Cooking with gas in my opinion is the most economical and practical way. Also having an instantaneous gas hot water, the water heats up extremely quick for showers even in the coldest weather. In the winter, cooking with gas also doubles as a heater. Ep.6 BLOG POST + PRICE BREAKDOWN - www.jazmorton.com/van-conversion/gas-box-hot-water-unit/ Season 1 Van Build - bit.ly/VanBuildS1 Season 2 Van Life - bit.ly/VanLifeS2
I'm seriously considering making a van my full time home, and these videos really help to fully understand the building process, thanks and keep it up man!
That's a really neat project, can't wait to see it finished... another tip to use when applying the silicone, wet your fingers or a rug with window cleaner, it makes it so much easier to clean it off your fingers and surfaces. Never use water. Cheers!
I bought a gas box from the same mob as you. It`s supposed to be a 4kg size for a SLWB Toyota, looks the same as yours with a different contour. However the box only fits the older 4kg bottles and is too short for the more common (in Aus) bottle. I hope yours is big enough to fit the larger bottle as the older bottles are far rarer and hideously expensive. I solved my problem by fiberglassing an extension top cap onto the box to accommodate the larger bottle. You are doing a great job, with the van and the videos - verrrrry professional!!!!
To avoid small sparks damaging your vehicle paint its advisable to mask and tape up panels around cutting areas.. also be careful that no sparks hit any glass (e.g. barn doors) as you may burn the glass and damage it.
Hi this is one of the best series of conversion videos I have come across. I would like to do this myself someday with a sprinter. Can't wait for the next one. Thanks. Kevin
I know it's a bit late now, but my sister is having her van done and they are fitting an under slung gas bottle that can be filled in petrol stations that have Lpg pumps, saves room and also has much more capability as it stores far more.
That is a cool way as well, and would've been possible because there is room on that side underneath where I installed the gas tank. I did think off this but what detered me was thinking about when I will be travelling in the middle of Australia where at petrol stations the only thing available will be unleaded and diesel, and probably gas bottles.
Kid.. The hardware store really saw you coming. The saying goes.. If you got it, Flaunt it !! You must have the buck$. Excellent video too ! Can't wait to see how it works out at the end. Much Success !!! I may likely use this idea, I'm starting a 48 state Road Trip in a few months with my Sprinter Van.
Nice work Jaz. I would not go with gas though. Don't like the stuff. I cook with it at home, but in my 40 foot RV I am without gas. Electric only. You could put a Isotherm hot water heater in that heats from the engine and a small electric load that a inverter would run. You would have hot water by the end of the day easily, and it mixes with cold to give you more hot water. Make sure you put in a propane detector and a co monitor! Bob
These videos and your blog are absolutely amazing. We're in Cranbourne VIC and are looking at doing the same thing soon and really needed this to paint a good picture of what needs to be done. Will definitely be making our purchases through your blog links. Can't wait for part 7. Great work Jaz 👏👌
You do some next level stuff man, not only the quality of the work but also the documentation. Subbed immediately after the plumbing video.. That's the kind of stuff I need for myself in a few months. :D
Thank you for these videos I think you have helped me get my mind on the right track my handy man skills are up there with yours I’ve just been debating on putting a bathroom in my van but now you have me sold
Hi Jaz and Lori, Great job you did! I follow your steps to install the gasbox, this was a year ago and now I realized I left the side light cable somewhere hanging. Now I have something draining my main battery. Do you think it could be that loose cable? Cheers
Yep underslung gas tanks, you can fill them up from the garage with LPG. They are fairly expensive initially, I just paid £500 for mine, without fitting. You an also fit them to a van without having to be a gas engineer.
Great Vidz. Just a heads up - theres a crew in QLD 'Atlas Tanks' that do underchasis water tanks made just for the sprinter. Fits in perfect just in the right spots.
Thanks a lot! Haha that is funny, I approved their quote today for the 110L sprinter tank and a custom tank dimensions that I sent to them. Will probably be picking up the 110L tank this weekend, but a little wait for the custom one. I was hoping for the next episode to be on the water tank install :)
hello Jaz i'm french and i just discovered your amazing van's construction!! i love it.... i want to do that in the next two years but for sure not in the sprinter, it will be a dream but too expensive for me!! so i want to do the same in a cheaper van, but same size. i just watched episod 5 and 6, its amazing! bravo bro :)
Really enjoyed your video. Not being skilled or very handy at DIY carpentry/remodeling, your steps clear and understandable helped me even with my limited knowledge n experience, feel I could accomplish my own (van, bus or box truck ) RV conversion. For me, growing up around a brother n friends who did construction (housing), I was able to do small bit of framing and sheet rocking houses, so having videos like yours to help guide me along with my personal project. Gonna take all my Girl Power I put into every Spring Round Up and calf branding, or each year I had ready the tractor for the farm/orchard work will now be directed into following your helpful videos. The only part I was unsure about was how you made the template for cutting the curve of the plywood to form right along the Van's wall. When you speeded up the video while you demonstrated the how you did that step. It wasn't easy for me to fully grasp. But I'm hoping that the walls of my vehicle will be more straight. But thank you for the great job you've done with your Van conversion.
