Slidepod for the VW California Beach

[jts46]

So blackwell comes on here on his 2nd day of membership slagging off a long term member.

more seriously I do not like the proximity of the sink to the mains outlet socket on the pod, any water splashes would be straight onto domestic non IP rated plugs. In a domestic situation it would not be allowed.

You want to live in France (we do for part of the year) as we have sockets in bathrooms, that you can reach whilst standing in the bath!!!

 

[SlidePods]

Ok ladies and gentlemen, Mrs Life's-a-Beach here.
Love the slide pod, using it most weekends. Off to Kimmeridge tomorrow, and planning a good day. In response to the in/out thing, my dh (dear husband) has been out there this afternoon and was practicing putting the (loaded) pod in and out of the van as a challenge. He reckons about 6-7 mins as a solo effort: probably more if I help him- cheeky!

Also as an aside, we have just bought 2 extra seats for the back to give us the flexibility of a 6 seater. Dh delighted that the pod will still fit if we mount the water tank longways down the van to run alongside the 2 seater bench. Result!

That's brill guys. Did you manage to get matching trim?
I'll get your black cbe covers in the post to you this week. Are you going to make it to the November campout in Oxford?

 

[Blackwell]

So blackwell comes on here on his 2nd day of membership slagging off a long term member.

In my opinion side pods criticisms are valid & he his entitled to his own opinions.

If you get a lot of "claptrap" from domestic and industrial sparks doesn't that tell you something? if people that have earned their living dealing with electrics in both domestic and industrial situations express an opinion that something is not safe I would take notice. If what makes it "safe" is that the normal rules don't apply just because its in a van rather than a house, in my opinion that doesn't make it safe.

I accept that the engine bay is reasonably sensible place to put the connection & don't have a problem with the heat, I would still be worried about the cable being jammed or damaged by the edge of the bonnet, more seriously I do not like the proximity of the sink to the mains outlet socket on the pod, any water splashes would be straight onto domestic non IP rated plugs. In a domestic situation it would not be allowed.

If I was looking for a boot mounted pod I would have no hesitation in buying one of these pods but would leave the electrics out of the pod itself & confine them to 240v outlets actually mounted to the seat bases & the like away from the sink.

Wow, are you for real? So being a long term member validates opinions does it? I may have only just joined this forum but I can assure you that my experience is vast. I don't deal in opinions either, I offer sound advice that is grounded in fact.
FYI, I was not slagging off a member, I was pointing out to the less well informed that the "opinions" expressed were not an accurate assessment of the facts.
It is stupid to speak with authority on a forum without due qualification and it confuses people unnecessarily.

 

[Blackwell]

Oh Mr Blackwell these "claptrap" experts like our Sadie who like I know the other people knows his onions. Shallots, garlic and leeks when it come to electrics. He was just proffering an opinion about compliance. I realise you have a vested interest but isn't it the purpose of these forums to give members a valid viewpoint.

There was nothing in his post that has any relevance to the aproptiate BS regulations.

 

[andyinluton]

sorry. This is a mistake on my part! You are right.
I should have noticed it said "mains" in the previous post on that page. It is in fact (as I'm sure you will see if you look closely at the photo's) a 12v auto socket.
We have been asked in the past to put a mains socket into our pods an refused as I agree it would be to close to the sink.
I am saddened by the direction this thread has gone in and have asked for some of it to be removed. I would humbly ask that we can drop the subject of leisure electrics now and move on.
I am happy to install hook-ups into the rear quarter panel if our customers want (after all it is their decision). This would cost more in labour as it takes (a lot) longer.

In that case, I apologise for commenting on the electrics pertaining to the pod.
I also agree that it is a shame that a thread about beautifully crafted pods has degenerated into a slanging match about 240v hook ups.

If Martyn wants to come on here and stick up for the equipment he sells, he should be joining as a trade member & start his own thread, he can then tell us what his qualifications are and what the appropriate regulations are.

 

[CALI FATE]

That was a sparky thread - great fun ......

 

[SlidePods]

In that case, I apologise for commenting on the electrics pertaining to the pod.
I also agree that it is a shame that a thread about beautifully crafted pods has degenerated into a slanging match about 240v hook ups.

If Martyn wants to come on here and stick up for the equipment he sells, he should be joining as a trade member & start his own thread, he can then tell us what his qualifications are and what the appropriate regulations are.

