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Please see the long reply to a question which I posted yesterday. As top quality inverters have reduced in price along with Lithium batteries, it may not be worth doing this any more. I’m a van self builder and so will tackle all sorts of jobs. You just need someone who understands the wiring on a fridge or fridge freezer compressor. Get a cheap inverter with an on/off switch.

Hello I’m sorry but I won’t do that. My van now has a fridge freezer in and the wiring at the compressor was totally different. I can’t take the risk of being responsible for any wiring errors. The purpose of the video was merely to prove that it can be done. Having said all that I now have a Renogy inverter which only draws 0.3amp on stand by. The equipment spec and prices have all reduced since this was made. A general guide is that I identified and disconnected the thermostat wired at the compressor. The stat was then wired on a 12vdc supply. The switched live from the stat was wired to the relay coil and neutral back to battery. The switch circuit on the relay was wired to the live from the battery to the inverter input and the neutral back to the battery. From the inverter the 240vac was wired direct to the fridge compressor. As I used to repair domestic appliances this was all second nature to me. I appreciate it sounds complicated but isn’t really. As time went on I updated the relay. Then I got a different cheap inverter with an on/off switch and threw the relay away and converterted the stat 12vdc to zero volts and used it to substitute the on/off switch. This is my setup just now. However I will be putting the fridge back to normal and leaving my inverter permanently on as I also now have Lithium leisure batteries. Hope this all makes sense.

@craster_van_kippers cheers pal totally understand and thank you for your reply 👍

Can’t figure nd it for you just now as I’m away from home travelling. It may be in the comments here somewhere. Sorry I’ve got limited data access.

Another thought. I believe the kit is still the same and a couple of viewers said I’d read the instructions wrong. I think the instructions were perhaps changed because I did follow mine to the letter as I didn’t want to void any warranty . My gut feeling was to swap the brackets around. Also when you come to mount the awning cartridge I was a bit doubtful about the security of the fixing bolts. So in addition to those I’ve also screwed some self tappers into the awning itself. (Obviously not too long so as to damage it). Boy oh boy our first trip out tested it cos it blew a gale so strong we parked up for a bit. And finally. When using it NEVER leave it out unattended EVER. It’s easily stowed and very easily wind damaged.

Wow. Thanks for taking the time to make such a detailed comment. As you can imagine things have moved on a bit now with inverter technology etc. Id endorse your choice of Beko as I always recommended them to my appliance customers. Much older Electrolux machines had separate stats and also two compressors. It would be feasible if space allowed to fit a separate fridge and freezer. At the time of filming this the inverters were very expensive and most batteries were AGM at best. The whole point was to keep costs to a minimumI’d heard many people complain about battery drain from inverter so that motivated the vid. I have considered taking it down but there are perhaps still people on a very tight budget where a £40 inverter and a “free” domestic fridge would be ideal. Anyway, your timing is incredible because actually tomorrow 14th I’ve planned to run my van fridge/freezer by leaving my Renogy inverter on constantly (0.3amp on standby). I also travel in very hot temps in a black van so will also be fitting a temp controlled exhaust fan. For compact size I run a “cookology” fr fr it’s been great and quiet for last three years now. Regards K

Err nope! This is a plastic door frame into which you fit the original van panel that you cut out when installed It is therefore steel. Thanks for watching.

@@diegosvan I don’t know where to get them. That is why I made my own. Maybe a dealer or body repair shop would know.

@@craster_van_kippers I thought that at the end of the video you said that you find those. I’m going to do the same DIY thing with two rivets. Thanks

@@diegosvan 266757029686 you’re right I’d forgotten about that as I’d never bought any. Try entering the long number in EBay. I’ve just found these now. Can’t say they will work and it’s probably better to make your own as you can select an appropriate head size. These EBay ones are Peugeot 205 gti wheel arch moulding rivets. Finally I have cut down some L4 panels to match the arch trims. You can now buy an L3 version.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266757029686?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=heEojWrXQfq&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=UzXPUFF2SQu&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

@@HarryMac1 it’s as strong as the bolt that was in. And the other pivot bolts. Not to mention replacing an m10 for m13.

