Labora is about a mobile office, a corporate motorhome. Interesting for camper builders too.
This post is about using a USB camera connected to a phone for the purpose of having a complementary rear-view mirror. The technology is, of course, more widely applicable. The reason for doing this is that the factory-supplied camera (Fiat Ducato 2021) is of mediocre quality and several “car cameras” on offer have proved to … Read more
This page evaluates some (PCB) camera’s based on 4K 8MP sensors, in particular Sony IMX415, with hardware compression. It concerns both USB and IP camera’s. The page is intended for supporting page “Labora: Mirrors, camera’s and security“. Subject to change… Power supply from LFP LiFePO4 (LFP) batteries play a crucial role because of the off … Read more
Een automatische schakelaar of auto-switch is een schakelaar die zelf schakelt tussen netspanning en een stroomaggregaat van 230 Volt. Hoe werkt zo’n automatische schakelaar in combinatie met accu’s? Waarom een automatische schakelaar? Netspanning is de spanning die je hebt als jouw bus, camper, boot of huisje aangesloten is op “walspanning” en boordspanning is de spanning … Read more
“Diesel uitlaatvloeistof” of “Diesel Exhaust Fluid” of “DEF” is een neutrale naam voor de vloeistof die de stikstofuitstoot (NOx) van dieselmotoren drastisch reduceert. In de volksmond is het beter bekend als AdBlue. Echter, AdBlue is een geregistreerde handelsnaam. Wat is DEF? De standaard ISO 22241-4:2023 spreekt over: “NOx reduction agent AUS 32″. Daarmee hebben we … Read more
Het volgende is bedoeld om een beter beeld te geven van de motoroliemarkt in het algemeen. Om concreter te zijn is het voorbeeld uitgewerkt met een specifieke oliestandaard (van Fiat) en enkele merken smeermiddelen. Leveranciers is gevraagd te reageren op onderstaande punten. Introductie Kijkende naar motoroliespecificatie “fiat 9.55535-DS1”: De enige goedgekeurde motorolie is Selenia WR … Read more
The following is intended to provide a better picture of the motor oil market in general. To be more concrete, the example has been worked out with a specific oil standard and some brands of lubricants. Suppliers have been asked to respond to the points below. Introduction Citing engine oil specification “fiat 9.55535-DS1”: The only … Read more
Social aspects aside, energy consumption is critical when we work on the road, “in the middle of nowhere”, in the van. Some notes on energy accounting with solar panels and batteries. Starter notes Balance As it stands, we can work a working week where the batteries have a little less capacity each day. At the … Read more
Every active virtual machine in VirtualBox consumes extra power. In an economical and efficient setup (debloated), it is 10 watts for Ubuntu machines running idle and even 14 watts for Windows 10 and 11 machines. In normal cases, the extra power consumption is considerably higher. ln a mobile working environment or on a laptop, it … Read more
This article is under development. It is about an alternative approach to mirrors and cameras for security and observation for a mobile environment – in this case, the office on wheels “Labora”. Of course we want more and more but it starts with a basic solution and from that point we build on. This will … Read more
This page is highly subject to change. This page is about a workspace (1 of 2) for ICT work in the van. It involves a table, a monitor that is extendable and so on. The off grid network has worked out well and is operational. The electrical circuit To control a linear actuator, an ON-OFF-ON … Read more
In a case with two standard panels, say ~400Wp each, there are situations where you may want to switch form parallel to serial. A possible case for this is when you want a mode to add 230V to the grid or want a mode to charge LiFePO4 cells. For that a heavy switch is required, … Read more
There are two inverters, one for permanent use for computers and so on and one high power inverter for cooking for example. The small one is not new and served us for several years in the old van. I’ve shot some video’s: Solving serious issues(!) This concerns the small permanent inverter Some pictures of the … Read more
Update: Onderstaande review staat op zichzelf maar de Anssems-organisatie geeft geen thuis als het gaat om het nemen van verantwoordelijkheid aangaande de onvoldoende constructie van spanbanden. Een organisatie is zo sterk als de zwakste spanband. Na anderhalf jaar nog steeds geen antwoord, laat staan een oplossing. Je zult maar een auto onderweg verliezen omdat de … Read more