Thanks so much for the positive energy and sharing some of your story :) I'm glad my content is giving you value and helping you, that's exactly what I want for people. With reference to getting the cut right for the curved walls, are you talking about in Ep. 5? I made a large (wheel or washer) by using a holesaw cutout of ply. then I ran this along the van wall while having my pencil in the middle of the washer drawing on a piece of plywood. I then cut along the drawn line. I repeated this process 3 or 4 times until I was happy that the curve of the plywood template is perfect with the curve of the van. hope this helps, let me know if this didnt answer the question (Y)
I am so sorry for the epic novel my replies are, and can only try and put it down to being by nature very curious. My Grandad was a genius at inventing electronics (years b4 home computer revolution) and I would tire him with questions of how and why his remote control device could turn on the tv/radio change stations on each, and then transfer the radio sound to play thru the tv speakers or thru speakers all throughout the house, basement and 2nd floor. So during times while he was working either in the orchard or away taking clients fishing on his charter boat, I would tear his remote controller apart or other electronics well basically anything he made, I'd take apart. He would find me in his shop with parts all laid out, and he would say, " Listen, Shay, if u are going to reverse engineer everything I make, maybe I should teach u first how to put them together." Unfortunately he passed away before he could do so. But I am still with the curiosity of wanting to learn still how to put things together. I'll read or now watch DIY videos, but its not always the same as the on hands method of learning to do things. But... Yes it did help to make sense to read what u did to make a the curve of the plywood to fit along the wall. When the fast speed of the video made it bit confusing to follow what u were doing. What u did was improvise/problem solved a way of not having a carpenter or industrial tool at hand to get a more accurate cut to fit your work. Sort of like when I've done a wall mural and needed a huge circle or arce and used a 3' yard stick ruler or long string anchored to a center pt. and held a marker/pencil at the other end to draw the circumference out without having a very large compass or protractor. Was pure ingenuity of you. I'm not quite sure what the U.S. equivalency would be to sika flex? but I'm thinking something like a water proof silicon material used to seal against water entering inside around your cutouts in the van? I've yet to watch your other videos on installing your solar system and vids. on van completion inside, but am hoping that the further explanations of the material costs, materials used and measurements, as well as what Company u purchased the solar system, how u decided ur choice of components,(inverters, converters, etc.) is all explained. I've watched many videos on solar installations, where some seemed simple others got more complex with putting fuse and battery savers, cooling fans inside the battery box, and running a wire from the system to the vehicles alternator to charge the batteries while driving; if the panels fail to get proper sun all day. But living in Australia not having enough sun doesn't seem to be a problem I may be faced with living or traveling about places here in the States; guess I self answered why there would be a difference on how you and I would connect the solar system up. All the differences of pricing or products/materials used in Australia really doesn't take away the teachings you've given within your videos. After I finish binge watching all your Van conversion episodes, I'm interested and looking forward to what next project you have coming.
Thanks a million it's awesome that you're so curious to learn and your grandpa sounded like a genius! I make a lot of things up on the spot as I go with this van build. There will be a full video on hooking up all the electrical and explanation of how it all works, including the solar. There will also be a season 2 purely explaining how things work and literally "in field tests" showing this for people like yourself 😀 All the best on your build!
Very nice job. Know how hard it is ti line up hinges would it have been possible to attach the hinge to the door and then wedge in place , apply double sided tape to hinge and drill the box and other side of the hinge at the same time?I have a class C in the US and constantly making improvement and upgrades to personalize it. Again nice job.
Cheers mate! I see what your saying, I thought about doing it a similar way. The hinges had a specific strip where you could screw your screws through, so I had to see this strip to be able to accurately line it up. But I guess there is always 2 ways to do something haha
Yes , always more than one way and none right or wrong. That's the way I do cabinet and drawer doors but RV installs are a different animal. Looking forward to the next video.
hi jaz you are aware, the water between the black plastic and the white metal plate can penetrate? the black plastic is not sealed. and so water can penetrate into the car below the black plastic. otherwise great job greetings from switzerland
It's a pretty sweet rig. Everythings good build. But I don't like the idea of water tank which is below the van if your going off-road or if something on the road hits it that tanks gonna puncture. If the water tank was inside the van or mounted near the roof higher the water could flow without the need of a pump. Much more energy efficient and if there was a roofrack on top for storage would have been nice. And I really like the bathroom shower combo it's really nicely built.
