Our new CSS has arrived!

Verna

@SAM, my ARB sits in my back seat of the truck without extra ventilation. Your's should be fine

Sharon_is_SAM

I hope so.  Not sure that the insulated jacket will help or not.  When closed up with the hatch down, there is limited airflow? and the hot air will get sucked into the ARB air circulation.  We will see how it operates at extreme temps.  We are the guinea pigs!

MandD_TaB

Hi Sharon,

Has this configuration worked well for you as of now, 18 months later?  My wife and I are about to order a 320 CS-S and are contemplating having "your" clamshell kitchen built into our new trailer.  We're in Colorado, so we are especially concerned about any extra ventilation you may have had to add to remove heat from the vicinity of the ARB.

Thank very much!

Dave

Sharon_is_SAM

@MandD_TaB, we have not had any problems.  We used it in 2017 for 2 trips towing for up to 8 hours and camping in a lot of heat without problems.   We were out in Utah for a month this past March/ April and used the Alde for heat.  That also heats up the closed hatch area where the ARB sits, but the frig temp was fine.  We used it this summer in Southern Ohio and at uCamp in Sugarcreek, both places very hot, and the ARB was perfect.  I monitored the temp remotely with an Accurite monitor while towing and camping.  I did adjust the ARB temperature gauge using instructions in the manual as it was reading higher than actual measured temp.  Now, I don’t bother to monitor.  The only ventilation in place is the original vent hole under the slide - no added fan needed.  When towing for up to 8 hours at a time (in cold weather), our 150 amp AGM battery was 99% charged when we stopped for the night.  We were able to comfortably leave the frig run on battery for as long as 19 hours before recharging during our tow.  I think having a 10 gauge charge wire helps a lot.  Also, take a look at the wiring recommendations in the ARB manual to make sure they use the recommended wire gauge.  We got approval of this mod via email before purchasing the ARB.  

We have used 200 watts solar in the Adirondacks and in Utah and we were able to quickly recharge.  The ARB just does not cycle that often or draw that much.  

I would think that in Colorado in cooler temperatures you would not need to worry about any extra ventilation.  Also, my DH sleeps next to the ARB and he says that only once did he hear it cycle.  

Could not be happier with our set up.  We still like our flush mount counter, too, even though it is elevated and limits the backsplash.  We have more cabinet space under the sink and stove, too.

Good luck!

Marceline

Sharon_is_SAM said:

When towing for up to 8 hours at a time (in cold weather), our 150 amp AGM battery was 99% charged when we stopped for the night.  

1. Love your customizations. I wish that I had your fridge and lower counter instead of the conventional CS kitchen layout.
2. What is your battery? I think that I'm getting closer to needing a replacement and I'm not sure that I want to go the twin 6v route.
 

Sharon_is_SAM

We have a Lifeline GPL 30 HT.  It is on sale now https://www.batterystuff.com/batteries/rv-marine/agm/111-and-up-amp-hour/gpl-30ht.html.  We went the AGM route because we store off site and it maintains it’s charge for months and months at a time.  Very happy with the battery.  Only thing, the front tub needed to be moved forward a bit and at the time, there was no commercial battery box that fit.  NuCamp made a custom aluminum box. 

MandD_TaB

Thanks!  Quick follow-up question: 

From the (excellent!) photos you posted, it looks like there might be some dead space under the slide that the ARB sits on.  Do you have access to this space, or is it "lost"?  Would a cargo door on the passenger side give you back access to this space?  TIA,

Dave

Sharon_is_SAM

In order to allow the slide to clear the hatch lip and lock hasp, they basically built a box that essentially raised the floor on the passenger side.  The vent goes right through the middle and exhausts to the outside.  The box is only about 5-6 inches tall.  I am not sure how warm that area gets due to the hot air coming from the ARB.  There is no access to this space.  

I think if you want a cargo door, you can probably have one installed on the passenger side to access the rear of the under bench storage.  We have plenty of storage and don’t use all the space in the TaB.  Our minivan helps a lot.  We also use a camp kitchen and reserve the galley cupboards for food.

MandD_TaB

Hi again,

"...Our minivan helps a lot..."  Ah yes, that would sort of make the wee bit of space moot.   

Thanks again,

Dave