Ikea alex kitchen pod DIY

[zeratul]

No, that was just an idea. They are squeezed all the way to the back next to each other. I shortened the drawer above them a little bit so the connections would work. This worked out perfectly and we still have half te space in the bottom available.

 

[chris_elliott_]

No, that was just an idea. They are squeezed all the way to the back next to each other. I shortened the drawer above them a little bit so the connections would work. This worked out perfectly and we still have half te space in the bottom available.

ah. I too like the idea of it being removable in one, and my leisure battery sockets are at the back of the passenger front seat

 

[zeratul]

Yes, and we use the space between alex and the base of the seat to store quite some things.

 

[zeratul]

I've dropped the magnets idea in the end. And very happy with this secure mechanical solution. Note the white switches for each drawer.
Also a very handy idea I came with, to put some clothes on the roof for quick access.
Not sure if anybody using this method.
It is just 2 belts mounted over the bed.

@Sp0_0k,

What is this bar above the window with the hooks attached and how did you fix it? Very interested in that system...

 

[Sp0_0k]

It is a well known cali shelf from a german manufacturer.
http://calitop.eu/index.php?cat=c5_Shelves-Shelves-5.html
Shelves aren't that great but bars with hooks are very useful.
You can get the bar alone without the shelf.

 

[Monkeytree]

If I was building one again I'd consider ditching the wage tank completely. There seems to be a chassis hole with a rubber gasket under the front seats where you could run a waste pipe neatly, then just let the sink run out to the grass if just washing your hands or put a tank underneath if in a campsite. Just a thought.

Also I took my pod out the other day and there was mould growing on the cold pipe in the fresh water tank, any one else had this? There had been water sitting in it for a couple of weeks?

 

[zeratul]

Also I took my pod out the other day and there was mould growing on the cold pipe in the fresh water tank, any one else had this? There had been water sitting in it for a couple of weeks?

Yes had that as well. Decided to always empty the water tank after a couple of days.
It's with any water tank, they sell additives to prevent that but I'm not sure it'd be healthy.
We don't drink the water from the tap, we use bottled water for that. But we use it for washing and cooking.

 

[Monkeytree]

Yep its strange, I don't know how it differs ( or if it does) in a normal camper van. I always put Milton through the water tank every year to disinfect things on a normal camper van, but don't know if it would have the same problems? Could it be something to do with the water tanks on this being open to the air, or clear plastic to let sunlight in or something?

 

[WelshGas]

Yep its strange, I don't know how it differs ( or if it does) in a normal camper van. I always put Milton through the water tank every year to disinfect things on a normal camper van, but don't know if it would have the same problems? Could it be something to do with the water tanks on this being open to the air, or clear plastic to let sunlight in or something?

Any water container/pipe work that is transparent/semitransparent will encourage the growth of algae. The SE/Ocean tanks are not exposed to light and the pipe work is opaque.
Milton or the equivalent should be used at least annually on all water systems

 

[Sp0_0k]

Will use this thread to share my modifications. Because they are Alex related. In order to unfold the bed with permanently secured Alex in 2seater Beach, the bench should be shortened around 5sm. Also wanted it carpeted for easier boxes manipulation.

Added a net at the bottom that holds extra table and some other stuff.
Turned out not that hard to build from a plywood. Now that I have a footprint can build a new one in 30 minutes.

 

[Stuart]

@zeratul all your photos have disappeared. Would you be able to upload them again please? I'm thinking of making something similar and keen to see yours

 

[zeratul]

Apparently stupid Dropbox no longer allows public image links... https://www.dropbox.com/help/16
I will move them somewhere else and edit the links.

 

[zeratul]

Alright, image restore is done. Still very happy with the Alex. Just finished packing for Morocco.. Alex fully loaded.

 

[MattBW]

All approved and should be visible now.

 

[Stuart]

Thanks! And good to hear you're still happy with him

 

[Stuart]

I can understand that point. I only do it once every month or so. I put it a rolling furniture mover on wheels.
But even Maxxcamp compact (made our of lightweight ply) is recommended to be carried in/out by two persons.

 

[Sp0_0k]

Just wanted to share our most recent setup from 3 weeks trip.
Alex idea is just brilliant. We have an extended table with top drawer.
Got two 50L Indel B freezers. They fit perfectly both on left side. We ran one as a freezer packed with food for long wild trips and 2nd as a normal fridge. Fill both with fresh caught frozen fish when getting back from Norway
Got a very nice inflatable 26L Decathlon cooling box sitting on the storage box.
I also added a small removable plastic box to the side of the alex.

 

[Sp0_0k]

Forgot to mention our great invention. We've made the insulation clothing for the fridge. One from neoprene and 2nd from fleece. They run more effective in freeze mode now draining lot less battery power.

