• Welcome to A forum for van conversions, van living and travel. Please log in or sign up.

Forum upgraded!

Menu

Show posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.

Show posts Menu

Messages - dmchris

#1
Sorry, not clear on UK rules. For Swedish registered card green card is only needed for few countries and recommended for a few more. But not even recommended (and definitely not needed) for most of the major countries like Spain, Germany, France, Portugal etc.

Probably easiest to just give your insurance company a call though or even check their website, mine has all the info with lists of countries etc available.
#2
Van Conversion / Splitting battery cable
May 17, 2016, 07:05:08 PM
So i have batteries with 16mm^2 cables, a couple of lights, fridge and an inverter (with 10mm^2 cables)  want to run from them and some solar panels with a charge controller to charge the batteries.

Now looking for different ideas and options for connecting the battery positive to all of the above. -The fuse boxes locally available do not have one input, you already need one input per fuse. So at some point i need to split the 16mm^2 cable into a bunch of smaller (im going with 2,5) ones and connect em to the fuse box.

Also the solar panels need to be connected, or rather, the charge controller needs to be connected.

My solar charger does not have a proper consumer output (only limited power for "AES" fridges) so cant do it like in the book and connect consumers from there.

So really what im asking is - whats your idea on achieving this if you dont have a nice fusebox with a single massive input. (Also this likely would not work for me as inverter is kinda overpowered also and needs thick cables, so it will likely need a separate strand with fuse)



#3
Didnt find any info on that starter thing regarding battery capacity. Im guessing it will fairly low, but if you dont need much between charging it perhaps it could work.
#4
Van Conversion / Re: Gas installation
November 23, 2015, 01:34:14 PM
Thanks for the info.

So if I dont register the van as a motorhome the regulations aren't the same. But what would insurance say in case i burn the van down due to accident with gas installation or similar? How does that work?

Im all for keeping it simple, if i can get away with just not registering the van as a motorhome and its OK to carry the gas anyway im happy. But i do also want full insurance coverage in case something goes horribly wrong.

Creating the external access for LPG bottles/tank is one thing that is bothering me regarding the whole kitchen project. Not really keen on making a hole in the car for it, and had planned to use rear door area for storing my climbing gear (specifically crash pads). Not sure i will be able to also fit the gas bottles there, and of course it would also require gas pipes all along the van to kitchen area up front.
#5
Van Conversion / Gas installation
November 22, 2015, 05:01:54 PM
Hi,

As I am considering purchasing a van in Germany early next year I started reading up on regulations regarding gas in vans. Seems there are a LOT of rules about storing the bottles in gas tight chamber, huge ventilation openings, for fillable systems opening has to be outside of living compartment, heat screens if installed under hob, no hoses (only metal pipes) allowed etc.

Im sure it will be similar within a large part of the EU, definitely Sweden (where im currently residing).

How have people coped with this? Can you get away with having a not built in cooker in order to avoid all that stuff? Do you just not care and accept void insurance in case of fire and risk of failed TÜV (MOT equivalent)?

Grateful for any pointers and ideas on this.
#6
Van Conversion / Re: Heating for U.K living
November 22, 2015, 04:52:15 PM
Quote from: Crazyman on October 15, 2015, 11:05:35 AM
I would like to read the "Living in a van in winter" entry  but can't seem to find it.......

Same here, would be interesting to read :)
#7
Thanks for the replies.

Figure i probably will want a window or two, the question then is how expensive that gets. Time to hit google :)
#8
So im looking into what kind of van to get for travelling between climbing destinations during spring and summer months.

Now - no window versions are more frequently available and I guess its also easier to stealth camp in them. However im wondering if you really do want windows for light and feeling of space? Will a can without windows just feel claustrophobic and closed in?