Hi, new guy here having a go at a self build while living in it off grid.

[Alzir]

Hello everyone my names Chris. Lost my partner 2 years ago and retired. Then I went a bit mad and bought a van. Moved into it when it was completely empty and have been slowly working on it ever since. Still a long way to go but it's starting to come together. It's taking a long time as im working on a tight budget with a small pension but I'm not in a rush.

 

[trevskoda]

Make a good job, only problem is getting from cab to back without disimbarking on wet days.
Lots of work, insulation night heater electrics solar panels and lipo 4 batteries, all cost money big time.

 

[wildebus]

Looks like a good base to make a nice home from. If you have space to store it for a while, quite a good option could be to buy an old caravan (lots of people will give them away for free if you take it away) and use the caravan as a donor for all kind of parts - interior, windows, door, roof vents, etc.

 

[Alzir]

Thanks. Unfortunately I had to move into the van when I was completely empty and have been living in it while doing the conversion. Made everything take ten times longer. So far I have the insulation done, most of the electrics and am working on the paneling and fitting out at the moment. Here's the inside so far.

I must admit my fist thought was to strip a caravan but i had nowhere to put it. I have 1200w of solar on the roof and am running a 24v lipo4 200ah battery bank. Great in the summer but not enough for the winter. I have a small generator to top up from November to March and it's doing okay. Very Impressed with the deisel heater it's been toasty all winter and I have a portable air con unit for the summer that works real well of the solar. I do wish I had more batteries tho.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I wanted to do similar 19 years ago to fridge van, but budget restraints turned into a Citroën relay, which I enjoyed immensely.

Keep us up to date with you conversion please.

 

[barryd]

A warm welcome from me Chris. You should get lots of advice and help on here, just not from me as I'm bloody useless at stuff like this.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

We do have a self build sister site, included in your subs, and Motorhomer as well, three for the price of one, but you'll be very welcome to share on all of them, plus there are various discounts for full members.

 

[Alzir]

I will be signing up at the end of the week, just waiting for payday, winters been hard this year. I will also sort out some better pictures and do a proper build log. Thanks for the warm welcome all.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Where are you based for the build Chris.

 

[Alzir]

I'm in South Wales at the moment. Up near the black mountains.

 

[wildebus]

Thanks. Unfortunately I had to move into the van when I was completely empty and have been living in it while doing the conversion. Made everything take ten times longer. So far I have the insulation done, most of the electrics and am working on the paneling and fitting out at the moment. Here's the inside so far.
I must admit my first thought was to strip a caravan but i had nowhere to put it. I have 1200w of solar on the roof and am running a 24v lipo4 200ah battery bank. Great in the summer but not enough for the winter. I have a small generator to top up from November to March and it's doing okay. Very Impressed with the deisel heater it's been toasty all winter and I have a portable air con unit for the summer that works real well of the solar. I do wish I had more batteries tho.

Looking very tidy.
I don't think any realistic amount of solar would be enough to cover winter needs in the UK.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Thanks. Unfortunately I had to move into the van when I was completely empty and have been living in it while doing the conversion. Made everything take ten times longer. So far I have the insulation done, most of the electrics and am working on the paneling and fitting out at the moment. Here's the inside so far.View attachment 149482View attachment 149483
I must admit my fist thought was to strip a caravan but i had nowhere to put it. I have 1200w of solar on the roof and am running a 24v lipo4 200ah battery bank. Great in the summer but not enough for the winter. I have a small generator to top up from November to March and it's doing okay. Very Impressed with the deisel heater it's been toasty all winter and I have a portable air con unit for the summer that works real well of the solar. I do wish I had more batteries tho.

Nice one mate.

 

[n brown]

i tried to finish at least one job a day, even if its only fitting the door handles
good luck !

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Measure at least twice, then have a cuppa before cutting anything, all jobs deserve a second coat of looking at.