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Crafty_Camper
United Kingdom
Приєднався 1 січ 2022
Hello, my name is Alex. My wife Sophie and I own a 2012 VW Crafter Campervan.
I converted it myself mostly during 2019, but I got it to 'useable' and stopped. After a while I realised it was too heavy and so I needed to strip most of it out and start again.
I also still own my first car, a 1969 VW Beetle that I bought back in 2003, the engine bay caught fire in 2020 and it needs a fair amount of work to get it back on the road, so there will be a mix of new and old!
Subscribe and follow along to see how this all unfolds, between you and I, I have no idea what will happen, I'm just making it up as I go along, so I will be as surprised as you are!
I converted it myself mostly during 2019, but I got it to 'useable' and stopped. After a while I realised it was too heavy and so I needed to strip most of it out and start again.
I also still own my first car, a 1969 VW Beetle that I bought back in 2003, the engine bay caught fire in 2020 and it needs a fair amount of work to get it back on the road, so there will be a mix of new and old!
Subscribe and follow along to see how this all unfolds, between you and I, I have no idea what will happen, I'm just making it up as I go along, so I will be as surprised as you are!
Making some serious progress | FIRE DAMAGED 1969 VW Beetle
The engine is really starting to come together after this mammoth 2 day session working on it.
Follow me on Instagram: Crafty_Camper
Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/Crafty_Camper
Follow me on Twitch: twitch.tv/Crafty_Camper
Follow me on Instagram: Crafty_Camper
Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/Crafty_Camper
Follow me on Twitch: twitch.tv/Crafty_Camper
Переглядів: 63
Відео
The beginning of the end | FIRE DAMAGED 1969 VW Beetle
Переглядів 97Місяць тому
The engine starts to come together as the painted tinware and new parts start to be installed Follow me on Instagram: Crafty_Camper Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/Crafty_Camper Follow me on Twitch: twitch.tv/Crafty_Camper
Sanding and Priming the Fanshroud of my FIRE DAMAGED 1969 VW Beetle
Переглядів 59Місяць тому
In this one I prepare the fanshroud and dog house tinware to get a coat of paint. Follow me on Instagram: Crafty_Camper Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/Crafty_Camper Follow me on Twitch: twitch.tv/Crafty_Camper Music by 3.0L Capri www.youtube.com/@3.0lcapri8/
Painting the engine tinware of my 1969 VW Beetle | FIRE DAMAGED ENGINE
Переглядів 382 місяці тому
I've removed the final bits of tinware from the top of the engine in order to give them a good clean and a freshen up with some paint. Follow me on Instagram: Crafty_Camper Support me on Patreon: patreon.com/Crafty_Camper Follow me on Twitch: twitch.tv/Crafty_Camper Music from #Uppbeat: uppbeat.io/t/dan-phillipson/on-our-way License code: UNLP2ACIWGDECOTK uppbeat.io/t/the-dunwells...
My FIRST car caught FIRE - starting the engine repair of my 1969 VW BEETLE
Переглядів 1042 місяці тому
Nearly 4 years after the engine spontaneously erupted into a towering inferno, I make a start on dismantling the engine in order to clean it up and fix the wiring that melted in the fire. Follow me on Instagram: Crafty_Camper Support me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/Crafty_Camper Link to the new Insta360 Ace Pro that I used to film the close up work: www.insta360.com/sal/ace-pro?INR...
LIFE UPDATE - Including introducing you to our NEW ADDITION to the family!
Переглядів 2059 місяців тому
In this video I talk about what has been going on in my world for the past few months and why you haven't seen a lot from me of late. I also introduce you to our #finnishlapphund puppy. Patreon: www.patreon.com/crafty_camper Instagram: crafty_camper If you like the camera I use, you can follow the below link to purchase one, you will get a free battery if you use this link: www.in...
Shaping the WALLS to the CURVE of my van
Переглядів 2129 місяців тому
Here I am, cutting the walls that form the cupboard that will house the chemical toilet in our VW Crafter Campervan. This was filmed back in April this year, to see the mostly finished interior watch the Interior Update video from July 2023. Follow me on Instagram for more real time updates: Crafty_Camper Support me on Patreon to watch the videos ahead of the scheduled release: pa...
