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opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes [2021/12/29 05:35] princess_fluffypants [Fantasy] |
opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes [2022/06/06 11:50] frater_secessus [Failure to ask good questions] |
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====== Common beginner mistakes ====== | ====== Common beginner mistakes ====== | ||
There are many blessings and victories in van life; this article is not about that. It's about the various ways to fail, to skin our knees, to waste money, time, and resources. | There are many blessings and victories in van life; this article is not about that. It's about the various ways to fail, to skin our knees, to waste money, time, and resources. | ||
- | |||
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* people who can figure things out for themselves | * people who can figure things out for themselves | ||
* people who know basic cooking | * people who know basic cooking | ||
+ | * people who have good DIY skills and fix-it/ | ||
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* the "high maintenance" | * the "high maintenance" | ||
* social media addicts | * social media addicts | ||
+ | * People who have little interest in understanding how complex systems work | ||
* people who make little effort and want to be spoon-fed | * people who make little effort and want to be spoon-fed | ||
* stoners, daydreamers, | * stoners, daydreamers, | ||
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* picky eaters | * picky eaters | ||
+ | Further reading: | ||
===== Planning ===== | ===== Planning ===== | ||
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Here is [[lifestyle: | Here is [[lifestyle: | ||
- | ===== relationships | + | ===== Relationships |
It is common in the general population for one partner to want to travel and the other not to. Arguments, breakups, and divorces can all result from that difference in outlook. Be prepared. | It is common in the general population for one partner to want to travel and the other not to. Arguments, breakups, and divorces can all result from that difference in outlook. Be prepared. | ||
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+ | ---- | ||
- | + | ===== Van ===== | |
- | ===== van ===== | + | |
Failure to **select a good van** is the most expensive mistake beginners make. Note that //good// means | Failure to **select a good van** is the most expensive mistake beginners make. Note that //good// means | ||
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* what is depicted on social media | * what is depicted on social media | ||
* what others tell you to buy | * what others tell you to buy | ||
+ | * the cheapest van you can find | ||
* etc | * etc | ||
- | The seller must have a title in hand, and it must be in their name. The van must receive a pre-sale inspection from an independent mechanic. | + | The seller must have a title in hand, and it must be in their name. The van must receive a pre-sale inspection from an independent mechanic. |
- | ==== failure to find vans ==== | + | |
- | Selecting the best van for you out of two examples is unlikely to yield a winner. | + | It is //highly advisable// to **not** buy a fixer-upper or "Needs a little TLC" van as your first van, unless you have extensive mechanical abilities/ |
+ | |||
+ | ==== Failure to find vans ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Selecting the best van for you out of two examples is unlikely to yield a winner. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Admittadly, as of 2021/2022 used prices for vans have skyrocketed due to a number of issues. Lower your expectations if you're trying to keep a reasonable budget. | ||
See [[rv: | See [[rv: | ||
- | ==== failure | + | ==== Failure |
It is common for people to **buy a van then decide there is some deal-breaker about [[rv: | It is common for people to **buy a van then decide there is some deal-breaker about [[rv: | ||
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- | ==== failure | + | ==== Failure |
Does it have enough ground clearance for your plans? | Does it have enough ground clearance for your plans? | ||
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- | ==== failure | + | ==== Failure |
The answer to the "what do I look for with a used van?" FAQ is "a mechanic" | The answer to the "what do I look for with a used van?" FAQ is "a mechanic" | ||
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Money well spent, either way. | Money well spent, either way. | ||
- | ==== failures | + | ==== Failures |
The roof is where rain will enter if there are leaks. | The roof is where rain will enter if there are leaks. | ||
- | The very tall vans are so tall that they won't fit through | + | The very tall vans (High roof [[rv: |
- | ===== power ===== | + | |
+ | ---- | ||
+ | ===== Electrical Power ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Thinking like an apartment-dweller ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **A van is not an apartment**, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Power in the camper is misunderstood by most and hand-waved away by optimists. | ||
