E350 EB Canadian Build Eh!

[WestyManBC]

Thanks a lot for the reply about the aux battery charging. I did end up going with the voltage sensing relay after reading your post. Seems to be much better then going the solenoid route, and I don't have to tap into any ignition source. Buying a Blue Sea 65A Voltage sensing relay. Thanks for the tip !

[WestyManBC]

Hi again, thought I should update my build, although when I see some of the threads (like 100 trips to Home Depot), I am blown away by the excellent finishing skills some of you have.

Here is a pic of the fold down bed, as well as the platform I built to give it some length. It is about 60 inches wide by 74 inches long when folded down into a bed, and including the platform at the back - sleeping is back to front.

Had the bench seat re-foamed at Tommy's Upholstery in Victoria.

[WestyManBC]

I used a 3/4 inch plywood to mount on the ridge when the new roof meets the old roof. Had to bend the plywood vertically a little to fit, then capped it with a 1/4 inch plywood which I bent horizontally a little bit to trim out the gaps. Once this was done we made up a wooden valance or box to hide everything, behind the valence we installed curtain wire for our curtains the girlfriend is making.

We fitted the valence/boxes - then took them down, sanded the heck out of them, and are now applying several coats of urethane to make them shine

[WestyManBC]

Now we are making our Westfalia style cabinet. It will hold the Norcold fridge, a sink, and a lower cabinet. Just used standard face frame cabinetry, pocket holes to hide screws. Purchased a 8 foot by 12 inch wide laminated pine shelving, cut in in half, glued it together to make a 24 inch by 48 inch counter top. Cut out the sink, router the edges, and apply a bunch of butcher block oil to make it shine. Made the cabinet 32 inches high, 21 inches depth, 42 inches wide.

[WestyManBC]

Bought the wire to charge the auxiliary batteries. Using a Blue Sea Advanced Charging Relay. Installing it just inside the engine compartment on drivers side, under the coolant reservoir. Mounting it first on Plexiglas, then screwing the Plexiglas onto the metal. Will be running a 6 gauge wire to the back of the van. Still have to do this.

[Abitibi]

Starting to take shape, nice!

Sent from my SGP511 using Tapatalk

[86Scotty]

I really dig that countertop! Nice work so far. If you have a lady who can or will sew for you, or if you can sew yourself, you are fortunate. I should've learned. I still should learn.

[WestyManBC]

Good Day, after a few months finally have some pictures to show. I have done a basic conversion on the van, left the original panels, put in a queen size bench seat / bed, made a Westfalia style cabinet, put in a Norcold electric fridge, added a smart charging relay to charge 2 deep cycle batteries installed under the bed, added a little folding table to the cabinet, 400 watt inverter, Alpine stereo.

Check out the stainless steel beer keg for my water tank

Cheers

Mike

[WestyManBC]

Here are a couple more pics of the van. Cheers

[rallypanam]

Looking good!

One note, if you have lead-acid as opposed to AGM batteries, they need to be sealed in a container and vented if they're inside.