Chappy's Winter Florida Fettling
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Topic: Chappy's Winter Florida Fettling
Posted By: Chappy
Subject: Chappy's Winter Florida Fettling
Date Posted: 28 Oct 12 at 22:00
So, we've had a season out of the Florida.
Despite it being delivered to our fair shores with an oil leak that makes the Exxon Valdez look like a few spots on your drive, a rear offside brake seized on, a missing roof window, a non functioning boiler, a knackered battery charger, a fucked bed, missing gas tank cover, a sticking throttle cable, blowing exhaust manifold, front pads making friends with the disks and a front ball joint that was plain scary, we've decided to promote her from 'temporary camper' to full Chappy Family member status.
So over the winter the plan of works is:
- Charger – remove and service/replace so it
works - DONE
- Boiler – remove and service/replace so it
works. DONE - Hooooorrrrraaaaayyy!!
- Fridge - remove and fix so it works on 12v
and 240v. Now removed & it's DEAD! Replaced. DONE!
- Remove sink from bathroom and remove bodged
taps, leaving only shower head. DONE!
- Service gas system and procure and fit
cover. DONE
- Remove bed and fix hinges - DONE
- Fit TV - DONE!
- Fit stereo - Bought, A/W install
- Check 240v system (RCD is fucked) Fitted new RCD. DONE.
- Eber service (it whines) - DONE!
- Wire in 12v supply at front - DONE!
- Fit 12v sockets at rear - DONE!
- Waxoyl underneath - DONE
- 2 x new tyres - DONE
- Front tyre alignment check - Not Required (was dodgy ball joint!)
- Engine flush and oil change + filter. DONE.
- Change glow plugs. Bought - DONE.
- Replace sliding door step edging - DONE!
- Install 3 point seatbelt for Ems - DONE!
- Replace leaking rooflights/vents - DONE!
- Rectify coolant leak. DONE!
- Change rocker cover gasket. DONE!
I'll update here as work progresses!
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Replies:
Posted By: jason k
Date Posted: 28 Oct 12 at 22:10
Well it you want a hand.......
------------- Bcs shallowest surf award winner 2006 camperjam 2011 chug and tug team member aberdare. south wales newest member of karmann korner no longer the only moderator to manage to ban himself
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 28 Oct 12 at 22:10
So tonight, ably assisted by Hazza, we managed to removed the leisure batteries, charger, front R&R seat and the fridge.
Bed Out:
The boy, armed and dangerous....
The boy getting the fridge out, fair play to him, he's proper into it:
Hole where the fridge was:
Thankfully, no nasty surprises behind the fridge:
Had to hacksaw the flue off, but as it turns out..... it had a big hole in it anyway..... very naughty....
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 28 Oct 12 at 22:15
jason k wrote:
Well it you want a hand....... |
Heh, trust me mukka, time is one thing you ain't going to have an abundance of for the next 18 years......
....but if you want to bring Ruthy along, her and Mrs Chaps can go baby stuff shopping and we can Florida fettle
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: jason k
Date Posted: 28 Oct 12 at 22:18
See now that's the plan....
------------- Bcs shallowest surf award winner 2006 camperjam 2011 chug and tug team member aberdare. south wales newest member of karmann korner no longer the only moderator to manage to ban himself
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Posted By: jason k
Date Posted: 28 Oct 12 at 22:37
Kin ell that flue was iffy!! Didn't have much trouble gettin off to sleep in there I bet!!
------------- Bcs shallowest surf award winner 2006 camperjam 2011 chug and tug team member aberdare. south wales newest member of karmann korner no longer the only moderator to manage to ban himself
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 28 Oct 12 at 22:47
jason k wrote:
Kin ell that flue was iffy!! Didn't have much trouble gettin off to sleep in there I bet!! |
Bit fruity innit!!
Having given it the one over, I reckon the fridge is beyond economical repair, so might see what else will fit there and maybe upgrade, but want to keep the westy layout (frame and door) if poss.
We'll see.
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: jason k
Date Posted: 29 Oct 12 at 16:23
I'd be tempted to get it fixed chap, there's no direct replacement for a rm184. Jeds done one but would be cheaper to fix it!
------------- Bcs shallowest surf award winner 2006 camperjam 2011 chug and tug team member aberdare. south wales newest member of karmann korner no longer the only moderator to manage to ban himself
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Posted By: Skeeb
Date Posted: 29 Oct 12 at 19:12
the foil type piping on that flue, where can you buy it from????
ta
Skeeb
------------- BCS Welsh massive From Skeebville Nr Swansea BCS shortest shortboarder 2006 --- BCS Crap Surfer of the year 2007 !!! BCS winner of nothing 2008 :( BCS winner of nothing 2009 :(
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 29 Oct 12 at 20:19
Skeeb wrote:
the foil type piping on that flue, where can you buy it from????
ta
Skeeb
|
Try these Skeeb - got mine from one of the Cardiff ones...... it ain't cheap tho!
Shorts Auto Electrical (Swansea) Tel: 01792 469595
Swansea Marine Group Swansea Tel: 01792 465570 www.swanseamarinegroup.com
Tanner Electrics Cardiff Tel: 02920 225580 www.tannerelectrics.com
Wigmore Wright Group Penarth Tel: 02920 709983 www.wigmorewrightmarine. co.uk
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 29 Oct 12 at 21:05
Bit more progress tonight.....
