motorhome newbie, old hymer, one year in europe....
Discussion
hi everyone.
i've posted on a couple of other threads, but thought i'd start my own rather than crash others.
well. here goes!
We are currently moving along with the sale of our house, and using the equity to fund a year off, travelling and seeing as much of the bits of europe that we want to as we can.
when this plan started off, i was trying to think of a way to see quite a few places, in as real a way as possible, which has led to the posting in this section
. completely new at this, we've never spent an hour in a motorhome before, let alone a year, so perhaps we should have come here for some advice on what to get.
We didn't though and we have picked up this old but lovely hymer 2.5 non turbo with less than 100k on the clock.
it has a solar install, lpg refillable gas bottle, and has just come back from a year in spain and morocco.
it also had a new clutch, belts, tyres and service before the previous owners set off, oh, it's also just breezed through the last mot. hopefully a good sign for a 25ish year old van!
being new to all of this, there are a few things i could do with a hand with. i've already replaced a cracked skylight cover in the bathroom, and removed, cleaned, and re seated the unit too as it had a tiny leak.
when we viewed it, we noticed two repaired cracks in the shower tray floor, the owner said they were fine, and had never leaked, but once home i decided i didnt like the look of them, so.... took out the whole bathroom (its a wetroom tray) picked out all of the old crap sealant/adhesive sanded, fiberglassed, and re painted the whole tray. everything was given a thorough clean and polish, then put back to as was, having taped a couple of dodgy , but amazingly, not leaking (i hope) waste elbows. the upshot is the bathroom looks pretty good, and pretty solid now too.
next on the list is to sort the lighting. i'll change the bulbs over to led, and want to replace a current unit, which i think is non standard for an led strip light, this is where i could use a hand, i know nothing, and i mean nothing about electric, so please, treat me as a dummy.
id also like to wire the head unit to the leisure battery if thats possible, so if anyone can help, then please chime in.
other jobs involve fitting an awning rail along the van, hopefully new vinyl floor (the old one is a bit grubby) cushion covers to be made etc.
the van currently has a carbon monoxide alarm fitted, i'm going to get the gas checked and serviced, even though everything works, it would put our minds at rest, and hopefully not our bodies!
and off to a garage for a full service before the big off!
will sign off now, but feel free to ask questions, ill try and get some more pics up soon.
craig
i've posted on a couple of other threads, but thought i'd start my own rather than crash others.
well. here goes!
We are currently moving along with the sale of our house, and using the equity to fund a year off, travelling and seeing as much of the bits of europe that we want to as we can.
when this plan started off, i was trying to think of a way to see quite a few places, in as real a way as possible, which has led to the posting in this section
. completely new at this, we've never spent an hour in a motorhome before, let alone a year, so perhaps we should have come here for some advice on what to get.We didn't though
and we have picked up this old but lovely hymer 2.5 non turbo with less than 100k on the clock.it has a solar install, lpg refillable gas bottle, and has just come back from a year in spain and morocco.
it also had a new clutch, belts, tyres and service before the previous owners set off, oh, it's also just breezed through the last mot. hopefully a good sign for a 25ish year old van!
being new to all of this, there are a few things i could do with a hand with. i've already replaced a cracked skylight cover in the bathroom, and removed, cleaned, and re seated the unit too as it had a tiny leak.
when we viewed it, we noticed two repaired cracks in the shower tray floor, the owner said they were fine, and had never leaked, but once home i decided i didnt like the look of them, so.... took out the whole bathroom (its a wetroom tray) picked out all of the old crap sealant/adhesive sanded, fiberglassed, and re painted the whole tray. everything was given a thorough clean and polish, then put back to as was, having taped a couple of dodgy , but amazingly, not leaking (i hope) waste elbows. the upshot is the bathroom looks pretty good, and pretty solid now too.
next on the list is to sort the lighting. i'll change the bulbs over to led, and want to replace a current unit, which i think is non standard for an led strip light, this is where i could use a hand, i know nothing, and i mean nothing about electric, so please, treat me as a dummy.
