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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> Tips 4 Electric Mobile Home
Post Info TOPIC: Tips 4 Electric Mobile Home
Matthew


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Tips 4 Electric Mobile Home
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Hello,

I am new to the community, my name is Matthew from New London, CT.  I just purchased a 1995 Ford E 350 Mini Bus just retired after this past school year.  It is in great working order and I am in the process of gutting it to create a mobile home; taking out all the seats, ripping up the rubber flooring, and putting in wood floors, cabinets, a bed, and a fold out table.  I am needing advice for generating electricity…. what kind of electrician could help me wire into the existing lighting with a separate battery to run the current lights and power an electric double burner hot plate, a fan, and some basic kitchen appliances?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated! Best, Matthew



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The Bear II


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Matthew,

Any electrician should be able to help you for a price. However, if you are some what handy and have worked on residential electric there are resources on the internet that will provide wiring diagrams and tips for RV wiring setups. One site you can try is www.vandwellers.org. This is a site dedicated for folks who convert vans and other vehicles into use for living/travelling.

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WestWardHo


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Welcome Mathew. Sounds like you have quite a challenge ahead of you but as Bear II pointed out there are others who have done it! We were in New London the last two nights! Gone now.

Sherry

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Matthew


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Thanks for the valuable web reference.  I will find my way.  Right now I am leaning the route of an electrician because of timing, but I am eager to learn more information on what I am creating. 



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Matthew


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Tips or Ideas on installing a bubble or pop top sun roof
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I am remodeling a Mini Bus as a Mobile Home.  It is spacious yet, I cannot stand inside being 6' 4."  I am looking into installing a roof cap that allows a section for me to stand.  It seems most sun roofing places do not install sun roofs for buses.  Looking into get some ceiling ventilation and some more standing space with a dome/bubble addition or capped section.  Any ideas on where to look for professionals or products?

Thanks, 

Matthew 



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DEWhit


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Tips 4 Electric Mobile Home
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Matthew,

Maybe you could lower the floor instead of raising the roof ? Sorry. I couldn't resist.

If you are looking for someone to do this for you, it will need to be someone that has done it before since most minibuses have roof bracing to insure the integrity of the roof in a partial or complete roll over accident.
The roof braces have to reconnect with the other side if a "center riser" down the middle of the roof is desired toi keep the integrity of the entire shell.
Lots of fabrication there. lots.
It would actually be easier to cut the side bracing and saw off the entire roof and weld new bracing inserts and sheetmetal or fiberglass the new open section to the replaced roof. If it fiberglass shell , then you have another person to throw in the mix.

Personally, I wouldn't do it because of the expense involved. A good sheetmetal man is not cheap.  Any large commercial freight trailer  shop could handle this but the labor prices would not be shadetree scale and they may not take on this type job due to the liability issue.    
Have you considered finding another box to mount on the chassis ?

What were your original plans for the interior height when you bought the unit ?



-- Edited by DEWhit on Sunday 13th of July 2014 05:39:22 PM

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Matthew


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Wow, what an ordeal!  I  imagine it will not be worth doing this; my expenses will be better spend on chiropractors and massages from hunching while I cook and move about in my mobile home.  But, I will have gladly get used to it…. I am designing very comfortable seating and ways to cook and prepare food sitting down…. 

I appreciate your insights… it saves me a lot of time and money researching and working with ambitious professionals.    



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