Vauxhall movano conversion

[Jamesh]

Hi Jim.

Thanks for the welcome.

Just purchased a vauxhall movano lwb.

Ex plod camera van 2002, 40k miles for £2k

Van is ply lined 6mm with 18mm ply floor.

2 windows in side door and opposite.

I've painted the floor with floor varnish as I had some in the garage.

Layout is going to be 2 dinettes / 4 berth, mid
kitchen / toilet.

just brought a set of vw kombi seats for from dinette as these will be travelling seats for the kids (4)

Appliances / parts will be from damp Avondale dart 556 which we have had for 10 years.

What could go wrong.....

Cheers James

 

[Manxcat]

I really admire you people who can do stuff like that! I have a screwdriver and some gaffa tape, not sure what to do with them though.

 

[cmcardle75]

Also just started converting a Movano riot van (dual rear wheel, with forward wheel arches). Very different layout, though. Fixed rear longitudinal bed, to the starboard, with storage alongside. Toilet over the left wheel arch and shower in front. Kitchen between bed and cab. Lucked out, though. Found a massive air con unit above the cab. Investigating how to convert from engine operation to electric, ideally both. (Pretty sure I can just run a electric motor to the compressor if I want habitation A/C only, as all control systems are 12V).

 

[Jamesh]

Took first bunk out if the caravan and into the van. Went well measured up fine.

There are two pillars that jut out into the cushions I'll have to cut the cushion to fit around. Othewilise there is s gap at the end of the bed and I loose 6" of van length.

Vw t5 seats fit with about 8" walkway between. But when on site we can simply remove the single to the awning for easier access.

The fixing brackets have captive bolts that are too short to go through the ply and insulation. Anyone suggest a get around thinking long nuts and threaded rod welded on?

Cheers James

 

[cmcardle75]

Looks great! I'm pretty sure the fabric is identical to my previous Sterling Europa. The ply floor looks like you could use without covering. As for the connections, would mate/M10 connector nuts work? Extra studding is pretty easy to come by, too. Otherwise, can the brackets be removed and replaced with something more suitable?

Connector Nut

Connecting nut for threaded bar, allowing 2 bars to be joined.

www.toolstation.com

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[Jamesh]

Hi

I installed my ceiling last night and it's looking ok. Haven't done completely to the edge as the lockers will go along 3/4 of the corners if the van and it will save a little weight.

Next job is the other rear bench followed by the toilet and kitchen or kitchen and toilet as hey will be easier to get our if caravan in that order. Might have to completely take apart as they are too bulky to get out of caravan door.

Opting for a portable loo as the cassette loo door position is obstructed by a beam on the movano about 6" above floor level.

Cheers James

 

[cmcardle75]

Opting for a portable loo as the cassette loo door position is obstructed by a beam on the movano about 6" above floor level.

We've put our toilet above the wheel arch. Found one with the low seat height. It is actually quite a comfortable height for a tall adult, but probably less so for a child. This uses less usable space and avoids any beams.

 

[chaser]

Hi

I installed my ceiling last night and it's looking ok. Haven't done completely to the edge as the lockers will go along 3/4 of the corners if the van and it will save a little weight.

Next job is the other rear bench followed by the toilet and kitchen or kitchen and toilet as hey will be easier to get our if caravan in that order. Might have to completely take apart as they are too bulky to get out of caravan door.

Opting for a portable loo as the cassette loo door position is obstructed by a beam on the movano about 6" above floor level.

Cheers James

Don't know what your caravan is like but the one we had for ours had a big front window and it all came through that

 

[chaser]

This is ours.

 

[Jamesh]

Simalar layout. Our fridge is going under the sink.

Toilet opposite.

Traveling seats in front of the that.

Cheers James

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[golly]

A lot of the ex camera vans have a diesel heater fitted as well.

 

[Jamesh]

I haven't found it..…where would it be?

Cheers James

 

[chaser]

I haven't found it..…where would it be?

Cheers James

If you havnt seen it you probably haven't got one usually a square box behind the seats.

 

[cmcardle75]

A lot of the ex camera vans have a diesel heater fitted as well.

Ours did (was riot van, rather than camera van). Integrated into a climate control system (currently investigating if the compressor can be converted to run off 230V). It's a shame they didn't leave the riot shield behind, though.

 

[Jamesh]

I have a Sargent 2005 from the caravan is it worth installing it into the van conversion? Or do I keep it simple stupid!!

I took out the other bunk and the rot had grown since I last dealt with it out so I think I'm doing the right thing!!

