The ZR2 SPEC-R3

[OFC Ranger]

Coming along nicely I guess? First time doing this.

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[OFC Ranger]

Started mapping out the battery cabinet. Very far from anything finished, but gives you a general idea.

Also, needed to get the electrical wiring from the utility section to the inside. Alu-cab was nice enough to put three perforated 1" cut outs in back corner. Quick hammer strike to pop them out and a box cutter to trim the carpet out of the way. Got some 1" rubber grommets off Amazon for these spots;

Fuse block will be located on the interior and the 30A Bluetti 12v connector wired directly to it. Will power all the various lights/usb ports in the Khaya. Went ahead ran the solar connectors through for future prep. Also connected the Bluetti charging brick to my NOCO shore power connector and fed that line through as well. Leaving the brick in the utility area because it can be kind of loud.

Now I can charge my Bluetti if I happen to be at a camp ground with shore power while I use it, or top it off while its sitting in my garage. Will be adding a DC to DC charger later on down the road, but shore power and solar will be first up.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Little more work today. I think the design should work pretty well. Once I decide on a top piece will be a nice place to setup the coffee maker or whatever else might need to be plugged in. There is small enough gap on the back to keep the wiring mostly hidden. Hopefully have everything wired up tomorrow. Last step will be the face trim for the cabinet.

 

[OFC Ranger]

And then he said, "Let there be light", and I said, "Also power..."

Let me pre-face this by saying FEDEX can choke on a bag of dicks. It took 20 days for a specific 30A adapter cable I needed to arrive from Bluetti. I've seen in the news their crap is getting pushed in for junk service, but that is my rant.

Anywho, no more working by battery powered torch light. I've got power going to the Khaya's six main dual color over head lights, two stalk lamps, two usb hubs, and my fridge with two slots and plenty of that 30A channel left over.

Next up is to finish the battery cabinet design then move onto L-shaped bench seating which will enclose the fridge, give me some interior storage, and be accessed by strut assisted lift tops.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Meh, switch up tasks for a minute. Decided to start on the fridge/storage area.

This is the back wall portion of what will eventually be an overall L-shape sitting area. As mentioned access will be from the top, thinking a simple piano hinge setup should work. The fridge will have plenty of 'breathing room" once I am done.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Cold out in the workshop, but a little morning progress...

Right side boxed in section will be an area for storage of whatever, probably dry goods for cooking, etc etc

 

[OFC Ranger]

Little more on the small side of the L-Shape. Of course I had to include a pull out cassette toilet for the wife. I am pretty much building everything structure wise on 2x2 lumber and its sectional for ease of assembly or maintenance.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Looks the same to me, but those of you with sharp eyes, pretty close match right? As far as design material I mean.



Alu-Cab factory carpet;

 

[Chris M]

Looks the same to me, but those of you with sharp eyes, pretty close match right? As far as design material I mean.



Alu-Cab factory carpet;

How long before you get to actually take it out somewhere and use it?
You've been working on this project for a long time.

 

[OFC Ranger]

How long before you get to actually take it out somewhere and use it?
You've been working on this project for a long time.

I've already been on a few trips, now I am just making it Gucci on the inside lol

Soon the army of totes I normally use will be a thing of the past!

We've also kind of been still using the ARB Awning/Tent attachment cause the inside hasn't been built out yet. End of last month up in the north Georgia mountains. Ramen weather!

 

[Chris M]

I've already been on a few trips, now I am just making it Gucci on the inside lol

Soon the army of totes I normally use will be a thing of the past!

We've also kind of been still using the ARB Awning/Tent attachment cause the inside hasn't been built out yet. End of last month up in the north Georgia mountains. Ramen weather!

Cool.
Aside from not being able to fully use the inside as intended yet, is it all you thought it'd be as far as handling and stuff? Do you think you'll enjoy it as much as you dreamed you would?

 

[OFC Ranger]

The rear fridge/storage/bench area is pretty much done. I decided to go with the marine carpet on everything I am building to keep things simple. I could have done the stain wood look, but honestly I just don't have the patience for it now a days. The prep work for carpet is the vastly more lazy option and doesn't look bad. Only a few finishing touches to add;

1. Rocker switch for fridge (so I don't have to manually turn it off when not in use once I power my batteries on)

2. Some custom seat and back cushions for this area.

 

[Fordup]

Looks good but do you have enough room for airflow for those items? My fridge needs 6 inches around the cooling system.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Looks good but do you have enough room for airflow for those items? My fridge needs 6 inches around the cooling system.

The sides and back are actually open and just frame-work. Only the front side got a face board.

 

[OFC Ranger]

So I completely re-worked the battery side. I was going to incorporate what I had and build onto it, but it was just going to be easier building from ground up. Most annoying part was building a frame around the wheel well jut at the bottom, but simple enough.

I wanted to make it deeper, but I knew I was already going to be doing that on the opposite side for the rest of the L-shaped bench seating/storage, so I kept it at width with door opening. I want to have some internal space and not feel like a complete sardine in a can.

The top part is going to be shelving storage for a portable burner and pots/pans. The front is going to be completely walled off (minus a window for battery plug/controls access) and I am going to design the top to be hinged so that is how you get things in and out. The cabinet itself will be carpeted like my fridge/storage area, but the top will be a nice 3/4 thick stained and sealed wood top.

The face side towards door is where I am going to move electrical as well as a quick disco fire extinguisher and a CM detector.

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