Hi Everyone.
I have been chatting away with Strawbs, doing some research, and I think now is the right time, to scribble out the ideas, what I have brought, what I hope to Buy, What I actually need ETC.
I will probally try and updates about every week or 2, depending if anything new is resolved, discussed or changed.
Today I have outlined the basics and added some verbs to them. Most are still in very early stages, and I will keep adding, deleting and changing as we progress. :) :)
Not too scale, but its also not too far off the mark :) :)
But it gives the basic idea of what we hope to achieve..
My Post it Notes, most are to do with the Transits conversion, But I need to get it in some sort of order and flesh out the details.
So as things come together and I actually get down to getting my hands dirty, I have plans all laid out and hopefully in some sort of order of how & when each task will be done.
Now as usual, I am having to take into account that at times, I may be waiting on extra funds, my health to improve to do some jobs, so the order is gonna have to remain Flexible.
As it will be Lynne n me (Unless any one volunteers) we can only work together on weekends, but If I can get a bit more mobil, I am hoping to get some smaller jobs, or planning done ready for when help arrives...
So here goes.
MOT - Transit.
It is due on 23rd Dec, so will phone up Kingsway tomorrow and get it booked in and ask them to fit the new glass to the wing mirrors, whilst it is there.
This should be the last time the transit, will be away for a few days, as it has it's yearly service and they have to take it to another MOT station as they are not qualified.
Passenger side small leak!
I need to get this to my friend on the Skeggy Road, as the seal between the front panels has gone on the passenger side, and the drivers side will also be going in a year or 2, so I would like to get them both done together.
1. If its just clear all the old sealant away then its about £90.00 for both sides.
2. But if it has rotted thru then it's gonna be north of £350.00 for both sides !
I hate to use this money, not on converting the transit, but we have loads of small bits, that are just getting in the way and I do not want them broken and the storage area over the cab, would be ideal to store items till we need them.
The Floor
We have already laid down those foam tiles from Halford's and not only are they nice n soft but nice in warm when bare footed :) :)
It is also easy to sweep clean!
At the moment it is just laid down, and altho secure,it does sometimes lift at the door, so may look into either a carpet rail or gluing those few tiles in place ?
We also brought this "12V Remote on/off & Dimmer for led lights Camper van"
We are hoping that having the 12 lights will be too bright, so we hope to be able to dim them down to conserve power on the 12 volt circuit.
If it all works well we will by another one so we can have one on us if we go out and the other by the bed.
Typically it is cheaper to buy the set, than just the remote!!
Not that I am fussed as it means we have a spare controller :) :)
The Lights for the cabin.
We have brought a set of 12 3 watt triple A rated led units.
it was not easy to find triple A rated light sand decent fittings with a good light spread in one package, took me 3 days to find 4 similar lights and another few hours with Lynne to narrow it down to these.
55mm wood borer for the light holes
The roof.
1. it needs to be washed down thoroughly with sugar soap, to get rid of all the grease n grime.
2. need to buy some 2x1 timber, to make framework for the centre ceiling panel to mount to.
This I hope will make it easy to replace any faulty lights if needed.
3. The ceiling will be 3ply and cut into 3. 2 panels will be for the sides and the last one for the lights central isle.
4. I need to buy some scouring pads to scour the roof to help the insulation to stick. Altho the insulation is pre-glued on one side, we will be adding some spray glue direct to the roof. I think I have some spray glue down teh workshop, if not will need to buy some.
5. the ceiling will also be insulated on the roof side up, hopefully this will not only allow the air to move between the roof n ceiling but any condensation to dry off.
6. Buy some small electrical trunking and ball of strong string (to feed the wires thru) mount them in place on roof and down the sides.
7. Test fit the roof panels to make sure that they fit snugly and look good.
8 - Drill and install the lights and wiring, testing as each light is fitted.
9. fit the remote sensor (hoping behind the panelling if possible).
The bed.
The existing bed, sits length wise and takes up to much room, so will be dismantled and wood stored for use later on.
Once bed frame removed, I can lay down to see if I can lay down straight
It will be sideways on, and will need to sink some holes into the sides of wall panelling to get mattress to lay flat.
The Height will depend on the widest point and the height needed to clear batteries, water containers and gas bottles.
Also looking to have 2 drawers from the bed framework for inside, On wheels - possibly half of the bed width ?
If room will use existing headboard, if not will make a pad and fix direct to the side wall.
The bathroom.
Well toilet really, unless we can figure out how to fit a sink, but with the Kitchen unit next door, is it worth fitting a sink ???
We have already measure out the internal size of the toilet (it's in out notebook)
So just the 2x1 timber, 3 ply Sheet & sound supressing stuff for inside the walls.
We have a porta loo from a camper that we have had for several years now, and it works very well.
Only with my current limitations, we will need to build a frame for it to sit in, as I cannot sit that low anymore.
Which works out fine, as we can store the chemicals, cleaners and (toilet rolls if room) in there
Above the toilet will be a small cupboard, the same as the rest of the van. This will store Toilet Rolls and other toiletries and possibly wash bags for showers...
we already have 2 x strip lights.
They have lithium batteries inside and can be charged up from a usb port - I just need to make a lead or buy one if cheaper...
They are magnetic, so will need to add some
thin strips of metal to the toilet once we have worked out the best place.
