Battery charger

[jacqueg]

Well then, I don't know what to do.  Because I can't afford all the things you all are telling me to get.  How are other folks doing it because I guarantee you that half the people I observe living in vans are not spending this kind of money on power.  I know I'm not by myself in this.  I've talked to many solo women nomads who are equally scratching their heads and trying to understand how to get things set up.  And as a whole, we are a pretty smart group.

I hear you. I don't get this electro-speak at all, and it may be because people who get into it REALLY get into it, and take a lot for granted.

So I've decided to just punt until I've met enough people and seen enough systems that I can eventually just point at someone's system and say "That! I want that!"

For me, punting includes -

Rechargeable LED lanterns - I have one that puts out 400 lumens, and it casts a small circle of light sufficient for me to read comfortably. I'm thinking I might get a 1000 lumen to give more of a lit room effect, but it's not necessary. In addition, I have a couple Dietrich hurricane lanterns that I bought years ago for power outages, which run on regular lamp oil. They don't put out near the lumens that the old-fashioned Coleman lanterns put out, but they put out enough that I may decide not to bother getting the larger LED lantern.

LED battery bank - These are a bit spendy, but will certainly keep your cell phone charged up for several days without running an engine. My smart phone holds a fair amount of music too, and sounds great with headphones.

Outdoor extension cords - besides campgrounds with hookups, a lot of highway rest stops have electrical outlets, as do some day use areas. Also, you might find a driveway camping spot with a friend/acquaintance. Be prepared.

Ice chest - after getting really excited about the prospect of a real refrigerator, I realized that I never needed one when I was doing biological field work for 10 days at a time, and I don't need one now. I don't eat meat or dairy, and any good camping food book has recipes for meals using canned/dehydrated food. I load a cooler with enough fresh food to last a couple days, or until the ice runs out. Then I eat non-fresh until I make another town run. 

If you're not worried about solar panels, you can park in the shade, and not need a fan so much. So when it's hot, don't stay in areas where there is no tree cover or big rocks.

Yes, someday I will want more. But I can get by without it until I have a clear idea of what that "more" is.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Jacqueg, I think you should start a little thread about this.

Minimal camping without a fridge, or solar, or much else in the way of high-tech. 

Low-tech van-camping if-you-will. 

 

[tripper]

Many of the 12v permanent LED lights are only 3 watts, they are very bright, two of them in a van will give you plenty of light and take very little battery power.