Roadtrek Sprinter Eclipse Head Unit Upgrade to 10-inch QLED screen Atoto S8 Premium (2nd Gen)

Our 11-year-old Eclipse AVN4430 head unit with TomTom navigation maps is now woefully outdated. I won't miss its small, difficult-to-read screen or any of the other quirks that came with it. Enter the Atoto Android head units, which are rapidly gaining popularity. Their premium, ultra, and ultra plus models boast a QLED display that remains easily readable even in bright sunlight. Opting for the larger 10-inch Atoto S8 Premium model was a no-brainer for me, especially considering its affordability compared to other high-end units with similar specs.

Installing an On-Board Air Compressor (Maxi Trac)

Finding the right RV compressor can be challenging, especially if you want one that can inflate RV tires to a high pressure. Many RVers highly recommend the Viair RV compressor. Off-roaders and overlanders choose the ARB CKMTA12 On-Board Twin High Performance Air Compressor because it is a quick and dependable inflator, but it is pricey.

I'm looking for a low-cost, high-output, high-pressure compressor capable of quickly inflating RV tires, air mattresses, and inflatable toys (kayaks, SUPs, and so on). Our 120-volt portable compressor inflates one SUP in about 20 minutes, which is excruciatingly slow. The Napa Maxi-Trac air inflator is getting a lot of buzz in the DIY community, so I took the plunge and ordered one. With a 20% OFF coupon, it cost me slightly more than $100.

Renogy DC-to-DC Battery Charger Installation

The Renogy 40-Amp DC-to-DC battery charger had been on my Amazon wishlist for a while, and it was on sale during the holidays, so I bought one. I was planning on getting it anyway for our upcoming Lithium battery upgrade (coming soon). A DC-to-DC charger is required to limit the current draw from the alternator, particularly with Lithium batteries, which can draw a large amount of current from the alternator while charging.

According to Mercedes Body and Equipment Guidelines for 2018 Sprinter and older, it states that the maximum charging current for the auxiliary batteries should not exceed 40-Amps. For now, our current AGM coach batteries will benefit from the DC-to-DC charger as it will receive a proper 3-stage charging (bulk, absorb, float) while driving or idling. 

Motorized City Fresh Water Tank Fill Valve with Automatic Fresh Water Pump Control

Like many Roadtrek RV models, the RT Agile has two options in getting their fresh water tank filled, either via gravity fill port located on passenger side door B-pillar or via the city water hookup. I mostly use the city water connection just because it is on the same side where the macerator dump is, and most dump stations/ campgrounds are set up this way. 

Filling the fresh water tank via city water hookup involves few steps and this mod drastically shortens those steps. To fill the fresh water tank, all I have to do now is flip a switch then hookup the city water…and that’s it. No more walking around the RV, opening the sliding door, reaching and manually opening the fill valve, then doing same process in reverse once the tank gets full. 

How to beat the Sprinter blues "AdBlue"

There are many confusing info circulating the net about DEF fluids, brands to use, etc. Some Sprinter owners have been told by MB dealers to only use an MB branded DEF fluid "AdBlue" on their Sprinters or the DEF system could malfunction.

The truth is, if the DEF fluid is ISO-22241 certified then it is ok to use as per Sprinter operating manual. I've been using "BlueDEF" brand from my local auto parts store for many years without any problems. 

When my Sprinter NOx sensor went south a few years ago, MB dealer even tested the "BlueDEF" branded fluids in my tank and it passed to their standards, no surprise there. I'm not claiming I'm a DEF expert, just a user trying to save a buck from overpriced MB pee (ok, it's not actually a pee but rather it's a combination of 67.5% deionized water and 32.5% urea.)

DIY Foldable/ Hinged Cornhole Board Game

Most of the commercially available Cornhole Board Games are bulky/heavy and takes a lots of storage space. Although Amazon sells lightweight ones like the PVC Framed Cornhole Set, the bags tends to bounce more on the fabric platforms. They also have a Foldable Aluminum Cornhole Board that weighs about 14.5-lbs. without the bags, but for $85 a set, I decide to make my own.

The DIY board is slightly smaller than a standard size board. Size when folded= 24"×15"×3.5". Unfolded=24"×30"×1.75". Board wt.=8.5 lbs. Bag wt.=1 lb. each.

Driver Operated AC/ Furnace Remote Thermostat Switch

We do use our rear Dometic AC quite often even while under way, but there are times I wish I can turn the AC on and off from the driver seat instead of yelling at the rear passengers to have them operate the Thermostat. I already have a remote generator start switch mounted on the overhead cab so adding a wired remote thermostat switch in that same location will give me total control from the driver seat. The added convenience of remotely shutting the AC and generator before pulling into a gas station, etc. is a much worth modification at least for our RV lifestyle. 

"Scooler", A Custom Built/ DIY Electric Riding Cooler

"Scooler" at the beach.

I need a new roto-molded cooler but I do not like the idea of manually hauling it around as they are heavy, so it got me thinking...why not make it a riding cooler? I later found out that you can actually buy one of these riding coolers; they’re not cheap though not to mention the inefficient coolers they use. Amazon sells the "Crazy Cooler" with 4-stroke 2HP engine.