Van of enormous power Mk 4

[Joeboy]

While hunting for the water leak the other week I removed the rear card which was water marked. Sorry, no photo of before. Gave it a clean today but didn't get rid of the watermarks beyond about 50%. Quick look on the net and white vinegar/water 50/50 mix, spray, let it soak, dab it off.

Unbelievable! Keep it in mind for your own boats & vans.

[Stinsy]

While hunting for the water leak the other week I removed the rear card which was water marked. Sorry, no photo of before. Gave it a clean today but didn't get rid of the watermarks beyond about 50%. Quick look on the net and white vinegar/water 50/50 mix, spray, let it soak, dab it off.

Unbelievable! Keep it in mind for your own boats & vans.

White vinegar is our go-to stain remover. My rugby tops suffer from grease stains.

Proces is: spray liberal amounts, chuck in washing machine set to 60℃, set delay time to 1hr so the vinegar can do its work.

[richbee]

The benefits of LFP over Lead are multiple:
- Better energy density
- Much longer lifespan
- More efficient
- Deeper discharge

That "300Ah" LFP will be happy discharged to 10% or lower every day. However a similar Lead battery will age quickly if you discharge it lower than 60%. So the additional cappacity is way more than it might seem at first glance.

I'm sure the self-contained LFP incloudes a "solution" to prevent it chrging quicker than the altenator can comforatbaly provide power. Particularly as this can simply be a 20mΩ resistor. In fact the BMS probably imparts this resistance without even trying!

I'm definitely going LFP for van 2 - eco-worthy have a 280Ah one for just over £400 currently!

I'm very much looking good forward to seeing that. I've deliberately not allowed myself (LFP) it this year. I like to live in some form of artificial scarcity to keep the value of things in view. Any idea when Rich? Ecoworthy often do sales, might be worth tracking the price?

When? Quite soon is the idea. Trying to decide what is most important size & height & features wise for the new van - want to be able to stand up, to have a fixed bed, with garage for mountain bikes underneath. I'm currently looking at transit L3h3, as a kind of natural progression from my transit custom - still (just) under 6m long, but with plenty of head room, as I'm 6'3"

[Stinsy]

I'm definitely going LFP for van 2 - eco-worthy have a 280Ah one for just over £400 currently!

I'm very much looking good forward to seeing that. I've deliberately not allowed myself (LFP) it this year. I like to live in some form of artificial scarcity to keep the value of things in view. Any idea when Rich? Ecoworthy often do sales, might be worth tracking the price?

When? Quite soon is the idea. Trying to decide what is most important size & height & features wise for the new van - want to be able to stand up, to have a fixed bed, with garage for mountain bikes underneath. I'm currently looking at transit L3h3, as a kind of natural progression from my transit custom - still (just) under 6m long, but with plenty of head room, as I'm 6'3"

L3H3 Transit really is enormo!

Tough to park and not much fun on lanes. I know you're a giant, but do you really need something that big?

[richbee]

I'm very much looking good forward to seeing that. I've deliberately not allowed myself (LFP) it this year. I like to live in some form of artificial scarcity to keep the value of things in view. Any idea when Rich? Ecoworthy often do sales, might be worth tracking the price?

When? Quite soon is the idea. Trying to decide what is most important size & height & features wise for the new van - want to be able to stand up, to have a fixed bed, with garage for mountain bikes underneath. I'm currently looking at transit L3h3, as a kind of natural progression from my transit custom - still (just) under 6m long, but with plenty of head room, as I'm 6'3"

L3H3 Transit really is enormo!

Tough to park and not much fun on lanes. I know you're a giant, but do you really need something that big?

I know what you mean, kind of.
My current van is a Custom L2, which is 5.4m long. I haven't found it bad for parking or fitting down lanes over the last 8 years - So, the L3 is 0.6m longer (which will mean carpark spaces are more tricky) , and only a few cm wider. Obviously much taller, which is actually my main concern in terms of driving / fitting in places - wind could be a real problem, and overhanging trees!!

I did think about getting the high roof custom L2H2, so no increase in 'footprint', but it is only 1.75m high inside, so I'm still stooping (1.89m).
Our aim is to have more organisation inside, as well as the fixed bed and the MTB garage, so the only solution so far is to get something bigger (I'm definitely NOT going for the L4 version, which is another 0.7m longer!! - that is getting a bit silly )

[Joeboy]

A nice few hours.

Utility cupboard now has a mirror and a doorstay. Cut out a couple of floor mats from No1's old Zoe EV for door entry I to van.






Ran up the 500W heater on ehu.



Then realised I'd rather export that 500W so switched to the 200W ceramic heater out of the Bongo and ran it up offgrid.. Believe it or not its actually getting it done.





Fridge test on ehu ongoing!



Hoping to get away next weekend so swmbo can feel the difference in space and mod cons compared to the Bongo.





Swmbo working magic soon. Work surfaces are beginning to reappear too.



The offgrid has generated its first kWh!

[Joeboy]

Water side all tested again and topped up. 500W ehu heater is on and offgrid kettle & radio are working well. AAA's for the three led pir lights all good too, charged from offgrid.

SWMBO bought two offgrey bound carpet runners from Aldi middle aisle at a tenner each.
They're excellent underfoot, such a difference!

Radio gets an offgrid charge too and runs at least 12 hours blasting out classic fm.

[Joeboy]

The win is in, she approves!



Not much power today but enough to be going on with in a small style



For radio, light and toilet.







Ran up the gas for heating & beer cooling.
It's not quite what I'd consider offgrid but in it's way it is as there's no cable running to us. The van is getting it done!



Will be bringing two of the big 5V powerpacks back from Turkey in May. Finally got a return hold bag! That will be our phone & light charging back up.


The van had an oil & filter change today. Couldn't get into the gearbox or back axle. I'll likely put it in for a running gear oil change and let someone with a decent gas axe & ramp deal with that. Away this weekend for an overnighter and then I'll get into the underside and seal it. Longterm plans abound!

[Joeboy]

Away to the coast in van for an overnighter. 70's rock tunes playing and I'm away to fire up for bacon rolls.

House is exporting nicely too.

[Joeboy]

That was fantastic (11hr sleep) lulled by the sound of the waves to shore. Asked SWMBO this morn, how do ye feel?

"Safe" was the answer. I'm on hot rolls duty which is great. There's a 15 point improvement list already. Every one a cracker.



Offgrid is getting it done nicely. Just realised that I don't have to worry about battery capacity. The power we use through the day is live from the panels and we tend to go to sleep about 9pm.



Loved the Bongo and glad we finished off our ownership with the Belgian, German French trip last year culminating in Paris. This is a very different experience though. Feels like a huge amount of space and quite luxurious.

SWMBO has just suggested Spain for later in the year. It's safe to say that the van (Ermintrude) has passed her test and is now family.