I don't own a van and will not - I live in Thailand. However, I spent 22 days in a rental camper van in Iceland last year. I totally agree with your recommendation on a refrigerator - the camper had a small compressor chest refrig - I bought two meals in restaurants the entire time. My biggest recommendation - have some red LED lights in the van for night time use - saves your night vision for those night trips to outside facilities and they are much less intrusive to others around you. The rental van had them and I was amazed how useful they were and how much I appreciated them.
Hi Allen, thanks for sharing your experience with the red lights. That sounds like a great idea, I'll keep that in mind for future projects. Also sounds like some cool experiences you're having, between Iceland and Thailand. Very cool, thanks for tuning in!
Good tips. I have an off-road Caravan (bigish wheels) which I purchased 20 years ago slightly customised with 2x70 Litre potable water (with pump), LPG water heater, 2x12v 100AH Lead acid, 2x120Watt PV, PWM controller, nice fridge, twin burner LPG stove and 4 small florescent lights. Now it has 4x 12V 108AH LiFePO4 batteries, water gauges, extra 2 x 100Litre water containers, Water filter, 2 x 550 Watt PV, Victron MPPT, Shunt, Multiplus 12/2000/80, Cerbo-GX, LED lights, fans - etc. Victron is very good and you only need to buy once. The only heater is a LPG gas heater - which I've never used... so disagree with your section on having an aircon unit for cooling & heating. I live in South Africa and probably spend a month a year building stuff at Afrikaburn (our Burning Man) (up to 45°C). I do have a water misting system though! My electrical system also runs our smallish camp (50 or so souls).
Great segment on errors. Thank you for sharing. We are in process of converting from a very simple trailer build (where i made ALL those mistakes and than some) to a proper camper trailer. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Great channel.
get pure sinewave inverter - not modified sinewave inverter - Computer power supplies can wreak havock on cheap inverters - size for double the expected loads (inductive loads can be unexpected).
Some excellent tips. One lesson I have learnt is try and buy high quality brands when it comes to key components - inverters/chargers/solar controllers. As budgets allow I am slowly switching over to Victron's. Your point on monitoring - this is essential!
Hey there, thanks for tuning in, and I agree on the high-quality components. The stakes are higher when you're far from home and something stops working. Glad you agree on monitoring!
Thanks Raph, good to hear you can relate to these experiences. Looks like we had the same van. Chevy Express is a beast! Also thanks for the Green Mountains tour, I'll have to check those out. Great channel.
@@thethiefonthecross9092 they failed on me, but that was 2016, the flex panels have gone through several design iterations, but yeah I'm still kind of scared to use them. Will have to test some new ones.
Thank you 🙏 Brother for all your Brilliant Teachings. I’ve learned so much from you. You’ve literally saved me thousands of Dollars 💵 & soooo much time. I’m so appreciative. I tell everyone about you. 🍻 👊 🇺🇸
Friends of mine had their glass panels fly off the top of their van (and damage their pop-up shell) when a dust devil crossed their path. Seems more likely for panels that can be caught by wind from underneath.
As I said in the video, flex panels fail. Bolt this stuff down. Driving down the highway at 70mph is the equivalent of a dust devil. I think using a bunch of adhesive might be the common issue. Use bolts.
Hi David, thanks for tuning in and for the suggestion. That makes sense, I think the more experience people get out there, the more control they want over ensuring their water is clean, since it's coming from random sources. In the last van I worked on, we put in a GE filter from Home Depot that was made for a house. The longer I go, the less "RV" components I use. Thanks for tuning in!
Thanks Ross, some great info here. I really like your suggestion of the Marine Duplex Cable for 12 VDC. You also mention that solid core should not be used in mobile (vibrating) applications. What about the 110 AC portion of the wiring? Do you also use stranded there?
Hi Paul, thanks for tuning in, great to hear this was helpful. The same vibration logic will apply to the 110 AC cables, and in that case, it's recommended to use Triplex marine cable for the AC lines. Great question-
Hello, Ihave a victron dc dc 12v 30 Amp charger Device, while I was connecting. I inserted the positive veu charger from the starter battery into the negative socket of my device and my device does not work. What can be done.