Sanding then staining the floor and building the SLIDE OUT bed in our VW Crafter Campervan
Переглядів 51010 місяців тому
I spend what feels like 5 years sanding the floor, before moving onto the bed to create a pull out sliding bed. This was filmed back in March this year, to see the mostly finished interior watch the Interior Update video from July 2023. Follow me on Instagram for more real time updates: Crafty_Camper Support me on Patreon to watch the videos ahead of the scheduled release: patreon...
INTERIOR UPDATE | VW Crafter Campervan Interior Tour - NEW Lightweight INTERIOR Van TOUR
Переглядів 531Рік тому
Jumping ahead a few steps from my last upload, this is a tour of the nearly finished interior. Time was against me so I haven't actually filmed or edited much of the construction progress as I needed to take my friends wedding dress to Italy in time for her wedding! I use the Insta360 One RS to film my videos (my early videos were filmed on the Insta360 One X2). I use the One Inch Lens module, ...
Getting my VW Crafter Campervan weighed again
Переглядів 495Рік тому
After removing most of the previous interior that made the campervan overweight, I am taking it to a weighbridge to get an updated weigh in to see what it weighs before I start building the interior again. You can support me via Patreon: patreon.com/crafty_camper Or you can follow me on Instagram where I post pictures sometimes as I am building the van crafty_camper I use Insta360...
IT TURNED OUT AMAZING - Wallpapering the ceiling of my VW Crafter campervan
Переглядів 301Рік тому
Finally, something that went well, I'm so pleased with how the ceiling turned out after we stuck wallpaper to the ceiling. I have always been open about my mental health, and despite smiling at the beginning of this video, I really did force myself to show up and do this, it was the last thing I wanted to be doing. However when I got to the end, it had completely changed my mood, that's how wel...
Trying and FAILING to fibreglass my VW Crafter Campervan ceiling - upside down fibreglass
Переглядів 327Рік тому
I had a grand plan to fibreglass my ceiling to make it all one piece. The only problem is, I can't turn my van on its roof in order to lay the fibreglass onto the plywood ceiling. Predictably, it doesn't go well and I get covered in resin and fibreglass strands. But, if I hadn't tried, I wouldn't have known. Now I do, and I won't be trying that in a hurry! Follow me on Instagram for occasional ...
Nailing the plywood to the ceiling of my VW Crafter Campervan
Переглядів 502Рік тому
The title says it all really, it isn't a complex video, and is just a case of cutting down the sheets of ply to size and nailing them to the ceiling. The hardest step comes after this. Stay to the end of the video to see the preview of how it went. Follow me on Instagram to get insights on how it is going in real time Crafty_Camper Follow me on Patreon for more detail on how the b...
Installing the Maxxair Fan in my VW Crafter Campervan
Переглядів 1,1 тис.Рік тому
Cutting a hole in the roof is always terrifying! The risk of water coming in is enough to keep you awake at night for the rest of your life! It went pretty smoothly though, until I came to screw the fan to the bracket... Support me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/Crafty_Camper Follow me on Instagram: Crafty_Camper Music from #Uppbeat: uppbeat.io/t/abbynoise/fuel License code: EON6IWND...
We went skiing in the ARCTIC CIRCLE - a winter holiday away from building my campervan
Переглядів 394Рік тому
We took a trip to Pyhä, Finland to enjoy some snow and do some skiing. We also saw the Northern Lights whilst we were there which really made the trip extra special. This is one of the most beautiful places we have been so far. And it is quiet! If you know anything about us by now, you know Sophie and I love places that have as few people as possible, and this resort ticks all those box.es! We ...
Will this solve the condensation problem in my Crafter campervan?
Переглядів 4,7 тис.Рік тому
Will this solve the condensation problem in my Crafter campervan?
Reducing the solar power of my campervan to save weight
Переглядів 593Рік тому
Reducing the solar power of my campervan to save weight
Finding condensation when taking down my campervan ceiling = my worst nightmare!
