Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-02-2017, 12:04 AM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 70
2509S upgrades

Picked up a “used” 2018 2509S a week ago and starting to modify it to make it our own. This will be the 3rd camper I’ve modified to fit our boondocking needs. I’ll update this thread as I go along with my modifications.

First up, rip out the outdoor kitchen! I know that seems crazy to many of you all, but this camper will likely be on shore power never. The fridge will never get used, I have an outdoor portable stove that has 3 times the BTUs as the stove on the outdoor kitchen does that runs off the propane tanks, and frankly, the sink doesn’t interest me all that much. Another side note, I’m an avid Traeger pellet grill user, and my Traeger Tailgater fits perfectly in that compartment without the outdoor kitchen. Plus, all that storage! I removed it with care and could reinstall it if I wanted too. I capped off the sink drain and put 1/4 turn valves on the water lines for easy winterization and to leave them usable if I want to hook a hose or something up to them in the future.

I also added 1/4 turn valves to the low point drains to aid in winterization. Upgraded the worthless analog thermostat to a Coleman digital model to keep the temp swings at bay. As well as added another USB outlet set on the slide side of the Murphy bed so the other half can charge her phone too.

Next big step was upgrading the battery bank. The plan is to have 400 watts of solar on the roof with 440 amp hours of battery and a 2,000 watt pure sine wave inverter with all the cool monitoring equipment. Winter is upon us here now in Colorado, so I’ll pace myself over the winter to get it all done. However, we are going to take it on its maiden voyage for a one night boondocking camping trip this weekend, so I wanted to get the batteries installed so we could run the furnace and everything off grid. It is best practice to not have different aged batteries in a bank, so I just went ahead and installed all 4 Costco GC2 batteries now. The mount isn’t final, but it will work for this weekend, I’ll weld in additional bracing over the winter to hold the weight.

Next installment will be the installation of the Victron BMV700 battery monitor and the Victron Bluetooth MPPT charge controller. The monitor will be next week sometime and the charge controller will wait until I’m ready to order panels, need to let the old bank account recoup for a bit!

Take care!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	7F41CE15-E9C0-4E55-B41D-8C8E574A7FB2.jpg
Views:	439
Size:	282.2 KB
ID:	155453   Click image for larger version

Name:	46063F1B-F14B-46B5-9A5C-4C2554B0957B.jpg
Views:	257
Size:	205.7 KB
ID:	155456   Click image for larger version

Name:	F6B24840-F62F-4518-A143-0D70C958E22D.jpg
Views:	256
Size:	239.0 KB
ID:	155457  
Abendage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-02-2017, 07:28 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,011
Looks nice. May I ask where you got that battery box? Jay
Jay2504 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-02-2017, 09:00 AM   #3
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 70
You bet, I got it from this place.

https://allbatterysalesandservice.co...atteries-gcq-g

They sell multiple configurations but this one fit in the tongue perfectly.
Abendage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-02-2017, 09:35 AM   #4
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 64
I like what your doing, I'm also going with 4 6volt batts. I'm planning to use the harbor freight trailer tool box.
tdhanses is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2017, 09:58 PM   #5
Member
 
K7TNT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 92
Are these the 6 volt golf cart batteries they sell? I will end up do this, as we will be doing 99% boondocking here.
__________________
Got are first TT, a 2017 2506S. TV, 2016 GMC Canyon Duramax Diesel Loving it!
K7TNT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2017, 10:32 PM   #6
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 70
Yep, they sure are.

My Victron battery monitor came in yesterday too and I got it installed. Heading up for our maiden voyage tomorrow, I’ll report back as to how much power the various appliances use.
Abendage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2017, 01:01 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
DavidBo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Texas Coastal Bend
Posts: 844
Nice work! I also added a 120V outlet with 2 built in USB ports to the slide side of the sofa/murphy bed in my 2104S. The DW uses the dinette as her sewing station and the lack of nearby power was tedious.
I can't say I'm a fan of the factory 120V outlets, I'm considering upgrading everything to meet standard electrical code for homes. I know I'll sleep better!
Keep us updated on your progress.
DavidBo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2017, 02:34 PM   #8
Grammar Pedant
 
67L48's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Frederick, CO
Posts: 1,580
Quote:
Originally Posted by Abendage View Post
[...] First up, rip out the outdoor kitchen! I know that seems crazy to many of you all, but this camper will likely be on shore power never. The fridge will never get used, I have an outdoor portable stove that has 3 times the BTUs as the stove on the outdoor kitchen does that runs off the propane tanks, and frankly, the sink doesn’t interest me all that much. [...]
You just eloquently explained why, for me, the 2504S is a much better choice than the 2509S. I don't mind the interior layout, but that outdoor kitchen is just a complete deal-killer.

Thanks for the write-up and have fun.
__________________
Every time you use an apostrophe to make a word plural, a puppy dies.