@@craster_van_kippers are you sure, the original high tensile M10 bolt will be much stronger than your M13 rod.

@@christ4123 I paid £100. The pump has been improved even further now. I’m not aware of the current price. If you email James I’m sure he’ll be in touch. Thanks for watching.

@@beakybeaklet1296 hope it works out. Doesn’t stop rain, but will stop drips. Hope the adhesive is as good as the original one I used.

@@helenholden484 hi Helen. It’s actually just a door seal with the correct profile. The original listing is gone but I’ll have a Quick Look now. There were a couple of comments ridiculing this but I swear it’s still in place now after roughly 60,000 miles.

@@helenholden484 www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363733385783?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=YMqbpu1oSuS&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=UzXPUFF2SQu&var=632951932257&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY I can’t find the original but this is some I bought for another van. The profile was correct but the adhesive was crap. If this is all you can find then consider getting some 3M double sided tape. Make sure paintwork is very clean.

@@rtarrant1 the guys email is James browning smith@yahoo.co.uk I’m sure he’ll get straight back to you. His pump now has extra features which offer more flexibility in its location. Also check out Dave Mcluckie s RUclips channel which is where I first heard about it.

ruclips.net/video/HOVVoKN5sms/видео.htmlsi=vPTr3_SpoX2dpWIQ

Aye. You’re not wrong. Please be aware that these brackets may have been updated/improved. I’ve left this video up incase these older ones are still around. Personally I don’t think I’d fit an awning to a future van. Most likely go for a tarp. This is fifth season and as we rarely use sites not out much. It’s a lot of extra weight. Saw a great tarp setup at willowfields recently.

@@craster_van_kippers the brackets are still the same so the video is a great help .I have already got to awning and totally understand what you mean by not using it much. Thanks

Ah good to know. It’s just that a debate was had in the comments that I’d put them in wrong order. I have to say I did wonder at the time and slavishly followed instructions. They didn’t seem correct. Perhaps it’s the instructions they’ve changed. If you ever need spares I’d highly recommend “agent Fiamma”. They were excellent. There are some parts differences depending on serial number. I broke our rule and left it out unattended. A squall came through. Thankfully easy to fix. I videoed that but like loads of other vids I’ve done nowt with it.

No issue for me. Been in 5 years now and has been upgraded to fridge freezer. Honestly don’t over think it. It works. Not just for me but many others who I’ve met since. If you look back through the comments you’ll see i now have an inverter with a switch. So I’ve now done away with the relay and low current 12volt. The stat has now simply replaced the inverter power switch. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

You’re welcome. Ours is still holding out after a 5000 mile trip. We’re just about to start using the van again. If you feel you need to add this thicker or even with a roller I’d say you shouldn’t have a problem.

@@craster_van_kippers Amazing - so we could apply with a roller? Its a temporary caravan whilst we build a house.

That’s a new one on me. I’ll ask Neil the owner if that’s a thing he’s heard of.

Just give it a go .bet you love it😂

Hi Ken. Just search for Running fridge from inverter. That should throw up a few. I’ve just looked. Thanks Keith

That one certainly wasn’t. But if you’re confident, get one with an on/off switch. I have done this now. I disconnected the switch and wired it through the fridge stat instead. This does away with the relay etc. when I originally made this vid I was simply using what I had. In fact I now run a fridge freezer in our van. Maybe have a flick back through the comments. I swear it works. Thanks for watching.

Hello thank you. Yes that system worked perfectly for me using the very cheap inverter that I had. More recently I have installed a fridge freezer and an inverter which has an on/off switch. So I’ve done away with the relay and the 12volt through the stat. I have simply modified the inverter switch so that it is now simply switched on by the thermostat closing the circuit. No need for any 12 volt power through the fridge. I hope this makes sense. As it happens I’m at a van meet right now. There’s lots of ideas on various things being thrown around.

@@craster_van_kippers Thank you for taking the time to reply 😃. I am handier than most people, but honestly electrics are like listening to an alien language to me... But I do understand the basic idea and it helps a lot to be able to show you video (and this comment) to my electrician when the time comes.

