Build Archive - August
Table
4th August 2020
The table was constructed from 18mm ply with a hardwood edging. This was then varnished with a light oak stain.
The table would also form the base for the bed, sitting on the rails on the front of the seats. As we had tall cupboards the table was 300mm shorter than the bench seats and set slightly to the rear. This gives a good clearance to be able to sit down around the table. As the table is 1200mm long we decided on 2 legs for stability.
The problem with this was although the foor was thick enough to use the flush mounted table sockets, one of the floor ribs runs down the middle so we ended up offsetting them.
The extra bit of 18mm ply needed for the bed was slotted in the end of the seat and acts as a door to the storage. We also added clips at the end to store the legs when in bed mode.
More Wiring
9th August 2020
The final wiring job was to connect the mass of wires from all the different circuits to the distribution panel and wire up the power.
It looked more complicated that it really was. I just followed the wiring diagram I had created and the labels that I added when I installed the wiring. The complications were that each Votronic module had additional inputs for 12volts, battery temperature probe and controller.
It was very satisfying to see the final board with all the labels added. I can now isolate any of the modules, aux battery and solar panel.
I also finished wiring the mains consumer unit and connected the charger and inverter. I had opted to add 2 RCDs so that the input power from any landline (this powers the charger and inverter) is on an RCD and so are the sockets when running from 12V inverter power or landline. The inverter is a mains priority that automatically isolates the battery power when plugged into a landline.
Shakedown Test
13th August 2020
With a deadline of 20th August 2020 for our first trip we decided to go on a shakedown trip to Norfolk and visit Ruth's Dad in Holt.
We hadn't actually finished the van. No top lockers, doors for the hatch to the cab, LED strip light or rear reading lights. The front locker in the kitchen area was the mounting area for the front USB sockets, gas solenoid switch and the gas level gauge, so I made a temporary panel. The cut-outs for the door lever and stop were also un-finished.
We had finished the kitchen worktop and added the mosaic tiles. All the painting had been done. We had also made curtains with magnets in the corners so they just attached to screw heads in the corners of each window.
We had a ceremony of removing the blue plastic protectors on the IKEA fronts and sink. All washed down with some champagne.
Our first night in our new travelling home. We learnt a lot about what worked and what needed a little modification!
Locker 1
16th August 2020
After the shakedown trip we had a few things to modify like extra magnets on drawers and doors. Because when you go around a corner with stuff in the drawer they tend to open if the latch is not strong enough.
We then decided that before our first trip we need to build the kitchen locker. This was a wooden frame and ply outer. An IKEA drawer front was used as the door with a gas strut. We now had somewhere to store the tea and coffee.
On the outside we added the 2 socket USB charge point, a switch that activated the gas solenoid after the regulator and the Gaslow remote level indicator.
This gave us the option of turning off the gas without having to isolate it at the bottle and also would show us how much gas we had without opening the gas locker.
Flowers
17th August 2020
With no rear lockers or reading lamps and still only white paint on the walls we only had a few days before our 2 week trip to Wales.
To make her look a bit more like a camper van we added some flowers and bees. It was the bees that gave her her name.
Kleodora whose name means "famed for her gift" is one of the Thriai or Bee nymphs that were the patrons of bees. They were apparently envisaged as nymphs with the heads of women and the bodies of bees.
This was of course shortened to "Dora"
First Trip - Wales
19th August 2020
We were planning to go to Marburg in Germany to drops some stuff off with my daughter who had just moved there but due to Covid restrictions we went to Wales instead.
The Gower peninsular for storm Ellen (50mph) in a very wet campsite. Lots of tents blown down but we were snug and warm in Dora. Pembroke coast for storm Francis (60mph) on cliffs by Broad Haven beach! More tents didn't make it! We then moved to mid Wales, Blaenpennal and Llanidloes, for sunshine, hills and reserviors.
Finally we headed back south to Clyro near Hay-on-Wey to explore the Breacons, it was here we met the rain.
We were surprised we managed without the extra locker space. So, when Dora is complete we will have plently of space to put stuff.
