Vauxhall movano conversion

[cmcardle75]

My van is ex plod did they have 150bhp engines? as that's what Wikipedia suggests the g9t engine is for 2002 and feels pokey like my 140bhp T5.

Cheers James

Well, every police van is different. Lots of police force purchasing departments and converters. However, mine does happen to have a 2.3 150PS twin turbo. I believe it to be a Nissan M9T engine. I think this replaced the G9T ten years ago.

It certainly feels pokey. There's plenty of pull at 60mph even uphill in 6th gear. It has better power to weight ratio than the average entry level spec supermini (although won't by the time it is loaded up!)

Christian.

 

[cmcardle75]

Thanks I thought after posting it I was being foolish after I posted the post!

Will get a 8mm hose barb and fit. Is a regulator on top of a 4.5kg bottle not recommended?

Cheers James

It goes against EN1949 2011 or whatever, but I'm not sure there is a law enforcing compliance with it for a conversion as opposed to new caravan sale.

When you buy the barb, check it is specifically intended for the type of hose. Ones intended for water hoses may not have prominent enough barbs. You also need to get gas rated hose clips, as standard Jubilee style ones may cause hose damage and are not to spec.

 

[Jamesh]

I've brought a basic 47l domestic fridge which I'm going to run on a ehu or with a pure sine wave inverter running off a leisure battery charged via a split charge relay to the motor battery / alternator?

Has any one got any experience of this set up.

People say it works ok.

Thinking of this one which is x4 the power of the fridge for start up.

Green Cell® Power Inverter 12V to 230V Pure sine 300W/600W

Green Cell® Car Power Inverter Converter Transformer 12V to 230V Pure sine 300W/600W with USB. 24 month warranty. 30 day return. Modern electronics.

batteryempire.co.uk

Cheers James

 

[cmcardle75]

I've brought a basic 47l domestic fridge which I'm going to run on a ehu or with a pure sine wave inverter running off a leisure battery charged via a split charge relay to the motor battery / alternator?

Has any one got any experience of this set up.

People say it works ok.

Thinking of this one which is x4 the power of the fridge for start up.

Green Cell® Power Inverter 12V to 230V Pure sine 300W/600W

Green Cell® Car Power Inverter Converter Transformer 12V to 230V Pure sine 300W/600W with USB. 24 month warranty. 30 day return. Modern electronics.

batteryempire.co.uk

Cheers James

You are planning to sleep in this, right? I guess you don't mind the sound of a 6cm fan going 14,000rpm?

This setup will be noisy and very inefficient. You'd have to be driving many hours a day to feed its voracious appetite for power. Also, cheap imported inverters have a half life of a few weeks actual usage.

It is unfortunate that genuine 12V compressor fridges are so absurdly expensive. I'm intending to bite the bullet and get a Dometic CRX80, but I can see why you wouldn't want to spend that much (I certainly don't want to, be see few alternatives). I don't get it, really given that you can get a A+++ rated mains compressor fridge for little more than a £100. It is basically the same thing with different windings on the motor.

 

[Jamesh]

Our main use of the van will be:-

a) short trips to ehu sites so the inverter will only be on for the drive to site.

B) day trips when the onboard toilet will be useful post CV and the fridge for some milk and ice creams.

C) visiting my parents SD and CV secure, when I can run a 240v line out to the van anyway.


So off grid vanlifeing isn't a priority.

Cheers James

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[cmcardle75]

Our main use of the ban will be

a) short trips to ehu sites so the inverter will only be on for the drive to site.

B) day trips when the onboard toilet will be useful post CV and the fridge for some milk and ice creams.

C) visiting my parents SD and CV secure, when I can run a 240v line out to the van anyway.


So off grid vanlifeing isn't a priority.

Cheers James

Then it would probably work from an energy point of view, but I would worry about reliability on these cheap inverters.

 

[cmcardle75]

Then it would probably work from an energy point of view, but I would worry about reliability on these cheap inverters.

Also, if your layout has the fridge on an external wall, you can get some pretty cheap 3 way fridges.

 

[Jamesh]

I already have a 3 way fridge but it's full height so won't fit below the sink where it needs to go.
I could get a second hand one for cheap but don't want gas to it!

Cheers James

 

[cmcardle75]

I already have a 3 way fridge but it's full height so won't fit below the sink where it needs to go.
I could get a second hand one for cheap but don't want gas to it!

Cheers James

Although even without gas it might meet your requirements for cooling on route and working on EHU. You could fit the gas later if you wanted to go off grid. It would be much quieter and more reliable than a domestic fridge 230V off a cheap inverter (although would draw more power if you tried to run it off a battery).

 

[Jamesh]

Lights at last!!

And cupboards too!

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[Jamesh]

So I've taken the Sargent PSU out the C van and wired it into the pvc.

I haven't wired in the split charge relay which looks like a after thought riveted to the bottom of the PSU!

I'll check it's all working by connecting up to my battery charger.

I was thinking of using a length of heavy duty 240v cable that went to the heater. However im not sure this will be heavy enough? If I put a 15a fuse it should be protected?

I intend using the van regularly and the load is minimal from led lights and water pump?

The 240v socket cables are plug and play which will be nice!!

Got the wrong sized barb for the gas bottle needs 8mm!

Cheers James

 

[Ianb33]

May I ask where you purchase your van from? I've been on the hunt for either a conversion or a conversion job and I can't find anything anywhere near that price that doesn't look like it's ready for the scrap man or hasn't done 300k miles...

