The Exhaust

Blowing Hot Air

Someone kindly sent me a couple of parts he had left over which I could use to vent the boiler exhaust fumes.

All I needed to buy was the ducting which I got from eBay.

I used a huge worm clip to attach the ducting to a spacer that was sent to me.

Then I wrapped some special ducting tape round it to seal it.

Then it was time to cut another hole, so I started by positioning it close to the Shower Vent and then drilled holes in to mark the position of the vent outside.

Then I just cut the hole the same way I did for the shower vent, using the jigsaw and masking tape to try protect the surface.

Then it was just a case of screwing the metal cowel on, which was also a part that was kindly sent to me.

So with that done, it was just a case of joining the ducting up between the boiler and the vent. I had also been sent an angled piece of ducting which I used as this fitted perfect into the vent.

I just then used more ducting tape to join the pieces together, so now when the boiler is on the exhaust fumes will just be taken outside the van.

Link to Photo Album

The Table

Yet another pole

So as I explained in the Wardrobe blog post, the last thing I needed to fix in to allow me to change the V5 document was

• A table which may be detachable but must have some permanent means of attachment to the vehicle. It’s not good enough to have a loose table.

I had ordered one online, which just arrived and though I still need to finish the floor etc, I thought I would get this installed then it won't be long before I can get the documentation sorted and sent off to the DVLA.

So this involved yet another bloody hole in the floor, but needed done. I didn't have a hole-saw big enough, and wasn't about to buy one just for the 1 sized hole I needed.

This time it was drill and drill more to get the general shape!

The floor recess can easily be unscrewed and lifted when I finally put the finished flooring down, not decided on it yet though.

Also there is a cap that covers the hole to stop shite going in it.

Then to mark the middle of the table top, and simply screw that to the other mounting.

Then the pole just slots in both ends when you want to assemble the table.

The clip attached the the leg is for mounting it somewhere out the way when not getting used, am probably going to put the table and leg in the wardrobe.

Link to Photo Album

The Poles

Not the Nation

Couple quick simple jobs done, putting a pole up for the shower curtain and one for the wardrobe for clothes hangers.

Not much explanation needed, though am not convinced on the L shape one for the shower, doesn't feel as if it has got much support.. will see how it goes.

First section in place, my concern is the corner piece, there is nothing to support it.

The shower curtain I have is just a couple of inches too long, so might adjust it at a later date.

For the wardrobe, I just used 2 out of the 3 holes to attach the pole bracket, this was so it is going into solid wood and not just the ply.

Link to Photo Album

The Veltrim

Covering it Up

I decided to use Veltrim to cover up the walls etc, this was from Harrisons and came with the spray adhesive.

I started with the ply panels I had done a few weeks ago, took them off and brought them inside to do in the warmth!

These were fairly straight forward to do, I'll probably put some edging trim along the edges too so thart it looks a better finish.

Then I done the partition wall, obviously due to the profile of the van it was easier just to roughly cut the shape required.

Once the glue had done its magic, I could then trim off the excess and make it as neat as possible.

With that large section done, I just did the other side in the same way and then the small part above too.

Obviously I will still be putting a trim round the doorway into the wetroom as well.

Then I did the side of the wardrobe, and also decided to do the top of it, even though I am planning on building a couple of drawers above there.

That's all I've done for now, still got plenty left over to do the outside of the overhead lockers when I have done them too.

Link to Photo Album

The Update

Not a lot

Over the last week I worked a fair bit, the weather has been horrendous so nothing much been done at all.

Going to be pretty much that for the next few weeks I reckon, I have ordered a couple of bits though, so if I get the chance I will crack on and update the blog.

The Progress 2

2 Month Review

It's been 2 months now since the blog was started, and despite me saying last month that things would have slowed down in Nov, they didn't really when looking back.

The wetroom frame was finished so I ply lined it and put the PVC panels up. Also the shower plinth and shower rod/head installed plus the fan/light was installed.

I built both sections of the sofa/bed, installed the 240V electrics and ran the cable to 2 sockets.

Also did all the wiring for the 12V electrics and ran all the cables up to the control panel. Plus installed 2 LED lights and colour LED lights too.

Also put in the gas bottle straps, put in a couple of drop vents, installed the gas pipes to the appliances and made sure they were working.

On the water side of things, I put all the pipes in, put in fresh water containers, connected up the taps and relay wiring. Still to complete the waste side of things but have the necessary parts.

And also did the wooden panels under the sofa bed, and built a wardrobe too.

Currently the foam is being re-upholstered and should be completed soon, then the curtains will be made.

Services wise, all that needs done is put in the 12V fridge connection, install the waste pipes for the sink/shower and source another gas bottle & regulator to test the boiler and water system out.

Wood work, I've still to build a gas bottle enclosure plus build a couple of overhead storage units. And finish the kitchen unit once I decide on what I am doing with it.

And then cover the partition, wardrobe and under the sofa with veltrim.

This month won't see a lot done, need to get Christmas out the way and wait till I can fund the rest of the finishing touches.

And again over 4000 views overall on the blog, so thanks again for reading.

The Wardrobe

No Lion or Witch

The requirements by the DVLA for having the V5 document changed are as follows -

• A bed, which is an integral part of the living quarters which has a minimum length of 1800mm or 6 feet. This can be converted at night from seats used for other purposes during the day but must be permanently fixed within the body of the vehicle.
• There must be a water storage tank or container on or in the vehicle.
• A seating and dining area, permanently attached to the vehicle. 
• A table which may be detachable but must have some permanent means of attachment to the vehicle. It’s not good enough to have a loose table.
• There must be a permanently fixed means of storage, a cupboard, locker or wardrobe.
• There must be a permanently fixed cooking facility within the vehicle powered by gas or electricity.
• There must be at least one window on the side of the accommodation.
• There must be a door that provides access to the living accommodation.

The bits in red are what I still need to complete.

Once I have these done, I can get the V5 sent off to have it changed to Motorhome which means cheaper insurance, cheaper MOT and depending on the final weight of it, I might get to go 70mph instead of 60!

So today I decided to build the wardrobe!

As this was going over the off-side wheel arch between the end of the sofa and the shower room, I first had to build a small platform over it, similar to what I done on for the Oven Platform

As there is the cables going over the back of the wheel arch through some ducting, I just made a small raised platform to go over that so they wouldn't get damaged.

So that is the base complete, and sturdy enough even for me to stand on.. not that I will be standing about in the wardrobe!

Then I pinched the method the joiner used for The Frame and put batons up the wall, both below and then up the window.

I decided I only wanted the height of the wardrobe to be enough to hang my clothes with room for shoes at the bottom. So I measured this with some clothes on hangers and took it up enough to give me enough room.

I did consider putting it right up full height, but doing it the way I have I can then add in a couple of shelves above it for socks etc.

So as you can see above, I made the side frame walls and then secured them with two bits going across to support the roof of it.

I'd already decided am going to finish it the same way I will do the rest of the partition wall/frame, so I was just going to use 6mm ply for now to cover it.

One thing I noticed when putting the last piece on the side, is I will need to shave a bit of wood off from the sofa/bed frame so it lifts up as it just catches the ply at the moment.

So that's it done, am probably not even going to put doors on it as can't be arsed with hanging them, and will probably just go for a curtain over the front in the same material am using for the curtains.

Link to Photo Album