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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2014 11:49:43 GMT
Having had a small financial windfall recently, I am in a position where I have £1k to spend on my van to ideally get it either reregistered as a motorcaravan or to make insuring it as a self build campervan / motorhome easier and probably cheaper. And also to make it more comfortable and practical to live in long term. Those of you who have seen it will know that I love it as my mobile boudoir with the silver bubble wrap insulation and solar fairy lights which twinkle and reflect at night, and all my various bits and bobs hanging and dangling from the roof and high shelf, with food / clothes / tools /kitchen stuff etc stored in plastic boxes on the shelving along one side, which makes it easy to see where I've put stuff. And the dogs have their own bedroom right next to the sliding side door so that they jump straight in without putting mud / sand / water everywhere, and so that they are the first things that someone sees when they open the side door But on a practical level, it's very difficult to keep clean with everything exposed to dust and dirt, and although everything is secured in place with curtain wire which is fine when travelling, in the event of an accident, there would be stuff flying around everywhere. So I need to fit doors on my storage shelving to turn them into cupboards. And although I'm ok with my butane cartridge camping stove, I would like to fit a proper cooker with a red gas (propane) bottle for winter. And the electrics need an overhaul and cables tidying up, a fuse box and isolator switch fitted, and also other various switches, and extensions added. And I want to fit a solar panel as priority. And I need to fit at least one window. And I need to ideally box in my wardrobe area at the back. And also remove the double front seat and replace with a single so that it's easier to get from the back to the front without going outside. It would also be nice to fit a proper tap for my sink. I would love to fit a solar water heating system on the roof using black piping but not sure if this is going to be too difficult. And I want to copy Rubbertramp 's (or whatever he calls himself these days) idea of using the roof guttering to channel rain water down into either a permanent storage tank or to one central spout so that it can be collected in a bucket. (2 dogs need lots of water especially in summer and I carry far more than I probably need "just in case" - harvesting rain water would mean I don't need to carry so much all the time). And I need to be able to store my bicycle on the ladder on the back door so some kind of brackets need fixing. And there's probably a million and one other things which need doing which someone with knowledge and expertise in conversion would think of but which I haven't or have dismissed as unnecessary / too difficult / too expensive etc. I have a good selection of tools, a reasonable knowledge of how to use most of them, a good collection of various lengths and sizes of baton, and various other potentially useful bits and pieces and (once I've got a tow bar fitted, which I want to do in the next few weeks) I will be able to use my little (dog kennel size) trailer to transport all the necessary tools / materials etc. So what I'm looking for is someone who would help me to do all this - I'd be happy to pay them a cash consultancy fee or to pay them on an hourly rate for their time. I could probably do a lot of the work myself under someone else's supervision. But what I need is advice and ideas from someone who has been there and got the T-shirt (bearing in mind that this will not be a "normal" layout for conversion as it has to accommodate the dogs' cage which is approx 4 x3 ft, 3 ft high, which is the main reason why I didn't go for a coachbuilt in the first place. And also because of the shelving along one side of the van, most of the storage is along one side so other heavy things such as water, sacks of dog food, gas bottle etc needs to be located on the other side of the van to balance the weight evenly. I have about a month free during June / July to get this done and would be happy to travel pretty much anywhere to get it done (although I'd prefer not to go to Hampshire or Cornwall as I'm in Cumbria and the cost of fuel would be considerable). I would be ideally looking for somewhere off road to park up for a few weeks whilst I get the work done and have a couple of tents I can put up for storage of my stuff and to sleep in if necessary. I would have 2 dogs and a cat with me. Roughing it for a few weeks in a tent if the van is out of action due to conversion isn't a problem but a water supply would be needed and it would be good to not be more than a mile or 2 away from shops. I may be able to borrow Vern's generator for elec power or may consider buying one myself if necessary. Is there anyone out there who may be able to help me with this? You'd need to have either a big garden which you don't mind being taken over for a few weeks, or access to a field or other piece of land where I could park up for the duration. I'd consider paying a rent / fee for this but it would have to come out of the budget so it would have to be as cheap as possible. As I said, I'd be happy to pay cash - I'd much rather pay someone I know and trust than some company who will likely charge ridiculous prices plus vat and which will mean that I don't have the use of the van whilst the work is being done.
