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Dec 15, 2018 12:27:52 GMT
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Hi all have had a steady couple of days on the Vivaro the 12 volt fuse box is fitted and wired and the inverter is mounted and wired. I have been running the heater whilst working and it works well.I should start fitting the units on Monday afternoon subject to the weather.I am currently working on the curtains for the side door and kitchen area. I am using a new curtain system that#s light weight and neat once fitted. I have trial fitted the first curtain and they look promising. The one I have made will need a dart adding so it fits better in the corner. Have finished for today as its 1 degree and starting to rain. Cheers - mike b
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Dec 12, 2018 17:48:07 GMT
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Hi all here's a couple of pics the heat itself will be in the bottom of the kitchen cupboard and the controller will be on the wardrobe end panel. I have the wiring for the 12v fuse box to do tomorrow and then tidy everything up ready for fitting of units. Cheers - mike
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Dec 12, 2018 14:35:17 GMT
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Hi all
had a bad day yesterday. It didn't get above 3 degrees all day so struggled with my hands.
Anyways its a bit warmer today so set to and finished the install of the blown air heater. I have added a new feed into the top of the fuel tank as i'm reluctant to break into the main feed for the fuel injection system.
I had to cycle the system a few times before she pulled diesel through but once she had fuel she fired up straight away. I am currently trial running the heater up to max temp but it seems to be working well as the vans lovely and warm even after 10 mins.
I had a bit of an ulterior motive in getting the heating in and running as I wanted the van to be warm whilst I was fitting the units.
Cheers - mike
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Dec 10, 2018 19:05:16 GMT
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hi all
got a bit more done today
there was quite a bit of old wiring under the van from its previous life so that's been removed.The rock and roll bed is now fully bolted down.
I have made and cut the finishing trim for the rear of the floor and cleaned out and carpet lined the side step area.
The leisure battery is in place and the position for the blown air heater has been finalised. It will be in the battery / electrics area under the main kitchen cupboard. I had hoped to get it in under the fridge but if I raise the fridge it fouls the seat and means I would also have to raise the sink so its a no go but as a bonus there may be room for a cutlery drawer.
The weather looks good for tomorrow so I should get the blown air heating in and running. That's the last major peice of kit ti fit before I start building the units.
Hope to get some pics tomorrow, couldn't get any today as I have killed my phone.
Cheers - mike
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hi there
Trafics and Vivaros offer the best all round base for converting and are very popular due to their size and ease of driving.
T5's are a great van but the "scene" tax makes them very expensive for what they are.Transits are ok but tend to suffer from rust at quite an early age when compared to other vans.
Cheers - mike
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hi all
had quite a day today. Not the best weather for roofing but anyways the new roof is on so I can have an end of season clear out.
Back to it bright and early monday
cheers - mike
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Hi all got a bit more done today made and fitted the upper rear corner trims,made and fitted the window blank in the drivers rear door. The seat was delivered at lunchtime so I decided to get it fitted.Its a tight fit with the fridge with just a few mm of clearance. I will be modifying the fridge slightly to improve clearance a bit.Its not my usual fridge, its deeper and wider. I sourced this one as I hope to get the blown air heating below it and the sink above it. It will be tight but it should fit. That will be it now until Monday as I have a new roof to fit on my storage shed tomorrow, weather permitting. Cheers - mike
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Hi all had a busy day today, did a few trips to the tip, its amazing how much curse word builds up when you are building these vans. Anyway, managed to redesign the over cab cupboard. I have cut back the plastic tray to give a cleaner and less fussy effect. As the rain stopped I have also carpet lined all around the rear door. This bits always a pain as you have to stretch the carpet to its limit to do a neat job. The fridge has arrived today so I can finalise the design for the units as I have quite a bit to fit into a small space. The beds due tomorrow, Bentley stitching with grey trim. It will be good to get it sat in position as its always a very tight fit. Cheers - mike
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Tomorrow should see me start on the cabinet above the front seats. I'm going to redesign this to give a cleaner look when fitted compared to my previous builds.