id also like to wire the head unit to the leisure battery if thats possible, so if anyone can help, then please chime in.
other jobs involve fitting an awning rail along the van, hopefully new vinyl floor (the old one is a bit grubby) cushion covers to be made etc.
the van currently has a carbon monoxide alarm fitted, i'm going to get the gas checked and serviced, even though everything works, it would put our minds at rest, and hopefully not our bodies!
and off to a garage for a full service before the big off!
will sign off now, but feel free to ask questions, ill try and get some more pics up soon.
craig
Hi Craig - lovely looking van you've got yourselves there and wish you a fab adventure in it. I'm ever so slightly jealous as I'd love to have the time to head off on a long adventure. I'm tentatively planning summer 2019 as there's a potential opportunity then to take a few months off but more to that another time.
I can't help on the wiring as I'm also a bit of a dummy when it comes to electrics. I'm sure you'll be fine with a bit of guidance though as it sounds like you're pretty handy after sorting out the bathroom. Shower trays in Hymers are well known to be dodgy points - mine cracked in my previous Hymer and I just filled it with silicone but had I have kept the van longer, I was going to have it cut out and rebuilt in situ rather than going to the expense of removing the bathroom to get the tray out. Sounds like you've done a proper job there though - well done.
Keep us posted on your progress and your travel plan! Here's to an exciting 2018!
I can't help on the wiring as I'm also a bit of a dummy when it comes to electrics. I'm sure you'll be fine with a bit of guidance though as it sounds like you're pretty handy after sorting out the bathroom. Shower trays in Hymers are well known to be dodgy points - mine cracked in my previous Hymer and I just filled it with silicone but had I have kept the van longer, I was going to have it cut out and rebuilt in situ rather than going to the expense of removing the bathroom to get the tray out. Sounds like you've done a proper job there though - well done.
Keep us posted on your progress and your travel plan! Here's to an exciting 2018!
Wow. Bravehearts indeed. Fullest best wishes to you.
I have to smile when I see a Landrover off roadie type with that slogan 'One life-live it' plastered all over their screen only ever going from one local petrol pump to another and then, well, we get you guys and gals saddling up and taking on 1000's of kms in a Hymer with @100k on the clock. Fabulous. I look forward to this thread with great interest.
I have to smile when I see a Landrover off roadie type with that slogan 'One life-live it' plastered all over their screen only ever going from one local petrol pump to another and then, well, we get you guys and gals saddling up and taking on 1000's of kms in a Hymer with @100k on the clock. Fabulous. I look forward to this thread with great interest.
Looks great fun! I hear good things about those older hymers.
I know a bit about 12v, but not really enough to confidently advise anyone else. One main thing I know is that on my later Hymer, the 12v and 240v wiring colours are reversed, so blue is 12v +ve and brown is 12v -ve.
For most of the lights, there should be drop in Led replacements. Ours has a couple of short tube lights, one of which I've converted to Led by just ripping out all the fluorescent gubbins and wiring in a couple of lengths of rope light into the original housing.
I did read that it's not really worth the bother replacing 12v tubes as they are pretty efficient anyway. I had some rope light left over and fancied playing around, but I shan't bother with the others.
One thing I have read is to avoid wiring direct to the leisure batteries, and go via the electro block (fuse box).
I know a bit about 12v, but not really enough to confidently advise anyone else. One main thing I know is that on my later Hymer, the 12v and 240v wiring colours are reversed, so blue is 12v +ve and brown is 12v -ve.
For most of the lights, there should be drop in Led replacements. Ours has a couple of short tube lights, one of which I've converted to Led by just ripping out all the fluorescent gubbins and wiring in a couple of lengths of rope light into the original housing.
I did read that it's not really worth the bother replacing 12v tubes as they are pretty efficient anyway. I had some rope light left over and fancied playing around, but I shan't bother with the others.