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Post by outtolunch on Jun 8, 2014 12:28:19 GMT
I'm afraid I don't have the space and I have lots to do still converting the Scudo but I do have a couple of seats with built in belts that came out of the Scudo if you want one to replace your double you are welcome to it.
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Post by Is it spring yet, dormouse? on Jun 8, 2014 13:32:17 GMT
You know you're welcome to come and stay at ours anytime You can park the van on the drive, we don't have lawn or a field or anything but... there is an ancient woodland right on the doorstep (literally!) and loads of local places to walk the dogs off the lead without having to drive there. Advantages: house and all home comforts on hand, pet friendly, 2 cats to torment yours handy downstairs loo for emptying camper loos etc., electric power, garage full of tools, Neil (and me!) to help if he's able, several local peeps who are well into their campers and have lots of experience/knowledge of self builds, shops up the road, plenty of local places not far away stock campervan and caravan accessories, handy DIY stores and wood yards, and we don't want your money! You could maybe think about coming over for a couple of days and see how it suits first? If there's a better offer comes up you can mosey off whenever xx
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2014 14:04:36 GMT
Thanks Marie, that's a great offer and I'm very appreciative and will probably take you up on that in the nearish future. I'd forgotten that you've offered before. I'd be very happy to be trained up as a clematis caretaker / housesitter to allow you and Neil some time away in your van.
One of the biggest problems I've encountered in trying to get the van done is that it's virtually impossible to do much work on it at home because of the parking situation - there is only approx 1m clearance around it which means that unloading things to be able to get jobs done results in everything having to be transferred somewhere into my little house, a task which easily adds extra hours to jobs, and then results in chaos in the house as well as chaos in the van, and everything gets overwhelming, as if I need to use the van to go out even just for milk, it has to be tidied and everything secured. And if I have visitors, everything has to be transferred back out of the living room, kitchen, spare room and shed back into the van out of the way. Which means that progress is slow and limited to jobs which can be done quickly and with minimal faffing. So the bigger jobs which require the van to be (part or fully) emptied and off the road for a few days or a week have never got done. I've plenty of tarps etc for protecting stuff for the weather but nowhere physically to put tools and materials close by when they are needed - everything has to come out of the van, across the front access lane, through the house and out into the back yard. By the time I've done that I'm usually too tired and/ or fed up with the whole business.
I've found a local tow bar fitter and am hoping to get tow bar fitted this week - being able to tow my little trailer will be great and will mean that I can transport not only my necessary DIY van conversion stuff, but can also transport my craft stall stuff, bicycle, and car boot sale stuff whilst still being able to use the van instead of the whole of the interior being taken up with boxes of stuff.
I'll see how things pan out this week regarding tow bar and various other "issues" and will be in touch later this week to fix up some dates. Things have been pretty tough recently and I'm very much on the edge at the moment, and a break away from everything is just what I need. Plus a hug or 2. And I'd love you to see how well Diesel is doing. He's still not perfect but will now walk to heel without a lead, will do a stay for a good few minutes, loves having his face licked by the cat, comes when he's called 95% of the time, and has now met loads of other dogs, both on and off the lead, without problems (although I'm still very wary and careful).
And thanks also to Chris Outtolunch for the offer of a seat, may well take you up on that. I'll pop in sometime when I go up to Marie's and pick up the pressie I got for her which is probably still in your van.
As for Miss Tibs, she has amazed me in not only how well she has taken to campervan life, and firmly knows the van is home no matter where we park it, but that she now fiercely defends her own property against all others - I had an intruder cat who dared to join Miss Tibby on the van roof one night last week and after 5 mins of hissing and growling and various demonic noises from above, I opened the roof light and peered through the gap just in time to see Miss Tibs chase the intruder off the van roof via the windscreen. The only problem is that I really do need to fit a cat flap as she likes to go outside at dusk and then to come back in about 2 or 3 am. It'll be interesting to see how she gets on (or not!) with your two!
