Who needs solar?

[karl]

This all got me researching again and read more- it appears they ARE more shade and heat tolerant. Also found some 68 watt ones on ebay for $150. each, shipping included.....considering pulling the trigger on two, with(still thinking MPPT) controller capable of two more. Planning on keeping this van indefinitely, so removable is less of an issue, I guess....

Going on the road for a month or more, so it will be a while before anything is installed. Kinda wish I'd started this sooner......

Thanks for the thoughts everyone, they sure helped me to rethink the options.

 

[Zil]

I think I posted this before, but here it is again. http://store.evtv.me/proddetail.php?prod=180wsolarpanel

 

[Willy]

I think I posted this before, but here it is again. http://store.evtv.me/proddetail.php?prod=180wsolarpanel

WOW! I'm tempted, even tho I've got enough solar for now. ..Willy.

 

[Zil]

Willy, poke around on his site. The man is a little long winded, but has a lot of good information.

 

[karl]

Just glanced at them, but looks Sweet!
Plan C may be materializing ......

 

[66788]

My goal is to boondock full time. Some jobs, like mine, require that I have internet and phone access. So, yes, it is a need not a want.
Willy,
You ARE superior. What WOULD I do without you? I must check that out!

Now you have my curiosity peaked. You said in a previous post that "The RV is at a storage lot and I 'work out of it'." In this post you also stated your job requires that you have phone and internet access.

Just wondering what you do...

 

[Belinda2]

Yes. I didn't make that post very clear. My RV is too high profile for a suburban/ city environment. So, I use the RV as the "storage locker" and store it in an RV storage area when away from home. I sleep in my vehicle. The majority of my daily items are in the RV so the vehicle doesn't look cluttered. It is also less dangerous for me as a woman, since the vehicle has multiple exits and the small RV has 1 exit and isn't connected to a motor. I am only boondocking 2-5 days a week now. I am getting some further education I need for my job currently to be able to do the same job in various places of the U.S. and overseas. After that, I will sell my home, change vehicles because mine is now old and boondock full time. I am considering many options for a vehicle from a minivan to a van. I am trying out what items I actually need verses want and have a prototype at home to see if it is actually realistic for me to scale down to a minivan with the low ceiling height, setting a bed or desk up and down with each use, and limited cubic feet for full time use versus gas mileage costs of a van. I am also considering getting rid of the small RV, so I don't have to pay for storage of it.

 

[SoulRaven]

I am considering many options for a vehicle from a minivan to a van. I am trying out what items I actually need verses want and have a prototype at home to see if it is actually realistic for me to scale down to a minivan with the low ceiling height, setting a bed or desk up and down with each use, and limited cubic feet for full time use versus gas mileage costs of a van. I am also considering getting rid of the small RV, so I don't have to pay for storage of it.

Greetings!

Living in a mini-van can require some creative thinking, but if done right, you'll never have to set a bed or desk up and down.

I use dollar store non-slip shelf liners to keep stuff from sliding around when I'm moving. They work great on top of tables/counters. I also made a set of placemats out of the stuff.

Here's a sample floor plan for a mini-van.

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

 

[Belinda2]

Maximizing space:
The kitchen idea in the back seems very nice in that it can be used for double duty indoors and out. It also is seriously worth considering because Bob likes it, so it must be worthy. The option to partially have some of the sleeping area in the back, I feel, as a woman is not a good idea because in minivans almost none of the doors can be opened from the inside to go out. I consider that a security/fire risk. I was thinking more of the layout like YOUR camper except move the idea forward in the unit.
Divide the minivan in 4th's because I have cabinets with doors that are 2 X 2. The floor of the minivan is basically 4 X 8 minus the seats upfront.
The first row of cabinets, towards the back, will have to be cut narrow to accommodate a pass through to the front. Therefore, the cabinet doors could swing open into the isle.
The second 2 X 2 section is where the exterior doors are for the minivan. This could serve as the entrance/exit area, bed area (on a diagonal and feet go under/into one set of shelving in the first row and isle) like how your feet go on your desk space, and desk space. I have tried several bed ideas and the best is this lawn chair I have that fits very well in the space It lays flat, has feet with a hardy metal frame, plastic rungs from the 80'S, and folds up when not in use to 2 feet X 2 feet X 2.5 inches. Then, my desk is a small hardy, multi tier fold down table, based on your tv tray. My chair is a real wood rocking chair without arms, based on your luxurious chair. The files of paper for my desk are neatly arranged in a suitcase with several smaller boxes that hold paperclips, "flairs"/sparpies, etc. This is the best suitcase I own and I wanted to save it for overseas travel use.
Now, can you say storage??????? (smile). The next two rows, are cabinets with doors for kitchen and water storage, etc. No isle, just storage. Sweet!
Row three cabinet doors open into isle two.
Row four of cabinets open out the back door.
All cabinets will be removable from the van like yours. I just don't want to cut them until I know what vehicle I want. They could fit in a high top, like yours, now...(smile), and I haven't ruled that out! What do you think? The idea of setting the bed up and down everyday is my only hang up. I, like you, believe it should be ready to go. It's not so bad, on lazy days. I could leave it set up, and sit on my bed for my desk.

 

[SoulRaven]

Greetings Belinda!

