Power source for in-van living

Whenarewethere · Guru

RE: Power source for in-van living

Magnarc · Guru

ProspectiveNomad wrote:
Does this forum offer a way to close a discussion thread? Delete? Archive?

The conversation that has developed is not helpful or relevant to the OP.

Hi John Smith, (a most unusual Nom de Plume?) People have varying ideas on relevance. You mentioned "stealth parking". In doing so you invited, inadvertantly or otherwise, comments. Having done so there is no point getting upset if some posters choose to do just that.

Corndoggy · Senior Member

Yes. Just what we need here. Restrictions on freedom of speech. Lets have no more comments if you don't have a positive spin on them. Don't point out any negatives, don'ts and if you do not agree posts. Some poeple only want to hear what they want to hear. We can't upset them.

-- Edited by Corndoggy on Saturday 18th of May 2024 12:48:46 PM

67HR · Senior Member

We have an 09 Eco-Tourer, when we got it 18 months ago, the 100ah AGM was cooked.

I replaced it with a Ritar 120ah AGM, new Victron 240/20ah charger & what I consider the best piece of equipment a Victron Shunt. I can charge the van battery on the road via the jeep direct through a ign activated 75ah relay.

I also got rid of the AC -12v transformer, bridge rectifier and converted all globes TO 12v LED/DC.

Off grid using the lights at night, 12v TV (when there's reception) or radio and my CPAP with 24v-12v adaptor we have around 90-94% remaining in our battery the next morning.

Off grid we have no need for a inverter and the fridge is a 3 way and runs on gas.

When off grid I charge the battery from 160w folding panel through a Victron MMPT controller.

It is a minialmistic set-up but it's been working fine for 18 months.

Hope this helps

Trev

Jaahn · Guru

ProspectiveNomad wrote:
Does this forum offer a way to close a discussion thread? Delete? Archive?

The conversation that has developed is not helpful or relevant to the OP.

John this is a public forum and is open to anyone for comments. Good and bad is put on, and the poster has no control of it. I personally thought some of the discussion shows how narrow minded some old farts can be and how pontificating on other peoples behaviour can be a game on a forum.

But I just stuck to providing answers which were on the topic and even useful in my eyes. You can always contact the forum moderator and ask them to close it but personally I do think that is censorship and that is not justified just because you do not like the replies !

jaahn

peter67 · Guru

Magnarc wrote:
ProspectiveNomad wrote:
Does this forum offer a way to close a discussion thread? Delete? Archive?

The conversation that has developed is not helpful or relevant to the OP.
Hi John Smith, (a most unusual Nom de Plume?) People have varying ideas on relevance. You mentioned "stealth parking". In doing so you invited, inadvertantly or otherwise, comments. Having done so there is no point getting upset if some posters choose to do just that.

I think some posters, led by Possum, jumped to conclusions and were a bit rude.

peter67 · Guru

ProspectiveNomad wrote:
I am about to buy a van and outfit it to live in. The writings on this site have helped me to make the decision to spend the extra for an Engel refrigerator, and now I seek advice about power for it and other appliances. I am not an electrical engineer, nor fancy becoming one, so I mean to buy a battery-in-a-box type power station. I hope that the folks here can give me the benefit of their experience as to brands and maybe specific models to seek out or avoid.
My wattage needs are not very great. The Engel fridge is energy-efficient. I do not anticipate cooling beyond a fan, or heating beyond a well-insulated sleeping arrangement. I may want to use my laptop for 10+ hours in a day, while using wi-fi to watch netflix or play online games. I will install solar panels on my roof. Not sure yet about cooking. I hope to spend less than $1500 on a power station.

If your Nom de Plume really is John Smith, give yourself a slap right now for showing a gross lack of imagination :) but seriously, look at the good advice you got. Jaahn is right, you would be better off with 2x100ah AGM batteries for less than a grand'

Kebbin · Guru

PN I think you need to look at the type of Van and the setup inside unless your 4'8" the Honda will be a pain in the bum. Have a look on youtube for Converting Van into Camper this will give you an idea or two. Good luck.

Cuppa · Guru

ProspectiveNomad wrote:

The conversation that has developed is not helpful or relevant to the OP.

I assume that this refers to the judgementalism around the notion of stealth camping'.

In my view stealth camping' is not about legality/illegality, but simply the ability to camp without being noticed, to feel safe & secure, to not draw unwanted attention. Viewed from that perspective the ability to 'stealth camp' is, I would suggest worthwhile.

Many here, including my wife & I, have 'stealth camped' on occasions. We always try to camp out of sight of the road, & have block out curtains/blinds to keep the light in so as not to attract attention, and refrain from putting out the awning,washing etc.

On rare occasions we have 'stealth camped' in the likes of a public car park or a street in an industrial area. Again without drawing attention to ourselves & leaving no trace. It is not something we have felt particularly comfortable doing, but being able to do so stealthily' has been reassuring.