Переглядів 6 тис.Рік тому
Finding condensation when taking down my campervan ceiling = my worst nightmare!
The demolition continues on the overweight VW Crafter campervan
Переглядів 876Рік тому
The demolition continues on the overweight VW Crafter campervan
It's nearly complete - so we're taking it all apart AND STARTING AGAIN!
Переглядів 991Рік тому
It's nearly complete - so we're taking it all apart AND STARTING AGAIN!
Finding out the weight of my van - it didn't go well!
Переглядів 2,6 тис.Рік тому
Finding out the weight of my van - it didn't go well!
AMATEUR builds 4S2P LiFePO4 battery for VW Crafter Campervan in garden shed
Переглядів 2,5 тис.Рік тому
AMATEUR builds 4S2P LiFePO4 battery for VW Crafter Campervan in garden shed
Northern Italy in a VW Crafter Campervan | Part 2
Переглядів 1142 роки тому
Northern Italy in a VW Crafter Campervan | Part 2
Taking a VW Crafter Campervan from the UK to Venice
Переглядів 1682 роки тому
Taking a VW Crafter Campervan from the UK to Venice
VAN TOUR UPDATE | Self built VW Crafter Campervan
Переглядів 3832 роки тому
VAN TOUR UPDATE | Self built VW Crafter Campervan
Bluetooth Ceiling speakers in VW Crafter rear doors
Переглядів 4962 роки тому
Bluetooth Ceiling speakers in VW Crafter rear doors
Panasonic Home Theatre Surround Speakers in a VW Crafter Campervan? (Audio Upgrade Series Part 2)
Переглядів 2982 роки тому
Panasonic Home Theatre Surround Speakers in a VW Crafter Campervan? (Audio Upgrade Series Part 2)
Upgrading the DOOR and DASH Speakers on my VW Crafter Campervan (Audio Upgrade Series Part 1)
Переглядів 3,5 тис.2 роки тому
Upgrading the DOOR and DASH Speakers on my VW Crafter Campervan (Audio Upgrade Series Part 1)
Fixing the knob on my Calor B600 Gas Campervan Cooker
Переглядів 3602 роки тому
Fixing the knob on my Calor B600 Gas Campervan Cooker
Installing 12v magnetic locks to campervan cupboard doors
Переглядів 1 тис.2 роки тому
Installing 12v magnetic locks to campervan cupboard doors
Just passing by... if you'd remove the headliner closed cell foam you'd find condensation under it. There is non on top of it because it is an insulator and the dew point is not reach on the inside of the van where temperature is higher than on the metal surface (which is underneath the headliner). The only real way to prevent condensation on metal is to totally isolate it from the humid air using vapor barriers. If there are any spots at all where humid air will reach the metal, it'll most probably condensate on it.
People are too focused on insulation. Most important thing is ventilation. There's no condensation issues in a woodshed, plenty condensation in a cheap tent.
I can belive i'm sitting here watching you, while you're watchng paint dry 😎 nice shirt
I edited it, so I also watched me watching me watching paint dry... and more than once! 😆
Hey Alex. That’s a great project worthy of your skills. Good to see you looking well too pal. Catch up hopefully at one of the meets this year. Cheers
Thanks Paul, hope you're both well. Won't be there in June, but hopefully later in the year x
@@CraftyCamper All good with us here. Time will fly by, no doubt. Take care and catch up soon enough 👌
You're looking well Lex, have you worked out what caused the fire ? Electrics or feul leak ?
Thanks dude. It was the fuel pipe from the fuel pump to the carburetor I think. That's certainly where the concentration of damage is.
Doreen has found you and will watch more of your content, most likely I will too. It was nice for Doreen to meet Ushka and yourselves again. One day I will do my own conversion but for now the coachbuilt takes enough keeping on the road.
Hi friend, can you tell me the maximum pressure of this bf stamped on the side of the tire? pressuremax?
