party on dude!

So couple of weeks away on a holiday that should of happened a year ago nearly! With freezing conditions at home, meant the new battery and liesure system would be tested well and truly! 

After 2 weeks battery is still charged at 12.4v I've hardwired the dashboard solar panel direct to the main battery, as at a certain voltage the sterling unit thinks it's time to wake up! Sterling are aware, as when I plugged solar panel into DIN plug under dash the sterling unit "woke up" ! All depends on voltage! 

The solar panel has a plug towards end of a long charging wire which has corresponding plug setup at the battery /DIN plug/ cigarette plug, so disconnection is easy especially re battery as once the wired plug is hardwired to battery it's easy disconnect. 

monitoring new battery 27/12/21

Day 3 battery is still showing 12.70 by now old battery would be below 12v even with the solar panel ! Looks like a few more days monitoring then hopefully it'll be safe to reconnect liesure side! 

Hinges finally arrive

Hinges for the unit arrived today! 

2 mins to fit but I'm going to have to shave 5 mm off the bottom of the door.

Found that B&Q do pine panels that can be used as worktop. £25/35 

Also need to fit tambour door below fridge. 

Once worksurface on hoping enough left over to use atop the porta potty. And make a cushion on top for a small seat at back of van! 

Next, box in electronics, the Sterling Power unit needs airflow but the rest can be covered. LPG gas pipework needs easy access box in. 

Then look at wall units for above fridge etc.

Oh and push button catch for door!! 😂

31/12/21

5 mm duly shaved off door spot on. Just catch to fit!

shiny new battery!

Got a new battery sorted. 

Made sure it was the correct Stop Start etc!

£250 fitted 🙄 

No loss of amps, easier start ( it felt to me) proper voltage read outs via the Bluetooth battery monitor, fitted a few days ago!

All's appears well. With Xmas break comming and probably won't use the camper for over a week, will be the full test to see if all is well! 

If so I can move to plane B and set up the Sterling Power unit again and have full camper electrics again!!!

IKEA unit fun

So as said door hinges are broken. Can't phone IKEA, and can't get in to exchange hinges their site says they will post. Great easy fix 😂😂😂😂😂😂🙄

Ended up using Resolver, explained have receipt details part numbers etc etc.

Every reply from IKEA is from a different person. Requests repeated, repeated repeats etc etc. 

Finally a staff member says thanks it'll be sorted. Next day email you'll have to come in to collect. 

So replied it's clearly states on the webpage for small items IKEA will post to you free of charge.( As it's a manufacturing fault you'd think.....) But yet again staff aren't checking the replies thread ...

So now they WILL bloody post it to me 😡

10/12/21

No reply

Days n days n weeks lol

20/12/21 another 10 days but finally got confirmation that IKEA are sending FREE OF CHARGE the replacement hinge!!! 

Electrics 785

Re ran the ignition live for the Sterling Power unit. Connect when I've replaced main battery.

Fixed the Fridge 12v to 240v converter inside of the cabinet. And mounted the 240v supply plug to outside of cabinet next to mains fusebox. 

Electrics No. 703

After muchly deliberation and helpful contact with Sterling Power the Sterling unit is back in place, well new place! 

Wiring looks a bit messy needs a few cable ties etc to improve. It's bloody cold today so had enough! 

The Sterling unit needs air flow so can't really box it in. However when the OS units are finished the wiring can be!

It would appear that the issues I've been having with the sterling is connected to the the wrong main battery again. 

( In process of sorting correct battery) 

Which was confusing the Unit should be AGM stop start one, I was sold it as the correct one for my van!! 

The liesure battery is disconnected until main battery replaced. 

I need to re run the ignition live to the Sterling unit as well, fiddly but not an issue. 

So 

New main battery

Ignition live connection

Reconnect liesure battery 

And hopefully Bobs my uncle ( which he is anyway 😂)

Then I can get back to the refit! 

Retiring in February 2022 so should be able to crack on and who knows could even get away in the van in 2022! 😱😁