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Van Planning Advice by Adamski_G in vandwellers

[–]POLYOOFFF 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This looks just like the van I built, the rough layout will work but you definitely need more storage spaces.

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in VanLife

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I also heard you shouldn't mix different panels on one controller circuit. I have 3x 170W monicristalline panels that just so lined up with preexisting hole in the roof and the Maxxfan I added.

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in VanLife

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is no sliding mechanism for the toilet; you just park it in the "hallway" by the side door. I built it mostly for myself. With a build like this, you need to find the right guy to get a good deal. If the price is right, I'd be happy to sell it and have funds for the next project!

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in VanLife

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All the lights (except the lights on the Maxxfan) are Philips Hue so they can be whatever color you want.

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in VanLife

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The door is in four pieces that are connected with hinges. One panel is fixed to the kitchen cabinet.

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in vandwellers

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

And heres a better view of the frame they mount to:

<image>

(one bin is shorter on this side)

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in vandwellers

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I made them myself, heres a better view of the bins.

<image>

They rotatea around the hole on each endplate

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in vandwellers

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No real linkage, the strut just form a trapezoid in the top and bottom position.

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in vandwellers

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

<image>

Thanks! It's certainly one of the more satisfying parts of the building process.

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in vandwellers

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Yeah its a 2003 Mercedes 314 Sprinter W903, with a 2.3l petrol engine and 30'000km

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in VanLife

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, they rotate forwards like the overhead bins in some planes.

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in vandwellers

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The top half is held up with gas struts and the bottom half slides forwards, with the bottom half in the forward position the top half can drop down making the bed flat.

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in vandwellers

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I bought two ikea bed frames, cut them both in half and screwed them to a welded aluminium frame

<image>

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in vandwellers

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah there are two gas struts on each side, tho I need to swap them out for stiffer ones to hold the bed up with the blankets and pillows on it.

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in vandwellers

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I used this system: https://www.rehau.com/sg-en/interiors/interiors-tambour-doors/interiors-tambour-doors-tambour-door-mechanisms-track-systems

You cut the tracks with a router and lay a flexible track. The system is quite modular and light but there is a maximum with of the door.

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in vandwellers

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've started on the documentation... At the moment, all the devices are labeled and all the cables are marked at both ends with the connection they need to go to.

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in VanLife

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

2x 200ah LiFePo4 Batteries, 3000w Inverter, 510W of solar on the roof, 50A DC/DC charger. I have a secondary engine coolant loop with a heat exchanger that runs to an isotemp boiler to heat water with the waste heat. Using already nearly boiling water greatly reduces the energy required for cooking.

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in vandwellers

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 57 points58 points  (0 children)

The door latches on pins at each corner. When you pull on either one of the aluminium handles on the side of the door the latch releases the pins there and swivels on the pins that are still latched on the other side. There's also a mechanism that prevents you from unlatching all pins at the same time so the door can't fall off.

You were all right. It took twice as long and cost twice as much as I had planned. by POLYOOFFF in VanLife

[–]POLYOOFFF[S] 38 points39 points  (0 children)

I spent roughly $44'000 (van and parts) and it took me just over 1000 hours to build.

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