Purrfecting My Plumbing 🐱 - Box Van Build Part 19
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Part 19 of my box van build. In this video I permanently install my water heater, my filters, my sink, all of the plumbing except for the shower and grey water tank are now done. Then I attempt to redo my cabinet face but current economical situations seem to be getting in my way.
#boxvan #vanbuild #vanlife #rv #nomad #diy #plumbing
/ vanlifemeow
/ vanlifemeow
www.vanlifemeow.com
vanlifemeow@gmail.com
You have gotta be one of the most genuine people on UA-cam.....and I think that is cool. The conversion is coming along from how it started out just great 👌
thanks 🐱
Make sure you let all ads play until the end so Dave gets paid for it. It is the least we can do for his awesome videos
And hit like and post a comment. It really helps the algorithm
Really? We can’t skip ads? Or
He loses income?
Great idea for your next build.. small customized trailer (storage, etc.) to tow behind you!!! Keep the build going!! Great job!
No problem watching start to finish! I just hate having to wait a week!!!! Thanks Dave. We all know you have a 9 to 5 also...
Love the progress you're making on the build! Your plumbing job looks great man, I know you're excited to be closer to living the van life 😀 We need to see more of your kitties meow! They need to be a part of every episode 😂😆
I'm getting excited to see you finish your your box van.. Love to watch you on camping van.. I'm sure it will be a very cozy.. Love your work. Cool 🤘❤
The algorithm brought me your channel about two weeks ago and I’ve been watching one to two episodes a day. You are so calm that it has been a very nice way to relax before I go to sleep. But I finally caught up today so now I don’t know what I’m going to do at night.😊
I didn’t think you were going to get a water heater so that was a pleasant surprise. I’ve had to take cold showers when my water heater in my house went out. It’s OK in the summer but it’s no fun the rest of the time.!!
You are always very polite about peoples random suggestions so I’m going to toss this one at you. I’ve watched a lot of van builds even though I no longer can drive, (but I did live in a travel trailer for a year and it just brought back memories). One thing I saw that I would consider doing if is running a railing of sorts with shock cord in my cabinets so that when I open them all my things don’t fall out.
In the van that they built they did not do doors and they used a combination of vertical and horizontal lines of shock chord as well as some X’s and they just stuffed everything in. They had just done cubbies like the one over your bed.
I would still put doors on because I’m a very messy person but you are very tidy and that might work for you.
I’m not usually a big fan of brown but your color works really well because it’s subtle, there’s not tons of it and you’re going to be adding some green as a contrast.
When my parents moved up into the mountains to homestead, they bought an old mobile home and put it up there. I don’t know why my mother liked carpet but she did. But she was smart enough that when they went carpet shopping she took a little clear container of that red dirt mixed in with Pine needles, dried oak leaves and some rocks. She would open the lid and set it on the carpet to see if it would fade away or it would stand out too much. That’s how she decided on her carpet color😂. You could probably drop a plate of spaghetti on that floor and you wouldn’t be able to tell. It was ugly AF, but it didn’t show the dirt!
good idea with the cord in the cabinets. i'll probably do that. funny story on the carpet color! 😹 thanks for watching!
I really like the water heater setup. It looks like it will be a very efficient situation with that. Thumbs up!
Love the long vlogs. I usually play em while I'm working on my own projects, I'm a background noise person but listening to you getting things done makes me get things done.
Wow The radio shack Power battery is a blast from the past you were doing such good work and what you did underneath your sink is so clever
looking great, can’t wait until it is done already.
me either!
The van is looking so awesome. You're doing a great job.
I'd like to recommend adding a little insect mesh to the end of that water heater drain though. To stop creepy crawlies getting up the pipe from under the van.
good call
Just as a word of caution to someone that has one. Those ice makers get moldy, fast. You have to clean them every week or so or before long you’ll have greenish ice. I also am glad you’re running hot water to your sink. It’s very difficult to actually clean things properly without hot water.
Forgot to say that I really enjoy watching your videos! I think the length is fine… more realistic when you take into account how long it actually takes to do this stuff. Wish I had a nickel for every time I carried something back and forth between bus and shop! 😊
I think you are doing an amazing job installing the sink and water heater etc. looks great!
Hey, small (van chassis) skoolie builder here! One suggestion… put electrical switch on water pump so that you can eliminate risk of disastrous leaks while driving or parked. Also, being mobile, it seems like air gets into the system frequently, and sometimes the pump will run because of an air pocket in the line, wasting 12v power. I keep my water pump turned off anytime I’m not actually using water. Same thing for HW heater.
good call on the switch. i will do that. i put the pump at the lowest point in the system so it cannot cavitate unless i run my tank dry. i'd love to see your skoolie!
