Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Light Overland Vehicle Tech
Light Overland Vehicle Tech Tech issues, tips and hints, prepping for travel
Under 3500kg vehicles, e.g. Land Cruiser, Land Rover, Subaru etc.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Like Tree1Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 20 Mar 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Norfolk, UK
Posts: 52
Preparing a Land Rover Discovery for Tunisia

After an abortive trip to Morocco last year, we are preparing for a trip to the Tunisian Sahara in October 2010.

My car is fairly well prepared but we are making many more mods over the next few months.

I have detailed some of these and I will be adding plenty more on my website (address in signature below). You are welcome to comment and ask any questions.

I shall make the articles as detailed as possible to show how things were fitted, where they came from, how they were made and how successful they were.

In addition I will be running a 'countdown blog' until we leave on the 2nd October 2010 and then updating it remotely during the trip.

Many of the ideas and mods have come from things I have seen on forums and other personal websites. This site is my way of giving something back to the online community.

Ralph
__________________
1995 300Tdi Discovery
Vehicle mods and expedition countdown blog www.overland-rovers.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 21 Mar 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 194
Your Morocco Blog

Just read your blog re. Morocco 2009 Ralf

You and your wife are hero’s
The fact that you can venture out of the house at all is a miracle after your last attempt never mind planning a Tunisia trip. I guess you must have used up all the bad luck by now though, so it can only get better!



Seriously I’ll be very interested in your next trip, I’m now pondering Tunisia rather than another Morocco trip. Do you have a route planned?


Russ
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 21 Mar 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Norfolk, UK
Posts: 52
Tunisia

Russ

Thanks for the comments. Yes our Morocco trip was a bit of an experience still, we leaned a lot and it will set us up for Tunisia.

It took a while before Belinda even considered another trip but Peter of Atlas Overland did a brilliant sales job at Newark last year ad now she is all for it.

Our planned trip/route can be seen here:

Tunisia 2010

We are joining the Atlas Overland tour commencing on the 7th October in Marseilles. There are still some spaces if you're up for it?

I shall continue my blog and adding more stuff to the websites as time goes by.

Cheers

Ralph
__________________
1995 300Tdi Discovery
Vehicle mods and expedition countdown blog www.overland-rovers.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 22 Mar 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 621
Hi Ralph

Have just read about your Morocco trip. Excellent advert for Toyota!

Also saw the pics of Granada Fiesta.....interesting to see the KKK in Spain.

Mark

overlandcruiser.net
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 23 Mar 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Norfolk, UK
Posts: 52
[quote=ilesmark;281838]Hi Ralph

Have just read about your Morocco trip. Excellent advert for Toyota!

quote]

Nah! You would never have that much fun with a Toyota and besides, rumour has it that even Toyotas break down occasionally. At least my throttle and abs brakes work okay
__________________
1995 300Tdi Discovery
Vehicle mods and expedition countdown blog www.overland-rovers.com
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 23 Mar 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London
Posts: 621
'Fun'?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 23 Mar 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Norfolk, UK
Posts: 52
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilesmark View Post
'Fun'?
Of course it's fun!

Why else would we put ourselves through all that?





Although, I must admit, it didn't seem like it at the time
__________________
1995 300Tdi Discovery
Vehicle mods and expedition countdown blog www.overland-rovers.com
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 8 Apr 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: GENT Belgium
Posts: 503
Bloody Hell......

Just read your Morocco blog........

Good luck with your future plans....

Cheers
Matt
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 8 Apr 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Norfolk, UK
Posts: 52
Cheers Matt

Hopefully the next one won't be so 'eventfull'

I'll keep a running blog leading up to and during the next 'adventure' in October.
__________________
1995 300Tdi Discovery
Vehicle mods and expedition countdown blog www.overland-rovers.com
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 20 Apr 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Norfolk, UK
Posts: 52
Website updates

Just to let you all know that I have added some more info to the site as well as maintaining my blog.
Some articles are still 'in progress'

Full length boot storage system
Built in fresh water system
Solar panels and boot security
Fitting a Hannibal Awning on a Safety Devices Roofrack

I hope these are of interest. There is plenty more to come including:

Howling Moon tent write up
GPS Tracking with Spot
Rooflight and work light wiring
Servicing and engine, drivetrain and brakes overhaul
Spares list
Tools list

Cheers
Ralph
__________________
1995 300Tdi Discovery
Vehicle mods and expedition countdown blog www.overland-rovers.com
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 25 Apr 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 198
Love the solar panel idea. I am thinking of boarding over my Defender boot space windows.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 26 Apr 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Norfolk, UK
Posts: 52
I glad you like it.
The panel I used have now been superseded by a new model which is slightly more powerful (7.75W). I didn't use them because they have changed the shape and they are now rectangular (484 x 258 x 14 mm instead of 375 x 360 x 26 mm). That means that they wouldn't fit in the window space I have. However they should fit behind a defender rear window easily.

They do say that you should work out what power consumption you need from a solar panel and then double it to get and accurate figure of what to fit.

At full power these units combined could give 1Amp into the system. The reality will always be less because they are on opposite sides of the car and are sitting vertically. If I get 0.5W then I will be happy (that's each unit running @ 50%).

The Engel takes about 2.5A to run as well as any other electrical bits which may be on. So these aren't going to make a huge difference, but they will make some. Starting and running the engine for a short while every other days doesn't seem like a big problem and we aren't likely to stay in one place for more than a few days at a time anyway.

The panels I used are very simple to connect (all plug and play basically) and have reverse current protection so you don't need a controller with them.

It just seemed like a bit of dead space that could be put to some use.
__________________
1995 300Tdi Discovery
Vehicle mods and expedition countdown blog www.overland-rovers.com
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 26 Apr 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 198
Out of curiosity, who makes the solar panels?
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 26 Apr 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Norfolk, UK
Posts: 52
Their actually made by Sunsei which is a subsidiary of ICP. Website here:

SE 500 Solar Trickle Charger

Cheapest place is here:

Sunsei SE-500 Solar Panel - Machine Mart
__________________
1995 300Tdi Discovery
Vehicle mods and expedition countdown blog www.overland-rovers.com
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 6 Jun 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Norfolk, UK
Posts: 52
Solar panel update

For those that are interested I have an update on the solar panels.

Unfortunately one of the 7.5W panels I had fitted failed miserably (it overheated and melted) and so I had to get it exchanged. Again, unfortunately they were not able to get a direct replacement which meant I had to have the 7.75W models (the company did replace both of them so that they matched).

Initially I thought that the new model wouldn't fit in the disco window space, but I was wrong.

They fit perfectly and, in fact, I think they look better. Once wired in I am getting a consistent 13.9V across the auxilliary battery.



Link to full article here
__________________
1995 300Tdi Discovery
Vehicle mods and expedition countdown blog www.overland-rovers.com
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
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 On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
RHD Land Rover Discovery II in France £4250 Keels Overland Vehicles and Equipment for Sale / Wanted 3 19 May 2009 19:50
Land Rover Discovery for sale - Free Accommodation in Cape Town! pjdicks Overland Vehicles and Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 6 May 2008 12:13
Tunisia by Land Rover Safetyfox North Africa 6 19 Nov 2004 15:49
Land Rover 90 R Shepherd Equipping the Overland Vehicle 13 1 Nov 2004 23:32
Looking to buy Land Rover 127/130 Sam Rutherford Equipping the Overland Vehicle 11 15 Oct 2003 05:04

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:33.