Vandwelling 101 - Vandwelling is a skilled lifestyle with a learning curve

I've seen so many that discount the amount of skills needed for this life.  

I just had to wire on the fly,  a better solar and battery setup in my van without losing the food in the fridge; safely,  without doing it halfway,  with only what i had on hand.  I used an old set jumper cables,  two battery cable ends,  and had it up and running in less than a half hour.  

My starter has gone out again.  A stalker caught me as i was being towed into the LTVA and has pushed me repeatedly for the guy who works on his van to fix it... for only $450 plus the parts.  He's assured me his mechanic (who has never seen my vehicle)  knows that it's the flex gear in the transmission causing this issue.  Lol.  Can I get a new flex capacitor at the same time. Luckily I know a fair amount of mechanics skils. 

Too many try to do everything all at once.  Stop it. That's a good recipe for failure.  

Too many also try to make it into a house. A house doesn't jolt and jiggle going down the road.  You may store dry and canned food anywhere it fits,  not just in the kitchen.  

I think this is the first time,  since having my trailer,  class a 30 ft motorhome,  or old travel trailers that I've had a kitchen and power prewired in.  

I know it's the first time I've had a fridge in years.  I didn't miss any of these items.  You simply change your buying habits and cooking habits.  

I could turn around tomorrow and start over in a compact car and still cook, sleep,  and have power with much less than $100 build.  

You need to learn power systems.  You need to relearn food and cooking.  Every drop of water you use,  charging your electronics,  what electronics you use.  

My point is this is a very different alternative lifestyle and not just anyone starts out expert.  Don't expect yourself to be one.  And what you think you want and need will change drastically your first year out. 

Good coffee to you

Vandwelling 101 -- Personal updates

It's been a while since I wrote this blog regularly.  A lot of things happened in my life,  including my van down constantly for over 6 months.  

Just as I was ready to get on the interstate for a trip that's been postponed month after month,  again my van didn't start.  This time it's just a V-belt, and was a bit harder to find the correct size. It's a 48 hour $11 delay.  I am so grateful it was literally 5 minutes before I left,  that it's an easy and inexpensive fix. 

New batteries,  new fuel pump,  new alternator, 2 starters, oil change,  and everything ok.  The correct belt on Monday.

I'm so excited to be back traveling finally.  I only planned on staying one month. 

So finally,  Monday,  i start off once again

See you down the road,

JustLou 

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Vandwelling 101 - When Your Van Breaks Down

Someone asked me what do you do when you're broken down.  Lol.  I've spent most of the last eight months one problem after another. 

First, go directly to store or lot owner and be honest. I've a fixed income.  I've had to wait for mechanics.  Up to a month or three non running van.  

Keep exterior area clean.  Whether you or others.  I've picked up trash left by others.  

Don't have people congregate where you are.  Don't cook or sit a chair outside.  Don't leave food waste or human waste or dump bunches gray water. 

It's basic common sense.  I had to tow away to different spot twice.  Better than having an issue.  Both times were because of someone else. 

You just communicate,  do your best,  and as long as you're doing something about it,  generally you'll manage to work it out.  

See ya down the road, 

JustLou

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Vandwelling 101 -- 2020 Holiday Blahs Revisited

It's Christmas Eve for many, but what about those in a van or nomads alone and on the road.  Often we see many during this holiday time that feel left out or bereft.

So, let's talk about self care and alternative ways to enjoy this month,  especially during the covid-19 pandemic. 

I just went to Dollar General and splurged for less than $10. I bought Eckrich jalapeno and cheddar sausage links.  The 6 links will make either 2 or 3 good meals as the meat base of a meal.  Today,  I'll make potatoes, carrots,  and onions to go with them. Add a slice of whole wheat bread with real butter..ooohhh a treat.  

I got a pkg of 6 fun sized milky way candy bars for $1. The small decadent chocolate sweet satisfies my sweet tooth.  

I also bought $1 canister of potato chips and a box of sweet cereal.  That's my snacking supplies for enjoying while watching movies.  

Entertainment...ahhh thank you YouTube and tubi tv and Pluto for free choices of shows and movies to entertain me.  I have streaming subscription to both CBS and Hulu. 

My holiday attire is comfy leggings or sweaters topped with long sleeve t shirts.  Add a $3 fleece blanket folded in half diagonally for a shawl. 

Next i bundle into my big sleeping bag and liner with snacks and my two 2-liter rc cola for refreshments. 

Add one small chihuahua who steals the bed and demands her share of meals and snacks,  I'm all set for the holiday weekend.  Bliss. Just me and Kira. 

I'll be watching non holiday movies as usual,  King Ralph, Coyote Ugly, The Diehard movies, NCIS, Seal team,  Hawaii 5-0, NCIS Los Angeles. 

So rather than feeling lonely,  neglected,  or self pity,  I've made a pro-active plan for myself and the end of the year holidays. 

