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oldschool84 Samba Member
Joined: March 15, 2015 Posts: 119 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 6:40 am Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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rty1138 wrote: |
added a solar shower!
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That shower looks nice but it looks like it's held on with just a bunch of zip ties - if that's the case that might be fine when it is empty but if filled with water and driving down the road, especially on a corner, it might come undone and be a hazard to someone behind - just sayin. |
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mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2849 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 7:16 am Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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I don't know about the OP's set up ( can't see the picture on this device), but my 4 gallon homebrew solar shower is hung from zipties that are rated for 120 lbs each, 2 ties each bar, opposed front to back, going through an old bike mount clamped to the bar. I'm not going to pretend that 4x120 means I can carry 480 pounds with zip ties on my roof bars, but...
4 gallons of water weighs 33.36 pounds, the whole set-up can't weigh more than 50. It is rock solid, can't make it move front to back, up or down, no matter how hard I try. Yes, I inspect the zip ties regularly for damage and keep 2 extra in the van.
I'm sure it could be better, but I see nothing wrong with zip ties properly used and maintained. I'm open to feedback, though- don't want to be a hazard. _________________ 1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual |
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Jake de Villiers Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 8:15 am Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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mikemtnbike wrote: |
I don't know about the OP's set up ( can't see the picture on this device), but my 4 gallon homebrew solar shower is hung from zipties that are rated for 120 lbs each, 2 ties each bar, opposed front to back, going through an old bike mount clamped to the bar. I'm not going to pretend that 4x120 means I can carry 480 pounds with zip ties on my roof bars, but...
4 gallons of water weighs 33.36 pounds, the whole set-up can't weigh more than 50. It is rock solid, can't make it move front to back, up or down, no matter how hard I try. Yes, I inspect the zip ties regularly for damage and keep 2 extra in the van.
I'm sure it could be better, but I see nothing wrong with zip ties properly used and maintained. I'm open to feedback, though- don't want to be a hazard. |
First off, the 'ratings' on zip ties aren't subject to any government regulation and are therefore not to be trusted. They are merely part of the sales copy.
A real engineer could probably explain this better but that 50 lb load is multiplied many times when accelerated, whether in an upward, downward or lateral direction.
Finally, plastic zip ties will chafe and break. Why not replace them with stainless steel band clamps (hose clamps) from the plumbing section of your local lumberyard? _________________ '84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com |
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mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2849 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 10:09 am Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Jake de Villiers wrote: |
First off, the 'ratings' on zip ties aren't subject to any government regulation and are therefore not to be trusted. They are merely part of the sales copy.
A real engineer could probably explain this better but that 50 lb load is multiplied many times when accelerated, whether in an upward, downward or lateral direction.
Finally, plastic zip ties will chafe and break. Why not replace them with stainless steel band clamps (hose clamps) from the plumbing section of your local lumberyard? |
Yeah, I've thought about all that but it just hasn't moved- I can pull myself up on it, etc. But you're also right, I've additionally been worried about the plastic zipties invisibly degrading from UV exposure. I had the zip ties so tried them, but have considered switching to the band clamps, gonna have to do it now, safety first! _________________ 1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual |
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dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7833 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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fxr Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014 Posts: 2454 Location: Bay area CA
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Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 3:49 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Yep. My 'UV-rated' cable ties last a year at the most out in the sun (doing various jobs in the garden and yes, on the van roof bars). I'd be OK with using them for that solar shower, but I *would* change them at least once a year, if not sooner. _________________ Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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Steve Arndt Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2005 Posts: 1786 Location: Boise, Idaho
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Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 3:55 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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You could paint some plumbers tape black and cinch it up and be good to go forever.
s _________________ Steve
Steve's 87 Syncro project |
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yew Samba Member
Joined: August 14, 2018 Posts: 18 Location: CA
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Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 7:07 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Installed the GW 3pt seatbelt on passenger's side of our new (to us) Adventurewagen. Ironically I realized (late) that the passenger side on the AW is a bit more effort than the driver's side due to having to move the receiver which is in the middle as oppose to against the wall on these. That plus having the aux battery sitting directly underneath the seat belt bolts made the process a bit slower than otherwise. Still, went smoothly. Now the kid can ride
This thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=188800&highlight=point+belt was a huge help and confidence builder (taking a knife to the interior is a bit freaky).
