Question Regarding Power

[GenPatton43]

Having just purchased a 2002 Chevy Astro conversion van, here's my situation.
For the immediate future, its going to also be my home. Its a good way to pay off some debts before looking for new apartments. But, even this comes with issues.
My main issue is finding some sort of system that will allow my '42 TV, DVD Player, Stereo and other items to be powered without running the engine.
For a conversion van, it gets good mileage but these fuel prices aren't going to stay low forever. So, I'm wondering what my options are?
I've heard of using solar as well as "Daisy chaining" multiple batteries. The latter I doubt would work for me because of lack of room.
What about quiet gas generators? Any suggestions there?
I know that at some point, I'll need a power inverter, any suggesstions there as well?
Lastly, does anyone know of a longer range wireless adapter that I can use for a DESKTOP PC? If I can get an internet connection, than I can get TV as well w/o having to resort to Dish TV and such. But at the moment, it would have to be for a desktop.
Any thoughts and answers would be greatly appreciated!

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Oh, one more question. Does anyone know of any furniture dealers that specialize in making furniture for vans, like a "L" shaped small couch and such?

 

[GrantRobertson]

Wow! Sounds like you are trying to cram an entire house into a van. Personally, I would suggest putting most of that into storage and going minimal for a while. Since this is just temporary, it might not be such a good idea to invest so much in everything it would take to get what you want ... just to use it for a short time.

 

[highdesertranger]

just a heads up Jensen makes a series of 12v tvs and a complimenting am/fm stereos, cd, mp3, weather, and dvd player. designed for rough duty(in a vehicle), low power draw and could run off batteries and solar, no problem. highdesertranger

 

[One Awesome Inch]

One word... tablet.

 

[66788]

GrantRobertson is right, you can't take your whole house with you. A good laptop will do all that and more.

Remember, you have to fit into the van once all your stuff is in there too! Astro vans are not that big...

 

[akrvbob]

You give very few details, but 500 watts of solar and 4 golf cart batteries would probably meet your needs.
Bob

 

[LeeRevell]

The TV, DVD player and PC can be replaced by a good laptop. I find tablets to be just too small, for me personally. Even the laptop is seriously limited in some ways. The stereo can be replaced with a smaller portable unit. Don't forget headphones. Loud tunes cranking totally destroys 'stealth'.......
One good marine-cycle battery in an enclosed case with vent to the outside, and a good solar panel on the roof with controller, would be enough power for a minimalist system.

 

[jimindenver]

I have a 39 inch TV here at the house, I have no idea where I'd put it in our 25 ft trailer and still be able to sit far enough away for viewing.

 

[ccbreder]

Yes. I would get a sore neck trying to see both sides of the screen.

 

[GenPatton43]

Forgive me, as I didn't go into enough detail.
As far as the electronics go, the only thing that I am adding is the TV. The CD/DVD player are already part of the van and work fine.
The TV I have mounted via a flip down bracket that attaches to the ceiling and when in use, locks. Considering that even tho its 4 years old, its thin, so the head clearance is not drastic at all.
As for the furniture, I plan to remove the passenger captains chairs for room and here in where a mini couch is envisioned. Depending on what I find, removing the existing stock sofa bed is also a possibility.
But those are in the longer term plans. Like I mentioned, my primary concern is with powering everything without the need of the engine.

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I have a 39 inch TV here at the house, I have no idea where I'd put it in our 25 ft trailer and still be able to sit far enough away for viewing.

Flatscreen?

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The TV, DVD player and PC can be replaced by a good laptop. I find tablets to be just too small, for me personally. Even the laptop is seriously limited in some ways. The stereo can be replaced with a smaller portable unit. Don't forget headphones. Loud tunes cranking totally destroys 'stealth'.......
One good marine-cycle battery in an enclosed case with vent to the outside, and a good solar panel on the roof with controller, would be enough power for a minimalist system.

I tend to be a gamer at times, so laptops that can compete as well as desktops tend to be a lot more $$$$ which, unfortunately, I'm not looking forward to spending right now.

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CORRECTION- The TV I have mounted via a flip down bracket that attaches to the ceiling and when NOT in use, locks to the ceiling. Considering that even tho its 4 years old, its thin, so the head clearance is not drastic at all.

