Diamondsea
New member
There seems to be no end of folks looking on this forum for ideas for DIY camper conversions so here is my 2 cents worth. This works for me, but only some ideas may work for others as we all have different needs and expectations. My requirements were for 1 person in a short van that I could park in a normal parking space for a full size car. The most important requirement was that it all be low cost but meet my needs. Use is to be in cooler climates thus no air conditioning. I have limited physical abilities so workmanship is somewhat crude. Resale is important but not as a camper, but to a tradesman. The only body shell penetrations are the 2 roof MaxxAir reversable multi-speed fans, a power inlet, and the lines for the Espar heater installed under the passenger seat.
First Photo: Just behind the driver’s seat a 48 inch kitchen cabinet, SS sink and counter top all one piece (the most expensive thing in the whole rig) (from Home Depot), a 12 volt pump, two 5-gallon water tanks, two 5-gallon gray water tanks, and a 1-gallon 115 VAC, 450 watt water heater. This last item heats the water in about 20 minutes via my power inverter using only about 45 amps out of the house batteries but as it is only for 20 minutes it uses less than 20 amp hours! Enough hot water to shave or do a few dishes. I omit refrigeration as it typically is the biggest user of power. I use the marine grade well insulated cooler shown and in my cooler climate areas ice lasts a long time. When on the road the cooler wedges between the front seats. A Walmart “personal table” about two feet square that folds up like an ironing board is stored on edge just behind the seat.
There are 3 more photos on next postings.
First Photo: Just behind the driver’s seat a 48 inch kitchen cabinet, SS sink and counter top all one piece (the most expensive thing in the whole rig) (from Home Depot), a 12 volt pump, two 5-gallon water tanks, two 5-gallon gray water tanks, and a 1-gallon 115 VAC, 450 watt water heater. This last item heats the water in about 20 minutes via my power inverter using only about 45 amps out of the house batteries but as it is only for 20 minutes it uses less than 20 amp hours! Enough hot water to shave or do a few dishes. I omit refrigeration as it typically is the biggest user of power. I use the marine grade well insulated cooler shown and in my cooler climate areas ice lasts a long time. When on the road the cooler wedges between the front seats. A Walmart “personal table” about two feet square that folds up like an ironing board is stored on edge just behind the seat.
There are 3 more photos on next postings.
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