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opinion:frater_secessus:cheap_build [2020/08/25 18:46]
frater_secessus [building out a camper on the cheap]
opinion:frater_secessus:cheap_build [2020/10/11 19:48] (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]]
  
 ====== frugal camper builds ====== ====== 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.
  
  
  
-===== 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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 +===== 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.1598395616.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/10/11 19:48 (external edit)