Difference between revisions of "*NEW* LaunchPoint Caravan"
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*Handles to be fitted to the outside for ease of moving the caravan. Strongly recommend fitting structural elements (preferably welded steel) to transfer forces to the chassis of the caravan, not just bolt them to the flimsy walls. | *Handles to be fitted to the outside for ease of moving the caravan. Strongly recommend fitting structural elements (preferably welded steel) to transfer forces to the chassis of the caravan, not just bolt them to the flimsy walls. | ||
*Check: Is the caravan weather tight? If not, fix the leaking areas. (This cravan will probably be stored outside) | *Check: Is the caravan weather tight? If not, fix the leaking areas. (This cravan will probably be stored outside) | ||
| − | *DECISION: Which way round should the | + | *Fit lino / slimilarly hardwearing / waterproof covering to floor. |
| + | *DECISION: Which way round should the caravan be orientated in use? (Facing up the field / across the field?) | ||
* Obtain and fit worktop, and legs. Include cut-out for the signal/timing box of electronics. Would be nice to have a removable perspex top - notices could be put underneath this. | * Obtain and fit worktop, and legs. Include cut-out for the signal/timing box of electronics. Would be nice to have a removable perspex top - notices could be put underneath this. | ||
*DECISION: Work out where the following items are to be located - bearing in mind ergonomics, and the centre of gravity of the finished/loaded caravan. Ideally the caravan will only have slight nose weight to allow for easy positioning. | *DECISION: Work out where the following items are to be located - bearing in mind ergonomics, and the centre of gravity of the finished/loaded caravan. Ideally the caravan will only have slight nose weight to allow for easy positioning. | ||
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*Obtain or build a storage box for lead ballast weights. Again, probably best to be over the axle. Needs to be very strong and located above a main chassis rail. | *Obtain or build a storage box for lead ballast weights. Again, probably best to be over the axle. Needs to be very strong and located above a main chassis rail. | ||
*Obtain / build and fit seating. | *Obtain / build and fit seating. | ||
| − | *Fit notice boards to wall. | + | *Fit notice boards to internal wall. |
| + | *Paint caravan exterior. Probably copy existing red and white check pattern for walls and matt black for the roof. | ||
| + | *Choose position and copy existing mounting system to attach windsock and mast to the new caravan. | ||
| + | *DECIDE: What signal lights to use? How to mount them, considering: Ease of visibility for winch driver, ease of adjusting the positioning, etc. Make mounts and fit to the caravan. | ||
| + | *Decide on position of blackboard on outside of caravan. (or upgrade to whiteboard?) | ||
| + | *Battery to be fitted to the existing battery box on the A-frame. Arrange battery clamp and new leads and THICK, good quality wiring. | ||
| + | *Choose best position for circuit breakers and battery condition gauge (use the items from the old caravan, just allow for their position, only move them when ready to use the new caravan) | ||
| + | *Install good wiring in the caravan for the signal lights, signal buzzer, signal box, etc. | ||
| + | *When the rest of the caravan is ready, transfer signal controller box, signal lights, battery gauge, circuit breaker, windsock mast, etc to the new caravan. | ||
| + | *Test that everything works as desired. | ||
| + | *Transfer all the paperwork, forms, manuals, etc into the new caravan. | ||
| + | *Use Caravan. (taking care not to destroy it...) | ||
Revision as of 11:26, 10 June 2010
New Caravan
March(?) 2010: Chris Bessent arranged the purchase of a cheap caravan that can be turned into the new launch point caravan. Steve Barber and Alan Saunders and others have stripped the interior of all its furniture and fittings ready for the the re-fit.
Re-fit plan
The aim is to get the caravan refitted during Summer 2010, ready for use in October 2010.
- Fit new floor to caravan: 3/4" plywood or OSB (Existing floor (chipboard?) is very spongy and won't last long)
- If necessary, cross-beams can be fitted below the floor. Either wooden or metal (welded to caravan's perimeter chassis)
- Corner legs to be checked and mended / replaced if necessary.
- Check jockey wheel. Fix broken bracket.
- Reinforcing frame to be fitted around the doorway - wood or preferably steel. (people pull themselves up into the caravan by pulling heavily on the sides - leading to distrortion and cracks)
- Handles to be fitted to the outside for ease of moving the caravan. Strongly recommend fitting structural elements (preferably welded steel) to transfer forces to the chassis of the caravan, not just bolt them to the flimsy walls.
- Check: Is the caravan weather tight? If not, fix the leaking areas. (This cravan will probably be stored outside)
- Fit lino / slimilarly hardwearing / waterproof covering to floor.
- DECISION: Which way round should the caravan be orientated in use? (Facing up the field / across the field?)
- Obtain and fit worktop, and legs. Include cut-out for the signal/timing box of electronics. Would be nice to have a removable perspex top - notices could be put underneath this.
- DECISION: Work out where the following items are to be located - bearing in mind ergonomics, and the centre of gravity of the finished/loaded caravan. Ideally the caravan will only have slight nose weight to allow for easy positioning.
- Obtain and build/install racking / shelving / cupboard for parachutes (probably best located over the axle for CofG reasons)
- Obtain and build/install shelving / cupboards for: forms, pens, paperwork, flight manuals, barograph, binoculars, cushions & packing, etc.
- Obtain or build a storage box for lead ballast weights. Again, probably best to be over the axle. Needs to be very strong and located above a main chassis rail.
- Obtain / build and fit seating.
- Fit notice boards to internal wall.
- Paint caravan exterior. Probably copy existing red and white check pattern for walls and matt black for the roof.
- Choose position and copy existing mounting system to attach windsock and mast to the new caravan.
- DECIDE: What signal lights to use? How to mount them, considering: Ease of visibility for winch driver, ease of adjusting the positioning, etc. Make mounts and fit to the caravan.
- Decide on position of blackboard on outside of caravan. (or upgrade to whiteboard?)
- Battery to be fitted to the existing battery box on the A-frame. Arrange battery clamp and new leads and THICK, good quality wiring.
- Choose best position for circuit breakers and battery condition gauge (use the items from the old caravan, just allow for their position, only move them when ready to use the new caravan)
- Install good wiring in the caravan for the signal lights, signal buzzer, signal box, etc.
- When the rest of the caravan is ready, transfer signal controller box, signal lights, battery gauge, circuit breaker, windsock mast, etc to the new caravan.
- Test that everything works as desired.
- Transfer all the paperwork, forms, manuals, etc into the new caravan.
- Use Caravan. (taking care not to destroy it...)
