Ours is called Abi after our daughter, the number plate and just to wind her up.
Haha, I can never buy a cove, no way, it would offend people everywhere I go.. wait... ooh!
Winding kids up is the point of being a parent, no? In that case you're parenting right! 🙂
I've got a yellow Cove HandJob - watching my brothers explaining the name to my nephews is nearly as much fun as riding it
(Spot the overgrown child who's not a parent)
My Renault Trafic camper is called Vincent
Update from Saturday - the goal was to build the sofa frame, install the skylight and make the tray for the sliding bike store. Two out of three ain't bad, making the bike tray tonight.
First job, cut a blooming big hole in the roof of the van. We decided to install the skylight right at the back of the van, this is because the front already has loads of light from the windows in the cab and the sliding door and it should also aid ventilation by creating a bigger stream for air to flow through. Plus if it was at the front we might have kept bashing our heads getting in and out of bed. So now we can lie in bed and star gaze, awesome. [img] https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/12049491_10156061083005203_8175728785509610132_n.jpg?oh=7da5462cdd832b0e0f7c79d02b9d81d3&oe=566055ED [/img][img] https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/12042726_10156061083075203_5936670573332475061_n.jpg?oh=88149d0669d651a2b861b69486f13c2d&oe=56A9D948 [/img][img] https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11998939_10156061083160203_6461201118846210056_n.jpg?oh=475b47fefaf99ad1a81dd1e83645bee1&oe=565D291F [/img][img] https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/12019931_10156061083290203_1281900909681953185_n.jpg?oh=8de03fead0f0b2448afe633c7966e21f&oe=566A3F46 [/img][img] https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11057737_10156061083350203_8444303322271701529_n.jpg?oh=6c55cd32d03de2d8466a726e3ff86ff0&oe=565F4422 [/img][img] https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/12043149_10156061083420203_2507812622342226242_n.jp g" target="_blank">
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The sofa has a longer front edge to allow it to wrap around a beam at the back, then the main body is to be for storage, it will be clad with ply and painted or covered once we decide on the interior decor. For now this is the frame, nice and solid with a hinged lid to allow access. For the short term I am just using the cushions from the old van, but have a big cushion to trim down and upholster to fit this one soon.
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Tonight I will be making the start of the bike tray, unsure if I will get it complete on rails yet or just fixed to the floor for temporary use.
I'm well impressed! I'm also not sure that I would have the stones to chop a hole in the roof of my van like you just did, good work! Looks a nice tidy job as well.
Any plans for a solar PV panel up top to keep the battery charged?
willard, thanks, it was scary, but measured a few times, inside and out, squared up, drilled pilot holes and kept the saw nice and slow. The insulation on the inside helped reduce vibration and helped loads. The worst part was the roof is very flexy, so after sealing it I had to get off the van via the front to avoid breaking the seal. 😉 It has rained all night here and I checked this morning and all is dry! 🙂
Am holding fire on the 2nd battery and solar for now, having gathered my parts for the install it seems most of my stuff is running on gas, so have a refillable LPG tank and all the gubbins, this will run the fridge, heater and hob. Everything else I am planning on using in the van can run on 12v, so the single battery should be sufficient now. The only issue I have at the moment is my camera, an Olympus Pen which seems to be impossible to charge without mains power, but it seems crazy to get a 240v inverter and all the gubbins for that, so am still investigating. 🙂
Nice one Sazter...looks like you're doing a cracking job.
Thanks dooosuk 🙂 Was so happy this morning when the van was dry inside! 🙂
Last night I got the bike rack frame built. This will be on sliding heavy duty ball bearing runners, these will be added later as I need both bikes on to get the positioning right, for now it is held in place in a fixed position as I need to take the bikes to foxhunt at the weekend.
12mm ply for the base, with lino off cuts for waterproofing
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Edge to keep dirt and bits from rolling all over the van
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Sealant around the edges and down the middle seam, practical over aesthetic!
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Two 15mm fork mounts and one QR adapter so I can carry other bikes too, just don't come to me with your 20mm axles! 😉
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First injury of the build... Attacked by a rogue high speed bungee... OUCH!
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Looks like it's coming along nicely.
Do you know where you are getting the bearing runners from, for the bike tray?
I used to use a company called Accu-Ride at the last place I worked for heavy duty 100% extension runners. They are pretty well priced & sturdy.
seahouse - MemberWhat's odd about that, I named my Vagina Transit
Erm, is that because of all the stuff you could cram into it?
Sorry, I tried, but couldn't resist. 😆
stumpy - I got the runners last year for my old van conversion but didn't end up using them, I bought them from screwfix and the were actually more heavy duty than I wanted but never got round to returning, they're perfect for this!
[i]Nevertheless, the title word is reminiscent of vagina, or vagazzle, which is somewhat unnecessary. Can't wait till the thread disappears entirely.[/i]
Gutted I missed this classic post, still it's an opportunity for the post to hit the front page again 🙂 What a dirty little man.