Cheers mate I couldn't put tanks on roof because they full of solar, And inside is tight for space! Only place is underneath van with the amount of Literage I have, I don't want to muck around with annoying small internal tanks
Travel With Jaz not outside on the roof ... But inside like in a separate cabinet but higher . But it will take cargo space inside not good if your carrying a lot of stuff with you.
U should wear clothes so metal does not get into your body in case you ever need an MRI at a hospital. Your videos are better then anyone else. Love your explanations.
I kept thinking to myself, "why is he so overly concerned about rust?" (Using rust repelling paint on everything.) Then when you mentioned you were in Brisbane I was like, "Oh! That explains it! With the 150% humidity!" Yes, I have spent time in Brisbane so I get it.
Haha yeah well just in general as well, I'll be travelling a lot of coastal places in Australia where salt water from the sea gets carried in the air. Just is good practise 👍🏼
Boa noite JAZ(SOU DE PORTUGAL),comecei a ver no ep.10 ,subscrevi e ate agora já vi todos de seguida do ep.1 até este(ep.6) , está Espectacular,vou ver os restantes. Agora uma pergunta, depois de tudo concluído tens que fazer uma inspecção para circular com a viatura?
Top job Jaz. Where are you off to when you've finished? Following the bonnet or have you got a specific place in mind? Keep up the great work. Billy J.,,,,,,,,,,, Beaudesert AU
I found your channel today, signed up and saw all of your Sprinter Videos. Really a nice job. I am interested in the future what you do next with this challange.
Hey mate - nice work - I just installed the DIY Fibreglass gas box myself on my xlwb sprinter. One question - with the lower air vent...will it be in the actual step well (ie venting to under the chasis ?) or on the actual step venting downwards ?
Nice mate good on ya ;) the vent will be cut into the step well, so it will be a rectangular vent mounted underneath the overhang of the subfloor in my van. It will be venting horizontal, not downwards if that makes sense ha
Looking good except I wouldn't have removed the side indicator or cut the rear bumper for the gas box. As a cabinet will be built over the gas box, it doesn't matter if it's at the vehicle front or rear end of the cabinet. I probably wouldn't have removed so many wall support struts either making it flap and vibrate (like dog cheeks out of a car window) at 100km/h. lol
Hi - we're looking at installing a Camec hot water unit. How have you found it? Does anyone know if you can run multiple pipes from the heater (ie. one to the shower, one to the sink etc). Have you had any issues with the heater turning off at low water pressures?
Also - we are huge fans of your videos! We're using the same solar panel company. Thanks for making research and building so much easier. I'm trying to get my partner to be as tidy as you working on the truck.
Thanks for the question Rebecca I appreciate them. Firstly yes you can plumb into as many things as you want, mine is plumbed into my shower and also my sink so i can get hot water at both, but it isn't limited to that. And also you have to have a certain amount of flow for the hot water unit to switch on and start heating, this is way lower than a domestic shower flow. My next video will be more on this so I will go into detail, but you don't need to much flow to get it heating
Thank you for posting all the steps of your van conversion! It's really insightful. I have a small question if you don't mind :) (I don't really know how to look it up, English isn't my first language); Is gas really necessary for a water heater? Are there ones that just run on electricity or is a propane tank really needed?
Thank you very much for watching and tuning in :) So there are 12V water heaters, and 240V heaters, however these take a lot longer to heat up, and would use a lot of electricity. Gas is instantaneous and only takes a few seconds to have really hot water. Either could work, but it really depends on what you want. If you went for the electricity water heater, you would have to think about how much electricity this would use, and would have to have a massive size battery to make this possible, unless you are going to plug in everywhere you go.. I want to be off the grid 100% of the time, so gas was the best option for sure
Hi Guys, I love the series! Did you end up having the van reclassified as a motorhome for insurance purposes or not bother? Were there any regulations that you needed to comply with regarding the proximity of the gas storage box to the hot water heater?
Hey mate, I'm about to install the DIY RV solutions 2x4.5kg gas box. I noticed you didn't drill any hole sor add any brackets to keep your gas box in place. How'd your gas box handle your road trips? Any thing you would've done differently looking back?
Sounds and looks costly to have a gas hot water system like this... I knew for my van that gas wouldn't be an option for the obvious most reason of safety. I opted to cook on ethanol (or methanol of I can find it cheap enough) and heat water and the interior of the van with engine heat and a webasto auxiliary coolant water heater. I build in a 14L calorifier (calorifier being a therm from the world of boats which is actually an insulated hot water storage vessel which I salvaged from a central heating furnace). The 14L boiler stores engine temperature hot water (usually 90 degrees C) which is mixed to more safe levels before delivering the water to my taps by an adjustable thermostatic mixer valve to temperatures between 43 and 60 degrees C. I can use the 14 L of 90 degrees C water to create about 2,5x that amount water usable to shower with... On a side note: since most vans and campers have gas and a large portion of those vehicles have diy gas systems or have neglected gas hoses and valves in them, I never go to places where these vehicles tend to congregate like: campgrounds and designated camper parking spots. I usually camp in forests, at random parking lots at/near hiking/biking trailheads or the like. If I see another camping vehicle parked I move on (keeping my distance) and I even have been moving from nice spots after a camping vehicle pulled up next/near to me... Gas/lpg/propane/butane is extremely dangerous however you try to reason it being relatively safe because it is simply not...
