Total conversion cost

[Delta223]

Hi, how much did your van conversion end up costing you, excluding the price of the van itself? Also I'd appreciate if you could mention the significant costs of your conversion, thanks.

 

[dfunkt]

I haven't done it yet but I estimate approximately $4000 to do everything with new material. &nbsp;This of course can vary wildly with the use of free, used, or recycled materials and equipment. &nbsp;It also has a lot to do with the extent of the conversion; my setup will not have plumbing.<br>Recently I have begun wondering whether it's worth it at all. &nbsp;I may just buy a cargo van, insulate it, throw a mattress pad in there, some water jugs, and do the solar. &nbsp;the rest can work itself out over time.

 

[Delta223]

Ya I'm thinking of doing the same actually. I spend almost my whole day in my office so really I just need a place to sleep &amp; prepare for work. (Gym will take care of hygiene needs)

 

[Simran]

This van is outfitted pretty well for any kind of living situation; cold; hot; whatever. The AC unit needs 110 to work but other than&nbsp; that; this van is ready to boondock for extended periods.&nbsp;I have the cab partitioned off from the rest of the van as to facilitate easier heating &amp; cooling. Something Bob keeps talking about; but few listen.&nbsp;Money well spent IMHO! These are all rounded rough estimates but very, very close to original costs. Some were bought used and some new. I did not do all these things to this van at once; but over a period of 2-3 months. I started with a Loo, power converter and a homemade bed. I don't even have the power converter in my van anymore. The only thing I have that is 110 are my spare battery charger &amp; AC unit. Everything else is 12V exclusively <br>cupboards (from old camper)-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 50<br>used MTTP 250 charge controller&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 50<br>160W solar panel&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 198 <br>Solar panel wiring to controller&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 25<br>3-90 AH AGM batteries&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 400<br>1000W Yamaha Genset (used)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 225<br>backpacking stove w/coffee press&nbsp;&nbsp; 80<br>sink &amp; faucet&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 60<br>heater &amp; hose&nbsp;(had tank already) 120<br>window AC unit(5000 btu)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 100<br>Roll of reflectix (for windows)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;40<br>building materials <br>(1/4 plywood, 2x2's,screws, <br>12V wire &amp; connectors)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;75<br>two Walmart 12V fans&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 40<br>toilet seat&nbsp;(homemade Loo)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;18<br>refrigerator/freezer&nbsp;&nbsp;(12V)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;250<br>Fire Extinguisher&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 30&nbsp;<br>TOTAL&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1761.00<br>Hope this helps<br>Gus

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Please click here for a very detailed accounting of my expenses so far.&nbsp; <br><br>http://dazargaidin.blogspot.com/p/vandwelling.html&nbsp; <br><br>I am up to $1089 so far.&nbsp; the only major thing I have left to add is a solar system and fridge ($500).&nbsp; My planned solar is gonna cost me about $700.&nbsp; Id say add about 60-80 more for the plumbing i've not felt the need to install yet (2 aquatainer tanks, pump/faucet and some hose).&nbsp; I do have access to a very cheap source of materials, a non-profit house renovation place that takes overstock donations from places like lowes and then resells it for charity at low prices, its noted in my blog the few things ive gotten there tho (carpet, some offbrand reflectix, cabinet facings).&nbsp; <br><br><br>I plan to redo my conversion, so my costs will go up but i might keep that all separate.&nbsp; So if i was to finish the current installation to its ideal (im already to a point im living fairly comfortably though), it would be just under 3000.

 

[coultergeist]

Hi,<br><br>I haven't kept nearly as accurate of a count of total conversion cost so far as I probably should have.&nbsp; Part of that is I guess not really wanting to know how much its cost so far, but here goes.&nbsp; Mine is a pretty big build, so it's quite a lot to account for.<br><br>Battery Bank, 3 120 ah deep cycle batteries - $300, Upgraded deep cycle starting battery - $100, Battery box for battery bank and related wiring - $80,&nbsp;Two 158 watt solar panels and charge controller - $450, Ladder racks, extensions, clamps, and cables to mount solar - $200,&nbsp; 65 gallon fresh water tank -$50, Fresh water pump - $60, Sink and faucet (used) - $20, Water lines and adapter for fresh water and waste water - $50, Cooler to use as waste water tank (used) - $30, Propane stove (used) $20, 4 cu ft. refrigerator $40, 2000 watt inverter (used)- $85, Exhaust fans and hood for stove - $60, All wood used in construction (a lot) - $250, Cabinet hardware - $100, Electrical wiring - $100, Outlets, Receptacles, and switches - $100, 19" LCD TV - $40, Bluray DVD Player - $50, Camping Potti - $50, 30 amp power cable - $30, Power distribution box - $35, Black out curtains - $25, Reflectix and bubble wrap for insulation - $50, MRP panels to cover windows - $30<br><br>All told, that's about $2400 so far.&nbsp; I've also had to replace two tires which was another $400.&nbsp; I still have a few small things to take care of to get it finished up.&nbsp; The last expensive thing will be my instant hot water heater.&nbsp; My van cost me $1500, so total of everything including the water heater should be around $4500<br><br>The biggest single expense was solar and everything needed to get it up and running.&nbsp; Between panels, battery box, cable, and ladder rack mounting, the solar setup cost about $750.&nbsp; A little over $800 if you include the inverter.&nbsp; That is about a third of the total cost of converting the van.&nbsp; Hope this helps.<br><br>Patrick

