Ok! I have a first version of my van on the garage floor. The next steps are to run a few more in-wall cables, install the assemblies (fuse box, switches, blower pots, etc.) that fasten to wall panels, and then button her up.
Once that's done, it's time to start building furniture! Right now I have only a bed and everything else is in stacked bins. It'll be wonderful to have a work surface, drawers, a water faucet, and mounts for the van LAN boxen.
#vanLife #vanBuild

It's custom cable day here so out comes the terminal hardware assortments, the weird crimper tooling, and the general fear that everything will catch on fire forever.
#vanBuild #vanLife

The year is 2025. I am stringing cables in my camper van, mostly for power but also one run of Ethernet, a tech invented (not by me, obs) in my old lab in the 70s.
It's a funny ol' world.
#vanBuild #oldFart

I wonder why more solo van builders who are short enough to fit in side-to-side beds don't use cab bunks that fit over the front driver and passenger seats. The cab is often wasted space when not driving and putting the bed there opens up the cargo area quite a bit. The A and B columns can support the weight, I think.
I'm too tall so I have a front-to-back bed / bench seat. The front passenger seat swivels to create another place to sit when it's raining and cold.
#vanBuild #vanLife

My current van build is not so much a camper conversion as a pod hotel transition.
- no shower
- emergency-only toilet
- too short to stand
- comfy bed
- capable kitchen
- relatively low cost
- best for one human
#vanBuild #vanLife #vanPod

#Vanlife
#VanBuild
#VanUpdate

We got reliable starting today. Before we had to use starter fluid, but after two attempts it started up without any problems.

So that part is sort of OK. Next big thing is to just drive it around and see about using up the old gas in the tank. Then run a tank of Supreme, with one or three bottles of high mileage fuel additive, and see how that goes and how the fuel gage handles.

While not top of my list of things to do I am looking at ways to restore the van properly. This includes the roof which you can see needs some work.

Anyone got recommendations that don't require me to go to a body shop?

You may not like it but this is what peak productivity looks like.
#vanLife #vanBuild #nowWhereDidIPutThat

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#VanBuild
#PowerSystem
#BatteryPower

Out of Curiosity I looked up the max reported power draw of an Xbox Series X console.

I need enough Battery power to power an AC unit while still having light and maybe music, movies, or a game.

The Xbox has a Max Reported Power Draw of about 211 Watts.

I think I will be using a minimum of 4 24v 100ah batteries, which when configured in a way to maintain 24v ends up being a total of 9600WH.

If the only thing working is the Xbox at the Max reported draw, it could last on this battery setup for 457 hours and 15 minutes not taking into account the DC to AC loss and powering the inverter.

That's a lot of time.

I watched a van conversion video in which the builder installed a two meter by half meter granite countertop. It's a solid thirty centimeters thick and they could barely lift it during installation.
Also, every other surface is 20mm hardwood ply.
The builder lost their home and so was making the best of it. I do understand the urge to make the van feel like a "real home" by reproducing house construction.
That said, I couldn't deal with the extra fuel costs and wear on the engine.
#vanBuild

Have you heard of the newest craze? It's called The Van Insulation Workout and all the kids are doing it! Simply contort your body while cutting and adhering panels of insulation inside a low-roof van and before you know it your slothbod will throw a tantrum and be sore for days!
#vanLife #vanBuild