Autosleeper Dorset owner

Hello everyone, I introduced myself a couple of weeks ago and have now taken ownership of my lovely new to me Autosleeper Symbol.  It has been meticulously looked after by the previous owner Derek Steele and I feel very lucky to be its next owner.  If Derek is on here I would love to ask him a few questions if that is allowed. There is a weird cylinder thingy in the glove compartment which I have no idea of and also a switch under the cooker alongside other switches and fuses which doesn’t seem to do anything or affect anything if turned off. The reg is HX13 GMG.
Jules

If you put a couple of photos on, you will likely get some answers anyway

Fixer wrote:If you put a couple of photos on, you will likely get some answers anyway

Thank you fixer I will do that, however the items I refer to have been installed by the owner and did not come with the van so could be difficult . I’ll take some photos tomorrow.

BobK wrote:Could your switch under the cooker be a hob isolator switch, assuming you have a gas/electric cooker?   My 2005 Rienza had one.

Oh that’s a point, I’ll hook up later and check it to see.  The chap that did the handover had no idea. He did turn the hot plate on but I’m not sure if he’d turned that switch off first. Another suggestion was it may have been a switch for a microwave but I don’t think the original owner had one.
Thank you Bob. It’s all a bit daunting at first as every van has different quirks.  

I also can’t work out how to Bluetooth my phone to the radio as can’t seem to find a setting in the radio despite there being buttons on the steering wheel to accept calls etc. .

If the cylinder thingy has an offset it might be for putting oil in the engine.

Dave Gee wrote:If the cylinder thingy has an offset it might be for putting oil in the engine.

Thanks Dave I’ll take a some photos of all the things I can’t work out.

Just coming back to this topic as realise I hadn’t updated it. 

I am now in touch with the previous lovely owners of my Dorset and they have answered all my questions.

Hi BobK I’m not sure they will help anyone else as all were additions by the original owner but here they are anyhow: 
The cylinder was hand made and slots into the air vent at the base of the sofa to point air in the forward direction of the van rather than at the toilet door.
The switch was for the original air con unit which he took out and replaced with a Heiki roof window and fan.
The cylinder is a very good idea and I’ve heard of others doing that on other vans.

Hi Jules, I know, It’s a bit late in the day (I’m catching up on here as just joined) but I’m about to pick up a new-to-me AutoSleeper Dorset ES on a Fiat base. 2002 plate. When I viewed I thought it was odd that the heater blows out towards the back of the van. I would love to see some pics of this cylinder solution your previous owner created as it sounds like a good idea.  What’s it made of please?

Nelly wrote:Hi Jules, I know, It’s a bit late in the day (I’m catching up on here as just joined) but I’m about to pick up a new-to-me AutoSleeper Dorset ES on a Fiat base. 2002 plate. When I viewed I thought it was odd that the heater blows out towards the back of the van. I would love to see some pics of this cylinder solution your previous owner created as it sounds like a good idea.  What’s it made of please?

Hi Nelly have just taken some photos for you.  It’s some kind of metal tube with a jam jar lid glued on is all I can explain it as. Haven’t used it as only had my van for two months but it does fit in the vent so will definitely work. Hope you enjoy your new van! Julie 

Thanks Jules, that’s interesting isn’t it? I’ll certainly keep this in mind as a work around if we need to re-direct the heat. Pick our van up in the morning. Nervous and excited. 

Nelly wrote:Thanks Jules, that’s interesting isn’t it? I’ll certainly keep this in mind as a work around if we need to re-direct the heat. Pick our van up in the morning. Nervous and excited. 

Hope it all goes well and the van is exactly as you need it.  Very exciting for you.