Recent content by chris84

Anything is possible, its not the solar that is the limitation, its the inverter and battery system.

I might consider these over ampere time https://www.sokbattery.com/ I would be afraid of support with ampere time. 200AH is a good size for most people, but knowing your anticipated usage is the way to best size the system.

You can run the compressor and fan on electricity. You can even buy such a compressor already set up to run on electricity for a few hundred dollars. The amount of power it consumes is still very large. You need to have a fan turning for both the condenser and evaporator as well as the...

That has been my experience if I drive it manually (without cruise control) at about 65-70. Mine weights 7700 pounds FWIW

Pacifica hybrid gets 30mpg, probably a little better if you are mindful and drive 60mph. But the comprimises for cheap RV living don't really make sense. Its really expensive, offset by a tax credit on a new one. It only makes sense if you already wanted a top of the line deluxe minivan. If...

A follow up. I now own a 2021 hybrid pacifica and still have the 2018 Promaster. The pacifica is a vehicle to drive around, the promaster is a great vehicle to convert and live in.

If you are talking about an older van (before mid 2000s) then I would get the V8. Newer vans are just fine with the V6. The 3.8L V6 in my promaster has every bit as much power as the 5.9L V8 in my 89 dodge. Due to more gears in the transmission it outperforms it. The decision can't be made...

I clicked on the thread thinking of something that picked up police and EMS frequencies, and ended up putting a scanner in my cart at amazon

I made the decision for economics. That isn't really forced, but I would continue to pay for both rent and a car, or buy a van that covered both costs.

I've had both Pacifica and Promaster, and while the drivetrain is similar, the Pacifica is much too nice of a vehicle for van dwelling. All those things that make is so nice for long trips would get in the way for van dwelling. The non-hybrid pacifica has a fold flat second row, but the hybrid...

I live in my van while I work in the Northeast, around central Connecticut. I am not working right now due to Covid19 so I am in Texas for the duration but expect to return to work in July 2021. I drive my van (Ram Promaster 3500) to work during the day and find a place to park it at night. The...

Don't use a smaller power supply. It will not reduce the power used. It might burn up during those few times when more power is needed.

In general you are only going to need to get to the ends of the wires if you properly protect the wires. In residential and commercial construction the code requires access to junctions and terminations. Nothing should go wrong with the body of the wire (unless rodents...) any issues are at...

That would be pretty marginal. A fridge in an RV or van that runs on a compressor consumers about 30-50 amp hours per day (my experience in a variety of above freezing places) Solar varies a lot between summer and winter, but I use an average of 25 amp hours per day on sunny days per 100W...

For short trips I always found ice chests easier to deal with, because with a fridge if you turn it off after every trip you have to make sure and dry it out to prevent mildew anyway. When using my van every week I made the switch to a battery powered fridge and like it as well because I leave...