If I reply to your comment. Make sure my name is highlighted and has a tick next to it. There is a spambot out there claiming to be me, leaving comments about Whatsapp and Bitcoin. I'm certain no one here would fall for it, but just in case.
great videos on your conversion and tips especially on safety. just a thought, use undercoating anti-corrosion spray to cover any hole you drilled thru the van bottom metal. This is much better than silicon for airtight, waterproofing and preventing corrosion from road salt and water. happy shooting and camping.
@@katoomaheaven fyi, these little diesel heaters draw in outside air to their combustion chamber and exhaust it through a tiny muffler back outside. It doesn't mix with inside air. They blow the inside air across heat exchanger fins. None of the exhaust gas will steam up windows. There may be other sources of condensation but not from the heater.
@@BarryHansenK7BWH lol ive been using one for 2 years now. I speak from experience, cycling the same air in confined space doesnt shift evaporated moisture. This is basic stuff ffs. 🤦♂️
You may be a photographer but honestly....I have watched literally hundreds of Van builds trying to help me figure out how to build my van and honestly you are the only one who I can understand and draw from. Thankyou
I can't understand anything electronics, at least not now. But the 80/20 extruded aluminum looks like a great idea and minimizes the need to be a great carpenter while cutting down a lot on weight. Very tempting!
I preferred your videos when it was you in the Ford galaxy. It was something different, genuine stealth camping, really enjoyable and interesting. Sorry to say, now it's just another person in another van, and yes, I'm another person in a van too, so kind of a hypocritical I know, but enjoyed the galaxy videos because you had a unique channel. Take care bro
I'm in awe of your van build abilities. The attention to detail that you're putting into this is amazing. For instance, the lighting is warm, inviting and comfy. It makes the van the kind of place that a photographer would be happy to come back to after a long day in the field. I've loved this series and look forward to any other videos you produce about the van and really look forward to your photographic adventures with it.
I would be careful zip tying electric wires to the ends of threaded bolts. Over time if the wire rubs from bumpy roads it could become a hazard. Especially with aluminium frame.
To avoid spilling in the future, try putting the canister horizontally instead of vertically when you fill your tank. It gives you more control of the flux.
I think I realized why I love this series. Your photography videos are about the photo, but they’re also about the journey and the process. This is exactly the same- it’s the process of getting the result you set out for and it’s supremely satisfying.
Looks amazing, I love the indirect lighting. Just FYI, I have *never* been able to keep my LED light strips stuck on, and have always had to resort to the little clips that came with the strips. In my case, I was hanging them on the underside of wood cabinets...hopefully they stick tight to your 80/20 framing and don't give you any grief. If not, though, I'm sure there are some clips that you can use to supplement the adhesive if you find you need it.
One important step most people are unaware of is a product called 3M adhesive primer . I use it on anything that needs to stick . I am giving this information for free of charge....
I'm VERY glad to see you installed a CO detector. While you were doing the install I kept thinking, he really needs a CO detector. Good job! One other thing you should have is a good fire extinguisher. But, really, well done! This is a really well thought out build. I cant wait to see your new adventures (but not as much as you do, I bet!)
Hey Tom, just to give you the heads-up, literally. It looked like your carbon monoxide detector was in a low position, it needs to be above head level. Carbon monoxide is lighter than air, so displaces oxygen from the top down. If it's below head level, you'll be dead before the alarm sounds.
Illuminating!😀👏👍😀 when pouring fuel or any liquid from a top up can make sure the opening in the can with the fuel in is at the top ( you had the opening at the bottom corner, hence the fuel coming out so quickly) turn it through 180 degrees and you can pour with much more control! Cracking job with the whole job, camper looks fab.
Did I see you tie wrap a cable to a thread of a bolt? If so I wouldn’t keep that like that because the thread will slowly break through the insulation and then you’ll have an issue. If you can try and run your cables and wires through some sort of protection like conduit. Sorry if i was seeing things, just trying to help.
So about the diesel heater power solution... There is a problem, efficiency. Internally the power bank is converting 12vdc (or some nominal voltage) to 230vac at probably at 10-20% power loss. Then you're hooking up another inverter to take 230vac back to 12vdc at another 10-20% power loss. This may not matter if your pack is big enough but I'm guessing your diesel heater will end up using up to double the power it actually needs.
Hi Thomas, don’t forget to fit a smoke Alarm 🚨 has the CO DETECTOR BEEN FITTED IN THE CORRECT POSITION in accordance with the manufacturers guidance, as it seems very low, also. It would be amiss of me not to mention that as I am part of Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.