Reality check: | Reality check: | ||
- | - [[https:// | + | - [[https:// |
- A 100w solar panel on an MPPT [[electrical: | - A 100w solar panel on an MPPT [[electrical: | ||
- | * Chicago - **308**W/day | + | * Chicago - **308**Wh/day |
- | * Salt Lake City - **376**W/day | + | * Salt Lake City - **376**Wh/day |
- | * Seattle - **292**W/day | + | * Seattle - **292**Wh/day |
- | * Phoenix | + | * Phoenix |
- | - all of those harvests are conspicuously less than 29,000W. | + | - all of those harvests are conspicuously less than 29,000Wh. |
- | ==== heating | + | ==== Heating |
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- have typically invested thousands of dollars in battery banks and solar, or run a [[electrical: | - have typically invested thousands of dollars in battery banks and solar, or run a [[electrical: | ||
- | Electric heating is such a massive power draw that it can be an extremely effective | + | Electric heating is such a massive power draw that it's often used as a way to [[electrical: |
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- | ==== thinking like an apartment-dweller ==== | ||
- | + | ==== Failure | |
- | **A van is not an apartment**, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Power in the camper is misunderstood by most and hand-waved away by optimists. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | ==== failure | + | |
Posts that include "my needs are simple, all I need are lights and a fan" develop, after questioning, | Posts that include "my needs are simple, all I need are lights and a fan" develop, after questioning, | ||
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- | ==== overbuilding | + | ==== Overbuilding |
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* [[http:// | * [[http:// | ||
- | ===== solar ===== | + | ---- |
+ | |||
+ | ===== Solar ===== | ||
Solar power is not a cure-all and [[electrical: | Solar power is not a cure-all and [[electrical: | ||
- | ==== no solar ==== | + | ==== No solar ==== |
Having no solar at all is generally an unforced error for vandwellers. | Having no solar at all is generally an unforced error for vandwellers. | ||
- | ==== worrying | + | ==== believing 100w of panel will make 100w all day long ==== |
+ | |||
+ | The 100w panel will make 100w in a lab in test conditions. | ||
+ | |||
+ | - the panel will rarely make anywhere close to 100w((under normal conditions)) | ||
+ | - the max power it //does// make will be around local solar noon. Before and after that power will be less. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Example: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ^ Time ^ Watts ^ | ||
+ | |6:02a |0w| | ||
+ | |7:02a |15.9w| | ||
+ | |8:02A |32.8w| | ||
+ | |9:02A |48.7w| | ||
+ | |10:02A |62.3w| | ||
+ | |11:02A |72.8w| | ||
+ | |12:02A |79.39w| | ||
+ | |**1:02p** - local solar noon |81.7w| | ||
+ | |2:02 |79.5w| | ||
+ | |3:02p |72.9w| | ||
+ | |4:02p |62.5w| | ||
+ | |5:02p |48.9w| | ||
+ | |6:02p |33.1w| | ||
+ | |7:02p |16.2w| | ||
+ | |8:02p |0w| | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | See the //not enough panel// section below. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== shade ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Shade will wreck solar harvest. | ||
+ | ==== Worrying | ||
Yes, [[electrical: | Yes, [[electrical: | ||
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- | === panels | + | === Panels |
Beginners sometimes buy panels before measuring the available roofspace. | Beginners sometimes buy panels before measuring the available roofspace. | ||
- | === toy panels === | + | === Toy panels === |
In general, **very small panels** (less than 100w) are a terrible return on money. | In general, **very small panels** (less than 100w) are a terrible return on money. | ||
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On the other end of the extreme, larger(200w+), | On the other end of the extreme, larger(200w+), | ||
- | === flex panels === | + | === Flex panels === |
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Don't get me started on people **flat-mounting poly/mono flex panels to the roof of their van**. | Don't get me started on people **flat-mounting poly/mono flex panels to the roof of their van**. | ||
- | === panel types and controllers === | + | === mixing different panels === |
+ | |||
+ | Mixing differently-rated panels will always be sub-optimal. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Panel types and controllers === | ||
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**Amorphous panels are the worst fit for MPPT** due to their low voltage; | **Amorphous panels are the worst fit for MPPT** due to their low voltage; | ||
- | === panel efficiency === | + | === Panel efficiency === |
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This means **if you have limited space you will get more power out of of the same space using higher-efficiency panels**. | This means **if you have limited space you will get more power out of of the same space using higher-efficiency panels**. | ||