The chairs to the right actually represent the front seats, so the camper part is 8' in length. Yours would just be a foot narrower, which would still work out okay.

A few thoughts... If you're building your cabinets, consider sliding doors, they don't require any extra space to open... They are also easy to secure while traveling. If I'm building an interior from scratch, I even put all drawers behind sliding doors, it's a great way to secure them. (I'll get store bought sets of plastic drawers, and then build the cabinet accordingly.)

A built in bed with storage underneath may be a good option, and a bolster could make it comfortable seating while at your desk.
http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=bed backrest&index=blended&link_code=qs

Your rocking chair could also probably fit just inside the side door, facing backwards, with access to your desk.

The back doors can be made to open from the inside fairly easily, I've done this on several units for others. Even if you're bailing out over the top of cabinets, I would still want that option.

While smaller can be done, I have to say that I am huge fan of 15 passenger vans with high tops. This is the most comfortable home I've ever had, and if that means a little lower MPG then so be it. I'm still saving a fortune over a house or apartment, and I'm not sacrificing any comfort in the process. I've got a kitchen, a bathroom, a living room, and a bedroom. I've got heat and air conditioning, all the power I want or need, and a view to die for, that can be changed any time I choose. Even if I could get double or triple the MPG, I wouldn't take it at the expense of comfort.

Life is so short, and the additional cost of comfort is so low, that I believe that every van dweller can afford that comfort, and deserves it.

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

 

[Belinda2]

I'll put my own little semi-high top on it like a conversion van so I can stand. I already own the cabinets, rocker, and a folding rocker, etc. --and lots more etc. that needs to be reduced. I want my own stuff, even if I have to modify it, so it feels more like home. For example, the back rest picture is nice, but I'd rather use a rolled sleeping bag, that way I have another blanket for winter. Plus, who wants to buy more stuff? H aha ha ha . Nice to know that back door lock situation can be fixed.
What I can't compromise on is a quality, fuel efficient engine. All the rest is "fluff".

 

[SoulRaven]

I'll put my own little semi-high top on it like a conversion van so I can stand. I already own the cabinets, rocker, and a folding rocker, etc. --and lots more etc. that needs to be reduced. I want my own stuff, even if I have to modify it, so it feels more like home. For example, the back rest picture is nice, but I'd rather use a rolled sleeping bag, that way I have another blanket for winter. Plus, who wants to buy more stuff? H aha ha ha . Nice to know that back door lock situation can be fixed.
What I can't compromise on is a quality, fuel efficient engine. All the rest is "fluff".

Greetings!

hehe, the backrest pictures were kind of for illustration purposes, I use a sleeping bag and pillows myself...

I would be very uncomfortable without back doors that opened...

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

 

[Cheap Web Repair]

Who needs solar? NOBODY!

Youtube is full of video's of people who have spent days or weeks with no power because they were sold a bill of goods about solar just like I was.

With solar you need a generator, without solar you need a generator, which means you don't need solar to start with. Just more garbage for somebody to help separate you from your money.

Don't be a sucker, just say NO to solar.

 

[GotSmart]

Oh good, another know nothing opinionated one I can put on ignore. There seems to be the start of an infestation. I wonder who let them in?

I hope people wake up and do not stay fooled.

My mother told me to NEVER trust anything cheap. Especially people. :dodgy:

 

[SoulRaven]

Oh good, another know nothing opinionated one I can put on ignore. There seems to be the start of an infestation. I wonder who let them in?

I hope people wake up and do not stay fooled.

My mother told me to NEVER trust anything cheap. Especially people. :dodgy:

Greetings!

Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black to me...

Opposing views are educational, and he was telling the truth, I just checked YouTube for the sake of verification, and the very first one I clicked on showed a guy with a huge batch of solar panels that had been without power for over 2 weeks because his generator died, and other people who had also given up on solar and felt sorry for the poor guy were sending him wind turbines.

Every coin has two sides, and dismissing someone who has an opposing view is counter productive. The best decisions can only be made after all of the pro's and con's are examined.

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

 

[GotSmart]

CVM,

I have you on ignore.

Please do not try to contact me again.

 

[Simran]

I think there are many, many people on this site alone with solar panels that would disagree with both CVM & CWR on their stance on solar. That said there are those that may not be inclined to install a solar system properly that my have negative experiences with solar. However, installed properly and with the proper amount of sunlight I can't see where solar cannot benefit almost anyone. Not everyone; but almost.
As far as generators. I've got to drain the gas out of mine and clean the carb. it's been so long since I've used it. My solar keeps everything I've got working good.

 

[akrvbob]

Solar works incredibly well and is now affordable. Nearly everyone should have solar!! There are exceptions, but not many.
Bob

 

[One Awesome Inch]

I read just today that there is a movement trying to *stop* the use and advancement of solar.

Free energy is a devastating situation for some corporations' bottom line.

Forums that get alot of traffic become a target for those that try to push a certain agenda... usually covertly.

Best thing to do is take all opinions with a grain of salt, and do the work to study the science of it yourself to get the facts.

 

[highdesertranger]

well I don't know about the posters that can't get solar to work for them. for me I have had solar for 4 years, and I don't have a generator. serves me well. no more ice runs. btw I also tried propane refers very inefficient, could barely keep up with keeping food safe. my 2 cents. highdesertranger