I tend to look in the usual avenues, gumtree, eBay, autotrader/vantrader etc

 

[cmcardle75]

May I ask where you purchase your van from? I've been on the hunt for either a conversion or a conversion job and I can't find anything anywhere near that price that doesn't look like it's ready for the scrap man or hasn't done 300k miles...

I tend to look in the usual avenues, gumtree, eBay, autotrader/vantrader etc

I got my ex-police riot Movano from Ex Police Car Centre in Brierley Hill. They had several ripe for conversion. However, you have to be realistic in terms of their previous usage. Expect lots of old nuts piercing the skin (with a bit of rust) where all the riot gear was attached (and perspex side windows, which is actually pretty good for insulation, but is not as clear as glass). In return, expect a lower price, a diesel heater, the highest available power engine, and a very comprehensive service history. In my case I have 150PS, a fantastic aluminium floor with a load of M1 tracking (and matching seats) that is amazing for attaching stuff to. You'll have to pay VAT. Be careful of weights. They won't be so concerned with breaking the 3500kg barrier, which might be good or bad for you.

 

[cmcardle75]

I got my ex-police riot Movano from Ex Police Car Centre in Brierley Hill. They had several ripe for conversion. However, you have to be realistic in terms of their previous usage. Expect lots of old nuts piercing the skin (with a bit of rust) where all the riot gear was attached (and perspex side windows, which is actually pretty good for insulation, but is not as clear as glass). In return, expect a lower price, a diesel heater, the highest available power engine, and a very comprehensive service history. In my case I have 150PS, a fantastic aluminium floor with a load of M1 tracking (and matching seats) that is amazing for attaching stuff to. You'll have to pay VAT. Be careful of weights. They won't be so concerned with breaking the 3500kg barrier, which might be good or bad for you.

Although where you can get an older low mileage one for 2K like the OP did, you'll have to wait for him to reply!

 

[Jamesh]

Old chap in Suffolk brought it but found it too big s job after lining it!

I got it 10mins after coming on gumtree

30mins i was on a1

Little jobs today.

Plumbing, bathroom light etc.

Cheers James

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[Jamesh]

Quick update.

Finished the big work only little jobs to do.

Gas install and split charge relay.

Carpet etc.

Cheers James

 

[Jamesh]

Haven't decided on windows to rear hence we haven't finished the rear doors.

Most likely side windows, so we can have bike rack on rear.

Also have a helki light to fit. Is there any different between cavavan and motor home ones?

Cheers James

 

[poppycamper]

Hope those knife magnets are REALLY MAGNETIC... carnage if you brake hard n they not as magnetic as you thought... or do you put them in safe stowage when travelling.... I would

 

[Jamesh]

They go away!!

Wife thought it was a convenient way of holding them whilst on site.

Cheers James

 

[Jamesh]

First proper day trip out, went well
Battery drained by fridge though.

Haven't sorted split relay yet.

Everything worked as it should until the battery died!

Planning on two extra windows in the rear in September and some more graphics too.

Cheers James

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[cmcardle75]

First proper day trip out, went well
Battery drained by fridge though.

Haven't sorted split relay yet.

Everything worked as it should until the battery died!

Planning on two extra windows in the rear in September and some more graphics too.

Cheers James

View attachment 412177

Nice! But a split charge relay won't be enough for a compressor fridge. You'll need a proper B2B charger or a load of solar.

 

[Jamesh]

It's an absorbion fridge.

Split charge relay will surely be fine for day trips.

It will charge the domestic battery much more effectively than b2b charger

I agree for off grid it would be no good but for day /short stay trips where the proportion of driving us high it will be fine.

Cheers James

 

[gus-lopez]

It's an absorbion fridge.

Split charge relay will surely be fine for day trips.

It will charge the domestic battery much more effectively than b2b charger

I agree for off grid it would be no good but for day /short stay trips where the proportion of driving us high it will be fine.

Cheers James

Any chance you can reply on your advert or answer the pm's I've sent ?(conversation, envelope up the top in blue bar) Thanks

 

[Jamesh]

Van has sprung a little oil leak over the past couple of days. Used 4l of oil since getting it a month ago.

Seems to be coming from top of engine rocker cover gasket or inlet gasket.

Looks a pig to get at under front bulkhead.
Going to garage in Friday.

Oh dear....

Any ideas?!!

James

 

[Jamesh]

Right back to the movano.

Oil leak has stopped having put a can of Wynn oil seal in it.

I now have 3 more windows to fit. Have gone with single glazed horsebox windows as I had bad experiences with plastic ones.

Will screw through to 2x1 timber batten

Stainless steel or black screws? Black finish windows???

Also have the vsr to fit too.

Cheers James

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[Jamesh]

Had a busy day yesterday fitting three windows.

Went ok for a novice!

Made a few mistakes but overall happy result!

Cleaned up any sealant overflow today and fitted blinds.

Cheers James

 

[Zoobec]

looks great where did you get the blinds from please?

 

[Jamesh]

The blinds came out of our Avondale Caravan which we scrapped to build the van conversion.

They should be available on eBay.

They are 100cm by 50cm approx.

Cheers James

 

[Zoobec]

Thanks!

 

[Northernraider]

Did you fit any insulation , vapour barriers etc behind the plywood lining before yoi started fitting the caravan bits? If not its going to be cold in winter and collect condensation etc

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