RE: The fridge-- If you'll allow me to dispense a suggestion. As a tiny home owner I was battling with the fridge idea for some time, but last year had a great, aaaalmost zero tech solution that has been nearly perfect. Get yourself a nice cooler! Something like a yeti. They're the pinnacle of insulation (something all fridges lack). They can keep ice frozen for the better part of a week, are relatively affordable, portable, function as an outdoor seat, and have zero battery drain. And honestly, being in the UK, your ice (or more preferably, freezer packs) should last even longer. Anyhow, my two cents you didn't ask for. The van looks great, though! Well done!
Most Rotomolded ice chests are fairly equal, Yeti being the most popular and also most expensive is the equal to many other brands but seldom actually "better"
@@JohnathanAulabaugh fair point! I guess I more intended to refer to that "yeti style" of cooler. I'm not convinced yeti is the best, or even the first, but probably most recognizable these days? I don't actually own a yeti myself either 😆
@@BriManeely without a doubt. And each to their personal preference. I’m partial to Engel but have tested yeti, orca, and pelican. All were exceptional. My personal chests are the Engel 80 and the 30qt dry box. Given the choice for inside a living space I’d prob shell out the cash for a dometic chest fridge though.
Hello mate, great video :) Just one thing id reconsider using different power source for that diesel heater because youre converting internal battery(14V) into 220V then convert it again to 12V for diesel heater. Youve got massive power losses using 2 inverters. Small Lifepo4 battery pack(less hassle comparing to Lead Accid) with BMS on it would be much better. No power losses ;) Correct me someone if im wrong
I just watched the video and wanted to make sure someone had mentioned this point, turns out you had, great minds think alike! Just to add some numbers, I don't know the exact efficiencies of the conversion in the kit used here, but using back of the fag packet maths, 90% efficient isn't an unreasonable number to use per change in voltage, doing that twice you're looking at losing around 500Wh of the 2400Wh the pack has to efficiency losses. I also agree that the custom LiFePO4 pack would be much better for multiple reasons like safer chemistry, the ability to buy cells in a size that fits your size restrictions, split the inverter and the battery into separate components to fit into smaller spaces which a "combined" unit like the Bluetti wouldn't fit into. This is definitely an "if I were to suggest a way to improve the setup" rather than a criticism, if it's working and you've not run into any issues then keep on enjoying it, but if you want to do any future upgrades this would be a good place to start.
I have been waiting for the next installment every day! Love your problem solving approach and logic, and I am seriously impressed with your armoury of power tools. Let's hope that your photographic gear doesn't need massive attention before you get back on the road.
Wow! Massively impressed and inspired by your content Tom. This van build and attention to detail is phenomenal. I use an ecoflow delta and a jackery for power. But I really need to learn more about connecting everything up to a junction box. Regarding the fridge freezer, I got my eye on two models made by Alpicool. The Alpicool CF45 and the Alpicool T50. Can anybody help me decide between those two. Any recommendations or pros and cons?
thats unfortunate about the maxoak's wattage limits. by converting to 240v then back down to 12v you're losing like 30% efficiency, in otherwords using 30% more power for the same task of running the heater.
I guess you're losing quite a bit of energy by converting DC to 240V AC and then back to 12V DC... I would do some benchmarking at home to make sure the battery doesn't die on you in the middle of a long trip
Great job. You're going to want more battery. A few things. Always run 12v on everything you can. When you use an inverter they aren't close to efficient. So you lose power to heat. You should be able to run the diesel heater out of your Van's diesel tank. The heater has it's own pump you just need to get a line into the tank. Not all the way to the bottom of the tank either. Rather have heater run out then vehicle. I'm setting up an econoline now. 2 house batteries. 2 start batteries. Plug in to charge both banks on a reel under van by drivers door so you see it before leaving and 45ft of cord to find a plug. Solar glued to roof. I always recommend a jump pack that's charged to start your van. Just in case your start battery gets pulled. Great job by the way. Inside looks amazing. Gave me some ideas about that extruded aluminium. And the fridge can draw a lot of 12v. Always put stuff in it cold. Never warm. Chest style doesn't lose all cold when you open the door either. Much more efficient. Dometic is good but expensive for fridge. By the way. The fridge can be in the back till you stop. Then move forward out of the way.
have you considered powering the Diesel Heater from your car battery? it won't have an issue with high start-up draw while the glow plug is on. You could even wire in a switch to toggle between the car and 'house' battery: Flip it to 'car battery' position during startup and shutdown and leave it running on the 'house' battery in between.
my sincere apologies to everyone, I didn't mean to startle you all when I gasped when the diesel was spilled Still a most informative and entertaining video diesel spills aside
Is your CO detector low down? Looked like it is on the video. CO is lighter than air, so the detector should be high up. Cracking van conversion, love the use of the Ally extrusion.