Het ontwikkelen en bouwen van een mobiele werkomgeving, dat is de essentie van Labora. Voor het gemak zou je het project kunnen omschrijven als het bouwen van een zakencamper – busje. De nadruk ligt dus expliciet op het kunnen werken op verschillende plaatsen en expliciet niet op reizen en entertainment. Hoewel veel dingen lijken op … Read more
Mijn “mentoren” Non profit organisaties Vloggers Ingrediënten (leveranciers) Dat zijn er extreem veel maar de leveranciers die eruit springen vanwege prijs, service enzovoorts, en of omdat het makkelijk is hier een overzicht te maken, noem ik hier. Lijmen en kitten Exterieur Interieur Beplating Constructie Isolatie Elektronica More…
If corrosion occurs between contacts, this can cause a fire hazard. In a world with an aerosol for every problem, I would like to go back to basics. Case: Bus bars on LiFePO4 batteries That is a good example. The battery has an aluminium head with a threaded hole and the copper connecting strip is … Read more
Busbars for LFP or LiFePO4 batteries are usually consisting of a copper strip with two holes. Do never use these strips in a mobile environment with exclamation marks, always apply braided copper connectors. In the end, vibrations will always loosen the fasteners, with fire as a result. This aspect is totally underrated, I cannot stress … Read more
Self adhesive cable tie mounts These mounts are valuable and cheap (how can?). This short clip is convincing. Apply them at 10 cm, 4″, intervals. Shown with a foot print of 18 * 18 mm. Available at Asian sites.
Under construction, draft. Abstract approach You can do many things with a diesel water heater, like frost protection of the water tank, engine pre heating and so on. Both the engine and the diesel heater produce hot water and the question is what you will do with that water, regardless of the source of heat. … Read more
The climate in an enclosed space is a complex subject. There are many facets to climate, such as humidity, temperature, ventilation, condensation, rot and mould, damage to structures, emotions about comfort such as “stuffy” and “nice temperature” and “it’s chilly in here” and finally the CO2 and O2 content is important. How not to do … Read more
The resistance of the bodywork of a car… The question is to what extent the resistance of the bodywork is negligible. What is this resistance anyway? If you search for it, you will not find any information. A search for some answers and a surprising conclusion! If you install a high power inverter you probably … Read more
There is a lot of information on the net and I cannot and do not want to be exhaustive. However, this page is intended as a basic explanation of the project – the battery part. Part 1: What you need to know. Part 2: The building of the batteries. And always remember: “With great power … Read more
The Labora project is extensive. This page is a table of contents to maintain structure – I also use it when writing. Use the table below to navigate and then click on the links. What is Project Labora? Some principals… Credits Installation Cable logistics Electricity Conductors Electrical resistance of the car body Flexible braided copper … Read more
Er zijn diverse online calculators voor draadberekeningen. Ze werken als een black-box. Je stopt er gegevens in en jouw draadkeuze ligt vast. Dat is allemaal heel leuk en handig maar wie zegt je dat de uitkomsten kloppen? Omdat het relatief eenvoudig is om zo’n berekening met de hand te maken en vooral om beter te … Read more
Developing and building a mobile working environment, that’s the essence of Labora. For convenience, you could describe the project as building a business motorhome – van. So, the emphasis is on being able to work in different places and not on travelling and entertainment. Although many things are similar to a camper van, it is … Read more
Sommige filmpjes over het isoleren van campers laten zien hoe je het vooral niet moet doen. Er wordt heel wat structureel fout gedaan. Het punt is dat veel mensen in hun enthousiasme aan de gang gaan zonder echt goed te begrijpen wat de gevolgen van hun acties zijn. Vocht wordt opgesloten, PUR-spuitbussen worden leeg gespoten, … Read more
