Record Deck in a Campervan - Update

Ok folks. It may well be that none of you are interested in how the "how to play records in my campervan" saga is coming along .... but I'm gonna tell you anyways.

I'm going for the lo-fi approach and use the mint condition Dansette Conquest from 1968 which I have. Sprung Garrard deck that can be bolted down for when the van is moving or if it just proves too bouncy, speaker and valve amp built in so no worries re amp and speakers. I'll be running it off an invertor - I've checked it and it seems to work fine off a 12v battery and doesn't draw much.

The interior is being sorted out over the next few weeks and the record player is getting its own custom built cabinet to go in (just above the fridge). I can't wait. I'll be able to listen to old singles when I'm camped up - I'll be the envy of the campsite .... or perhaps just get told to shut that racket

Anyway. When done, I'll bring pictures. As Hex Spurt suggested in the last thread at the next Bakeoff I'll bring it along and we can test it out - a deck with REAL suspension. Campervan Suspension!

Hmm, there's a thought - I wonder what use I can put some shock absorbers to in a home made equipment rack ........

 

Fantastic. Nuts, but admirable. Post pics when it's done.

-- Ian

 

Will do Ian. Spent yesterday afternoon going over the plans with the boys at VWCurtains who are doing the refurb. Three weeks and she should be done. I can't wait - all new cabinet work, upholstery, flooring, curtains, lighting etc. and of course that record deck I'm excited

PS. The boys think its funny, but insist that they want a feature about it on their website when its done.

 

Nice one, Uncle Ants - let us know when it's finished so I can have a look at the VWCurtains site.

 

When it's done, what are you going to christen it with?

I suggest Robbie Williams with 'Jesus in a camper van'

 

Possibly ... but more likely something from Camper Van Beethoven

 

Van Morrison?

Or Liberace. Doesn't get much camper than that.

-- Ian

 

Status Quo - 'Rockin all over the world'

Uncle Ants, you know there is no other acceptable choice....

 

Or Kaz Murphy - 'One Happy Camper'

 

Ha When we got the van Paula had to think of a name for it (our last - the one that got stolen - was named Shirley, after the Billy Bragg song "Greetings to the New Brunette") and she says "We could name it after Van Morrison - instead of Van the Man, it'd be Van er .... the Van" er, mebbe not. We called her Rita in the end because she's lovely - even if she isn't a Metermaid

I could do all of the suggestions at the same time if I've got it on vinyl of course (the Quo I can manage - Thanks Goomer ), cos the new deck has that wonderful stacking technology that for some reason you don't see anymore - if Linn LP12s had multistackers I'd buy one tomorrow

 

Progress so far. Piccy attached. None of the units have fronts or tops yet and the flooring hasn't been sorted either, but yuo can see where things are going

 

top stuff

Is that a cooker on the right or a pre-amp?

 

That's a gas powered pre amp (see the gas bottle)which will also fry your breccy (class A obviously ) and under the deck is a ginormous electrolux power amp with its own refrigeration which will also keep your beers cold :MILD:

 

It's looking very good, Uncle Ants - I bet you can't wait to give it a spin.

Sorry: professional (comic) help is being sought for my puns.