JudithYes, of course I'm testing #PaddyTheCaddy's new solar panel. Why else would I be standing in a gale staring at a cloudy sky?
2/2
I'm looking at Black Friday deals for a power station and fridge. The Alpicool C9 fridge seems ideal but I can't decide between the C9 and the C9PT.
I'm wary of under speccing the power station but neither do I want something that's physically too big.
The size of the fridge and planned sink probably means I'll only have a single burner stove but, with a kettle and pan and pot stand, I'll be able to make better use of the single burner than I can in my tent with just a pan.
So, lots to think about. The plan is probably:
1. Order fridge.
2. Determine power requirements.
3. Order power station.
4. Design kitchen based around sink, stove, fridge.
5. Design and build bed.
6. Build kitchen.
#PaddyTheCaddy #VanConversion update.
After finishing the floor, I seemed to run out of steam and needed a break. I also needed to give some time to the household and other tasks which had been backing up.
I'm refocused now, although I'm in a circle of decisions. My design will depend on what equipment I buy, but I need to buy the equipment which will fit into the design.
I experimented with some steel square-section tubing to make the bed and/or kitchen. This was originally used in Mum's van. It might be suitable for the kitchen but I think the bed will be made from wood.
1/2
After a really enjoyable Half Man Half Biscuit gig last night, I stealth camped in #PaddyTheCaddy.
No, I've not built the bed yet but it's just like camping in a tin box.
Central Wolverhampton was quite noisy, but my earplugs worked.
I'm insulating #PaddyTheCaddy.
The driver's side is easy enough. The passenger side less so as I think that's where the fuel tank is and there isn't access to the inside of the outer skin. Hopefully any insulation will make a positive difference even if I can't add as much as I'd like.
For anyone not yet bored of photos of #PaddyTheCaddy's floor, here are the battens cut and ready for gluing down.
When I removed the 3rd row seat brackets, it left 16 holes in the floor which I filled with bolts with a dab of copper grease in case anyone ever wants to refit the seats. Those bolts are the holes you can see in battens 1, 5, 6 and 10.
The weekend weather looks relatively warm which is good for the adhesive. Hopefully that job will be easy enough. Once it has cured I can put underlay and the plywood floor on top.
Today's #PaddyTheCaddy #VanConversion job was finalising where the floor battens need to go. I made cardboard templates and used a few ply offcuts from when I made the floor.
The battens will be glued to the dips in the vehicle floor and the plywood floor then screwed to the battens with a sandwich filling of underlay. "Lino" will go on top.
The furniture will be screwed through the floor and into the battens.
There is something very satisfying about sawing wood with a good quality saw. I could've used a power tool but that would've been noisy and not so pleasant.
I should get the battens sawn and glued down tomorrow. (Unless I get distracted by wood screw experiments).
Today's #VanConversion task has been cutting holes in the floor for the 2nd row seat anchors and the lashing points.
These holes will be covered with plastic trim so don't have to be perfectly neat. I needed to tidy the edges after the first fitting and sand a bit off the rear edge where things were a bit tight. Hopefully it'll still fit once I've got the underlay and mounting battens in place.
#PaddyTheCaddy's floor is starting to take shape.
Marine ply turns out to be quite hard to cut. Especially if you have no experience of different materials, saws or blades.
I experimented with a circular saw and a multi-tool then settled on the jigsaw. The curved edge has come out roughly dog's-hind-leg shaped but I'll sand it down. That edge is covered by plastic trim, so can be a little less than perfect.
It's at times like this that I miss my Dad. This week is the 2nd anniversary of his death. 🙁