One thing I have read is to avoid wiring direct to the leisure batteries, and go via the electro block (fuse box).
wow, thanks everyone! i really didn't expect such a response.
to be honest, like a few people i know, 2016/17 were a bit tricky for me, mainly in my own head to be honest, and we are cutting ties with everything we know to do this. weve both worked from 16 to get to the stage where we are fairly comfortable, nothing like some, but we have/had a nice little 3 bed house near the sea, and a stable job for me that ive been in at my current employers for 12 years, and lots of nice things around us, and yet, i just don't feel i'm living my own life, but doing what is expected of me. i've had some tough days to get me to the stage where i've just said f
k it, and acted upon it. i'm not brave, nor a great adventurer, i just think i can do more than work to pay for stuff i don't need/want.
i wont go on and on (i easily could) but any questions, feel free to ask.
so back to the van, re: access, the front end is fiberglass, and between the grill and windscreen is a removable bonnet which allows room to work (i'd imagine, i've not had my hands dirty yet!)
agent 006, thanks for that, i've read about wire colours confusing people, so will revert to the original diagrams for wiring.
also noticed on our control panel that the tube over the kitchen made little difference to the needle reading, is that volts? this is how bad i am!
so this is what i want to replace
can anyone tell me what i need? simple kits ive found on amazon involve a plug and a power block, presumably i can do something without all of that?
cheers folks.
craig
to be honest, like a few people i know, 2016/17 were a bit tricky for me, mainly in my own head to be honest, and we are cutting ties with everything we know to do this. weve both worked from 16 to get to the stage where we are fairly comfortable, nothing like some, but we have/had a nice little 3 bed house near the sea, and a stable job for me that ive been in at my current employers for 12 years, and lots of nice things around us, and yet, i just don't feel i'm living my own life, but doing what is expected of me. i've had some tough days to get me to the stage where i've just said f
k it, and acted upon it. i'm not brave, nor a great adventurer, i just think i can do more than work to pay for stuff i don't need/want.i wont go on and on (i easily could
) but any questions, feel free to ask.so back to the van, re: access, the front end is fiberglass, and between the grill and windscreen is a removable bonnet which allows room to work (i'd imagine, i've not had my hands dirty yet!)
agent 006, thanks for that, i've read about wire colours confusing people, so will revert to the original diagrams for wiring.
also noticed on our control panel that the tube over the kitchen made little difference to the needle reading, is that volts? this is how bad i am!
so this is what i want to replace
can anyone tell me what i need? simple kits ive found on amazon involve a plug and a power block, presumably i can do something without all of that?
cheers folks.
craig
Whilst this is a good and helpful forum to be on you may want to join some more specialist MH ones as well. I am on motorhome facts and motorhomer.
Certainly I have found MHF to be a mine of useful information. I am newly joined to the motorhomer one but that seems very active as well.
There are quite a few older members on MHF who have been MHing for many, many years so have come across most issues in their time. There are also several folk who have built/converted their own MH's so again, useful knowledge...
Certainly I have found MHF to be a mine of useful information. I am newly joined to the motorhomer one but that seems very active as well.
There are quite a few older members on MHF who have been MHing for many, many years so have come across most issues in their time. There are also several folk who have built/converted their own MH's so again, useful knowledge...
Hi
Great looking hymer, and you have great plans.
I have had a pretty awful 2016/2017, anxiety, stress all building up to a seizure at the beginning of december 2017, off work can't drive for 6 months, tests for brain cancer, clots, cysts, and for what? Trying to juggle work with homelife, and it seemed home life came second.
So off work for a while and having a think and chilling out.
And that is where our Hymer comes in, although I cant drive it for a while, even going out in it for the day with my dad or wife driving seems to chill me out. Two weeks booked around france next year and wherever else we can get to. Beers, BBQ, Cricket on the radio sat outside the van, seems alright to me.
