Solar Set up and a list of Amazon purchases

Magnets with loops: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07TC8DP9P/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Larger Magnets with carabiners https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07WLXMMDQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Dudubell Dual Dashcam system that mounts on rearview  mirror https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07DD681VT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


SOLAR SET UP FOR OUR 12v lights and laptop/phone charging
This is a super cheap set up for basic use. It is enough to keep our phones and laptop charged and the use of our LED lights at night.  On travels we use a very light weight ASUS ES1 which if it's stolen, we wont cry.

500Watt Power Inverter  https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B076MVCWHX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Battery voltage reader 12v https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0791262LS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Renogy Wanderer Solar Controller https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07MGJG1QH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Renogy 100W solar panel https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00DCCOSV0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

add to this a gel battery from the local auto store

Happy Results

Hera has been a joy to use in Spain

We have gotten a bike rack to help open up the inside. Before the bike rack, we just folded our bikes and threw them in.

Towels drying and a bike.

Insulation and Seats

Now that Hera is back from Spain, I have time to work on insulation. The most important part for us is the ceiling, as heat rises and just dies once it touches the cold ceiling. I have also started painting the door interiors white and covering up the Peacock Blue

I have taken plastic sheeting and adhered it with double sided tape. One section at a time, I poke a few holes into the sheeting and spray in expanding foam insulation. This way it wont drip anywhere. Once it's dry, I have been covering it with reflectix with the shiny side towards the inside to reflect our own heater heat back towards us. What you see hanging from the back door is half of the doggie basket for my bike. 

Once the insulation is done, the ceiling will be covered with cork . While I do want it insulated, I do also want it to have some air circulation. It's too damp where I live and I do not want to encourage rust.

I have torn apart a cargo net into two pieces. One piece is over the back shelves to help keep in our clothes and luggage

The other cargo net section has been attached to the inside metal with heavy magnets. I drilled holes through the headliner and let the magnets attach themselves to the metal body. No drilling into metal. No leaks. No sealant needed.

Holds my two duvets perfectly.

I have purchased a set of Sprinter seats from a 2006+ model to upgrade the seats.

the double bench is in great condition, but the drivers seat had a hole. I've filled it with firm mattress foam I had left over, threw in a heavy canvas patch, glued it and sewed it down so that it is extra secure.  I painted it all black with black oil based enamel. Should be fine for another few years. I will likely get a seat cover for it.

December 31 2019

The kitchen is almost done. A small catalytic heater is attached near the door. There is also a large pop up work table.

The bedframe is in and the slats are installed Later I would find these hinges not strong enough in the middle.

The original plywood walls have been stained in walnut and the original iron shelf system painted black. The wood shelf inserts were also stained walnut.

A swivel table is installed on the end of the sofa bed. It can move around, and the table top is removable.

Here you can see the simple vinyl floor installed. I went with sheet vinyl because it's so easy to clean.

This is the IKEA foam mattress I purchased, cut into two pieces and sewed back up. Because there was a 5 inch wide sliver taken out from top to bottom, there was enough of the original mattress cover to sew up and fit the two pieces perfectly without having to add material,

After the mattress covers were sewn up and put back on, I took old heavy canvas drapes and made cushion covers. I'm glad I took this step, as this heavy canvas has taken on a lot of dog hair, sand and Spanish mud (orange)

Here you can easily see the van was originally white and later painted professionally blue. All doors have blue on the interior side as well as the exterior

Putting the bed together

This is the short headboard which doubles as the sofa arm rest

The open side on the left attaches to the van wall. The right side shows the two walls. The outer one will pull out to make the sofa/single bed into a double person bed.

Dometic Heki roof vent

Instead of getting a Maxxfan, I chose the much larger Heki, which is twice as big. It does not need a fan due to the opening being so large.