Andy Posted May 23, 2023 Hi, here are some pics showing the result of my exciting 3 years building journey. It is time to start using it. If there will be questions about systems, parts, materials and such, please, ask me. 3 Nimbus, radin2son and Local Apparent Friday reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
radin2son Posted May 23, 2023 (edited) Wow! Never seen a build like this with so many slide outs and multiple use surfaces. Definitely time to get out. Let us know how it all works out and where you take your van. Edited May 23, 2023 by radin2son Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OpenRoad Posted May 24, 2023 Very impressive! An amazing amount of thought and work must have gone into this. I would be interested to see a component list of what you have installed. I expect it will be a long list! Are you planning on living full time in your van? Good job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Posted May 25, 2023 yes, soon i will start doing full time in this van with a maiden voyage to BC Canada. I made a component list for everything electrical (not sure if something is missing) with some pics as well on the subject. Other lists for different systems will follow. Renogy Eclipse Solar Panels 4ps total 400W Lithium Battle Born deep cycle batteries 3 ps total 300Ah Engine battery X2 Power model SLI27FAGMDP OzCharge Rescue Mate 12-Volt Super Capacitor Jump Starter – 750 Amp From Blue Sea Systems: 1733-BSS Mini Digital DA Voltmeter Dual USB Chargers Temperature Monitor 1741 5025 ST Blade Fuse Block 6 Circuit 5045 ST Blade Fuse Block Compact 4 Circuit with Cover A-Series Toggle Single Pole Circuit Breakers Weather Deck Waterproof Panels 4 pos fused 12V Socket 6010200 m-Series Battery Switch Dual Circuit 9003E e-Series Battery Switch, On/Off (to disconnect winch) 2723 Dual Bus 150A Common 4 x 5/16" Stud and 5 x 10-32 Screw Terminal Rocker ON-OFF Switches 5191 Fuse Block Terminal 30-300 AMP Terminal Feed Through Connector 5117 225A Class T Fuse From Victron Energy: SmartSolar MPPT 100/50 MultiPlus C 12/2000/80-50 120V (UL 458) Inverter Charger BMV-712 Battery Monitor with Bluetooth Built-in Color Control GX Digital Multi Control 200/200A Temperature sensor for BMV-702/712 Orion-Tr IP43 12/12-Volt 18 amp 220-Watt Isolated DC-DC Converter Battery Alarm GX CCGX Wi-Fi Module Simple (Nano USB) VE.Bus Smart Dongle (Bluetooth) VE.Direct Cables Wall Mounted Enclosure Panels RJ45 UTP Cables Sterling DC Battery to Battery Charger 24V-12V 35A Sterling White Remote BBURC Bosch 0332019157 Normal Open Mini Relays - 4 Pins, 12 V, 40 A All cables are from Battery Cables USA All wiring done with Ancor Marine Grade Primary Wire Sirocco II Fan, Omni-Directional Gimbal Fan 12V MaxxAir Maxxfan 00-06200K Vitrifrigo VF62 2.2 cu ft fridge ENGEL 17 Quart top-Opening 12/24V DC - 110V/120V AC Fridge-Freezer Furrion RV Electric Induction Cooktop 1500 Watt model FIH1ZEA-BG Dream Lighting 12V 3.5inch LED Luxury Crystal Panel Light Lunasea Adjustable Linear LED Light w/Built-In Dimmer – 12”, 12VDC MASO 12V Spot Reading Light Interior Lighting Wall Lamp with Switch Wago 221-612 LEVER-NUTS 10AWG 2 Conductor Compact Wire Connectors Bussmann BP/ATM-2 Fast Acting Mini-Fuses Bussmann HHL In-Line ATM Fuse Holder - 32V/20A - #16 Wire Leads Brandmotion Rear Camera 9002-7608 Brandmotion AHDS-7650 Universal 5" Digital Display Monitor AIDA 2ft Auto Reset 12/3 Gauge SJTW GFCI Extension Cord, 15 AMP NOCO GCP1E 15A AC Port Plug 6ft Extension Cord Marinco 15A Marine Grade Locking Extension Cord LogicBlue Technology LevelMatePRO+ Wireless Vehicle RV Leveling System Diode Dynamics Stage Series 3in SAE/DOT Type FT Fog Light Kit Heavy Duty Dual Output Light Bar Wiring Harness Diode Dynamics Sensorcon Inspector CO Carbon Monoxide Monitor Starlink mobile internet BUD Industries AU-1028 Aluminum Utility Cabinet 3" L x 5" W x 4" H (used as entry points for cables where plastic ventilation box is located) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OpenRoad Posted May 25, 2023 Andy, Thanks for your list and pics. Really nice installation work on your electrical. You didn't scrimp on component selection. Will be interested to hear your thoughts as you spend time living in new home. We are heading off to the southwest for a few weeks but will probably be up in BC latter this summer. I will keep an eye out for you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrekLoco Posted March 14 Greetings. I am starting my Nissan NV3500 van build. Can you share how you hooked up the Victron Orion to the alternator? Did you run a wire all the way from the alternator to the Victron Orion? Is there a junction fuse box in the cargo or driver area where I can hook the Victron Orion to the alternator system? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
