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rv:build:minimal [2020/01/05 20:45]
frater_secessus [survival + micropower] 		rv:build:minimal [2021/06/01 20:09] (current)
frater_secessus [a literary example]
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 +Vandwelling is a mental challenge more than anything else.  You will be living in a way that [[lifestyle:faq_objections|onlookers probably will not understand]] and may be hostile to. You will no longer be surrounded by comforting/distressing amounts of material possessions.  You will no longer have a single fixed place to call home;  lacking a fixed home will confuse governments, employers, businesses, and pretty much everyone else other than RV and van dwellers. 
 +
 +If you are doing **voluntarily vandwelling** you are probably adventurous and chomping at the bit.  These pages are designed to help you learn from the [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes|mistakes]] of others so you can make mistakes never seen before!  :-)
 +
 +If you are [[lifestyle:involuntary|involuntarily vandwelling]] you may feel shame, fear, or embarrassment.  There are two things for involuntary 'dwellers to remember:  
 +
 +  - **a van is shelter** when you need it (right now!).  Humans have taken opportunistic shelter in  places as long as we've been around. Caves, tents, trees, whatever.  It's what our species does.  We survive.  //You// will survive.
 +  - a vandwelling life is **a better way of life** for many people than living in a "sticks and bricks" house. Bob from Cheap RV Living, for example, started out in a van as emergency shelter after his divorce.  Now he thrives in his van and [[https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/|has helped thousands of others]] to thrive, too.  
 +
 +==== stuff ====
 +
 +Vandwelling will force you to confront your relationship to //stuff//, and by extension to consumer culture.  You simply [[rv:build:steps#downsizing|will not have room for stuff]].  It sounds scary but can be freeing. 
  
 ===== the build  ===== ===== the build  =====
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   * pee bottle:  wide mouth Gatorade or similar for men, widemouth jar (or [[https://amzn.to/2GEgBIkgo girl]] device + bottle) for women   * pee bottle:  wide mouth Gatorade or similar for men, widemouth jar (or [[https://amzn.to/2GEgBIkgo girl]] device + bottle) for women
   * poop emergencies - kitchen sized trash bags, toilet paper, baby wipes   * poop emergencies - kitchen sized trash bags, toilet paper, baby wipes
-  * a can opener+  * toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. 
 +  * a [[https://amzn.to/37AYg7y|good can opener]] and the know-how to use it.  Practice beforehand! 
 +  * a change of clothes or two, especially underwear and socks.  If cold, a knit cap will really help keep you warm
  
  
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 [[https://amzn.to/2ZYJwwH|{{ https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61Xr+5pcOBL._AC_UY218_ML3_.jpg?75}}]] [[https://amzn.to/2ZYJwwH|{{ https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61Xr+5pcOBL._AC_UY218_ML3_.jpg?75}}]]
-The cheapest way to have a bit of power for charging and running USB loads is with a small/handheld [[https://amzn.to/2ZYJwwH|power bank]].  They are small, charged from USB outlet, and can usually charge a phone or run something tiny like a personal fan. +The cheapest way to have a bit of power for charging and running USB loads is with a small/handheld [[https://amzn.to/2ZYJwwH|power bank]].  They are small, charged from USB outlet, and can usually charge a phone or run something tiny like a personal fan. Keep the bank and charger with you all the time so you can charge it any time you see an outlet.  
    
  
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 If you want to charge a laptop or run a CPAP, you can pick up [[https://amzn.to/2Lemg6j|a lithium "power station"]] and charge it when you stop for a sit-down meal, coffee, or anywhere else with an electrical recepticle.  This type of unit charges very well from an outlet, ok from solar, and poorly from a ciggy lighter socket unless you are driving.  The [[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator|fancier units]] get expensive quickly and are heavily driven by marketing.  At some point it will be cheaper to build [[electrical:12v:intro|a "real" power system]]. If you want to charge a laptop or run a CPAP, you can pick up [[https://amzn.to/2Lemg6j|a lithium "power station"]] and charge it when you stop for a sit-down meal, coffee, or anywhere else with an electrical recepticle.  This type of unit charges very well from an outlet, ok from solar, and poorly from a ciggy lighter socket unless you are driving.  The [[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator|fancier units]] get expensive quickly and are heavily driven by marketing.  At some point it will be cheaper to build [[electrical:12v:intro|a "real" power system]].
  
-A backpack and extension cord come in handy for recharging the power stations; you can put the battery in the backpack and run the extension plug to the wall.  No one needs to know you are charging a pack.  The key is to //charge every time you have the opportunity//.  Be relentless about it. +A **backpack and extension cord** come in handy for recharging the power stations; you can put the battery in the backpack and run the extension plug to the wall.  No one needs to know you are charging a pack.  The key is to //charge every time you have the opportunity//.  Be relentless about power - you are responsible for every watt that goes in and out. 
 + 
 +==== minimal build ==== 
 + 
 +The main difference between the survival and minimal builds is the survival build is purely temporary and the minimal build is intended for a longer term. 
 + 
 +For a minimal build you will need the survival items above and will likely add: 
 + 
 +  * a flashlight or area light, USB rechargeable if possible 
 +  * an upgraded bed, like a cot or maybe simple bed frame.  Cots can be leveled over uneven flooring [[https://youtu.be/25VBk8AOqRQ?t=290|using PVC sleeves]]. 
 +  * a camp stove or some other way to [[food:cooking|cook]], lighter 
 +  * a [[toilet:bucket|bucket toilet]] 
 +  * laundry detergent for the laundromat. 
 +  * a pocketknife 
 +  * cooler for chilling small items 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +==== fulltiming build ==== 
 + 
 +People who //fulltime// (ie, live in a van full time) typically add 
 + 
 +  * a [[electrical:12v:intro|separate battery system]] ("house power") for running electronics.  This may include charging from [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro|solar]], [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator]], or [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]].  
 +  * interior lighting 
 +  * a compressor [[food:refrigeration|refrigerator]] to keep food((ie, beer)) chilled 
 + 
  
  
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 1 tool kit...\\ 1 tool kit...\\
 '' ''
 +
 [[https://amzn.to/2IvAHkw|{{ https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41CxHukXjSL._AC_US218_.jpg}}]] [[https://amzn.to/2IvAHkw|{{ https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41CxHukXjSL._AC_US218_.jpg}}]]
 In modern terms this might be: In modern terms this might be:
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   * bed platform, sleeping bag   * bed platform, sleeping bag
   * a [[https://amzn.to/2IvAHkw|luci light]]   * a [[https://amzn.to/2IvAHkw|luci light]]
-  * water for drinking/cooking/hygiene +  * [[water:start|water]] for drinking/cooking/hygiene 
-  * utensils +  * [[food:cooking|utensils]] 
-  * propane camping stove+  * propane camping [[food:cooking:stoves|stove]]
   * a couple change of clothes (especially socks and underwear)   * a couple change of clothes (especially socks and underwear)
   * a pee bottle   * a pee bottle
-  * trash bags and a bucket.+  * trash bags and a [[toilet:bucket|bucket]].
  
  
rv/build/minimal.1578257151.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/10/11 23:48 (external edit)

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