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--- opinion:frater_secessus:cheap_build [2020/08/25 18:38]
frater_secessus [power]
+++ opinion:frater_secessus:cheap_build [2020/10/11 19:48] (current)
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-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 ======
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 ===== 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 =====
-  * 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.
-===== 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.
 ===== 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 ====
@@ Line 58: / Line 66: @@
+  * 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]]"
   * use 6v deep cycles in series rather than 12v singly or in parallel
@@ Line 66: / Line 75: @@
+===== 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.

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