It's the weekend so that means pottering with the conversion

Saturday 18th Jan
After a few days of doing actual work that may earn me money it's the weekend and although it is baltic out there (bloody freezing) I have the removal of the rear ventilation system in my sights. Why do that you may ask, well read on ...

Reasons to remove

• it doesn't work
• the rear aircon simply does nothing
• the rear heatng system blows air around and that's about it
• If the rear heating matrix is gummed up it could end up blocking the front one which would be a real pain to replace
• its a very useful space under the rear floor that should allow me to fit a diesel cab heater which will blow warm air in through the existing vent system and not lose me any space inside the 'van

heater unit in situ, AC is at the rear (right)

AC unit

Only downside is having to lie on literally freezing concrete while I drill out bolts to dismantle & remove parts that have not been touched in over 25 years.

More later ......

Well, that was easier than I thought. Basically the whole conjoined unit is held on by 3 bolts which conveniently sheared as I undid them. I had to hack the AC pipes with a knife because the whole thing had seized. The water pipes came off easily and were temporarily plugged by some very large bolts while I decide whether to leave them blanked or link them to maintain circulation.

I'm left with 1 double open vent which links to the inside bottom and top vents, and another to the rear which goes to the floor area under the bed. I plan to fit the heater with 'cold' (to be heated) air coming from the rear vent and heated air being blown in to the front vents. I've still to figure out how to sort out the fuel supply; ideally it will come from the vehicle fuel tank but that can be tricky. The heater comes with a 15l fuel tank and a very long fuel pipe so I can either fit that tank somewhere convenient, or use the fuel pipe to make a 'drop in' hose for the filler.

I've bought a 2kw-5kw chinese unit - opinions vary as to their quality but at under £100 it's not a huge investment.

I've also bagged a used 3 way (240v/12v/gas) absorption fridge which looks like new, for 1/3rd the retail price. It may be too big but if I use it as an awning fridge ....

Sunday's forecast is cold but bright. I may tackle the last of the basic woodwork and start on fitting out the kitchen, i.e. see if my ideas have legs.