GeorgiePorgie
Well-known member
I'm a real newbie with little mechanical knowledge or skill and I am trying to figure out what kind of (inexpensive) van I should buy and what I need to do to make it a comfortable full-time home. I do not intend to pay for camping, and probably will not have many chances to charge the batteries from an electrical outlet.
I need a fridge and CPAP system every day and want to do most of my cooking myself. I'm wondering what kind of electrical system would be best for me.
It sounds like most frugal people have a 12 volt system, but also use propane for cooking and heat. Is that the least expensive way to go? I rather just use electricity for everything, but it does not seem that many van dwellers do that from the videos that I have seen. I probably would mostly cook simple dinners in the evening and would not need electricity (or whatever) earlier on most days. However, toast in the morning is a must.
Should I install a 12 volt system and try to get mostly 12 volt appliances or is a 120 volt system with regular appliances more convenient? I don't want to buy a new (12 volt) CPAP machine as mine is pretty new and expensive. There are also other appliances that would be a lot easier to find in the 120 volt section. What do experienced van dwellers think?
I don't have a lot of money, but hope to buy a van, fix it up and put in a decent electrical system (solar?) for around $10,000.
I need a fridge and CPAP system every day and want to do most of my cooking myself. I'm wondering what kind of electrical system would be best for me.
It sounds like most frugal people have a 12 volt system, but also use propane for cooking and heat. Is that the least expensive way to go? I rather just use electricity for everything, but it does not seem that many van dwellers do that from the videos that I have seen. I probably would mostly cook simple dinners in the evening and would not need electricity (or whatever) earlier on most days. However, toast in the morning is a must.
Should I install a 12 volt system and try to get mostly 12 volt appliances or is a 120 volt system with regular appliances more convenient? I don't want to buy a new (12 volt) CPAP machine as mine is pretty new and expensive. There are also other appliances that would be a lot easier to find in the 120 volt section. What do experienced van dwellers think?
I don't have a lot of money, but hope to buy a van, fix it up and put in a decent electrical system (solar?) for around $10,000.