Roof panel out, insulation removed to expose the boiler...what a pain in the arse to get to:
What it looks like close up:
Not alot of room to work - had to get the top off by using a 6mm open end spanner on a pozi bit:
Signs of overheating on the cover panel:
Eber ducting panel off:
Got the PCB out of the boiler, now to see if I can get a replacement....
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Beetroot
Date Posted: 30 Oct 12 at 09:58
You're a busy bunny Chappy! I would buy the sink from you if you are getting rid!
------------- 1989 Florida lt28 2.4 Deisel
KrustyJack
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Posted By: niko
Date Posted: 30 Oct 12 at 11:50
That fridge needs a nice new shiny bottom vent when you put it back.
------------- 1989 westy Joker now with TDi
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Posted By: busbuddy
Date Posted: 30 Oct 12 at 17:38
wow, thats an interesting place to put the boiler
------------- http://www.karmann-coachbuilts.com" rel="nofollow - Karmann
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Posted By: Skeeb
Date Posted: 30 Oct 12 at 19:21
Chappy wrote:
Skeeb wrote:
the foil type piping on that flue, where can you buy it from????
ta
Skeeb
|
Try these Skeeb - got mine from one of the Cardiff ones...... it ain't cheap tho!
Shorts Auto Electrical (Swansea) Tel: 01792 469595
Swansea Marine Group Swansea Tel: 01792 465570 www.swanseamarinegroup.com
Tanner Electrics Cardiff Tel: 02920 225580 www.tannerelectrics.com
Wigmore Wright Group Penarth Tel: 02920 709983 www.wigmorewrightmarine. co.uk
|
thanks Chris :)
------------- BCS Welsh massive From Skeebville Nr Swansea BCS shortest shortboarder 2006 --- BCS Crap Surfer of the year 2007 !!! BCS winner of nothing 2008 :( BCS winner of nothing 2009 :(
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Posted By: jason k
Date Posted: 30 Oct 12 at 20:16
busbuddy wrote:
wow, thats an interesting place to put the boiler <!-- bmi_SafeAddOnload(bmi_load,"bmi_orig_img",0);//-->
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For westy I agree!! Boiling water above your head!!
------------- Bcs shallowest surf award winner 2006 camperjam 2011 chug and tug team member aberdare. south wales newest member of karmann korner no longer the only moderator to manage to ban himself
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 30 Oct 12 at 22:05
busbuddy wrote:
wow, thats an interesting place to put the boiler <!-- bmi_SafeAddOnload(bmi_load,"bmi_orig_img",0);//-->
|
But.....quietly clever when you don't have a pressurised system... The height gives water pressure by gravity, in the same way a water tower does.
Still a major pain in the neck to do any work on it though..... I think it's going to need to come out and I haven't a clue how that's going to happen. Unless half the ceiling comes down !
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Roger
Date Posted: 02 Nov 12 at 00:17
Re Boiler
First change the fuse on the PCB, access is a bugger but it sounds like you have solved that.
I had to remove my trauma a couple of years ago to fix a leak in the inlet pipe. Not that bad compared all you are doing in the van.
Drain down water. Gas off, disconnect wires. Make a drawing and mark hoses then remove. Release flue from outside. Disconnect gas pipe, it's a long reach with a spanner. Then just slide the boiler out, I can't remember if the mounting plate below the boiler has to come out too.
Note: There is a fine screen in the gas inlet fitting, in my case it needed cleaning.
Re Fridge: If it lights but does not get cold try turning it upside down for a couple of days.
------------- 1989 LT31 Florida 2.4TD
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 02 Nov 12 at 10:07
Roger wrote:
Re Boiler
First change the fuse on the PCB |
I wondered about the fuse. Problem I have with the boiler is that I don't get anything at the panel. No red light, no green light..... Nowt. So first thing I thought was a power supply problem.
I've now got the PCB out and have checked the fuse (in situ) and it's good.
Next step is to check continuity between the plug at the boiler and the panel.
The power supply wire at the boiler is showing 12v, so the power isn't getting from the boiler to the panel.
Other than that, I think it'll be a case if get it out and have a proper review.
The cover that houses the PCB and electrical gubbins shows signs of local overheating at the top, so it's probably worth getting the lot out so we can properly see what's going on.
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
|
Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 03 Nov 12 at 16:54
Been doing a bit more today. Investigated the charger to see if I can find out why it's cutting out.
Checked the 240 supply and that side is all good.
Checked the charger output without a battery connected and it's putting out a steady 12.86v
Connect a battery and it puts out 15.8 volts for about a second beore cutting out (there's a solenoid switch inside that knocks off).
The battery I'm using to test it is in good nick and has about 12.5 volts.
So, I'm wondering if it's knocking off because it senses the battery has good voltage.
Think I'll run the battery down tonight and have another crack tomorrow.
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 03 Nov 12 at 18:50
Right, charger sorted! Split and remade all the connections internally and gave it a general spring clean.
I put a heavy load onto the test battery, let it run down a bit, put a meter on it then connected the charger.
It was down to 10 ish volts, then as soon as the charger was switched on it climbed to 13+ volts. The charger eventually knocked off again, and voltage dropped to just over 12 volts.
So I guess that the charger operates when battery voltage drops below 12, and knocks off when it can maintain 12 and a bit.
So, batteries and charger going back in tomorrow.
