Lizzie the campervan

For a year, I lived in a campervan that I converted. Designed from the start for (semi) off-grid living I kept warm in winter with a diesel heater, and cool in summer by opening the windows (sadly no air con)! I started the year without some conveniences (a fridge, for example) and added more throughout the year before upgrading my battery to lithium in the depth of winter and adding solar as spring arrived.

While not necessarily being the best financial decision (the cost of maintaining a van plus extortionate insurance costs came to almost £4k during the year I lived in it) this year taught me a lot. I was forced to learn about electrics (who knew that charging batteries could be so complex), gas safety regulations, carpentry, and living in a small space (the biggest challenge).

Kitchen

The kitchen was designed for 2 people to comfortably use it; there are two separate food preparation areas, and the sink and cooker are placed on different sides. The worktop is actually two different recycled tables, mounted to give one continuous surface. Weight-saving was a big factor in the design of the kitchen; the work surface is thinner than traditional kitchen surfaces, and the gaps in the frame are filled in with fabric rather than panelled with wood.

Cooker

A vintage enamel 2 burner stove is connected via a single piece of flexible hose to a 6kg propane gas canister.

Sink

A large quartz composite Ikea sink which drains directly to the ground. A beautiful traditional French style brass mixer tap is fed by a 12v pump from a 60l tank. The pump is powerful so you get a decent flow of water.

Fridge

A 12V compressor fridge with optional freezer compartment. It uses negligible power so that it can be run for days on end without a worry. (JustKampers JKF50)

Keeping warm

Heater

A 2kW Vevor diesel heater can heat the van to a comfortable temperature in 15 minutes flat even on the coldest days. It has a thermostat setting and remote control, allowing you to keep the temperature stable overnight.

Insulation

The walls, roof, floor, and doors of the van are fully insulated. The cavities are filled with Celotex and plastic wool, and completely sealed to form a complete vapour barrier using foil sheets and foil tape. The materials were chosen to provide maximum protection from the cold and they are all resistant to damp. The walls are covered in pine tongue-and-groove panelling, which gives a rustic feel to the interior when combined with the farm-house kitchen elements in the kitchen.

Floor

The flooring was made from recycled laminate flooring someone was selling cheap. In the winter I added a carpet (an offcut from Carpetright) to the central area of the van, which made it much more comfortable when the weather was cold. The laminate was raised about an inch from the metal floor of the van by regularly spaced wooden supports filled in with recycled underlay.

Windows and curtains

One of the most nerve-wracking parts of the van conversion was when I cut 3 holes in the side of the van, and installed windows myself. I breathed a sigh of relief when the windows fitted exactly, and then again during the first storm that autumn, when I had proof that the windows were watertight. There were two windows in total; a large window in the rear of the van provides light and a good view out of the van, while a vent window in the kitchen allows cooking odours to escape.

Blinds

I made custom magnetic blinds for each of the windows, which were formed of insulated foil and foam, backed with fabric, with magnets sewn into the hems. These snap easily into place over all the windows. There is a curtain between the cab and the living space which provides privacy whenever it is needed.

Sleeping and hygiene

Full size double pull out sofa bed, with a foam mattress. 190cm long x 120cm wide. Easily comfy for 2 people to sleep, and there is a sliding section which means that it can become a sofa during the day giving more room for movement in the van. Portapotti cassette flushing toilet. A chemical solution in the flush and the waste compartment keep odours to a minimum.

Storage

3 Ikea Komplement drawers in the kitchen unit (50x58cm). When driving these are held shut with a bungee cord. I left space in this unit for 3 more Komplement drawers (75x58cm) but never installed them.

There is a sizeable under-bed storage space which can be accessed from the top or from the rear doors.

Over the cab, the space has been divided into 4 deep cupboards, two of which have removable shelves.

Electrics

The electrics are high-spec as the van has been designed for living off-grid.

8 LEDs built into the panelled ceiling, which can be turned on in groups of 4. They illuminate the van more than adequately when the blinds are closed.

3 12V 20A power sockets can be used to charge phones, laptops via an adaptor, TVs, shavers, e.t.c.

110Ah LiFePO4 battery. The fact this battery is lithium means it can accept more charge from the alternator resulting in quick charge times compared to AGM leisure batteries. A Daly BMS keeps the individual cells balanced, and can be monitored and controlled via Bluetooth app.

400W of solar is provided by 4 individual 100W Ecoflow flexible solar panels.

5G antenna mounted on top of the van is connected to a 4G router to provide Wi-Fi. This can be upgraded to 5G, however I chose 4G due to the high cost of 5G routers at the time.

Renogy 12V 50A DC-DC battery charger with MPPT. This means the battery is charged by solar panels and by the engine whilst driving, at rates of up to 50A. The charge status can be monitored via Bluetooth app, and the maximum charging rate can be set.

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