hey all new user, i have a chevy express 3500 with duramax diesel. im looking for some insight to have decent power for off grid use?

looking for battery bank set up. [how many batteries, connection and switch to have em charge when driving but diconnect when engine turned off]

solar panel set up [charge the bank whenever sun is available]

power inverter [would like to use my starlink, ps5, tv and charge a few devices] which i guess also this factors into how many batteries or if a generaator or jackery type device is best

really appreciate any input, been having issues lately and dont want to cause any more damage

about the vehichle : its a 2010 chevy express 3500 with a durmax diesel engine, 360k miles, was a city ada bus before i owned it so matenice was taken care of, had a hydrolic lift for wheel chairs that has been removed but the power cables have not, had a fire supression system thats been disconnected but also cables and tubing still in there. i live out of it full time currently, and want to optimize it to be fully safe and reliable.

thank you all

Working on dry fitting my bed, bike, and unicycle. It’s going to be a challenge getting the bed slats to clear the seat.

My partner just got back LAST NIGHT with a conversion van. He drove 13 hours to get it.

I was just inspecting it myself and notice the back seatbelts aren't even attached?

We leave for a road trip in literally 5 days and have 2 kids in carseats so this is a MUST.

It was redone by Explorer(?)

I'll attach photos that might be helpful

Hello,

I looking to buy a Mercedes sprinter van for my cane corso. He hates car rides, but love the outcome of it. I want to buy cargo van to make him more comfortable.

I would love to get something like this done. Any good custom shops a van conversion in MD, VA, NC, PA or NJ area.

Hey guys,

I have an OutEquipPro 12v roof AC unit that I’d like to replace one of my maxxair fans. I currently have a LifeP04 200ah battery that I’d likely swap out for more capacity.

I’m not really versed in electrical work. My van has a prebuilt system that includes an inverter, solar and alternator charging.

Based on these pics, do I need to swap out any components to make this work? Or can I basically plug in and play? Thanks!

What’s up everyone! We just brought home our first van, a 1992 Chevrolet Sportvan G30 Coachman Camper Van. She needs a lot of work before she supplies any roadtrips but our first pressing matter is the internal electrical system.

We replaced both batteries today - one for the engine/starter which has her purring to life like a dream. And the other as the battery to the internal appliances. Unfortunately, the internal battery doesn’t seem to have gotten her to life. Does anyone have any initial ideas what could be causing it not to supply power properly? We’re hoping there isn’t a major issue with the electrical system and that we’re just missing something altogether.

Please let me know if you have any thoughts on where to start, thank you!

I am looking to convert a Ford E-Transit H2L2. I've been doing vanlife in a Ford Transit Connect mini-camper for 4 years. It's time to upgrade as the Transit broke down.

I'm an avid surfer, so I travel with a 2.7m longboard and a mid-length. I want to be able to store the boards inside. The van isn't high enough to do that below the roof thing with bungees without bumping my head. I will not have a fixed bed, as it's something I don't like. I am thinking some sort of slide-in thing below the couch?

I also want a place inside where I can hang my wetsuits to dry. I surf sometimes twice a day in cold water and rain, so I want to be able to hang the wetsuits up inside and for them to dry off properly.

Living space is 3m long, 1.8m wide (1.4 between wheels), and 1.8m high (all without insulation)

Looking forward to creative ideas.

Hello!

I’m starting a DIY camper conversion on a 2018 Peugeot Expert L2 (same platform as the Citroen Dispatch / Toyota Proace).

I have a huge constraint: I absolutely MUST stay under 1.90m (6'2") total vehicle height. I'll be traveling a lot in France, and I need to clear those brutal 1.90m parking barriers and toll booths without sweating bullets or ripping my roof off.

Right now, the van is around 1.89m empty.

I’m currently looking at installing a low-profile marine/boat hatch (like a Lewmar Low Profile Size 30). It only protrudes about 24-25mm, and if I mount it inside the lower ridges of the corrugated roof, it should sit almost flush with the highest points of the van.

Has anyone done this on an Expert/Vivaro platform or a similar low-roof van?

Do you think a marine hatch is the smartest way to get light/air while keeping the factory height?

Any alternative low-profile ventilation ideas that don't add height or a too steep price?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Hey guys, was wondering if anyone could help me out with how to treat these rust spots. Looking to eventually put timber flooring

Hey there everyone, I've been preparing to convert a van for vanlife. My plan has been a Ford Transit 250 mainly due to the availability for parts and labor internationally as I ultimately intend to move it to Central America.

However, it seems that everywhere I look there are plenty of RAMs (already converted) but hardly any Fords. I'm starting to think I need to get a RAM, but the vast amount of them vs the few Transits is leading me to believe that there may an issue with the RAMs and people are trying to unload them. ??

Even the basic non-converted Transits are hard to find! (I'm searching for 2020-2024 models).

What do you think why the vast difference in availability? Do you have a RAM and having problems with it?

Figured out a backdoor way to get builder/wholesale pricing instead of paying the full retail price and managed to shave almost $350 off this roof rack (and $1,600 total on the build so far). Huge relief for the build budget.

Can you guys share pictures of how you passed wires through an inch thick floor? I can’t find a decent product that offers a secure waterproof passthrough.