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
|
Posted By: jason k
Date Posted: 03 Nov 12 at 19:02
one thing off the list then
------------- Bcs shallowest surf award winner 2006 camperjam 2011 chug and tug team member aberdare. south wales newest member of karmann korner no longer the only moderator to manage to ban himself
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 04 Nov 12 at 20:29
Aye!
Charger and batteries are back in and now secured by a new battery retaining bracket that I made up.
Spent the afternoon with my meter and a wiring diagram working my way through the wiring and finally found the culprit that was giving me problems with charger from the alternator:
Looks innocent doesn't it...
Spot the problem......!
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: jason k
Date Posted: 04 Nov 12 at 20:37
Thats proper goosed!!
------------- Bcs shallowest surf award winner 2006 camperjam 2011 chug and tug team member aberdare. south wales newest member of karmann korner no longer the only moderator to manage to ban himself
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 04 Nov 12 at 20:40
Yep, and hidden away under the main vehicle battery cover too! Fun!
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 04 Nov 12 at 21:03
Harry spent a bit of time up the garage with me this weekend too, he loves pottering about up there and he's nicked a load of my stuff and made up his own toolbox now
I set him to work making an engine mount for the outboard off our RIB so we could service it.
Fair play, he did a cracking job
Fuelling up for the job:
End result:
Only thing I did was cut the wood for him
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Nugget
Date Posted: 04 Nov 12 at 21:30
He's a good lad, give him a year and he'll be more talented on the tools than his dad.
Seriously though how do you rate the Florida as a family camper, i fancy the idea of one but wonder how good they are in reality and of course if they are any good at keeping up with traffic /covering ground.
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 04 Nov 12 at 21:31
http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm296/ChappyFamily/RIB/?action=view¤t=IMG_0918.mp4" rel="nofollow">
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Nugget
Date Posted: 04 Nov 12 at 21:43
You'll have the ppe police all over with that photo
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 04 Nov 12 at 21:44
Nugget wrote:
Seriously though how do you rate the Florida as a family camper, i fancy the idea of one but wonder how good they are in reality and of course if they are any good at keeping up with traffic /covering ground. |
In all honesty, when we moved from the T3 to the Colorado, I thought that was it. We'd got the camper that would see us right for the next X years and had everything we needed.
As it happened, it didn't have the extra seat we needed once Emma had came along.
The Florida was a temporary measure whilst we rustled up the cash for a T5 Colorado. Best thing we ever did. We're back with a proper 'van' camper - never realised how much I missed that sliding door! And despite it's teething issues, we'll be sticking with it and putting the £30k a T5 Colorado would have cost to better use.
As a family camper, it's perfect for us. Loads of space, absolutely massive bed in the roof, very comfy double bed 'downstairs', shower and bog, a cooker that you can use with the back door open to avoid stinking the place out, lights in the right places, loads of sensible cupboards.
Seriously, we're done. We won't be moving to anything else.
As for pace, it's really not an issue. It's quicker than the T3 with an AAZ and a AAP box in it, and returns low to mid 30's mpg.
It's got so much torque that it'll go up hill, down dale at 65-70 now probs.
We're loving it.
The weirdest thing I've noticed is that I've stopped worrying about it. I had a tendency to stress about everything in the Colorado - it was kind of like.... "it cost £20k and the tap has stopped working FFS!!", plus we don't stress if hazza drags half the beach in/spills something/knocks something over etc. It's VEEERY kid friendly. The roof bed is so big we don't every have to roll it out for him to sleep up there.
Awesome van.
*edited because I've apparently lost the ability to spell/type! *
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 04 Nov 12 at 21:52
Nugget wrote:
You'll have the ppe police all over with that photo |
hehe, click the link - it's a vid.
Should have seen him soldering with a blowtorch yesterday...
Seriously though, he's a sensible lad and gets the message about garage safety. I'm loving teaching him all the aspects and what does what and how to use everything properly.
He's taken a real interest in doing the work on the Florida - he was too little when we did the T3.
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Nugget
Date Posted: 04 Nov 12 at 22:02
Thank's for the insight into the Florida matey, we are already getting excited thinking about what we are going to buy next spring when we release the equity from the house and were thinking along the lines of a T4 exclusive however a Florida has always appealed to as it is older so I can work on it and bigger than the T4 so hopefully no need for an awning, oh and it comes from an era of VW's that I like.
One more question how many 3 point belts do they have?
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 04 Nov 12 at 22:07
Two 3 pointers it the front (obviously), and 4 lap belts in the back.
That's OK for the time being because we got a baby seat for emms that is designed for use with a lap belt only, and Haz travel up front.
But I'll be putting another 3 pointer in the back as part of the winter fettling. There's 3 options to accomplish it that I know of, and I think I know which way I'm going
The bonus with the Florida is that when folded up and in it's bag, the RIB fits into the space by the cooker, so i don't have to chuck it on the roof
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Nugget
Date Posted: 05 Nov 12 at 21:58
Hmm
Scroll down:
http://www.campervans4u.com/vwwestfaliahightops.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.campervans4u.com/vwwestfaliahightops.html
If only I had £10K burning a hole in my wallet
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Posted By: LTCamper89
Date Posted: 05 Nov 12 at 22:06
Nugget wrote:
Hmm
Scroll down:
http://www.campervans4u.com/vwwestfaliahightops.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.campervans4u.com/vwwestfaliahightops.html
If only I had £10K burning a hole in my wallet |
Too right, but the others, except T3, look crap. ?Who wants a humpback Merc?