Looking Awesome!
Love the videos
Great videos on the build. You could put a switch or a switched outlet to power the pump so it would only have power when you are parked.
good call
They seem to be cheapening everything. It still looks nice, especially your OCD plumbing work😉 as a fellow OCD’er I can appreciate your work!
Friendly suggestion; screw a small block above the filter housing just in case a big bump makes the whole housing jump up and off those two screws it’s hanging by.
Every little detail counts and I know you’re a man of detail👍🏼👍🏼😊
thanks, good call!
Love the video johno from west Australia 😮😊
Been watching ur build from the time you first started. I believe you are very knowledgeable about doing the job. And doing it all by yourself. Great job. Looking forward to watching your road trip vids and actually living in it. Don't forget to try out some parking lots along the way. Most stores will let you if you get permission. Anyway keep up the good work. Very educational and looking forward to the completed job.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Outstanding and easy to learn.
Box Van Build has become one of my favourite parts of Saturday. Loving your work man.
thanks!
Its great your channel is getting so popular. You deserve it. Probably the most down to earth guy on youtube
What about a little thread lock on those course threads for the RO filters?
Or better yet, a big hose clamp or zip ties around each filter and secure the it to 3 of those things you used to organize the hoses clamps you used under the sink.
Also maybe use a rubber grommet for the relief valve tubing in that hole you drilled. I’d also return that ice maker, you might as well get the one you want since you’re only building one box van, might as well.
good idea. im past my return window for the ice maker but i might look into a different one though
We use one of those ice makers and I love it! 😊
This is fantastic content, another great video showcasing your know how, and pride in your work. Your skills with a circle saw and the amount of planning to get the plumbing just right cannot be stated enough. You are talented, and are putting those talents to great use here. I cant wait to see the next step. I am a little upset there was absolutely zero foreshadowing of a folding shelf, lol.
Just a bit of advice...open up that water heater and replace the cheap crimp wire terminals with good ones. Ive had two of them nearly catch fire from burnt up terminals where they connect to the temp sensor. I also removed and drilled and installed a drain fitting so i could winterize drain the tank in it. I stringly reccomend keeping it accesible where its fairly easy to remove the whole water heater. Im on my second one in less then 3 years. Enjoy your videos and hope we cross paths out in the road someday. Take care.
thanks for the info. very helpful. i suspected by the price it might not last more than a few years
I'm loving the process... and your patreon video's are awesome, and give your meticulous efforts extra depth. Way better value than Netflix 😊❤
thank you!
I had an ice maker like that and i just didn't get it. There is no refrigeration in it so it melts and doesn't actually keep the ice ...... you have to create the ice every time you need it at that specific time. Wasn't worth the hassle for me lol
oh for real? im expecting a full bin of ice at all times.... i think im going to set this thing up at work and see if it's worth a damn
Great video. Can’t wait for next episode. I have to tell you that I enjoy your videos and it calms my anxiety. Thank you.
thank you. im happy to hear they are helpful in that aspect. i have had very bad struggles with anxiety and know the feeling all too well
@ yes, it is really bad when you cannot help the feeling of uncertainty and your thoughts are racing through your mind. I enjoy your voice and how you figure things out, it’s coming along awesome. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Keep going and once again thank you for your videos. 👍🏻
Many builds have an electric cutoff switch for the pump and even multiple cutoffs to prevent damage or inadvertently running your batteries down.
Keep at it man, you seem like a chill dude that I would hang with and I wish you all the best.
I have that same ice maker. It does blow out pretty warm air. It doesn't blow hot, but it's warm. And it only blows when it is making the ice.
good to know thank you
Neat job mate! Better than a factory install. Great channel
Engineering elegance is so satisfying. It's fun to consider every aspect, it's what leads to innovation. Marine techs install every screw to orientate a particular direction to make inspection faster. Speaking of screws no common or Phillips crap....Robertson screws so much better.
Enjoy the process. You strike me as the sort smart and mature enough to do that.
I have to say that you should have sealed the wood from unintended fluid discharge before installation.
I love it when your videos are long. Call me weird🤷♀️. I get a little disappointed when they're short. So the longer the better. I really am enjoying your van build. You're doing a great job!
thank you!
Looks great. I like the new cabinet design.