Митсубиси,, Делика,, молодец, мы в России любим эту японскую машину 🚙🗾🏕️🎎 для рыбалки и охоты и для путешествий! Оборудовал отлично! 👍🏽🔥👌👍🏻👍🏼🤝👏🛶🎣🇷🇺🇨🇦🇯🇵!
Hey Thomas, great build! Just FYI: The rear seat belts are really easy to unbolt and tuck into the trim, where the seatbelt retractor thingy lives, it hides them but means they are still there, incase you ever need them 😀 I did this on my Hiace Regius, and it looks much cleaner!
Beautiful van build I really enjoyed your video. As a person who has worked 40 yrs in the electronics trade please consider wearing safety glasses when you solder or drill, it can save your vision. Great workmanship on your project!
You know that thought when you start a project? “It’s just going to take a few hours.” Or “It should be done today” Next thing you know it’s days later and since then you’ve made limited progress due to parts you still need or other unforeseen complications and multiple trips to the hardware store.
It's incredible how the videos don't portray this. I could make it look like i built the van in an hour. I started filming 3 months ago and it's still not finished :)
Awesome video! You explain everything so well and the van looks fantastic. One suggestion, though: You might want an electrical cut-off switch. In the case of an emergency (wire short circuits, overheats, etc.) it could really help prevent a disaster. Keep up the good work, though!
If you fit a leisure battery and a "Split charge relay" Your alternator will charge your vehicle battery as normal but when that get to full capacity it will then switch over to charging the leisure battery, So you should not run it flat so easily
Massive amounts of respect to you Tom. I've watched all three van building videos and it's been great watching you build up your van the way you want it. The final interior looks sweet. Not sure I could do what you've done...but hey, as you've shown, where there is a will there is a way....and a RU-vid video to help :-)
I like your channel, found it very interesting. In regards with your diesel heater installation i think the option that you gone for in terms of powering it is a bit wrong, well not necessarily wrong but if you convert 12v in 220v and then back in 24v is a lot of energy that you loose. In the conversion. Personally i think the best way to do it was to start it on the van battery (it can supply enough for the heater) then you can switch it on your power bank. This way you won’t loose energy in the conversion. So the energy from the power bank will last longer. I hope that make sense. All the best.
For a photographer the van build was excellent, looks comfy and practical, I guess you did a lot of research. Now then, getting caught short in the night or when you're surrounded, where will the number one's and two's go? 😀
I cringed SOOOO hard when he was about to pour the diesel. 😫 But I have a Chinese diesel heater in northern Canada and I'd never buy a Webasto or Eberspacher again.
Glad you got the heat on, it would have been such a fuss changing your name to Thomas Heatoff (I apologise, couldn't not comment this) This is probably the best build I've ever seen.
Great build Tom, having built one myself I can relate to your pain and no doubt head scratching!!😆 Now to get out there and put the beast to the test, bet you cant wait👍🏼📷👀
Great build and very well thought out. I was wondering, couldn't you charge up the battery bank with your vans cigarettes lighter/12v plug while you are driving? Obviously not pulling from your vans battery while sitting/parking, but why not add some percentage back to the power bank while your van is producing enough power to help recharge even a little bit? Just a thought
Wow! I had no idea one could do such a comfortable build on such a compact vehicle... now I’m considering getting a small 4x4 van myself! And detail looks amazing, probably on par with a professional build!
It's better than a lot of brand new rigs you can buy. He really did a fantastic job! My only caveat would be that those Casco cig lighter plugs are pretty unreliable, he might want to consider a more hard wired approach. But hey, if it winds up being not broke, then don't fix it :-)
Thanks for the video, it has given me some ideas for my own build. One thing I need to mention for your safety is the carbon monoxide alarm. I am a qualified CO incident investigator, CO is lighter than air so it will be most concentrated at high level first, therefore an alarm should be installed at high level. There are dimensions for placement you must consider but it’s a bit much to go through here so message me if you want more details. Stay safe and thanks again.
Hello Cary Marshall, How are you doing today? Its really nice having you on here.. I saw your profile on here and i think we definitely are on the same page on many levels. Trust, communication, loving, honoring, God-fearing, understanding, patience and respecting your partner. So crucial to provide balance. This is what creates such great chemistry between two people that are committed to one another.
I have to apologize, Tom - I laughed SO hard when you spilled the petrol. I feel bad, I do, but I'm also still smiling as I type that. Anyway. Loving The 617 Club, just going back to the van build videos to get an idea of van options in the UK. Cheers.
still not sure if i wound up in this van build from a Gavin Hardcastle video or a vanlife video. Either way, your attention to detail shows you just have too much time on your hands
Great van build, when drilling the holes in the floor did you find a way to seal the new exposed metal to keep the floor from being susceptible to rust?
