aVANger Build

[bdosborn]

Interesting. I'll give it a try when I build the kitchen cabinet.
Thanks,
Bruce

[noseoil]

For aircraft cabinets, scribe to the interior panels, grind with a small wheel, fit, scribe, fit, scribe & "presto" a cabinet which fits to the air frame & interior panels.

I would use cardboard panels & tape to fit the sides, top & bottom of each piece. Once the cabinet is assembled, trial fit to the structure, check for gaps, grind & fit again. Then, once it's a good fit, fasten it in place. It's a lot of work which requires some thinking & careful cutting & grinding, but it works well enough after a bit of practice.

The "easy" way it to cut things a bit short, then tape & wax where the cabinet will fit to structure & panels, apply Bondo to the edges & let it sit. Finish the cabinet (laminate) & install...

It's a major PITA, but it works.

[bdosborn]

I would use cardboard panels & tape to fit the sides, top & bottom of each piece. Once the cabinet is assembled, trial fit to the structure, check for gaps, grind & fit again. Then, once it's a good fit, fasten it in place. It's a lot of work which requires some thinking & careful cutting & grinding, but it works well enough after a bit of practice.

That's exactly what I did, what a PITA.

It's no wonder that some people prefer the Promaster van; it's a lot more square that the Transit.
Bruce

[bdosborn]

I finished the wiring harness for the fridge yesterday. I added the harness so I could convert the fridge to digital temperature control, add a turbo mode, have an auxillary fan come on when the compressor runs and add a LED that flashes error codes. My 12V fridge has a SECOP/Danfoss compressor that's easily modded by rewiring the control module connections:



Its easier said than done! Future Bruce is going to need some help with this rats nest so I labeled all the wires and the connection blocks:


The control panel is going to live behind a ventilation door over the top of the fridge:



The turbo mode kicks the compressor current draw up from 2.5A to 4A. You can watch the temperature fall 0.1F every 10 seconds or so on the thermostat. Definitively worth the wiring effort.

I've got all the cabinet doors and sides made:



And I took everything apart so I can start applying the finish. Thankfully, most of the Oh Glorious Sanding is done. I'm really looking forward to getting this part of the build done.

Bruce

[Staryder61]

WTG, Bruce...
Really like what you're doing to it.. oh, and look at all that wiring decoration.. all the colors..
I envy people that have the talent and ability to do that kind of wiring.
I had an uncle that did housing electrical.. I learned a lot from him.. turn me loose with the supplies and tools.. I'm good to go.
I can get you from the supply line to anywhere in the house.. but what you're doing , NOPE, not for me...
never had the skill set for it..

[bdosborn]

Patience young padawan. The secret to wiring is patience and a good diagram...

Bruce

[Philip]

Bruse one thing I have noticed is your cabinets and most everything else is mounted right against the metal walls. If you mounting screws loosen up just a little you might get squeaking noises from minor movement of the mounted items. On my build I used a rubber weather stripping between the cabinets and walls. So far after 30k miles no squeaks or rattles.

[bdosborn]

There will be thinsulate between the walls and all the cabinets. It works great to stop squeaks. I just don't have it up in the cabinet photo. Thanks for the heads up though, squeaks drive me absolutely crazy!
Bruce

[Philip]

squeaks drive me absolutely crazy!
Bruce

Me to that's why I threw it out there.

[bdosborn]

Success! I got the fridge cabinet finished and installed. I think it looks pretty darn spiffy!


Bruce

[Philip]

[Staryder61]

Success! I got the fridge cabinet finished and installed. I think it looks pretty spiffy!


Bruce

That looks great Bruce.. glad you are able to move along with your van.. I like checking in to see what you have done..
Life's little problems have kept me from working on our CTC.. hopefully get back to working on it before to long..
Until then I'll keep checking up on yours and a couple others here..

[bdosborn]

Hopefully it will cool off a bit when you get back to it. It's been HOT here.
Bruce

[Staryder61]

Hopefully it will cool off a bit when you get back to it. It's been HOT here.
Bruce

Our temps are coming down some.. for several days now..
Have been having severe storms just roll through..
But we need the rain so much.. won't complain about that.. just not all of it at one time..

[featherliteCT1]

bdosborn,

I would say those cabinets are way beyond spiffy!