I could use some advice please. I have sold the caravan since my husband died and I don’t like the idea of towing. I have a Toyota Hiace and I’m considering converting it. At the moment I’m having cages fitted at the back for my dogs with a bed above them for me. I’ve also bought a Khayam drive away awning. Now I have to decide if I should have a pop up roof and full conversion or sleep in the van and co9k in the awning. I’ll be using it mainly for dog shows with the odd trip out here and there. Could I use a leisure battery powered by a solar panel to run a small fridge? Getting myself confused just now
Could I use a leisure battery powered by a solar panel to run a small fridge?
Yes, better still if you could fit 2 batteries plus a split charge relay system to charge your batteries from the engine when travelling if your planning to be off hookup a lot.
Note that a motorhome/campervan has a legal definition and must have certain fittings to be classed as such. There is no requirement to reclassify a van as a camper , but it might have benefits for insurance etc..
As above, you may not need two batteries but a split charge relay is the way to go. You can add a solar panel and/or EHU if you want although these are dearer options.
If you want a purely electric fridge, you'll want a compressor one. They don't use much power.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Thank you dor your replies. My head hurts🙃😁
What about the fridges that are in caravans? Are they run off gas?
I’m thinking that I might give up on the idea of a pop up roof and see how I get on first but a frdge would be useful
Have a little look about the spaceships camper hire web site. Take the 360 degree tours of the campervans to get some ideas. They use vans of all sizes from really small right up seven seater things. What they can do inside is great and they are really popular. Most of them manage to squeeze in a wee fridge too. Ok so they aren’t designed for dogs like you would need, but you can get layouts of inside etc, and ideas on how best to use your space.
There are two common types of fridge. One is the 3-way (gas/ 12V /240V) and all electric compressor fridge (similar to domestic fridge) working off 12V.
There are also 'Cool boxes' working from 12V.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Elaine does this Hiace have windows? Or is it a commercial Van? If a commercial, you could have problems being accepted at some campsites. Your dog show pitches will be fine, as most 'show goers' do the same, or similar.
Not knowing how old your van is, it will be difficult for any of us to advise if or not you should go as far as having a pop top fitted. You have bought a very good awning. You can have it at either your side sliding door, or indeed the back of the van. I would think that some sort of porta poti (ie not plumbed in) would be ideal for you to just keep it inside the van. Then until you have found just how far you need to go expense wise. You can add, adjust etc as time goes by. The Captain has given you the low down on refrigeration so once your bed arrangements are finished, that only leaves cooking and lighting. Temporarily I would get a gas cylinder and a two burner stove. Use the pots and pans from home, and get a nice outdoor chair and table. When it is wet, you can sit in the awning with the dogs and watch the world go by. If it is a commercial van, buy yourself some nice graphics for it. Let us know how you are getting on with the conversion and if anything crops up you are unsure of or need advice on there are many members who will be happy to help with anything they can. Enjoy this project and most of all just do it.
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Topic: Van conversion