------------- 1989 LT28 2.4D Saviour of 6Music, well one of them. Now playing http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/bbc_6music
VW LT Camper not Cramper
....at least the roof is not rusting away....
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 05 Nov 12 at 22:15
Nugget wrote:
Hmm
Scroll down:
http://www.campervans4u.com/vwwestfaliahightops.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.campervans4u.com/vwwestfaliahightops.html
If only I had £10K burning a hole in my wallet |
Looks nice doesn't it? I saw that one when we were looking but it turns out that that section of their website is hopelessly out of date.
http://www.campervans4u.com/stocklist.html" rel="nofollow - Current version here
So you'd need £12 or £14k now....
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Nugget
Date Posted: 05 Nov 12 at 22:23
They still look amazing value to me for what you get and seem to be very resistant to rust (the reason why i fancied updating to a T4), perhaps a shufty on German Ebay might be an idea when the time comes.
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 05 Nov 12 at 22:29
Nugget wrote:
perhaps a shufty on German Ebay might be an idea
|
Or check out german autotrader - http://suchen.mobile.de/wohnwagen/search.html?scopeId=MH&isSearchRequest=true&sortOption.sortBy=price.consumerGrossEuro&lang=en&makeModelVariant1.modelDescription=florida&ambitCountry=" rel="nofollow - click me
It's where ours came from. Paid 6800 euro for it, which came to £6500 landed int he UK.
Even taking into account the stuff we've had to sort out, it still works out good. £5k buys you a lot of fettling...
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Nugget
Date Posted: 05 Nov 12 at 22:46
Bloody hell that's a top tip, the van for 6900 euro looks rather tasty for half it's UK price
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Posted By: caron666
Date Posted: 05 Nov 12 at 23:58
Chappy wrote:
Looks nice doesn't it? I saw that one when we were looking but it turns out that that section of their website is hopelessly out of date.
http://www.campervans4u.com/stocklist.html" rel="nofollow - Current version here
So you'd need £12 or £14k now....
|
Very Nice
But.. would love a lend of that Merc for a long week-end. V6 3.0cdi ??
Even the name is cool
Westfalia Mercedes Benz Viano Marco Polo? Shit! I bet J.Bond will be driving one in the next film. Somehow wont let me insert film so hyperlink it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AByCye4uWNI&feature=fvwrel" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AByCye4uWNI&feature=fvwrel
------------- If it's got tits or wheels sooner or later you're going to get problems.
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Posted By: busbuddy
Date Posted: 12 Nov 12 at 20:29
Chappy wrote:
The Florida was a temporary measure whilst we rustled up the cash for a T5 Colorado. Best thing we ever did. We're back with a proper 'van' camper - never realised how much I missed that sliding door! And despite it's teething issues, we'll be sticking with it and putting the £30k a T5 Colorado would have cost to better use
|
glad you have found something that suits your needs
far too many people make themselves fit the van rather than the other way round
------------- http://www.karmann-coachbuilts.com" rel="nofollow - Karmann
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 12 Nov 12 at 22:19
Did a bit more at the weekend..........
Rock n Roll bed hinge was knackered:
The rotating link that locks the bed into forward facing, rear facing or flat configurations had come off it's locating pin and the pin was damaged.
I tack welded a small washer onto the locating pin to retain the link, then ground back the weld with a slitting wheel. I also spot welded another locking pin back into position:
Pretty it aint, but work it does
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: mrhutch
Date Posted: 12 Nov 12 at 23:40
Chappy wrote:
Pretty it aint, but work it does
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a man after my own heart.
Nicely done Chris, watching this with interest.
------------- T3 1981 Westy Vanagon - thinks lubricant is a fuel
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 09 Dec 12 at 22:02
Time for an update....
Wonder of wonders, I managed to find a replacement RM184 EGI from a bloke in Germany. It looked in excellent nick, so sent to cash and prayed it'd turn up....
3 days later this turned up...
Got it into the garage a set about checking it over. Spot the difference:
Only needed a slight fettle, because the flue was the longer type (out of a T3 I guess), so set to work with the grinder and welder:
Modded the cooling fan while i was at it too:
Tested the 12v and 240v elements, and they're all good. Just waiting for a new thermocouple and then it'll be going back in.
So, now I've got as far as I can with the fridge, it's time to get to work ont' boiler........
Now you see it:
Now you don't:
The offending article:
Squatters:
Having given it the one over, it's clear that it's only fit for the bin. Signs of overheating and localised leakage/corrosion.
Looking at the scarcity and price of spares for the BS10, I've decided to go for a new Truma Ultrastore that runs on gas and 240v, and will bypass the old Westy control panel.
More to come.......
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 09 Dec 12 at 22:25
Plus, picked this up yesterday (the monkey bike that is, not the kid....I've had him for a while...)
Plus got a rack to mount it on the towbar too.......
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: jason k
Date Posted: 09 Dec 12 at 22:27
still need a pic of you on it though!!
------------- Bcs shallowest surf award winner 2006 camperjam 2011 chug and tug team member aberdare. south wales newest member of karmann korner no longer the only moderator to manage to ban himself
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 09 Dec 12 at 22:31
Hehe, aye..... I did think about it today.... but got to wondering why you were so insistent... wouldn't want any photoshopery going on now would we....