 

[caseyc]

I'm sure I could have saved at least a third off my total cost in the past 2 years had I done things differently.&nbsp; My problem was that I kept experimenting with different things.&nbsp; I would buy something that I thought would work, then later buy something better.&nbsp; Or almost as bad, I would buy multiples of the same thing, so now I have a small stockpile of duplicate stuff.&nbsp; I also didn't realize how quickly I would run out of space, so now I have too much stuff, and not enough space.&nbsp; I've already went back to The Container Store and returned/refunded hundreds of dollars of stuff that I simply didn't need or use.&nbsp; So is there a lesson to be learned here? I'm sure!<br><br>EDIT:&nbsp; For myself, I have spent thousands, and thousands, and thousand, and thousands.&nbsp; As mentioned, I'm sure I could have shaved off at least a third had I done things smarter! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif">

 

[MK7]

check out the blog of the owner of this site...he's got pretty much most of the necessary recommendation as to what a Vandweller would need, including links to where to buy them. then it's up to you to buy whatever else you need.

 

[MK7]

<span id="post_message_1279131886">

coultergeist:&nbsp;</span><span id="post_message_1279131886"> 2000 watt inverter

<br><br>Is such a big inverter necessary? I just bought a 400w one.&nbsp; Would a 2000w inverter use a lot more juice than a 400w one? I was thinking at most, I'd only power up a fridge or one of those small ice makers. But most likely, not a fridge. Most of the time, probably a computer, fans and some lights.&nbsp; Thanks.<br><br><br></span>

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I think any inverter will only pull up to what the devices plugged into it require.&nbsp; So even though it is 2000watt inverter if you only have 400w hooked up it will only pull that.&nbsp; I think 2000 watts just means you could pull up to that much if you wanted, like maybe running a microwave for a short period.<br><br>I have a little 400 watt inverter and it seems ok running my laptop, clippers, etc.&nbsp; The fan can get annoying as it 'intelligently' revs up depending on increases in the draw, but its so ridiculous like if i hit a key on my keyboard it will rev the fan but when i let go it drops off.

 

[MK7]

The inverter by itself also draws power. This is was my question.....does a 2000w inverter draw significantly more power than a 400w one, at idle.

 

[Spirituallifetime]

Wow 2000 watt inverter is a lot! Usually you won't need this much unless you want to run a microwave or some tools occasionally. I have 2 inverters that I have been using over the years: 150&nbsp;watt that runs silent and a 300 watt inverter. I charge&nbsp;laptop, rechargeable shaver, use my hair clippers and a light. If you want to do solar the key is in power conservation, choose stuff with the least amount of wattage and the stuff with the most wattage gets used occasionally or gets dumped from your plans depending on how much solar you want to and can afford to install or have the room to install. It is best to get a 12 volt tv, I have been thinking about getting the Naxa 13" with dvd it uses 18 watts most others use about 38 watts from what I have seen. For battery banks in a van I would think that a 1 or 2 battery bank is all that you would have room for. Over all conserving on power will reduce your solar power needs and thus reduce your conversion costs.

 

[zemio]

The biggest ticket items were the 'new' truck to replace the rusted one at NZD$3300 and NZD$1100 to have the camper body removed from the old truck then installed and certified on the new one. Later the g/box lunched, NZD$1400 when all was said and done for that one, the new clutch at NZD$1075 was a stinger tho a comforting thing to have after I recovered.<br><br>Actually fitting the camper shell out was a relatively cheap excercise, probably less than NZD$2000 including LED's and stereo. Mistakes were made, in retrospect I could have saved a third of that by knowing what I know now......probably the biggest thing would be to NOT cheap out buying electricals (LED's, inverter, 3 way cooler if you have/want one etc)<br><br>The cheapest thing, nearly, that easily gives me the most pleasure would be the NZD$220 I spent on 51 meters of 100 year old Rimu (dark red NZ hardwood) tongue and groove floor boards that I used to fit out the inside. I made left and right bin seats, table and galley bench cabinetry and a few other odds and ends that were then doused with raw linseed oil for a lovely dark finish that 3 years later still smells nice. Once year I re-oil.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br><br>Call it NZD$10k all in, including the little ali dinghy and vintage Seagull 2 1/2hp outboard. The same amount would get you a very ordinary high milage commercial build camper, nice smaller boxbody truck or good van to convert or ordinary 14(ish)foot caravan you could tow with a 2 liter car. www.trademe.co.nz is the NZ version of eBay and the place where most kiwi's do their ebay/craigslist/etsy type buying and selling.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

 

[coultergeist]

Hi MK7,<br><br>My 2000 watt inverter is used primarily for the few big loads I have.&nbsp; The main one is the microwave.&nbsp; It has to be that big to run it effectively.&nbsp; If you don't plan on having a microwave, then you shouldn't need one that big.&nbsp; Most electronics you would run such as a tv and dvd player require very little power.&nbsp; Anything around 200 watts or so should be plenty big.&nbsp; <br><br>Patrick

 

[coultergeist]

Oh, as far as power draw, the 2000 watt inverter at idle will draw more power than say a 200 watt inverter.&nbsp; I minimize this by only using the big inverter when it is needed.