aVANger Build

[featherliteCT1]

bdosborn,

I bought some of those beehive heaters for my Lifepo4 battery build, to be installed in my trailer, but have not installed them yet. It would be convenient for me to set the battery on top of the heaters similar to the way shown in your photo.

However, I am concerned that the weight of the battery, over time, would damage the heaters. What are your thoughts? I presume you are not concerned about this because you appear to set your battery on top of the heaters.

Thanks for your reply.

PS: I really like your build, especially the electrical stuff!

[bdosborn]

However, I am concerned that the weight of the battery, over time, would damage the heaters. What are your thoughts? I presume you are not concerned about this because you appear to set your battery on top of the heaters.

Yeah, I was worried about that too. I'm still not sure how long it will last I did put a gun cleaning mat under the heaters, it's the tan material in the picture: Amazon Link Why did I use a gun cleaning mat? Because I had one so it was handy, no other reason.

I figured it would provide a little cushion for the heaters and a bit of a thermal break from the aluminum plate beneath. So far so good and thanks for the thumbs up!

Bruce

[bdosborn]

Jean got the battery cozy made using thinsulate; it has fabric on both sides so it doesn't snag on things as easily as the stuff we used on the walls. It turned out really nice. I'll have to keep an eye on the battery temperature in hot weather when there's a heavy current draw, I don't want it to overheat. The cozy might be a winter-use-only item.


I got the divider between the garage and the front of the van roughed together. It has a folding step built into it so we can get up to the bed:





I still have a lot of finishing work to do but I'm pretty happy with how it's turning out. Time for my favorite activity - oh glorious sanding!

Bruce

[Staryder61]

Jean got the battery cozy made using thinsulate; it has fabric on both sides so it doesn't snag on things as easily as the stuff we used on the walls. It turned out really nice.

I still have a lot of finishing work to do but I'm pretty happy with how it's turning out. Time for my favorite activity - oh glorious sanding!

Bruce

to Jean for the cover..

Oh, Oh, the sanding. One small evil of making things... Glad to see you keep working on the Van.. for our nice weather down here for a couple weeks now.. I'll get back on the trailer here soon..

[bdosborn]

Post some pictures when you're back in action...
Bruce

[Staryder61]

I was waiting for the answer to getting up on that bed...
I knew you had a plan.. I like the step..

for sure on the Bruce..

[lfhoward]

The new battery cover looks great! I like the idea a lot. Not only would it keep the heat in during the winter, but it protects the terminals and bus bars from having a metal object inadvertently dropped on them. I agree, this would have to come off in the summer to keep the batteries cool. Unless you had cooling pads under there!

[bdosborn]

I think it helps keep the battery warm, we had a cold front come through and it took longer for the battery to cool off. I'll have to check the heaters and see how much power they use overnight now.
Bruce

[bdosborn]

I roughed in a bed step. The bed is 40" above the floor and I need a little help jumping up that high anymore. I've been scratching my head to come up with something for awhile and stumbled across a video by George at Humble Road. Thanks George, I'm stealing your idea! Humble Road Step

Here's how mine turned out:


I couldn't bring myself to screw into the end grain of the step so the piano hinge is in plain sight. So this is Version 0.9, I might revise it someday.
Bruce

[S. Heisley]

That step idea is awesome! It's a wonderful idea. But, Bruce, you're still young! I remember you from WTW. You're a at least a decade or more behind me.

[bdosborn]

I probably wouldn't have needed the step back at WTW (2012 - that was almost 10 years ago already) but I'm not as spry as I used to be...
Bruce

[bdosborn]

I got the divider/step installed today, it really makes a big difference in how the inside looks - it's starting to look like a real camper! The divider was harder than you'd think it would be as the opening to the garage was 3/4" off between the top and the bottom (the kitchen counter is leaning out at the top). So everything was out of wack, even the cabinet door is out of square. But it all came together nicely. I've finally got a permanent spot for the hot air vent from the Espar heater.







For some reason I can really see were it's out of square from the back, but the front looks square. The divider is attached with pocket screws so I can take it out if I need to haul something long.



I got a shelf over the seats made, I've had the kit to do it for about a year now. We now have a spot for all the insulated window covers.



I'm not sure what's next, either the control panel over the kitchen counter or the cabinets over the refrigerator.

Bruce

[S. Heisley]

Nice!

[Staryder61]

Sure is turning into one sweet camper van..
The craftsmanship is outstanding,, and I expected nothing less from you..
attention to detail is amazing...
then to add all your electronics and plumbing.. WOW, when you going in to business converting vans..?

[lfhoward]

Couldn’t agree more… This thing rocks. Very cool.