Super Scrimper Conversion started

dots46

Finally got my conversion started after getting some other things sorted. The main idea was to get it up and running for September for a trip to France. Going away Friday overnight so cracked on to get the basics done.

View attachment 23838View attachment 23839

The van is a SWB low top smiley Transit in good condition. I took the floor up and checked the condition, all ok there. The side panels have all been removed and painted a lovely magnolia! If I can't live with the magnolia has anyone tried the oilcloth table cloth material (I did say super scrimper conversion). I haven't insulated the sides or done the roof yet as these are jobs for another time. Since taking the photos the bulk head has now been removed opening up the van alot. The beds are 2 singles from a static caravan that we've just put in the garden for storage. They are hinged in the middle so they fold up onto each other to make a nice seating area. Still got to decide what to do about the legs yet, make them static or removeable. Need to beef up the legs on the bed a little and fasten it down. I have an old cupboard, again from the static which I will make into a pull down door for the storage area.

I have a simple butane canister gas cooker to take away at the weekend which might not be enough for France. We have a camping table which hopefully will fit over the back n/s wheel arch area for cooking/prep on as long as it is not too big or too high. Then when not being used it'll be stored behind the drivers seat and also make a sort of head board for the bed. I have some LED tape lights coming which will run off a leisure battery I already have. At the moment not going to sort out a split charge system but will need it for France. So total cost so far is the grand sum of £10 for the lights and some screws etc that I didn't have.

Just got to see if I can get some carpet for the flooring to make it a little nicer and should be ready for the weekend.
 
n brown

n brown

Forum Member
just take a look at this diagram,the relay is about 2 quid in Maplins. the biggest problem people find is identifying the alternator wire.any wire that's only live when the ignition is on will do
 

st3v3

Forum Member
n brown said:
MOTOR HOME SELF SWITCHING, VOLTAGE SENSING SPLIT CHARGE RELAY KIT - 12V, 30 AMP | eBay is connected to the positive of the van battery and the positve of the leisure battery,very easy to fit,and it has a seperate wire for the fridge so that only works when the engine runs
Click to expand...

Don't use this on its own. It's a very good relay as it's simple to wire, but the relays inside are around 10A each (batt and fridge) only. Use this to switch a high current relay that actually joins the two batteries.
 

snowbirds

Looking Good

Hi dots46,

Looks great, as long as you have a bed and can cook that's all you need,I just love the crazy legs on the bed but it looks strong.good luck with it.

Snowbirds.:drive::cool1::banana:



dots46 said:
Finally got my conversion started after getting some other things sorted. The main idea was to get it up and running for September for a trip to France. Going away Friday overnight so cracked on to get the basics done.

View attachment 23838View attachment 23839

The van is a SWB low top smiley Transit in good condition. I took the floor up and checked the condition, all ok there. The side panels have all been removed and painted a lovely magnolia! If I can't live with the magnolia has anyone tried the oilcloth table cloth material (I did say super scrimper conversion). I haven't insulated the sides or done the roof yet as these are jobs for another time. Since taking the photos the bulk head has now been removed opening up the van alot. The beds are 2 singles from a static caravan that we've just put in the garden for storage. They are hinged in the middle so they fold up onto each other to make a nice seating area. Still got to decide what to do about the legs yet, make them static or removeable. Need to beef up the legs on the bed a little and fasten it down. I have an old cupboard, again from the static which I will make into a pull down door for the storage area.

I have a simple butane canister gas cooker to take away at the weekend which might not be enough for France. We have a camping table which hopefully will fit over the back n/s wheel arch area for cooking/prep on as long as it is not too big or too high. Then when not being used it'll be stored behind the drivers seat and also make a sort of head board for the bed. I have some LED tape lights coming which will run off a leisure battery I already have. At the moment not going to sort out a split charge system but will need it for France. So total cost so far is the grand sum of £10 for the lights and some screws etc that I didn't have.

Just got to see if I can get some carpet for the flooring to make it a little nicer and should be ready for the weekend.
Click to expand...
 

dots46

Thanks for the link to the ebay listing. I think the super scrimping can stretch to that! Plus I really am not at home with electrics so simple wiring is good.

Please excuse my ignorance, what would the benefit of the high current relay be? Would linking the 2 batteries run the risk of the taking the voltage down on the main van battery?

I've got it pretty much sorted now for the weekend. The bulkhead has gone as mentioned before. All of the ply panels are back on. Unfortunately the crazy leg has had to go as that part of the bed now sits on top on the wheel arch! There is one at the other end though! The bed system has been beefed up a bit and now folds over to form the seating area. I'll get some pics posted when I get a chance. The only problem with it is with the 2 x bed mattresses on the seat base my head is hitting the roof. Thought this might happen. Will just use one as a back rest and one as a base.

Also got the led lighting sorted, bargain for £8.99! The only thing I haven't done is got the floor sorted which I am a little disapointed about. I want carpet, other half wants some sort of cushion floor.
 

Rodeo

Now this conversion is my sort of thinking !! Love the queen anne style legs, shame theyve gotta go! Make sure at least the roof is boarded/insulated as you will get condensation drips.We use pen torches with about 6 leds on each, mount them strategically in the van, one in toilet area,2 in main area.AAA batts last forever.You may find it tight for space and a bit of shuffling about when having to fold out the other half of the bed.Oil cloth material will give condensation??
 
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dots46

Haven't got the roof done yet and won't be done for Friday so might get some internal rain. I am really pushed for head room so has anyone got any recommendation for insulation. Was going to got 1 inch polystyrene for the sides but can't get that on the roof. You could be right about the oilcloth and condensation.

It's not too bad setting up the bed, especially with the door open. A bit more a struggle without and other kit loaded.

The pen torch leds are a good idea, I might get some of those to put on the back doors when loading etc. I have bought an unnecessary £2.95 RF remote for led strip lights (super scrimper deep shame).

Give you all liked my vintage bed legs so much and making up for the extravagance of a remote for the lights here is my 99p charity shop bargain:
 
n brown

n brown

Forum Member
to stop condensation,glue carpet or even old sheets to the ceiling. the bigger relay and thicker wires would make the charging of the leisure battery [LB] more efficient,but i have a smartcom 30a with 4mm wire and my LB charges fine,and has done for years,but i do drive about a lot .
connecting LB and VB through a relay means you can totally drain the LB without affecting the VB
 

dots46

n brown said:
to stop condensation,glue carpet or even old sheets to the ceiling. the bigger relay and thicker wires would make the charging of the leisure battery [LB] more efficient,but i have a smartcom 30a with 4mm wire and my LB charges fine,and has done for years,but i do drive about a lot .
connecting LB and VB through a relay means you can totally drain the LB without affecting the VB
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info, will have a think about that and see what I can come up with to stop the condensation. I have got some more pictures to add but can't add them to the link. When I click the insert image icon it only gives me the option to insert image from URL but not from hard drive location. I have reset my machine but no different. Am I doing something wrong?
 

hpold

Go to wicks and get some alu backed buble insulation for the roof and stick it that will give you cheap insulation , you can cut it and put on the windscreen also to keep the warmth in with sucker cups .
 
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