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opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes [2023/09/23 10:59] frater_secessus [shade] |
opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes [2024/06/05 18:40] (current) frater_secessus [thrashing] word choice |
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* Have good DIY skills and fix-it/ | * Have good DIY skills and fix-it/ | ||
* Know basic cooking and are okay with simpler foods | * Know basic cooking and are okay with simpler foods | ||
+ | * Are the " | ||
* Are instinctive " | * Are instinctive " | ||
* Are very organized and good at planning | * Are very organized and good at planning | ||
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People who are less likely to adapt to the life: | People who are less likely to adapt to the life: | ||
- | * the "high maintenance" | + | * The "high maintenance" |
- | * social | + | * People who cannot tolerate being physically uncomfortable for extended periods of time. |
+ | * chronic worriers | ||
+ | * Social | ||
* Those who don't like having to understand how things work | * Those who don't like having to understand how things work | ||
- | * stoners, daydreamers, | + | * Stoners, daydreamers, |
- | * those that need internet access 24/7 | + | * Those that need internet access 24/7 |
- | * the easily bored | + | * The easily bored |
- | * people | + | * People |
- | * picky eaters | + | * Picky eaters |
Further reading: | Further reading: | ||
- | ==== red flags ==== | + | ==== Red Flags ==== |
- | * worships | + | * Worships |
- | * wants to run away | + | * Wants to run away |
+ | * Thinks that Vanlife will be " | ||
===== Planning ===== | ===== Planning ===== | ||
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//fit for your purpose// and // | //fit for your purpose// and // | ||
- | * the first van you see | + | * The first van you see |
- | * what is depicted on social media | + | * A " |
- | * what others tell you to buy | + | * What is depicted on social media |
- | * the cheapest van you can find | + | * 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. | ||
- | 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/ | + | **DO 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 ==== | ==== Failure to find vans ==== | ||
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==== Failure to consider all loads ==== | ==== Failure to consider all loads ==== | ||
- | 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" |
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* "All I need is something to charge my phone, laptop, run my light and two small fans" (and an electric kettle) | * "All I need is something to charge my phone, laptop, run my light and two small fans" (and an electric kettle) | ||
* "I don't use any of my appliances for long" (except "my small hot plate for about 2-3 hours" | * "I don't use any of my appliances for long" (except "my small hot plate for about 2-3 hours" | ||
+ | * "What are the **most basic features** that are required to travel/live in a van in the US? I'm thinking something like a bed, **an airfryer**, and some food/ gear storage." | ||
[[rv: | [[rv: | ||
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There are dreams and fantasies, then there is **what will actually work on the road**. | There are dreams and fantasies, then there is **what will actually work on the road**. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== failure to think realistically about charging ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | //Using// power is the fun/easy part; //making// power is the grind that will determine how often and how long you get to do the fun part, and how often and long you will sit in the dark with dead batteries. Think of how easy it is to spend money vs earn money. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Choosing [[electrical: | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Underbuilding the power system ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Most people will lowball how [[electrical: | ||
==== Overbuilding the power system ==== | ==== Overbuilding the power system ==== | ||
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* [[https:// | * [[https:// | ||
+ | * [[https:// | ||
===== Solar ===== | ===== Solar ===== | ||
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- | ==== Worrying | + | ==== worrying about solar ==== |
Yes, [[electrical: | Yes, [[electrical: | ||
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==== Mismatched panels ==== | ==== Mismatched panels ==== | ||
- | Mismatched panels (different voltage or current [[electrical: | + | Mismatched panels (different voltage or current [[electrical: |
* running // | * running // | ||
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===== Batteries ===== | ===== Batteries ===== | ||
- | Dear lord, those poor batteries. New folks [[electrical: | + | Dear lord, those poor batteries. New folks [[electrical: |
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+ | Actual examples: | ||
+ | >> I bought a Ecoflow Delta to... to fire up a Chinese diesel heater... However, the heater draws too much juice from the 12v car port to run. | ||
+ | |||
+ | . | ||
+ | |||
+ | >> I recently got a portable kettle that’s collapsable, | ||
+ | |||
+ | . | ||
+ | |||
+ | >> I have [a Renogy DCC50S with a 25v input limit], 6x 100w panels, currently wired as 3x 2 panel **series** in parallel, [and destroyed the controller]. | ||
===== Advice ===== | ===== 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. | ||
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If you are asking for help don't make the helpers guess what you are trying to accomplish, what gear you have, whether or not it has ever worked, etc. People across the internet cannot see what's in front of you -- all we have to go on is what you tell us. | If you are asking for help don't make the helpers guess what you are trying to accomplish, what gear you have, whether or not it has ever worked, etc. People across the internet cannot see what's in front of you -- all we have to go on is what you tell us. | ||
+ | |||
+ | You may want to start a text document that lists all the installed gear and significant settings so | ||
+ | |||
+ | - you have a clearer understanding; | ||
+ | - can paste it into a post when you need help | ||
==== thrashing ==== | ==== thrashing ==== | ||
- | // | + | // |
Slow down. //Listen// to what people are telling you. Think about what you want to accomplish. | Slow down. //Listen// to what people are telling you. Think about what you want to accomplish. | ||
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==== Failure to ask good questions ==== | ==== Failure to ask good questions ==== | ||
- | 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: |