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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2014 18:14:39 GMT 10
So good to see the frame back in the chassis. Had to make a couple modifications but looks great.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2014 19:55:36 GMT 10
Wow! Starting to look like a caravan again, awesome work |
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Post by Sharky on Jun 7, 2014 22:43:10 GMT 10
Coming along nicely.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2014 18:34:52 GMT 10
Managed to finish the front curve at the bottom, paint the entire caravan with water proofing paint with the kids help (needs another coat) and apply bitumen paint around the bottom part of the caravan (almost finished) oh and half the flooring laid down. Been a very busy long weekend.  [/IMG]  [/IMG]  [/IMG]  [/IMG] |
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Post by Rattles on Jun 9, 2014 20:23:01 GMT 10
Child Slave Labour I see.
Rattles
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2014 21:09:56 GMT 10
Child Slave Labour I see. Rattles Lol, I may as well put them to work especially while they are offering. |
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Post by ForumMod on Jun 9, 2014 21:40:43 GMT 10
And a very productive weekend, by the looks of it!  The kids will be thrilled to be a part of the rebuilding of the van. Once it's out and about on the road, they'll be able to tell all the admirers, "We helped paint it!" 
Great job done!! cheers, Al. |
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Post by Sharky on Jun 10, 2014 22:07:05 GMT 10
Painting Hmmmm never thought of protecting the timber like that. Great idea!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2014 9:02:01 GMT 10
I'm almost at a point where I need to set up the wiring in the caravan, but I'm confused about all the components I need or don't need.
With money tight I would like to start buying components now so I can build on it over the next few months to get everything I need.
At this stage I will only be running 12v lights, 12v tv, a few 12v cigarette sockets for charging mobile devises. The fridge will be gas. I would like a system that I can build on down the track.
I was thinking 1 Battery, and a solar panel. What else do I need? Regulators, chargers, fuses etc.
and any recommendations on brands and types of equipment.
Thanks in advance.
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Post by ForumMod on Jun 11, 2014 16:29:59 GMT 10
G'day dede, There were a number of different threads scattered around the forum relating to your van, and it's starting to get a bit confusing when trying to find out the complete story about what you've done or what you're planning to do. I've collected all those other threads, and merged all the posts back into this one thread, so if anybody reads your story in the future (and lots of people will  ) then they'll have the whole story lock, stock, and barrel in this one thread. Any future posts that relate specifically to your van can be added in this one thread, and then we'll have your full story at our fingertips, ok? As far as your question about wiring goes, it's a no-brainer these days to go with LED lights, and you can get them quite cheaply from Asia on ebay (much more cheaply than the Oz prices). The only downside that I've found with LED globes is trying to find the equivalent to a 60W incandescent globe that fits in the same space as the old globe in my light fittings. However, over the last year or so, I've purchased all sorts of LED fittings for various end-uses - from overhead lights to strip lights to small night lights - and I'm very impressed with how well they work in both of the caravans I've got. In the little vintage caravan I'm currently working on, all the lights in the van are 12 volt LEDs. I fitted what's known as a "knife switch" into the seat box, and that switch allows me to run all the lights from the following options: 1). from 240V power through a 12V-5amp transformer or 2). from 12V power from the tow vehicle or 3). from an onboard 12V battery The knife switch is a double-pole switch that has two inlets and one outlet. The outlet goes to the lights, and one of the inlets is the 12V transformer. The other inlet is wired to an Anderson plug that can either be connected to incoming wires from the towcar, or incoming wires from the onboard battery, and both sets of those wires have the equivalent Anderson plug fitted to them. This following photo shows the setup in the seat box, and the orange gizmo is the knife switch...  cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2014 19:02:59 GMT 10
Thanks Al, and sorry about the different threads I have started. I wasn't sure if people would see them if I left them under my original thread. Good to keep it all together. And thanks for he information. I have spoken to a guy today about my powering options. It's great to be able to talk to people who have been there and done that and have more of an idea on what's needed and what not necessary. At the moment I'm doing some calculations on what size battery I'm going to need, I want to make sure I have enough to cover my needs. I think a 120AH AGM battery will be enough. I just need to work out how many watts I need in solar to charge the battery to cover what I take out of the battery. Lots to think about. |
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Post by ForumMod on Jun 11, 2014 22:30:23 GMT 10
Sure they will. You're posting one of the most popular threads on the forum these days. Lots of interesting information and photos to show others how it can be done. I've sent you a PM (personal message) about the solar side of things. cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2014 19:56:18 GMT 10
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Post by ForumMod on Jun 13, 2014 21:30:46 GMT 10
Interesting site, dede. A couple of the links on the "12V Panels" tab are not working, but there are various links on the home page for caravan information: Solar energy products |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2014 21:44:49 GMT 10
Yeh I noticed that too Al,
but I found it good to get a good idea on what capacity I need to buy for a Battery and what size solar panel I would need to keep the battery charged.
