Van Video Tour

[mr_elijah_gardner]

Hello,

I've posted a few pictures of my van here. I have made a video tour of my van. A lot of my inspiration for this build has come from fourms and youtube videos along with some of my own creativity. I wanted to share a more indepth video than I was able to do with pictures. I hope you enjoy.

 

[John61CT]

Nice low-cost setup, love the desk!

Have to say I'm skeptical about the cheapo dorm fridge running off such a small bank, no solar, LVD or starter isolation?

If you're boondocking for more than a couple of nights without driving all day, be sure to get a jumping powerpak and keep it charged.

And a decent LVD on the starter should be on your list.

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

Nice low-cost setup, love the desk!

Have to say I'm skeptical about the cheapo dorm fridge running off such a small bank, no solar, LVD or starter isolation?

If you're boondocking for more than a couple of nights without driving all day, be sure to get a jumping powerpak and keep it charged.

And a decent LVD on the starter should be on your list.

After more than a couple days you'd have some dead battieries for sure. I'm running a total of 3 battieries. I have made it 2 days with no problems before. The van gets driven regularly even while camping. We will take it to go sight seeing. If it stays put I will run the engine for a while each day. I am looking into solar just haven't pulled the trigger on it yet.

 

[Gary68]

yea,using existing furniture is the easiest way from a to b,since i used the lid off a washing machine to plug a vent hole in my rv,i love the cookie sheet

good job

 

[John61CT]

The van gets driven regularly even while camping. We will take it to go sight seeing. If it stays put I will run the engine for a while each day. I am looking into solar just haven't pulled the trigger on it yet.

Not getting the batts to 100% full will kill them early. NP if cheap starters, all batteries are consumables.

But IMO get your infrastructure and routines set up properly before you invest in any expensive true deep-cycle bank, and you can make them last a decade or more.

Burning dino juice alone will never get you there, takes a minimum of 5-6 hours, most of the "long tail" at very low amps. Ideal is a little genny run in the morning + some solar rest of the day.

And running the engine at idle just to boost the bank quickly gets very expensive in wear & tear.

Of course vandwelling vs weekend camping are very different.

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

Not getting the batts to 100% full will kill them early. NP if cheap starters, all batteries are consumables.

But IMO get your infrastructure and routines set up properly before you invest in any expensive true deep-cycle bank, and you can make them last a decade or more.

Burning dino juice alone will never get you there, takes a minimum of 5-6 hours, most of the "long tail" at very low amps. Ideal is a little genny run in the morning + some solar rest of the day.

And running the engine at idle just to boost the bank quickly gets very expensive in wear & tear.

Of course vandwelling vs weekend camping are very different.

Absolutely agree there is a difference in vandwelling and camping. I have wife and kids in school for a few more years so camping is all I can do. 

I do have a high amp alternator. The battieries are disposable. I've just been using junkyard batteries. $20 a battery and they have been working since February-ish. I realize they will die much quicker than normal with my use. 

My biggest issue with solar is the cost. I can buy a cheap generator and lots of gas for my infrequent need of additional power for what a solar setup would cost. 

Just another example of why vanlife is so interesting. It is so different from person to person.

 

[mr_elijah_gardner]

Not getting the batts to 100% full will kill them early. NP if cheap starters, all batteries are consumables.

But IMO get your infrastructure and routines set up properly before you invest in any expensive true deep-cycle bank, and you can make them last a decade or more.

Burning dino juice alone will never get you there, takes a minimum of 5-6 hours, most of the "long tail" at very low amps. Ideal is a little genny run in the morning + some solar rest of the day.

And running the engine at idle just to boost the bank quickly gets very expensive in wear & tear.

Of course vandwelling vs weekend camping are very different.

Absolutely agree there is a difference in vandwelling and camping. I have wife and kids in school for a few more years so camping is all I can do. 

I do have a high amp alternator. The battieries are disposable. I've just been using junkyard batteries. $20 a battery and they have been working since February-ish. I realize they will die much quicker than normal with my use. I will also note that when the van isn't being used I will unplug the fridge. I will plug in in with an extension cord to get it cold before I switch it back to the battery bank.

My biggest issue with solar is the cost. I can buy a cheap generator and lots of gas for my infrequent need of additional power for what a solar setup would cost. 

Just another example of why vanlife is so interesting. It is so different from person to person.

 

[John61CT]

Great then, just know that fridge is a heavy load compared to most setups.

I do have a high amp alternator.

The battery's SoC and chemistry dictates how many amps it accepts, so it may start out absorbing 60A when depleted, but that will fall very quickly, maybe down to 20A within a half hour, and average 5A over the next five hours.

So rather than high amps, more important when charging off alternators is a good programmable VR. Balmar MC-614 is the best.

Not relevant to you now but FYI.

A decent solar setup can go for under $300.

 

[CautionToTheWind]

You're a good presenter! Nice video and creativity!