Hello to everyone, This is my 1st post. I've been lurking around reading older topics to increase my knowledge and not ask questions that have been answered before.
I'm deciding whether to buy a deisel van and do my own...with help conversion. I thought to use a duel fuel Coleman stove and for light a propane cylinder type lantern. Can I use the lantern inside the van ? Otherwise I'll keep it for outside with the stove under the pull out awning and for inside I think a tradesmans portable led light. Any electric work will have to be with an electrician and costs are a consideration. I will eventually be free camping and staying longer in one place.
Some thoughts would be great Cheers Robyn
villatranquilla said
02:16 PM May 26, 2010
Welcome countryroad Am not keen on portable fuelled appliances in the van. We have a Coleman rechargable (car or 240v) which is good- and also use book lights for reading. We also have a duel fuel lantern for out side but havent used it in ages but is a good back up if needed.
Onedodger said
04:32 PM May 26, 2010
Stay away from gas type lanterns and go for the LED lights. There are many and varied types about, some giving off excellent light and some so so. Some are rechargeable and some simply run off a vehicles battery. As for an internal cooker I would go the LPG type. Installed correctly in a van/motor home they are really as good as an in home stove. As for internal lighting, when building/renovating /converting simply build in LED lights as they use very little power. I suggest that you visit caravan sales yards to see just what you may be able to install in your conversion. Also caravan shows etc are a good source of info. You could also go and stay at a caravan park for a couple of days and ask questions of the Inmates re their vans. You will find that most people are only too happy to show you their rigs.
kesue said
04:46 PM May 26, 2010
Hi countryroad, can I suggest that you get on to the CMCA website as the info available there is very helpful. Also get onto the NRMA website to find out what their regulations are concerning gas and electricity. I converted my own Ford Transit a few years back and did not have any major problems, but do your homework first Keith
PeterD said
05:40 PM May 26, 2010
countryroad wrote:Any electric work will have to be with an electrician and costs are a consideration.
I would be putting a minima 240 V installation in a van or motorhome. You just need an inlet, circuit breaker/RCD and a few power points. Suggest a couple in the kitchen, and one each for the fridge, bed, battery charger and under the annex. Have these installed whilst the electrican can conceal the wireing easily, it will look messy later when you have decided that you really need these and it is hard to burry the wireing.
The cost may seem high but then so are the components involved. Go to Bunnings and see what household powerpoints and things are. You then up those prices as mobile dwellings need power points with both the active and neutral wires switched. An outside power point will cost $70 or more as their is a double pole switch in activated by the pins of the plug you are inserting.
There is no need to get a tradesman to install lights. Use 12 V lights, whether you choose to use LEDs or high efficiency fluroescent. You do not need a tradesman to install these. You will need to have a battery charger for emergencies, that is why I suggested to not delete a minimal 240 V installation.
Wombat 280 said
08:59 PM May 26, 2010
Leave the gas for outside use . If only going 12 Volt go LED lights use bugger all power and carry a portable backup battery of a self contained LED light pack .
Like others have said give thought to a 240 Volt and 12volt setup at some stage you will camp with mains supply ever it it's only waiting for the flood waters to pass and your caught in a town .
Most free campers at some point will go into a van park for the night to use the washing machines and recharge their house batteries so 240 just makes it so much easier.
If not wanting to install a permanent battery charger then consider a portable smart charger that you can use back home in the shed just make sure it has enough capacity to do the job
-- Edited by Wombat 280 on Wednesday 26th of May 2010 09:03:13 PM
countryroad said
09:53 AM May 27, 2010
Thanks mayswa
...love reading will be using book lights and Coleman rechargable sounds good
Onedodger
.....thanks will be doing the CP stay, my brother suggested the same, he and s in l spent 4 years in their van but but only stayed in van parks no free parking ever. Will use LED lights internal....whatever they are ! Have a look in a c and c shop or Bunnings, hard to find someone there who knows anything.
Kesue ..........Thanks will have a look on the suggested sites...do you still use the transit, seems popular in England as a stealth van....they could do a movie on stealth vans I have visions of all these people popping out of these 'trannies ' then racing off to the tube in their bowler hats and brollies, their causing a few problems, they could be the new racist problem... the problem is their abode taking up our parking spots!!!
PeterD
Thankyou for your specific installation suggestions, it's made me think I should do...pay for...all I will need or may need at the same time, cheaper long term I think...with that thought i'll visit Battery World and see abt a holiday battery that can recharge through the van whilst driving or run the van at fast idle for 20 min several times a day. Does that mean you keep your foot on accelerator or use a brick, to recharge house/leisure battery...I did read somewhere fast idle.
Wombat
Thanks...I will be stopping in van parks...need to use the hairdryer!!! at some time and the washing machine...I don't fancy a scrubbing board or rocks in the creek...no covered wagon hehehe. Have to see what a smart charger is...maybe google Haha never thought of being stuck...of course just never entered my head.
Once again thank you for taking the time to answer it is appreciated.