Cooking with gas in my opinion is the most economical and practical way. Also having an instantaneous gas hot water, the water heats up extremely quick for showers even in the coldest weather. In the winter, cooking with gas also doubles as a heater.
Ep.6 BLOG POST + PRICE BREAKDOWN - www.jazmorton.com/van-conversion/gas-box-hot-water-unit/
Season 1 Van Build - bit.ly/VanBuildS1
Season 2 Van Life - bit.ly/VanLifeS2
can you link the companies that make the gas box/hot water system?
Check out a Hydronic Hot Water System. Significantly more economical. Well done on your gas set up though.
I'm seriously considering making a van my full time home, and these videos really help to fully understand the building process, thanks and keep it up man!
Thanks a lot mate, hope you do, once I'm living it it I'll make full informative videos on actually living in it too :)
Enjoying this conversation from Germany well done champion !
Thanks heaps mate! :)
I'm from Germany too
Props from Germany, gj dude!
Accompanying the series of videos of Brazil. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
No worries thanks heaps Gilmer!
That's a really neat project, can't wait to see it finished... another tip to use when applying the silicone, wet your fingers or a rug with window cleaner, it makes it so much easier to clean it off your fingers and surfaces. Never use water. Cheers!
Thanks a lot mate! Yep I just use good old fashioned spit haha. Peace man
If you dip your finger in white sprits before running it along the sealant you will get a nice smooth finish
Good tip Philip thanks a lot! :)
I bought a gas box from the same mob as you. It`s supposed to be a 4kg size for a SLWB Toyota, looks the same as yours with a different contour. However the box only fits the older 4kg bottles and is too short for the more common (in Aus) bottle. I hope yours is big enough to fit the larger bottle as the older bottles are far rarer and hideously expensive. I solved my problem by fiberglassing an extension top cap onto the box to accommodate the larger bottle.
You are doing a great job, with the van and the videos - verrrrry professional!!!!
I hope so too I will test a gas bottle this afternoon to make sure! Thanks for the support mate :)
Great job Jaz, You're good with the tools and creative fitting and construction. Enjoying this from Michigan!!
Thanks a lot Jay! Appreciate the kind words :)
This series is fantastic. Can’t wait to give it a crack myself.
Awesome Zac good luck man! 👍🏼
To avoid small sparks damaging your vehicle paint its advisable to mask and tape up panels around cutting areas.. also be careful that no sparks hit any glass (e.g. barn doors) as you may burn the glass and damage it.
Good tips there will remember that for the next one! Thanks guys 😊
drink every time he says sika flex
Hahahah
Hi this is one of the best series of conversion videos I have come across. I would like to do this myself someday with a sprinter. Can't wait for the next one. Thanks. Kevin
Thanks heaps Kevin, really appreciate the support!
Just binge watched all your episodes, really fascinating, well made vids, love your precision and thoughtfulness, can't wait to see Fin van. Thanks.
Thanks a lot for the support Jillian! :)
Great video. You should do this for a living ...your cuts are precise and amazing. I know I'll be nervous when I start mine.
The first cut is a bit intimidating but this was the 5th and 6th decent holes in the van, you will get more comfortable! 😊 thanks as well
measure twice cut once is an old addage to remember get your marks right and no problems
I know it's a bit late now, but my sister is having her van done and they are fitting an under slung gas bottle that can be filled in petrol stations that have Lpg pumps, saves room and also has much more capability as it stores far more.
That is a cool way as well, and would've been possible because there is room on that side underneath where I installed the gas tank. I did think off this but what detered me was thinking about when I will be travelling in the middle of Australia where at petrol stations the only thing available will be unleaded and diesel, and probably gas bottles.
Ah okay, that makes sense.
Kid.. The hardware store really saw you coming. The saying goes.. If you got it, Flaunt it !! You must have the buck$. Excellent video too ! Can't wait to see how it works out at the end. Much Success !!! I may likely use this idea, I'm starting a 48 state Road Trip in a few months with my Sprinter Van.
Just a little tip for anyone using sikaflex it’s easier to clean of if you spray some turpentine on it it also looks really clean
Cheers for that man 👍🏼
Nice to see another video....looking forward to the next one!
Cheers mate me too!
Loving this build series Jaz! Can't wait for the next one!
