Power needs for the Minimalist?

[One Awesome Inch]

Lights = LED puck style with internal disposable batteries.

Heat = little buddy propane

one burner stove = propane

computer size fan = small solar panel on dashboard

smart phone = starter battery

What am I missing that is "essential" ???

Maybe I can just skip the rooftop solar panel and/or house battery-alternator setup?

 

[flying kurbmaster]

refrigeration is the main reason for solar, in my mind. I have gotten by without it for some time but I have to either buy ice or in my case, I froze milk bottles in the fridge at work when working. I manage everything else with the house battery connected to the alternator, especially when moving regularly but I think if you plan on sitting in one place for more then a few days it would be nice to have a panel maybe two if you want to run a fridge.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

I am going to get by without a fridge. I can freeze up those little blue things daily at work and stick them in a small cooler.

Eventually, *maybe* I'll look into a fridge... but baby steps right now. Down the road maybe.

 

[Starlight]

I like the solar battery charger I saw on Bob's blog.
Many things can run on small batteries.
I did some comparison shopping after seeing the charger, and found there are an assortment of solar chargers. I can't remember which is which now, but there is a charger that can charge a laptop battery and more -- reaching 19volts and my laptop only needs 18. I'll have to shop and compare some more.

I'm staying away from propane right now. I have a small van and can break a frost with a candle heater. I won't be camping in a deep freeze if I can possibly help it, and I have done camping where I woke up with frost on my face -- but I survived it, thank you very much. Put coffee on and no hyperthermia to report. That was in a tent with a sleeping bag. I'll be in a van with a lot more insulation around me.

Air-conditioning?? Well, I'm going to find places where I can park under a shade tree. If that doesn't work well enough, I'll pull out my big blue tarp and make a tent over the van. That would double the shade of the screen house. Or maybe I'll find a big fire blanket to cover the car with to reflect the heat.

I've run across a free (one is broken) solar yard lantern post (had 3 lanterns) that seems to put out some nice light. I'll unscrew the top piece and set it on my car hood -- or hang from something. I'm going to be patient and keep a lookout for cheap accessories, or even a full solar setup -- maybe get a fridge -- but I can manage without it. Maybe I'll haul cold water from a mountain stream to keep the veggies cool and fresh. Freezer bags are so handy for water or veggies or ice.

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I'm also going to design a cooler with extra insulation around it, maybe woold blankets... inside another box, maybe using a sheet of foam to construct it.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

During a long, cold night an insulated van will equalize with outside temps by early morning. Cold eats heat much faster than heat eats cold.
I've had frost in my beard many times in a van when I was a newbie years ago. Nuts to candle heating...propane works and its cheap enough. Catalytic heaters rock on a cold morning.
I'm a little too old, bony, and freeze my butt off when temps drop.
That's not what I call comfort, thank you very much

 

[Starlight]

I've had the thought that if I'm in high elevation or if the weather is chilly, I'll park in a sunny place with the front facing the sunrise, and put something black on the dashboard. I might use an oil lamp under a couple of bricks, too, or under a big coffee can and heat my water up -- then go back to bed and watch the sun rise.

 

[GrinningPanther]

Hey Unity Gain,

I like your inquiry...

It seems to me that people living on wheels are either motivated by:

a) A desire to live with as few encumbrances as possible.

b) A desire to live with as many conveniences as possible, in minimal space and/or minimal expense.


In many cases, those two motivations clash with each other and pull a vandweller in different directions, causing ambivalence and indecision.

We all want freedom and security. But freedom from what? And security from what?

And, of course, what may seem to one person an extravagance might seem to another a necessity. Even the same person, at different points in their journey may move things between the categories of "extravagance" and "necessity."

Each person, once they see the field clearly, must decide what to bring along for the journey.

I'm in the process of grappling with that question now. :s

 

[Starlight]

@panther

Sometimes it is a question of -- how much leisure time one has. If you have somewhere you need to be... convenience is necessity.

For me... I am a writer... and so my laptop is a necessity.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Start with less and save the money to add what you learn you really need as you go. Better than spending and having a lot of useless junk you don't use.
I think I recall that being the KISS method.

 

[GrinningPanther]

Starlight, I agree. Depending on circumstances and commitments and values, convenience and necessity have to be determined by each person for his or her life.

Writer, huh? That's an interesting and often noble vocation. Have you ever done a post or article on your mobile writing lifestyle?

GP

 

[One Awesome Inch]

Start with less and save the money to add what you learn you really need as you go. Better than spending and having a lot of useless junk you don't use.
I think I recall that being the KISS method.

Definitely.

In my condo currently I have a small bucket under one of the pipes of the toilet to catch water drips (I have already replaced the entire insides... apparently it needs more attention), the fridge is leaking off and on and there more things that require attention as well.

With a poop bucket and a small cooler I wont have waste time and effort fixing such things.

I will always choose simple as long as I am comfortable... and its not about being a cheapskate either. For example, I plan to buy the most comfortable bed I can find. I know I'll use it alot so its worth the money.

So....

 

[Simran]

Unity Gain,
I agree with you and there was someone somewhere on a site I was on that didn't even have a fridge. But without one and if you use your van for your daily driver; you could easily get by on your starter battery and one house battery. Even just your starter battery if you were careful.
I went for the first 10 months without solar. I had one auxiliary battery and my starter battery. I had a propane fridge at the time too. I sold the propane fridge, bought a 12V fridge and put solar in real close to my year mark.
Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day!!

 

[Starlight]

@panther

You inquired about me writing a blog of my travels. I know a lot of people are doing that -- to keep in touch with family and friends and all the new friends they meet along the way -- and I have something in mind but it hasn't fully matured yet.

 

[Simran]

Seems I haven't fully matured yet either!!

@panther

You inquired about me writing a blog of my travels. I know a lot of people are doing that -- to keep in touch with family and friends and all the new friends they meet along the way -- and I have something in mind but it hasn't fully matured yet.

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I just had Too!!