Cutting it down - CANADA VLOG EP. 07

The budget is tight, but still this is no reason to give up for me!

In order to be able to insulate the walls, I need to do some of the wiring for the auxiliary battery, because some of the cables need to pass through the insulation. So I got the battery isolator in to charge the battery in the back while I drive, as well as the solar charge controller wired up to give me juice whenever I stay somewhere. With this done, I can finally charge my phone and camera in the Van!

Next up was the insulation. The wall consists of two layers of metal, one is the very outside of the Van, the other reinforces the outer layer in form of ribs. To avoid thermal bridges, I added a layer of polystyrene in between the ribs, where only the outer layer is visible. Over that, everything gets covered with a reflective bubble wrap insulation, usually used to cut heating expenses for water tanks. After that in place and sealed off with tuck tape, I immediately recognized that it got way more quiet while I drive since the insulation is also sound dampening.

The doors are a bit different, since Harrison is a cargo van, he doesn't have any panels I can just put the insulation underneath. So I made the panels by myself. Measuring, sketching, cutting, mounting. Having some panels at the doors, you can finally guess how Harrison's inside might look like in the end. Also this step reduced the noise from the outside drastically.

Insulation is done, but before putting the walls and ceiling, the wires for lights, fridge and water pump need to be pulled. So I got the cables, terminals and connectors. Putting that into place, I was also able to place the transformer. Most of my devices are powered by USB, but not my Laptop. So I need 110V AC to be able to work with it while I'm on the go.

I already had some ideas for placing the bed and a way to make it convertible, so I have the possibility to either sit on it as a couch or lie down to sleep. Since I try to keep everything low budget, I frequently check advertising sites like kijiji.ca and try to get the most stuff second hand. This is where I saw a convertible futon bed from Ikea complete with mattress and bed frame, which is convertible to a couch. If I can fit this in, I don't have to worry about the mechanics to be able to convert it and it even comes cheaper for me, since trifold-mattresses are quite pricey and I would still need to build the frame.

But at this point I have to stop my budget is now running really low. I tried saving up on it by radically ration my daily expenses. To eat I just got one baguette and an apple from a discounter every day. To drink I just got tap water. Total cost per day: 2$

But still, this was not helping us. On top it feels like I stayed at my friends place for too long. I have the feeling that my presence itself is annoying them. Since it's really hard in Quebec to find a job if you don't speak french fluently, even the job search did not bring any results, and in order to move out of my friends place I need to finish the van at least on the inside, which I can not afford.

I'm stuck in a dilemma. But still, I wont give up on this.
So I ask for help, even if I'm really bad at this. I decided to make 'Harrison the van' a crowdfunded project. But I also want to give back something as a symbol of appreciation. So if you help me, I will send you a postcard with a personal message and a motive of one of my yet unpublished pictures!

Harrison and I we are counting on you and we believe in the power of community to make this happen!
If you want to support us with a small amount, click the link below!

CROWDFUNDING PAGE

Shot on Sony a6500 + MC-11 + Sigma 1.8 18 - 35mm

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