Love every video you make. You got some dry humor. I Love it. I have in my Boxvan a nice chrome button which is hooked up between the pump. I always shut it off whilst driving or leaving the Van. You were mentioning the smell would come out of the think from the Grey watertank? I just made a u-shape ( like a gooseneck drain) in the drainhose working as a waterlock. Just screw it with clamps to the plywood. No issues and no smells. Keep up the good work. Greetz from the Netherlands.
i've been to Amsterdam. love that place
@vanlifemeow Amsterdam is great. You can totally chill out there. It's a Little bit crowded over the years.
Love your channel! Love this build series!
Your craftsmanship is fantastic!!
I just wish you’d plan your work out a bit. I feel like, if you didn’t change your mind 48 times, you’d be done by now, and a lot cheaper.
there's like a billion little things to consider.
every time u post it makes me want to get back on my cargo conversion but alas being on the Canadian east coast it's currently under a foot or two of snow as i don't have the luxury of a garage to work out of :( (your water heater appears to be similar to one I got off amazon, but where did u get the filtration setup?)
i got the water heater and the filters on amazon
RE: wood stove damper rattle -- if you can easily reach where the damper makes noise you might be able to pad it with kaowool or similar? maybe you can find someone with a small off cut of it that could ship it to you? normally people are using it by the foot to insulate forges so a few inches to cut down on a rattle is a comically small amount
good idea
So nice neat and very tidy! I am so impressed with your skill set young man, very impressive. I'm thinking your a pretty sharp young man! And were neighbors! SD here. I'm and old Grammy and so enjoy your videos!
thank you! nice kitty 🐱 i love south dakota.
😊The Van/Home build is looking great you are a guy with many skills
thank you 🐱
P trap - you have a loop at the bottom of the tube right where it exits? That is better than a P trap.
its just rolled up there because i haven't poked a hole through the floor yet
I got the same ice maker, the exhaust fan doesn't get hot and the water reservoir is enough for 2 or 3 days.
good to know thank you!
I really look forward to your videos. You are so talented, you can turn your hand to any. I think the new cabinet front layout is perfect, I wouldn’t worry about the pattern, Im sure you will find something to make it work. Take care and I can’t wait for the next one. 🙏🏆😎
Dude, It's coming along. Looks amazing. Keep it up!
When I worked on RV at my shop.. I put in shut off valves at each hot and cold for sinks and showers as well as toilets... Thedford types but I don't know what you are using. with the valves, if you develop a leak, you can shut it off and then the rest can be pressurized and used.
shutoffs for the water heater might not be a bad idea. it's such a tiny setup. i think i'll just bring some extra parts with me in my toolbox
Hate that I had the flu and binge watched your videos and got caught up, now I have to wait for Saturdays to watch your videos 😢😅
that's a lot of hours! i appreciate it
@vanlifemeow kept me in good spirits during the flu, so I appreciate it!
You are doing such a great job!!
Ice is nice! I usually make some then throw it in a big ziploc and put it in the freezer
Nice your build start to look like a home on wheels 😊 .
Love your channel! Thank you for posting updates!
❤❤❤
Artist at work. Love your box truck videos.
Build is coming along great! ✌🏽 be careful with ice maker , (don’t flip upside down to dump when using- drain on bottom) my Family members broke there’s doing that. It should say in Manuel, it did with ours anyways. But figured I’d mention . 🤘🏾
thanks for the tip
For your sink drain to your grey tank get a HEPVO P trap replacement. I think that they may make a horizontal trap and that would work for the shower drain. Some home-built trailer people use a small sump pump from their shower to their grey tank. I like your build and you are entertaining.
Can you just turn the ice maker sideways, so the fan blows against the cabinet door or back wall?
that's what im thinking
👍👍👍👍👍
Hey brother. Im stuck in bed with the flu. At least I get to watch one of your videos. Thanks man
get well soon
@@vanlifemeow appreciate you!
Do hot water pumps need ventilation around it to prevent wood rot?
Hey Dave.. don't beat yourself up about not getting as much done as you wanted. That's how it goes..you got a lot done and it looks good 😁👍
Thanks Paul
Perfect timing. Just about to jump into bed, perfect pre-sleep wind down!
Sucks prices are going up on some things, but glad to see you preparing and taking that into account! Not sure if this was asked before, but were you in the Boy Scouts? You seem to have the "Be Prepared" thing down.
my brothers were both in the scouts. my folks kinda skipped over me on everything.
@@vanlifemeow I hear that, but it didn't stop you from building a badass box van camper! Seems like you turned a negative experience into a drive/force for positive results.