Look its all gone a bit sideways in here but lets move on. Believe me Martin will be a great addition to the forum and as he offers great help to those that need it. I have huge respect for him and his work and am proud to be approved to fit his products. (Just search VWT4 or VWT5 Upspex in google you will get an idea of hi wealth of knowledge and the amount of time he spends going out of his way to help others who need advice with their own electrical installs)

There are threads in here dedicated to electrics so we can migrate the subject there

I am proud of the pods we produce and will be at the November campout in Oxford and would encourage as many members as possible to come and have a nose at them and sink an ale with me (god knows I need one lol).

 

[GrannyJen]

That was a sparky thread - great fun ..

A highly charged debate ....

 

[Life's a beach]

Yes, it shocked me ......

 

[SlidePods]

up until this point it has had many positives and a lot of negatives but I think we have reached neutral ground now.

 

[GrannyJen]

I'm pleased to see that we are now not poles apart.

 

[Life's a beach]

For a while I wondered watt was going on

 

[SlidePods]

I'm amped that this thread has taken a more light hearted (DC) direction but lets (AC) alternate things and drop the pun's

 

[Life's a beach]

So getting back on topic, the pod and the beach showed their versatility today.

We had 6 of us on board this morning for a trip to the kids rugby tournament, then I took the extra seats out and dropped the pod in for a trip to kimmeridge this afternoon.

It takes about 10 mins to go from 6 seat bus to 4 seat campervan. The seats are heavy, they can be removed by one person but much easier with two.

The pod is surprisingly easy to put in as the the separate base and top are relatively light and the middle section just drops onto the runners and slides in. I find getting the pod in and out is easier than getting the multflex board in and out as the separate parts of the pod are less cumbersome.

Some pics.....

 

[Blackwell]

In that case, I apologise for commenting on the electrics pertaining to the pod.
I also agree that it is a shame that a thread about beautifully crafted pods has degenerated into a slanging match about 240v hook ups.

If Martyn wants to come on here and stick up for the equipment he sells, he should be joining as a trade member & start his own thread, he can then tell us what his qualifications are and what the appropriate regulations are.

Point taken, but, I have no desire to enter this forum as a trader. I have enough on my hands from other forums! I simply came here to support a valued colleague. If you doubt my credentials then visit my web site for some background and if anyone wants clarification of the regs then I am happy to supply them with a PDF of BS7671 section 721. Not an awful lot to it. I can assure everyone in the mean time that all the equipment supplied from us meets, and sometimes exceeds, the requirements of section 721.
I shall continue to contribute on this forum without vested interest and solely as a VW enthusiast.
I am happy to supply anyone, FOC, with VW wiring diagrams and general electrical advice concerning their van conversions.

 

[SlidePods]

Just thought I would pop up some of the pics from our overnight stay in Exmouth on Friday night. We had a great time catching up with old friends, cooking a curry (from Martin Doreys campervan coast book), playing on the beach and sinking a few beers. The only downside was the boy racers until 1am .
We still managed to get up to watch the sunrise with a cup of coffee and see some horses go for a paddle.
I have to say our Slidepod performed beautifully and I even managed to drain down my waste tank before we left and dispose of its contents responsibly . Who needs a campsite??? .

 

[SlidePods]

got carried away and forgot to add the pic of the tank being drained (doh)



Also here's a photo especially for all the ladies that's bound to excite......

That's right its I'm doing the washing up!

 

[blondebier]

Can you do one with a slimline dishwasher?

 

[SlidePods]

I am a slimline dishwasher!

 

[SlidePods]

Right I had said I would put some of the photos from the photo shoot for Martin Doreys new book (the campervan bible) up and I've finally got round to converting some of the shots from RAW to web sized images so here they are . Cant wait to get a copy of the new book as I really enjoyed the campervan coast and its recipes.

 

[SlidePods]

P.S that's the first image of a free standing Slidepod to appear anywhere

 

[MattBW]

Wow not many photography studios left that can take a car, most of them are closed down. A rarity that these days.

 

[MattBW]

|Sorry the pod also looks great, the photographer in me was activated haha

 

[SlidePods]

SLIDEPODS HAS GONE HI-TECH!!!!!
As of today we have taken our standardised range of Slidepods (including both the Beach and Ultra models which are direct fit to x2 seat and x3 seat beaches) to CNC This allows us to produce our Slidepods to a tolerance of less than 0.1mm and will hopefully reduce the current lead time on them without losing any of the customisation options or colour options . Here are a few pictures of the process, We will add some youtube footage for those that are interested (once we figure out how ).

 

[knightons]

Very impressive. Looks like there will be less waste as well...