radin2son Posted March 19 Andy, How is your conversion working, full time or otherwise? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Posted March 27 For my B2B charging option, I have Sterling unit for 30A. As I have completely separate house battery system (not using body frame minus), my 2 wires from engine battery have two ON-OFF switches. Always my B2B unit is OFF and two electrical systems are independent till the moment when I want to charge my house battery from car generator. The procedure is to turn off solar panels input (to avoid two charging currents fighting each other), turn on connections to my Sterling then start the engine. I run 2 wires underneath from engine battery to the back of my van (as per Sterling connection diagram). So far everything works as intended. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Posted March 27 Thanks radin2son for your interest in my progress. So far so good, just came back to Michigan from Arizona. There are some changes in my layout: removed are the following - center unit, trailer hitch, Sun-Mar toilet. Stock tires had been replaced with Nitto. Added one extra leaf to rear spring. I am still in a testing mode for my water system. What I am so happy with: outdoor shower, electrical system, Espar 5kW gasoline heater, 12V Vitrifrigo fridge, Engel 12V freezer, boat hatch on the roof, Maxxfan. 1 radin2son reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crusty Posted March 28 Charging currents fighting each other? I've run multiple charging sources on a single battery for over a decade. If anything it has helped battery life. Amperage won't go backwards and fight another charge source. Battery charge will taper off as the voltage reaches the target. You are not going to increase voltage by adding more amperage potential. Without a voltage differential (low battery, high charge source) there will be no amperage flow. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Posted March 28 Crusty, you are absolutely right, when there is no voltage delta, there is no current. It is fine to have multiple charging sources at the same time, I just play safe. Because my controllers are different brands (Sterlig and Victron), they can read battery voltage with not the same accuracy so it is possible that can work not fully in harmony. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Renzo Posted December 5 (edited) Maybe I missed this in the long list of components: Is this the Front bumper you used? https://www.vividracing.com/aluminess-front-bumper-brush-guard-nissan-20112018-p-152777409.html Edited December 5 by Renzo Insert link Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Posted December 5 Renzo, both front and rear bumpers are from Aluminess. They don't have any products for Nissan NV anymore. It looks like they sold their design/drawings/jigs to the company you mentioned. 1 Renzo reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
radin2son Posted December 23 Saw your for sale ad. Didn’t see mention of available passenger seat. This will increase interest. Starting another project? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Posted December 23 (edited) My design intend was to travel solo with a dog, so passenger seat had been removed and dog's bed installed instead. Being on the road and speaking to many dog owners, I dropped this idea. As for starting another project, yes, liveaboard motorsailer. Edited Tuesday at 08:01 PM by Andy 1 radin2son reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
radin2son Posted December 24 (edited) Nice. Except for a short period between dogs, we enjoy having them along on camping trips. On one occasion, I absentmindedly put just bought scones and bread on top of a food box instead of in it. Previous dogs wouldn’t have cared but our first time camper dog thought otherwise. Retuned from getting fish and chips to find our van interior covered in crumbs. Edited December 24 by radin2son Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Last2ConvertNV Posted Tuesday at 07:35 PM I've been thinking of ways to use the fully closed passenger seat to work as a platform for my large german shepherd in solo trips. He loves to surf up in the "cockpit". I was intrigued by your dog bed replacement of the passenger seat, but disheartened by your comment not to bring him/her along. Is that the common consensus of the van community that it's better to leave your dog at home? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Posted Tuesday at 09:03 PM In my case I never owned a dog, so I thought that this new to me lifestyle could help me to materialize my child's dream to have a dog as my travel companion. German Shepherd, the only dog breed I was considering, non-compromising here. Luckily, a "reality check" forced me to acknowledge facts rather than my own perceptions and wishful thinking about having a large dog in such a small living space. I know it could be done as I saw many times when not even one big dog but two were traveling with their owner. It is just me, getting old and feeling intimidated by the responsibilities of owing a dog in a van. Good news for me is that I am still far away from slowing down and shifting my focus from active engagement to more passive activities. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
radin2son Posted Wednesday at 12:54 AM The dog formula seems to be the smaller the dog(s), the larger the RV. Large dogs fit fine in an NV. Don’t leave them at home. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
