What did you do to your van today?

Jeff, B's relation buys up old Singer sewing machines, he has some cracking vintage ones stashed away in his basement. I did some research for him about the Singer factory in Clydebank, which at one time was the largest manufacturing factory in the world, the building clock tower, with four clock faces on each face of the tower, were larger than Big Ben clock faces.

Searching National Library of Scotland files, I came across this old B&W (no audio) archive film. Factory was an amazing place, with so many different trades within. Worth a watch. (y)

When i worked for my father we demolished that factory,i found it very sad as anothe rmajor employer being shut in the area.However we kept one of the clock faces and i made up a frame and hung the clock over the byre.
 
Yes the 802 is the update controller for the eberspacher heater, it’s a plug and play and hopefully will work better than the 801 where the buttons have been getting more stubborn to operate
 
Just returned from picking up camper from garage. Timing belt and sundries done, new clutch done, all fluids checked and replenished/replaced where required, braking system checked, no issues, underside cleaned and lanoguard applied.

Both front tyres will require replacing within a couple thousand mile, I'll have this prior to heading out after the year. So happy days!!!

For others who may be interested, I tried a couple of garages I have used before, one was definite no, which is fine, the other did not get back to me to date. I used the well established K&I LTD, Hardengreen, Eskbank (Est 1898). I would certainly recommend them for Motorhome mechanical and bodywork repairs.
 
Just returned from picking up camper from garage. Timing belt and sundries done, new clutch done, all fluids checked and replenished/replaced where required, braking system checked, no issues, underside cleaned and lanoguard applied.

Both front tyres will require replacing within a couple thousand mile, I'll have this prior to heading out after the year. So happy days!!!

For others who may be interested, I tried a couple of garages I have used before, one was definite no, which is fine, the other did not get back to me to date. I used the well established K&I LTD, Hardengreen, Eskbank (Est 1898). I would certainly recommend them for Motorhome mechanical and bodywork repairs.
No mates rates then Terry:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
Removed rest of wiring for old camera and entertainment system - Honestly it was like one of those aircraft crash investigations when the crash detectives cut the plane up with a chain saw and miles of wire looms fall out - the amount of wire curled up and stuffed behind voids was unbelievable......
Also put wiring into place for USB sockets and TV aerial booster feed.

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Ordered a new 802 controller as the buttons are getting hard to operate on the 801
Well I guess it's time for you to learn to poke the buttons with your walking stick. It's what they call the remote control, in care homes . . . . :ROFLMAO:
 
Today I removed and stripped down my diesel heater. All was fine, there was hardly a trace of carbon so I put it all back together and fired it up. It works just fine.
 
My new-to-me Fiamma Back Box arrived last week, along with the snow and ice. Weather got warm enough (just!) to fit it yesterday.

Ultra 360 by David, on Flickr
And a side view ...

Ultra 360 Side View by David, on Flickr

I specifically wanted to get the Ultrabox 360 model rather than the deeper 500 as it meant I could still extend the rack out to fit a bike rail behind the Box and still keep the Box in place

Ultra 360 w/Bike Rail by David, on Flickr
(The box does still open with the Rail there, albeit I would need to pull off the wheel chocks. (there are different Fiamma Chocks that are smaller and would probably not foul, so might swap for those?)

Fitting the box worked out well as it had previously been fitted from new on an identical bike rack so all the holes already made were in exactly the right place, so in fact better than getting a brand new one in that respect.
The box does stop the lower part of the ladder from coming down, but I never really use that ladder anyway so no issue there.
 
Drove from Blackpool cricket meet to Carlisle depot checked ten vans got finished around sevenish had a nice pasta cheese dish from Aldi done in micro wave.two vans first thing one at 06*30 second around 08*30 I hope.think they got a shock seeing my ugly mug waiting as they arrived 😀😀😀😀😀watched a bit tv (crap) early bed early start yippee
Good night ye all
 
My new-to-me Fiamma Back Box arrived last week, along with the snow and ice. Weather got warm enough (just!) to fit it yesterday.

Ultra 360 by David, on Flickr
And a side view ...