-- Edited by Cuppa on Sunday 19th of May 2024 10:28:23 AM

Possum3 · Guru

peter67 wrote:
I think some posters, led by Possum, jumped to conclusions and were a bit rude.

It is in the name "stealth camping" not:- camping, free camping, donation camping, bush camping, wild camping, etc. The reason it is done is to be non-compliant to Rules, Regulations, Law (trespass), and avoidance of paying Fees, Rental and Levies.

It is not "Rude" to accurately define something and politely point out the misdemeanors' of those in error.

Cuppa · Guru

Possum3 wrote:
peter67 wrote:
I think some posters, led by Possum, jumped to conclusions and were a bit rude.
It is in the name "stealth camping" not:- camping, free camping, donation camping, bush camping, wild camping, etc. The reason it is done is to be non-compliant to Rules, Regulations, Law (trespass), and avoidance of paying Fees, Rental and Levies.
It is not "Rude" to accurately define something and politely point out the misdemeanors' of those in error.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My definition does not imply wrongdoing.

Are you suggesting that it always breaks rules to sleep the night in non-designated camping areas?

I think it is very easy to camp in non-designated camping spots without breaking any rules, regulations or Law, ( certainly it does not incur any fees).

Admittedly most of our camping is out in the bush/outback, but I am not aware of any rules which broadly prohibit such behaviour in or close to any towns.

There are of course exceptions which should be abided by. I am more than happy, often, to (for example) drive down a publicly accessible woodland track off the side of the road to find a space for an overnighter. I wont go through gates nor cross fence lines, but am always conscious of trying not to be seen through the trees - ie being stealthy. And we never leave our rubbish behind.

I note however that some definitions of the term stealth (but not all) do incorporate clandestine activity. The definition I prefer is "a cautious, unobtrusive, and secretive way of moving or proceeding intended to avoid detection.

Maybe terms like covert camping, secretive camping or 'unobtrusive camping might carry less negative connotations? Either way I am happy that my stealth camping is not commiting misdemeanours.

On a 'side note I acknowledge that there most probably grey areas where misdemeanours occur, but i suggest in these days of increased financial hardship & homelessness that it is, IMHO reasonable to be more accepting of those who have nowhere to be. I have no idea of the circumstances of the OPer, but do feel that those folk who strive to retain their independence in difficult circumstances should be supported & commended.

Two local examples from the Central Victoria region where I live. One good, one not so good. Somewhere near Bendigo a couple bought a bush block & have lived on it for the past 6 months in a caravan, because they had nowhere else. They were clean & regularly took their portapotti to a public dump point to empty it. Council rules say they are not allowed to do do this & have evicted them. I wonder where they can now go? Closer to home Lake Burrumbeet allows free camping for 28 days. There are folk living there in vans & motorhomes, choosing fuel & food over rent. Interviewed in a local paper one single lady explained that living there in her campervan enabled her to stay warm (diesel heater) to eat a reasonable diet & to visit her disabled daughter in Melbourne weekly, things she could not do if paying rent on a house. The comment which I liked was about the 28 day rule.. "The authorities turn a blind eye to length of stay if we keep the place neat & tidy" . This is how we should be to each other, not using rules to otherise those less fortunate.

-- Edited by Cuppa on Sunday 19th of May 2024 01:42:31 PM

Are We Lost · Guru

Cuppa, I agree that the examples you quoted should be legal.

I have often stayed at unofficial sites and enjoyed the peace and quiet. Or just a gravel pit overnight while on a journey. However my van is fully self contained, which I suspect is a very different situation from the OP's. The fridge he proposed is a 14 lite camping fridge which he said is for medications. Maybe he could fit a bottle of milk in as well, but there would not be much room for food. So living in the van without shops nearby would not be easy.

With that level of simplicity and size of van I doubt there would be any water containment. So public toilets would be needed nearby ... probably a short walk. I think this is closer to what the OP wants to do, rather than your examples. As he said, stealth to be unnoticed and blend in with all the other vehicles.

"urban stealth camping" means parking on a street, or in a carpark and looking like some random vehicle parked, not a nomad."

I am all in favour of allowing greater flexibility in where we can camp but that does not include doing so in urban areas unless designated for the purpose. If the van is well set up for the purpose then maybe the rules could be stretched a bit further. But I would not like the thought of someone stealth camping out the front of my home for example.

Possum3 · Guru

Cuppa, unfortunately your definition is NOT correct. I did list other types of camping that are not "Stealth" camping.

"Stealth Camping" as opposed any other type of camping, is illegal in most jurisdictions within Australia. FACT.

Dick0 · Guru

ProspectiveNomad wrote:
Does this forum offer a way to close a discussion thread? Delete? Archive?

The conversation that has developed is not helpful or relevant to the OP.

If you feel opinions are offensive or of no value whatsoever to your original thread you can request the Forum Moderator (Cindy) to close the Post.

It is getting out of hand from the original discussion!

Cuppa · Guru

Possum,

I very much doubt that the term is used in any legal sense.