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 09 Dec 12 at 22:33
The picture you really wanted was the one of me wheelying it down the lane, riding it up a wall and smashing the back light...
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: jason k
Date Posted: 09 Dec 12 at 22:34
ooops!! goes well then i guess!!
------------- Bcs shallowest surf award winner 2006 camperjam 2011 chug and tug team member aberdare. south wales newest member of karmann korner no longer the only moderator to manage to ban himself
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 09 Dec 12 at 22:39
Yep!
It's off to local motor bike place for MOT, service and general look over this week. Promises to be fun!
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: traversd
Date Posted: 09 Dec 12 at 22:42
Ngggh want one !
------------- Vanfest 2011 - Skittles Vodka Camperjam 2011 tug n chug team Camperjam 2013 - Lost to the Bodybuilders, but delivered in a Syncro Tough Mudder - Fried Piggy For - Charity
So, Rae is a girl then yeah.
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Posted By: jason k
Date Posted: 09 Dec 12 at 22:44
speak nicely to stricty
------------- Bcs shallowest surf award winner 2006 camperjam 2011 chug and tug team member aberdare. south wales newest member of karmann korner no longer the only moderator to manage to ban himself
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Posted By: Surfrider
Date Posted: 09 Dec 12 at 23:40
It was like losing a family member........ good memories on that! Take care of her
------------- I BOOKED MY TICKET TO HELL ALONG TIME AGO.
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 10 Dec 12 at 09:18
Surfrider wrote:
It was like losing a family member........ good memories on that! Take care of her
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We will Andy, no fear hazza has already 'adopted' it
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: rowlesy
Date Posted: 10 Dec 12 at 17:30
looks smart!
------------- UberFukz broke another! sucky sucky five dollah!
always out numbered never out gunned! RWS welding 07846 380 467 (worcs)
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 16 Dec 12 at 21:25
UPDATE!
Before fitting the fridge, I decided to replaced the thermocouple because the once that was fitted was starting to burn through:
Couldn't find one for the RM184, so ended up with one for a RM2260 or RM2262 which is the same fitting, but longer, so needs coiling. Got it all fitted and ready to install:
All done and ready to go:
The hole:
Little bit of anti corrosion prep!
Lining up:
Almost there:
Front panel back on:
Redrilled all the securing screw holes and screwed it all back into place.
Fired it up and it all seems good. Just going to repaint the bottom vents before screwing the front panel on properly.
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 16 Dec 12 at 21:28
Boiler should be here tomorrow/Tues so I'll be getting that back in soon as poss.
Manged to forget that there was no boiler fitted when testing the fridge and wondered why I was getting a really strong smell of gas, and couldn't get the fridge or hob to light......
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: jason k
Date Posted: 16 Dec 12 at 21:38
------------- Bcs shallowest surf award winner 2006 camperjam 2011 chug and tug team member aberdare. south wales newest member of karmann korner no longer the only moderator to manage to ban himself
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Posted By: Tee3
Date Posted: 16 Dec 12 at 21:40
perhaps as well it didnt light!
-------------
YOU CANT EDUCATE GAMMON
http://www.tee3.co.uk/" rel="nofollow - http://www.tee3.co.uk/
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 16 Dec 12 at 22:11
Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 23 Dec 12 at 22:36
Another update:
The van has been really smoking on start-up, so was thinking that the glowplugs may be on their way. Got a set, and set about replacing them. Had done two and when I came to the third, I had to removed the power supply lead. Just out of interest, and because the plugs that has come out so far had been in good nick, I put a meter on the supply lead and guess what........ no power.
Followed the wire back and lo and behold, found this:
Schoolboy error - fuse was knackered. I'd discounted the fuse because I could hear it firing on at least 3 cylinders when I started it. Didn't realise it had two fuses, one for each set of three plugs. Duh!!
So, fixed it:
That done, bit was back to the boiler saga.
New one has arrived:
Looks a bit better that the old one:
Need to run the wiring for the controllers and the 240v supply fromt he back of the van to the boiler though, which is a pain in the neck.
The Westy is so well put together, there's no gaps to run new cabling unless you remove side units/ceiling (needs side units out), or through bathroom (which is sealed).
Solution: modify ceiling panel and run 20mm conduit through top of cupboards:
So we're getting there. Slowly.
One other thing this week, new tyres went on the back:
I reckon she sits much better now.
Lastly, finally got the CCTV installed. This was the last of several security measures we undertook after getting burgled and cleared out a few months back.
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Zeb
Date Posted: 24 Dec 12 at 00:02
Hi there chappy, I have 4 almost new continental 205r14's if you are interested. I payed 100 ea but the clearance is too low for me with -50 avo kit on a t3. I was looking for 150 for the set but would consider any sensible offer to see them put to use again! They were the best tyres available in that size.
Cheers and merry Christmas
Zeb
------------- 1990 Westfalia California 1.6TD
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Posted By: Zeb
Date Posted: 24 Dec 12 at 00:08
I had rib envy but seeing that monkey bike has really set me off.....
You have too many toys and should let that bike go to a good home, I'll take care of it for you if you like.
Cheers
------------- 1990 Westfalia California 1.6TD
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 24 Dec 12 at 00:12
Zeb wrote:
Hi there chappy, I have 4 almost new continental 205r14's if you are interested. I payed 100 ea but the clearance is too low for me with -50 avo kit on a t3. I was looking for 150 for the set but would consider any sensible offer to see them put to use again! They were the best tyres available in that size.