Ultra 360 Side View by David, on Flickr

I specifically wanted to get the Ultrabox 360 model rather than the deeper 500 as it meant I could still extend the rack out to fit a bike rail behind the Box and still keep the Box in place

Ultra 360 w/Bike Rail by David, on Flickr
(The box does still open with the Rail there, albeit I would need to pull off the wheel chocks. (there are different Fiamma Chocks that are smaller and would probably not foul, so might swap for those?)

Fitting the box worked out well as it had previously been fitted from new on an identical bike rack so all the holes already made were in exactly the right place, so in fact better than getting a brand new one in that respect.
The box does stop the lower part of the ladder from coming down, but I never really use that ladder anyway so no issue there.
You left a roll of tape on the bumper silly boy, looks fab.
 
Almost there, just the toilet to finish at start of 2025 but ok to use with porty-potti in situ! single front seat near gave me heart attack at cost of it but was needed. Used the twin seat for seating area and the kit came from Squarehaus. Two rear bed boxes were modifiied by myself to allow install of reiverlads old truma and gas system. (that is still all to be checked professionally but I'm confident its all ok). Its been a long haul, some mistakes as I expected, some problems that required two heads (thanks Pat!) and a very understanding financial boss! (My eldest daughter! Thanks XXX) But I am really pleased with the outcome, it looks good even if I do say so myself. Instalation of the electrics was by using the Sargent system and have to say it works a treat. My worst mistake during the build admittedly was a minor diversion of the main electrical feed cable but all good now. Just a few pictures added, showing seating area, bed area couple views down lengh interior and the kitchen with reiverlads contributed oven, hob and fridge all now in situ, ready and raring to go.

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Emptied Brunhilde ready for the start of the trip to Lincoln to have the delaminated floor replacement. We'll make a 1/2 way overnight Pub Stop near Ripon to ensure that we reach Camper UK on 28th November during opeing hours. Any personal kit will need to be carried in a rucksack on the return train journey to Scotland, which we shall repeat in reverse for the Van collection in 2 weeks or so time. Looking forward to a floor that doesn't resemble a Bouncy Castle ... (y):ROFLMAO:

Steve
 
Fitted new trip in electric distribution board , not sure who designed it but 3x 13 amp sockets coming off one 6 amp breaker there’s no wonder it kept tripping so now have the fan heater on a 10 amp spur which allows the low wattage kettle to be used on the 6 amp
 
Fitted new trip in electric distribution board , not sure who designed it but 3x 13 amp sockets coming off one 6 amp breaker there’s no wonder it kept tripping so now have the fan heater on a 10 amp spur which allows the low wattage kettle to be used on the 6 amp
That's perfectly normal for an AutoSleeper. They will run three 13A sockets off a single 1.5mm cable running round the van from a 6A breaker. Then some more 13A sockets on a separate 1.5 cable, and two conductors from each cable badly crimped into a 1.5mm dia pin in the mains distribution box. Sparks and fires ensue, successive owners get fed up with all the faults and sell the van and muggins here buys it.
Now all rewired correctly, stupid too-small plugs and sockets removed and replaced with straight-through wiring and Wago connectors. It all works properly.

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Almost there, just the toilet to finish at start of 2025 but ok to use with porty-potti in situ! single front seat near gave me heart attack at cost of it but was needed. Used the twin seat for seating area and the kit came from Squarehaus. Two rear bed boxes were modifiied by myself to allow install of reiverlads old truma and gas system. (that is still all to be checked professionally but I'm confident its all ok). Its been a long haul, some mistakes as I expected, some problems that required two heads (thanks Pat!) and a very understanding financial boss! (My eldest daughter! Thanks XXX) But I am really pleased with the outcome, it looks good even if I do say so myself. Instalation of the electrics was by using the Sargent system and have to say it works a treat. My worst mistake during the build admittedly was a minor diversion of the main electrical feed cable but all good now. Just a few pictures added, showing seating area, bed area couple views down lengh interior and the kitchen with reiverlads contributed oven, hob and fridge all now in situ, ready and raring to go.
Looking good. Glad you had happy with the Sargent system - Lots of folk deride them and they admittedly are a bit dated in some aspects, but installed right in the right van and they work nicely.
 

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