If you have a facebook account, it is worth joining the Classic Hymers group, very helpful and every question will be answered!
Here is ours, 95 B544.
We love it!
Great looking hymer, and you have great plans.
I have had a pretty awful 2016/2017, anxiety, stress all building up to a seizure at the beginning of december 2017, off work can't drive for 6 months, tests for brain cancer, clots, cysts, and for what? Trying to juggle work with homelife, and it seemed home life came second.
So off work for a while and having a think and chilling out.
And that is where our Hymer comes in, although I cant drive it for a while, even going out in it for the day with my dad or wife driving seems to chill me out. Two weeks booked around france next year and wherever else we can get to. Beers, BBQ, Cricket on the radio sat outside the van, seems alright to me.
If you have a facebook account, it is worth joining the Classic Hymers group, very helpful and every question will be answered!
Here is ours, 95 B544.
We love it!
Edited by sir humphrey appleby on Saturday 30th December 21:12
Lovely old Hymer there, Judging by the FB groups they have a very good following. We have a 93 hymer camp (same engine as yours but coachbuilt as opposed to A class) I love the thing!
Headed down to the south of Italy last year. Very relaxing
I have a load of wiring diagrams that came with mine if they are any use to you? Currently in the process of rewiring the 12v system and i'm guessing the habitation area wiring can't be that much different (Can scan them in next time i go to the motorhome if needed)
Headed down to the south of Italy last year. Very relaxing
I have a load of wiring diagrams that came with mine if they are any use to you? Currently in the process of rewiring the 12v system and i'm guessing the habitation area wiring can't be that much different
(Can scan them in next time i go to the motorhome if needed)thanks. i read your thread a while back. there are cool old things eh?
thanks for the offer of the wiring, i belive i have the diagrams for ours, i'm just so dim with this kind of thing. presumably i need a sting of 12v warm white leds, and a switch, and i can replace the old light with the new one? do i need a specific 12 switch do you know?
thanks for the offer of the wiring, i belive i have the diagrams for ours, i'm just so dim with this kind of thing. presumably i need a sting of 12v warm white leds, and a switch, and i can replace the old light with the new one? do i need a specific 12 switch do you know?
The light in your picture will have, I think, 2 festoon bulbs in it. The cover pops off carefully. I'll be working in an old Hymer later, and I'll have a look. The small spots below the upper cabinets will take a G4 led fittings. If you're lucky, you can get these to fit the 4 fittings in the big bathroom light, too.
For fluorescents, I use little pads which come with smd, t10 ba9s and festoon fittings. Tear out anything beyond the black and red wires after the switch, and connect as many as you want. LEDs are sensitive to polarity, and the bathroom light almost always needs to be reversed.
For fluorescents, I use little pads which come with smd, t10 ba9s and festoon fittings. Tear out anything beyond the black and red wires after the switch, and connect as many as you want. LEDs are sensitive to polarity, and the bathroom light almost always needs to be reversed.
s2sol said:
The light in your picture will have, I think, 2 festoon bulbs in it. The cover pops off carefully. I'll be working in an old Hymer later, and I'll have a look. The small spots below the upper cabinets will take a G4 led fittings. If you're lucky, you can get these to fit the 4 fittings in the big bathroom light, too.
For fluorescents, I use little pads which come with smd, t10 ba9s and festoon fittings. Tear out anything beyond the black and red wires after the switch, and connect as many as you want. LEDs are sensitive to polarity, and the bathroom light almost always needs to be reversed.
thanks for that. For fluorescents, I use little pads which come with smd, t10 ba9s and festoon fittings. Tear out anything beyond the black and red wires after the switch, and connect as many as you want. LEDs are sensitive to polarity, and the bathroom light almost always needs to be reversed.
it's all a bit quiet on the van front at the moment, as it's looking like our sale is all going ahead. we should have move dates by the end of next week, then the madness begins.
hopefully once were settled the other side of that, we can then spend some time on the van in preparation for our off at the end of april.
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