What did you do to your van today?

[Trotter]

View attachment 54590
Here it is, I took a picture just before the wire brush obliterated it.
I was thinking it might redesign it but I think it may be difficult.
Watch this space, will it return or not.

It’s got to make a come back!

 

[xsilvergs]

Update:
The Ablemail AMT-12 is fitted and working. I believe our Fiat has a conventional alternator so I re-programmed the AMT to 'Setting 1', they are delivered set for Smart Alternators (Setting 4).

I can watch the AMT bring the Vehicle Battery up to about 12.75/12.8 volts and hold it there. Turning on the Fiat dash radio draws the battery down slightly and the AMT can be seen to kick in, turn the radio off and after a short period of time the AMT stops charging.

So at the moment I am pleased with my purchase.

 

[Lee]

It’s got to make a come back!

It does give quite a few people something to smile at and also gives them a way to talk to us.

 

[The laird]

Today after chores are completed I want to adjust the booze cupboard sorry drinks cabinet,alter a few electrical points and this week it's got to get a wash n polish also going to get new brembo pads and dis s all round so when it's time the service and brake parts are all here ready for the breakout

 

[rugbyken]

before i settled on the fern leaf ‘lest we forget’ i did find a vinyl saying “i’m not lost i’m following him” i was very tempted

 

[rugbyken]

another thought was this tolkien quotei

 

[Full Member]

I topped up the two leisure batteries today, the first time the Banner Energy Bull batteries have needed topping up since buying them three years ago. All but one of the cells had electrolyte covering the plates, and this one cell had the plates literally level with the surface of the electrolyte.
I used CarPlan deionised water from Sainsbury's - 2.5 litres for£1.50 for the top-up.

Colin

 

[Okta]

I fitted an iNet box to my Truma heating. I got a little hung up getting it to recognise the appliance. Having re-read the instructions I discovered I was doing things in the wrong order. First you have to get the existing control panel to scan the system to recognise the iNet box, before it looks for the heater. All well, works a treat now. I will be able to control the heating from my bed or turn it on when out for the day. It also gives me a leisure battery voltage reading I can check from home when it is in storage, which will also be useful. I can already get the engine battery voltage at home from my tracker.

 

[Trotter]

another thought was this tolkien quoteView attachment 54617iView attachment 54618

Cheshire Cat, or possibly George Harrison.
“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there”.

I would have had that on the van, but AdventureB4Dementia, was easier to get on a sheet of A4.

 

[Obanboy666]

I topped up the two leisure batteries today, the first time the Banner Energy Bull batteries have needed topping up since buying them three years ago. All but one of the cells had electrolyte covering the plates, and this one cell had the plates literally level with the surface of the electrolyte.
I used CarPlan deionised water from Sainsbury's - 2.5 litres for£1.50 for the top-up.

Colin

Im looking to change my cheapo factory fitted batteries this year and it will be either Banner or Trojan.
How have the banner performed ? I do a lot of wilding and winter motorhoming so whatever I buy will get some heavy use.
Looking on Alpha batteries there is a substantial price difference between the Banner and Trojan so that’s something I will consider before deciding What to go for.

 

[The laird]

Never got near the camper yet just stopped for a cuppa ,swmbo is a frgn slave driver just finished a new log store now wants another the same ,oh just shift 5hat beer barrel wi all the plants in to the front and move the bbq down a bit .
cannyou nip outfor dog food after you hoover the drive of leaves n that

 

[Full Member]

Im looking to change my cheapo factory fitted batteries this year and it will be either Banner or Trojan.
How have the banner performed ? I do a lot of wilding and winter motorhoming so whatever I buy will get some heavy use.
Looking on Alpha batteries there is a substantial price difference between the Banner and Trojan so that’s something I will consider before deciding What to go for.

I've found the Banner Energy Bull batteries perform very well and more than satisfy my needs, Obanboy666. I have no need for more sophisticated batteries or systems, preferring longer established, well understood technology that has little development cost built into the price.
I mainly wild - that's both summer and winter in the UK and in Europe. I have a 300W Panasonic solar panel matched to a Victron 100/20 controller and can stay indefinitely in one spot both summer and - more importantly to me - in winter.
I have two Banner Energy Bull batteries, giving a total fully charged capacity of about 200Ah.
I don't have a TV or inverter but listen to quite a bit of radio, watch the news or a film on a laptop and charge the usual electronic devices (all of which are charged/powered from 12V outlets). The most power hungry 'device' I have is probably the blown air heating.
So how does this affect the batteries, you're wondering?
The lowest charge I've ever seen on the Victron monitor is .........wait for it....... 96% full.
It's really all a matter of matching system to needs, which I deliberately over designed to more than satisfy my power requirements in the winter. I do occasionally look at the Victron monitor to see how things are going, but I don't really think about it much - the system just gets on with what it's supposed to do.
I have no hesitation in recommending Banner Energy Bull batteries or Victron equipment for power demands similar to mine - but obviously your needs may well be different.

