Short Intro

[anewbiewannabe]

I've been reading Bob for quite a while as I've been considering my possible options as my life changes. Reading his blogs made me feel like I could do this. I've been reading a lot of van and rv dwelling blogs ever since the idea came to me that there might be options other than the ones I was seeing. :shy:

I started reading the forums here a while back. Some days the stuff I read made me not want to join and just do whatever I end up doing as a hermit like I've been for a while because I had no other choice. :huh: Then I remembered that there are others who judge in all walks of life and all income levels, so basically it's just a different bag of nuts and I can choose which ones I want to be around. I won't be going into much detail about my life on here because of that. Suffice it to say van dwelling may be the best option open to me as my life changes.

Some days the forums make me feel like I can't do this. Sometimes it's because I don't really understand when people start talking about watts and amps and amp hours and my eyes glaze over.

Anyhow, I joined because I have some questions that I haven't found the answers to, or that are a little bit different than other questions I've seen and I know there's a lot of combined knowledge and opinions here. I know some people have more options for how to deal with some things where I have more limited options. I don't have family and friends to store things with so that means the easy answers aren't always ones I can use.

Thanks for being here. I'll try to find the appropriate places to ask my questions.

 

[Wabbit]

Hi and Welcome! Here's hoping you get most of your questions answered(I think you will). As to feeling like maybe just doing it alone might be better, you may be right, but I have found it's easier to learn life lessons when others are involved. Yeah it can be frustrating dealing with people, but I think that if you find one in (whatever number it takes) that you click with, it's worth it. Anyways, best of luck!

 

[Theadyn]

Hi and Welcome!! Yeah, I don't understand all the electrical stuff yet either.. I get that glazed eye look a lot trying to read and understand it, haha. Hang in there!!

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums, anewbiewannabe! I totally understand not wanting to put yourself *out there* An alternative is to find members whose responses you respect and use private messaging. Sometimes a member will PM another member, introduce themselves and ask if they mind answering questions.

I can also relate to not understanding the electrical stuff. Fear not! I ran solar for 2 years, on my rig, and understood nothing. I knew my solar systems specs, could recite facts and answer questions but never really understood what I was talking about. (Thank you, Don! I hope you and Linda are well and having fun where ever you are!!! Sending love!!!)

Fortunately, my lack of understanding never interfered with how well my solar equipment worked. And I was able to do the required maintenance without really understanding the why or wherefore.

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[mockturtle]

Welcome! Nice to have you here! Yes, storage can be an issue. Right now, I am paying for storage [no furniture] for family heirlooms, portraits, other paintings, extra 'stuff'. This springs I am going to pick up some needed items and leave behind even more. As long as I can afford it, I'll do this, since I can't get anyone else to take these items.

Re electricity: I've been using it almost all my life without fully understanding it. While I understand the basic AC & DC systems and their differences and can change a fuse, I'll hire a professional for anything else. My solar seems to work great in spite of my ignorance. Oh, I did actually replace the motor on the Fantastic vent in my old motorhome.

 

[Almost There]

Hi and welcome!

Please don't think you're alone in the eyes glazing over department. I grew up in an electrical engineering household where stuff like this was dinner table talk and I still roll my eyes and they get a glazed look ..

As to storing stuff, I was well on my way to renting a storage unit when I realized I had this old cargo trailer that I could put my stuff in and then rent an outdoor place for it way cheaper than I could rent a storage unit for. I was going to sell it but I'm keeping it - the trailer that is. Then when I finally get to permanently move west, it can be towed easily. There's some stuff that I don't want to get rid of because it would cost me too much to replace in the future but paying big bucks for storage units can outweigh the savings of having to buy over. Something to consider.

 

[anewbiewannabe]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome.

I'm not a total hermit by nature, but I've lived pretty much isolated for quite a while. One of the things that really appealed to me when reading everything here and on other sites was the idea of meeting like-minded people and being able to visit for a spell once in a while. Maybe even finding people to trade with for what I can no longer do myself. Making new acquaintances and hopefully even friends.

Cyndi, that's a great idea on using private messaging. I use it on other forums I belong to when it feels needed either by the other person or myself, or if it's slightly off topic on a thread but could be relevant individually.

I learned how to do a lot of things over my lifetime, but have always had a really healthy respect (read "fear") when it comes to electrical stuff. Rewiring a lamp or the lights to a trailer were no big deal because there is not a big risk. Accidentally touching something on a furnace and getting a jolt was a whole other story! In carpentry it's measure twice cut once, but for electricity it's make sure the circuit is off a bazillion times before I do anything!

I'm not sure when I'll get on the road but I hope to start within a year. I don't know if I'll have any sticks and bricks in the beginning as it depends on timing as I have to maintain residency in my state for the next two years. After that I'll be joining the ranks of full time solo women on the mostly boondocking road. That's my big reason for needing at least enough understanding of solar to power the few things I need or want to---or having somebody who can help me figure it out.

I'll also probably have my cat with me so figuring how to keep the van cool enough if I get caught in a heatwave before I can physically move somewhere to get out of the heat is important to me. There's also a chance that at least in the beginning I'll have to summer somewhere that can get hot and humid so I'll be looking to make sure I've got the power I need without having to run a generator or plug in to shore power.

I'm looking forward to spending more time here and getting to know people better. I'm definitely looking forward to the adventure coming up, even if it seems sort of scary sometimes. I no longer have anyone around telling me "no" all the time and I don't have to be responsible to anyone else.

 

[Canine]

Glad you are here.I think you will find people on this forum will be supportive and helpful any time they can.Basic solar power is not really rocket science.There are only 4 parts and each part is connected by only 2 color coded wires.If you need any help,just ask.

 

[Shortbusliving]

Sorry wrong spot

 

[anewbiewannabe]

Hi all. I'm sort of back---found my password and such---I don't have my own internet so limited access. I've been dealing with some medical stuff that's kept me busy. Anyhow, I can't remember my original reason for signing in because I got distracted by a thread. When I think of it I'll ask in the appropriate area.

 

[SaltySeaWitch]

Hello and welcome! I am completely overwhelmed by electrical/solar as well. Take it one step at a time. You can get a place that does car stereos to do your solar set up for a reasonable cost, I have read. You will find a way. Best of luck to you and I look forward to following your journey.

 

[nobodyG17]

Welcome back again!   Is there a thread with your adventures so far?

 

[anewbiewannabe]

Thanks SaltySeaWitch and nobodyG17.

NobodyG17, I was still in the planning stages when I had my medical hiatus so I don't have any adventure threads yet, but I'm working to change that next year!

I know what I'd like to build out and how (except for the solar ) but I'm not sure I'll end up with my first choice. I do know that I consider a high top a priority and that I want a van. I love the builds I see for other vehicles and if I were still physically able to do it I think it would be a blast to build out an old panel truck or TT and I have access to 2 different old TTs that could be rebuilt with a lot of effort, but I'm so beyond having to pull anything behind me now. I need to be like a turtle and have my shell home around me when I scoot.