Thanks Zach!
Nice work Jaz. I would not go with gas though. Don't like the stuff. I cook with it at home, but in my 40 foot RV I am without gas. Electric only. You could put a Isotherm hot water heater in that heats from the engine and a small electric load that a inverter would run. You would have hot water by the end of the day easily, and it mixes with cold to give you more hot water. Make sure you put in a propane detector and a co monitor!
Bob
Jaz you are an angle, that music in that video.... ohhhhh my gosh, so perfect mate!!!! You are the reason why i so got into gyvus recently!!!
Haha glad you loved it! Thanks for watching 😃😃
Did you have any structural support left sin the sides of that van after cutting out all that metal on the inside ?
outstanding series. can't wait to see more.
Thanks Michael 👍
Thanks! Keep up the great work! Can't wait to see the van finished!
Thanks a lot mate!
These videos and your blog are absolutely amazing. We're in Cranbourne VIC and are looking at doing the same thing soon and really needed this to paint a good picture of what needs to be done. Will definitely be making our purchases through your blog links. Can't wait for part 7. Great work Jaz 👏👌
Thanks so much for the support and am super glad it is helping and inspiring you, will be delivering more awesome vids for you guys coming soon!
Really nice job Jaz! Can't wait for the next video
Thanks Saul!
You do some next level stuff man, not only the quality of the work but also the documentation. Subbed immediately after the plumbing video.. That's the kind of stuff I need for myself in a few months. :D
Thanks a lot Nils!
Very good works. Great stuff 😊🚐
Thanks a lot!
Another excellent episode. Thanks:)
Thanks very much!
Awesome episode Jaz!! Waiting to see the next one.
Thankyou!
looking very good so far
Thanks Simon!
Absolutely inspiring! You have given me so many great ideas. I look forward to every new video. Keep it up!
That is awesome glad you are inspired, thankyou!
Great job man, coming along nicely
Thanks heaps Richard!
Again, amazing job, so well thought out.
Cheers chris for supporting and watching mate!
Absolutely loving the videos!
Thanks a lot Penny, it means a lot! :)
Class mate. Great work and look forward to seeing the next episode!
Much appreciated thanks!
Thank you for these videos I think you have helped me get my mind on the right track my handy man skills are up there with yours I’ve just been debating on putting a bathroom in my van but now you have me sold
cheers ethangood luck with your build man
For Me you gave me some ideas ,it gets old here in the states cooking the water over a camp fire some time's sir Thanks for showing and I sub
Thanks a lot Chris glad it gave you some value!
Super super helpful stuff! Great work mate!
Thanks a lot!
Nice one Jaz! Looking forward to next installment..
Cheers Mark appreciate it!
Mate you have done these videos really well, best of luck to ya
Thanks a lot!
Hi Jaz and Lori,
Great job you did!
I follow your steps to install the gasbox, this was a year ago and now I realized I left the side light cable somewhere hanging.
Now I have something draining my main battery.
Do you think it could be that loose cable?
Cheers
Cant wait to see what will you do next
Really nice job so far
cheers mate!
I have noticed in a lot of Pommy videos, they run an LPG tank mounted underneath. It seems easier as you can drive into a garage and fill up.
Yep underslung gas tanks, you can fill them up from the garage with LPG. They are fairly expensive initially, I just paid £500 for mine, without fitting. You an also fit them to a van without having to be a gas engineer.
Yeah I have heard of these, maybe should've done more research on them but I'm happy with just changing and swapping over bottles when need be 😉
Just watched all 6 episodes really great and informative keep it up carnt wait for next one 😃👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Haha that's awesome, glad you are enjoying thanks for your support!
Great Vidz. Just a heads up - theres a crew in QLD 'Atlas Tanks' that do underchasis water tanks made just for the sprinter. Fits in perfect just in the right spots.
Thanks a lot! Haha that is funny, I approved their quote today for the 110L sprinter tank and a custom tank dimensions that I sent to them. Will probably be picking up the 110L tank this weekend, but a little wait for the custom one. I was hoping for the next episode to be on the water tank install :)
Maravilloso poco a poco se llega lejos.
Muchos gracias! Si, y espero terminar pronto, poco a poco 😄
Niceee!. I can't wait to see the final output!. You did a great job bro :)
Thanks a lot me too!
Yep, I'm enjoying this series too...keep it up Jaz...👍
greatly appreciated, thanks!
เก่งมากๆเลยฝีมือระดับเทพ
Another top vid mate, very informative and full of ideas to help me.
Cheers Marra.
Cheers mate!
Making it looks easy, great job!