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oldschool84 Samba Member
Joined: March 15, 2015 Posts: 119 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 8:46 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Finished a couple day project of installing Pioneer 4" speakers in the rear to replace the stock ones that were distorting. Hardest part of all of it was dealing with the bracket bolts whose nuts weren't moving all that well - finally just went to Lowe's and bought new carriage bolts and nuts that treaded easily and replaced most of them - cabinet went back up like a charm. I have some mediocre but serviceable after market head unit (CD player plus Aux input, even has Bluetooth I think) (JVC?) along with Pioneer 4" speakers one of the POs put into the front doors. speaker wires were already run to the back and I just pulled the head to confirm which strand was the ground for each rear speaker. I also installed Boom Mat baffles behind the speakers in the rear - they are cheap, protect the speakers from crap in those cabinets sliding around and supposedly help push the sound out instead of it getting lost back there. Sounds nice now with four good speakers! Time to put some more music on my phone- |
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elizer Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2016 Posts: 1501 Location: Northern Virginia
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Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 3:21 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Got gary lee's rack in today. Idiot proof install. The rack comes with all the nuts and bolts partially assembled in place. The most time-consuming part was getting it dead center on the hatch but that took only a few minutes. Its the full-width rack with a ladder on each side and center only fold down shelf.
Really happy with the product. I will probably put a shovel, axe, a jerry can or two of water and either a cooler or tough box on the shelf.
Even adds pvc to support the hatch
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OCWest Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2007 Posts: 67 Location: Westminster , California
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Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 5:55 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Old man neighbor backed up into me so now she sits at the body shop, sad day.
_________________ 1974 project Thing |
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elizer Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2016 Posts: 1501 Location: Northern Virginia
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Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 6:37 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Dang, that sucks. Worse that it is your neighbor. Even worse that hes old. Hard to get mad. How fast was he going? Trying to gauge the amount of damage for the speed. I wonder if a steel bumper would have caused less body damage. |
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dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7833 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2018 6:38 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Ouch.
- Dave _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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OCWest Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2007 Posts: 67 Location: Westminster , California
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Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 4:31 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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elizer wrote: |
Dang, that sucks. Worse that it is your neighbor. Even worse that hes old. Hard to get mad. How fast was he going? Trying to gauge the amount of damage for the speed. I wonder if a steel bumper would have caused less body damage. |
I was told if I had been running the steel bumpers that more damage may have occurred possibly with the two mounting brackets, the housing and possibly more damage to the body since the bumper would of most likely been pushed into the body. _________________ 1974 project Thing |
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Paulbeard Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2015 Posts: 2607 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2018 3:29 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Replaced the failing Andersen Powerpole connectors with MC4s to get more reliable solar power to my house battery. I'll offer the disused stuff (the weatherproof connection port and pigtail w AWG10 wire) in the karma thread. Replaced the old flue vent to fill the hole.
In hindsight a permanent connection would have made more sense but that was delayed until the roof was painted and I installed a panel there and I am not sure that will ever happen. I don't think the PowerPoles were up to being disconnected/reconnected so often. MC4s are bulkier and not as easy to connect but maybe they will be more durable over time. _________________ Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs
— dhaavers |
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Paulbeard Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2015 Posts: 2607 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2018 3:30 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Replaced the failing Andersen Powerpole connectors with MC4s to get more reliable solar power to my house battery. I'll offer the disused stuff (the weatherproof connection port and pigtail w AWG10 wire) in the karma thread. Replaced the old flue vent to fill the hole (this is what I had instead).
In hindsight a permanent connection would have made more sense but that was delayed until the roof was painted and I installed a panel there and I am not sure that will ever happen. I don't think the PowerPoles were up to being disconnected/reconnected so often. MC4s are bulkier and not as easy to connect but maybe they will be more durable over time.