List of to do Battery World Bunnings Find C & C shops repair canvas on covered wagon scrub board..I don't think so
Cheers Robyn
-- Edited by countryroad on Thursday 27th of May 2010 10:38:25 AM
Rolly said
12:49 PM May 27, 2010
Just an addendum: Have a look at www.delextreme.com for all kinds of gadgets including a variety of LED thingies. There are lots of discussions on http://www.caravanersforum.com/ including various lighting options. Well worth a visit, if you can ignore the occasional shi(r)t fight that goes on .
villatranquilla said
01:44 PM May 27, 2010
Hi countryroad - I've just bought a new booklight off ebay ($30)- has a double arm allowing the light to focus on both pages at the same time cheers
This is my 1st post.
I've been lurking around reading older topics to increase my knowledge and not ask questions that have been answered before.
I'm deciding whether to buy a deisel van and do my own...with help conversion.
I thought to use a duel fuel Coleman stove and for light a propane cylinder type lantern.
Can I use the lantern inside the van ? Otherwise I'll keep it for outside with the stove under the pull out awning and for inside I think a tradesmans portable led light.
Any electric work will have to be with an electrician and costs are a consideration.
I will eventually be free camping and staying longer in one place.
Some thoughts would be great
Cheers
Robyn
Am not keen on portable fuelled appliances in the van. We have a Coleman rechargable (car or 240v) which is good- and also use book lights for reading. We also have a duel fuel lantern for out side but havent used it in ages but is a good back up if needed.
There are many and varied types about, some giving off excellent light and some so so. Some are rechargeable and some simply run off a vehicles battery.
As for an internal cooker I would go the LPG type. Installed correctly in a van/motor home they are really as good as an in home stove.
As for internal lighting, when building/renovating /converting simply build in LED lights as they use very little power.
I suggest that you visit caravan sales yards to see just what you may be able to install in your conversion. Also caravan shows etc are a good source of info.
You could also go and stay at a caravan park for a couple of days and ask questions of the Inmates re their vans. You will find that most people are only too happy to show you their rigs.
The cost may seem high but then so are the components involved. Go to Bunnings and see what household powerpoints and things are. You then up those prices as mobile dwellings need power points with both the active and neutral wires switched. An outside power point will cost $70 or more as their is a double pole switch in activated by the pins of the plug you are inserting.
There is no need to get a tradesman to install lights. Use 12 V lights, whether you choose to use LEDs or high efficiency fluroescent. You do not need a tradesman to install these. You will need to have a battery charger for emergencies, that is why I suggested to not delete a minimal 240 V installation.
Like others have said give thought to a 240 Volt and 12volt setup at some stage you will camp with mains supply ever it it's only waiting for the flood waters to pass and your caught in a town .
Most free campers at some point will go into a van park for the night to use the washing machines and recharge their house batteries so 240 just makes it so much easier.
If not wanting to install a permanent battery charger then consider a portable smart charger that you can use back home in the shed just make sure it has enough capacity to do the job
-- Edited by Wombat 280 on Wednesday 26th of May 2010 09:03:13 PM
...love reading will be using book lights and Coleman rechargable sounds good
Onedodger
.....thanks will be doing the CP stay, my brother suggested the same, he and s in l spent 4 years in their van but but only stayed in van parks no free parking ever.
Will use LED lights internal....whatever they are ! Have a look in a c and c shop or Bunnings, hard to find someone there who knows anything.
Kesue
..........Thanks will have a look on the suggested sites...do you still use the transit, seems popular in England as a stealth van....they could do a movie on stealth vans I have visions of all these people popping out of these 'trannies ' then racing off to the tube in their bowler hats and brollies, their causing a few problems, they could be the new racist problem... the problem is their abode taking up our parking spots!!!
PeterD
Thankyou for your specific installation suggestions, it's made me think I should do...pay for...all I will need or may need at the same time, cheaper long term I think...with that thought i'll visit Battery World and see abt a holiday battery that can recharge through the van whilst driving or run the van at fast idle for 20 min several times a day. Does that mean you keep your foot on accelerator or use a brick, to recharge house/leisure battery...I did read somewhere fast idle.
Wombat
Thanks...I will be stopping in van parks...need to use the hairdryer!!! at some time and the washing machine...I don't fancy a scrubbing board or rocks in the creek...no covered wagon hehehe.
Have to see what a smart charger is...maybe google
Haha never thought of being stuck...of course just never entered my head.
Once again thank you for taking the time to answer it is appreciated.
List of to do
Battery World
Bunnings
Find C & C shops
repair canvas on covered wagon
scrub board..I don't think so
Cheers
Robyn
-- Edited by countryroad on Thursday 27th of May 2010 10:38:25 AM
There are lots of discussions on http://www.caravanersforum.com/ including various lighting options. Well worth a visit, if you can ignore the occasional shi(r)t fight that goes on
cheers
http://www.ledshoponline.com/
http://www.led-online.com.au/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
http://longlucas.bravehost.com/
http://www.dreampod.net/boroma/leds.html
These will give you many ideas and maybe boggle the mind. LOL