IoT for Cargo Van Camper Conversion

I bought this cargo van, a 2008 Ford E350 SD in the middle of August 2021. my plan is to gut the interior, and install a camper space inside. Along with the camper space, I intend to install solar power, RV - HVAC for the "house" area, and entertainment, as well as communications.There will be probably at least 3 Raspberry PI 3 B+ SBCs, and perhaps a few arduino ( for sensors, and various controls ).

The van has taken on the moniker of the Buddha B.O.B. (Bug Out Bus).

This is what the inside of the van looked like when I bought it.

I felt a lot like that I knew this should be my van, because it had a super secure roof rack, that I can install solar onto, and this 1000 watt pure sine wave inverter came with the van to boot!

One of the first things that I've done has been to remove these shelves, the raised floor, and clean the back of the van.

Soon after I pulled up the rubber floor, I exposed the sheet metal, and discovered that there was a great gaping rust hole on the passenger side, back.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/hzz4kw-help-with-van-repair

The repair will cost about $1000.00. (Soon, I will publish an expense report on everything, as we go).

Obviously it's the first hurdle to get over, and it turns out, that by my mother's generosity, she has loaned me the money to get it fixed, so any donations at the above link will go toward building out the camper portion.

2021/09/05 --
Just a waiting game at the moment, but there will be some prep work before the welding can be done.

The welding is scheduled for 2021/09/09, so at the time of writing I still have four days. It has been raining here lately, and I fear that if I expose rough metal it will generate more rust.

However.... What the plan is, is to prep the surfaces for cutting and welding by removing all the rust and paint that will be cut or welded. After I will power wash it, then dry it with terry cloth (bath towel), and finally using rubbing alcohol run along the edges to remove any grease from anywhere, hands, or the motor.

Some build considerations post welding job: I will have to paint the surfaces that were welded, and are exposed metal. I plan to use Rustoleum brand paint to do so.

After the weld process, the next step should be to work out the wiring. A consideration here will be to keep the wiring accessible so that I can use the space again after the wall and ceiling build in order to run post build wiring... for additions that I had forgotten.