Haha thanks a lot :)
Hey, good work. Please keep going. Greetings from Poland
Thanks so much Jakob!
hello Jaz i'm french and i just discovered your amazing van's construction!! i love it.... i want to do that in the next two years but for sure not in the sprinter, it will be a dream but too expensive for me!! so i want to do the same in a cheaper van, but same size. i just watched episod 5 and 6, its amazing! bravo bro :)
Thanks very much Romain so glad it brought you value and inspiration!
Another good video! Great to see how you succeed!
thanks mate step by step!
This van is fully sika mate.
hahaha yep!
Fantastic... from Italy!! Good job bro
Thanks very much AMOS!
Thanks great job and thanks for expert top 5 video I've seen all of them are best..AZ USA 🇺🇸
Really enjoyed your video. Not being skilled or very handy at DIY carpentry/remodeling, your steps clear and understandable helped me even with my limited knowledge n experience, feel I could accomplish my own (van, bus or box truck ) RV conversion. For me, growing up around a brother n friends who did construction (housing), I was able to do small bit of framing and sheet rocking houses, so having videos like yours to help guide me along with my personal project. Gonna take all my Girl Power I put into every Spring Round Up and calf branding, or each year I had ready the tractor for the farm/orchard work will now be directed into following your helpful videos. The only part I was unsure about was how you made the template for cutting the curve of the plywood to form right along the Van's wall. When you speeded up the video while you demonstrated the how you did that step. It wasn't easy for me to fully grasp. But I'm hoping that the walls of my vehicle will be more straight. But thank you for the great job you've done with your Van conversion.
Thanks so much for the positive energy and sharing some of your story :) I'm glad my content is giving you value and helping you, that's exactly what I want for people. With reference to getting the cut right for the curved walls, are you talking about in Ep. 5? I made a large (wheel or washer) by using a holesaw cutout of ply. then I ran this along the van wall while having my pencil in the middle of the washer drawing on a piece of plywood. I then cut along the drawn line. I repeated this process 3 or 4 times until I was happy that the curve of the plywood template is perfect with the curve of the van. hope this helps, let me know if this didnt answer the question (Y)
I am so sorry for the epic novel my replies are, and can only try and put it down to being by nature very curious. My Grandad was a genius at inventing electronics (years b4 home computer revolution) and I would tire him with questions of how and why his remote control device could turn on the tv/radio change stations on each, and then transfer the radio sound to play thru the tv speakers or thru speakers all throughout the house, basement and 2nd floor. So during times while he was working either in the orchard or away taking clients fishing on his charter boat, I would tear his remote controller apart or other electronics well basically anything he made, I'd take apart. He would find me in his shop with parts all laid out, and he would say, " Listen, Shay, if u are going to reverse engineer everything I make, maybe I should teach u first how to put them together." Unfortunately he passed away before he could do so. But I am still with the curiosity of wanting to learn still how to put things together. I'll read or now watch DIY videos, but its not always the same as the on hands method of learning to do things. But... Yes it did help to make sense to read what u did to make a the curve of the plywood to fit along the wall. When the fast speed of the video made it bit confusing to follow what u were doing. What u did was improvise/problem solved a way of not having a carpenter or industrial tool at hand to get a more accurate cut to fit your work. Sort of like when I've done a wall mural and needed a huge circle or arce and used a 3' yard stick ruler or long string anchored to a center pt. and held a marker/pencil at the other end to draw the circumference out without having a very large compass or protractor. Was pure ingenuity of you. I'm not quite sure what the U.S. equivalency would be to sika flex? but I'm thinking something like a water proof silicon material used to seal against water entering inside around your cutouts in the van? I've yet to watch your other videos on installing your solar system and vids. on van completion inside, but am hoping that the further explanations of the material costs, materials used and measurements, as well as what Company u purchased the solar system, how u decided ur choice of components,(inverters, converters, etc.) is all explained. I've watched many videos on solar installations, where some seemed simple others got more complex with putting fuse and battery savers, cooling fans inside the battery box, and running a wire from the system to the vehicles alternator to charge the batteries while driving; if the panels fail to get proper sun all day. But living in Australia not having enough sun doesn't seem to be a problem I may be faced with living or traveling about places here in the States; guess I self answered why there would be a difference on how you and I would connect the solar system up. All the differences of pricing or products/materials used in Australia really doesn't take away the teachings you've given within your videos. After I finish binge watching all your Van conversion episodes, I'm interested and looking forward to what next project you have coming.
Thanks a million it's awesome that you're so curious to learn and your grandpa sounded like a genius! I make a lot of things up on the spot as I go with this van build. There will be a full video on hooking up all the electrical and explanation of how it all works, including the solar. There will also be a season 2 purely explaining how things work and literally "in field tests" showing this for people like yourself 😀
All the best on your build!
Very nice job. Know how hard it is ti line up hinges would it have been possible to attach the hinge to the door and then wedge in place , apply double sided tape to hinge and drill the box and other side of the hinge at the same time?I have a class C in the US and constantly making improvement and upgrades to personalize it. Again nice job.