Van looks great.
Haha thanks Gary!
Damn how this forum works - I missed these latest updates!
Hopefully this will bump it nearer the top of my list, so that I don't miss the next lot!
How did you do at the Foxhunt?
Alex - Update to follow right now. 🙂 I finished 95th, a tiny bit better than last year, but I still need to learn to relax and not brake so much!
Bike rack finished and now on rails, kitchen started (no photo), sofa seat cushion made, has pegs in base to line up with slats so it stays put, it snaps into place but can be removed. Sofa base boxed in. Gas tank in place though not yet installed, needs to be boxed in, add drop vent etc. Good weekend of work whilst everyone was having fun on bikes! I'm not jealous at all!
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Perfect timing! 🙂
Bike tray looks perfect.
Forgot to add I also tidied the electrics, no more twisted together cables and tape, used proper crimps etc, my reversing camera screen is clear now, no more flickering. Everything had inline fuses from the previous owner so now I have a central fuse box instead. Conduit running along the van, opening at the kitchen and along and down the trunking to the leisure battery under the passenger seat.
crimps will only cause you heart ache long term. Theres no such thing a propper crimp - there all a bodge 😀
Get em soldered and heat shrinked before you hide them out of sight and hard to get to.....
trail rat, is that something I can do myself? I am trying to have less stuff, so is soldering kit something that can be hired?
might be worth seeing if anyone local has the kit and time to do it for a small fee..... I hate soldering but always make the effort over using goddam crimps even though my solderings shite.
Loving the slidey bike thingy, good work!
thanks trail rat, will ask about.
monkeyfudger, it was an idea I pinched from another conversion and I already had the runners bought but unused from my last conversion. Works really well and nice and solid in transit.
Got some foam protection on the edge of the rear garage where the bike bars go, started the gas box, not sealed or finished as no gas yet, installed the kitchen unit, still needs cupboards sorted once heater is installed, and made a start on the storage at the other side between the sofa and bed, its actually a fair bit bigger than I thought now the verticals are in place, loads of storage.
Next weekend I will install the heater, plumb in the gas and water and finish the storage next to the sofa.
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Is that a fixed or a slidey-out stovetop? It looks ace!
One thing I will say is that the pipe lagging will degrade over time, so watch out for little bits of plastic floating around in that shelf.
Willard, it is fixed as it will be connected to the gas supply and I want as few moving parts as possible. It is positioned so that the side door is still the way in and out but in bad weather the slidey door window can be opened above the stove and in nicer weather the door can be open for that alfresco feel. The indoor facilities will only really be used for the morning cuppa and post ride dinner in bad weather as I hope to cook outdoors most and have a kelly kettle for boiling water.
Yep the pipe lagging is a temporary fix, I plan on recycling a load of tees into a blanket for the van and the off-cuts will be made into an improved bumper for there. (I just did a car boot sale and gave a zillion tees to charity after, should have kept a couple but I am a bit thick!) 🙂
Household electrical dominoes are another alternative to crimp things. On things I want to be able to remove easily I solder the cable ends so the domino doesn't fray/damage the cable then use a domino to join.
Looking good!
Thanks AlexSimon, it is finally starting to look liveable, scary hole cutting required in the next stage, hole for fridge vent and holes in floor for gas drop vent and heater air in and out.
How do you find the time for this, as well as life, bike rides etc?
Great work.
Matt... to be honest biking has taken a hit but it's only short term, I want the van ready for a weekend away at the start of Nov so am willing to sacrifice a few weekend rides to make this happen. Managed to get a night ride in this week which was ace. I have no kids and no responsibilities so that helps! I only worked on the van on Sunday this week as did a car boot to get rid of a load of life crap on Sat, and donated a load of stuff to charity afterwards so I will not lose another day to selling stuff. Made enough to pay for the gas system and the charity were very grateful, win win! I have also been loaned a garage space so I can leave my materials and tools and keep going back each weekend, it would be taking me loads longer if I didn't have that space, thanks to the MIL!
Haha, I love the picture of you just before you're cutting the sky light: The look on your face!! 😆
Looking pretty good though.
Edit: oh, and offer still stands, if you're doing the trails around Hebden Bridge, and you need laundry doing or whatever, just let me know.
Thanks Nick, definitely looking forward to the adventures once it is finished and will be starting with some bike trips further afield, Hebden would be one of those. 🙂
Got the start of the gas system in place, the tank is empty until the full system is installed and checked over, don't worry! Have a 3 way manifold to serve the heater, fridge and stove with the option to add another outlet if I want in future. Re-made the gas tank box, far neater and this one has sealant on all seams to seal it, this will be open to the vents on the side of the van and has a gas drop vent inside the box. The lid had a foam seal, the weight of the lid keeps it sealed. Heater in place.