Cheers and merry Christmas
Zeb |
Cheers for the offer dude, but she's now got brand spanking new one's on each corner. Pity, 'cos if it had been a week ago I'd deffo had them off you.
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 24 Dec 12 at 00:17
Zeb wrote:
I had rib envy but seeing that monkey bike has really set me off.....
You have too many toys and should let that bike go to a good home, I'll take care of it for you if you like.
|
You can't have too many toys!
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Nugget
Date Posted: 31 Dec 12 at 10:07
Hmm HP Sauce, I fancy a bacon butty now
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 03 Feb 13 at 19:47
Right-o, been a while since an update. What with Crimbo, work and a few other things I've had on the boil, it's been difficult to get to the Florida.
Anyway, finally got back on the case and while waiting for a dry day to fit the boiler and roof vents, started stripping out the side panel in readiness for a 3 point seatbelt anchor installation. We need a 3 pointer for Emma, 'cos she's 7 months now and rapidly outgrowing her rear facing, lap belt securable car chair.
I've seen a range of installs of 3 pointers in Floridas, and have had lots of info sent to me by peeps who have done it (my hearty thanks to you all)
But.....there's always a 'but'.....all the installs I've seen involve using the bench seat-back as a load absorbing point i.e. the seatbelt goes over the seat back and then over the person.
Given the options in a Florida, I fully understand why this is the chosen course, but I have a nagging doubt. I've recently fettled the hinges on one of the folding seats, and having got to know them intimately, I fear that they're not up to snuff in terms of bearing large and suddenly inflicted loads.
So, I'm going to have a crack at installing a mounting point onto the existing vehicle structural framework.
First job is to strip out the panelling and anything else that needs to come off in order to get at what you want:
Had to remove the panel the lights are mounted in, and then the side panel itself. This exposed a zinc plated panel, which was riveted in place:
Rivets drilled, and we're down to insulation:
And voilà, the bare frame exposed:
There is a major body beam running across the top, and two smaller strengtheners running across the middle of the panel between vertical body pillars. My intention is to fabricate a suitable plate or frame which will be welded between beam and strengtheners, onto which will be welded my seatbelt mount. It'll have to be a static belt though - no room for an inertia reel. This is not probs at it's going to have Ems's seat attached to it which has a built in tensioner.
I'll report back as it progresses. Just need to get some bloody oxy-acetylene now..... I'm out and it's apparently easier to get semtex unless you have a contract (£300 odd quid!!), and that's just for porta pak size!
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 03 Feb 13 at 19:57
Also got down to stripping out interior so I can install new gas piping for the new boiler. As part of the removal process I noticed that the gas supply pipe was corroded in the roof section, so it needs replacing.
Fair play to ze Germans, they don't half build 'em good. Not a millimeter of clearance anywhere to sneak a bit of piping through. FFS!
So, just stripped out the lower level of the kitchen shelving to expose a hidden route for my new supply piping. Top top it all off, I will have to fit a pressure reducer in the line to reduce from the westy tank's supply of 50mbar to 30mbar for the boiler, 'cos you can't get them in 50 mbar anymore.
New Pipe:
The intended route:
Those panels are a major pain in the arse to get out!
New controls for the boiler, installed and wired Plus the new RCD fitted and wired.
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: jason k
Date Posted: 03 Feb 13 at 21:49
nice work fella!! our lt is off to dean for some custom fabrication!!
------------- Bcs shallowest surf award winner 2006 camperjam 2011 chug and tug team member aberdare. south wales newest member of karmann korner no longer the only moderator to manage to ban himself
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Posted By: mrhutch
Date Posted: 03 Feb 13 at 22:14
Chappy, why do you need Oxy? for welding?
------------- T3 1981 Westy Vanagon - thinks lubricant is a fuel
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 04 Feb 13 at 07:45
mrhutch wrote:
Chappy, why do you need Oxy? for welding? |
Aye, the trigger on my mig is knackered and I was thinking that I'd rather gas weld it than mig it inside the van. Might just have to fix the mig though!
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: mrhutch
Date Posted: 04 Feb 13 at 09:50
fix the MIG son!
------------- T3 1981 Westy Vanagon - thinks lubricant is a fuel
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 04 Feb 13 at 11:20
Aye! Looks like £75 for a new gun and trigger unit
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 10 Feb 13 at 21:10
Bit of progress this weekend. Managed to get both the T3 and the Florida waxoyled and got the oil and filter change done on the Florida.
Found a coolant leak while I was under there, so will be adding that to the list!
Also made some progress on the inside. 4mm and 3mm plate for the fabrication of the top mounting point/bracket for the 3 point seatbelt in the back has arrive, and I've also got fresh oxy/acetylene bottles yay! Will probs still mig it though
Started running the new pipework for the gas supply to the boiler. Only one piece will be visible once it's all done and I'll put some conduit over that:
From the boiler it goes down through the cupboard then into the space behind the lower fascia (currently removed):
Along the inside of the fascia (pipe awaiting to be clipped into place):
Out the other side, and down into the back of the lower cupboards:
...and then out into the cupboard where the gas supply master controls are:
Managed to do it all in one single run........ then kinked the pipe when finishing off in the gas control cupboard... BAAAASSSSTTTAAAARDDDDDD!