- | ==== not enough panel ==== | + | ==== Mismatched panels ==== |
+ | |||
+ | Mismatched panels (different voltage or current [[electrical: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * running // | ||
+ | * run different-spec panels on their own controller | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you are committed to running mismatched panels on the same controller see [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Not enough panel ==== | ||
Let's address two issues: | Let's address two issues: | ||
- | Yes, there are situations where zero solar is part of a workable power plan but they are rare.(([[electrical: | + | Yes, there are [[electrical: |
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | For [[electrical: | ||
The majority of ' | The majority of ' | ||
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Failure to charge lead batteries fully and regularly will have negative effects, as we will see below. | Failure to charge lead batteries fully and regularly will have negative effects, as we will see below. | ||
- | ==== too much panel ==== | + | ==== Too much panel ==== |
j/k. While it is theoretically possible to have too much panel, in practice few vandwellers ever wished they had less wattage. | j/k. While it is theoretically possible to have too much panel, in practice few vandwellers ever wished they had less wattage. | ||
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Buying "more panel than you need" usually costs extra money directly (panel cost * quantity) and indirectly (may need a bigger controller). | Buying "more panel than you need" usually costs extra money directly (panel cost * quantity) and indirectly (may need a bigger controller). | ||
- | ==== relying | + | Having said all that, you can have too much panel((or string)) voltage for the controller' |
+ | |||
+ | ==== Relying | ||
Tilt is good; perpendicular rays hitting the panel provide more power than those hitting the panel at an angle. | Tilt is good; perpendicular rays hitting the panel provide more power than those hitting the panel at an angle. | ||
* tilt advantage is reduced or nonexistent in poor weather conditions. | * tilt advantage is reduced or nonexistent in poor weather conditions. | ||
- | * tilt only makes a difference when the sun is relatively low in the sky (in winter, and/ | + | * tilt only makes a difference when the sun is relatively low in the sky (in winter, and/ |
* tilt advantage is greatest when the amount of power available is least, as at sundown | * tilt advantage is greatest when the amount of power available is least, as at sundown | ||
* if you feel bad, lazy, hungover or otherwise unwilling to get out and tilt your panels every time you will not meet your basic needs | * if you feel bad, lazy, hungover or otherwise unwilling to get out and tilt your panels every time you will not meet your basic needs | ||
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* tilted panels take time to deploy, store, and interfere with your ability to leave a given location for safety or other reasons | * tilted panels take time to deploy, store, and interfere with your ability to leave a given location for safety or other reasons | ||
- | ==== failure | + | ==== Failure |
- | [[electrical: | + | [[electrical: |
- run more loads; and/or | - run more loads; and/or | ||
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- use the excess capacity to extend [[electrical: | - use the excess capacity to extend [[electrical: | ||
+ | ---- | ||
- | ===== batteries | + | ===== Batteries |
Dear lord, those poor batteries. New folks [[electrical: | Dear lord, those poor batteries. New folks [[electrical: | ||
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- | ==== not enough charging ==== | + | ==== Not enough charging ==== |
It is a costly mistake to believe reaching 12.7v means lead batteries are [[electrical: | It is a costly mistake to believe reaching 12.7v means lead batteries are [[electrical: | ||
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- | ==== too much battery ==== | + | ==== Too much battery ==== |
Yes, you can have too much battery. | Yes, you can have too much battery. | ||
- | Most people use lead-chemistry batteries and carrying around unneeded lead is both heavy and expensive. | + | Most people use lead-chemistry batteries and carrying around unneeded lead is both heavy and expensive. |
Exotics like [[electrical: | Exotics like [[electrical: | ||
- | ==== not enough battery ==== | + | ==== Not enough battery ==== |
It's possible to have too little battery capacity, but unless the battery is comically undersized for your needs you can [[electrical: | It's possible to have too little battery capacity, but unless the battery is comically undersized for your needs you can [[electrical: | ||
At least you're more likely to get keep it happy and [[electrical: | At least you're more likely to get keep it happy and [[electrical: | ||
- | ==== wrong kind of battery ==== | + | ==== Wrong kind of battery ==== |
It seems that vanfolk are making their battery choices based on the ramblings of social media influencers. This is //no bueno//. | It seems that vanfolk are making their battery choices based on the ramblings of social media influencers. This is //no bueno//. | ||