 

[Dennis W]

I've posted a couple of times little pieces about my self made IKEA Alex kitchen pod, but I thought I make a separate topic as the information right now is scattered everywhere.

The base I started from is this one
http://www.ikea.com/be/nl/catalog/products/50255287/#/00261295
It's 36cm wide, 59cm deep and it works in 7 seater mode. The height is more or less the height of the California table.
I've shortened some of the drawers to allow for a mini sink to be installed. Shortening the drawers means some sawing and using a multi tool to recreate the shapes for the back, not too hard.
Water sink and tap system I used is this one
http://xtc.aulich24.de/product_info.php?info=p206_Wasserversorgung-kpl---Set-1.html
The a campa stove which fits perfectly in the first drawer but can be taking out for camping:
http://www.kampa.co.uk/cookers-stoves/uni-portable-gas-stove
Second drawer is used for cuttlery and some otherstuff
Third drawer stores all plates, cups, cooking pans
Bottom two drawers are no longer drawers, which allowed me to save a lot of space for the water containers (can now be stacked next to one another) and so about half the bottom space is available for storing stuff.
I've added USB charger socket, 12v socket in the back for the fridge and leisure battery tester (all from ebay)
The drawers are using magnets to prevent them from opening while driving.
I've glued rubber anti-slip-anti-vibration pieces (used for underneath free standing speakers) below the waeco and it doesn't slide around anymore, will do the same for porta potti.

It works quite well. At night we move the fridge on to of the kitchen unit so we can make up the bed and this is about a disadvantage - it can be heavy to lift when full. Also the sink is small and not usable for washing pots and pans, but it's perfect for washing hands, brushing teeth, and taking water for cooking. We use a small bowl to do the dishes or the camping facilities.

About EUR 250-300 total price.

Thanks for sharing, just been to ikea and bought one.

 

[zeratul]

Still the cheapest kitchen pod you can buy on the market
In use for over 2 years now, still works like a charm. Perhaps I should stock up a spare one in case Ikea decides to delist it. It's that cheap... compared to other pods.

 

[Mikron]

Sorry for restarting an old hread, but my question specifically regards this topic, so I thought I'd rather post it here, than making a new thread - admins, I apologise if this is not the right way to do it!

Anyway, what I need to know the clearance of the folded-down sofabed, from floor to underneath the bed, as well as the distance from the back of the driver's seat to the sofa. I love what you zeratul have done with the cutout in he back of the Alex so that your fridge fits underneath the bed when folded down!
Now, I'm thinking of getting either the Dometic/Waeco CFX35 or CFX40 and as far as I can see comparing the dimensions of yours to these (https://camping-bulli.de/produkt/kompressor-kuehlbox-dometic-waeco-coolfreeze-cf35/ and https://www.dometic.com/ui/producti...mh=1000&hash=90ED0B70C0293275076AE870210EDAD4) the CFX35 is 2.6cm taller and 3.8cm wider (the CFX40 is the same width but an additional 5cm taller).

I've been studying your pictures in post #19 in this thread, but can't seem to decide whether the CFX35 would be able to fit underneath the folded-down bed. What do you reckon?
I'm anxiously waiting to get my 2013 T5 Beach 4Motion, so can't measure this myself, but at the same time I need to get the fridge sorted soon!

 

[zeratul]

Hi, no problem, I'm still around.
Must say that this setup - Alex + Waeco CF35 fridge positioned in such a way that you can still make the lower bed has a couple disadvantages as well
- The passenger sitting in the back seat bench behind hit has literally no leg room. For us this was no problem a couple of years ago, but as this little child is now turning 7, his legs have grown as well.
- It requires the drivers seat (for EU cars, not an issue in the UK probably) to be not in the rear most position. That's not for everyone. If it's behind a passenger seat without a steering wheel, probably less of an issue.

It was quite tight with the CF35. But it worked on many great trips.

I've been thinking of making a new pod, where the fridge slides uit sideways (towards the rear bench). I just don't have the time... I saw a great self-made pot on the french forum.

If I were to buy a fridge today I would go for a door-based one probably as it is easier to integrate.
Look at this guy on the french forum https://t5calif.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=5458&start=30

It's a nice setup that allows 3 persons to sit on the bench, yet still make the bed. Could pair it with a rail-mounted cooking plate.. (like the T6.2 beach has an option).

 

[Mikron]

I can understand with the kids growing up - I only have one for now and she's still an infant, so many years before I have to worry about that

Integrating the fridge in the kitchen pod does fix the problem, but creates another as you will need to find space somewhere else for the water and greywater tanks.

Might I ask you to do some measuring whenever you have time for it, please? Basically the width at narrowest point between the Alex and the folded-down bed, and the clearance of the bed itself from the floor. Thank you!

 

[zeratul]

I'll try to find the time for this in the weekend.

 

[Mikron]

Thank you!