TV: 2019 F-350 Lariat 4WD CCSB 6.7 PSD 3.55, 3,591 lb payload
Former RV: 2018 Rockwood Mini Lite 2504S
Former RV: 2007 Fleetwood/Coleman Utah
Former TV: 2005 F-150 King Ranch 4WD SCrew 5.4L Tow Package
67L48 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2017, 04:13 PM   #9
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 70
Yeah, I intended to rip that kitchen out when I first saw this model. The amount of storage in that compartment is awesome. I went with this model over the 2504S because that compartment is taller and bigger once the kitchen is removed. I can fit my Traeger in there, it wouldn't fit in the 2504S.. I also do like the bigger bunks, and the storage on the inside underneath the bottom bunk as well. Both are great floorplans though.
Abendage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2017, 10:31 PM   #10
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: N. Carolina
Posts: 83
Has anyone removed the top bunk of either of these models? The factory rep told me they have to build them with both, but it "should" be easy enough to remove. I assume it’s just a matter of removing the top plywood and unscrew the aluminum frame from the wall.

My plan is to remove it to open it up a bit, possibly add a small storage cabinet at one end.
Ggimlick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2018, 03:36 AM   #11
Member
 
FreeDivr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Vacaville, CA
Posts: 31
Really appreciate this post! We are about to purchase a 2509s, we like the bigger bunks for the kids, but first thing I mentioned is possibly removing the outdoor kitchen. The fridge only works on shore power or generator and the stove will never be used as we rock the bbq and blackstone when we camp. Thank you for the picture of what it looks like removed, all the extra storage I was hoping to gain!!!
__________________
Sit long, talk much, laugh often!
FreeDivr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2018, 09:25 AM   #12
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 70
I have not removed it but I would agree with what the rep said. Should be easy enough.

I have all the solar and inverter parts sitting in the garage and just waiting for the snow to melt so I can pull the camper up and start working on it. I should be updating this thread soon with more mods and I’m also going to inspect the fresh water tank supports and reinforce as necessary.
Abendage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2018, 12:59 PM   #13
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 70
I was finally able to work on the camper this last weekend. I cut out the factory battery tray and welded in a bigger one to accommodate the 4 GC2s.

I also got the inverter installed and wired on the 12v side, as well as the remote on/off switch. I used 1/0 gauge wire for the inverter leads. Positive ended up being 3.5’ long and negative is just under 5’ long. I think line loses will be acceptable with those lengths. Max draw will be the microwave for a few minutes.

I also got the charge controller mounted and wired in on the battery side, still need to put the solar panels up and wire them down to the controller. I also still need to install my transfer switch on the 120v side of things so I can switch between shore and inverter power and isolate the A/C, 120v side of fridge, 120v side of water heater, and converter to only operate on shore power and not on inverter power. All other circuits will operate on both. Hopefully I’ll gave time the next couple weeks to wrap it all up. I also still want to pull the underskirt down and inspect the water tank supports and reinforce as necessary.

All in all, very pleased how everything is turning out and am looking forward to some great boondocking this summer!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	7D73ADD0-1837-4D56-9CC8-0DF4D80DEC4D.jpg
Views:	121
Size:	540.9 KB
ID:	164330   Click image for larger version

Name:	E7AE7F9D-61E9-4780-8FCA-1073771D23AD.jpg
Views:	124
Size:	564.4 KB
ID:	164331   Click image for larger version

Name:	80EB0997-CA20-4A9B-BE8D-695A8DE87719.jpg
Views:	122
Size:	354.0 KB
ID:	164332   Click image for larger version

Name:	0DA8090E-8010-450C-9EB2-D8DF23DCAF64.jpg
Views:	138
Size:	328.7 KB
ID:	164333   Click image for larger version

Name:	5F82E47E-4124-4257-B8B6-443FA0222FD9.jpg
Views:	157
Size:	377.7 KB
ID:	164334  

Abendage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2018, 12:20 AM   #14
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 70
I was able to get 2 of the solar panels installed tonight. Also got the pass through terminals installed on the fridge vent and the 8 gauge wire ran from the vent to the charge controller.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	087801CC-E5DC-425B-A3A3-1268B51A48F6.jpg
Views:	114
Size:	294.2 KB
ID:	164646   Click image for larger version

Name:	732AF2C5-6B8C-4B68-90B3-322EBC5B15E1.jpg
Views:	92
Size:	408.3 KB
ID:	164647   Click image for larger version

Name:	C5955D5D-38AC-4C9C-A807-AAF843225B1C.jpg
Views:	105
Size:	218.6 KB
ID:	164649  
Abendage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2018, 07:32 PM   #15
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 70
Added a computer fan to the fridge to circulate air. Did this to my last camper and it works great to circulate air to keep consistent temps as well as keeps ice from forming on the fins. I wired it so that it is on when the fridge light is off and turns off when the fridge light is on. In other words, it is on when the door is shut and turns off when you open the door. To do this, you run the ground to the bulb side of the switch so it grounds through the lightbulb and then when the light is powered it interrupts the ground and turns the fan off.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	DDCE2C4B-172B-4D3A-A1BD-E3386C2D17E9.jpg
Views:	107
Size:	267.1 KB
ID:	164783   Click image for larger version

Name:	140F957E-BA16-402F-A16F-6DB5BDC49794.jpg
Views:	115
Size:	161.2 KB
ID:	164784  
Abendage is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
upgrade

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:21 AM.