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Third, you are unlikely to find a real deep cycle battery at a walmart or auto parts store. | Third, you are unlikely to find a real deep cycle battery at a walmart or auto parts store. | ||
- | ==== required | + | ==== Required |
All battery banks need to be inspected regularly for damage, loose connections, | All battery banks need to be inspected regularly for damage, loose connections, | ||
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* belief that AGM have higher capacities (they actually have slightly less capacity for a given size) | * belief that AGM have higher capacities (they actually have slightly less capacity for a given size) | ||
* belief that AGM can be discharged to 80% instead of 50% like flooded (they both can be discharged to any given [[electrical: | * belief that AGM can be discharged to 80% instead of 50% like flooded (they both can be discharged to any given [[electrical: | ||
- | ===== solar generators ===== | + | |
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Solar generators ===== | ||
There are [[http:// | There are [[http:// | ||
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As with inverters, many new folks seem to think solar generators are endless sources of power that can run huge appliances in perpetuity and do not need to be recharged. | As with inverters, many new folks seem to think solar generators are endless sources of power that can run huge appliances in perpetuity and do not need to be recharged. | ||
- | + | ---- | |
- | ===== isolators | + | ===== Battery Isolators |
The big mistake here is believing that [[electrical: | The big mistake here is believing that [[electrical: | ||
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There is **no particular benefit to upgrading the alternator** (or adding another one) beforehand. | There is **no particular benefit to upgrading the alternator** (or adding another one) beforehand. | ||
- | + | ---- | |
- | ===== inverters | + | ===== Inverters |
" | " | ||
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**Wasting money and power on an inverter that is larger than your forseeable needs**. | **Wasting money and power on an inverter that is larger than your forseeable needs**. | ||
- | + | ===== Refrigerators | |
- | ===== refrigerators | + | |
[[food: | [[food: | ||
- | ===== staying | + | ===== Staying |
A common mistake is the belief (or wish) to stay in one place for free. You can't stay in one place [[camping: | A common mistake is the belief (or wish) to stay in one place for free. You can't stay in one place [[camping: | ||
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- | ===== stealth | + | ===== Stealth |
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* believing one can be 100% stealth and not be noticed; and | * believing one can be 100% stealth and not be noticed; and | ||
* believing the opposite, that one cannot tilt the balance in one's favor of not being kicked out of a spot | * believing the opposite, that one cannot tilt the balance in one's favor of not being kicked out of a spot | ||
+ | * staying in one spot for days/ | ||
- | ===== money ===== | ||
+ | ===== Money ===== | ||
- | ==== jobs ==== | + | |
+ | ==== Jobs ==== | ||
Ahem. FFS, please stop asking "what jobs do y'all do on the road????" | Ahem. FFS, please stop asking "what jobs do y'all do on the road????" | ||
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It's easy to **run out of money during the build**, either by going crazy with what you want or by underestimating what it will cost. Remember **the build needs to please you** and no one else. | It's easy to **run out of money during the build**, either by going crazy with what you want or by underestimating what it will cost. Remember **the build needs to please you** and no one else. | ||
- | ==== expenses | + | ==== Expenses |
Living in a vehicle can be [[lifestyle: | Living in a vehicle can be [[lifestyle: | ||
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* **overpaying for " | * **overpaying for " | ||
- | ===== research | + | ---- |
+ | ===== Research | ||
Generally speaking, any question a beginner asks has already been asked/ | Generally speaking, any question a beginner asks has already been asked/ | ||
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Here are [[communication: | Here are [[communication: | ||
- | ===== advice | + | ===== buying random stuff ===== |
+ | |||
+ | **OP:** {buys random gear without understanding needs, specs, how it works, or anything else really} | ||
+ | **OP:** why does my system not work? It'S jUnk!!!! | ||
+ | **Onlookers: | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Advice | ||
Good advice can save time, money, and heartbreak. But getting good advice is not simple or even natural. We have to slow down and force ourselves to think about the issues, our questions, the existing body of knowledge, the answers we receive. | Good advice can save time, money, and heartbreak. But getting good advice is not simple or even natural. We have to slow down and force ourselves to think about the issues, our questions, the existing body of knowledge, the answers we receive. | ||
