The First of it’s Kind: Panasonic’s Exhibition Vehicle
We are incredibly excited to have been given the opportunity by one of our long-standing clients, Alphabet, to venture into a new area of vehicle conversions with our latest build. Over the years, we have partnered with Alphabet to produce a variety of bespoke conversions for their clients. Our latest collaboration has produced a first-of-its-kind vehicle, which has been converted for a well-known electronics company who needed something a little different to showcase their wide range of products.
Panasonic is one of the largest consumer electronics companies in the world and they are well-known by many for producing a huge variety of technology, from televisions and cameras, right up to the latest advanced in home heating and cooling systems. To exhibit a select few of their brand-new electronics, Panasonic required a mobile unit which could be easily used to demonstrate these products to consumers all across the country. That’s where we came in to help!
In order to support all of their new equipment, Panasonic opted for a Peugeot Boxer Luton van. This vehicle is large enough to transport the sizable electronics but is also easy enough for the Panasonic team to drive. To the exterior, we have installed an electric side step and heavy-duty awning which provides additional outdoor space. Two high-intensity scene lights have also been installed to illuminate this area.
To help exhibit their new range, the Panasonic team selected a variety of their latest electronics including a high-powered air conditioning unit, an air source heat pump, boilers and more. A television, positioned in the centre of the vehicle, is another important feature. It includes one of our HDMI sockets which automatically connects to the television and mirrors a laptop when plugged in, allowing direct access to Panasonic’s full inventory.
Throughout the build process, we spent lots of time working directly with Panasonic to decide on the perfect layout for all of their products. It was incredibly important that their new vehicle was user friendly as it will be operated by a variety of different team members. Being a large space with plenty of full-height equipment, we wanted to ensure that it still felt spacious and was well lit. So, to create an open, airy feel, we combined two large skylights and striking orange interior accents with a variety of different LED lights including our standard blue / white roof LED’s, low-level blue LED lighting and a Monaco-style colour changing roof panel.
With Panasonic travelling across the country in their new exhibition vehicle, we had to ensure that the team on-board are well looked after. We constructed a custom workstation with a fresh water sink which can be used by the team for refreshments. Storage was another important factor for Panasonic, so each workstation includes lockable storage compartments below. At the rear, a comfortable bench seat with plenty of storage underneath has also been included.
Electrical Equipment with Tim
Due to all of the high-tech electronics on board, Panasonic’s exhibition vehicle includes one of our most advanced electrical systems to date! The electronics require a significant amount of power, so our specialist vehicle electrician, Tim, has designed an extraordinary safe and advanced system.
Tim is an important member of the SCW team and has been with us since 2006. He has worked on many of our bespoke builds but Panasonic’s vehicle may have been on of his most complex!
‘Panasonics vehicle includes many electrical circuits so I wanted to design a system that is not only safe and reliable, but also functional and easy to use.’
The Panasonic team could be using the vehicle for long periods at a time, so Tim’s design ensures that although the battery bank cannot be completely depleted, they won’t ever be without power.
‘Due to potential multiple high-power demands, the large auxiliary battery bank realistically hasn’t an exhaustible life, so an installed external hook-up socket can be utilised by either on-site power or by the on-board generator. When on the go, the vehicle’s alternator will be put to use to replenish the battery bank.’
When batteries are continually drained and recharged, their potential battery cycle life is compromised. This will definitely shorten their service life, resulting in costly replacement. To avoid this scenario, Tim has incorporated a ‘Battery Guard System’.
‘The Battery Guard System prevents the batteries from falling to a damaging level by setting a safe threshold. Once this threshold has been reached, a warning LED light will flash to alert the user of imminent shut down where upon external power options can be deployed. I have incorporated a digital display that shows a variety of information including percentage capacity remaining (similar to a phone charge). With this, users can forward plan potential usage in real time.’
Consideration for user safety is a major part of what we do here at Stanford Coachworks, so Tim has carefully devised a plan to ensure the safety of the Panasonic team, should they need to replace equipment or isolate a high voltage circuit.
‘I’ve installed a consumer unit similar to what you may find at home under the stairs. It incorporates a double pole isolating switch and double pole RCBO’s, or ‘trips’ to you and me, for maximum safety.' The external hook-up has a trip too.’
In hot weather, the system may be subject to unwanted heat by the inverter and also the auxiliary battery charger, so cooling fans are installed too.
‘The auxiliary battery bank and low voltage system has a rotary ‘kill switch’ to completely isolate the circuits from unwanted drain and also allow for safe maintenance. There is only one prerequisite, the vehicles hand brake must be deployed to enable anything to work at all, another little safety feature!’
Thanks to Alphabet & Panasonic
We would like to say a huge thank you to Alphabet for choosing us to carry out Panasonic’s bespoke conversion. It is definitely something different and we’re so pleased to have expanded our range again with another Stanford’s-first! We really hope that the Panasonic team enjoy this new way of showcasing their fantastic range of products and we hope that it is highly successful for them. We hope to continue partnering with Alphabet in the future to produce more unique vehicles.
Head over to our bespoke page to take a look at some more of the unique conversions that we have created. If you’re interested in something similar, call us today on 01375 676088 or alternatively you can enquire online now.