Not sure yet if to include a shaded window (like they fit in bathrooms, to allow some light in during the day ?? )
The lights are also have a movement sensor so no switches.
If we can get away with using just one, the other can be on charge or be used for other things till it is needed. This would save me adding a USB post in the Bathroom.
The Kitchen.
The kitchen sink/cooker unit we brought cheaply,will need to be totally stripped down and cleaned thoroughly, and repairs made.
Where the fridge was, maybe room for gas bottles ???
But need to measure up and see.
Lynne wants to paint the unit as it is grubby on the outside from age and use.
So when we have it stripped down and all
repairs and anything added, we will paint it before we put it back together.
Will need to look at good quality kitchen wood paint, as we do not want it scrubbing off etc.
Will also at this stage need to see about getting a window installed by the cooker and one in teh sliding door as well.
Transit main battery under drivers seat.
There is room for another battery, so will buy one and fit a split charger.
I am hoping to feed this into the wiring in the back of the transit, so it can be used as backup, if needed or just have it all wired together, so the solar panels can charge it as well.
Would that work with charging from alternator when engine is running ??
Passenger seat
Ned to clear out everything that is underneath and behind it and measure up, as it would be great if we could mount the diesel heater there, and just cut a hole thru the Bulkhead.
At some stage we may look into removing the double seat and putting in a swivel chair and remove the bulkhead, or just make a door ??
Gas Bottles.
I would like to have 2 joined with one quick release regulator with a gauge fitted, so we know were we are with gas supply.
As I do not know were I am gonna be at any given point, I do not know how quickly I can get a replacement gas bottle, so the gauge will help me hopefully not to run out.
The other thing with the gas bottles, is to find a place for them to live.
We are currently looking at the kitchen unit were the fridge used to be fitted, But it may be too close to the cooker or not enough room.
Another place, could be the ottoman unit we will build between the bed and the sliding door ??
Solar Battery storage.
we are thinking of 3 batteries, at this time. but we still have some figures to be worked out yet. But we will work with 3 batteries, even if we only have 2 installed to start with.
We need a location for them to live on the passenger side, as part of the balancing the weight distribution evenly as possible.
Solar board, with all fuses and other items.
would like if room to have on one or both sides of the rear section behind the bed.
That would keep everything together and tidy in one place, with easy access when needed.
Solar Panels!
We are currently thinking of 3 x 120 or 180 watt panels, mounted to the roof.
We may have one to sit in the window screen as backup.
We know that Scotland is not always sunny and bright, so important we get this right!.
Am also looking at 2 x wind power generators, more for windy days and night times, just to add a bit extra.
I know they not very efficient as yet, so will keep looking round as everything will be in place, even if we decide or cannot afford to go ahead just yet.
Jackery power packs. an dwattage tester
I will be looking into these, to run my sleep acnea machine and the computer base unit.
The cost may come into this as will deffo need one for the Sleep acnea machine as it's 24 volts !
Not the 12 volts the old one was.....
I have purchased a wattage tester, so will be hooking it up to the sleep acne machine for 2 tests.
Test 1 24 hours
Test 2 7 days continuous usage
and from these we should be able to work out it's wattage requirements. plus 25%
220 watt mains for when electric hook up is available.
A very basic setup, I have a board that we used for the disco, with fuse box and a couple of sockets. Plus I think we have 2 new sockets down the workshop, and the correct ampige wire.
Thinking of 2 x double sockets one pair near there rear of the cabin and the other mounted near the bulkhead.
Even that may be over kill, but better safer than sorry.
Cold Water storage.
If we do not use the old fridge area in the kitchen cabinet, this could be just right for Cold water storage ?
Not sure what size that would give us, but it's worth a thought at least.
The other option is either under half the bed or around the rear wheel area. ??
Would these pipes need lagging ??
Hot Water storage.
As per the cold water storage information
and a electrical pump ??
Double seat built onto the bed frame for us to sit on and for more storage.
We have the basic measurements, but cannot be finalised until we know were the bed will be and it's height..
Also there will be a collapsible table (we already have) that will either slide between the kitchen and bed, or will cut a slot into the bed and make a frame up so it can slide in there when not in use..
Ottoman.
As already discussed above a few times, there is enough space between the bed and the side door for a Ottoman storage unit, that we can add covering to to make extra seating.
Again we have rough measurements, but cannot be finalised until the bed is in its home.
Top units
These are still up in the air at this time, as we want to see how high everything is, before we decide on measurements for these cabinets. They will probably go all round the cabin to give as much storage space as possible.
Plus until we get the lower storage areas built and items put away, we will not know what or what sizes in length to make these cabinets??
The back area.
Attached to the bed will be a full sized board, initially to help stop draughts whilst sleeping.
But also other plans ideas are being thought of.
The floor area of the boot, I would like my Trolley jack and toolbox for repairs to transit if needed.
The board I would like to add a window, so when we are parked up it can let light thru from the rear doors. (both will be curtained)
Access to battery, gas bottles, electrics, water containers ECT, for maintenance and topping up the water tanks and the diesel heater tank.
Also at a later date we would like to have a shower that quickly fits to the rear doors, consisting of a frame that goes over the doors and holds them in place.
access to the water tanks, to add taps to to connect to the shower head.
some kind of plastic floor to keep ya feet of the grass/gravel
And 2 covers one to fit onto the frame above the doors and the other full length shower curtain for complete privacy.
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