Working on my 2001 Nu Venture

[Martinez]

If you’ve read my Cruise Control post you’ll know another item has been ticked off the list. Better news still, brakes seem much improved since stripping the front calipers. I’ll monitor the brakes for a while though as they seemed to get better once before then went back to being useless !
got a meeting in Stoke tomorrow so if I get back in time I’ll do a bit more. I’m currently haggling with a seller on Marketplace over industrial non slip flooring. I only need 6 sq mts, at £6 a sq mt that makes £36 in my book, but she said £45 ! Mm must think I was born yesterday.
Pub later I think, then if time tomorrow I’ll look at re fitting the toilet and finding a route for that bloody cable. Oh, nearly forgot, more toys still to fit, parking sensors and rear view camera. I like toys. My precious toys, precious......

[Martinez]

It's called "Sod's LAw"

I had a lie in unti 8 !
then wrote an entire article on Cruise Control. I really do need to get out more .,

[SandraM]

It's called "Sod's LAw"

[Martinez]

Well my meeting was a disaster today as when I got there the guy who was organising it had gone off sick 2 weeks ago. Anyway, got back to sunny Wolves again n fitted the control stalk to the console and connected it up. I’d emailed the manufacturer in Sweden before I went out as I noticed that there were 7 wires going to the main unit, but only 6 coming from the controller. Very helpful folk who respond quickly PDQ.se but just sent me a link to the online manual. Already got this but it doesn’t cover the controller ! Bugger !
Anyway, after looking at the old controller I noticed that it only had 6 wires coming from it so problem solved. Or was it that it didn’t exist ?
I untangled the mess of wires that ran through the fusebox area and identified all those relating to the cruise control, the rest were for the built in satnav that I’d removed earlier. I bit the bullet and cut all the wiring out that wasn’t needed and wrapped the loom up and fitted it up under the dash with cable ties. All neat n tidy now. My big worry whilst doing this was that I might cut something for the immobiliser. Turns out that this was far more professionally fitted and after starting the van up all is obviously working. He he. Turned on cruise control which beeped and displayed 66 on the LCD panel. I’ll have to take it for a spin to see if it works properly so that’ll have to wait. Looks like being a nice day tomorrow so hope to empty the van and paint interior. Either that or lie in bed all day..........wish I could. How come when you’re younger you can sleep so much ?

[Martinez]

Mm, no ideas either eh ?
anyway, modified my camera for the rear. It was originally made to mount other way up vertically. But I want it to face downwards. Can’t just turn it upside down or the image will be same. So prised it apart n turned the camera inside 180 deg. Bit of a fiddle and especially as the camera lens is fixed to the circuit board and the outer case. So stuck it back together with silicone mastic and it seems to work fine. I didn’t realise that the green, orange and red zones are actually created by the camera and not the screen, so learnt something new.
I’ve also started to fit the new cruise control system. Or at least traced some of the wiring n removed the console. My old one used a control box fixed to the right side of the dash. The new one has a more normal control lever. It doesn’t move but has a display and buttons to switch on n off and adjust. Trouble is it’s starting to get dark early so not much time in evenings and busy over next 2 weeks.
I’ll just have to get my finger out then !

[Martinez]

Spent the day trying to finish the toilet area. Glued floor down, but need some flooring before I can do much more. I also tried the paint I bought some time back. It seems a pretty good match for the white. Trying to figure out a new route for the cable that runs through the toilet area. It did run along the floor I think, but it’s just in the way. Any ideas ?

[Martinez]

Martinez you are quite right about the matting layer but the gel coat is a different matter, you need to stop the track of the crack (ask me how I know). If the gel coat is breached then the matting layer absorbs moisture (it is hygroscopic) and that must be prevented at all costs.

Peter

Sounds bad. Learnt a little about this when I owned a yacht. I’d be more worried if it was a hull.
Also from memory this was an issue associated with the materials used in the 1970s, modern materials don’t seem to suffer from this, or at least to a much lesser degree. Ive actually seen this on a couple of boats and it can be really bad, but then again, I’m not going to sink, I hope !
also, there’s a gap behind that rear panel so if the moisture wants to get in it can.
I’m not going to worry too much about it, I think by the time the glass fibre starts to break down the van will be scrap anyway.
Sorry, I’m sounding like a right know it all, I need to get out more

[peterholden]

Martinez you are quite right about the matting layer but the gel coat is a different matter, you need to stop the track of the crack (ask me how I know). If the gel coat is breached then the matting layer absorbs moisture (it is hygroscopic) and that must be prevented at all costs.

