Build Details
Kitchen
For the kitchen, we wanted an open feel with a farmhouse sink. Here are just a few details and the exact things we used:
SINK
We used a bathroom sink (yep) because it was the only thing that we could find with the right dimensions. It works great and no one knows ;)
if you buy the sink we have, use some kind of sealer on it!! It's super porous and we put over 4 coats of a tile sealer on it to keep it nice and white.
FAUCET
countertop
REFRIGERATOR
FRUIT HAMMOCK
Bathroom
SHOWER door
We both agreed we wanted a private bathroom with a door so we could have some privacy. We absolutely love this self-cleaning shower door by Nautilus. A little pricey but worth it!
shower FAUCET
SHOWER PAN
TOILET
As a couple we had to have a real conversation about what we did and didn't want to do in the van... and one of those things was #2. We made it a rule that you find a bathroom if you gotta go since we didn't want to deal with cleaning shit (literally). The payoff isn't worth the reward when there are bathrooms literally everywhere. We bought a urine diverting toilet (see below for link) and a toilet seat that fit it.
We are so happy with our decision, but it's not for everyone.
WATER TANK
We have a 20 gallon freshwater tank for our shower (for more plumbing details see the Plumbing Section below)
WATER HEATER
We have a 2.5 on demand tankless water heater
Solar Setup
SOLAR PANELS
We have three 100 watt solar panels by Renogy. They are great and we've never had any issues!
We mounted them to the roof with a combination of 3M tape and bolts through the roof.
BATTERIES
We have 3 12V 155 amp AGM batteries for a total of 465 ah
INVERTER
NOTE: We do not recommend this inverter for the hot water heater. We had a lot of issues with it. Instead, check out the Victron 3000W Inverter Charger that we have installed in our second van conversion.
SOlar Charge Controller
Battery monitor
Plumbing
water tanks
For the shower we have a 20 gallon water tank that is stored underneath one of the benches in the back.
For the sink we have a 10 gallon water tank that is stored under the sink
water pumps
We use the same water pump for the shower and the sink
sediment filter
This should be installed between the tank and the water pump.
Water LInes
We used 1/2" Interior Diameter (ID) Nylon Braided Hose for all cold water lines. You can make the connections using 1/2" ID Barbed fittings with whatever size threaded fitting you need on the other end. Then simply put a clamp over the hose where the barb inserts into the hose.
For the hot water lines we used 1/2" ID PEX hot water lines. You will need to use PEX fittings to make your joints. It is not very flexible so I found the elbow joints very helpful when making the connection from my hot water heater to the shower.
General Tips
I found it helpful to diagram out the entire plumbing system and listing off every fitting, hose, valve, t-joint etc... that I would need. Once you have this list completed you are ready to order your fittings off amazon or make a trip to your local Home Depot.
Bed/Table Setup
Since our van is a live/work situation we wanted the flexibility to have a table/desk area to sit at during the way while we work.
table top
pedestal
cushions/mattress
We cut this ourselves with an electric bread knife and then paid someone to make the cushion covers.
Lighting
Marine 12V Switch & Charge Panel - We used a 4 toggle switch panel. 2 toggles control our recessed LED Rope Lighting and 2 toggle control our water pumps. It comes with 2 built-in USB ports and a 12v port.
Dimmable 12V LED Recessed Lighting - We love the fact that these are dimmable. They are very bright otherwise. We had to go to another site to find a 12V Dimmable switch but it was well worth it.
12V LED Rope Lights - We used this under the valance that runs along our windows. They are connected to the Marine Toggle Switch Panel.
Miscellaneous Stuff
Cabinet hardware
fantastic fan
3 speed, reversible with thermostat. You can get a higher end model with a remote but we decided it wasn't worth the extra $.