Hi how's the 560ah battery performing so far ? How many cycles are you in ,I built a 304ah with grade A cells and a Daly BMS ,looking to build a 608ah 4s2p 🙂
Not a good idea to use the existing battery terminals for the balance lead lugs. The lugs then defeat the point of using the flange nuts which have ridges on the underside to prevent them loosening. A better fixing is to tap the busbars with an M3 thread and use smaller lugs. This is especially relevant with a vehicle where vibration is likely to loosen the nuts. The low torque setting is to protect the battery terminals from stripping so the flange nut underside needs to grip the busbar to to its job.
I’ll be interested to know your weight. With my just started new Sprinter build I’ll be annoyed if my van exceeds 2600 kgs I’m using all aluminium sheet covered in wrap. Folded aluminium sheet for the studs and drawers etc. the only timber I’m using is the bench tops, 20mm routed underneath where it’s hidden down to 8mm. Remember any timber attracts moisture, that’s where most get it wrong, happy building
Wow that’s some serious moisture. The ceiling needs to be vented, I found the best was on my Sprinter was to use the headliner supplied by Mercedes or VW (same) I applied 10mm self adhesive insulate direct to the upper skin then fitted the headliner the full length. That left a decent air gap to aid breathing. Mine hasn’t any signs of moisture after 12 years. Other benefits are excellent sound deadener, good insulation, super light compared to timber and battens and best of all it looks good.
Not going to do much talking is a understatement
The best way I found to combat condensation and moisture in my Sprinter van was to use the original manufacturers headliner. It breathes, insulates and is a good sound deadener. I still used 10mm insulated mat on the metal. Another plus is it’s extremely light compared to what I see other builders use ie: timber battens and panels.
Take one year off and find yourself. No work. Most important no deadlines
Nice slide out!
Hello Ushka 👍👌
Health is key. Hopefully you can get that under control and then once again crack on with the van.
Great vid Alex. Scribing those curves is def an art. We had so many cupboards/walls that I ended up buying a Trend Easiscribe. Brill piece of kit. Your Dads ruler works well too. Vans looking really good 👏👏👍 Cheers
Nice to see you buddy. Loving the slide out bed 👍👏👌 And you wont be the last to take the jigsaw blade out whilst it’s still running 😮 Loving the track saw jig. Def game changer. PS - you could always buy some more floor stain 🤣👍
V good bro. Will be moving into a van as a permanent residence. I am doin a similar design on my sprinter, a pull out bed! having the ability to walk from the side door to the back is brilliant. All the storage will be on the sides of the fans. Quality work my friend
Great progress there chap 😎 looking really good 👍 Wiring is a nightmare to remember isn't it 🤔 2 weeks after doing it I've forgotten what I did 😂 Keep up the good work 👍
Great to see you back on the editing!
Nice work. That wiring hanging down 😵💫
Yeah that was a headache. I had to remember how I wired it the first time around! Plus Adam gave me a hand to put power to stuff and work out what turned on!
Great to see a new video. Impressive progress!
The Daly BMS may have not enough balancing current (only 30mA) to keep the batteries balanced according to Andys "Off-Grid Garage". Maybe its necessary to add a 5A active balancer witch you activate above 3,4V with a "Voltage detection controller" (a cheap PCB with a relay and a simple LED display where you can program the switch on and off limits)
Id go Osmo oil! Regret painting my van so many scratches.
The more I'm in it, the more I appreciate the surface of the wood.
Looking good Alex, you and the van, nice and upbeat. I'm liking the colour of thee wood and the leather straps are great too.
Great video - really impressed with the build and layout. The intro at the Italian camp site made me realise I sit at a desk all day with my computer 😕
Very good buddy. Glad you both had a great time away. Fantastic job with LED lighting👏 The word you may be looking to replace ‘bollix’ is perhaps Feng Shui 🤣👍 Mirror on the door works very well too👍 Top job with making the best use of space 👌 Ceiling looks brill with the fan well placed. 🎉🎉 Projector 👏👏. And….. you captured the Northern Lights too …. 🤩 Outstanding 👏👏👏
Thanks dude. Feng Shui.... falls in the same category lol. The Northern Lights was special, we are returning in January, so hopefully I will get another crack at capturing them again!