Cheers mate! I see what your saying, I thought about doing it a similar way. The hinges had a specific strip where you could screw your screws through, so I had to see this strip to be able to accurately line it up. But I guess there is always 2 ways to do something haha
Yes , always more than one way and none right or wrong. That's the way I do cabinet and drawer doors but RV installs are a different animal. Looking forward to the next video.
hi jaz
you are aware, the water between the black plastic and the white metal plate can penetrate? the black plastic is not sealed. and so water can penetrate into the car below the black plastic. otherwise great job
greetings from switzerland
Hey Lucas, are you meaning on the Gas Box? The black plastic door hinge?
If you cut out a piece from the frame of the car, isn’t it became weaker? (Safety reasons?)
You may choose to paint the doors to the same line where you've cut the plastic body panel in the exact same shade as that plastic
Fantastic. Cant wait to ser next video buddy
Thanks a lot!
Thanks. That is fabulous.
Cheers! :)
It's a pretty sweet rig. Everythings good build. But I don't like the idea of water tank which is below the van if your going off-road or if something on the road hits it that tanks gonna puncture. If the water tank was inside the van or mounted near the roof higher the water could flow without the need of a pump. Much more energy efficient and if there was a roofrack on top for storage would have been nice. And I really like the bathroom shower combo it's really nicely built.
Cheers mate I couldn't put tanks on roof because they full of solar, And inside is tight for space! Only place is underneath van with the amount of Literage I have, I don't want to muck around with annoying small internal tanks
Travel With Jaz not outside on the roof ... But inside like in a separate cabinet but higher . But it will take cargo space inside not good if your carrying a lot of stuff with you.
Water is extremely dense and would make the van top-heavy if it were on the roof either inside or out
U should wear clothes so metal does not get into your body in case you ever need an MRI at a hospital. Your videos are better then anyone else. Love your explanations.
What an excellent video, you did a brilliant job
Gas box also needs a vent. Looking great.
I was wondering about the gas drop out too.
I kept thinking to myself, "why is he so overly concerned about rust?" (Using rust repelling paint on everything.) Then when you mentioned you were in Brisbane I was like, "Oh! That explains it! With the 150% humidity!" Yes, I have spent time in Brisbane so I get it.
Haha yeah well just in general as well, I'll be travelling a lot of coastal places in Australia where salt water from the sea gets carried in the air. Just is good practise 👍🏼
Boa noite JAZ(SOU DE PORTUGAL),comecei a ver no ep.10 ,subscrevi e ate agora já vi todos de seguida do ep.1 até este(ep.6) , está Espectacular,vou ver os restantes. Agora uma pergunta, depois de tudo concluído tens que fazer uma inspecção para circular com a viatura?
Thanks very much! At the end yes I will be getting an engineers certificate of the build, and a gas certificate from the gas man :)
Another great job!
Thanks Jerome!
Hello, In your design it looks very easy. Keep it up :) David Czech Republic.
Cheers david :)
Kdyz clovek umi vse looks easy :) ano moc hezky to dela
Outstanding job!
NEED MORE!!!
Ep.7 coming within a week!
Love your techniques. One question how will the water do in cold weather in the tank?
Also love the music!
Thanks Daniel! Do you mean the hot water system? I'd imagine it would be just fine!
Top job Jaz. Where are you off to when you've finished? Following the bonnet or have you got a specific place in mind? Keep up the great work. Billy J.,,,,,,,,,,, Beaudesert AU
Cheers mate! Planning to head all the way down the entire east coast then the great ocean road then up the guts to Darwin, then over to WA ;)
Can't wait for next episode!!!😊
Thanks mate!
Nice work man...very inspiring..Keepi it up
Thanks mate!
I found your channel today, signed up and saw all of your Sprinter Videos. Really a nice job. I am interested in the future what you do next with this challange.
Thanks for your support! Ep.7 Plumbing Pt. 1 is releasing tomorrow!
Sounds good for me. Thank you ;)
Your sika flex skills are pretty bad man 😂
I'm just going to take Bad as Good (Y)
@@JaznLori The rest still perfect
Nice job mate ...very informative videos ...thanks
Thanks a lot mate!
Hey mate - nice work - I just installed the DIY Fibreglass gas box myself on my xlwb sprinter. One question - with the lower air vent...will it be in the actual step well (ie venting to under the chasis ?) or on the actual step venting downwards ?
