I was going to say sorry for not posting for a while, but I am not sorry because I have been extremely busy working on my mobile home.
It's getting very close to nearing completion. But...still a lot of small niggling things to fit in or install that will take more time.
At times it has been very frustrating since I have had to work it out as I go along. Customising the inside has meant everything has to be hand made since not much comes in flat packs for this sort of job. Though I did have a basic plan, I soon learnt that the plan has to be very flexible whilst constantly remember the three rules, keep it lightweight, keep it lighweight and of course, keep it lightweight.
Overall, I have learnt a lot from this project and I am still thoroughly enjoying it. Of course, the most enjoyable part will be when I get to take it on the road and use it for what is is now designed for.
Thanks to everyone, once again, for the great information found here regarding solar power as well as the support from you nomadic lot.
To view updated photos please click the link below or paste it into your web browser. There are now three pages of photos in total so be sure to scroll to the bottom to click for more pages.
frank only one thing I can say about that, bloody well done mate, good job and a first class finish, as good as any that one would likely buy or rent
congratulations and I'll bet you cant wait to jump in and take her out, you will of course have noticed that I have stopped annoying you of late, that is because I thought you could use a little peace and quiet
if we can be of any further assistance give us a shout, but the deal is that you must keep us up to date with all occurances!!!!!!
well, you should look upon it with great pride and just say "I BUILT THAT!!!!"" always a good thing to be able to do, anyway, well done that man...............
Valderi said
04:27 PM Feb 21, 2009
Hi Dave. Thanks for your kind words. Dave you don't annoy me, if not for you and basil I would not have got this for.
Thanks again Dave.
Cheers Frank.
dave06 said
04:30 PM Feb 21, 2009
course you would have, you've got more than that inside you, give yourself more praise than that mate!!! we just give you a little push. but well bloody done you!!!!!!
Basil Faulty said
04:55 PM Feb 21, 2009
I'm suitably impressed. Don't think you could tell it from a bought one.....
Roostertales said
06:18 PM Feb 21, 2009
Hi Frank
Is it too forward to ask what the project will end up costing ?
What year /was it a new van you started with ?
It seems to be a single sleeper ? is there provision for a companion or second person ?
How secure/safe is the solar panel arrangement and power supply capacity ?
It would be great to know more about the project.
Mike
dave06 said
06:59 PM Feb 21, 2009
ah!! the little freckle faced kid from down the back hasn't been paying attention to previous postings hmmm!!!!!!!
Roostertales said
07:03 PM Feb 21, 2009
Well .... actually no ....if there is any mention of it I have missed it.
However .....I will take anyones fair dinkum answers. Apologies (hic) to Frank for not paying attention. earlier
I was too busy having recovering from heart attack /depression / redundancy etc !
Time for another red !
dave06 said
07:06 PM Feb 21, 2009
the start (from memory, which is sure to be incorrect was "the journey before the journey" but if you have a geek at franks site it will give you an insight if you sight my meaning, oh jeezzz, beer o'clock time
Valderi said
08:41 PM Feb 21, 2009
Hi Basil, Thanks alot for your praise, as I mentioned if it wasn't for yourself and Dave's encouragement and knowledge I would still be fumbling around.
Again, thanks alot Basil.
Cheers Frank
Valderi said
08:59 PM Feb 21, 2009
Hi Mike
I will answer each question and hope this helps.
Is it too forward to ask what the project will end up costing ?
No, it's not too forward to ask what the project will end up costing. It will be an ongoing project for life and I don't know what the total cost will be. I am trying to keep a running total but there might be some small items that I have forgotten to write down. So I would say I have spent approximately $15,000 on fitting it out to date. Not including the price of the van.
What year /was it a new van you started with ?
I bought a used van, 2000 model Toyota Commuter. $23,000 was the cost with 58000 kms on the clock. I started the conversion October 2008.
It seems to be a single sleeper ? is there provision for a companion or second person ?
Yes, it's a single sleeper. I will be travelling full time solo, no room for a companion. But I would recommend nothing smaller than a Toyota Coaster if there are two of you and if you wish to travel full time.
How secure/safe is the solar panel arrangement and power supply capacity ?
If you have a bloody long power chord and also a silent angle grinder as well as three big fellas over six feet tall, you will still not be able to take the solar panels off. Hope that answers that question.
The power capacity will produce one hundred amps per day based on five hours sunlight per day. This will meet my needs for what I wish to run.
It would be great to know more about the project.
I will keep you all posted about the ongoing project. One thing I definitely know, it will never be finished. Just like a home, since this is my home, there is always something to fix or change and whatnot.
Cheers Frank
Valderi said
09:02 PM Feb 21, 2009
Mike, no need to apologise for not paying attention.
Recovering from a heart attack is not an easy thing when you can only walk to the end of your driveway and you are wondering how you are going to make it back to your house again.
I have also had a heart attack and a stroke, but I say "don't let a thing with no brains beat you" Battle on fella and you will make it.
Cheers Frank
Roostertales said
10:03 PM Feb 21, 2009
Hi Frank
At the moment I have gone with a territory AWD with a view of hitching up an AVAN or similiar.
Although I am married it is probable I will travel solo for some/much of my Aust travels as and when I can.
It 's great to see the level of individual expertise shown by members hence my interest.
Irrrespective of final van choice I will be looking to adopt/adapt as much green and self sustainable technology as possible.
