Another VW around the world

drivenachodrive · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 8:53 am Post subject:

@BetaVan: We love you too!

@canasync: Our on-demand hot water is a part of the heat exchanger system I designed. You get the on-demand hot water by letting the van idle while you shower. There are 2 options;

1. On-demand hot water using water from the tank: Flip the switch on the back of the cabinets while showering. This diverts the water through the HX before it gets to the shower.

2. On-demand hot water from an outside source: Attach a garden hose to the outside port (can be from a hose bib or just drop the hose it a bucket of water), pull out the valve on the side of the van next to the hose hookup, and flip the switch in the back of the cabinet. This switches the source from teh tank to the hose, and then diverts it through the HX before getting to the shower head.

There are pictures describing this process here:
http://www.drivenachodrive.com/about-nacho/water-4/

Enjoy!

Brad
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www.drivenachodrive.com
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BetaVan · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 9:52 am Post subject:

I will definitely be following your blog, so keep at it! Reminds me of the trip I took in a different mode of transport. After college I fitted out my 26ft sloop and headed over the horizon to points south from Morro Bay, CA. I was gone for the better part of the year, cruising the coast all the way down to Zihuatanejo and back, solo. Of course I had my mask, fins, and sling, not to mention a quiver of boards. Otherwise, I didn't have a clue. Literally. See, I had not sailed at all before this, and had acquired my knowledge from books. Oh the horror I put my mother through... Sorry mom, I love you Very Happy

What I got was an adventure of the grandest sorts; what 23 year old wouldn't? I loved Baja - my favorite place by far. So many good right hand point breaks, lobster, and amazing sunset/sunrises. Eventually warmer water called, and I ended up posting up at an anchorage in Puerto Vallarta. It was heaven. Good anchorage, good wave, little town... Of course the people are super kind and friendly as well - something you've come to find out already. You will have more of the same.

One thing I found out was that exploring and riding waves from a boat is a very romantic idea, but very difficult. A boat can get you into some places where a car cannot, but for the most part, all of the good breaks down the coast are reachable by 4 wheels. And guess what? There is no rocking or creaking when the swell is up. No worry of dragging anchor into the impact zone or out to sea. No wondering if you're going to find that sandbar that shifts with the rain and tide.

Sorry for the ramble/reliving the past, but I've done what you've done. Pinched the pennies, scrapped and saved. Gone against the flow of the norm to do something that leaves most people with more questions, even after you've answered them all. I told my then girlfriend and now wife (I can't believe she married me after this story I am about to tell) that I couldn't take her out to a nice dinner, because that meant another week in Mexico. Mind you, this is one of the last times I would see her before jumping over the border. Shocked

The family pressure and guilt can be heavy at times, and seems strange and misplaced because in the end, you're fulfilling and living out your dreams. Just keep telling them you love them! And hey, with skype, wireless, facetime, etc... the world is a lot smaller in many regards.

Finally, I met so many older couples who reveled in what I was doing. I specifically remember Peter from Canada who said, "You've got it figured out Todd. Take off now while you can. While your body is still young, while your mind and perspective are still fresh. While your open to everything." While I still don't think I have it figured out (I mean, I bought a Vanagon...) my trip, my experiences - the people and places I visited and met - will be with me for a lifetime. In the end, that's what it's all about.

Looking forward to what you find over the horizon. Also, if you need any info on areas for surf, hit me up with a PM.

Cheers!

Todd

ALIKA T3 · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 11:06 am Post subject:

I like the UV lamp stuff,I`ve been looking forward to see that in a vanagon,as I intend to di it myself too.

where did you get the lamp please and model?

Thank you and lots of chearings Razz

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iltis74 · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 12:23 pm Post subject:

Man that water system really is crazy, just don't go anywhere cold.

IrideWheelies · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 1:13 pm Post subject:

That shower system is really great. If you don't have the skills or time to make your own heat exchanger you can find flat plate heat exchangers on ebay for a reasonable price. I was watching them a few months back when I was putting together the parts to copy this setup: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/5029...wer-system

He uses a heat exchanger and a thermostatic mixing valve instead of having a separate hot water tank. It saves space but you loose the ability to have hot water in your sink faucet. You also need to keep the engine running during your shower which might totally suck.
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drivenachodrive · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 1:50 pm Post subject:

@Alika: Here's a link to the UV light we bought:
http://www.freshwatersystems.com/p-5158-sterilight-s2q-p12vdc-silver-series-3-gpm-uv-system.aspx

We also bought a few spare bulbs.

