This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
opinion:frater_secessus:cheap_build [2020/08/25 18:28] frater_secessus [building out a camper on the cheap] |
opinion:frater_secessus:cheap_build [2020/10/11 19:48] |
||
---|---|---|---|
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
- | a longer-form answer to [[https:// | ||
- | |||
- | ====== building out a camper on the cheap ====== | ||
- | |||
- | |||
- | Building a functional camper on a big budget is easy - pay someone to do it. Doing it on a budget requires research, patience, and work. | ||
- | |||
- | |||
- | > > Tips and tricks to being a cheap o? | ||
- | |||
- | ===== tl;dr ===== | ||
- | |||
- | If you read nothing else: avoid flexible solar panels, AGM batteries, and solar generators. | ||
- | |||
- | |||
- | ===== expectations ===== | ||
- | |||
- | * It is cheap to think of the camper as a camping tent on wheels. | ||
- | |||
- | |||
- | ===== the van ===== | ||
- | |||
- | * Consider a mommy van or minivan instead of a Sprinter. | ||
- | * get a mechanic' | ||
- | * plan your moves in advance to save on fuel costs. | ||
- | * drive slower | ||
- | |||
- | ===== power ===== | ||
- | |||
- | ==== loads ==== | ||
- | |||
- | * avoid heating/ | ||
- | * avoid using power-hungry PCs or laptops. | ||
- | |||
- | |||
- | ==== solar ==== | ||
- | |||
- | * Buy larger/ | ||
- | * if you are using PWM controllers, | ||
- | * if you are going to be deep-cycling the batteries every day((like to 50% [[electrical: | ||
- | * [[electrical: | ||
- | |||
- | |||
- | |||
- | ==== charging ==== | ||
- | |||
- | * learn your [[electrical: | ||
- | |||
- | ==== alternator charging ==== | ||
- | |||
- | * //do// add an isolator to your solar charging system; it is cheap " | ||
- | * // | ||
- | * // | ||
- | |||
- | ==== batteries ==== | ||
- | |||
- | |||
- | * avoid convenience items like " | ||
- | * use 6v deep cycles in series rather than 12v singly or in parallel | ||
- | * use flooded rather than AGM. If you need massive current, use lithium rather than AGM. LFP lithium and 6v deep cycle have very similar costs in the long term. AGM costs 2-4x as much per lifetime kAh. | ||
- | |||
- | |||
- | |||
- | ===== recurring expenses ===== | ||
- | |||
- | * consider moving to a bank that does not charge ATM fees (Ally, Schwab), checking fees, etc | ||
- | * get your internet use under control and downgrade to a cheaper plan | ||
- | * avoid keeping a self-storage unit | ||
- | |||