The forum has provided me with an insight into numerous topics of self sufficiency.
Good luck with your travels and maybe will see you in Melb or the trail in due course.
Mike
Smokeydk said
10:32 AM Feb 25, 2009
trys again.......3 times I've tried
Hi Frank.....you've done a great job.......excellent work
Dave
xina said
04:08 PM Feb 25, 2009
Hi Frank. Easy access for storage looks great, but being a solo female, the only thing I would change over-all, would be straight through access to the driving seat, just in case I would need to make a quick exit from an unsafe situation. Being a male, you would be less likely to have to do that. You've done a greaty job. Cheers, xina.
Valderi said
01:40 PM Feb 26, 2009
Smokeydk wrote:
trys again.......3 times I've tried
Hi Frank.....you've done a great job.......excellent work
Dave
Hi Dave. Thanks for your kind complement, still a long way to go yet. Cheers Frank
Valderi said
01:53 PM Feb 26, 2009
xina wrote:
Hi Frank. Easy access for storage looks great, but being a solo female, the only thing I would change over-all, would be straight through access to the driving seat, just in case I would need to make a quick exit from an unsafe situation. Being a male, you would be less likely to have to do that. You've done a greaty job. Cheers, xina.
Hi Gayle. Your right about the straight through access to the drivers seat it would get you out from a bad situation with no problem, I did think about this plan when I first started the project but went for more units instead. Thanks for your complements. Cheers Frank.
elders said
10:02 PM Feb 26, 2009
hi frank i think you are very lucky to be able to make your own home. as i cant so much as hammer a nail i have spent most of my life frustrated as i cant get anything done. it once took me two weeks to put in 4 screws when my gate was broken by a vandal. congratulations on your achievements and good luck
Hi Everyone
I was going to say sorry for not posting for a while, but I am not sorry because I have been extremely busy working on my mobile home.
It's getting very close to nearing completion. But...still a lot of small niggling things to fit in or install that will take more time.
At times it has been very frustrating since I have had to work it out as I go along. Customising the inside has meant everything has to be hand made since not much comes in flat packs for this sort of job. Though I did have a basic plan, I soon learnt that the plan has to be very flexible whilst constantly remember the three rules, keep it lightweight, keep it lighweight and of course, keep it lightweight.
Overall, I have learnt a lot from this project and I am still thoroughly enjoying it. Of course, the most enjoyable part will be when I get to take it on the road and use it for what is is now designed for.
Thanks to everyone, once again, for the great information found here regarding solar power as well as the support from you nomadic lot.
To view updated photos please click the link below or paste it into your web browser. There are now three pages of photos in total so be sure to scroll to the bottom to click for more pages.
http://www.fwillustrations.com/index.php?p=1_13
Cheers
Frank
Thanks for your kind words.
Dave you don't annoy me, if not for you and basil I would not have got this for.
Thanks again Dave.
Cheers Frank.
Hi Basil,
Thanks alot for your praise, as I mentioned if it wasn't for yourself and Dave's encouragement and knowledge I would still be fumbling around.
Again, thanks alot Basil.
Cheers Frank
I will answer each question and hope this helps.
Is it too forward to ask what the project will end up costing ?
No, it's not too forward to ask what the project will end up costing. It will be an ongoing project for life and I don't know what the total cost will be. I am trying to keep a running total but there might be some small items that I have forgotten to write down. So I would say I have spent approximately $15,000 on fitting it out to date. Not including the price of the van.
What year /was it a new van you started with ?
I bought a used van, 2000 model Toyota Commuter. $23,000 was the cost with 58000 kms on the clock. I started the conversion October 2008.
It seems to be a single sleeper ? is there provision for a companion or second person ?
Yes, it's a single sleeper. I will be travelling full time solo, no room for a companion. But I would recommend nothing smaller than a Toyota Coaster if there are two of you and if you wish to travel full time.
How secure/safe is the solar panel arrangement and power supply capacity ?
If you have a bloody long power chord and also a silent angle grinder as well as three big fellas over six feet tall, you will still not be able to take the solar panels off. Hope that answers that question.
The power capacity will produce one hundred amps per day based on five hours sunlight per day. This will meet my needs for what I wish to run.
It would be great to know more about the project.
I will keep you all posted about the ongoing project. One thing I definitely know, it will never be finished. Just like a home, since this is my home, there is always something to fix or change and whatnot.
Cheers Frank
Mike, no need to apologise for not paying attention.
Recovering from a heart attack is not an easy thing when you can only walk to the end of your driveway and you are wondering how you are going to make it back to your house again.
I have also had a heart attack and a stroke, but I say "don't let a thing with no brains beat you" Battle on fella and you will make it.
Cheers
Frank
Hi Frank.....you've done a great job.......excellent work
Dave
Easy access for storage looks great, but being a solo female, the only thing I would change over-all, would be straight through access to the driving seat, just in case I would need to make a quick exit from an unsafe situation. Being a male, you would be less likely to have to do that.
You've done a greaty job.
Cheers,
xina.
Thanks for your kind complement, still a long way to go yet.
Cheers Frank
i think you are very lucky to be able to make your own home. as i cant so much as hammer a nail i have spent most of my life frustrated as i cant get anything done. it once took me two weeks to put in 4 screws when my gate was broken by a vandal. congratulations on your achievements and good luck