-Brad
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www.drivenachodrive.com
Read our book: www.drivenachodrive.com/book

ALIKA T3 · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 9:45 pm Post subject:

aukaiiki · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:16 am Post subject:

Brad,

Mahalo Nui Loa for the info on the hot water heater. I'll give it a shot.

Enjoy your site and good luck on your adventures.

Aloha,
aukaiiki sends...

drivenachodrive · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:25 am Post subject:

@BetaVan: Thanks for the motivating words. I'm sure sailing would have its ups and downs like overlanding will, and it does sound like a lot of fun. I've read a few books on sailing adventures; one couple had an awesome time (An Embarrassment of Mangoes), one had a great time but seemed to get bored at times (Bumfuzzle), and one didn't go so well (Adrift: 76 Days Lost At Sea).

We'll be bringing a couple of surfboards, snorkeling gear, and a spear gun, as we plan to spend a good bit of time on the coast. We've been landlocked most our lives, so we're excited to explore all of the sea-based recreation that we can.

Take care, and thanks again.

-Brad
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www.drivenachodrive.com
Read our book: www.drivenachodrive.com/book

Destructo · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 11:41 am Post subject:

Brad, Not sure how much time you have while you are in Phoenix, but if you have a couple minutes I'd love to check out the rig before you leave. I live in Phoenix, pretty close to downtown. Let me know if you're interested in showing off your ride and sharing a brew.

Aside from that, I'm super jealous and wish you two the best of luck on your adventure. I'll be living vicariously through you guys at work. Bon Voyage! Cool

Eddie
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drivenachodrive · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 1:35 pm Post subject:

For those who have been asking to see photos of Nacho's interior, I've just posted them on our blog. Check them out here: http://www.drivenachodrive.com/about-nacho/installing-custom-cabinets-in-nacho-vanagon/

@Destructo: Not sure how much time we'll have in PHX. We'll be there about a week, but as it's snowing a lot in Flagstaff and I don't have use of a garage, all of my van projects are probably going to be pushed to that week. Bummer.
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Driving around the world in a 1984 VW Vanagon
www.drivenachodrive.com
Read our book: www.drivenachodrive.com/book

joseph928 · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:09 pm Post subject: nacho int.

krusovice · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:18 pm Post subject:

carterzest · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:55 pm Post subject:

debbiej · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:25 pm Post subject:

I'm very impressed and envious!! also very glad you are sharing this amazing effort and adventure!

kamzcab86 · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:52 pm Post subject:

drivenachodrive · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 9:40 pm Post subject:

@Carterzest: The front seats were brand new from a 2010 Honda Odyssey. They're not actually compatible with the Vanagon, but I spent 2 weeks of evenings/weekends cutting the underside out and redesigning the mounting structure. In the end they still swivel and we don't get numb butts any more Smile

I also moved the seatbelt mounting up into the seat itself instead of down on the side of the seat mast. Much easier to access now.

@Others: Thanks!
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Driving around the world in a 1984 VW Vanagon
www.drivenachodrive.com
Read our book: www.drivenachodrive.com/book

syncrogreg · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 8:15 am Post subject:

Awesome setup! good to see that all your prep goes well!
When is your ETD?

GSB
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debbiej · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 8:27 am Post subject:

I feel kind of silly saying this, as you guys clearly have thought everything through, but be careful of the curtains and the flames from the stove.

the angle of the window behind the stove makes me glad for the lid and stove top on my OE cooktop. it is all that keeps the curtains from getting dirty, wet or catching fire.

drivenachodrive · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 8:50 am Post subject:

@syncrogreg: We're leaving Flagstaff the Friday before Xmas. We'll go to Phoenix and stay there a week to visit fam and finish the last few Nacho projects (too snowy in Flagstaff now). We plan to head South on Jan. 2.

@debbiej: You have a very astute eye Smile

That's actually one of the last projects I have to do before we depart. I plan to reinstall the factory steel cover over our stove, which will act as a heat deflector for the window when flipped up. We can move the curtains out of the way, but still, when using the rear burner it would get the window hot.
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Driving around the world in a 1984 VW Vanagon
www.drivenachodrive.com
Read our book: www.drivenachodrive.com/book


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