Colin

 

[Obanboy666]

I've found the Banner Energy Bull batteries perform very well and more than satisfy my needs, Obanboy666. I have no need for more sophisticated batteries or systems, preferring longer established, well understood technology that has little development cost built into the price.
I mainly wild - that's both summer and winter in the UK and in Europe. I have a 300W Panasonic solar panel matched to a Victron 100/20 controller and can stay indefinitely in one spot both summer and - more importantly to me - in winter.
I have two Banner Energy Bull batteries, giving a total fully charged capacity of about 200Ah.
I don't have a TV or inverter but listen to quite a bit of radio, watch the news or a film on a laptop and charge the usual electronic devices (all of which are charged/powered from 12V outlets). The most power hungry 'device' I have is probably the blown air heating.
So how does this affect the batteries, you're wondering?
The lowest charge I've ever seen on the Victron monitor is .........wait for it....... 96% full.
It's really all a matter of matching system to needs, which I deliberately over designed to more than satisfy my power requirements in the winter. I do occasionally look at the Victron monitor to see how things are going, but I don't really think about it much - the system just gets on with what it's supposed to do.
I have no hesitation in recommending Banner Energy Bull batteries or Victron equipment for power demands similar to mine - but obviously your needs may well be different.

Colin

Many thanks for the info.
i have 220 watts of solar and a Victron controller so will be going for 2 x 110 amp batteries. Unlike you I’m a tv addict especially in winter so carry a dreaded genny as back up. Only have to use it if static in winter for more than a 2/3 days which isn’t often.

 

[Trotter]

Put Dodo matting ( sound deadening material) to both front doors. Terrific difference to my driving experience. I can hear the radio now.
Got to find something to stop the nearside window blind rattling. Didn’t notice that until I fixed the doors

 

[The laird]

Put Dodo matting ( sound deadening material) to both front doors. Terrific difference to my driving experience. I can hear the radio now.
Got to find something to stop the nearside window blind rattling. Didn’t notice that until I fixed the doors

Where did you get the deadening aboot mon,I know eBay do it in small sizes and on a roll

 

[Fergie1061]

That's the old girl with her new coat(s) on!! Finished painting this afternoon (Tuesday) Cannae sleep now!! Probably fumed out high as a kite.!!
Will try to get some pics on off before and after. Just got the wee clean up jobs to do now the old masking tape leakage / fails! But very pleased with the end result. Used Rustoleum combicolour all in one. Tried rollers to start with, but with the dimpled effect on the Talbot coachwork, it's a no from me.
Ended up spraying her, using a small cheap airless sprayer of Amazon at £40 a bargain, and does / did a great job easy to use and clean.
Biggest and worst part is prep work, although you can just spray on it still needs cleaning, drying, taping and vovering. I found the surface film from Screwfix a great help, sticks to windows and any plastic surfaces you don't want to paint over and leaves no residue on removal. Also the plastic sheet rolls with edging tape already on them are a godsend. A roll of moral plastic takes care of wheels bonnet etc and the ground of you need to.
In all spraying took about an hour for each half. But it's the prep that takes the time.
I've got stripes and a new base strip to add, as well as new mirrors, rest door handle, warning triangles, stripes and boards to attach. As well as all the clean up / touch up boys I'm sure I will find.
But as they say I'm doing nowt else and goin naewhere either! So a great chance to brighten her up.

 

[Campervanannie]

I did both ing absolutely nothing

 

[Trotter]

Where did you get the deadening aboot mon,I know eBay do it in small sizes and on a roll

Hi Gordon, all from eBay. Don’t worry about the small sizes. It’s how you you use it.*
If the sheets were any bigger, you wouldn’t get them into the inner door apertures. They are 375 x 250. Once the backing is off, it’s very sticky and a pig to handle. You’ll find you’ll be cutting ( Stanley knife) odd shapes any way.
Got to say, the half mile trip around the block, prior to SORN, was enough to prove it was a job worth doing. Oh! And I’ve put wedges in the window blind.

*Thats what she said

 

[The laird]

Hi Gordon, all from eBay. Don’t worry about the small sizes. It’s how you you use it.*
If the sheets were any bigger, you wouldn’t get them into the inner door apertures. They are 375 x 250. Once the backing is off, it’s very sticky and a pig to handle. You’ll find you’ll be cutting ( Stanley knife) odd shapes any way.
Got to say, the half mile trip around the block, prior to SORN, was enough to prove it was a job worth doing. Oh! And I’ve put wedges in the window blind.

*Thats what she said

cheers for that ,next project cause I've heard a few putting it in and making a huge difference

 

[The laird]

That's the old girl with her new coat(s) on!! Finished painting this afternoon (Tuesday) Cannae sleep now!! Probably fumed out high as a kite.!!
Will try to get some pics on off before and after. Just got the wee clean up jobs to do now the old masking tape leakage / fails! But very pleased with the end result. Used Rustoleum combicolour all in one. Tried rollers to start with, but with the dimpled effect on the Talbot coachwork, it's a no from me.
Ended up spraying her, using a small cheap airless sprayer of Amazon at £40 a bargain, and does / did a great job easy to use and clean.
Biggest and worst part is prep work, although you can just spray on it still needs cleaning, drying, taping and vovering. I found the surface film from Screwfix a great help, sticks to windows and any plastic surfaces you don't want to paint over and leaves no residue on removal. Also the plastic sheet rolls with edging tape already on them are a godsend. A roll of moral plastic takes care of wheels bonnet etc and the ground of you need to.
In all spraying took about an hour for each half. But it's the prep that takes the time.
I've got stripes and a new base strip to add, as well as new mirrors, rest door handle, warning triangles, stripes and boards to attach. As well as all the clean up / touch up boys I'm sure I will find.
But as they say I'm doing nowt else and goin naewhere either! So a great chance to brighten her up.

Sounds like you've cracked it fergie ,well done lad look forward to pics