Just checked on the health of the two batteries and both are at 12.75V with the ACR registering that it is seeing 13.5V inbound. So the new wiring is doing what I hoped. _________________ Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs
— dhaavers |
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B.O.B.Wanders Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2014 Posts: 351 Location: Atlanta, GA USA
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Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 3:00 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Replaced front rotors, wheel bearings, and calipers on BOB to earn my Front Brake Job and Wheel Bearing Replacement merit badge.
Rotors and bearings (inner- SKF, outer - FAG) from Van Cafe. Rebuilt Girling calipers from Bus Depot. The originals (83.5 WBX) were Girling, so I went with them rather than mess with re-configuring the hard lines (mine has the stupid brackets). All-in-all a messy, but fairly straight forward job thanks to the awesome knowledge bank that is The Samba.
The front brakes had been intermittently squealing forever and I had a set of ATE pads on hand thinking to replace them at some point. I checked a couple of months ago (the passenger side, of course) and they still had a lot of meat left on them so I had deferred the task. They suddenly started squeaking a bit when turning (I was thinking bushings or something) and within just a few miles I heard that horrible metal-on-metal sound. The brakes had been working fine up until then. Fortunately I was actually stopping to back in to the driveway when they failed. FWIW - this is partly why I drive BOB around a lot for errands etc. - better to fail near home than on the road. Lesson learned - don't put off a thorough check (both sides) if you even suspect anything is going on with your brakes!
The driver's side outer pad had worn completely away and scored the rotor badly. The passenger side looked pretty good, but both were missing the Girling-style spring clips. One piston looked like it was stuck all the way in and the opposite pad was completely gone. The calipers and pistons were both in pretty rough shape. I figured it was beyond my skill level to rebuild them given the condition and I found some reasonably priced rebuilt Girlings at Bus Depot. They look brand new to me. The old bearings looked OK but I decided to go ahead and replace them while I had them out. Very satisfied so far. _________________ 83.5 WBX 2WD Assuan Brown Westy, B.O.B.
"It feels good to be lost in the right direction” - unknown |
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WonderinMan Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2018 Posts: 74 Location: Santa Fe, NM
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Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 3:14 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Just was able to do a bunch of little jobs that needed to be done and we're building up over time, i.e. Lightbulb replacement in dash/map light, horn issues, and the bigger job, running a signal wire fro, the ignition coil to the instrument cluster in prep of the tachometer retrofit with a later tach and GW Pcb kit next weekend.
Found some larger issues transaxle/axle boots busted in the rear those will be getting attention sooner than later :/ |
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Paulbeard Samba Member
Joined: July 10, 2015 Posts: 2607 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2018 2:31 pm Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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Replaced my Aux battery after it died from poor charging discipline. I hope this has been fixed by replacing Andersen PowerPole connectors with MC4 connectors. I am not sure it has been getting a good charge through those and the mechanical connection/latch was starting to fail.
Installed the Digital Display Current Voltage Power Energy Meter Multimeter Ammeter Voltmeter with 100A Current Shunt so I can keep an eye on things at a glance…as long as I am prepared to look under the bench for that glance.
It looks pretty barnyard and I think some changes will need to be made to tidy it up and make sure nothing gets pulled loose. But it works and that's what I was after. The meter itself is attached with Velcro ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ which is what I found recommended. Seems like some kind of mounting box or frame could be easily done. But whatever. I'll see how it goes, if I learn anything from it. It does respond to loads: if I turn lights on and off, I can see that reflected in the meter. _________________ Currently -> Frida: 87 Tizian Red (mostly) Vanagon GL Westfalia w/ 2.0L ABA conversion
Formerly -> Steward of a 73 Super Beetle (Beater) and 67 Beetle 1300 (Little Max) both names by POs
— dhaavers |
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ursaworks Samba Member
Joined: December 03, 2010 Posts: 127 Location: Chicago, IL, USA
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Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2018 11:13 am Post subject: Re: What did YOU do to your van today? |
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installed Lasercut vent cover for deleted A/C plenum
_________________ 1987 2WD GL Automatic
Westfalia full camper
Vanistain engine |
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