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Post by Is it spring yet, dormouse? on Jun 8, 2014 16:22:51 GMT
Our two cats are as soft as muck - they also have a history of being intimidated by female cats! They would get used to the dogs as well, we've often had friends dogs here and a truce usually happens after a while I forgot to mention: a retired local businessman who's into campers has a large warehouse-type shed on a nearby industrial estate. It was suggested to me before by a friend when I talked about painting the van and he said why didn't I use it? Can't remember how much it was to rent out for a day/week but it wasn't much. It's pretty big so I'm told, plenty room for a camper or two inside and room to work Plus the van's under cover when the weather's nasty! Never got round to doing it as I never found the time At least I've got the paint to do it now - been sitting using up space in the garage since end of last year! Maybe we could rent it for a week between us? Would give me the push I need to actually do the job! And if that doesn't do it, how does a floor to ceiling wall of silk, cotton, linen, chenille, velvet and wool fabrics, knitting wool blah blah etc. that I'll never get round to using sound?
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Post by outtolunch on Jun 8, 2014 16:53:06 GMT
And if that doesn't do it, how does a floor to ceiling wall of silk, cotton, linen, chenille, velvet and wool fabrics, knitting wool blah blah etc. that I'll never get round to using sound? sound a bit French to me as many years ago looked at a french caravan which used a lot of fabric in the interior I remember all the door panels being matching fabric but I can't remember if it was stuck onto ply or just stretched across the door frames, it was also back to front with the main lounge area being at the rear rather than at tow hitch end but it did look effective in a French Boudoir sort of way
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2014 18:06:47 GMT
@marie, you've twisted my arm so badly now that I just want to jump in the van and go... get your paintbrush ready, would be glad to help, I've got some painting of wood to do in my van too, not a big job, prob just half a day, but could easily spend a week under cover getting loads done so that sounds a great idea. In fact, various other ideas regarding use of an industrial shed.... I'll be in touch.
As for your cats, I think Miss Tibs would probably be ok as I've seen her socialising with other cats at home, I think she just doesn't like them to invade her space - she wants to be the only cat on the van roof. She used to be really timid and a proper scaredy cat before she started to come in the camper but now she wanders round busy beach car parks making friends with people as bold as brass. She often comes to meet us on the way home from a walk, we play a game that I pretend I can't see her hiding in clumps of grass and bushes and she jumps out on me and the dogs :-)
The dogs will both be fine with your cats - both are very respectful of cats especially if they don't move and just sit in wait (although I wouldn't put it past Diesel to have a chase if he was off lead and one quickly scuttled off away from him - that's why his recall is only 95%, he goes deaf when the chase instinct kicks in although he is learning that if he doesn't come when called and I have to go and get him, he will be the loser, and his little brain does seem to be accepting this "action - behaviour - consequence" approach)) and both will probably want to say hello and have a good sniff. If your cats take humbrage or have a hissy fit or wave claws around their noses, both will steer well clear in future.
The haberdashery effect sounds fab, and would fit right in with my kind of taste. I do have a massive (tarpaulin sized) piece of denim which I thought of using instead of interior wall and ceiling carpeting but it would be too dark :-(
A french mobile boudoir, huh? Sounds perfect ;-D
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Post by n brown on Jun 8, 2014 18:39:44 GMT
the only help i can offer at the mo is ideas and tips if you need any. sounds like you're having a knitted interior and the outside painted- v girly !
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Post by Is it spring yet, dormouse? on Jun 8, 2014 19:33:00 GMT
Woah! I was thinking that the fabric might be useful for crafting projects, although I do have some nice vintage silk saris to achieve that 'Moroccan' harem look Anything I've got that isn't vintage Indian or Japanese fabric is heavy duty modern furnishing fabric, so it's a thought...?
