Hi all. Looking for sensible advice that seems to be hard to come by on other forums :)

[cian87]

I'm a Mid-Wales based owner of an unfinished self-build. My build stalled when my circumstances changed a few years ago, and I haven't managed to get it back on track since. It's time for a final push to get it finished now, so I can get out on the road in it. And so all my friends will stop laughing at me for STILL not having finished it!

Hoping to find inspiration and advice here to help me get there!

 

[The Old Man]

 

[MisterB]

And you've come HERE for sensible advice? Are you mad ( because it will definitely help!)

Seriously, welcome the Fun House and ask away !!

 

[Revolvor]

Hello and from North Wiltshire.

You only get 5x free posts unless you pay the £20 subscription, so use them wisely.

If you really want help, then the subscription is well worth it.

 

[dawsey]

No Problem, welcome and ask away. There are many highly experienced people on this forum with very good general and vehicle specific knowledge. What’s the base vehicle and how far have you got?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[RedFrame]

Hello and Welcome.

The first bit of advice I'd give you is try not to take some of the comments on here too seriously, especially from me

The second is, youre half way there, take a deep breath, stoke the fire inside you and get to work on that thing that stalled the project in the first place, whatever it is it's not as daunting as you may think.

There were many occasions during my build that I lost confidence in my ability to overcome certain obstacles and it was really difficult to keep motivated; when this happens try not to be overawed by the complexity of the whole project and just focus on the next task. Set yourself achieveable weekly and daily goals, but don't get disheartened if you don't achieve them.

Good luck, and ask away in the "Self Build" or any other relevant area of the forum.

Where are you in mid-wales, is there anything in particular you're struggling with?

Oh and as has been said, join up, it's the best £20 you'll spend on your build.

Cheers
Red.

 

[cian87]

Hello and from North Wiltshire.

You only get 5x free posts unless you pay the £20 subscription, so use them wisely.

If you really want help, then the subscription is well worth it.

Many thanks - I'd missed that detail! I probably will subscribe (only three posts left now...!)

 

[cian87]

No Problem, welcome and ask away. There are many highly experienced people on this forum with very good general and vehicle specific knowledge. What’s the base vehicle and how far have you got?

Thanks! It's a 2011 SWB Renault Trafic. I'm 95% of the way there, with all the really complex problems solved... but it turns out my gas installation (the only bit I paid an 'expert' to do) was done wrong, and may need all the piping re-done. I've built flooring and furniture over a good deal of the piping, so this is no small issue.

 

[RedFrame]

......I've built flooring and furniture over a good deal of the piping, so this is no small issue.

Depending on the issue you could just run new piping at the back of cupboards etc, not as neat, but will save disassembling all your hard work...?

Cheers
Red.

 

[cian87]

Hello and Welcome.

The first bit of advice I'd give you is try not to take some of the comments on here too seriously, especially from me

The second is, youre half way there, take a deep breath, stoke the fire inside you and get to work on that thing that stalled the project in the first place, whatever it is it's not as daunting as you may think.

There were many occasions during my build that I lost confidence in my ability to overcome certain obstacles and it was really difficult to keep motivated; when this happens try not to be overawed by the complexity of the whole project and just focus on the next task. Set yourself achieveable weekly and daily goals, but don't get disheartened if you don't achieve them.

Good luck, and ask away in the "Self Build" or any other relevant area of the forum.

Where are you in mid-wales, is there anything in particular you're struggling with?

Oh and as has been said, join up, it's the best £20 you'll spend on your build.

Cheers
Red.

Many thanks. I'm much more than half way there in fact, but it turns out that the wrong type of pipe was used by the gas engineer for the LPG system. This is a big problem, as the piping is mostly built under flooring or behind built-in furniture now. Currently looking for a local gas engineer who can look at it and suggest a solution.

Really great advice about complexity and focusing on the next task. I've learned this many times during the build, and a reminder is never a bad thing. Thank you.

I'm in Aberystwyth, and what I'm struggling with is the gas issue above, and finding an engineer to look at it. I'll post in the relevant area of the forum for advice.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[cian87]

Depending on the issue you could just run new piping at the back of cupboards etc, not as neat, but will save disassembling all your hard work...?

Cheers
Red.

I think that's the most likely solution. Not neat, as you say - but by this point that's not an improtant consideration. I just need it finished, working and safe.

 

[Nanniemate]

Thanks! It's a 2011 SWB Renault Trafic. I'm 95% of the way there, with all the really complex problems solved... but it turns out my gas installation (the only bit I paid an 'expert' to do) was done wrong, and may need all the piping re-done. I've built flooring and furniture over a good deal of the piping, so this is no small issue.

The Ex-gasman or Basildog may have some advice the both quiet clever with that stuff

 

[Nanniemate]

Think you've used your posts up so put your £20 in the pot you won't regret it

 

[cian87]

The Ex-gasman or Basildog may have some advice the both quiet clever with that stuff

Thanks!

 

[dawsey]

Indeed. Wait until you have heard sage words from someone identifying as a true SME (subject matter expert). If the name is ex-gasman it might be a hint. What pipes were used and why are they considered unsuitable and by whom ?

LPG systems in campers use incredibly low post regulator pressures, typically just a few millibars.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[cian87]

Indeed. Wait until you have heard sage words from someone identifying as a true SME (subject matter expert). If the name is ex-gasman it might be a hint. What pipes were used and why are they considered unsuitable and by whom ?