When using a Victron DC to DC charger which only accepts 6 gauge cable, what do you do if you need to run a thicker cable from the alternator than 6 gauge? I never see anyone show this, which I see people running thicker cable than 6 gauge from the alternator?
You usually go to the engine battery instead of the alternator. You can downsize the cable when you pass through a fuse block, or if nothing else, at a power post. You land the thicker cable at the post, and leave the post with 6 AWG. Hope that helps, thanks for tuning in!
Hi Corbin, yes I think those are fine and that was one of the items I had in mind with the 1500-watt recommendation on the inverter (although in earnest some stoves go to 1800 watts). As far as I can tell, the power draw is similar whether it's induction heating or a regular electric stove. Thanks for the comment and for tuning in!
@@rosslukemanHi Ross - I always camp with an induction hot plate. Most useful. Some brands I am told are more sensitive to receiving the correct voltage than others. I use a Morphy Richards which has worked well.
@@walkerbay6373 Hey thanks for the info on the induction stove. Also good to know about the Morphy Richards, I wasn't aware of them but looks like a great brand!
My previous rig had the solar connected continuously for 15 years to maintain the flooded batteries; never a problem and the batteries lasted very well. Only 2 sets of 6v golf cart batteries during the entire 15 years and the last set was still working fairly well when I traded the camper in. My new rig will have Li batteries soon!
I don't own a van and will not - I live in Thailand. However, I spent 22 days in a rental camper van in Iceland last year. I totally agree with your recommendation on a refrigerator - the camper had a small compressor chest refrig - I bought two meals in restaurants the entire time. My biggest recommendation - have some red LED lights in the van for night time use - saves your night vision for those night trips to outside facilities and they are much less intrusive to others around you. The rental van had them and I was amazed how useful they were and how much I appreciated them.
Hi Allen, thanks for sharing your experience with the red lights. That sounds like a great idea, I'll keep that in mind for future projects. Also sounds like some cool experiences you're having, between Iceland and Thailand. Very cool, thanks for tuning in!
Thanks. The DC to DC charger sounds like it's been a great thing for the 4x4, van and commuting/camping/traveling battery/solar scenario
Great video and thanks for sharing. I love your approach and your way of teaching things to other
Hi Alain, thanks for tuning in and for the kind words! I appreciate it.
Relly good advice, bang on👍
Good tips. I have an off-road Caravan (bigish wheels) which I purchased 20 years ago slightly customised with 2x70 Litre potable water (with pump), LPG water heater, 2x12v 100AH Lead acid, 2x120Watt PV, PWM controller, nice fridge, twin burner LPG stove and 4 small florescent lights.
Now it has 4x 12V 108AH LiFePO4 batteries, water gauges, extra 2 x 100Litre water containers, Water filter, 2 x 550 Watt PV, Victron MPPT, Shunt, Multiplus 12/2000/80, Cerbo-GX, LED lights, fans - etc. Victron is very good and you only need to buy once.
The only heater is a LPG gas heater - which I've never used... so disagree with your section on having an aircon unit for cooling & heating. I live in South Africa and probably spend a month a year building stuff at Afrikaburn (our Burning Man) (up to 45°C). I do have a water misting system though! My electrical system also runs our smallish camp (50 or so souls).
Great video, Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the kind words and for tuning in John!
Great segment on errors. Thank you for sharing. We are in process of converting from a very simple trailer build (where i made ALL those mistakes and than some) to a proper camper trailer. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Great channel.
Hi Dmitry, thanks for tuning in and great to hear you could relate to some of those mistakes! Good luck with the new camper trailer!
Glad to know ive considered and implemented all of these to some extent
Good to hear, thanks for checking out the video!
great list. some good real world advice.
Thank you!
get pure sinewave inverter - not modified sinewave inverter - Computer power supplies can wreak havock on cheap inverters - size for double the expected loads (inductive loads can be unexpected).
Some excellent tips. One lesson I have learnt is try and buy high quality brands when it comes to key components - inverters/chargers/solar controllers. As budgets allow I am slowly switching over to Victron's. Your point on monitoring - this is essential!
Hey there, thanks for tuning in, and I agree on the high-quality components. The stakes are higher when you're far from home and something stops working. Glad you agree on monitoring!
excellent video, thank you.. everything you said about your experiences I've gone through too. . very informative
Thanks Raph, good to hear you can relate to these experiences. Looks like we had the same van. Chevy Express is a beast! Also thanks for the Green Mountains tour, I'll have to check those out. Great channel.
