dunefreak

Thanks guys. Yeah putting that drill bit to the roof can be a bit nerve-racking, but it can always be patched if you screw it up. And think about how many times you'd ever see it...it's on the roof. 😄

I don't think there's a topic yet, but it's on the events page. https://www.dumontduneriders.com/invision/events/

Awesome. I remember him. His name's Jeff isn't it? I can't remember for sure, but we always ran into each other out there and said wassup.

Don't go the the Little Dunes. That's lame. lol The area around 12 is probably the safest. It's nice out near bathroom 3 since there's decent cell service out there with Verizon, plenty of hard pack sand areas, and immediate access to the dunes, but if you want zero worries at all, the hardest area is near 12/ off to the left as soon as you get up the plateau. Looks like epic weather this weekend once again (just like Halloween). Enjoy and post up some pics when you get back!

I got tired of picking my trailer up from storage with low or dead batteries. I also wanted to keep my batteries topped off during the day on dune trips while we listened to the stereo, charged phones, ran the vent fans, etc. So it was time to install a solar on the trailer. I did this on our Sprinter van when we built it so I figured it would be stupid to NOT do it on the toyhauler. Everything I bought was off Amazon and extremely easy to install so I figure I would pass along the info from my install. I bought two 100W Renogy panels. I could always add more later, but for now this was plenty of juice. Z brackets attach the panels to the roof. The trickiest part of the whole install was getting the wiring from the solar panels from the roof, down the walls, and to the fuse panel. I located a couple gray tank vent pipes in a wall where I wanted to mount the solar controller to. I carefully measured about 129 times and went for it. I used a long drill bit because I had to get through the roof, then about 8-10 inches of "attic"/ insulation space), then the actual ceiling of the trailer. After I drilled the hole, I used a fish tape to make sure the wire would make it all the way down the wall. Once that was confirmed, I used a large hole saw to drill a hole in the wall in a space that you wouldn't see (behind the drawers in the kitchen area). When I knew that wall would work for running the solar power wires, I fished them through a sealed cable gland. This seals them off on the roof and prevents any water from entering through the holes. (I also siliconed the holes.) Then I used some 3M Marine adhesive to seal/ glue the gland to the roof. A bucket of water worked well to keep some weight on it while it cured. All cured and water tight. I made a cardboard template and cut the hole for the solar controller in the kitchen wall. I made sure the other control panel wires were clear before I cut into the wall. The hole was cut and the wires were dropped down from the panels on the roof. Installing the power and ground to the solar controller is easy. Positive & negative power in and positive & negative power out. 👌 I yanked the power distribution/ converter out so I could access the back side to run the wires to it. I ran the wires through the cabinet and connected them to an open spot in the fuse center. I added a 30A fuse and walla. Power from the sun! The controller is very simple. It takes the high voltage (approx 19-20V) produced from the solar panels, and charges the batteries according to their needs. On an average sunny day, the solar setup produces about 7-10 amps. After I knew everything was working and permanent, I sealed off all the brackets, screw holes and cable gland with Dicor lap sealant. This whole system only cost me about $325. There are even better systems available and you can go much bigger, but for the money this setup is exactly what I was after. It keeps the batteries topped off at 100% all day for when it's time to run lights, heater, etc at night. There's plenty of space on the roof to add more panels too if I feel I need more. Here's the parts breakdown. 100W Solar panels: ~$200 Z brackets: $15 Dicor lap sealant: $10 3M 4200 adhesive: $17 Solar cables: $25 Cable adapters: $10 Solar controller: $35 Cable gland: $11 __________________________ total cost $323

Nope, you will have to dump in Baker or Tecopa. There are no services out there, even on holiday weekends.

It's usually around 15-16K when it's this packed.

Please click edit on your 1st post and add it. I don't know what the huge copy/ paste thing is you have going on there. lol

yeah right! Last pic was said rave. haha Where's the party at??

I heard and saw some very good feedback about the swingset last weekend while we was out there. Whoever put it up did a good job. It made for a fun stop before heading back to camp or as a destination of it's own.

Fun at the swingset VID_20191025_142039562.mp4

Some killer shots from my buddy Chad's drone...

Man, what a weekend. This Halloween was a really good time. I loved the warm weather. Nothing better than duning in shorts & a t-shirt! The dunes were great and everyone out there seemed to be very aware of each other playing it safe. We got a few good rips through the dunes, did some camp hoppin, and had plenty of partying at night. It was great seeing everyone. It felt like the good ole days running into so many friends. The new swingset seemed to be a big hit. Props to the guys that put it up. Speaking of props....way to go on the haunted house, guys! That was impressive. We went through twice and hung out for a bit over there. Comp was lit as usual with the dance party.

Ok great! The lost dog title had me confused and wanted to clarify. haha I bet the owner was happy. 🙂

You found this dog correct?

Here ya go https://www.dumontduneriders.com/invision/services/

stuck on the entrance road?

This afternoon

You didn't read the post? 😆 Yes it is.

Swepco 210 or 212. What kind of trans?

Some videos from your IG...

Walt, you guys are dedicated! I love how these turned out. I can't wait to see them at night this weekend.

Some local environmentalists have slated a meeting with the head of BLM in the Tecopa area and county officials with local law enforcement to get rid of any trails out of Dumont and any trails leading to Tecopa or the surrounding area. If off-roaders don't show up they WILL get rid of the trails. The powers have been there all weekend driving around looking at the trails. The county has submitted paperwork to take the roads and trails from BLM and close them to ALL traffic. A local official of Tecopa said they want ALL OHV traffic banned on any road or trail. The official word is if it is not specifically marked an open route it is closed to ALL vehicles. They are asking for maximum enforcement. There needs to be more voices than just Susan Sorrell who is actively meeting with congress to have the entire area turned into a national monument. Voices need to be heard at this meeting or the trails around Tecopa AND surrounding Dumont will be closed. The meeting is being called by the local fire dept chief, local sheriff, the largest local land owner, the woman who owns Shoshone and the county yard, post office and sheriff dept buildings that she leases to them. So Basically the county and sheriff departments land lord is telling them to stop OHV and they have to have a meeting to be legal. Its just a formality so they can do what they want unless other voices are there to counter there unanimous vote. I cannot make the meeting but I want to make this aware to the community in hopes some others might be able to show up. This impacts all of us! Meeting time and date: Oct 23, 2019 / 5PM-8PM. Location: Tecopa Hot Springs Community Center Directions: Tecopa Community Center, 400 Tecopa Hot Springs Rd, Tecopa, CA 92389