The most important thing is no matter what advice you get or take, **it's your life and you have final responsibility for it**. Your decisions are your own. Make them wisely. | The most important thing is no matter what advice you get or take, **it's your life and you have final responsibility for it**. Your decisions are your own. Make them wisely. | ||
- | ===== wanting easy answers | + | ==== wanting personal attention from an internet-famous person ==== |
+ | |||
+ | No, Bob Wells and or Will Prowse will not answer your plea in person. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==== wanting | ||
+ | |||
+ | {note: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Renogy operates in the value end of the spectrum and must rely on (rather good) web and product manual documention for mass support. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Folks who want/need individual support might ultimately be happier paying 2x-3x for a higher-end product that has enough margin to provide individual support (Victron, Morningstar, | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Wanting | ||
- | Easy answers are rarely //correct// or //useful// answers. | + | Easy answers are rarely //correct// or //useful// answers. In real life "one weird trick!" |
Q. What is the best [fill in the blank? | Q. What is the best [fill in the blank? | ||
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- | ==== failure | + | ==== Failure |
The first step in getting good advice is to **ask good questions**. | The first step in getting good advice is to **ask good questions**. | ||
* get a handle on what it is you [[https:// | * get a handle on what it is you [[https:// | ||
* [[opinion: | * [[opinion: | ||
* when you hit a wall //then// ask for help. No one likes leeches, princesses, helpless snowflakes, or the lazy who expect others to do the work for them. | * when you hit a wall //then// ask for help. No one likes leeches, princesses, helpless snowflakes, or the lazy who expect others to do the work for them. | ||
- | * express your request as clearly and simply as possible | + | * express your request as clearly and simply as possible, including what you intend to accomplish |
- | * indicate what you do know, [[opinion: | + | * shouldn' |
- | * use human-readable style. | + | * indicate what you do know, [[opinion: |
* write a concise and specific title. | * write a concise and specific title. | ||
+ | * write the post in normal, human-readable style. | ||
+ | |||
> I am always surprised to see some people demanding the time of others and meeting a most obliging response. Both sides have in view the reason for which the time is asked and neither regards the time itself — as if nothing there is being asked for and nothing given. | > I am always surprised to see some people demanding the time of others and meeting a most obliging response. Both sides have in view the reason for which the time is asked and neither regards the time itself — as if nothing there is being asked for and nothing given. | ||
- | ==== failure | + | ==== Failure |
When advice comes in, consider the source: | When advice comes in, consider the source: | ||
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* how does the responder react to other points of view? | * how does the responder react to other points of view? | ||
* is the responder a salescritter or consultant with a vested interest? | * is the responder a salescritter or consultant with a vested interest? | ||
+ | * does the responder spread [[https:// | ||
* is the responder willing to go for "the best!" with //your// money but not with their own? | * is the responder willing to go for "the best!" with //your// money but not with their own? | ||
* is the responder a partisan of some kind: anti-Renogy, | * is the responder a partisan of some kind: anti-Renogy, | ||
* is the responder an idiot, a druggie, a zero-experience dreamer, a poorly-informed blowhard, a black/white thinker? | * is the responder an idiot, a druggie, a zero-experience dreamer, a poorly-informed blowhard, a black/white thinker? | ||
* is the advice upvoted/ | * is the advice upvoted/ | ||
+ | * is the advice commented on favorably by onlookers whose opinion you value? | ||
* does the responder have experience and/or training in the area? | * does the responder have experience and/or training in the area? | ||
* does the responder expect you to believe him/her as gospel? | * does the responder expect you to believe him/her as gospel? | ||
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None of these preclude the advice from being correct, but do take these factors into consideration. | None of these preclude the advice from being correct, but do take these factors into consideration. | ||
- | ==== failure | + | ==== Failure |
There are folks who come up with foolish ideas then want others to give them support and encouragement. | There are folks who come up with foolish ideas then want others to give them support and encouragement. | ||