What was your experience with the flexible panels?
@@thethiefonthecross9092 they failed on me, but that was 2016, the flex panels have gone through several design iterations, but yeah I'm still kind of scared to use them. Will have to test some new ones.
Love the humility and appreciate the knowledge thru real world experiences. You got a subscribe from me
Hey great to hear you got something out of it! Thanks for tuning in and subscribing!
Thank you 🙏 Brother for all your Brilliant Teachings. I’ve learned so much from you. You’ve literally saved me thousands of Dollars 💵 & soooo much time. I’m so appreciative. I tell everyone about you. 🍻 👊 🇺🇸
Hey Troy, thanks for the kind words and for tuning in. Good to know these videos have made an impact for you!
Friends of mine had their glass panels fly off the top of their van (and damage their pop-up shell) when a dust devil crossed their path. Seems more likely for panels that can be caught by wind from underneath.
As I said in the video, flex panels fail. Bolt this stuff down. Driving down the highway at 70mph is the equivalent of a dust devil. I think using a bunch of adhesive might be the common issue. Use bolts.
This is actually quite a good video … I did most all the same. I think too a really important is a true clean water source/system.
Hi David, thanks for tuning in and for the suggestion. That makes sense, I think the more experience people get out there, the more control they want over ensuring their water is clean, since it's coming from random sources. In the last van I worked on, we put in a GE filter from Home Depot that was made for a house. The longer I go, the less "RV" components I use. Thanks for tuning in!
Thanks Ross, some great info here. I really like your suggestion of the Marine Duplex Cable for 12 VDC. You also mention that solid core should not be used in mobile (vibrating) applications. What about the 110 AC portion of the wiring? Do you also use stranded there?
Hi Paul, thanks for tuning in, great to hear this was helpful. The same vibration logic will apply to the 110 AC cables, and in that case, it's recommended to use Triplex marine cable for the AC lines. Great question-
Ah, you did mention marine triplex somewhere; I have it in my notes. I just missed that you intended it for use on the AC side. Thanks again!
Ok, now I don't need to do these mistakes, thank you so much. Maybe I'll find new ones, actually I'm pretty sure about it.
Glad you found that helpful! Thanks for watching-
Hello, Ihave a victron dc dc 12v 30 Amp charger Device, while I was connecting. I inserted the positive veu charger from the starter battery into the negative socket of my device and my device does not work. What can be done.
When using a Victron DC to DC charger which only accepts 6 gauge cable, what do you do if you need to run a thicker cable from the alternator than 6 gauge? I never see anyone show this, which I see people running thicker cable than 6 gauge from the alternator?
You usually go to the engine battery instead of the alternator. You can downsize the cable when you pass through a fuse block, or if nothing else, at a power post. You land the thicker cable at the post, and leave the post with 6 AWG. Hope that helps, thanks for tuning in!
@@rosslukeman Thank you!
Neat bike. Would be fun in Ohio to go fishing with at the lake
Ever think about induction cooking?.. Or does it take too much juice?
Hi Corbin, yes I think those are fine and that was one of the items I had in mind with the 1500-watt recommendation on the inverter (although in earnest some stoves go to 1800 watts). As far as I can tell, the power draw is similar whether it's induction heating or a regular electric stove. Thanks for the comment and for tuning in!
@@rosslukemanHi Ross - I always camp with an induction hot plate. Most useful. Some brands I am told are more sensitive to receiving the correct voltage than others. I use a Morphy Richards which has worked well.
@@walkerbay6373 Hey thanks for the info on the induction stove. Also good to know about the Morphy Richards, I wasn't aware of them but looks like a great brand!
I use a surge protector straight off my inverter is that ok as a fuse or breaker? same but different right?
No
you left your RV with solar on for 10 days without supervisor? Don't believe that smart
If your building has solar, do you disconnect it when you leave?
My previous rig had the solar connected continuously for 15 years to maintain the flooded batteries; never a problem and the batteries lasted very well. Only 2 sets of 6v golf cart batteries during the entire 15 years and the last set was still working fairly well when I traded the camper in. My new rig will have Li batteries soon!