This might be kind of a dumb question, but I'm going to ask it anyway. I'm wondering if you're making sure to balance everything in the van so that you don't have too much weight on one side?
yeah im trying to keep that in mind. the fuel tank is on that side too, so we're talkin like 50 gallons of liquid between that and the water tank plus the wood stove is a good 40-50lb. on the other side i have inverter, batteries, generator, fridge etc
Very nice plumbing set up! Two suggestions for your water pump: Don't leave pump on when your not using the water so you can't have a water problem. Second on yachts to isolate vibration from a water pump by mounting it to a hose, you can attach flexible, reinforced hoses to the inlet and outlet of the pump, effectively creating a "cushion" that absorbs vibrations before they transfer to the fixed piping system
I concur with Jeff. Also a handy thing is a pump switch with a light up by your outlet so you know when the pump is on and the switch is handy when you are at the sink... Great channel!
Good job! I installed the exact same wall covering for our kitchen in our class "A" bounder, and so far it has held up to the test of time, through extreme heat and cold. You keep appologizing for your videos being long, but don't, they are a good length for a weeks worth of work and they are engaging. We like how you SHOW what your doing when other channels just talk about what they are doing. Whats the point of that. Its like sitting through a school lecture, so don't stop showing and engaging with your audience. I think your doing the right thing by organizing and making access to your plumbing a priority. When something goes wrong, everything is within easy reach. Our Bounder has plumbing everywhere and some of its inaccessable under the floor and in the walls. Our hot water system is not working and your idea may be the answer for a cheaper alternative. Thank you for sharing. Be safe, be blessed!! and keep the good content coming.
Captain Carl & 1st Mat Maria ~
might have to get a captain hat to wear while driving mine 🛞
Absolutely 😅
Its looking good. Save your money and finish it on the road. Have fun.
im so ready to hit the road
I used that rubber gasket provided with the replacement 2 burner teardrop stove in my camper trailer . Only concern was the stainless steel cutting thru it over time but so far so good just took care not to over-tighten the mounting bolts . Your build is moving along nice . I’m just about ready for the most tedious job in my van with the install of my cedar plank ceiling . Been holding back and fretting over it long enough and it sure will be nice looking at cedar instead of pink foam boards !
You can make a small shelf under the sink for the ice maker...love your videos
Darn ! We didn’t get to see plumbers crack 😢. Good attention to detail man.
I enjoyed the video. Thanks! 😊
Anotherr great video man
Good job sir 👏
Nice Plumming work ❤❤❤
Crimp clamps are not recommended for flexible hose. Some rv manufacturers do it for cost reasons, doesn’t make it right.
If you ever intend to winterize, you should have a bypass for the filters. Those filters take a lot of antifreeze and when you de-winterize you have to dispose of it.
Pumps can be mounted to a wall, although you solved the location issue.
A 12v moisture detector mounted to the floor is a cheap investment.
crimp clamps are made for polyethylene tubing but it's all the same concept. if i winterize i will drain and blow out the system. antifreeze should only be used for drains, not fresh water. i mounted the pump at the lowest point in the system so it cannot cavitate and won't have to pull water uphill. pumps are better at pushing than pulling
Great video.
Thank you so much for your video. I enjoyed every second, you are professional, and you can do anything. I am happy to find new friends on UA-cam to follow. 😊
well, you could always wood fill the chip and paint the cabinet instead of re-doing it again. Maybe a little contrast in the colors would make it pop.
I don't know if you'd be interested in this. I was watching a tiny house video the other day and the woman that was living in this very tiny mobile house (on a trailer), cut out the bottom of the cabinet over the sink and she anchored a dish drainer there so she never had to worry about blocking her sink or having stuff on the countertop. After she washed and rinsed the dishes she just put them up as she rinsed them into this dish drainer and allowed them just to air dry. She placed under the dish drainer a rubber mat that was slightly larger than the dish drainer and cut that out slightly larger than the hole she cut in the bottom of that upper cabinet. I thought it was a great idea. All of her cabinets and drawers had locks that could be engaged for when she wanted to move.
I also saw a video of a van that had cubbies over their bed too. The cubbies were left open but when they were getting ready to travel they had a panel that locked in the front of the Cubbies. They said, they had gotten tired of picking up clothes and books that fell out while they were driving. They said if it wasn't completely full then things fell out.
I love watching your channel. You definitely show ingenuity and great problem-solving skills. Keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing all this.
When I saw these two different videos I couldn't help but think of you. Just a couple of ideas that might help you with your van conversion for you to consider. After all it's your van, you do what you want and what is best for you. Keep up the great work and the entertaining videos.
thanks for the good ideas!
