Off-The-Grid COMET models

Hello!

I’ve been working up some 3D models (using SketchUp) of the COMET as she may end up, or the “end result” models. These are likely to change as the design process continues and ideas solidify, but here was what I first envisioned The COMET to look like. Perhaps the rainwater harvesting system will change, and the solar modules might be in different places or as a separate array that pops up and can move around in order to collect optimum sun, but here’s my totally self-contained version of The COMET of the future.

 

Also, here’s one version of an “info sheet” that explains the COMET in a more comprehensive way.

What do you think? Is there anything else that a comprehensive info sheet about the project should include? I need some feedback!

Marmoleum Click flooring SketchUp model

Hello!

Yesterday I received my pallet full of goodies from the wonderful Green Building Supply. I got the UltraTouch denim insulation (which is so soft and squishy I want to make a bed out of it), lots of no-VOC paint for the interior and exterior, and my Marmoleum Click flooring! I’m really excited about the Marmoleum flooring – it’s antimicrobial, all natural, and really nice to step on. I know the flooring doesn’t go down until everything else is done, but I made up these models in SketchUp so I would know exactly how to lay out each panel (the Marmoleum I got comes in 12″ x 36″ planks).

I chose the black (“Lava”) and white (“Arabian Pearl”) because I felt like it would go with whatever color scheme (or lack there of, haha – I like to mix and match whatever I can find) I choose for the interior. I also think it’s a nice nod to the past, as many vintage campers had the classic 50’s-style black and white checkered linoleum floors. This design is a modern, updated version of those classic black and white tiles!

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Oh, and here’s a teaser for the DIY vacuum form table step-by-step DIY project, which is coming to CometCamper.wordpress.com very soon! It’s taking me a little bit to get the instructions and materials list together, because I’ve been so busy out in The COMET working every day, but a full DIY guide is on it’s way, I PROMISE!

That’s me, cutting out the frame for the plastic. Photo credit + moral support credit: Matt Carroll. Thanks, buddy!

More Refined 3D Models

Good Morning!

Yesterday was another day spent in The COMET, measuring and again, simultaneously modeling, a more refined interior 3d model with SketchUp. I measured all of the ceiling and put the vents and light fixtures into the model. I spent hours measuring and diagramming the intricacies of the main cabinet, which has 3 parts that hold the closet, the fridge and some drawers, and the toilet closet.

Here’s some highlights of what I did:

So above you can see the main cabinet, on the back wall, has been broken up into it’s 3 parts. This is the model with the doors to each of the cabinets/drawers on. The cabinet to the far left is the clothing closet, the middle section used to have a fridge in the top opening and the lower 3 are drawers and cabinets. The cabinet on the right is the toilet! You can also see the vents and light fixture in this image – the vents are grey and the light fixture is that box on the ceiling. Yesterday while I was there I was trying to figure out if I would need to add any more light fixtures or wire up any more wall plugs. There seems to be just enough, but I need to make a serious list of what I have that uses power to figure it out.

 

In these two images I have hidden the cabinet door layers so that you can see inside the cabinets (I’ve also hidden the galley cabinet and galley counter, but you can see the footprint of it on the floor). Like I said, left side is the closet, middle is fridge spot up top and drawers/cabinets below, and the right side is the bathroom. The orange block at the bottom of the closet is the wheel well. You can also see the vents and lights a little better in this one.

Right  now the spot for the fridge (and I don’t have the fridge that actually fits it) is the top section of the middle cabinet. In the next image you can see the fridge vent. Most likely that whole middle part of the main cabinet will be reconfigured so that the top-opening chest-style solar powered fridge that I have my eye on can fit in there, I can comfortably open it form the top, and have some food storage/pantry above it.

As you can see, and as I wish I could convey to you, the bathroom is insanely tiny. I sat in there the other day just for laughs and it is cramped even for me, and I am tiny! But I think I’ll gain some leg room when I install the custom composting toilet, because I’ll move the seat closer to the back wall and make it as small as I can.

 

This is just a preliminary roof sketch based on the vents from the interior (I still want to climb up there and measure everything form the exterior). The purple squares are the existing vents: two air vents, one fridge vent, and the tiny purple circle is the bathroom vent. This diagram gives me a good idea of what I have to work with in terms of configuring the 3 solar panels I’m getting. There’s definitely room for 2 up there, but depending on how I set them up, I can either try to fit a third on the roof or instead fit a third panel on the side that lays down flat when I’m mobile and pops up when I’m parked.

 

As I spend more and more time in The COMET, finding out exactly how much cubic feet I have to work with is really interesting. Paring down to 16 ft. (total is 112 sq ft, but that includes cabinets and benches and everything) will not be super easy for me. I’ve always had multiple bedrooms, and I’ve always been a collector. I’m going to miss my vinyl and my vintage knick knacks! My unicorn collection (that makes me sound like a 70 year old lady – I’m not though)! And I have way too many clothes, again I’m a collector of vintage everything, so that will be tough too. To be fair, most of the stuff I have like furniture and clothing is for my store (I have a little online shop, PlanetQueenVintage.etsy.com: vintage is the most fun way to recycle!!). But it’s really starting to hit hard what I’ll have to do without! Of course I’ll be able to store some of my things with my parents, but not like I do now. Though it makes me sad to think of everything I will have to get rid of, it’s also incredibly freeing and wonderful to think about, because I’ve been overhwhelmed by materials possessions my whole life. Freedom!

 

The COMET: Interior SketchUp Models

So today I spent all day inside The COMET (which was surprisingly warm despite the 30 degree weather outside and considering it has no heat, broken windows and 1950’s insulation). I was measuring all of the interior space (cabinets, beds, appliances, etc) and simultaneously making a SketchUp 3D model so that I could begin to figure out how much I need of each material (flooring, countertop, paint). Here are some stills of the model I’m working on…and keep in mind, it’s a rough draft! The green color is just to differentiate between walls and cabinets. Soon I’ll use these stills to diagram the interior space in a more conceptual way. Also, this is just the interior measurements (no windows, no door) and the exterior still needs to be measured.

Google SketchUp is a free 3D modeling tool, it’s very easy to use and an awesome resource. If you don’t already use it, download it and start fooling around!

You can see the front benches (missing the kitchen table)

I’m glad to have this working model, now I can (finally!) not only figure out how much I need of each material/building supply, but also begin to figure out what modifications I will be making: for example, where the refrigerator will go, which parts I’ll move around and rearrange, and how I want to personalize and maximize the design of the space. Also, I’ll be able to put on potential solar panels in different configurations, test out some different ideas for the bumper greenhouse, and some other things. I’m really excited! I also came up with the idea of using textured colored glass as the bathroom window, for privacy and color (one of my closest friends is a stained-glass smith, and I think I can get some scraps from him). I also thought, since the window in the door is broken, he and I should make a stained glass window for it out of scraps or recycled glass he has around the shop!

Also, as a side note about something I thought about all day today: I’m going to design and fabricate my own urine diverter (and build a vacuum form to do it) because I had an awful experience trying to find a good composting toilet situation for a small space like The COMET. I’m going to build the composting toilet, and there will be instructions on how to do everything (the vacuum forming , fabricating the diverter, building the toilet) right here on cometcamper.wordpress.com! Power to the DIY people!

So the post about my awesome day yesterday in Mashpee with “G” Green Design Center and Cotuit Solar is going to have to wait until tomorrow, but it will be very worth it and I encourage you all to check back tomorrow!!