I'm going to start converting my citroen dispatch in the next few weeks. It's going to be a budget DIY build. For the conversion I'm not going to install any type of fan but the van will be fully insulated with a vapor barrier.
Now Im planning on installing side windows and someone mentioned to me that they should be slide non fixed windows to allow for a draft which kinda makes sense to me . Now here is the issue, based in Ireland it's almost impossible to get windows, van pimps have them and a couple of others in the UK but they don't ship to Ireland. Van glass Ireland have windows but only one slide and one fixed but the slide window is for the right hand side which is where I'll put the kitchen so that would work.
Here's the question, is it really that important that I have 2 slide windows or will one be sufficient? I plan on visiting the UK so I could potentially drive there instead of flying to get the windows but this would be a last resort.
Any advice please.
Thanks
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We have a converted 2014 Dispatch. We only have one sliding window in the left hand door. Our kitchen is on the right. Not bad planning as such. We originally converted our van to a race van & had 2 more seats behind the front passenger bench so had the window that side. We didn't think we'd eventually convert it to a camper! We don't find it a big issue & if we are cooking up something steamy I just crack the door on that side. If it had been an issue I'd not have hesitated have a new side slider put in the right (or both if I couldn't get a match).
Could be a security issue sleeping with open door in some places. If you are converting it to a campervan you could install a motorhome flip up roof light.
To be clear I'm going to go the road of getting both windows but only 1 next to the kitchen will slide open. at Fiona for the kitchen the Coleman duel fuel is looking interesting as I can easily take it outside when I'm parked in a suitable place without lugging gas bottles.
at billy I don't think id sleep with the door open but when I'm resting up I think it would be fine. Id have all other windows slightly ajar for ventilation when sleeping. To get 2 windows that open at the moment is just too much hassle and expense.
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We have 2 vent holes in the floor of our van beneath the cooker & gas compartment as well as sensors. We have wind deflectors on our front windows _ those windows are always open a couple of inches when cooking, often overnight.
Having a stove you can take outside is a good idea. Our double had ring is fixed but I always have a portable stove for cooking outside in nice weather.
I've slept with door open. I've slept outside. Risk assessment is an ongoing, non-paranoid process.
When I was planning the spec of my PVC, I originally planned to keep and use my trusted Coleman Dual Fuel 2-burner stove from my tenting days in the van.
However, I was strongly advised against using one of those inside the van for health and safety concerns.
I don't fully appreciate the reason(s) why, as to me, it carries the same risk if not less compared with using a gas stove via a LPG bottle, except perhaps it would sit higher on the worktop, which could be designed to be lowered to accommodate the Coleman 424. And I had planned to cook with window and back doors open to minimise the cooking smell.
I still have her window in the kitchen and backdoors opened when I am cooking using a 2-burner induction hob. She is fitted with a carbon monoxide monitor in the living area as she burns diesel for heating and hot water as default unless I switch over to use electric via EHU while on a site.
In addition to safety concern with carbon monoxide, a lot of steam could be generated, e.g. when boiling a kettle or cooking. Without adequate ventilation, moisture could accumulate that could lead to mould growth over time. Hence there is a wide range of products on the market for vans to prevent mould growth.
Good ventilation is important, and I normally have at least one window ajar, and bathroom roof vent slightly opened when my van is parked outside my house waiting for her next trip.
If the weather is good, I can BBQ using either the trusted Weber Go Anywhere BBQ, or cook outdoors using the Cobb which is great for just one person.
I sold my Coleman 424 as well as the Coleman Sportstar stove as I did not think I would need them after switching unit to a campervan. With hindsight, I should have kept the Coleman 424 for outdoor catering purposes as it was a great stove that I could use all year round.
DK
Post last edited on 02/09/2021 08:18:08
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Topic: Self Build Ventilation Question
via mobile 01/9/2021 at 7:23am
