Ideal order of conversion tasks

[ChezCheese:-)]

Ok, so we'll shortly have a 2006 Chevy Express in excellent mechanical condition. There are a number of upgrades we want to do, and I was wondering if you folks would chime in with the most efficient order of business:

• Have hightop installed
• Paint the exterior
• Raptor clad the lower portion of the vehicle
• Add stabilizers and upgrade suspension
• Put in windows in side door and opposite wall
• Install fans/ventilators
• Insulation & sound deadening
• The interior build out

How would you organize this list?

And are the hightop people the ones to have install the windows and fans, since they have the tools and are experienced in cutting the van body?

 

[highdesertranger]

after the windows and before the fans the van should be wired for all electrical needs. highdesertranger

 

[Van-Tramp]

You might as well have the fans and windows installed BEFORE the painting gets done. Otherwise you will be cutting holes in a vehicle that you just paid to have painted. Honestly, the exterior paint can be one of the final things you do.

As for the interior, here is how I did it;
- stripped the interior out
- floor
- water tank and plumbing
- ceiling fan
- 12v and 120v wiring all around
- insulation
- windows
- wall paneling
- ceiling paneling
- shelving, cabinetry, and bed

 

[ChezCheese:-)]

Right, the electricals...

Since we live in the PNW and solar is often problematic, my husband is thinking maybe to go with a deep cycle battery system which would use the van's generator to charge with. My thoughts are that why not have solar as an adjunct charging system? Mind you he is a solar (and marine and etc) electrical contractor so he knows more than I do in this field.

Opinions?

 

[Van-Tramp]

Even a small 100 watt solar panel connected to that battery will do you good. You will hate hearing that genny running all the time, and the cost of running it will eventually cost you more than a simple panel setup.

My advice, get a foldable panel that you can deploy when you want it. A simple charge controller and 25-50 feet of cable will allow you to park in the shade while setting up the panel out in the sun. Great for the summer days. No holes drilled into the van while keeping your options open on power. Easy to upgrade to another panel if you want as well.

 

[amwbox]

I'm in the PNW. It really depends on how much power your using, but I get by fine on solar alone. Honestly, doing the bulk charging with the alternator and keeping the bank topped up with solar is the best solution. Alternators are best at bulk charging, solar is better for fully charging the bank. The combination is aces. You'll be surprised how much power you can get from solar even on an overcast day. Alternator alone is a great way to ruin batteries, honestly, unless you are driving all day. Deep cycle batteries like to be fully charged, routinely, and just driving around a bit probably won't get the job done. Solar will, even through clouds, assuming the system is properly designed.

 

[ChezCheese:-)]

I don't think he's talking about a separate standalone generator -- I hate noise and couldn't put up with that. I think he means to use the vehicle engine generator to charge up the battery/ies when we drive.

 

[amwbox]

For future reference, generators and alternators are very different things.

 

[ChezCheese:-)]

Ok, we posted at the same time... That's sort what I was thinking. I'll talk to him tonight about it.

 

[highdesertranger]

your husband should know that charging off the vehicles alternator takes hours and hours of driving to fully recharge a depleted battery. idling for long periods takes even longer. I always feel the best approach is to have as many charge sources as possible, that includes solar, vehicle alternator, shore power or portable generator charging. highdesertranger

 

[Artsyguy]

Do the mechanical and exterior work first. But I believe the first thing to do (as I did in my Chevy Express) was to get the plywood subfloor installed ASAP. It gives you a more comfortable surface to work on when you are working inside and also a point to measure from. You can even put a rolling chair in and do a lot of your work seated. Being 6'2" and NOT having a high top, that saved a LOT of physical pain and effort.

 

[ChezCheese:-)]

Mr.ChezCheese thinks solar assisted is the right path, as a few of you have suggested.

Artsyguy, did you insulate under your subfloor, so that step was totally done, or did you just cut and place a temporary subfloor and then insulate everything at once when you got to the point of doing the walls/ceiling?

 

[wistful vista]

As for the interior, here is how I did it;
- stripped the interior out
- floor
- water tank and plumbing
- ceiling fan
- 12v and 120v wiring all around
- insulation
- windows
- wall paneling
- ceiling paneling
- shelving, cabinetry, and bed

Perhaps this is a silly question, but would the batteries, solar panels, charger, etc. be installed at the same time as the wiring?