@@craster_van_kippers Motothome fridges (and cookers) are not only so expensive, I find them so ugly and clunky!... I love if you did a how to fit a domestic built-in oven + cooktop combination or a small domestic cooker (if either is possible)... I've looked all over the place for months for this information and haven't had much joy. Aesthetics and safety (and of course cost, but to a lesser extent) are my main concerns.... I saw in America they are using that cute camp cooker, but I worry about the safety, of fitting it permanantly, as the equivalent 'Kampa' camping cooker specifically says not for indoor use. Also an electric set-up (instead of having to have yet another fuel with the LPG, and the safety and inconvenience of it) would be better to my mind.

394888350397 Looks like this eBay item number is the same as stuff I used. Ours is still in place after many thousands of miles. Hope it all works out for you. Thanks for watching.

Surely not when the van is parked up? You’ve probably wired it through an ignition key trigger so it’s off with key out. I prefer the on/off switch so I can turn it off when driving I.e. total darkness plus I can switch it on for a sneaky look when I’m stationary. Anyway what works for you is what really matters. Happy camping Might see you at meet-ups sometime. Next one is Willowfields.

Sorry just seen this. Notifications not working. Yes the relay method works fine. The stat circuit goes to the relay coil. However. Since then I’ve bought a cheap relay with an on/off switch. This does away with the relay completely. I took out the inverters on off switch and wired the thermostat in instead. This does away with the 12volt stat circuit effectively turning the stat into a simple switch.

Thank you. This was rigged with the kit I had at the time. Sadly I damaged the inverter physically and so replaced it. The new one has an in off switch. I did away with the relay and rewire the on off switch through the fridge stat. Much simpler and I now run a fridge freezer. At van meets I’ve met people who have followed this all are happy except one who had bought too fancy an inverter. His didn’t like the load on startup. This was corrected with a time delay relay. Ie fridge turned on inverter who’s out put was delayed by 3 seconds. Try a mock-up first before installing.

Probably with hindsight. However they are removable if necessary. I have also finished the job by cutting down some l4 rear panels. And then discovered that a ducato l3 maxi has the correct ones but at £80 each.

It was working when I last tied it. I’m touring Romania just now and it’s HOT. I believe there are updated versions of this pump but I don’t need one. Thanks for watching.

Very happy with how it turned out. Even feels better and more comfy under bare feet. I’ve experimented on similar plastic and even a coarser 4 turns out looks and feels great. Plus it’s a thicker coat. Perhaps I also should have said in vid that I sprayed then waited 10 mins then repeated until I emptied the bottle. Roughly four coats.

Hi Greg. I could get some access underneath if I take the toilet out. The flexing isn’t as much as I maybe implied. I think the raptor will cope with it. As for more coats, I suppose it would be more durable and I’m tempted. Now would be the time to do it maybe just on the walk area. Damn it I’ve nowt else to do today, so why not.

That’s good to know. I’ve been going to try this for ages but only just got around to it. How thick did you apply it. 2 turns is quite a light coating. I can’t decide wether to over lay the dimpled area with another one.

@@craster_van_kippers to be fair it was a friend of mine did it for me it it looks a lot heavy than yours

I can send some pictures if you would like to see

Thanks. I think I’ll leave it and keep an eye on it. I know Upol say you can’t after curing, but I know a guy who sprays loads of raptor and he says if it’s clean then I can at any time. Thanks for watching.

Yes please. Instagram is the same name craster_van_kippers. Thank you.

You’re joking. I posted a query on south central months ago and was overwhelmed by the number of knackered trays. The Raptor idea soon became my game plan but as always takes me a while to do it. Time will tell if I should’ve put a thicker coat on.

Worlds worst RUclipsr. Yes I just realised. Wife was wanting her iPad so I buckled under pressure.

@@craster_van_kippers I already hold that title for keep forgetting to film an outro 😄 😉

Hi,what make of primer did you use. Thanks

@@paulross7588 Upol plastic primer number 8 if I remember right. If not it’s 4. Sorry I’m not at home.