Peter

[SandraM]

I forgot to say. If it is a crack you need to find the end and very gently drill a small shallow hole (careful as said above not to go too deep, I did it with a drill bit in my hand), otherwise the crack can continue to spread after your repair.

I wish i could get some paint to match the colour of the fibreglass on my Romahome.

Peter

__________________________________________________ ______

I did the same with tiny jeweller's drill when I repaired my sink then sed a dremel type tool to gouge the rest carefully.

We took the van to an automotive spray shop and they brought out their little machine to match the colour

[Martinez]

Mm. Don’t think the hole is really needed. I’d certainly do that if it was metal or plastic even, but because of the mat reinforcement I don’t think it will continue to split. Most damage tends to be caused by impact, so if you hit it again in same place it may well break along same line but not with something like vibration. Unless it’s really bad. Time will tell I guess

[peterholden]

I forgot to say. If it is a crack you need to find the end and very gently drill a small shallow hole (careful as said above not to go too deep, I did it with a drill bit in my hand), otherwise the crack can continue to spread after your repair.

I wish i could get some paint to match the colour of the fibreglass on my Romahome.

Peter

[peterholden]

I have used gelcoat filler but you do need to sand it by hand and no the colour doesnt match

Peter

[Martinez]

Stripped front brakes down yesterday. Nothing obviously wrong but drove it round the block tonight and there did seem to be some improvement. Trouble is, they’re still rubbish ! I’ll keep at it.
I decided as the sun was out to deal with some of the jellcoat cracks at the rear. When I got the van I thought it must have been stolen and ragged around some fields, but on seeing previous owners new Surf, I think it’s just his bad driving !
If you’ve never repaired crack in fibreglass before, be assured that if you just fill n paint it, it’ll crack again, you’ve got to cut into it and fill with an appropriate filler. I find a grouting removal tool on my Multimaster works well and leaves a trench less than 3mm wide. Careful though, don’t go too deep or you’ll make a hole and weaken the structure.
I’d already bought some jellcoat repair stuff which I applied according to the instructions. But to be honest, it’s not that good. Firstly it’s too white. Secondly it’s terrible to sand and melts if you use any power sanding device. So I used some of the filler that I used on the side skirts. Much easier to sand n doesn’t clog or melt, but it’s a bit darker. I tried mixing the two, but unless you’re prepared to gouge it all out every time it’ll never be that good. Think I’ll just fill it all sand it down n paint it !

[Martinez]

Decided to take train this morning in the rain. Only £6-25 with my Railcard so probably cheaper than driving anyway. Took the van out for little drive last night and was reminded how bad the brakes are. Another bloody job to do. Anyway, after it raining most of today I came home to find the damp patch at the back is no more. So my suspicions were correct and a little of the glue in the gap fixed it. I also pulled the electrics box out to see where the solar panel control unit is hidden. After reading recent article it appears removing the battery buggers them up if they’re still connected to the panel. I’ve ordered a new one anyway as they’re cheap as chips, I’ll try n pull the old one out later this week and check what voltage I’m getting (if any) from the panel.

[Martinez]

Well, my painted wall was looking good after 2 coats
BFA523DB-32FE-4A98-9AF5-8145EEF4A4E6.jpeg then today i accidentally knocked it over along with some aluminium step ladders. Aluminium does a good job of leaving black marks on white surfaces, so now the wall has a dirty big black streak down one side! Bugger
also discovered that battery had gone a bit flat and wouldn’t start the engine, so duly taken off and charged all is well there. I’m just wondering if the immobiliser is draining it. I’ll have to keep my eye on that. Also, after some showers yesterday I noticed a damp patch in the corner at the rear where I’ve replaced the floor. I think it’s coming from where the rear panel joins the body at the lower side. I’ve squirted some glue in there to seal it but uts something else I’ll need to solve before final fixing of floor and skirting in toilet, otherwise it’ll just get hidden behind the plastic panels.
One step forward eh ?
I've fitted my smaller high level brake light and a rear view view camera. Hopefully I won’t be bashing the rear up as much as the previous owner. I have to admit, it’s not an easy vehicle to reverse.
6167E44D-3183-4656-A82A-0C3305C61991.jpeg
Back to work tomorrow in Birmingham. Hate driving there but at least it’s just a training day and I don’t need to be there until 10am !
Lie in, yeahhhhh