peacetara's 1999 Ford E-350 Diesel Extended Van.

[peacetara]

Hi Cedric, <br /><br />I don't run very much currently, a small 12v fan on some days, and then my laptop (9hrs/day) and my phone.&nbsp; That's it so far.&nbsp; This is why it charges so quickly.&nbsp; Plus my laptop is only on M-F during work hours (which also happen to be daylight hours, YAY)<br /><br />You really need to 'size' your power to your needs.&nbsp; 1 way to do that is to list all the things you want to do, how long you want to do them (every day) and then add all that up, so you know how much electricity you need in a day.<br /><br />I did mine in a spreadsheet, showing each item, the watts, amps and volts for everything I wanted to run (generally the back of the device or plug has this information), and approx. how long I plan on running them each day.&nbsp; I add all that up, and that's how much power I want for 1 day.<br /><br />Then you figure out how to make that much electricity every day, and you probably want batteries that will store a few days worth of power, not just the 1 day.&nbsp; Right now I can go about 2 or 3 work days on my 100 amp hour battery before getting to 50%, without any solar.&nbsp; I have a 200 watt solar panel (I spent all my budgeted money on the panel, as it's the biggest hardest thing to replace.)<br /><br />I hope to eventually increase my battery bank, so it's not just 100ah, but that will probably not happen until this battery dies.<br /><br />It's sort of like water, you figure out, ok I use about 1 gallon a day, so if I want to be away from a water source for a week, then I need about 10 gallons of water (1 for each day of the week plus a little extra to be safe). Running out of water is a giant bummer.<br /><br />Electricity demand is totally different per person, I don't have a TV, DVD, a kindle or a 12v light, so my math won't be the same as yours.&nbsp; Plus, I run my laptop 9hrs a day (I work full time off of it) M-F, so that's clearly my large power drain (and still it's not all THAT large, since I don't use an AC inverter, I plug in 12V directly, and that helps a lot).<br /><br />Anyways, hope this helps, and there are forum topics all about solar panels directly, and Bob wrote some on the main cheapgreenrvliving page, all worth looking at!

 

[wildmountainhoney]

Sounds like it's really coming together for you! I can't wait to see pics of your progress!

 

[peacetara]

@DazarGaidin @wildmountainhoney<br /><br />Thanks!!! I will try to get pics taken tomorrow. I've been swamped working, dealing with the van, building a chicken coop, and keeping up with 4 kids.&nbsp; Busy busy week!<br /><br />Today with insulation I got 2 roof panels, and the other side cut and ready for sticking to the walls, but I'm having the kids draw all over them first, so that I have a nice fun inside, instead of boring white insulation walls <img src="/images/boards/smilies/tongue.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br id="tinymce" class="mceContentBody " />Next week I'm off to the Sierra NF to meet @akrvbob and the gang, so hopefully it will slow down some! Then I'm headed to Seattle for a couple weeks, and then will go find somewhere nice for the winter.&nbsp; Or that's my plan anyway.<br /><br id="tinymce" class="mceContentBody " />With Love,<br />Tara

 

[wildmountainhoney]

Awww, your schedule sounds super full! I just meant at some point when you have time! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[peacetara]

Ok, pics, documentation, etc are all <a href="http://tara.birl.org/?p=9">here</a> for the Solar setup, with the battery mounted underneath the van in a battery box (that came with the van, YAY).<br /><br />@DazarGaidin @wildmountainhoney<br /><br />That is for you <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />Plus you all get a bonus sneak peak at my new wall! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; Attached below is the cutout ready to be installed foam panel for 1 of the walls.&nbsp; I asked the kids to draw, color, paint and otherwise make it more attractive.&nbsp; This is what they have done so far <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br /><br />With Love,<br />Tara

 

[angeli]

peacetara,<br /><br />This all sounds amazing!&nbsp; I'm so happy this is working well for you. Thanks for doing such a great job of documenting!!!<br /><br />Peace, Tara.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />M.A.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

You got some artists on your hands there <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">&nbsp; Nice...

 

[peacetara]

I've been a little busy living and less busy building, planning and dealing with my 'house'.<br /><br />I did this past weekend get more done with the insulation. I now have the roof completely done, the wall between the driver area and the house done, and the 2 side walls done.&nbsp; I also have Styrofoam that covers most of the sliding door, but it doesn't STAY there, it just comes out at night.&nbsp; I don't have enough room to put the 3/4" board I've been using and be able to open the door to have it permanently installed.&nbsp; I am thinking about trying 1/2" I think that will fit, and still allow the door to be opened.<br /><br />The back doors are 1/2 done, everything but the windows.<br /><br />It makes a HUGE difference just getting this little extra done!<br /><br />I'll work on pictures soonish, I've been city camping most of this trip, which is unfortunate, but I've been in a touch of a hurry since I have some hard deadlines I have to meet on this trip. Once I'm past these deadlines, I'm going to make sure I double or even triple my estimates for travel than I did this trip, so I totally don't have to be in a hurry again, I'm not a big fan of this city camping by the freeway business, even if it does make travel go faster, it's not that pleasant!<br /><br />With Love,<br />Tara

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Well its nice to know you CAN do it if you have to though <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[CarCampire]

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Wow! I would really love to see the final product; from what I've read you were up to insulation some months ago. Please post more pictures!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Questions...</span><br /><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Out of all the Ford's I've seen (e350 cargo van types); the majority I read about get 13-18 MPG but this '1999 Ford e-350 diesel extended van' you got your hands on -I read- gets around <span style="color: #008000;">20MPG</span> - Is that true?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">I also LOVE the solar panel fixed to the roof racks. This looks like something I would get racks for JUST because you don't have to permanently fix the solar panel to the roof (goodness knows you will have to replace it eventually and it may not be the same size). It looks like a good idea but I wonder if it makes strange noises, seems unstable (you worry about it) or slows your vehicle at higher speeds?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;"> About the batter; you mentioned:</span><br /><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;"><em><span id="post_message_1275124876"> 'the E-350 has a spot for a second battery right under the sliding door on the passenger side (mounted to the frame)</span>.'</em></span><br /><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Can you post a picture of this please? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">More pix in general and please; more updates! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">Good luck and happy travels!</span><br /><br />

 

[peacetara]

I don't have a final product, but I'll work on some more pictures. As I type this it's 20 degrees outside the van.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br /><br />I average 17, I did get a tank or two of 20 tho. <br /><br />I don't worry about the rack or the panel at all.&nbsp; I dunno anything about what noise it might make, I'm deaf.&nbsp; I'll try to remember the next hearing person what they hear next time I have one along.&nbsp; I would recommend it, and Bob's blog shows pictures of it getting installed.<br /><br />I have no idea how to take a good picture of the battery place down there, but I'll see what I can do.<br /><br />With Love,<br />Tara