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Created the front cubby holes for the tall unit, will be bright colours inside then the front will hide most of it, leaving splashes of bright fun.
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Vents for fridge (cool air in, exhaust out) and gas filler ports added to side of van.
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Ply lining complete, ceiling, walls, sliding door. Top bit of white showing will be hidden in the end stages.
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Excellent stuff!
That tray is awesome, I had plans for something similar in the house but wasn't sure if it would be doable in the space I have, what sort of footprint do the bikes take up once they're loaded?
(forgetting the outer pedals and bar widths)
Thanks Alex
squireelking - I will measure it and let you know, but it's about 4ft long as it is the width of the bed they fit under, and about 1.5ft wide, but could possibly be narrower and push the bikes closer together than I have there.
2nd leisure battery added, all electrics moved. Heater thermostat & electrics installed. Fridge back boxed so exhaust goes out the vents. Gas system almost finished. Painting continued.
Thermostat wiring
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Fridge box, over complicated to fit in the space and around everything. Looks like there's gaps but that is black foam seal. This boxes the fridge to the side with 2 vents, one to allow fresh cold air to come in and one to let the exhaust out. The vents on the fridge that are visible are part of the intake so not a problem that they are showing a bit.
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2nd leisure battery added, moved electrics to sofa, still needs strapped down.
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Heater in place, vents in, just need the gas now
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Walls getting painted cream, leaving ceiling as wood for now, quite like it.
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Waiting for another part to finish the gas, then get that filled and the heater and hob should be working for the weekend.
Showing some skills there Sazter, coming on a treat!
Just last week I fitted the very same propex in mine, all up and running now but not tested this weekend as it was too warm!
Have you sealed around the heater inlet and exhaust holes underneath? Doesn't say to do this in the instructions but I'm concerned that the exhaust gasses are going to find their way in and get blown through the heater and into the van. I'm probably over thinking it but whats your thoughts?
Oh and definitely paint the ceiling 🙂
Twang, thanks for the positive comments, was getting a bit fed up the last few weeks with no riding etc but this weekend it all came together a bit so feeling miles better. That and I got drunk, dressed up as a tree and danced! 😉
I have not sealed around the holes, aside from a lick of paint to the raw metal edge, I figured they need some breathing room as the holes specced are bigger than the outlets, assumed this was because it will get hot? I think the hoses are long enough to take fumes far enough away from the holes to not be an issue? I still need to connect the pipes to the outside there and once I get the last part I can fill the gas and give it a trial run this weekend.
Planning on spending Friday doing some finishing to the gas, testing, CO detector, all that jazz. Storage and tidying if I have time, then getting out of Glasgow for the weekend! 🙂
Ha! I knew your face was familiar (both of you actually), my missus knows you through GRG. Damn that was annoying me...
How was the field test?
Just realised what day it is, that should really read 'how is'.
Squirrelking - do tell more! Who is it? 🙂 The field test was great, have a few snagging things to fix but mostly just need to finish the storage and decorating, happy with that!
The gas system works great! £12 to fill a 21L tank with LPG, this runs the heater, fridge and hob.
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Gas heater, was very warm at about 50% on the thermostat, only ran it to test really as it was not that cold even in Nov!
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Front back on the unit, loads of storage. Will be creating two horizontal versions of this for more storage soon.
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Curtain is made, dark brown blackout material facing the cab, pattern facing the inside, really heavy and insulating.
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12v Socket and USB ports in the front of the sofa, another set will be in the unit at the foot of the bed.
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starting to look homely.
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Ignore the towel, protecting the kitchen from the heavy rain as it's not yet finished, someone is happy for adventures!
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Cosy and warm in the van with some beers, perfect Sat night.
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Breakfast in the warm van whilst it was raining, yay!
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Bit more insulation to do, thinking of wallpapering the ceiling with some nautical maps of Scotland that I have, might swap the lights for LEDs for a bit more energy saving, back to put on kitchen, fronts on kitchen and under bed storage. Going to put a shelf at the back of the bed, over the garage, hooks in garage for front wheels and helmets, a shelf for bike work stand. Need to paint the front of the sofa with a gloss or varnish. Almost there!
If you have an Ikea nearby, they do a good set of four LED spots that run off 12v, well, mains, but there's a stp down transformer that you can get rid of. You would want to make sure you put a regulator in the way though to make sure that any voltage above 12v is capped. It will make them last longer.
I think I have a link to the circuit diagram for one somewhere. I made two for next to nothing.
Ah, found it: [url= http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=140753 ]http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=140753[/url] and this one as well: [url= http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=172159 ]http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=172159[/url]
I have this other link bookmarked too: [url= http://www.reuk.co.uk/LM2940-12V-1A-Low-Dropout-Regulator.htm ]http://www.reuk.co.uk/LM2940-12V-1A-Low-Dropout-Regulator.htm[/url]
