Badjamins van conversion
- Thread starter Badjamin
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- build thread.
Crimp tools are really useful. For the 16mm cable it’s essential. A wire stripping gadget saved me many hours and much cursing.
My most surprisingly useful gadget was a lighter-gas powered soldering iron which has a heat torch end. I can use this to heat shrink onto all the connectors which makes it look more pro.
Sounds like I have more essential purchases to budget for then. Thanks for this mate
A lot of head scratching and a heavy feeling I'm gonna mess this up, but here is my electrics diagram. Will be updated with cable size and fuse ratings etc at some point. This will mostly be in a cupboard void and some isolators will be located in the upper wardrobe.
I added (after I first installed) an isolator to the various 12v FB loads. The USB and other bits have a small drain which meant my battery was constantly going through charge cycles even when not in use. That’s very much cut down now (not eliminated, as it has its own Bluetooth).
You could also run the earth for various 12V stuff to the nearest earth point on the van. I did this for my 12v lights which halves the amount of cable to buy, and helps with voltage drop.
Thanks very much for this input. Feelin quite alone with it so good to hear some friendly input/advice
I designed mine mostly based on the guidance from the forum, and the voltage drop calculator for wire sizing at 12Volt Planet website.
Looks good. We're waiting on getting floor and stide bed fitted.
Slide beds are classy AF... nice!
Have you been away in it or just killing in its now??
Thanks @T6 Syd We have plans to head up Edinburgh/Fife/Stirling area at start of May for a few days but we have been workin none stop for the past week pretty much so no time for chilling (or killing) in it. We're really happy with it. I need to make a decision about electrics. I'm unsure about having it all in the void under the drawer.
Anyway it's coming up to a year of ownership and Jolene has come a long way from being a panel van in that time.
Still to do
Pop top, rear quarter panels, diesel heater, fridge and electrics and potentially sell my swivels to get an ms craft one. Then focus on exterior jobs. Paint corrections, swamper wheels and cab window tints perhaps and SS side rails.
Anyway it's coming up to a year of ownership and Jolene has come a long way from being a panel van in that time.
Still to do
Pop top, rear quarter panels, diesel heater, fridge and electrics and potentially sell my swivels to get an ms craft one. Then focus on exterior jobs. Paint corrections, swamper wheels and cab window tints perhaps and SS side rails.
