My Micro Minnie Mods for 2023

RocknRoll · 09-05-2023, 04:52 PM

Hey all, thought I'd share a few mods I've recently performed on the camper. I've wanted to do these for a while and should make things a lot easier before my upcoming annual trip to the Keys.

1. Added quick disconnects to all of the water fittings. I actually did this one last spring but wish I'd done it long ago. I can now have the entire system connected in less than a minute.

2. LTE Router - I've had a free line thru T-Mobile for years and would use it in a spare phone and/or as an extra hotspot. Unfortunately, this was limited to 5GB/month. I purchased this little baby for <$100 and now have an unlimited 4G LTE hotspot for FREE!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X1QXJWM...roduct_details

3. Kitchen faucet with 3M filtration - Another one I wish I'd done years ago not to mention filling up a zero-water pitcher 3X a day was a PITA.

4. Bathroom faucet and storage shelves - This faucet was much more needed than the kitchen. Single lever action should be mandatory from the factory. The storage organizer(s) has made a huge difference (there's also one inside the cabinet).

5. Smart TV and Sound Bar - Got these at Walmart together for $130. Connects to the router with ease and streams everything I can throw at it. I also connect my phone to the SB via Bluetooth and get excellent sound. Fits nicely behind the TV. Goodbye Connex and ceiling speakers!

6. Mesh pocket storage (3X) - Self-explanatory but awesome!

7. LiFeP04 Battery upgrade - Bought (2) 100AH batteries to replace my single 127AH battery and gained ~70AH with the same weight. These have Bluetooth and thru the app I can completely monitor SOC, balance and has soft switches for charge/discharge. They also have low temp sensing. ~$600 total. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...BQUDFHTKR&th=1

Fred 2106DS · 09-05-2023, 05:26 PM

Nice upgrades. What size of mesh pockets did you use? We could use a couple of those.

Thanks,
Fred

Marine359 · 09-05-2023, 07:06 PM

Great upgrades @RocknRoll. !

Like you, we wanted more Amp hours, but we decided to go with a 2Kw powerstation instead of adding additional LiFePo4 to our house battery. Same result, but allows us to use the powerstation for uses other than the RV. More expensive option though.

Yeah, give us a link to the cool mesh pockets.

RocknRoll · 09-06-2023, 03:36 AM

Thanks for the nice comments. Here's the link to the mesh pockets:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

Jim, I completely agree about the versatility of a portable power station. It's been a game changer at home and away.

In February I purchased a 1kW Lithium-ion. It's not as robust as far with charge cycles compared a LiFeP04 but is somewhat lighter and was relatively inexpensive @ .50 a watt. I've been very happy with it thus far.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

I still shake my head to think that when I first bought my camper 3 years ago, it came with (2) 6V golf cart batteries on the tongue weighing in around 130 lbs. Today, I've shaved more than 2/3 of the weight and doubled the capacity with monitoring, zero maintenance, fast charging and extended longevity. WOW!

tinglett · 09-10-2023, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocknRoll

Goodbye Connex and ceiling speakers!

I was just working in my RV this weekend and bluetooth synced my phone to my Jensen with ceiling speakers. Oh yucko. I forgot how horrid that thing sounds. A couple years ago I added a kill switch to it so it wouldn't be the parasitic load that it is, but now I'm thinking it's time to rip the thing out to give me more cupboard space.

A soundbar (I use a tiny Bose bluetooth speaker) sounds SOOOO much better, doesn't it?

And I can set it outside on the picnic table if I want to annoy the neighbors, too. Seriously, I have never understood the outdoor speaker concept. Maybe that's a glamping thing.

Love your mods! Can you say more about your 3M filtration?

jerrylopez · 09-10-2023, 08:29 PM

Has anyone upgraded the outside and inside ceiling speakers to a better sound, or is there just not enough space to make it happen? I can imagine us ever using them, not even to watch TV.

Fred 2106DS · 09-11-2023, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerrylopez

Has anyone upgraded the outside and inside ceiling speakers to a better sound, or is there just not enough space to make it happen? I can imagine us ever using them, not even to watch TV.

Jerry,

Here's a thread link that addresses both upgrades.

RocknRoll · 09-11-2023, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinglett

I'm thinking it's time to rip the thing out to give me more cupboard space.

A soundbar (I use a tiny Bose bluetooth speaker) sounds SOOOO much better, doesn't it?

And I can set it outside on the picnic table if I want to annoy the neighbors, too. Seriously, I have never understood the outdoor speaker concept. Maybe that's a glamping thing.

Love your mods! Can you say more about your 3M filtration?

Thanks Todd! Ripping out the Connex is my thought exactly. Although I don't use it often, I just need to figure out the best way to integrate a small DVD player. Any ideas?

IMO, I think the 3M filter is rated pretty good (ANSI 53) for a single inline. Easy to install, simple to replace and connected to the cold-water feed, it sports a check valve and lasts ~6 months with very good water pressure. It's also pretty compact and doesn't take a lot of space. Note that in the pic, I glued a small 1/2" plywood block to the cabinet wall to mount it for strength and rigidity.

It'll be nice to be able to wash vegetables and rinse dishes or even wash my face with cleaner water, however I may still use the Zero Water pitcher for drinking water and ice cubes. At the very least, it's good to know that I have a triple layer of filtration (including the outside sediment filter).

It's a little pricey now (system price almost doubled since I bought it last April).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

jerrylopez · 09-11-2023, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred 2106DS

Jerry,

Here's a thread link that addresses both upgrades.

Excellent thread - informative. I have hope

Thank you.

Diesel · 09-11-2023, 08:40 AM

Hi, could you show one picture of the quick dis-connect? thanks

RocknRoll · 09-11-2023, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel

Hi, could you show one picture of the quick dis-connect? thanks

These are what I purchased but buy whatever you prefer.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1

Diesel · 09-11-2023, 09:17 AM

thanks for that!