Tank-A Re-purposed Van build - Input Appreciated

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billintomahawk

Guest
Hey RB,
Thanks for the version.

Another day of hacking for me.

Had it out with the refrigerator and kitchen area today, cooling and cooking is functional now and the final configuration is settled. I wired an 12V electric fan into the refrigerator cooling chimney. It is thermostatically controlled so that should limit the cycles plus I added an on/off switch for manual control.
For it's size the fan moved an impressive amount of air up the vented coollng column behind the refrigerator.
There is some heavy engineering to be followed with the gas absorption units so I have my fingers crossed. I double insulated the whole unit which adjusted the spacing and everything fits together nicely.

I repurposed a really nice formica kitchen table top from the 40-50's. My buddy used it outside for a work table so the top suffered some nasty degradation. He was gonna trash it so I hauled it home and was using it as a work off behind my jeep. When I moved the jeep it hooked on the rear hitch and i dragged it a quarter mile down my driveway through the dirt.

That ripped the legs off and flipped it upside down and well, What the hell? The bottom was in perfect condition but who knew...so now it's inside with the cooker on it.

A man has to eat. The file cabinet is full of food, pots and pans and cooking utensils.
All very handy. And everything reused, repainted and rethought.















Now to screw the thing together.



From here on out its the Drive By Truckers to get me through this plan.

Start with this one.

American Rock and Roll was never finer.
The message has always been the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxS4EoTpTPY

bill
 
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billintomahawk

Guest
Just a couple of comments because I think everyone should think for themselves and use what happens to be at hand.

The mattress however came from the foam factory, it's my design but it was professionally done with 3" Hilux foam which is firm.
Head room is at a premium because I want my bicycle to fit under the bed platform. With the platform at 31 inches, head room for a 5'9" person is tight with the low roof.

I wished for more but worked with what I had spending as little as possible to come up with a workable, livable design.

Next the heating and solar/electrical systems go in.
In keeping with the general plan they will be highly functional and extremely simple.

This is a desert rat build, no more and no less.

Running water and sewage...hahaha!

https://www.thefoamfactory.com/

Alex is famous for free climbing, he is not your average human.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN4WHTGWlHY

bill
 
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billintomahawk

Guest
Gas is in, all appliances working.

Frig making ice.

All the hookups had safety valves pictured, this fitting will automatically close if the flow becomes excessive, ie. massive leak. They were expensive and came as a kit from Ace hardware that includes the flex line.

They might save your life.
I hooked up and tested my propane alarm. It works and resets automatically after propane dissipates.











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Under the passengers seat(seat removed), battery/solar controls install next.













into town to see my buddy, Electric Tim in the morning. I need a big deep cycle AGM.

bill
 
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billintomahawk

Guest
A cautionary tale.
Had to retighten every propane fitting today.
Early morning visit to Hilgy' LP. I needed the sniffer.
Got the morning crew just as they came in and Adam helped me.

Suspicions confirmed a very small leak so cabinets moved and wrenches out.

An old guy in Florida told me about gas...you tighten it tight and then you give it one extra...one extra..so give yours two for me.

















Back to Electric Tim tomorrow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHISGQj5ckY

bill
 
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billintomahawk

Guest
Cables.
As it turned out I only needed to shorten one cable and turn it into two.
Brother Tim was installing new batteries at the rate of 6/hour as tourists straggled in with batteries big and small for toys, boats and cars.

I grabbed my cables and flew.











Vehicle running, connected to vehicle via starter .



Disconnected







Solar panel plug













Next, string some wire...deadline looming.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf-GEnIXPag




bill
 
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billintomahawk

Guest
The wiring is done now.
I had to go Russian to get the lights in.
Solar system at 100 watts fully functional and feeding the house battery directly. It will charge the vehicle battery in an emergenccy when switched. The house battery will start the engine should it be necessary as you can see from the wiring diagram(dead/weak vehicle battery. Solar panel is charge controlled.

That is really the beauty of this simple system. Simple but so versatile, even life saving.

For interior lights four kinds.
12V LED powered by house battery
Battery pack light over burner
AAA remote control
OEM cargo lights powered by vehicle battery

Full Sine wave inverter 600 watts will run 120V chargers/phone charger/USB.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPwW1FYgFDQ































































...The control center...



Four circuits. All fused 10 Amp as yu can see.
Overhead fan
Refrigerator cooling fan
Propane alarm
House lights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfX5nM1apLk

bill
 
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I would offer sporkrider the opportunity to re-purpose my black water tank as his drinking water tank, if he was able to scrape up enough money...
 
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billintomahawk

Guest
So just a follow up.
I wanted to attach this thread.

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77556

Very good information on general electrical theory with excellent practical ideas on wiring and charging(and fuses).

As with all things the proof is in the use and so I find myself in Colorado having made the jump from Wisconsin to Aspen to Boulder to Fort Collins and now in Great sand Dunes National Park headed for Silver City New Mexico.

20-24 mpg and great power in the mountains with the Green Diesel Engineering tune.

All is well and the rig travels very well.
The refrigerator is wonderful, cabin lights work, the bug screen keeps the mosquito at bay.

I'll post a couple of action shots from the road.

I've kicked out a couple of codes relating to the ABS system but they aren't related to the build and I'll go after them over on the T1N talk forum.

I should add I still need a propane locker but the other issues were resolved with careful work and tight connections.
The refrigerator installation is a huge success and I love having fresh foods.

Peace brothers and sisters where ever you are and thank you for the forum.

bill in tomahawk
 
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billintomahawk

Guest
OK.

More build pics
A more finished look?
Done 5k miles, maybe 7 since New Mexico.

























On the road January 1, 2020

bill in tomahawk
 

markxengineering

Active member
I like the use of the wire storage baskets. I'm changing more shelves/surfaces/baskets in my van to mcmaster pn 9211T404 (stainless mesh wire cloth) instead of solid because after 1.5 years of continuous living in the van, there is a noticeable difference in the dust/dirt/funk buildup in places where I originally used the mesh vs. solid materials. Mesh allows better air movement and a more open feeling inside. It never needs cleaning, as it lets moisture and dust drip to the floor, which is getting cleaned regularly no matter what.
 
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billintomahawk

Guest
Mark,
I hope the baskets work. They were cheap and easy to install yet have lots of carrying power but travel will tell?

One thing to notice is that I took a piece of the old side wall rail from the cargo configuration and mounted it along the drivers side of the sleeping platform above it. I will be able to hang things like cross country skis or ? along that wall up high. I have several more pieces left over so more will probably get screwed into the ceiling ribs.

bill
 
RJV,
Rustoleum all the way.

https://www.rustoleum.com/product-c...ofessional/high-performance-protective-enamel

Wheels too.

Very little prep.
Washed with detergent and well rinsed, may have used a sponge mop to get up high.

Only use this Rustoleum enamel. Do not use the acrylics, they dry to fast to level well.

Tape with this, it's expensive but very worth it.

https://www.target.com/p/frog-tape-...VFMJkCh2I6g3AEAQYDiABEgI2c_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Use a good brush.
2 1/2 inch or so.

Do it once, don't go back. Do a second coat, it will go fast.

Shade and no wind are your friends.

bill
I am inspired by this info for my own refitting. I have closely looked at every picture in this thread and am amazed at the quality of your paint job that was done with BRUSH. I think my dream of a desert tan Sprinter Westfalia with a white roof may just have become a reality with Rustoleum Enamel.

PS. Love the woodstove too...nothing makes a place feel more like a "home" than a hearth
 
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