@@craster_van_kippers Thanks mate, I’m going to give it a go, I’m going to try the aerosol upol 2k version which just needs activating then it’s ready for use, hopefully I’ll get some luck. Thanks again.

Hi Jamie. Someone told me about Flowcoat. Costs about £450 to have it done. I investigated exact what it’s made of and yes it’s exactly the same stuff as raptor. Given I already had some tintable basically nowt to lose. ( except my balls if I had overspray) I’m really happy with it. Time will tell although I know I could apply extra coats if ever needed.

Aye that’ll do it. I kind of regret making this vid. Loads of others have done similar ones and now I’ve noticed the price of driver seats has gone right up. Thanks for watching and asking.

@@craster_van_kippers yes I've paid 220 for one 😫

Yes have a look. Our step is still steady and secure as of today with no maintenance.

As it happens I’m at a van meet and was discussing lifting beds with Greg Virgoe and Rob. Before I leave I’ll have an ask around see if anyone knows.

Haven’t found anybody. Right or wrong, my thoughts would Beto switch them simultaneously and have all four cable runs exactly the same length.other than that I can’t think of anything else you could do.

@@craster_van_kippers I could certainly try that, I understand why the runs would need to be of similar length but my concern is the difference in the potential factory set speed of deployment between all four activators. Thanks for asking around for me mate, I reckon I'll wing it like I normally do!

The Dometic toilet comes with the pipe attached to locate to a breather valve on the cassette. This Is to passively vent to outside. The little fan with a speed controller is actively pulling the air from cassette through that existing fitting. Thanks

As it happens I have finished the job by cutting down some L4 panels which were free. Having said that I have now discovered that there is a version for the L3. I think they are listed for the “heavy” version . I first saw them on a promaster in Canada. I’ll try to find a link.

@@craster_van_kippers Thank you, I have looked for heavy version and I found it! both parts sold together. Was it difficult to remove rear panel?

No. But I did have to remove the bumper corner to access a few hidden screws. I can’t remember exactly but I think there were a couple of nuts to remove. Definitely in the small rubber bump stop behind the red reflector.

Hello Last year we spent 9 weeks in Portugal now running a fridge/freezer. The temp in south west France was in 40s. We were on hookup only two nights as it was included. We coped 90% of the time. In other 10% our AGM batts ran down to 11volts and our replacement more expensive inverter shut down. So now I’ve just done another van which now has the agms in and the original fridge. All is working great leaving it on psrked up at home. We put two 100 amp lithium in the black van and I have never seen voltage drop below 12 1/2. Those batts cost £680. The other van has a cheap ish 1000w 2000w peak pure sine inverter which cost £62 two weeks ago. It had an on off switch which I’ve connected to the fridge stat and ditched the 12volt and relay. This is much simpler and wish my original inverter had had a switch. We are about to go to Germany and daughter taking other van to Holland. I’ll let you know how we get on but I can assure you that it works great. We will miss every show this year sadly. Did get to Willowfields in April.

Cheers Keith, I'm half way through my second build, got 400w solar and a 280ah lithium phosphate lifepo4, looking at putting a under counter fridge freezer, so I want I 1000w inverter for the fridge and a bigger for other things? Is this possible?

Yes I have just done exactly the same thing. Cool zone under counter fridge freezer. That one is running from a donor Durite 1509 modified. My original fridge is now running on the eBay 1000pure sine. Neither of my 1000 and 1200 Sterling inverters would start it up. I’ll come back with details of inverter I’ve just bought.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125953527198?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=0cyzjwmps2e&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=UzXPUFF2SQu&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Can I ask where you bought the cool zone fridge freezer?

As I said I don’t wish to give details however I know some who have an inverter with an off/on switch. They have removed it and connected the thermostat instead which of course is easier. Try to keep all cable runs as short as possible. Thanks for watching. We now run a fridge freezer instead.

Just fitted a switched 1000w pure sine inverter £62. Piggy backed the fridge stat to the inverter on off switch. Much easier! Wish my experiment inverter had had a switch. So no relay required. My expensive Sterling inverters wouldn’t fire up an 80watt fridge. So maybe best isn’t best in this case.