Nice mate good on ya ;) the vent will be cut into the step well, so it will be a rectangular vent mounted underneath the overhang of the subfloor in my van. It will be venting horizontal, not downwards if that makes sense ha
thanks champ. Awesome. I'm def getting it certified, i just wanna do as much as possible :) . Cant wait till the next vid
Looking good except I wouldn't have removed the side indicator or cut the rear bumper for the gas box. As a cabinet will be built over the gas box, it doesn't matter if it's at the vehicle front or rear end of the cabinet. I probably wouldn't have removed so many wall support struts either making it flap and vibrate (like dog cheeks out of a car window) at 100km/h. lol
cheers mate once the box is installed it acts as support for the van outer body where the supports were cut out anyway
Hi Jaz hope you doing well. Please can you provide link for gas heater? I am looking for something like what you have. Thanks
Hi - we're looking at installing a Camec hot water unit. How have you found it? Does anyone know if you can run multiple pipes from the heater (ie. one to the shower, one to the sink etc). Have you had any issues with the heater turning off at low water pressures?
Also - we are huge fans of your videos! We're using the same solar panel company. Thanks for making research and building so much easier. I'm trying to get my partner to be as tidy as you working on the truck.
Thanks for the question Rebecca I appreciate them. Firstly yes you can plumb into as many things as you want, mine is plumbed into my shower and also my sink so i can get hot water at both, but it isn't limited to that.
And also you have to have a certain amount of flow for the hot water unit to switch on and start heating, this is way lower than a domestic shower flow. My next video will be more on this so I will go into detail, but you don't need to much flow to get it heating
Thank you for posting all the steps of your van conversion! It's really insightful.
I have a small question if you don't mind :) (I don't really know how to look it up, English isn't my first language);
Is gas really necessary for a water heater? Are there ones that just run on electricity or is a propane tank really needed?
Thank you very much for watching and tuning in :) So there are 12V water heaters, and 240V heaters, however these take a lot longer to heat up, and would use a lot of electricity. Gas is instantaneous and only takes a few seconds to have really hot water.
Either could work, but it really depends on what you want. If you went for the electricity water heater, you would have to think about how much electricity this would use, and would have to have a massive size battery to make this possible, unless you are going to plug in everywhere you go..
I want to be off the grid 100% of the time, so gas was the best option for sure
Such good content!
Thank you :)
excellent videos! really good info, good build quality and your edits are really good too! Thanks for making them :)
Thanks a lot mate I really appreciate your support! :)
Amazing show thanks
Thanks mate appreciate it !
Hi Guys, I love the series!
Did you end up having the van reclassified as a motorhome for insurance purposes or not bother?
Were there any regulations that you needed to comply with regarding the proximity of the gas storage box to the hot water heater?
Hey mate, I'm about to install the DIY RV solutions 2x4.5kg gas box. I noticed you didn't drill any hole sor add any brackets to keep your gas box in place. How'd your gas box handle your road trips? Any thing you would've done differently looking back?
yo Jaz I've been looking for a new episode when is it coming. (BTW I think you have the best build series) keep it up!
Thanks a lot mate! Sorry have been busy with other things and waiting on some parts but should be up this weekend I'm hoping!
Do.you have any picture or plan how the finished project will look like? Did you use any software to plan your camper? Cheers
Hi I have a rough drawing in a book, just a vertical floor plan, really really basic. I didn't use cad, for a long time it was in my head haha
Very nice , I like ,will build one learn from you
Any issues with taking the side marker light out in terms of rego and passing checks? Thanks!
no issues thus far
hmmm.. .wouldn't cutting through the structural element of van (body) to fit the gas box, make your van un-insurable ?
i wouldnt call that structural, C columns and beams would be structural, the chassis would be structural.
Really cool!!
Thanks Eldert!
very very good , but i didn't fined Ep .7 and the rest
I haven't made them videos yet, I release each video once I've finished the section. I'm still completing the plumbing for episode 7
Sounds and looks costly to have a gas hot water system like this... I knew for my van that gas wouldn't be an option for the obvious most reason of safety. I opted to cook on ethanol (or methanol of I can find it cheap enough) and heat water and the interior of the van with engine heat and a webasto auxiliary coolant water heater. I build in a 14L calorifier (calorifier being a therm from the world of boats which is actually an insulated hot water storage vessel which I salvaged from a central heating furnace). The 14L boiler stores engine temperature hot water (usually 90 degrees C) which is mixed to more safe levels before delivering the water to my taps by an adjustable thermostatic mixer valve to temperatures between 43 and 60 degrees C.
I can use the 14 L of 90 degrees C water to create about 2,5x that amount water usable to shower with...
On a side note: since most vans and campers have gas and a large portion of those vehicles have diy gas systems or have neglected gas hoses and valves in them, I never go to places where these vehicles tend to congregate like: campgrounds and designated camper parking spots. I usually camp in forests, at random parking lots at/near hiking/biking trailheads or the like. If I see another camping vehicle parked I move on (keeping my distance) and I even have been moving from nice spots after a camping vehicle pulled up next/near to me... Gas/lpg/propane/butane is extremely dangerous however you try to reason it being relatively safe because it is simply not...