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opinion:frater_secessus:cheap_build

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opinion:frater_secessus:cheap_build [2020/08/25 22:34]
frater_secessus [solar] 		opinion:frater_secessus:cheap_build [2020/10/11 23:48] (current)
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-a longer-form answer to [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/igjleu/cheapest_build_brag_here/this thread]]+a longer-form answer to [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/igjleu/cheapest_build_brag_here/|this thread]]
  
-====== building out a camper on the cheap ======+====== frugal camper builds ======
  
  
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 ===== tl;dr ===== ===== tl;dr =====
  
-If you read nothing else:  avoid flexible solar panels, AGM batteries, and solar generators.    They are all niche products with niche (ie, doubled) prices, and very few vandwellers need them. +If you read nothing else:   
 + 
 +  * don't try to [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#heating_and_cooling|heat and cool stuff with solar power]]. 
 +  * avoid flexible solar panels, AGM batteries, and solar generators.    They are all niche products with niche (ie, doubled) prices, and very few vandwellers need them. 
  
  
 ===== expectations ===== ===== expectations =====
  
-  * It is cheap to think of the camper as a camping tent on wheels.  It is expensive to think of it as a mobile apartment. +It is cheap to think of the camper as a camping tent on wheels.  It is expensive to think of it as a mobile apartment.  
 + 
 +Pre-van experiment:  read the product label to see wattage draw //before// operating or plugging in any appliance in your home. The object is to learn how much power things really consume. 
 + 
 + 
 + 
  
  
  
 ===== power ===== ===== power =====
 +
 +Reducing your power use will have far-reaching effects, simplifying the system and reducing costs for batteries, panels, and charging equipment.
 +
 +//Timing// your power use can also make a tremendous difference.  Example:  Charging the laptop while driving (or after the house batteries are charged) is a "freebie".  Running a laptop at night directly affects the system because there is no charge coming in then to help support the load. 
 +
  
 ==== loads ==== ==== loads ====
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 +  * generally speaking, use the smallest battery bank appropriate for your use and apply maximal charging to it.  
   * avoid convenience items like "[[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator|solar generators]]"   * avoid convenience items like "[[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator|solar generators]]"
   * use 6v deep cycles in series rather than 12v singly or in parallel   * use 6v deep cycles in series rather than 12v singly or in parallel
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 +===== sourcing =====
 +
 +Buy used from craigslist, thrift stores, etc. when possible.  Know the internal dimensions of your van and carry a tape measure with you.  Buy used/open-package from Amazon.  
 +
 +Use pricewatch tools like camelcamelcamel to get alerts when prices drop on items you need. 
  
opinion/frater_secessus/cheap_build.1598394853.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/10/11 23:48 (external edit)

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