diy solar

diy solar

I'm a 71 year old woman who survived a stroke 3 years ago after watching off grid van dweller videos for about 9 years.

1" RMax is rated 6, 1.5" rated 9.6 if one could find it. I think any kind of rigid insulation would be a nightmare for a 71 year old post-stroke person to install in a van. But at least the five cats might not tear it out!
 
If your roof is covered in solar PV's you are perpetually under a tree of sorts. It will reduce solar gain in the living space a bit.
 
Buy batteries/inverter first. Since you're on a budget, I'd do a very small solar set up to keep the batteries charged while using the basic stuff like lights and laptop.

Then get one of these for the bigger stuff and to to charge the batteries every few days. Upgrade the solar as you can afford to.

 
SolarRat said:
Buy batteries/inverter first. Since you're on a budget, I'd do a very small solar set up to keep the batteries charged while using the basic stuff like lights and laptop.

Then get one of these for the bigger stuff and to to charge the batteries every few days. Upgrade the solar as you can afford to.

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good price for 2000 watts. So that's a gas generator. These Amazon titles are not very descriptive sometimes. She will have to maintain it with oil changes, etc. right? Note: it weights 45 pounds. Can the OP lift that much weight? Sometimes its not very stealthy to have a generator that makes noise.
 
Santa said:
..So that's a gas generator. These Amazon titles are not very descriptive sometimes...
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LOL it says "generator" in the title. Descriptive enough. Now, those "solar generator" companies should be sued for deceptive marketing. They are a battery, they don't generate squat!

45lbs is less than the weight of one battery. There is nothing stealthy about solar. It takes at least 50 square feet of solar to equal the output of that little genny. Store it inside the van at night (off of course) and sleep more steathfully than with roof mounted solar.

I love solar but if you're looking for bang for the buck you can't beat a genny. Supplement it with solar, adding panels/batteries as funds and space allows until solar eventually becomes the main power source. You'll always need that genny for something, so you might as well start with it.
 
SolarRat said:
LOL it says "generator" in the title. Descriptive enough. Now, those "solar generator" companies should be sued for deceptive marketing. They are a battery, they don't generate squat!

45lbs is less than the weight of one battery. There is nothing stealthy about solar. It takes at least 50 square feet of solar to equal the output of that little genny. Store it inside the van at night (off of course) and sleep more steathfully than with roof mounted solar.

I love solar but if you're looking for bang for the buck you can't beat a genny. Supplement it with solar, adding panels/batteries as funds and space allows until solar eventually becomes the main power source. You'll always need that genny for something, so you might as well start with it.
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But the people in the market (potential customers who don't know jack) might not know that about the name. I think it should say GAS generator. Not true about weight - Battleborns are 29#'s. And as for stealth, suitcase panels can come inside your rig and no one would ever know. I want a generator too, but working on that.
 
SolarRat said:
Buy batteries/inverter first. Since you're on a budget, I'd do a very small solar set up to keep the batteries charged while using the basic stuff like lights and laptop.

Then get one of these for the bigger stuff and to to charge the batteries every few days. Upgrade the solar as you can afford to.

Click to expand...

I saw this today on Woot thru Amazon.
Bigger and electric start! Just a bit more than the 2000 6 hours left to
Buy.
buyD9CDB63D-7171-4E43-B8C0-167D29EBB759.png
 
Santa said:
I think it should say GAS generator.
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I think solar"generators" should just say "overpriced battery w/inverter".

Santa said:
Not true about weight - Battleborns are 29#'s.
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Speaking of overpriced. I thought this was a budget (LAs) build?

Santa said:
I want a generator too, but working on that.
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If you need the power to live, it's the best bang for the buck and should be the first thing bought. As I said, you'll always need one, even with a lot of solar.
 
SolarRat said:
I think solar"generators" should just say "overpriced battery w/inverter".



Speaking of overpriced. I thought this was a budget (LAs) build?



If you need the power to live, it's the best bang for the buck and should be the first thing bought. As I said, you'll always need one, even with a lot of solar.
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I didn't say anything about OP buying a Battleborn, I just said it weighs a lot less than the generator by 15+ pounds because you said generator weighed less than a battery. Good idea about the generator.
 
MrNatural22 said:
I saw this today on Woot thru Amazon.
Bigger and electric start! Just a bit more than the 2000 6 hours left to
Buy.
Click to expand...

Those are great but I already had a big 8kw gas genny. I bought the small 2k one for portable use and to save gas during an extended outage here in Florida when gas stations are closed. The little one can get me by all day on one gallon of gas (off during sleep), compared to 5 gallons plus on my big one. And it's sooo quiet! Now going to start adding solar to hopefully reduce the need for a genny.
 
Delta-V said:
My first thought is find a rich boyfriend, ha ha. Or, perhaps a companion to share living expenses with.

Are you going solo on this adventure? I'm not sure this is something I'd necessarily wanna do at 71 years old, even as a guy on my own in reasonably good health. Even Will has mentioned the stresses of always having to keep-on-your-guard when living in a van/ RV and traveling. Especially when you have to be jack-of-all-trades with your own rig (or be able to afford to have others do maintenance, repairs, etc...) Good street-smarts would be a good skill to have as well.
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Santa said:
Since you are in a time crunch and need portable power, Bob just reviewed this all-in-one today. I don't think Will did any vids on it. It does have a coupon code (look in the description notes) which needs to be used within a certain time. Check this out, and watch all of Will's videos to help you decide. I don't know if this will be enough for you, but to start, it could be a first system for you until you figure out what you want/need. First thing you need to do is figure out your load, what you need to power with electricity, make a list, and put the watts and how often you will use everything. V X A = W and V=volts, A=Amps, W=Watts P.S. Be aware its 48 pounds. Here's Bob's vid:
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Thank you, Santa! ?
 
