Preparing van to live in for the summer

[AUTO360]

"This might not be the right section for this so if it needs moved...."
So, when school is out I'm going to try and score a CDL driving job in Williston, ND. Going to school for nursing but have been driving 18 wheelers for 18 years. Anyway, I need to make some good money to carry me through the next school year plus maybe a few extra things. Anyway, I plan on living in my van for the summer. I did 40 days in it 2 years ago and I have installed more amenities but it still needs more finishing touches. So, I made a list to get me going. I have snapped a few pics of what I accomplished today. As you read the ist not all of it makes sense. Do you like my "generator motor". LOL. I did this list driving down the road.

 

[AUTO360]

The van.Some of you may recognize it from a few days ago when I was showing my new axles for the UJoint conversion...someday....

 

[AUTO360]

I put in a new plug for my ARB cooler. The other spot I had was not working well because I had to step over it when I got in the back of the Van. I took a picture of what it is I'm talking about but for some reason it won't upload? Anyway, I had all the nesassary items to do the install. Now its all out the way. Not super exciting but needed to be done. ARB calls for 10 ga wire which is pretty heavy duty stuff. Maybe over kill but I want my cooler to run efficient. That thing was expensive but completely worth it. In the last pic I decided to zip tie the cord so it could avoid any stress that might occur on the plug should it be tripped over accidentally.

 

[AUTO360]

So, my next thing was to fill my water tank (bucket) and tighten one of my hose fittings....it has a slow leak. Well, I thought it had a slow leak. It did have a steady drip but for some odd reason it doesn't anymore? I left the pump on so it has been maintaining pressure and no drips at all. I'm pointing to the fitting that used drip. As far as my water tank goes....well, I decided to make a Lowes bucket into a water tank instead. A lot cheaper. Eventually I will get a custom made water tank that will hold as much water as I can make fit but for now the bucket is fine. Although, if I plan to live in it for a while I will need more water for when I take showers. I plan to buy that eccotemp L5 shower/water heater. Google it if you don't know what is and need shower options.

 

[AUTO360]

So, a couple months ago I purchase these LED lights for a trip to Gila Bend. Tired of not having proper lighting. Anyway, these LEDs are awesome but I did a real quick install job and didn't hide the wiring. So, since it looked horrible I needed to get the wires up out of sight. But, for some reason I didn't take a picture of when I was done. It wasn't too bad of job actually, I expected to be a pain in the *****.

 

[AUTO360]

Alright, now its time to start finishing my shelf thats over my bunk. I put half the frame up last summer but never finished. So, I need to put one more piece of angle on the back side then put a piece of plywood for my shelf. Oh, also need to fabricate a small strengthing bracket to help keep it stable. I don't like welding inside my Van but for this I decided it was best. Its not fun repeatedly taking the frame down. Now, let me tell you what is crazy frustrating. I haven't built my welding cart yet so any time I need to move my welder it is so annoying! All the wires you have drag around plus the tank which fell over on me....The welder is the Miller 211 which is the 110/220 volt plus the Auto Set which for me doesn't work well at all. My welds were horrible looking when I used the Auto set. I set it myself now and can do much nicer beads. Some still look like I had my eyes closed but I am getting better.

 

[AUTO360]

A couple more pics.
It did it to me again, two of the pics failed to upload even after repeating the upload. Wonder whats wrong?

 

[AUTO360]

Ok, now its time to start the "Generator Motor" bracket thing. Eventually it will be all enclosed although I will use some expanded steel to help it vent but I want it mostly protected from the elements and theft. I did get the mount done to the point where I can mount it but I then need to come up with an idea how to design the hinge cover. Once I get it all mounted to the door I will then come up with ideas. Its going to go right underneath the AC unit and I have a slight concern about the AC drawing in the exhaust fumes. Anyone know if thats something I need to be concerned about? I could eventually extend the generator exhaust up over the AC.
Its getting warm here in Tucson and I have 2 1/2 hours between classes so I like to eat lunch in my Van and take a nap but I'm going to need the genertor to run the AC. All the girls at school say my window AC looks awesome on my van! Ha....just kidding.
I generally drive my Tacoma because of gas mileage...my van is diesel..7.3. I'd like to start riding my MC to school but between all my books plus cooler for my lunch, it turns into a pain. Lot of stuff to lug around.
Anyway, tomorrow I wil have the generator mounted and hopefully my rear curtain made.
The generator will run my AC on ECO mode for 8-8.5 hours. I need to get an extended run gas tank made up. Doesn't look hard to do...lots of YouTube vdeos on that. (The third pic is just getting an idea of how high it needs to be)

 

[Stumpalump]

Look at your AC unit to see if it even pulls any air from outside. It may just use room air and if not or both then mod inside and seal up the AC unit. The other problem is that the rear doors leak like a sieve on these vans. It does not take much in the way of exhaust fumes or worse gas tank vents to make you sick. I'd make that geny mount in a way that I could move the geny away from the van on a 15 foot chain. Make sure the box you are building can handle the chain and wire storage so all you have to do is unlock the box and set the geny on the ground real fast. At least that way you could run it on the ground or on the van if you want. I like your ideas!

 

[AUTO360]

Hey Stumpalump, fellow Arizonian. I will have to find a method to see if the AC sucks in outside air. If I'm sitting in area for very long then I may put the Geny on a leash but otherwise it'll run on the van. Like, if I pull in a rest area for nap then I don't want to have to move it. Well, off to the shop for more work! I'll post more pictures later.

 

[AUTO360]

Got more done but have to run off to work so no time to update.

 

[AUTO360]

Well, end of the school week......
So, the water turned out to not be fixed. So, I redid somethings, used a little plumbers tape, cranked it all down and called it good. And good it was....that was till the next morning when it was leaking from another fitting. Yes, I did leave my pump turned on all night and normally I wouldn't do that but I don't want any leaks. There may be that time I forget to tur it off and I don't want to come back to flooded Van. Anyway, I suppose I will see about using different fittings. Maybe the type that are actually used in campers. Yeah, not an exciting pic....

 

[AUTO360]

But I did get more done on the generator mount. Some trial and error but it looks ok. I need to go buy some expanded steel for the bottom. I will weld it to the bottom of the square tubing which will allow the Gen to sit lower. I just had the plywood to get an idea. I did drill larger holes in the door in order to get the nuts on the bolts easier.

 

[1leglance]

Howdy Auto...
I like the van build, straight forward and functional.

Oh and as an ICU/Surgical Recovery RN who mentors nursing students please let me know if you need any help when the school year kicks back in. I would be happy to sit around a campfire, smoke cigars and go through stuff

Oh and I am in Phx and there are some great Tucson folks also.

 

[Darwin]

Nice to see some other RN's on here. I work three 13 hour night shifts a week on the Med/Surg floor at the hospital and have been sleeping there the days I am scheduled to work. I really need to get a camper so I can avoid sleeping at the hospital ( it's a little loud). Your van is looking good, and a great idea, keep up the good work and good luck with school.