What Have You Done To Your Van Today?

[Trouts]

Roof wrap today finally completed by a competent company. May have had a little sun visor strip as well.

View attachment 77661

roof looks good!
- are they 6.1 rear lights too??

 

[andys]

love the tool hanger on the rear view mirror, just the job for when you’re working inside the van

Never know when you might need to clamp down a passenger

 

[andys]

do you have instructions/plans on making the Arduino please?

Sure, I can't claim any credit for it, I took it from this guy's video

All I did was translate it from Dutch, alter the parameters and changed the layout and formatting a bit. The link to the Arduino Mega and screen combo is still current and it's much cheaper to get from Ali Express than Ebay etc if you're prepared to wait the 2-3 weeks. If you do end up using it please give the guy a thank you or a like on his video. If you want my version of the sketch to build on then let me know and I'll send it.
The case was a bit of a bodge, it was this one Yaesu Heads up Display Arduino case by ady1306 but it doesn't fit. I ended up having to print it at 110% to fit everything in, but that that left the holes in the end for connections in the wrong place, so I had to Dremel them bigger. It also left too big a gap round the screen so I printed out another copy of the case at 100% but reduced the height to 1mm and stopped the print once I'd got enough to form a border frame, almost a gasket, round the screen as in the pic. I also took a feed off the power and fitted a switch to the side so I can turn it off when sleeping. Being an Arduino, boot up is virtually instantaneous and the stats are actually in the memory of the charger so turning the Arduino off doesn't lose anything. It looks ok but I've become a bit more knowledgeable (relatively) with Fusion 360 since then so I'll probably go back and design a better enclosure when I have more time.
As for connecting, I had the right size JST lying about (think it was 1.75 or 2mm?) and you'll need an FDTI serial to USB lead. The only connections you'll need are the tx and ground from the charger, no need to connect the other 2. For power I just took the wires back to under my driver's seat where the battery, MPPT and fusebox are, and connected a buck converter. This did need setting at 5.9v rather than 5v though, otherwise there wasn't sufficient voltage to drive the arduino and screen.

 

[StormUk]

Sure, I can't claim any credit for it, I took it from this guy's video

All I did was translate it from Dutch, alter the parameters and changed the layout and formatting a bit. The link to the Arduino Mega and screen combo is still current and it's much cheaper to get from Ali Express than Ebay etc if you're prepared to wait the 2-3 weeks. If you do end up using it please give the guy a thank you or a like on his video. If you want my version of the sketch to build on then let me know and I'll send it.
The case was a bit of a bodge, it was this one Yaesu Heads up Display Arduino case by ady1306 but it doesn't fit. I ended up having to print it at 110% to fit everything in, but that that left the holes in the end for connections in the wrong place, so I had to Dremel them bigger. It also left too big a gap round the screen so I printed out another copy of the case at 100% but reduced the height to 1mm and stopped the print once I'd got enough to form a border frame, almost a gasket, round the screen as in the pic. I also took a feed off the power and fitted a switch to the side so I can turn it off when sleeping. Being an Arduino, boot up is virtually instantaneous and the stats are actually in the memory of the charger so turning the Arduino off doesn't lose anything. It looks ok but I've become a bit more knowledgeable (relatively) with Fusion 360 since then so I'll probably go back and design a better enclosure when I have more time.
As for connecting, I had the right size JST lying about (think it was 1.75 or 2mm?) and you'll need an FDTI serial to USB lead. The only connections you'll need are the tx and ground from the charger, no need to connect the other 2. For power I just took the wires back to under my driver's seat where the battery, MPPT and fusebox are, and connected a buck converter. This did need setting at 5.9v rather than 5v though, otherwise there wasn't sufficient voltage to drive the arduino and screen.

Thanks for the reply. I haven't fitted my solar yet so I will order what I need from Aliexpress and wait. If I have anymore questions I will give you a shout. Thanks again

 

[Mick Robson]

A bit of detailing with some paint correction and ceramic coating, not a swirl mark in sight..woohoo

 

[boxelder]

Tried to remove the 4 spare seat base studs, having changed double passenger seat to single swivel. I'll retrieve the two that I presume are now sat on the top of the fuel tank, when I have to lower that to remove rear seat (Kombi) fixings..........

 

[ei-aprilia]

Locked myself out of it (with keys inside) 30 odd miles from home

 

[boxelder]

I locked myself out of my first T5, pretty much the moment I arrived home after picking it up. Spare keys were still in the van, obviously. Slightly unsettled by how easy it was to break in without causing any damage.....

 

[ei-aprilia]

I locked myself out of my first T5, pretty much the moment I arrived home after picking it up. Spare keys were still in the van, obviously. Slightly unsettled by how easy it was to break in without causing any damage.....

I didn't attempt to break in, instead I used up valuable brownie points and got my other half to bring me the spare keys!

 

[tonybb66]

Over the past few weeks added a few black gloss parts, badges, indicators, handles and sprayed chrome grill trim

 

[Seannee]

Fitted my new Inka seat covers. Well chuffed and very well made.
Oh, and washed the old girl ready for the T6 meet today!!!!

 

[James1000]

I opened the door - that’s it! Nothing to do, don’t want to do anything - just want to enjoy it.

 

[A Bridge Too Far]

Changed the drivers door seal for one with no rust.....

 

[Bambooman]

That looks like a semi flexible panel. Did you do anything to fill the gaps between the ridges? I'm in the market and would prefer the sleek semi flexible look.

 

[Bambooman]

Photonic Universe 160W panel sorted. Bring on that sunshine so that it can start paying me back!View attachment 60063

That looks like a semi flexible panel. Did you do anything to fill the gaps between the ridges? I'm in the market and would prefer the sleek semi flexible look.

 

[marksmithuk]

Carpeting, blinds and panel prepped... just needs carpeting now

 

[Big.mac]

Over the past few weeks added a few black gloss parts, badges, indicators, handles and sprayed chrome grill trimView attachment 77894

Is it just me or is there something odd looking about those rear lights?

 

[The Bear78]

Just reused old floor tie downs and repurposed them as additional tie downs using original seat belt anchor points on wheel arch ( if you carpet your wheel arches remember to put a rubber blank in )
I’ve use original bottom seat belt anchor bolts Pt No N98952001 so it’s all neat

View attachment 77622

I've done that too but with aftermarket rings. I added a pair to the upper points aswell for tieing bikes in etc. I used socket head bolts (7/16 UNF) although I have squeezed the bracket in a vice to prevent the rings from rattling!

 

[Yzfr1]

Is it just me or is there something odd looking about those rear lights?

Looks like they poke out as bad as the spotline bumper.
Might just be camera angle making it look weird.

 

[MikeWillmott]

Fitted a load area carpet over the original rubber mat and had enough left for step mats. Noticed a significant difference in quietness on the click and collect run. Happy days