I have been doing a lot of reading and research so as I don't buy the wrong equipment and waste my money.
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Post by ForumMod on Jun 13, 2014 22:25:30 GMT 10
I reckon you'll become the forum expert on solar panel equipment, once you've got all the info sorted out. Good onya!! |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2014 19:35:57 GMT 10
With winter well and truly here and shorter day light hours I'm finding it's taking all day to only achieve a small amount. Today I spent all day mucking with the double island bed, and fitting the gas struts with a few issues with placement. I finally have them in a spot I'm almost happy with but still takes a bit of effort to pull the bed down. I think once the mattress is on top with the extra weight it should be easier. Tomorrow I will finish off the bed and bolt it into place and start on the side cupboards. I'm certainly no carpenter but I'm trying to do a good job that will last for many years to come. I have a few photos but the lighting is terrible as I have a huge blue tarp covering the caravan to protect it from the weather as I only have the carport to work in. The weather here in Tassie has been horrible lately. Very cold and wet at the moment. |
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Post by ForumMod on Jun 28, 2014 20:57:30 GMT 10
G'day Dede, But looking on the bright side, we're now past the shortest day of the year, so at least we're heading towards longer daylight hours. We've finally copped a bit of wintry weather up here today. Sure took its time getting here. Been a real balmy winter up until today. Keep plugging away, even if you only get to put one nail in per day. Every little bit helps to get you closer to the finish, hey?! cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2014 8:22:28 GMT 10
Just thought I would pop in with an update on my very slow process of restoration. The double island bed is now complete and screwed into place, I have started on the bed side cupboards which have taken some brain power for me to figure out how to make and fit perfectly into place. I'm certainly not a carpenter but I'm very impressed with what I have done so far . I almost knocked my self out yesterday working on the cupboards and standing up too quick and hitting my head on the over hand lower roof section, I'm sure there will be many more injuries to be had especially being a poptop caravan. But anyway I'm going to make the draw section next then the wardrobes and over head cupboards, slowly but steadily I will get it done and I'm not putting a time limit on completing.  [/IMG] |
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Post by ForumMod on Jul 15, 2014 21:41:45 GMT 10
Yeah, well, who's doing a GREAT job then??!! That bed really looks the goods, and as you say, it's a nice surprise to discover you can do things you'd never thought possible! Ha! Join the club!! Hurts, hey...  Great progress report there, Dede. cheers, Al. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2014 22:31:43 GMT 10
Thanks Al, your words of encouragement help keep me going and help me know I'm on the right path I managed to whip up the box frames for the drawers today as well and no more injuries were sustained  [/IMG] |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2014 20:31:09 GMT 10
Looks awesome Dede! I've given myself a few knocks to the head on my overhead cupboards too, it hurts!
Sorry if I've missed it, but where did you get the metal bed base from please?
Thanks
Karen
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2014 6:12:20 GMT 10
Looks awesome Dede! I've given myself a few knocks to the head on my overhead cupboards too, it hurts! Sorry if I've missed it, but where did you get the metal bed base from please? Thanks Karen The bed base come from Destination RV, they are in Campbellfield VIC. I was originally going to make a bed base but decided to go with one of these. They come with the gas struts as well. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2014 16:46:57 GMT 10
Tassie has been hit by some really strong winds the last two days, with up to 107klm gusts in our area I was concerned for my partly rebuilt caravan which is under a carport covered with a big tarp. But I can say that the caravan didn't move at all, the tarp flapped about but the caravan survived. Must be the good builders work |
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Post by ForumMod on Aug 1, 2014 19:36:00 GMT 10
Struth! - 107kph gusts of winds?!! That would certainly test out the quality of anybody's building work, so I'm very pleased to hear your van has withstood the onslaught, dede (was there ever any doubt?! ). We've just copped that same cold front up here a couple of hours ago. Everything went suddenly VERY chilly, and now the wind is howling as well. Brrrrr...time to get close to the heater methinks!  cheers, Al. |
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) then they'll have the whole story lock, stock, and barrel in this one thread. Any future posts that relate specifically to your van can be added in this one thread, and then we'll have your full story at our fingertips, ok? 
