Electrical Problem, what electrical problem

Finally sorted the problem with the lack of rear nearside light, number plate light and fog light. Turned out to be a combination of knackered wiring and a dodgy number plate light. All ready for the MOT which ran out 2 days ago. Hopefully emissions are ok as everything else has been taken care of.

The Big Trip

Well bigish. 1200 miles. We started off on Friday night and made it to services in Lancaster where there was a spot for caravans to park up. I think this may become a regular spot to break up the drive to Glasgow. Saturday we arrived and spent the weekend with Brother, Sister in law and Niece. Monday evening we left heading for Dumfries and Galloway. We eventually foung a spot to park up for the night;
The next day we went into Portpatrick which we were only a mile away from (blue blob to right of lighthouse);
It wasn't far to our next stop at a campsite in Gatehouse-of-Fleet. A site called Mossyard. We turned up in time for sunset over the beech we were parked in front of and got the sunrise in the morning too. Also the location where we lost our chemical toilet emptying virginity!


Then we traveled on towards the Lake district (we did have a look at Dumfries, but apart from providing us with gloves was a bit crappy. Gloves needed as it started to snow in the morning and the view across to Northern Ireland showed thay had snow, glad the eberspacher heater works so well!)
We stopped off at Hadrians Wall to learn a bit of history that poor secondary school education didn't teach us, Humanities!!!! What a waste of time, where was History!!!!

On arrival in Keswick we found out that the site with 250 spaces had been flooded leaving the only remaining site full. The only option was a site 25 mins walk out of town and the website stated some rules that were rediculous. No friends in seperate vehicles allowed at the same time as there is a potential for making noise, what a bunch of tits. We didn't like the sound of that so checked out the town carpark. As we were reading the carpark noticeboard a head popped out of a camper and shouted don't pay! The man, named Pat the posh gypsy, pointed out we could park all night till 8:30am for free and ther was nothing stating campers weren't allowed. He was on his way to France in a £50k camper having sold his house with the aim of spending his 70th birthday in Toulouse with a view to renting a house eventually.
The hills here had snow on them too.
We pushed on south through the lakes and ended up joining the Caravan club near Kendal as this was a source of good sites and joining saved £7 a night. The site was amazing and the facilites were equally amazing, still doesn't excuse those buggers with caravan holding everyone up!
As you can see we had quite a nice pitch.
We now had a map with all the club sites on and decided a quick visit to the Peak district was in order.
Next stop Buxton.
A weird site housed in an old quarry. This shot was taken on the lane leading into the quarry.
We than headed to Telford and Blists Hill Victorian Town for their Halloween celebrations. We found a good spot to park up in an overflow carpark.
We had an excellent evening, especially me as the mask I had terrified the adults, let alone the kids. I spent the whole evening creeping right up to people and waiting for them to turn around and basically crap themselves.
The next day was spent visiting the various museums based around the iron bridge.
Then the shortish trip home.
It was a nice way to break up an otherwise horrible drive down from Glasgow and also gave us some ideas where to head next summer.
The van didn't have any problems excpect no left tail light, rear fog light and rear number plate light. This was a problem the circuit they were on and happened 2 days before leaving. It blows the fuse straight away so I'll have to track doen the short next weekend.
Oh yeah, there has also been quite a knocking from the engine/ gearbox since about 2 miles out of Bath on the way up! It seems to quieten when the engine is hot so I figure the tappit gaps need adjusting and just one it overely large. 1200 miles later the van is still going so can't be too big an issue but still something to sort next weekend.
Now we just need to figure out where to go next!

Brakes

The brakes have had an overhaul before our big trip. New Rear wheel cylinders, shoes, all fitting springs, hoses, front calipers, hoses, master cylinder and some of the brake pipes. Now it actually stops properly! Turns out one of the rear beakes wasn't even working before!!!!

Booze containers

Got to have somewhere to keep them;

It Works!

We made it to Dan-yr-Ogof for just one night. Got to test out using the electric hook up etc.
Sometimes TomTom can prove to be interesting!
This went on for 3-4 miles but was interesting all the same. It also had a few good spots for rough camping along the way. It did actually lead through to proper roads again.

Sewing

Me in action on the curtains!
They actually look pretty good.

Ex Tractor Fan

Another job off the list. Fitted and ducted to the outside to stop condensation problems inside the van from cooking.
TKMaxx also provided a suitable chopping board and set of Sebatier Knives.I also built some Cutlery storage which is a bit over the top.
The pieces;
You can never have too many clamps;
Pre varnish;
Anal touch, the teaspoon section is shorter so they don't get lost in the bottom.

ECO insulation

Here's some of the eco insulation used for the over cab area. It's nice and itch free but a bugger to cut as it's made from recycled bottles (hope it has a fire retardant too!)

Nearly There

I've started to cover up nasty gaps and put on final coats of varnish. The 230v lights are up and running.
The toilet now has a light and a window cut out which you can just about see in the pic.
The power hook up. Runs the 230v and a transformer so 12v can be used too.

New toilet door lock. Judging by the holes around it I'm guessing it's about the 10th to be fitted!

I've got to sort a proper DAB and FM aerial, a better fixing system to the heater tank, fix the curtain tracks, fix the extractor hood, sort out the rear fog light and do a bit more varnishing.
Then Vez the mechanic or another garage has to fit a new silencer, tail pipe, brake shoes and cylinders, brake hoses, downpipe gasket and bleed the brakes.

Getting there

The new plates are on and the over driver area is done!
Also fitted is a 12v transformer for running the low voltage stuff with a hook up. Consumer unit wired up today and everything working!

HEAT!

The Eberspacher heater is in. I've fitted a separate 30l tank as it was easier than plumbing it to the existing. It also means I can use red diesel, heating oil or paraffin which it's full with now as it burns the cleanest. It has a heat exchanger so intake and exhaust is seperate under the van and a fan is inside blows air across the exchanger so no carbon monoxide problems. It really kicks out heat!
Bit smokey when it first starts up, after 30 seconds there is no smoke. It needs the silencer to stop it sounding like a jet taking off!

Genuine Fake Plates

Since these cost the same as normal plates I couldn't resist. I though having the D not GB was a step to far when it comes to talking to the police!

The Smurf Mobile

On seeing the blog Nathan has decided it looks like a Smurf Mobile which seems a pretty good name for it to me! I think a visit to our sign writer is in order for a logo.

Sound system

Sony digital radio which fits in better than the minging silver one that came with the van.

JVC 6x9 speakers for the rear (ordered sony £22 jobbies but they were out of stock so gave me these for the same price, normally £45!)

Some slightly less crappy ones for the front too for a massive £24!

Putting it all back

After the spray job all the lights and plastics have been put back on. The black plastics have been sprayed as they were looking a bit tired.
Claire, the provider of suitable amounts of energy!

At last it's blue!!!!

Started the day by flatting the high solids primer with 400 wet and dry. Then whilst letting the van dry (most of the day because it was foggy) I fitted the new stereo. Claire painted the inside of the back doors and I picked up a few bits. Namely new front brake hoses, an exhaust gasket, brake shoes and a new back box. I'm just glad to see it in top coat, but now the top looks shit so I may have to give that the once over too!

Still more paint!

I have resealed the panel joins with sikaflex and the whole van has had several coats of high solids primer. I've now rubbed it back so it is ready for some more primer and finally a top coat of 1979 VW Kaupke Blau (who or what ever the f**k kaupke is!)
Kinda looks like Christo and Jeanne-Claude have been at it!