Many Vanlifers choose a laptop as their companion. My dislike of these mobile devices led me to install a small formfactor desktop as my primary computer for 4K video editing (and all the other ordinary office work). My Computer Philosophy I an still remember my first computer, a ZX80 with 1K memory and audio cassette… Continue reading Hardwired Computer
Category: Interior
Sun Shade & Drawers
I continue my work on the cabinet doors and drawers, but first, I got myself a very compact sun shade (or night privacy screen) for the windshield of my Ford Transit cargo van conversion. It’s an affordable way to cover the windshield, yet still compact enough for my limited storage capacity. It doesn’t take much… Continue reading Sun Shade & Drawers
Faucet, Clothesline & Laminate
This week three small van projects. I install a kitchen touch faucet, a clothesline and begin working on a dozen or so cabinet doors and drawer faces. Kitchen Faucet The kitchen faucet is operated by touch (once calibrated); this should be a great water-saving feature and a better replacement for a foot operated on-off switch.… Continue reading Faucet, Clothesline & Laminate
Kitchen Cabinet & OBD2 Scanner
Still working to finish the kitchen area by constructing a ceiling cabinet on the side wall behind the wardrobe. It will function as a storage area for plates, bowls, mugs and other items, that I use on a daily basis during food preparation. Kitchen Cabinet One limitation I have, is that the finish material Formica… Continue reading Kitchen Cabinet & OBD2 Scanner
RV Kitchen Cleanup
In this final stretch, I finish and install the countertop, add some Formica around the fridge and a panel surrounding the side kitchen window. Countertop The countertop is finished with four coats of Shellac and three thin coats of Poly-Urethane on top. Before I install it, one or two coats of regular furniture wax, will… Continue reading RV Kitchen Cleanup
Traction Boards Hardware, Wiring and Countertop
I am working around the kitchen area of the van, to finish the countertop, pull a remaining wire behind the fridge to the battery compartment below it, add some Formica strips to finish the fridge cabinet and to install the traction board hardware. Previously I had temporarily installed the half-finished cover of the induction cooktop,… Continue reading Traction Boards Hardware, Wiring and Countertop
Desk Seat Cushion
This week I’m finishing up my desk seat, by adding a cushion. The seat can be used as part of a lounge chair, in combination with the rear-facing passenger seat, but it’s primary use is at the fold-down desk, that will be attached to the Murphy bed. I chose a 4-inch, high-density foam core as… Continue reading Desk Seat Cushion
Kitchen Countertop
It’s time to finish the kitchen area of the van and that also means a new hardwood countertop! As always, I start rough-sawn hardwood and I chose Mahogany again, to stay consistent with the other countertop at the sliding door. It’s easy to work with and has usually an attractive pattern. I had one piece… Continue reading Kitchen Countertop
Induction Cooktop
I continue working to finish the ceiling in small increments; this time above the wardrobe closet. The main focus this week is on the installation of the induction cooktop. The storage for this cooktop is under the kitchen countertop, where I have a tray to store it in and some more storage space under that.
Hiding The Wires
Building a box to hide the wiring above the rear doors. Covered with some of the leftover Tweed from the ceiling. As a bonus, I include a hidden box to stash my valuables. To hide the existing wires above the rear doors, I build a cover out of 3/32 inch plywood. To give this plywood… Continue reading Hiding The Wires