M
Shejeans said:
I am currently being forced to vacate my apartment in Northwest Orlando, where I have lived for 19 years, because of ridiculous rent increases. I am learning that my post-stroke social security income is insufficient to move into another apartment in the entire Orlando metropolitan area. So, I'm taking that as a clear signal that it's time for me to become an off-grid van dweller. Can all y'all suggest a maximum power, most efficient and affordable solar (preferably plug & play) system with portable panels, that might be upgradable as time progresses? Also, which insulation is best in both extreme heat AND extreme cold, as I would be traveling from Central Florida to Reno, Seattle and northern NH to spend time with family.??
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I️ ❤️ Northern New Hampshire
 
Santa said:
I read a comment where it says thinsulate's good for blocking out sound, but not good for insulation. Like I said CheapRVLiving has a video on what to use to insulate here:
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Thank you, PatBlack. The roof extension is plywood enforced fiberglass. The Maxxair fan was already installed (as an option) near the front of the very curvy, aerodynamic fiberglass roof extension by Fiberine in LA. I'm hoping to not shoot the whole wad on this WAY TOO SMALL (for 5 cats & me) emergency off-grid mini Transit Connrct. My goal is to move up to a larger, full size Transit or Pro Master once I'm fairly stably living off the grid, and my monthly socially security check can begin to slowly grow my savings. I would LOVE, and would prefer, a 144"WB Sprinter, but that is probably not an option for a person with my circumstances and
JeepHammer said:
Solar panel mounts on domed roof, or like you, roof vents,
An hinged mount on the side of the vehicle locks flush when in motion, 'A' frames out when parked to make panels face 'Up'.
Think glass or plywood rack on the side of the vehicle.
The higher up you can mount with hinge at top will put the panels further up away from road debris.

Parked east/west with panels facing south, you will get a decent amount of sun, and the fill side of the van provides a reasonable amount of square footage.
Parked with panels facing east in morning, you will have to turn vehicle around at noon so panels face west in the evening.

I built something like this for an enclosed car trailer, to add extra panels when parked.
While the prop up can be as simple as a prop rod (broom handle!) I eventually installed a powered jack screw (like the big old satellite dishes had) so it could be powered up, and anytime the ignition started, it folded itself up.

Any welding shop can knock the frame out for a very reasonable amount, all square corners & common materials.
One tip: make the frame OUTSIDE the panels, not under.
Since the panels will be wind drag, panels inside the frame instead of panels stacked on the frame, much less wind drag.

Just an idea, if you can use it, welcome to it.
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JeepHammer, Thanks for the info. I don't really think side mount panels would work for me; too many chances for them to be damaged, or ripped off!. For now, I truly believe my only option is 1 or 2 solar panels with a long cord connecting them to the system when I'm stationary, which increases my ability to park in shade with no AC on hot days, while maximizing the panel(s) sun exposure. Not sure if it's an option with free-standing panels, but I think that to connect my battery(s) to the vehicle alternator to charge while driving would be ideal.
 
Supervstech said:
How ridiculously poor is the fuel economy?

I am a HUGE fan of the sprinter line of vehicles... I am 6’1 in boots, and I never even have to duck walking around in my sprinter.
The pre-06 sprinters are cheap, and get 24mpg loaded with tools... keep in mind though... parts are expensive when something does break, and fuel is usually more than regular unleaded... diesel fuel tends to track with premium pricing many times of the year.
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New Mexico Will said:
Yup, Eddie nailed it. I know people who do this regularly. During this time of year, Festival of the Cranes at the Bosque del Apache NWR, there are campers everywhere. Some just park on dirt roads or off on the side of the road. Nobody cares here.
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Supervstech said:
How ridiculously poor is the fuel economy?

I am a HUGE fan of the sprinter line of vehicles... I am 6’1 in boots, and I never even have to duck walking around in my sprinter.
The pre-06 sprinters are cheap, and get 24mpg loaded with tools... keep in mind though... parts are expensive when something does break, and fuel is usually more than regular unleaded... diesel fuel tends to track with premium pricing many times of the year.
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Thank you, Supervstech, for your valuable info! In my dreams I'm driving a Sprinter! ? However, at 71 yrs of age and only $750/mo social security income, I'm thinking a newer gas-powered, mid-roof Transit or high-roof ProMaster (still under warranty) might be the wiser way to go. I went through a period when I was enticed by diesel-powered Sprinters. But then I read an article about how the fuel systems on older diesel powered vehicles have a constant, on-going need to be flushed. As a woman not well versed in any things automotive, I can imagine that would be a big issue for me!
I was told by the salesman who sold me my tiny van, and I had also read, that they get 20 mph or more. I'm not even getting 14 mpg's.
 
Shejeans said:
Thank you, Supervstech, for your valuable info! In my dreams I'm driving a Sprinter! ? However, at 71 yrs of age and only $750/mo social security income, I'm thinking a newer gas-powered, mid-roof Transit or high-roof ProMaster (still under warranty) might be the wiser way to go. I went through a period when I was enticed by diesel-powered Sprinters. But then I read an article about how the fuel systems on older diesel powered vehicles have a constant, on-going need to be flushed. As a woman not well versed in any things automotive, I can imagine that would be a big issue for me!
I was told by the salesman who sold me my tiny van, and I had also read, that they get 20 mph or more. I'm not even getting 14 mpg's.
Click to expand...

Ooops! "....20 mpgs or more"
 
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