LPG systems in campers use incredibly low post regulator pressures, typically just a few millibars.

Thanks dawsey. Faro thermoplastic pipe was used from regulator to appliances, with compression fittings. As far as I'm aware the relevant Standards require copper pipe for this application. However much of my 'research' so far has been on facebook groups, and I've had predictably wide range of very confidently delivered responses there...

I've started a specific thread here:

Faro thermopastic pipe instead of copper

Hi all. I had the LPG installation on my self-build done by a gas engineer specialising in camper installations. I wanted it done by someone who knew what they were doing, so I decided to pay for expertise and peace of mind. He fitted Faro thermoplastic pipe from the regulator to the...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Bramidan]

I obviously don’t know what flooring you have installed but ”trap doors” properly constructed are not a bad thing. They allow inspection, can be positioned where joints are made so you can inspect and rectify. They will also aid pipe runs.
Im not speaking from a self build specialist rather from property generally.
Bear in mind when I say “trap doors” I only mean small inspection areas only sufficient to run flexible pipes and cables through.

 

[suavecarve]

Many thanks. I'm much more than half way there in fact, but it turns out that the wrong type of pipe was used by the gas engineer for the LPG system. This is a big problem, as the piping is mostly built under flooring or behind built-in furniture now. Currently looking for a local gas engineer who can look at it and suggest a solution.

Really great advice about complexity and focusing on the next task. I've learned this many times during the build, and a reminder is never a bad thing. Thank you.

I'm in Aberystwyth, and what I'm struggling with is the gas issue above, and finding an engineer to look at it. I'll post in the relevant area of the forum for advice.

I m making a presumption that the bit of piping that needs replacing can't ba attached to the new piping and pulling it through after attaching with magic duck tape ?

 

[dawsey]

Thanks dawsey. Faro thermoplastic pipe was used from regulator to appliances, with compression fittings. As far as I'm aware the relevant Standards require copper pipe for this application. However much of my 'research' so far has been on facebook groups, and I've had predictably wide range of very confidently delivered responses there...

I've started a specific thread here:

Faro thermopastic pipe instead of copper

Hi all. I had the LPG installation on my self-build done by a gas engineer specialising in camper installations. I wanted it done by someone who knew what they were doing, so I decided to pay for expertise and peace of mind. He fitted Faro thermoplastic pipe from the regulator to the...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

OK. I wouldn’t claim to be a full on theoretical, practical or evolved build-standard specialist, I’d simply offer an opinion that while fine for static application, the concerns that will be raised are likely to come down to the fact that a camper moves, subjecting said pipes and fittings to levels of vibration, thermal cycling and potential trauma they would not be exposed to or designed for in static application, this is likely to result in concerns being raised by others, thus the thing to look for is evidence of the deployment of this solution by a motorhome OEM, as there is no way they could get away with this as a cost reduction measure if the regulators were not 100% confident of compliance to all safety requirements. Assuming you were successful in finding a substantive OEM precedent, you’d then need to look at any specific rules relating to where and how such materials could be be permitted, and decide for yourself if your installation is acceptable to you.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Best post some pictures of where you are up to on your build and then folks can offer their 4penneth.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[MisterB]

Best post some pictures of where you are up to on your build and then folks can offer their 4penneth.

Some of us want to add our opinions before we've even seen the build. Personally I don't like the colour of your self build, I would also have gone with much smaller wheels and tyres because they make it look as though your going faster even when being overtaken. I would have extended the sides to allow greater expansion and to give you the thrill of driving through small spaces. Have you considered a large elastic band, wound up really right to charge your leisure batteries?

Finally I think you should add some solar panels underneath so that they don't get damaged by the sun.

Hope that helps to stop your friends from laughing at you, it's a pleasure to help, no need to thank me.

 

[davidbaldam]

Hi and welcome to FUN.

 

[Janine]

Welcome to the Fun

 

[Geoff185]

Hi, you will get lots of good advice on here,great bunch always willing to help. You will have some micky taking but only fun and to lighten the problems. Genuinely help will be given

 

[RedFrame]

Not wanting to incur the wrath of the management on here for suggesting another club/forum, but have you tried Self Build Motorcaravaners Club?
I've converted several vans over the years and they've helped me a great deal.

I believe they may have been  very active in the past.

I joined late last year, looking for advice and to take advantage of the retail discounts they talk about.

It took forever for them to send a membership pack, responses to forum questions were slow and minimal at best and finally, every retailer I called that was on their list said no discount, one even laughed at me.

I won't be renewing my membership unless their August get together is as good as Swaffham (the bar is high).

Cheers
Red.

Cheers
Red.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Wildbill]

Sometimes you take on the task grabbing it by both hands then run out of steam.
You ask yourself what the ....... am I doing.
I know whare your coming from but keep the vision.
And keep the dreem alive sumtimes you have to just chase them a little bit harder
I have a project I started three years ago
After many setbacks.
My dreem is almost thare
Wildbill

 

[scotzsue]

I had a look at self build motorcaravanners, club, admittedly their FB presence, never come across such a load of mysoganists in my life.
Some of the information that was given out was positively dangerous, and anything more than a bit of dusting or making brews for the big man was too much for the feeble stupid women. Reported many posts but neither FB nor the admin, if they had any, cared.

 

[Alsatian]

 

[CamperManLez]

Join the SBMCC it’s all about self builds with a multitude of knowledgable people and contacts.

 

[fifthwheel]

Is it possible to run the new pipe down from the regulator and along under the van?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}