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rv:build:minimal [2020/01/05 15:26]
frater_secessus [minimal + power]
rv:build:minimal [2021/06/01 16:09] (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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- +==== survival build ====
-===== survival build =====+
  
 You are suddenly homeless, are outrunning a hurricane, etc.  You are suddenly homeless, are outrunning a hurricane, etc. 
-===== minimal + power ===== 
  
-[[https://amzn.to/2LcbSMg|{{ https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41F1oFKaCuL._AC_US218_.jpg}}]] +  * cellphone with charger 
-If you want to charge phones or a laptopit is easy to 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 receptical.  This type of unit charges very well from an outlet, ok from solar, and poorly from ciggy lighter socket unless you are driving.+  * car charger for cellphone, preferably [[https://amzn.to/2QonHUb|one with generic USB outlets]] 
 +  * bedding blanket, pad, and/or sleeping bag. 
 +  * 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 bagstoilet paper, baby wipes 
 +  * 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 twoespecially underwear and socks.  If cold, knit cap will really help keep you warm
  
-A backpack and extension cord come in handy for smaller units; 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.   
  
-Larger units will be able to power [[electrical:CPAP|CPAP]] and similar devices.+==== survival + micropower ====
  
-===== a literary example =====+Some cars have USB outlets that are powered when the vehicle is not turned on.  Others require the key to be in the accessory position, which can quickly drain the starter battery. 
 + 
 +[[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. Keep the bank and charger with you all the time so you can charge it any time you see an outlet.   
 +  
 + 
 +[[https://amzn.to/2LcbSMg|{{https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41F1oFKaCuL._AC_US218_.jpg?75 }}]] 
 +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 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 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +==== a literary example ====
 In [[lifestyle:hobbies:reading|Blue Highway]], the author described his functional gear like this: In [[lifestyle:hobbies:reading|Blue Highway]], the author described his functional gear like this:
  
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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.1578255995.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/10/11 19:48 (external edit)