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Post by Firefox on Jun 8, 2014 20:16:52 GMT
Am happy to help. I don't need paying. Just spent the weekend working on Splitty's van. We got loads done with 3 or 4 of us. 80% interior panelling/insulating and a lot of the carcassing for the units and the shower finished. If you need a bolt hole any time park up on my drive. Plus large front garden and house unused. Or if you need help at Marie's I can come up some time and do electrics/panelling/carcassing/consultancy no charge
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Post by Rubbertramp on Jun 8, 2014 21:56:46 GMT
@wvw...The rainwater system was only a side effect from the way I had to divert the run-off from the roof of my old van Jess. The way the caravan was mounted onto the Transit flatbed meant that it formed a trench from the slope of the caravan body to the to the add-on overcab bit. There were two holes drilled into the side coping directly over the windows which meant that water was pissing in so I had to divert it somehow. I do intend to have a harvesting/filtration system on the new van (MK 3 Transit Ambulance/Minibus) but haven't quite worked out how to do it yet. When I do, you'll be the first to know, I promise!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2014 22:18:12 GMT
Am happy to help. I don't need paying. Just spent the weekend working on Splitty's van. We got loads done with 3 or 4 of us. 80% interior panelling/insulating and a lot of the carcassing for the units and the shower finished. If you need a bolt hole any time park up on my drive. Plus large front garden and house unused. Or if you need help at Marie's I can come up some time and do electrics/panelling/carcassing/consultancy no charge Vern, thank you, as ever you are my knight in shining armour. I kind of suspected you'd offer to help. But if you won't accept any payment, I will only accept your help if I can do a favour in return... and before anyone gets any 50 shades of grey ideas, I mean using my other talents (crafty / arty) to make you something. And I don't just mean a wooden spoon, I'm talking about making something individual and unique which reflects you and your lifestyle. Don't know what yet, but will have a think. A vague plan is beginning to come together in my head - I'm thinking of a week with Marie in her industrial shed in Durham sometime in the near future, which should allow me to finally finish off the last few bits of insulating which need to have dog cage removed to do and to get all the wooden bits and pieces undercoated. And hopefully to bounce ideas about interior finish off Marie and Neil and finalise exactly what needs doing, get parts ordered etc. Then I could head down to your place for a couple of weeks, and would be very glad of your technical help. Driveway and garden sounds perfect, you might even find that I will mow the lawn and do some weeding. I'll reply to your PM in next couple of days with more details, but thanks for the suggestions. I think a few weeks away will do me (and hopefully the van) a lot of good, and it would be good to perhaps meet Frances whilst I'm down there. And I'll be able to finally give you your birthday pressie which I've had here for a while, together with some fleece pawprint fabric for your mifi holder. Glad Splitty's van is coming on well, it's fantastic the way people on the forums pull together to help others out and really heartening.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2014 22:21:25 GMT
@wvw...The rainwater system was only a side effect from the way I had to divert the run-off from the roof of my old van Jess. The way the caravan was mounted onto the Transit flatbed meant that it formed a trench from the slope of the caravan body to the to the add-on overcab bit. There were two holes drilled into the side coping directly over the windows which meant that water was pissing in so I had to divert it somehow. I do intend to have a harvesting/filtration system on the new van (MK 3 Transit Ambulance/Minibus) but haven't quite worked out how to do it yet. When I do, you'll be the first to know, I promise! Have been following your progress, looks great, well done. I'll do some googling on rainwater harvesting on vans and see what I can come up with, and will pass on any info if I think it's gonna be of any use. Hope the plaster hasn't cracked yet... ;-)
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Post by n brown on Jun 8, 2014 22:24:38 GMT
always was a thing to have a water container on the ground at each corner [stacking buckets are good] with a bit of string hanging off each corner to direct the water ,which likes to run down things
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Post by Firefox on Jun 8, 2014 23:11:57 GMT
Thanks for the thoughts @wvw Or if you wan't to do a swap in other ways, I have a whole ground floor that needs decorating/wallpapering etc. Do as much as you want. And back/front garden need work too! You won't believe the mess If you are coming down, give me a week or so's notice and I can get the garden cleared of scrap cars to make space. That will be an incentive for me
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Post by Is it spring yet, dormouse? on Jun 9, 2014 7:29:26 GMT
Or the Fox could come up here too ;-) There's room on the drive for 2 vans and we have somewhere safe at a friend's nearby to park our camper out the way. Just a thought Plenty room for everyone... ;-)
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Post by Firefox on Jun 9, 2014 10:57:50 GMT
Happy to do either If you are coming to Riverside Fest then I am only 45 mins drive from that.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2014 11:26:25 GMT
Been thinking that having the industrial shed would make life much easier for doing the various jobs such as elecs which will involve removing a lot of stuff out of the van but it's a big fuel cost and a long way for you to come just for a weekend and you must be getting short on holiday from work... I will go 50/50 on fuel costs seeing as how you won't let me pay for your time and expertise.
