Hi new here, from San Diego

[vanvanvanvan123]

I bought the book associated with this site, by Robert Wells; Excellent book!

Number one concerns Stealth parking
temperature control both warm and cold but especially too warm.
Even coastal Calif gets up there at times. I do not want to endure heat.

The biggest unsolved problem is when it gets too warm. (Call me a wuss, I could care less... I am willing to hear that, but am not willing to be very warm.) My thought is Cargo van... is preferred over van with windows because windows require camoflage- drapes material on windows etc. A red flag for neighbors and security, no?

Whether windows or cargo van, HEAVY insulation might be the cost ( loss of space ) of keeping the air conditioned temp preserved. This leads to sleeping towards the roof of van because CO2 is heavier than air. Meaning no vent as I sleep up high in the van. If insulation was thick enough, the cool temp might be preservable for 6 hours?
This is my hope.
Thoughts appreciated
Thank you

 

[Donedirtcheap]

Wuss? Don't worry, I'm getting called much worse than that With what you have said it would seem like you will need to be plugged into 120 volts or run a generator so you can run a/c. If you don't need a/c, solar works.

 

[vanvanvanvan123]

What about this basic concept Drive on a hot day with AC on full blast directed in the mid section of the van. with 6 to 10 inches of insulation ( whatever it would take ) ALL around the van's "mid section"... like a cocoon. When temp drops to 60- 65F- shut down engine- I go in the mid section but up higher because of exhaling CO2.. I need to breath air not so much CO2. My question is how long would it remain cool?
My hope is 5 hours. enough time to sleep. Then repeat process.. if AC is powerful ( I have noticed big differences in how quickly a car cools off) possibly only 10 minutes of driving ( or idling if I felt safe to do so ) would cool inner mid section again.
Basic hypotheisis is insultation if thick enough, would hold the temperature to a comfortable zone.. for a reasonable practical amount of time ( so you would not have to start engine every hour!! ) .
I am willing to sacrifice space for comfort.
Any thoughts on the power of 6 to 12 inches of all encompassing insulation, with NO vent !

Added and vital benefit, the cool room would be greatly sound proofed. Since inadvertent snoring at 300 AM could be a problem!

 

[Stargazer]

My bed is high, I cannot sit up on it, and it is always noticeably warmer than near the floor (hot air rising). A couple of times, I laid on the floor. A battery operated fan helps.

I don't know how that much insulation will maintain temperature. Losing a foot of space in all directions would be a deal killer in my E-150. It would leave a space maybe 3-4' wide by 6-7' long by 3-4' tall. Sorta like a coffin. And your body heat/exhalations may heat that up pretty fast, no matter the insulation. And how much weight would that much insulating add?

If temperature is top priority over space, you may want to consider something like a Prius. There is a lady who lives/travels in hers for months at a time; the engine cycles on and off to keep the AC running and it works great for her. Anyone have her blog address? I think her name is Sue?

 

[vanvanvanvan123]

Thank you... But how can one possibly live in a car?? I had wondered about a Prius for that very reason, not to mention the amazing gas mileage . Where would you park? The windows cannot legally be made black enough to not arouse suspicion!

 

[blkjak]

welcome from s.w. florida .... blkjak

 

[blueberry]

Thank you... But how can one possibly live in a car?? I had wondered about a Prius for that very reason, not to mention the amazing gas mileage . Where would you park? The windows cannot legally be made black enough to not arouse suspicion!

Suanne explains all that on her blog: http://suanneonline.blogspot.com/p/why-prius-rv.html

Links on the right side answer questions about her bed, bathroom setup, heating and cooling, etc.

 

[Ladywolfe]

Welcome van van!

 

[akrvbob]

One possible solution to the ever-present problem of heat in a van is a combination of

1) super-insulation,
2) a small window or portable AC
3) Honda 2000 generator.

Run the Honda for an hour at a time and cool down the room and have it last for a few hours or overnight. If you have to leave your pet in the van for work all you need is:

1) Run the Honda for an hour before work and leave the pet in the room.
2) 4 hours later at lunch, run the Honda again till it is cool again.
3) After work drive "home" with the van AC on. That's only 2 hours on the Honda which isn't much money.

For insulation I would use PolyIso from Home Depot. It is R-6 per inch and 3 inches would be R-18 and 4 inches would be R-24, that is a lot! You probably can afford to give up 3-4 inches per wall and the roof. If you haven't bought your van yet you could get a box van which is 8 foot wide and that will let you buy as much insulation as you can afford!!
Bob

 

[Patrick46]

Hiya Van!

There's just so much 'cool' information on this forum....I love this place!!

Welcome from up on the Oregon Coastline!

Patrick

 

[vanvanvanvan123]

Thanks everybody... I am racking my brain trying to decide on the best course of action! I am living with a married couple who more or less smoke and drink all day and night! My rent is $450 for a room, and I am very uncomfortable in their place now! My income has taken a big hit at the beginning of 2014, so I am trying to keep it together, for my next "move" -)

 

[Simran]

Welcome van van,
I'd say your first move is to get out of that room and into your vehicle what ever it is. you may get hassled by the authorities a couple times before you figure out where to camp but you'll figure it out.