Cargo Van Conversion

The installation of a Victron Smart Solar Controller and a Victron Orion Smart DC-DC Converter as part of my vanconversion. The “Smart” part of this, is the ability to access the settings and output values of these devices through Bluetooth. While the DC-DC Converter is a new addition to the electrical system of the van,…

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….

In this final episode of the Onboard Compressor installation, I resolve some issues with the Engine Run signal from the Ford Transit. Previously I guided the compressor harness through the engine bay firewall to the area behind the glove box and from there, the wiring is guided behind the center console and under the floor,…

In this second part of the Onboard Compressor installation, I show you how I extend some of the wires in the wiring harness of the compressor. The lengthening of the wiring harness is necessary to comply with Ford’s requirements to directly connect the harness to the vehicle battery (through the CCP – Customer Connection Point),…

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…

Besides the traction boards and the come-a-long, I still have an issue with deflating and inflating of the tires, in case I get stuck in mud or sand or when I drive over long stretches of washboard road. Not long ago I decided to bring along my old, but oh-so good working 110V Campbell compressor…

Just got this Bluetti EB55 in the mail. The company send this to me without any strings attached, just for some exposure. Ordinarily, I just don’t do these things, unless it really fits within the character of this channel. It arrived at the right time, as I have been looking for one of these for…

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…

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,…

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…