Hello Heath Barlow, How are you doing today? Its really nice having you on here.. I saw your profile on here and i think we definitely are on the same page on many levels. Trust, communication, loving, honoring, God-fearing, understanding, patience and respecting your partner. So crucial to provide balance. This is what creates such great chemistry between two people that are committed to one another.
I have years of experience with electrical, mechanical and carpentry and after watching you do all this I've decided to turn in my man card. What you did was amazing and honestly way out of my league. Well done Thomas!
I've got a 97 L400 Turbo Diesel, and am also a climber (trad and sport). Talk about the ultimate climber-mobile! I've also got a teardrop trailer that I tow behind, but watching your series of videos showing the evolution of your Delica, I can't help but feel the urge to do a conversion, whether I need to, or not. Great work, man! Really great!
You've done a great job with the conversion. One thing I would to would be to mount a box/tray to the floor to hold the diesel tank just to stop it moving and catch any spills. If you end up off road you don't want it tipping over/moving, can't imagine camera gear likes diesel much. The CO detector is a must, so well done. I've seen a few home builds with diesel heaters and they never mention it. As for a cheap fridge when we've been camping (with electric hook up) we use a 12v/240v electric cool box - they're only about £60-£70 and will run all day and night.
From what I heard the cheap ali express compressor fridges work as good as the expensive ones... which usually dies after 2 years anyway due to the bumpy nature of roads. The 25l JoyTutus cost 233$ from aliexpress. delivered from Spain. :)
I second that, I use the 14ltr version i run it all day and switch it off at night, milk still nice and cold in the morning and it will fit between the front seats.
+1 on the 24 litre coolbox. Also if you decide in future that you really need a compressor fridge, the Dometic CDF18 is pretty much the same size. It's a bit smaller internally than the coolbox, but it's worthwhile considering how much stuff you really need to refrigerate.
At the risk of sounding redundant... WOW! Way way outdid yourself. You did an absolutely fantastic job. Bravo... 👏👏👏 Now, Shaggy, what will you name your Mystery Machine? 😄
I just bought a compressor fridge a few days ago for my VW T5 Van. I can highly recommend you the MOBICOOL FR 40. It is around 250-300€. It is much cheaper than the more expensive Dometic compressor fridge and will get the job done as well.
Very nice work you've there so far. I am planning to do the same on my future VAN. My bucket list is to travel from eastcoast to westcoast USA and the whole Canada side and Alaska when i retire two years from now. I've purchased an ICECO JP 50 portable refrigerator and freezer for my future VAN and it has a 5 year warranty on German made compressor built-in. There are 2 other models JP30 & JP40. I've been using it for the passed six months for testing 24/7 and so far so good very quite. hope this will help you. I got it on sale Black-Friday in Amazon USA for $345.00.
Interesting video, thanks. A Canadian RU-vidr, Slim Potatohead, uses an Alpicool C20 fridge, which he has had good service from - Amazon uk has that model for £199. Might be worth a look at Slim's video review? Hope this is of help :)
Hey Thomas, I have the same Powerbox (sold under the PowerOak EB240 brand in Germany) and did some testing for the 12v and the 230v system. Running with only the 12v system on I got about 1600Wh out in 8 days (running a MobiCool FR34 compressor fridge box 24/7 at 3°C and some 30W LED light for 30 minutes per day to simulate other loads) the rest was internal power usage of the box. Running the same fridge box on 230v I got about 600Wh in roughly 3 days . The rest of the 2400Wh (usable is about 2000Wh to 2100Wh max in a short time) was just used by the inverter that generates the 230v. The test was done with a 100% charged box and run until the box switched off the power for the outlet. So you should consider switching the 230v only on if you need the power, because the inverter alone with no load will discharge your battery. What is quite annoying with this Powerbox is the fan. It is not temperature controlled, it switches on if you are over 100W input power while charging (and the fan on the power supply is alway on and even louder) and when at a certain level of discharge. I bought a cheap 48V/2A silent power supply (normally used to charge e-scooter) that runs without any noise just below 100W while charging the Powerbox over mains power. For the solar power try to use the highest voltage up to 60V (running panels in series instead of parallel). The input connector for this box is not ideal for running high current for a long time - it will probably get hot. But with high voltage and low current from the solar system you still get good power input (like 60V x 4A = 240W input) without problems with the connector. Nice build by the way and don't tell people you are not good at building stuff. This van built is amazing and is beautiful and functional and your attention to details really stands out. It convinced me to also try to use the aluminium bars instead of wood for our van conversion. Thanks for sharing this built with us. Cheers from Germany.