Does the UA-cam thing help with your MH a little? Or does it cause your stress???
Thank you
Interested in the Android head unit you just mentioned, I'd like to see something on that if you could...
Of course, it is the T'Eyes CC3, it didn't fit in the hole in the dash, so it isn't a straight forward fit, but the functionality is great, I'll get it finished and do a video on it. IVEAVAN did a video on fitting it to his van, that's what convinced me to buy it for my Crafter.
Real nice job you've done there chap 😎 Lots of little wins like the side door stop and the door handle straps to make you smile every time you use them 👍
I've missed the channel while you've been busy but this update is brilliant, what a great vehicle. Anything you'd change already? Lol
Kep up the videos. So many people need the advice on how to and how not to do things with this off grid life we are trying to make work. Thanks for the videos
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
You should use a sheet of rubber roof material between each cell qnd on the ends between batteries and plates. It helps with keeping compression equal. I'm building a 8s2p for my 24 volt solar power system soon as I get home off the road in two weeks. I've ordered the cells and a 300 Amp 24 volt dally but I'm thinking I should have gotten the 400 Amp bms
Rubber between the cells is a good idea. Good luck building your pack, I'm sure it will all go smoothly. I assume it is your inverter that would need the 400A BMS? I'm not sure what you have that is drawing 9.6kW? We don't even use that amount of power in our house! lol... I went for a 150A BMS because the wiring sizes are more sensible and I didn't expect to discharge more than about 20A at a time max, only the inverter would max it out, and we rarely use that much power, just charging laptops / projector really.
@@CraftyCamper I use a small welder from time to time. The rest of the place wouldn't need a 150 bms I wouldn't think but I figure to make the bms last I needed to over size it as much as I can. This past year when running the welder I wasn't using a bms at all only 24 leaf modules at 24 volts.
I only have 2 inverters in use a 3000 and a 4000 lol... it's the welder that is the fairly hard on my battery. That and the girlfriends hair stuff lol
Hairdryer's are really current hungry! But the welder now makes sense as to why you need so much capacity. Good luck with it all!
At 24v you're halving the current draw so I doubt you'll ever see anywhere near 400amp or even 200amp tbh 🤷🏻
i would have used a staple gun to staple the sheet up then resin it
Surely you could just paint on the resin? Doing fibreglass upside down is almost impossible. The only real way to fibreglass the plywood ceiling is to remove it and apply it on a horizontal (on a table or on the floor) If you want to reduce the movement between the ceiling boards use PU adhesive (CT1 etc). While PU adhesive is semi flexible it won't crack and is very unlikely to move if the ply is screwed to the ceiling.
Only the things that are going to be in here permanently! Alex have you told the other half this news that your now a fulltime van dweller? 😂😂
Death and taxes are certain. you have done well doing all that work over winter enjoy
Thank you!
Good job Alex
Thanks, although those cupboards don't exist anymore 😆
That looks fantastic!
❤
Great idea, looks fantastic👌
Cracking work guys! Anything overhead is an arse ache, you did well. Now rest them arms 😂
Just catching up, and it seems you and I are very similar in that we over-engineer everything! My van is about 3t at the moment with not much more to do, so I'm hoping it'll be fine!
I always like it when someone tries something different, and doesn't just do what everyone else does. So well done for being confident enough to try it, and it looks great.
I have a vision, and I'm pleased with how it is coming to life so far
Wanted to see how this turned out and you two have done a great job! Well Done, very impressed! We're away in our van this weekend, and despite having 12v electrics and some basic lighting, we have bare insulation on our walls and ceiling! Just can't wait any longer to go have an adventure! Lol! Love watching your build and gaining motivation and drive to crack on with ours! Thank you!
Have a lovely weekend away! We too camped in ours for the first time on an airbed and barely anything in it. It was at this stage: instagram.com/p/BlGix6ZBGd-/ I'm pleased you're enjoying it!
Great job, was that just normal paste you used
I looked it up, I used Wallrock thermal wallpaper adhesive from Screwfix