Cheers - mike
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Hi all got a bit more done the kitchen light is now fitted and wired,the wiring for the water pump,12v socket and volt meter is now done. I have also made and temporary fitted the plinth for above the kitchen light. Cheers - mike
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They always seem to drive well despite huge mileage.
I think they are miles better than the newer models, more solid and much better built.
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Hi all got a few more bits done this morning despite the weather. I have trimmed around the kitchen window and started making the trim for the roof. I should get the kitchen light mounted this afternoon along with the trim. Cheers - mike
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Hi Jim
it drives ok, not quick but a really easy drive. The auto box suits it,once its in overdrive top its doing 2500 rpm at 70 so surprisingly quiet.The ride is quite firm but no worse than my Mercedes clc.
I quite like the wheels too and they will be refurbished in a few weeks once I have it sorted mechanically.
Cheers - mike
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Hi all.
Checked the web for info on the oil tank and it's the auto top-up tank. When it's working properly there's a sensor in the sump that detects when the oil level in the engine has dropped and then a pump on the auto top-up tank brings the engine oil level back to where it should be.
There's also a warning light to tell you the tanks empty.
Very clever these Japanese
Cheers - mike
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Hi all
spent an hour on the bus yesterday.
The catch for the window in the side was loose and letting in the wind and rain. The mount for it in the glass was loose and I couldn't get it to tighten up so I popped it out,cleaned everything up and then bonded it back in using window fitting adhesive.It s now good and solid and the window shuts properly.
Have also order a service kit for it which is due tomorrow. I checked the oil in the top up tank under the bonnet and its clean but when checking the dip stick the oil looks good and black. I'm not sure how the top up tank is supposed to keep the level correct so will have to look that up.
Have done nearly 300 miles in her in the last 10 days and she's not missed a beat. She's not the most economical bus around town but pretty good on a run.
Cheers - mike
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Hi all, didn't get back from hospital until late but got a couple of hours in. The new vinyl floor is now in, i'm going to have to put a heater in the van tomorrow as the new floor wont lay flat as its been rolled up and its too stiff with the cold weather.The step area where the floor meets the cab has been carpet lined and I have started cutting the edge protectors for the rear and the side step. I popped the old interior door handles off and replaced them with the upgraded ones. I'm pretty pleased with these as they lift the cab interior a bit. I should start making the top roof panels tomorrow all being well.I woild like to star tthe units but am still waiting for the fridge which sets the size and positioning of the units. Cheers - mike
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Hi all
got some more done on the Vivaro today. Weather was pants this morning but cleared up nicely this afternoon.
I have finished the installation of the 240v system,there's a twin rcd socket for the fridge and the pop up socket. The inverter is mounted and the leads made for connecting it to the leisure battery. They do come with leads but they tend to be very light weight and not really up to long term use. I also made up the mains lead amd the home adapter lead so from tomorrow I can plug her into the mains when I need power for the hoover etc. Still waiting for the fridge to arrive which is a pain as I can't start making the units until its here.
Have also got a couple of bits of bling to fit. The interior door handles on the front doors are a bit grotty and come in plain grey plastic. Renault Clio ones go straight in so they will be upgraded to polished alloy effect.
I'm at the hospital most of the day tomorrow so wont get a lot done.
Cheers - mike
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Hi all
got a bit more done before the heavens opened.
Have had the main battery out as the clamp that secures it was missing and the terminals were looking the worse for wear. The main battery on these sits in a housing in front of the passenger seat and never gets any checks. Looks as though when the battery was renewed they lost the clamp. Anyways its now secure and the split charge relay is fitted and working with just the cable to run under the van to the leisure battery.
I am using an up rated dual sensing relay capable of carrying 140 amps as this van will be all electric.
Tomorrow should see the last bits of lining carpet finished,the new flooring down and the layout finalised so I can fit the blown air heating.
Cheers - mike
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Hi all up bright and early this morning as I had customers to deal with. Got the single passenger seat removed and the new double passenger seat fitted along with a new swivel base. Hope to get the split charge system sorted this afternoon all being well. Cheers - mike
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Nov 30, 2018 19:06:17 GMT
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