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.??
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.
- Thread starter Shejeans
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JeepHammer
Solar Wizard
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Will this be use in travel time or will you live in it full time?
What vehicle do you have in mind so we can get an idea about roof size, etc?
How 'Stealth' do you want to be?
(Something you can park about anywhere and not be noticed)
What vehicle do you have in mind so we can get an idea about roof size, etc?
How 'Stealth' do you want to be?
(Something you can park about anywhere and not be noticed)
Barb
Learner
Will has a number of suggestions on his website: https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/
eddie1261
Solar Enthusiast
Criss-crossing the country like you plan to be doing, make darned sure your van is mechanically strong. Be mindful that of your van breaks down, your home breaks down too.
D
Deleted member 783
Guest
Drive west! I bet the cost of living in rural New Mexico is about half or even less of the cost of living in Orlando. We have all the sun too
335 days on average.To answer one of your questions, insulation slows the change of temperature. Hot or cold, doesn't matter-like a thermos.
I am looking to become a full time van dweller beginning the 1st of December (...only 7 days away!!!) ..My only vehicle at the moment is a 2010 Transit Connect, that gets ridiculously poor MPG's. I am asking about portable solar panels because, after driving to LA to have my roof extended so that I can stand up inside of it, that aerodynamic roof is now not compatible with stationary, roof-mount panels (not to mention that the addition of a Maxxair fan really leaves no room for mounted panels.) Also, I hope to eventually move up to a full size Transit or Pro-Master, so I'm thinking the most powerful and efficient (while also keeping costs as low as possible for this temporary system) -- portable panels, for now, would probably be best.
I AM aiming for maximum Stealth-I-ness, since the whole reason for this life change is to be able to afford to stay alive by opting out of as much of "The System" as possible.
I know very well about the North, as I lived about ½ hour's drive from Canada in northern New Hampshire for 25 years. My 2010 Transit Connect XL is already stripped down, with no wall panels and only a heavy rubber mat covering the corrugated ridges in the floor. Since I have to be out of my apartment in 7 days, I don't have time to accomplish much. ? Hopefully there are people who know a lot about automotive electrical systems and, perhaps others who are expert at camper van conversions who are reasonably near me and would be willing to help me make a comfortable (very small) STEALTHY home for me and my 5 cats for not too much money.
I learned the reality about breakdowns all too painfully during a cross country drive from Orlando to LA last summer to have my roof extended so that I would be able to stand up inside of it. The Van, which I had purchased 2 weeks earlier, broke down as soon as I headed north thru Mississippi to pick up I-40W. The muffler, which had been making very loud noises, was diagnosed as A-OK by a garage in Pontotoc. But, they sent me to a small garage on the other side of town to have my right front wheel bearing replaced. After paying for the wheel bearing job, I picked up I-40 and proceeded thru Nashville into Alabama, where my van began to fill with caustic smoke that burned my eyes and throat. When I was able to safely exit the interstate, I discovered that the air mattress (loaned to me by a friend) and my thick Coleman sleeping bag both now had 16" diameter holes burned through the middle of them. And, when I checked beneath my van, those holes were directly above the muffler (which was still making ridiculously loud noises!) It was, of course, Sunday evening, when any and all mechanic or muffler shops were closed.
Monday morning I found a muffler shop, where they removed my muffler and showed me that the seam (where the muffler is supposed to be welded shut) was completely open from end to end. Apparently nobody had seen it because that gaping hole was on top of the muffler, between the muffler and the floor of my van.
The saga continued, but that's enough for now. ?
Delta-V
Solar Enthusiast
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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.
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.
JeepHammer
Solar Wizard
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Santa
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Not to take away from Will's excellent YouTube channel or his forum here, but have you watched Bob Well's (CheapRvLiving's) YouTube videos? He shows you how to insulate, and build yourself furniture like a bed for cheap, etc. He started a non-profit this year to help people who are to be homeless or want to live in vehicles or are forced to because they can't afford rent. Enigmatic Nomadics is another YouTube channel that does van builds. Too bad you are asking now, since he just did one in Arizona. (Will Prowse was there!) People go there and volunteer their time and resources. You might contact Bob Wells though, through his forum or email for POSSIBLY getting some local help?? His organization is called HOWA. (Homes on Wheels Alliance). He knows a lot of people, and/or his forum might help put the word out? P.S. You need to become a snowbird!
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PatBlack
Genius in Irrelevant Topics
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It might be good to post a picture of your new roof line and tell us what it's made from, to determine if a solar panel really is or isn't feasible up there. The fixed solar panels seem to be much cheaper than the portable ones. If your fan isn't yet installed it might make more sense to install it vertically through one of the back windows in case you really could put a panel on the roof. Will had a recent video where he tore down a lot of portable power units and it seemed like he was very positive about the Jackery.
For insulation an easy and effective solution appears to be thinsulate but it is not inexpensive. Check out this video.
For insulation an easy and effective solution appears to be thinsulate but it is not inexpensive. Check out this video.
Santa
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You did say 5 cats in a van right?? I am an animal lover, but I don't know how well that would work. One cat would be a challenge. You will need to be concerned about heating and cooling (mostly) as a top priority for your animals. You can't be in the van 24/7.
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eddie1261
Solar Enthusiast
Question #1 may be "Do you have any real reason to be/stay in Orlando?" If not, it sounds like sunny New Mexico, as New Mexico Will mentioned, will be right for you. There are like a gajillion square miles of BLM land where you can live for free, the only caveat being you are supposed to move every 15 days. So you stay at a place form the 1st to the 15th, drive a mile, and stop again for another 15 days. Then go back to the first place. Your budget may be a controlling factor, but you will adapt. If your social security is low enough you may qualify for assistance programs. Wouldn't 200 bucks a month to help with food costs help you out? Medicaid on top of your Medicare?
Santa
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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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D
Deleted member 783
Guest
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.
Santa
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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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PatBlack
Genius in Irrelevant Topics
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It's rated R-6 if properly installed so it lofts to 1.5 - 1.75". Designed by 3M for automotive use.
Santa
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polyiso is rated at 7 I believe