Not sure about Riverfest at the moment, everything is up in the air for the next couple of months and I am just living day to day, so all previous summer plans are now on hold. I've been juggling too many balls, and have dropped them all, and can't decide whether to pick them all up and start juggling again or whether to just say sod it and let the dogs have them to play with (sorry for my metaphoric ramblings, my brain is somewhat fuzzy and dysfunctional with regards to planning my own life at the moment).
But I could perhaps combine a couple of weeks at yours then going on to River Fest and then on to Farmer Phil's, giving me a good month or so away "darn sarf" pretty much on just one tank of fuel.
Need to look at calendar and maps and stuff. What day is today?
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Post by Firefox on Jun 9, 2014 12:13:30 GMT
I could do a long weekend easily ... can get a lot done in three/four days It's basically straight up the A1 for me, dual carriageway all the way till Chester-le-Street, 235 miles. £45 diesel. See how you go on, you may find you are getting on fine yourself with the help you have, but it gives you another option if you need it, espec with electrics I was thinking, dedicate a cupboard for electrics higher up, so everything is accessible and maintainable at eye level. You can have your relays, fusebox, solar controller, charger etc all easy to reach and inspect. And wire in a small volt meter so you'll know exactly what is happening at any given time.
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Post by n brown on Jun 9, 2014 13:29:02 GMT
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Post by Firefox on Jun 9, 2014 13:54:12 GMT
^
I like that one. You could even mark up the voltage scale with colours to remind you of where you should be at.
10-11.5 Volts Red. Warning flat battery
11.5-12 Volts Yellow. Warning low battery
12-13 Volts Green. Normal 50-100% battery
13-14.5 Volts Orange. Normal when battery charging. Solar/Engine/Hook up
14.5-15 Volts Red. Warning high charging voltage.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2014 14:25:18 GMT
I got a digital voltmeter (not one of the yellow gadgets which you use for testing but a little digi display giving the voltage reading with blue backlight) but have wired a cig socket plug on to it so I can leave it plugged in or can remove it (it's surprising how much a little gadget like that does drain off the battery especially if stood for a few days or week or so).
I've also got a cig socket adaptor for 2 sockets plus usb which has green, amber and red lights for battery condition - I think amber is roughly 12.6- 11.9 v. Have never yet had it go red on me. But tbh I hardly use the leisure battery except for recharging gadgets. This can also be unplugged if necessary but I tend to leave it plugged in as it has a backlight on it which is just enough to make sure I don't trip over a dog at night when needing the loo. The green light only seems to show when the engine is running so it must be set at around 13v +
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2014 14:32:43 GMT
Good point about location of elec cupboard. I think I need to go and tidy up my van and spend the rest of the day lying on the bed with notebook and pencil making notes and plans.
Vern, any suggestions as to where I could put a small red gas bottle, bearing in mind that most of the weight is going to be on the drivers side due to shelving so it really needs to go on the other side to balance that.
The only place I can think of is either underneath the sink (but then where would I store my water) or right at the back of the van underneath my hanging wardrobe area on the passenger side. The problem with both of these is that I'd need a long gas pipe to where my cooker is / will be (on top of dog cage, directly behind the middle seat) and it would mean crossing the van, so would probably have to go under the van.
Or else I have to completely rethink my layout... :-(
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Post by Firefox on Jun 9, 2014 15:04:00 GMT
I wouldn't worry too much about the weight of the bottle. It is only 6kg for the gas and 9kg for the bottle = 15kg. (or 5kg bottle and 3.9kg gas = 9kg for the smaller bottle?)