Had to cut the last metre out and joint a new section in:
Finally, fitted the reducing regulator to drop the pressure from 50mbar to 30mbar for the new heater. They're all now 30mbar apparently.....european regs and all that...
So, progress...... not a lot, but progress nevertheless
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 10 Feb 13 at 21:58
When I removed the side unit below the shelf and above the nearside window to get at the chassis to do the seat belt mount, this fell out.....
XXL!! FFS! Show-off Germans!
Gonna need to give the upholstery a good wash now.....
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: jason k
Date Posted: 10 Feb 13 at 22:30
------------- Bcs shallowest surf award winner 2006 camperjam 2011 chug and tug team member aberdare. south wales newest member of karmann korner no longer the only moderator to manage to ban himself
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Posted By: traversd
Date Posted: 11 Feb 13 at 07:42
Sorry Chappy, must of dropped that when I was getting the guided tour of the Florida
Awesome work, that gas pipe is a pain in the arse to work with !
------------- Vanfest 2011 - Skittles Vodka Camperjam 2011 tug n chug team Camperjam 2013 - Lost to the Bodybuilders, but delivered in a Syncro Tough Mudder - Fried Piggy For - Charity
So, Rae is a girl then yeah.
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 17 Feb 13 at 21:12
traversd wrote:
Sorry Chappy, must of dropped that when I was getting the guided tour of the Florida
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You must have had the 'premium' tour then
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: jason k
Date Posted: 17 Feb 13 at 21:15
Thing is in germany Xxl= extra extra little!! Fair play for owning up to that daz!!
------------- Bcs shallowest surf award winner 2006 camperjam 2011 chug and tug team member aberdare. south wales newest member of karmann korner no longer the only moderator to manage to ban himself
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 17 Feb 13 at 21:37
Just got back from a week away with the Chappy clan - small converted barn just north of Oxford. very nice, but it's not a VW . Just as well really 'cos it bollocked down with snow while we were there.
Anyway, got back Friday, so family duties done, had a weekend to catch up with the Florida and that ferkin boiler!
Started to run the gas piping to the roof and the boiler:
Last sort out of the boiler location:
Last remants of the old supply pipe cut away (reason for replacement evident!):
All the stuff for the final installation (no more 'test' fits - yay!):
Boiler mounting plate modified:
Cables run:
Final fit of boiler and preliminary final runs of gas pipe:
Last join installed, and new clips installed (required due to taking a completely new route with the gas pipe):
Leak testing:
NO LEAKS!!!! WOOOOHOOOO!!!!
Final cables tied into place:
..................and after what seems like eons.... it's in. Just need to fill with water and test fire it on gas and using the element (it's also got a 240v dual setting element for when hooked up ), then bond the flue cover on.
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 17 Feb 13 at 21:41
And another little bit of good news.....in between all that, I test fired the outboard for the RIB after rebuilding the carb and the gearbox and it cranked up on the second hit. Runs sweet as a nut, sprayed water all over the garage from the prop when I put it into gear.
Bring on the summer!
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: ttcharlie
Date Posted: 18 Feb 13 at 09:20
Is the Florida man enough to pull the boat??
------------- Counting Bricks.....
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Posted By: jason k
Date Posted: 18 Feb 13 at 10:33
Chappys boat folds up to fit inside!
------------- Bcs shallowest surf award winner 2006 camperjam 2011 chug and tug team member aberdare. south wales newest member of karmann korner no longer the only moderator to manage to ban himself
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 18 Feb 13 at 10:37
It's only a ten foot RIB Charlie, so it packs down into a bag about 3 foot by 1 foot by a foot and a half, and sits nicely up against the back door in the Florida.
If you scroll back up the thread I think there's a photo of it. I'm on my phone and the signal is shite so I can't check.
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: ttcharlie
Date Posted: 18 Feb 13 at 11:35
Excellent, you got a boat, a new fridge, just need a good fiashing rod and a BBQ for when the Mackeral come in.
------------- Counting Bricks.....
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 18 Feb 13 at 11:56
ttcharlie wrote:
Excellent, you got a boat, a new fridge, just need a good fiashing rod and a BBQ for when the Mackeral come in.
|
Way ahead of you Charlie Just taken delivery of two roller tip boat rods, and got the cadac runnning off the westy gas tank
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: ttcharlie
Date Posted: 18 Feb 13 at 15:40
Let me know when you are Jas are on a weekend trip and I'll come across the bridge to join you. Used to enjoy the BBQ'd Mackeral caught of Fresh West, when I was growing up in Deepest West wales. Cheers
------------- Counting Bricks.....
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 18 Feb 13 at 16:39
ttcharlie wrote:
Let me know when you are Jas are on a weekend trip and I'll come across the bridge to join you.
Used to enjoy the BBQ'd Mackeral caught of Fresh West, when I was growing up in Deepest West wales.
Cheers |
Will do, fresh caught BBQ mackerel or sea bass is awesome. Althought my current record in terms of catch rate is errrmmm.... not great
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: jason k
Date Posted: 18 Feb 13 at 19:20
Yup, I've never caught owt bar a cold when I've been fishing with him and sponge!!
------------- Bcs shallowest surf award winner 2006 camperjam 2011 chug and tug team member aberdare. south wales newest member of karmann korner no longer the only moderator to manage to ban himself
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 18 Feb 13 at 20:11
If the boat approach doesn't work.... Dynamite next eh?
