Category: Build diary
-
2017-08-06: Bench bed and cladding test
We’ve been busy on various jobs since I last wrote, mostly trying to get some basic components built in prototype form for we can take the van on a short trip and test some things out. Almost every design/build problem in the van is a chicken and egg problem. And we tie ourselves in knots…
-
2017-07-09: Fitting roof light and fan
We fitted the fan and the roof light this weekend. Each job took a whole afternoon. I started with with the Maxxfan. I didn’t take many photos because the whole job was a bit stressy and I wasn’t sure it was going to work. I needed to concentrate. The Maxxfan is great – we were…
-
2017-07-02: Starting the electrical install
This weekend, we started running cables and mounting components so we can get the electrical systems hooked up. We already have the solar panels on the roof, and the battery fitted under the passenger seat. We also have a fair amount of conduit routed through the side panels of the van so we can run…
-
2017-06-25: Solar panels
Another big job done this weekend, and one we faced with some trepidation – installing the solar panels. While they’re not yet wired up, they are now mounted on the roof. It’s a very tight fit up there, as we want to fit 2 large panels (1m x 1.3m) as well as a roof…
-
2017-06-21: Shopping
This shouldn’t warrant an entry in the build diary, but we’ve spent so long researching equipment to fit out the van that I need to get it off my chest. We’ve been focusing on the electrical systems, so we can get all these installed before we do any more insulation, or start on cladding or…
-
2017-06-17: Fitting the leisure battery
We’ve put a hold on installing insulation because we’re concerned about how complex it’s going to be to run wires for the electrical systems. So we’re trying to get some of that in place so we know where we stand. First step, installing the battery. It needs to be somewhere safe, accessible, but not ‘everyday-accessible’,…
-
2017-06-11: Research, planning and insulation
Something of a slow grind since we got back from our first trip. We’ve both been very busy with work, so not much time to spend on the van. Amy has been insulating the rear and side doors. Since these cavities hold loose wires that connect to the central locking and door catches, we don’t want…
-
2017-06-01: Minimum viable build
It’s half term week and we’re supposed to be on holiday. We haven’t made it out yet, in part because we wanted to get some basic jobs done on the van before taking it out on its maiden voyage: a floor, a window, and a few bits of basic furniture. With the window in yesterday,…
-
2017-05-31: Side window install
After a few evenings of what seems like little progress, it was good today to tackle one of the hero jobs, installing a window. I’ve watched more videos on window installs than I can remember, but the most useful is probably this one: I won’t recap what you can see better on YouTube, but it’s…
-
2017-05-30: Admin, insulation, conduit
Today has not been the most fulfilling of days. I spent half the morning on the phone trying to sort out spare keys and the correct trim for the new window we bought. Amy was swapping materials at Screwfix. Then we tried to figure out where to route the conduit to allow for wiring up…
Andrew Sleigh 