Cheers James

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[cmcardle75]

I have a Sargent 2005 from the caravan is it worth installing it into the van conversion? Or do I keep it simple stupid!!

I would use it, if there's room for it.

 

[chaser]

I don't know how far you are into this or what you intend doing, but in my ambulance there is a lot of electrical gubbins under the driver's seat, don't know if police vehicles are the same , anyway havnt touched it and it works brilliant at splitting the habitation from the starter battery, it clicks in and out at given volts letting charge go either way.

 

[Jamesh]

I haven't found any extra gubbins tbh!

Has climate control that's it.

Cheers James

 

[chaser]

I haven't found any extra gubbins tbh!

Has climate control that's it.

Cheers James

Has it got habitation battery? The bits could be somewhere else.

 

[Jamesh]

Nope not that I can see and they aren't small!

I'll be putting it under the rear bunk as there is some ventilation through the floor!

Got a swiveling double T5 seat so that's going in.

Cheers James

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[cmcardle75]

I don't know how far you are into this or what you intend doing, but in my ambulance there is a lot of electrical gubbins under the driver's seat, don't know if police vehicles are the same , anyway havnt touched it and it works brilliant at splitting the habitation from the starter battery, it clicks in and out at given volts letting charge go either way.

I haven't looked under there, but strongly suspect an auxilliary battery for the diesel heater is there. I'm still sticking my own battery over the right hand wheel arch, whether the auxilliary battery is there or not. I like the idea that the diesel heater can't take out the rest of the electrics, especially the compressor fridge. We drive around a lot, so suspect we don't really need solar to keep the diesel heater going.

 

[cmcardle75]

I haven't looked under there, but strongly suspect an auxilliary battery for the diesel heater is there. I'm still sticking my own battery over the right hand wheel arch, whether the auxilliary battery is there or not. I like the idea that the diesel heater can't take out the rest of the electrics, especially the compressor fridge. We drive around a lot, so suspect we don't really need solar to keep the diesel heater going.

I should mention it is a 4500kg max weight and we've not tried to go for a 3500kg downrate, so we aren't too concerned about weights (hence the 210 litre water tank!)

 

[Jamesh]

Just checked van no battery under driver's seat. Under passenger seat is a thick muilti cored wire cut off so I suspect the battery was under there. I could fit one under driver's seat I suppose but I'm not sure it will fit. Also the Sargent PSU won't fit there either. Also how do you vent it?

Cheers James

 

[chaser]

Our habitation battery is in a box between the seats.

 

[Jamesh]

Hi

Managed to remove the kitchen from the caravan and into the movano. The cookers gas pipe has a nut and olive connection which I want to connect to a single gas bottle without any manifold. Can I simply push the rubber hose over the hose And olive and clamp with a jubilee clip?

Cheers James

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[poppycamper]

I should mention it is a 4500kg max weight and we've not tried to go for a 3500kg downrate, so we aren't too concerned about weights (hence the 210 litre water tank!)

Would not if I were you.
My brothers DRW Movano conversion (admittedly with quite a few add ons) tipped the scales at 3200kg empty. Full fuel...No water...No bodies.. Just empty converted van..

 

[cmcardle75]

Would not if I were you.
My brothers DRW Movano conversion (admittedly with quite a few add ons) tipped the scales at 3200kg empty. Full fuel...No water...No bodies.. Just empty converted van..

Aiming for 3050kg completely empty now, for the speed limits! It's a police van with the most powerful engine they had and has no cruise control. It's hard enough keeping it to 70mph, without having to slow down artificially!

 

[cmcardle75]

Hi

Managed to remove the kitchen from the caravan and into the movano. The cookers gas pipe has a nut and olive connection which I want to connect to a single gas bottle without any manifold. Can I simply push the rubber hose over the hose And olive and clamp with a jubilee clip?

Cheers James

No, that would not be safe, as it could slip off, even if you clamp it up tight. At the minimum, you'll need a proper hose barb (via BSP connection) to make the connection safely. However, you should really have a proper bulkhead regulator and pigtail setup to meet regs.

 

[Jamesh]

Thanks I thought after posting it I was being foolish after I posted the post!

Will get a 8mm hose barb and fit. Is a regulator on top of a 4.5kg bottle not recommended?

Cheers James

 

[Jamesh]

My van is ex plod did they have 150bhp engines? as that's what Wikipedia suggests the g9t engine is for 2002 and feels pokey like my 140bhp T5.

Cheers James

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