I suggest that what you consider illegal is YOUR definition of stealth camping which you are certain is THE correct definition.

Personally I have only ever seen assertions as to what stealth camping means, certainly not any legal term & I cannot understand why you are so vehemently black & white about a widely used term, which clearly means different things to different people.

For the record I have not suggested that you are incorrect, only that there is no single definition. If you were able to accept that FACT we may actually find a point of agreement somewhere in this.

And Dicko is correct, we have left the original topic largely behind, & I apologise for my part in that, however my response has been triggered by what I have perceived as criticism without basis of a new poster.

rgren2 · Guru

Did a quick google, this was one hit.
www.thegreynomads.com.au/planning/where-to-camp/stealth/

ProspectiveNomad · Member

Whenarewethere wrote:

plus the inefficiency of the inverter

Why would I be converting DC into AC just to convert it back into DC? I will be buying a laptop with USB-C charging.

Kebbin · Guru

I have enjoyed a bush camp or a camp in remote areas away from the road for peace and quite these are called stealth camps by many. I did many of these in the 70's as Rest areas were few and far between.
In Qld they were non existent with Police actively discouraging visitors from stopping anywhere near a road, homes, beaches or parks you couldn't get a vehicle stay in most van parks, you had to book one of their onsite vans.

As long as you are responsible with waste and don't bother or park near homes I see little to be concerned about. Crown Land can be camped on anywhere in Australia for a period of time 2 weeks seems to be ringing a bell.

PN, it sounds like you are going to camp in a City, this I wouldn't do for security and peace of mind. Is there any reason you can't travel away from your Sisters? You will find some good areas on the outskirts of Cities that you can camp up in without the Angst.

dogbox · Guru

Cuppa wrote:

Possum,

I very much doubt that the term is used in any legal sense.

I suggest that what you consider illegal is YOUR definition of stealth camping which you are certain is THE correct definition.

Personally I have only ever seen assertions as to what stealth camping means, certainly not any legal term & I cannot understand why you are so vehemently black & white about a widely used term, which clearly means different things to different people.

For the record I have not suggested that you are incorrect, only that there is no single definition. If you were able to accept that FACT we may actually find a point of agreement somewhere in this.

And Dicko is correct, we have left the original topic largely behind, & I apologise for my part in that, however my response has been triggered by what I have perceived as criticism without basis of a new poster.

the OP made a post with limited information looking for information.

we have given our advice based on how we perceived his question, if he had of stated that he wished to live like "THE LADY IN A VAN" the information/advice may have been different

Gundog · Guru

dogbox wrote:
Cuppa wrote:

Possum,

I very much doubt that the term is used in any legal sense.

I suggest that what you consider illegal is YOUR definition of stealth camping which you are certain is THE correct definition.

Personally I have only ever seen assertions as to what stealth camping means, certainly not any legal term & I cannot understand why you are so vehemently black & white about a widely used term, which clearly means different things to different people.

For the record I have not suggested that you are incorrect, only that there is no single definition. If you were able to accept that FACT we may actually find a point of agreement somewhere in this.

And Dicko is correct, we have left the original topic largely behind, & I apologise for my part in that, however my response has been triggered by what I have perceived as criticism without basis of a new poster.

the OP made a post with limited information looking for information.

we have given our advice based on how we perceived his question, if he had of stated that he wished to live like "THE LADY IN A VAN" the information/advice may have been different

We see STEALTH camping occouring often during the northern migration season.

Stealth camping is morons who consider using someone elses facilities and not paying for it, aka stealth camping equals theft, many caravaners, whiz bangers and an assortment of other self entitled theives sneak into caravan parks late at night and depart early morning without paying, others just drive in uses the toilets and showers.

Another occasion on a friday night we had a car drive in and went straight to a remote section of the park ( the stupid idiots drove straight past the bar where the lights were on ) anyway the owners went down and evicted them, as they left they stopped just outside the entrance to the park where another 4 cars arrived, guess that was the lead card if they had got away with it there would have been a whole group there.

dorian · Guru

www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-20/pensioner-living-on-bus-faces-council-legal-action/103810806

Amid a crippling shortage of houses and rental properties, a regional council in Western Australia is taking legal action to force a pensioner out of his temporary home.

Danny Reinhold is living in a converted bus on private land, and can't afford to rent or purchase his own home.

The pensioner is living on a friend's block -- with his permission -- in Darkan, 211 kilometres south of Perth in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region.

Corndoggy · Senior Member

On a number of occasions we had people stealth camping in our caravan annex in the caravan park the van was onsite. It's a bit hard to lock up a canvas annex. It's bad enough someone would do this but most didn't clean up their rubbish they just threw around. My aunt had someone break into their aluminium annex by forcing open one of the windows. The park owner never knew anyone was there until we told him. Think they parked outside on the road then walked through the gaps in the bushes to get inside and we were up the end of the park, away from the office and entrance.

dogbox · Guru

not uncommon to see people walk in an use the facilities then move on, some even take the toilet paper just, a fact of life.