Van Conversion Details: SOLAR, POWER AND LIGHTING
Victron Energy EasySolar 12/1600/70 with MPPT 100/50 – Combines MPPT solar charge controller, inverter/charger and AC distribution
Victron Energy Battery Monitor BMV700 – Comprehensive monitoring of a single battery bank.
Victron Energy Color Control GX – Provides an instant overview of power system: battery state of charge, present power consumption, power harvest from solar panel, power provision from hook-up. Remote management linked to your devices.
340W LG Solar Panel – Mono NeoN2 Black frame, 60 cell.
Battery Bank – 3no 101 Amp Hour FIAMM AGM, sealed batteries; offering a total of 303AH and a usable 150AH down to 50% discharge.
VSR – Voltage sensitive relay sits between engine battery and battery bank, charging battery bank on the move.
AC Hook Up – 30m Cable included.
Power Points – 2no 240v Sockets, 2no 12v Sockets. Switched.
Lighting – Split into 5 sections. All switched independently:
Bed area; 2 LED downlights, 1no LED strip in bedside cupboard on its own switch.
Kitchen area; 1 under cabinet LED strip.
Living area; 2no LED downlights, 1no LED strip above sliding door.
Bathroom; 1no LED downlight.
Garage area; 1no LED strip.
Sound System – 100W FosiAudio BT20A Bluetooth amp. 2no Rockford R169X3 speakers set into barn doors. Independent of cab sound system. Switched.
PLUMBING AND HEATING
Fresh Water Tank – 70L Underslung tank, located between rear axle and spare wheel. Filler cap on N/S at rear. Control panel level read out in living area.
Waste Water Tank – 45L Liesurewize Wastehog – Portable tank sits under waste outlet. Stowed in garage space.
Water Pump – SHURflo 12v 30psi, 7 Litres per minute; coupled with Fiamma expansion tank. Both fitted externally and underslung at rear. Switched.
Water Heater – iMASS Instantaneous Gas Water Heater IWH-1.5E. Fitted through N/S wall at rear. Fed by LPG tank. Control panel in living area.
Gas Tank – Underslung 30L LPG tank fitted externally on O/S under floor, behind driver’s seat. Comes with European filling adapters. Control panel level read out in living area. Switched.
Sink – Dometic Smev SNG4237 Caravan sink w/ hinged glass top.
Tap – Dometic Smev AC539 – folds down into sink. – Hot and cold.
Shower – ‘Domestic’ height adjustable, mixer shower – Hot and cold.
Toilet – Thetford Cassette c-200 CS D3. Electric flush, switched. Rotating bowl. Waste tank is removable through a sealed door in battery bank box under bench seat.
Living Space Heating – 12v 5KW Air Diesel Night Heater w/ LCD control panel display. Switched.
APPLIANCES
Oven – Spinflo Caprice MK3 4 Burner ½ Height Caravam Hob, Oven and Grill. Fed by LPG tank.
Fridge – Dometic RM 4181M 40L 3-way Absorption; 12v when driving, 240v on hook-up and LPG when off-grid. Fed by LPG tank.
EXTERNAL COMPONENTS
Wheels and Tyres – Brand new Black Rhino 17” Stadium Alloys with Radar AT5 all-terrain, 245/65/r17 tyres.
Awning – 4.5m Fiamma F80s wind-out awning with tie-down straps.
Ladder – 8 Step Rhino Ladder.
Roof Vents – 2no Fiamma Crystal 400 x 400 opening roof vents with fly net.
Side Windows – 2no bonded, tinted windows. O/S opening. N/S fixed.
Roof Bars – 2no Rhino roof bars, suitable for surfboard or other lightweight load.
THE BUILD
Built by a skilled Sussex cabinetmaker, this is a brand new and beautiful one-of-a-kind conversion executed with huge attention to detail. Utilising a mixture of lightweight poplar plywood, oak veneers and laminates, Joe has achieved a sharp, high-end finish whilst keeping weight to a minimum.
This is a van that is more than capable of sustaining you off-grid with its 340W PV, 303AH battery bank solar rig and tanks but would sit equally as comfortable on a campsite with its extremely tidy exterior and power hook-up. A full spec is bullet-pointed towards the bottom.
The van is complete with ladder, roof bars, awning and brand-new black rhino alloys and all-terrain tyres for those tougher routes.
The cabinets have oak veneered interiors with a hand painted, in-frame, shaker-style fascia. The kitchen and wardrobe are finished in ‘Borough Market Green’ and the walls and other cabinets in an ‘Indian White’. All cabinet doors are hung on superior soft-close hinges and have strong magnetic catches.
The kitchen includes the following: eye-level wall cabinets with shelving; slim, solid oak worktop; hob/oven/grill; sink with integrated tap; end unit with shelving; under oven storage for oven trays; integrated fridge; utilities cupboard with stop valves, gas manifold, air heater controls and hot water heater controls.
The sleeping area includes a small step up to a partially mechanically electric folding bed/sofa with bespoke, upholstered memory foam mattress, wardrobe, open shelving both sides for books etc, a charging point, reading light and a shelf with 240v supply for a laptop. There is also a ‘secret’ cabinet space to stow precious items and an access hole to allow the opening of the barn doors from the comfort of the bed.
Towards the front of the van is the seating/dining area. The double passenger seat has been fitted with an M1 tested swivel base allowing the rotation of the front passenger seat. This accompanied with the upholstered double bench seat provides enough comfortable seating for four. The dining table is stowed just under the bed and lifts out and onto a removable pole that locates into the floor.
Above the front seats is the overhead locker with flap-up door; perfect for storing bedding. This has been carpeted inside and out to match the cab lining.
The bonded side windows are tinted for privacy and are framed with oak veneered reveals. This will have roller blinds fitted but delivery of the blinds is late. Blinds will be fitted this coming week.
Under the bench seat and beneath the side window is where the battery bank is located and to the right of the bench seat are two doors with access to the fuse board, 12v isolator, 240v breakers, and Victron Energy EasySolar 12/1600/70 which is your all-in-one MPPT solar charge controller, inverter/charger and AC distribution. On the end of this unit is the switch board with switches for the lights and all 12v accessories. Above this is a small cupboard containing all the control panels and read-outs for battery, water and gas levels.
The toilet/shower room is a wet room with drainage straight through the floor where the sink waste meets it. The room is ventilated through the roof with a ‘mushroom vent’ which can be open and closed from inside. The floor in the living space is an engineered oak, oiled with Holzol floor oil to achieve a tough finish. Finally, the garage area at the rear of the vehicle and under the bed has been painted with a tough, grey floor paint and the floor is a hardwearing rubber checker plate. The garage houses the diesel air heater and hot water heater. The wastewater container, awning pole and a 25L Jerrycan are also stored here.
THE VAN
2015 VW Crafter CR35 TDI – 1968 cc – 134 bhp
3500kg Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight
6 Speed
78,000 miles
MOT till Feb 2022
Electric Windows
Parking Sensors – Front & Rear
Cruise Control
Cam Belt Changed 6000 miles ago
An extremely tidy van. Spotless engine bay.
Brand new 17″ Black Rhino Stadium alloys with Radar All Terrain Tyres
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