks for the pictures. That thing is way smaller than I thought it would be. I'm familiar with propane forced air heaters in RVs that are a pretty big box.

How big are the ducts?

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Tubing coming off is 2” plumbed into rectangular tubing that is 2” x 6” with slots cut in the top about 3/16” wide which direct air up onto windows. So it acts as a defroster as well.


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those work very good. the one I use needs to be run every year or it gets hard starting and up close it is very hot.if it has low voltage it shuts down so your battery isn't drained. pistenbully has it in as a read passenger cabin heater on my pb.

And one day til launch...

That's awesome, looking forward to seeing it in SV.

Oh yeah!

Sweeeeeeeeeeet looking rig....

I love the Wrap....

It’s out in the sun thanks to our crew. The guys went out of their comfort zone to get this project done. Very grateful to them. I think they are as proud of it as I am. Was a true team effort.

ktalley said:

This is all I found.


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They looked like some rice paddy tracks I found in china....