Dude, The outlet on your water heater is most likely 3/4". It's got to remain 3/4" to be able to protect you and your belongings in the event of a catastrophe. Please, you must remove the reduced size barbed adapter from the outlet of the Temperature and Pressure Safety Relief Valve on top of the Water Heater. It's got to remain full 3/4" all the way to the outside, You mentioned that you would be running the piping from the safety relief valve to the outside). Please be safe man! I thoroughly enjoy your videos for all the right reasons and want you to be around for a long time. I'm a 40 year plumber and have been there. Thanks, John Wagner
thanks John. the outlet on the t/p valve is 1/2" it's also electric and has the inlet and outlet right there as well.
I got that ice kabobs. Has clean feature. Push and hold power button. I think has water release valve in bottom.
Build is looking good on the icemaker where you have it can you make two small shelves just tall enough for cans stacked on each other but deep enough that the icemaker can sit on will that leave you enough room for the drawer above it that way you can leave the icemaker where it’s at but up a little higher where it’s not blowing on the filters
good idea!
I purchased the same three stage water filter at first I wasn’t sure what to purchase how big how small I was aiming for a ballpark price 100 to 200 and something compact. I think this is a good choice. I don’t think the single stage water filters is enough filtration for water.
Another great video Dave. I was wondering if you have all the hoses and connections to the sink, filter and water tank on another slower version that I could follow. You kinda lost me when you sped up the video through that part? You did explain it a little after you were done but I'm kinda a step by step old granny here. LOL trying to figure out how to attach all my hoses to everything under the counter. HELPPP!
i did another plumbing video. it's part 9 i believe ua-cam.com/video/mD1Oi44ZnAU/v-deo.htmlsi=wHEHR3w0DdirjJSC
dude are you from north or south dakota? i grew up near bismarck ND and noticed the menards name drop
Nebraska
Great video once again buddy. I don't think the air from the ice maker would be bad for the filters. Maybe I'm wrong just think it would be ok. I like how everything is very tidy and secure.
Dude, the new sheet of plywood is Birch, the old plywood (all of it) was Pine. I prefer the smooth fine grain of Birch over that of Pine. Birch is classified as a Hardwood and has always been more expensive than Pine. Great video, Thanks, Sincerely, John Wagner😊
it looks like birch doesn't it. it's the same 1/2" bcx i've been buying all along. i think they switched suppliers or something. i'm going to try to find some pine
awesome
I use the crap out of my soda stream! I just drink plain water mostly.
same here. i'll have to find out where to get co2 on the road cause i use the subscription thing. i heard target has it
@@vanlifemeowTarget does for sure.
Another great video and you'll get your cabinet figured out just wondering if you have considered a solar fan you could attach to your window to act as a exhaust fan when you're cooking on your induction stove just a thought and maybe get one that clips on so you could take it off if needed and yes I like your choice of clamps better that the hose clamps another thought for your shower is the button to feed your shower as I remember they had those at the swimming pool and it would be a good water saver for your setup in your Van looking forward to your next episode Kraig from Washington State
good ideas Kraig! i think my roof fan will be plenty of exhaust while cooking
Did you tighten that T & P valve to the water heater? Last shot you were spinning it around by hand.. don’t forget or it will leak 😬
i did. good eye 🐱
You’re amazing. I asked about the ventilation for hot water heater too early. Sorry.
Making things "serviceable" is a great idea... I wish I thought of it. 🙂 I know it is too late as videos come out sell after work done .. but I have seen water pumps put vertically... however if "instructions" say horizontal .,. always use the shop manuals (🙂) [almost 50 years of mechanical) ... and I would highly recommend a pressure tank ... In some cases you will have enough water pressure available without running the pump ... and this makes life nice if you want quiet... just sayin.. Maybe put a little stop on top of filter assembly so it doesn't bounce up and off the screws.
great ideas
Many people paint the front of the cabinet under the sink. It would look nice and coverup what bothers you. Btw, the replacement crimps do look better.
As somebody who has made this mistake, never drive with the chance of your water pump being energized. Have a master switch.
Take us with you to menards please! I miss Menards, Tennessee only has Home depot and Lowes and they just don't have the same materials.
Make one drawer deep enough for pots and pans, etc.
Where will the sink drain to, and why wouldn't you send the overflow from the water heater there?
i have a grey water tank that i am mounting under the van. the sink drain is going through the floor. the t/p relief valve on the water heater is a safety device that is supposed to pop open if the water heater fails to shut off by the thermostat and gets too hot, therefore it doesn't explode or whatever. if that actually did happen (not likely) then i would want that boiling hot water to go on the ground not into my grey tank