Safe to cut into seat pedestal?

[lzcamper]

Do you think that enlarging the opening on the outside of the passenger seat pedestal (to accommodate a converter/charger) would weaken the pedestal enough to compromise the safety of the seat belts. The seat belts on my '06 T1N are bolted to the seat which in turn is bolted to the pedestal. The opening needs be enlarged from 8"W x 5.25"H to 10"W x 7"H, which doesn't seem like much, but the cutting would require removal of some of the ridges and grooves on the pedestal which I think may give it strength.

Rick

[TimJuhl]

Are you enlarging the opening because the converter is going to protrude out or just to get it inside the pedestal? If the latter, just remove the seat temporarily while you do the install. I believe there are just 6 bolts holding the seat on. I have a large marine battery and a battery isolator under my pax seat.

I would avoid cutting the pedestal if at all possible...You are correct that stampings in the metal do give it strength.

Tim

[BaywoodBill]

Far preferable to do what Tim says unless the converter just won't fit there.... in which case, finds someplace else to put it. Your instinct that it's not a good idea to cut into that pedestal is sound.

[LivingtheDream]

We just added some sound equipment and the AMP had no where to go until we found space in the passenger seat base. We did not cut it, but removed it and then put wood slats along the upper sides to screw the amp to and then put it back as it was. The amp now sits above the air compressor that is also in the seat base but attached to the floor.

The seat belt rating is no longer valid if you change the seat base in any way, and no one wants to have a failed seat belt.

That might be a good reason to find another place, find a smaller unit or find some other solution.

LivingtheDream

[Aqua Puttana]

If you're hauling commercial or have paying passengers I think that statement is absolutely correct. If it's a private vehicle and you use methods to maintain the strength (pop rivet a picture frame strap support around the hole, use parts to strengthen it some other way, or just plain determine that it doesn't really weaken things) as a practical matter you'll be fine as long as it NEVER fails when an insurance claim is involved. That said, these days in the U.S. of A. if you modify any vehicle there is always risk of it coming back to bite you. My whole chemical industry maintenance career I knew even though I was doing things as honestly as I could, if the sh*t hit the fan and lawyers got involved it was up to chance as to the outcome. This opinion probably doesn't help much, but maybe it'll help you make a reasonable decision.

Originally Posted by LivingtheDream

//snip//

The seat belt rating is no longer valid if you change the seat base in any way, and no one wants to have a failed seat belt.

That might be a good reason to find another place, find a smaller unit or find some other solution.

LivingtheDream

[lzcamper]

The converter/charger that I plan to install is the smallest power center available. It has a distribution panel with AC and DC circuits. Overall, it's 11.9"W x 8"H x 5"D, but only needs a 10"W x 7"H cutout. Since the pedestal is close to the aux. batteries (just behind the driver's seat), it seems like an ideal location. There are other locations where it can be installed, but they are not as convenient and storage space would have to be sacrificed.

Some of your comments got me thinking. . . maybe I can install the power center under the seat and access the circuit breakers and fuses through the existing opening.

Thanks for all your knowledge and opinions. I would like to keep my DIY camper as safe (and legal) as possible.

Rick

[Aqua Puttana]

Not cutting the seat base if you don't need to is definitely best.

Putting DIY and legal in the same sentence is interesting. Especially regarding a DIY house battery system. I have no delusions that my DIY installations could hold up to a lawyer's scrutiny if it unfortunately came to that. To have a vehicle with modifications that suit my use DIY is my only option. I actually find doing my modest modifications pleasant work.

Have fun.

Originally Posted by lzcamper

Thanks for all your knowledge and opinions. I would like to keep my DIY camper as safe (and legal) as possible.

Rick

[pugwash]

is it not possible to mount it on the back of the pedastool OK its on the outside but its not an area that gets kicked or anything or can you place it inside a cupboard and extend the cable run.

[lzcamper]

Putting DIY and legal in the same sentence is a puzzling thought . My passenger van will never be the same again. So far, I've cut 5 holes in it; one on the top for the Fantastic Fan, 2 refrigerator vents, one small furnace vent, and one access door for the cassette toilet. And that doesn't count a few holes drilled in the floor for the propane lines and the black water tank. I don't think the safety of the van has been compromised, at least no more than any other camper conversion.

Building a DIY camper provides a lot of satisfaction, saves $$, creates a camper that fits personal needs, but when the time comes, will be very hard to sell. At least, when something in the camper part of the van needs repair or replacement, I'll know where to buy it and how to fix it.

Rick

[lzcamper]

pugwash,

The area just behind the seat is where my wife likes to store a box full of accessible items that she can grab while standing just outside the sliding door. Using space in a storage area is a possibility, but I would like to keep the electronics up front where the wire connections will be localized and out of the way. If I can't install a power center under the front seat, I may drop that idea and just use a fuse block for the DC circuits and install an AC connector for campground use. Those items would take up a lot less space than a power center.

Rick