Jake's Place

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Lookin' good, Vanimal</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Quite a step up from the Astro. We're excited for you!</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob (aka stude53)</p>

 

[Vanimal]

@ Blkjak it's the 351. I've never owned a Ford before, but am becoming a fan.<div><br></div><div>Oh it's soooo much better than the astro, and the astro was better than the SUV. Just keeps gettin better!</div><div><br></div><div>Thanx everyone! Good to be back online, more pics to come!</div>

 

[VanFan]

<i>Very</i> nice.&nbsp; Congratulations!<br>Vickie<br><br>

 

[She]

Very nice!!

 

[simply lesa]

Wow way to go! Congrats on the new diggs.<div><br></div><div>teehee he has a throne w/a view!&nbsp;<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif"></div>

 

[4x4tour]

Great start... Having a toilet is awesome.&nbsp;

 

[Vanimal]

Hello everyone! It's been a while! My new job is keeping me pretty busy and The Vansion takes up the rest of my time. Life is good, making money, paying down debt, living in a van, sticking to the plan.<div><br><div>Here are some updates on The Vansion:</div></div><div><br></div><div>Took out the ol' tube TV</div><div><br></div><div>

</div><div><br></div><div>Put in a new LED LCD. In power saver mode it runs on 40 watts. There must be a antenna somwhere inside the van because I found a coax cable, plugged it in and I get OTA broadcast tv. Have a MacMini with a bluetooth keyboard and over 500 movies on the HD.</div><div><br></div><div>

</div>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Nice upgrade, Vanimal. The Vansion just gets better.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob (aka stude53)</p>

 

[Vanimal]

I installed DC to AC power inverter under the passenger seat. Cobra CPI 1000. Turned out to be a great inverter. Very low idle power consumption, and very efficient when in operation. Also the only 1000 watt inverter I found that has remote on/off capability. Bought some jumper cables and canablized the wire. Cheaper that buying 4 gauge wire by its self.<div><br></div><div>

</div><div><br></div><div>Instead of paying for the $30 remote I made my own out of a phone cord and a momentary switch. Also added a LED for a power indicator. Mounted it on a audio distro that was above my door. Ended up costing $2 for the LED. Saving money and recycling!</div><div><br></div><div>

</div><div><br></div><div>Inverter $120</div><div>Stuff to install $60</div><div>Remote $2</div>

 

[Vanimal]

Here is where it gets cool. So the AC unit, the microwave, and the edisons only worked when hooked to shore power. I have a fuse/breaker box in the back. I ran the 110 volt output of the inverter to the panel. 3 3 way switches were installed under the seat that select if the output leg of the circuit is fed from the shore or the inverter. This makes the system "idiot proof" in that the shore and the inverter can never touch each other if you are plugged to shore and have the inverter on.<div><br></div><div>

</div><div><br></div><div>

</div><div><br></div><div>A big shout out to my Dad and Brother for thinking this up and assisting with the wiring!!!</div>

 

[Vanimal]

@4x4tour ya having a toilet is such a relief. I use it less than I expected but Ive noticed I now boondock further from my comfort zone. It just feels good knowing its there. Ive come to find out you might have a toilet emergency, but not ever a shower emergency. Working in showers to a schedule is easy. Planning out when to "go" is not.

 

[Vanimal]

I swore I would never buy another guitar but I had a weak moment. I justified it with the rationalization that I needed a 3/4 size for the van. Anyway I'm happy with it and got a sweet wall mount for it and it now hangs over the commode.<div><br></div><div>

</div><div><br></div>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<FONT color=#0000ff>I swore I would never buy another guitar</FONT><br><FONT color=#000000>Looks like a necessity to me Vanimal. Does the wall mount keep it from swinging when you drive or do you need felt or something so it doesn't get damaged?</FONT><br><b><FONT color=#ff00ff>Dragonfly</FONT></b><br>

 

[Seraphim]

So you can sit on the commode and play?<br><br>Guitar?<br><br>You're doing some neat stuff there. With the van build.<br><br>

 

[Vanimal]

Ya it is a necessity. I also thought I was needing to secure it better. It seems to be ok, it hasn't fell off yet and I haven't heard it swinging into anything so I'll call it good for now.
You don't get to play guitar while on the commode, you have to!

 

[She]

Wow really cool Van. Looks great and so homey.&nbsp;

 

[Journeyman]

Now THAT I would like to have. Beautiful inside and out. And it has everything that you need. Very Cool.

 

[Vanimal]

Jumping on to say hi and give a much needed update to my adventures! Vansion and I are doing well. Hard to believe I've been full timing for almost 7 months. Currently installing a digital voltmeter and a switch to toggle between my van battery and my house battery. Will post some pics here soon. Also in the planning stages of a solar system so I will be sure to post &nbsp;my progress.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Hope everyone is doing well!!!</div>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Hey, Vanimal <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="/images/boards/smilies/comp.gif">, keep us posted on your progress and adventures more often.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I have your build bookmarked for reference. If you could work up a schematic on your electrics, I'd sure like a copy. A lot of the things you are doing, I plan to emulate.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Thanks and GodSpeed from</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob (aka stude53)</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>

 

[herbandskils]

Pimpin van man. nice choice on the tv. it's on my list too. Not sure about pooping in my van though, I think it would melt the interior. I'm a pro tools engineer. Word