Memory foam mattress.

I've finally been able to get rid of the blow up mattress that we've been using in the van.To be honest, it was horrible! it creaked and was also quite cold at night as the air inside the bed didn't get warm.
Now in its place is a memory foam one.This started out as a standard double size.The bed in the van is 1820mm x 1200mm, so the mattress needed to be trimmed.
After a bit of research the general advice seems to be the electric carving knife.So after buying one I set to work.
First job was to remove the cover on the mattress, mine had a zip at one end. Then mark up the size required and its ready to cut.I used the finest blade and started from one end.The blade doesn't go all the way through in one go, so you need to hold the cut bit of foam in one hand while cutting the bottom.
It's quite a quick job and doesn't make much mess, just as well as I did the whole operation on the dinning room table while Vonnie was out!
When I put the foam back inside the outer cover it wasn't as baggy as I thought it would be, so there didn't seem any need to alter it.
It's a very good fit in the van and a rally good nights sleep was had on our trip to Beechy Head.

Beachy Head

We had to go to Brighton on Saturday and decided to drive on to Beachy Head for a wildcamp.We arrived at sunset to a near empty carpark.
The sunrise was amazing! The solar panel started working quite early on and had soon charged the battery back up.
There's an RAF memorial across the road from the carpark and has been built on the cliff edge over looking Eastbourne.We bought a ticket and stayed till 10am soaking up the sun, not bad for October!
Managed to get 40 mpg on the drive home as well.

Solar panel fitting. Part 2.

Once glued to the Roof it's time to drill another hole! 25mm this time.this is to allow the two cables from the panel to enter inside the van.The hole has been drilled so that it is in the dinette area. Painted with anti rust paint then a rubber grommet fitted.The +ve and -ve cables are the threaded through the gland of the roof entry box and inside the van. The box was then glued to the roof with Sika . At this stage you can then move inside the van.

The next job is to site the controller. I'm using a 20 amp Juta model with an lcd screen.It is screwed to the wall above the window and rear seat.next two cables are fitted from the controller to the + & - terminals of the leisure battery.Ive added an inline fuse to the + ve cable , next to the battery. 4mm cable has been used.These two cables are connected first so that the controller can read the battery voltage.then the cables from the panel can be connected to the controller. That's alm there is too it! You should then start to receive free electricity!!

The controller is fitted temporary at the moment as there will be an overhead locker added at a later date, so the cables will be hidden.
I'll post again when I've been able to gauge the results.

New Tap.

Hello! In a previous post I mentioned the useless plastic tap that came with the smev sink. Well it is no more! After leaking from day one, it has now been replaced with a metal one.

The new tap is fitted into the work surface and swivels round into the bowl.Pressure is good and best of all it doesn't leak !! Happy days.

Solar Panel Fitting. Part 1.

Hello ! I've finally got round to fitting the solar panel mentioned in a previous post.My Brother-in-law has recently fitted a 100 watt panel to his caravan and it's working very well at the moment, due to the late summer sunshine.

Firstly I bought a length of ally corner from B&Q. It's 30mm x 30mm and I bought a 1m length. This is enough to make 4 brackets as I plan to get another panel at a later date.

Then cut two 500mm lengths and drill 4 holes at equal spacings. The holes are marked so that when fitted to the panel there is a 20mm air gap between the underside of panel and top of roof.

Next the brackets are offered up to the ends short ends of the panel and the four holes are drilled into the panel.then all holes enlarged with a 7mm drill.The brackets are then bolted to the panel with some M 5.5 bolts washers/nuts.

The panel is then ready to offer up on the roof.It was at this moment that the wind decided to pick up! No I didn't drop it 😏.

I've fitted it between the front and back roof light and it spans 4 ribs. That leaves 4 sunken ribs. I cut 8 @ 30 mm squares from a length of upvc d section. These were then glued with Sika to the roof.Glueing them in the middle of the corrugations allows for ang water to pass to the central gutter and leave the roof.

Next the panel was stuck to the roof with Sika Ebt , this is cheaper than 512 Sika and is sold in Screwfix. Your able to buy some on a Saturday afternoon as they are open alm day! .The excess Sika is then smoothed off leaving a 5mm joint.The Sika remains flexible after curing, so allowing for movement and flexing of the van roof.

That's it for part one.Part 2 will show connecting of cables and fitting of the regulator.

Stephen.

Bournemouth Airshow

We've been at the air show this weekend.The weather has been loverly this year. Lots of planes and helicopters flying , one of the highlights was the Vulcan bomber, it's huge and very noisy!
Decided to stay put on Friday night as we wanted to be sure of a parking space for Saturday.Wildcamped along the Boscombe Overcliff with a few other vans.
Havn't done anything to the van but put a towel under the sink as the leaky tap has got worse! Going to buy a domestic type one that fits into the work surface.

Odds n' ends

Hello! Havn't done much lately as we've been out and about in the van enjoying the sunshine.

I've insulated the back doors with Kingspan and gun foam, cut and fixed the ply boards.This has stiffened up the panels and when the doors are closed they don't sound as tinney.I've left the middle of the door bare so that another window can be added at a later date.

Also framed the front o/s dinette window and fixed the ply ready for light oak boards.The shower tray is now stuck down and all the joints have been sealed ready for water!