A person (say in the passenger seat) 60-90kg, Rigg and Diesel bouncing around 50kg, water and waste water 1kg per litre say 50-70kg, batteries 20-25kg each. They all kind of dwarf the bottle and gas. You'd be OK with it either side. Keep the water/toilet on the passenger side, the batteries and you on the drivers side, the gas bottle to suit your convenience, but in a separate locker/space than the battery.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2014 15:29:05 GMT
Agree with all of the above. But re the gas bottle... where !!!
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Post by stonedaddy on Jun 10, 2014 15:54:32 GMT
Jess if you are stuck for transport while your van is off the road you can borrow my little tow car if you want. The back seats fold down and it becomes quiet roomy. Kaiser could easily fit in it. It is supposed to do 72 miles to the gallon but I have a feeling it falls far short of that. Just getting it to you is a problem at the moment as my van is in Ulverston and I am in Manchester and you are at Tebay. By the time you start the project I may have the van back and I can then tow it down to you. Give it a bit of thought and let me know. .... Tom .... x ....
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Post by Firefox on Jun 10, 2014 15:55:47 GMT
@wvw If you are keeping your current layout(?) I would say on drivers side, floor level just behind Rigg's cage, or if the battery is there (can't remember precisely) then just behind the battery, in a separate sealed compartment made out of ply and strictly according to regs/good practice it should be lined with metal sheet. The floor should have a couple of 20mm diamter holes so if there is a leak, the gas will sink out of the bottom into the open air below.
This way, you will just have a short pipe to your stove.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2014 21:53:59 GMT
stonedaddy - thanks so much that's a lovely and generous offer, and it's nice to know you would trust me. But I think I'll be ok as if I can spend a week up with Marie with van under cover in industrial shed, I should be able to manage as things can be safely left outside the van overnight. And to be honest, I'd be terrified of having an accident! I've never had an accident but it would be sod's law that it would happen driving a vehicle that isn't mine! And you'd end up with it covered in white dog hairs from that bloody Staffie (why oh why didn't I listen to my sensible self which swore never to get another white dog after my first white collie died). I'll keep the suggestion in mind if I'm desperate. Do you need someone to help you get to Ulverston for your van? If you get the train to either Lancaster or Oxenholme, I can give you a lift down to Ulverston. @vern, there was a metal locker in the van which was vented with a floor hole and labelled for gas and the bottle fits in perfectly, which I've kept but I may need to remove some of the shelving to fit it in, as it was located on the other side where the sink now is (the floor vent hole is a perfect fit for the water drain pipe :-) I seem to remember that there is a hole in the floor somewhere round there but it would be just toooooooooo convenient if it was in the right place. Battery is on floor next to cage, under shelving but can be relocated directly higher up, either on next shelf up or the one above that so hopefully the gas locker can fit where the battery now is. I'll do some measuring up tomorrow. What tools / equipment will be needed to make a hole in the floor for the vent? I now have 2 decent rechargable drill drivers and also have some round drill bits for drilling large holes (circles with teeth in them, various sizes). Is that all that's needed or will I need some sort of different drill bit for drilling metal? There is a 1 inch thick layer of some sort of plywood on the floor, underneath the carpet and camping mats (I'm soooooooo glad I didn't glue them down) Ooooh, this is getting exciting, new mod cons for my van :-)
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Post by n brown on Jun 10, 2014 22:08:48 GMT
sounds like you got some hole cutters ! personally i prefer a 30mm hole at least. anyway they'll go through wood and metal ok . best with a 240v drill for more oomph
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Post by Firefox on Jun 10, 2014 22:16:14 GMT
If the hole saws have fairly small teeth like 1-2mm they should be OK for metal. You are one up on me as I just use a 12mm drill bit and waggle it around till the hole gets big enough!
If you have a metal locker, that would be great and just move the battery up. Then you'll have a nice short inspectable run to your stove which you can probably do in rubber pipe. Just need to turn gas off when not in use and a very short inspectable run of rubber pipe is relatively safe.
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