USA Gearing up..!!

Plumcrazy · Mar 17, 2016

Setting up a mobile studio in anticipation of 333 being granted soon!! It's been almost 6 months since I applied. Purchased a sprinter van to kit up for mobile office/studio. Gonna have computer, 50" 4k display, solar for the lithium batteries, inverter, dedicated storage for uav's..... any suggestions?

JasonUK · Mar 17, 2016

Insure it! Sounds like a huge investment in something that can get stolen easily!

unyks · Mar 17, 2016

Plumcrazy said:
Setting up a mobile studio in anticipation of 333 being granted soon!! It's been almost 6 months since I applied. Purchased a sprinter van to kit up for mobile office/studio. Gonna have computer, 50" 4k display, solar for the lithium batteries, inverter, dedicated storage for uav's..... any suggestions?

Nice! I almost do the same.. here is mine ;-)

It's not used as a mobile studio (main post will be done @home) but it keeps me rolling through Europe with enough space and energy to be long enough independent. It is equiped with:

2 beds
a small Kitchen (stove/sink/fridge)
3x 80Ah batteries + inverter
2x 100W panels

and a 24/7 alarming snout

Chris

pixl45 · Mar 17, 2016

Plumcrazy said:
Setting up a mobile studio in anticipation of 333 being granted soon!! It's been almost 6 months since I applied. Purchased a sprinter van to kit up for mobile office/studio. Gonna have computer, 50" 4k display, solar for the lithium batteries, inverter, dedicated storage for uav's..... any suggestions?

I highly recommend this:

Build Your Own Dream Camper Van | Sprinter RV

If you're going to be onsite (remote) on jobs for any length of time, pay particular attention to composting toilets. Easy to install, and really low maintenance.

Depending on where you live, 100 - 400 watts of roof mounted solar will keep your batteries charging all day, and may even allow you to work on that big monitor all evening

Cellular boosting is often needed -- especially if you're uploading to cloud based apps. These help: weBoost by Wilson | Cell Phone Signal Boosters

Plumcrazy · Mar 17, 2016

I'm commercially insured to the hilt, required by my clients.
Nice setup Chris!! Love your 4 legged car alarm!!
Running 2 lithium ion batteries, 200ah, with 2 85 watt panels on the roof. Full office capabilities, printer, mobile desktop, weather station, net connected. Will b doing inspections, so not much post production. Will b able to generate reports on-site. The long wheel base, extended sprinter is huge, and the 4cyl diesel gets great mpg. I've got a bed & compact kitchen the back for those long trips

Plumcrazy · Mar 17, 2016

Thanks pixl45! I've seen the sprinter conversion you mentioned. There are several on pinterest. Good thinking on the booster, I rely on cell for my net connection.

Plumcrazy · Mar 17, 2016

Got that sprinter rv conversion download. Huge resource! Thanks again!

pixl45 · Mar 17, 2016

Plumcrazy said:
Thanks pixl45! I've seen the sprinter conversion you mentioned. There are several on pinterest. Good thinking on the booster, I rely on cell for my net connection.

Actually, it's not a single conversion... just a book of ideas.

There are a number of great conversion companies out there, but they are all super-busy with year long waiting lists. I think the best (and best value) is Van Specialties out of Portland, OR. They have an affiliation with Outside Vans -- but OV stuff is $$$ - aimed at the wealthy outdoorsman. But both are great places to look for ideas. Sportsmobile is another one -- not the same quality, but they have an online tool that you can use to plan yours, even if you don't work with them.

One thing you may want to consider -- I've seen it done.. is having a platform on the roof. Getting that extra 8' in the air can make a big difference with your signal.

Plumcrazy · Mar 17, 2016

My conversion will definitely b homemade! No$$ left after buying the van. Lol.

Have my solar panels mounted on the roof with quick disconnects. Made an antenna tower out of an old transit level tripod, with a 15' piece of sch 80 plastic pipe. Use it for the weather station sensor & experimenting with a signal booster on it. Maybe I'll put a pirate flag on it as a wind sock

Dr. Ifly Drones · Mar 17, 2016

Plumcrazy said:
Setting up a mobile studio in anticipation of 333 being granted soon!! It's been almost 6 months since I applied. Purchased a sprinter van to kit up for mobile office/studio. Gonna have computer, 50" 4k display, solar for the lithium batteries, inverter, dedicated storage for uav's..... any suggestions?

I've considered doing the same. It would be so much easier if the UAVs could live in the vehicle full time and most of the lite processing did as well. Not to mention the comfort factor on site!