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The following link is basically the van I have, except in blue. Just so you can get an idea.

http://www.mycarcorner.com/2002_Chevrolet_Astro_Gilbertsville_PA_246953128.veh

 

[akrvbob]

I knew a guy who filled the back side-window in with plywood and put his TV there. He slet across the van so the TV was down by his feet. You could measure to see if that will fit. My TV is only 20 inch but it is on a swing away so it's mounted on the front wall of my cargo trailer and I can swing it forward or to the sides.

Astro is awfully small for that big a TV!
Bob

 

[jimindenver]

Yes ours is a flat screen. It's huge. lol

In the trailer we have a 19 inch flat screen that uses 120v if we are using the satellite. We also have an older 15 inch flat screen with a DVD player in it that I replaced the brick with a 12v cord. Both say 65w but I have never put them on the Kill a watt.

 

[Bdog1]

Doesn't gaming (well) require a hi speed connection?

Cheap laptop with tv card and a Wireless hot spot.

Or, 12v tv and a phone/tablet with data plan?

 

[MK7]

2002 Chevy Astro conversion van,

'42 TV, DVD Player, Stereo and other items to be powered without running the engine.

DESKTOP PC?

Daaaayum...that's a lot of power. Why not add like, five heat lamps in there too to get a suntan all year 'round. Joking....most people downsize to an average 15" laptop in order to conserve battery power. 17" laptop if they're going hog wild. A decent laptop takes care of all of your computer needs, TV, and movies and uses like 30 watts. Then there are like, little 2-5 watt, portable speakers that runs on a rechargeable, LiOn battery that sounds pretty good in the small space of a van, but you want some thumping stereo system that was in your house? Isn't the amplifier alone, like 100w?

Then there's the space constraint of adding all of what you want vs. a little laptop. You need room for cooking stuff, clothes, tools, etc. w/o going crazy with all the clutter. That's my problem right now, too much junk in my van. And mine's full size with a hightop, so bigger than an Astro.

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But there you go...Bob said it...."500 watts of solar panels + 4 golf cart batteries (6v each)". Then you'd need some extra wiring, cables, charge controller, fuse box, inverter (a bigass one), etc. Maybe around $2,000. A quiet, small Honda generator is around $900.

 

[Canine]

Most of us have been in the situation you are in now: Wanting to downsize yet wanting to keep as much of our stuff as possible. Living within our means is hard and takes time to accept.

As we come to understand how little we need to be happy, it becomes easier and easier. I owned a 42" TV and had every intention of keeping it and making it work. However, as I began adapting to this lifestyle and began to truly understand how wasteful I was and how I depended on stuff to make me happy, I started to understand the folly of trying to live my life the way I always did while trying to live the new life I wanted. Clearly, I couldn't have both. I had to make choices, so I chose the simpler, more efficient lifestyle.

A much happier lifestyle! Asking questions like you are helps that process. You are doing this as temporary measure, which is fine. It's actually kind of fun to go without for a bit knowing your stuff is waiting for you. You could store your stuff for a while and pick it up later if you want to go back to a yucky apartment. LOL!

No matter what you choose, have fun with it. It won't go perfectly, but that is part of learning. You will very likely be fine no matter what choice you make. Then it will get better as you fine tune what really matters to you. Now I spend far less time in front of the TV because I don't have one and don't miss it. I save a ton of electricity doing this and am happier.

This does not answer your question like you wanted. Instead of answering how to pack in all of those appliances and the electricity needed to power those appliances, I suggested how to be more efficient and how to be happy with less. I could have given you a fish and fed you for a day, but wanted to show you how I fish so you could eat for a lifetime- or for a few months.

 

[Seraphim]

read some good books... *grin*

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I think the only feasible way to run everything you want for any amount of time is small inverter generator like the hondas. I dont think youll have the room for 4 batteries and 4-5 panels in an astro. I like gaming too, but i settle for my 100w laptop and shitty frame rate lol Even then playing tf2 for a few hours takes more battery than i like. One option you might like...vans are desirably dark inside...get a pico projector instead of the tv...very low power but as big as space allows.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Here is one: asus led projector

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Here is one: asus led projector

love that edit limit