Our Expanda- from mild to WILD

[Boots in Action]

And after deciding to have no table(were gunna use fold up tables), we decided a fixed table would be better as long as it didnt make getting in and out of bed a pain.
So, drilled a big hole through floor, made up a mount flush with floor inside and bulk of it underneath van.
Result seems good. Table still moves to multi positions View attachment 60570View attachment 60571View attachment 60572View attachment 60573

Some really good engineering ideas @Moto Mech !! A great inspiration for all who wish to improve what they have. What a way to go!!

 

[Moto Mech]

you sir are a god damn inspiration.

any issues since underslinging the axle?

No, none at all.
I have a set of Offroad springs(eye to eye) to fit soon so not sure if it will stay underslung or not(new springs alot higher).

 

[Crusty181]

Hey @Moto Mech how did the flexi solar panels end up

 

[Moto Mech]

Hey @Moto Mech how did the flexi solar panels end up

So far, so good.
After the first one failed within a month, replacement one has been on for over 6 mths and going great.

 

[Crusty181]

So far, so good.
After the first one failed within a month, replacement one has been on for over 6 mths and going great.

Have you tested the output on them. I bought 2 x 250w panels off Ebay and they peaked at only 7 amps which is what my blanket 150w outputs.

Im a bit gun shy now

 

[Moto Mech]

Have you tested the output on them. I bought 2 x 250w panels off Ebay and they peaked at only 7 amps which is what my blanket 150w outputs.

Im a bit gun shy now

I have tested them, think they were putting out 9.5a (11.5a rated) but cant remember for sure. I think it is in a post way back.

 

[Moto Mech]

Been abit slack of late, winter and all does that to a guy.
Had 4 days away over Christmas and got jack of having to heat water up for a shower.
So grabbed a instant gas hot water unit and made up a slide out frame for rear of van.
Plumbed it up today and tried it out, works a treat.
Have to move rear lights yet as well.

 

[Drover]

Chook pen next ????? for fresh eggs while travelling ?????

 

[Moto Mech]

Chook pen next ????? for fresh eggs while travelling ?????

I like your thinking

 

[1DayIll]

Been abit slack of late, winter and all does that to a guy.
Had 4 days away over Christmas and got jack of having to heat water up for a shower.
So grabbed a instant gas hot water unit and made up a slide out frame for rear of van.
Plumbed it up today and tried it out, works a treat.
Have to move rear lights yet as well.
View attachment 62582View attachment 62583

I am very jealous!

 

[Moto Mech]

Had a weekend away and trird out the new hot water system. Works very well for showering but not hot enough to wash up in.
But to my horror, breakfast the first morning and I had warmish milk with cereal, thats a massive no no. Fridge was working ok but still getting temp down.
Just out of interest I looked on Facebook market place and low and behold there was a engel upright compressor fridge for sale for $600, few quick messages and it was ours and literally 5mins later Id sold our 3 way on a local facebook page for $400. Happy days
Gotta get fridge in and fitted by Friday as we’re off again for long weekend

 

[Drover]

You are an RC bugga for sure @Moto Mech

 

[Moto Mech]

Fitted and running.
More or less an exact match for hole old fridge came out of.
Hopefully our single solar panel and battery survive the weekend.

 

[Moto Mech]

Well, thats it. Im totally done with these crap solar panels, over it
5 out of 5 have now failed. Not even gunna fit the last one I have new in the shed.

 

[Drover]

That's the same thing that happened before ??? That's BS, I was expecting my Aldi one to end up like that but its been good for a few years now.... Maybe set up as a portable ???

 

[Moto Mech]

That's the same thing that happened before ??? That's BS, I was expecting my Aldi one to end up like that but its been good for a few years now.... Maybe set up as a portable ???

Cant now as just fitted a compressor fridge to van and need power all the time.
Just gunna fit 2x 200w framed panels, screw the weight, just so over these flexible panels. First two that failed were mega expensive ones, last 3 were cheaper ones.
Never had a issue with framed panels

 

[AdrianVVV]

Hi @Moto Mech,

Sorry to hear you have had such bad luck, but thanks for keeping us updated with your experiences. At least you have prevented more people from rushing out and putting them on the van (speaking for myself anyway). I will be interested to see whether future versions of those panels have the same issues, there are a few premium retailers promising theirs are reliable and don't have the issues of the "cheaper panels". They do have a large price premium though and I don't think I can justify the experiment. Like you I think I'm going to end up with some Al framed ones on top.

Adrian.

 

[Moto Mech]

Looks like im out of pocket with solar panel, warranty only covers original panel, not replacement so even though its only 11mths old(only out of shed 4x though) with a 12mth warranty, no go.
Ive argued till im blue in the face but they wont change their mind.

 

[Moto Mech]

Finally the shower is finished. This was one of the first mods I started but then kept being put on the back burner.
After building a timber framed door I had to scrap that and go aluminium frame due to timber frame warping all the time. Think the aluminium one is lighter to so thats a bonus.
I fitted a PVC skirt around top of shower/pop top roof with a aluminium strip just leaving the door way clear.
Finally fitted a flexible curtain rail across door way and hung a shower screen over door.
Hardest thing was sealing water from running out door as the door opens outwards, not inwards like most showers. Think I have it covered now.
Hot water is supplied by a instant gas hot water unit and works perfectly.
So, just axle/springs to go(which was gunna be done a yr ago now to

 

[1DayIll]

That is exactly what I need. Love our van but would love a toilet shower unit in it.