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 24 Feb 13 at 21:24
More work done this weekend.
Got the gas tank cover fitted:
Tested the boiler, works a treat on gas and 240v. Thank fuck for that! With the amount of work that went into it, I was more than a little uptight when firing up for the first time.
So, finished securing/tucking the cables away:
Refitted the insulation:
and got to put that feckin roof panel back to hide it all away
Lastly, had to fit the flue and flue cover. Thought I might as well fit the new kitchen skylight while I was up there with the S-I-K-A flex.
Flue:
Mounting plate stuck and screwed on:
Flue cover fitted - that's the first time on 2 months that it hasn't has a Tesco carrier back taped over the hole!:
Old roof light - note shoe lace to prevent opening!:
The old roof-light had been leaking and once removed this become clear:
From outside:
Removed old sealant:
Laid down a generous bead of sealant and new roof light fitted:
It's hard to believe the difference it's made in terms of light:
Now the boiler is done, I was able to put the kitchen shelves and fascia back together:
Note the hole above the cooker - inspection hatch for a joint in the new gas line to the boiler. You can't get that panel off without disassembling the entire lower kitchen shelving and fascia, so I got some matching vinyl covering to make up an inspection hatch:
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 24 Feb 13 at 21:31
Once all that was done, started work on the mounting point for the 3 pointer seatbelt for the back seat.
Here's the basis of the constituent parts - 4mm plate steel and two captive mounting points. Going to fit two points so it's be suitable for Emma's child seat, Harry on a booster or an adult:
Measuring and marking up on the van:
Marking up the plate:
Plate cut, drilled and deburred:
That's as far as I got. Next weekend will be finishing the seatbelt mounts, fixing a header tank coolant leak and fitting a 19" flat screen TV
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 24 Feb 13 at 21:51
Now that the odyssey of retrofitting a new boiler (2+ months) is done, I was looking back and wondering whether it was all worth it.
Bearing in mind that I had to modify the roof, modify the boiler mounts, run supply and control cables in a van with NO easy way to hide it, and run new copper gas supply pipe which meant dismantling half the kitchen fascia, plus installing a secondary 30mbar regulator, it's easy to understand why there were times when I thought to myself ............ "is it really worth it".
For us, the answer is yes. Two young kids - one 7 yrs and one 8 months, it's invaluable for us to have hot water on the move - especially as we try to do as much as possible as a family out and about. This invariably means weekends away at different venues that have varying (or non existent) facilities.
But, one thing made me really feel that it was the right thing to do. I tried all ways to get our boiler to work, and in the end it had to be replaced.
I'm glad it did, and despite all of the above. The reason is this:
This is the end of the original gas supply pipe that connected to the boiler. It comes out of the ceiling, behind the boiler and runs just below the condensation outlet. In ours, it was obvious that over 20 odds years, the sealant was letting in condensation from the condensation outlet and this was soaking into the insulation and keeping the gas supply pipe wet. The result is massive corrosion of the pipe. If we'd managed to get our original boiler going, we'd be none the wiser to this.
I'd dread to think what an eventual gas leak in that roof space would have done once the boiler lit up.
Certainly food for though for all of us who run 20 odd year old Floridas. Maybe a good idea to take that roof panel out and put your hand/mirror down the back of the boiler and feel what that pipe is like.
It'll take 20 mins max.
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: DavidPallister
Date Posted: 25 Feb 13 at 20:45
Certainly some food for thought there, for owners of all vans, not just floridas.
When we bought our van, we found the flexi gas hose held to the regulator with a f**king cable tie!!!!!!!..........
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Posted By: floridaboy
Date Posted: 25 Feb 13 at 21:34
Hi Chappy
Loving the work your'e doing! Can't wait to see the 3 point belts fitted.
Out of interest, how did you get the cadac to run off the gas cylinder. I'm thinking of getting one, and that would be the way to go.
Thanks
Chris
------------- 1990 LT31 Florida 2.4TD
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 25 Feb 13 at 22:03
There's a gas takeoff point just after the regulator on the tank. Use one of these http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=771&category_id=160" rel="nofollow - (click here) to plug into it.
I used these too http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=772&category_id=160" rel="nofollow - (click) , on the other end of the hose so I can run either the cadac or a camping hob, or both at the same time from the same supply hose.
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 25 Feb 13 at 22:04
There's a picture of the takeoff point and it's valve int he Florida user manual. As soon as photobucket is back up and running I'll see if I can get a picture up.
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 26 Feb 13 at 21:38
Here you go:
The takeoff point is marked 'B' on this drawing, and it's controlled by valve 'C':
It's on this one too (slightly better perspective):
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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Posted By: Baxter
Date Posted: 26 Feb 13 at 23:29
Posted By: Chappy
Date Posted: 02 Mar 13 at 22:04
Did a bit more today.
Essential kit:
Seatbelt arrived:
Welded seatbelt points to mounting plate:
Welded the plate into place:
Artistic it's not, but weld depth is good:
Undersealed/waxoyled:
Slight mod to interior trim support:
Insulation back in:
Inner panel riveted back in place:
Hole positions calculated and drilled:
Rest of interior panel goes back in tomorrow and then it's on with the rest of it!
------------- Back in the slow lane, yeah!
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