So enjoy whatever festive holidays you celebrate at this time,  Kira and I will sit this one out,  enjoying each other. 

See you down the road

JustLou and Kira

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Vandwelling 101 -- Side post batteries and battery shelves in vintage vans

This blog article will be more of educational and theory about why Chevy van and vintage vans with side post batteries tend to cause issues. 

First, a cheap battery is the most expensive thing you can buy.  Batteries are definitely the item that you get what you pay for category.  

Cheap side post batteries have very soft lead where the bolts go in.  Tighten it just a quarter turn too much and you strip the bolt hole threads.  That is not repairable by an average person.  Then the bolt will rotate and make the hole bigger as you go down the road. I've had one arc on me.  

Battery case design has changed slightly.  Getting the battery clamp that secures battery to shelf to hold battery as originally designed is almost impossible.  You can add battery strap to it,  but I'll be designing a modification that involves using standard battery box custom fitted and secured to original battery shelf.  

I have used Walmart Walmart everstart batteries,  interstate batteries,  and I've currently replaced both starter and house battery with good Duracell batteries.  The difference in weight,  case construction,  and posts is easy to see.  

I recently converted my side post battery to a top post. I completely replaced the negative cable with ground,  and replaced the cable end of the positive battery cable. 

Battery cables and ends are crucial parts of your engine electrical.  

It is very easy to replace battery cable ends. And replacement of my negative ground battery cable was less than half an hour including removing old battery cable.  

Replace any old wires.  Replace any wire with insulation that's cut or has rough surfaces.  I was shocked to see 4 splices in a starter wire.  It takes longer to splice it than to replace it. 

A box of varied quick connects and ring ends is standard in my vehicle.  As well as 3 colors electrical tape and various new wires in a variety of gauges. 

Cold and heat both kill batteries.  As well as a dry cell.  Check battery fluid both for low and for acid.  

Clean any corrosion from both battery posts and cable ends.  That white stuff means your battery doesn't have good connections.  It also means take your battery to be checked if you're unsure as to how to check it. 

My new batteries are 12.75 volts when fully charged.  A simple voltmeter or multimeter tests battery and your alternator just fine.  

My vans have an analog battery meter.  It usually goes from 8 to 18. The halfway mark is 13 volts.  

Overcharging is as bad as undercharged battery.  

This is by no means a comprehensive guide to your battery.  But this may help reduce your repair and replacement costs.  

You can take down your entire engine electrical with one faulty part. It causes a domino effect that ends in very costly repairs.  

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Vandwelling 101- Eating Well On A Budget

Nothing beats sandwiches as a meal that's both healthy and inexpensive.  Add a piece of fruit,  some chips, and you're looking at approximately $1.50 a meal.  

A recent trip to Walmart cost me about $10. I got 2 pounds lunchmeat (#4.78),  8 ounces sliced cheese ($2.22),  a loaf of bread (88 cents), a 2 liter of store brand cola (86 cents). That easily covers the base for 2 days meals for me.  

That's about $5 a day for 3 meals, about the same cost as a very cheap fast food meal for one meal.  

Breakfast is another inexpensive meal.  A package instant oatmeal,  some fruit,  a cup of coffee. That runs $1 for a full meal.  

I buy fruit on sale.  I prefer fresh.  That usually means grapes or bananas.  Cantaloupe is another good bargain. 

Lately I've preferred meals with little to no cooking required. 

I keep cans of meat on hand,  tuna, salmon, chicken breast. They can be used for sandwiches or as the base of a meal.  Instant rice is a good deal when I'm in town.  The higher cost is offset by reducing cooking fuel costs and time.  

There are many varieties and variations in meals and food. Very little extra time or effort involved in making my own as opposed to eating out. 

Good coffee to you

Just Lou

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Coffee! Vandwelling 101- Coffee

When you're first starting out, you generally don't have a lot of money or the right equipment.  Morning coffee sets the tone of the day for me. 

Here's how to have coffee on almost zero money for equipment and no kitchen setup. 

Method one 

Sterno stove frame and ozark trails stainless steel cup

About $5 for cup,  about $7 for folding sterno stove frames and a can of sterno runs about $3. 

Figure 1, folding sterno stove with sterno canned heat and a sterno pan

When I first started,  even that was too much investment.  The following method only costs the amount of a bottle of isopropyl alcohol,  usually about $2.

I used a empty small Vienna sausages can. I put used paper towel in it and filled it half way with rubbing alcohol 70% or higher.  

I have a little wire rack to go on it and even an old empty can is useful to heat water in.  If you don't have a wire rack, cut slits just below the top rim all the way around the can.  An alcohol stove must have airflow to burn.  Conversely,  easily put out by putting a lid on it. 

The coffee

I like instant coffee.  I waver between Taster's Choice or Great Value Columbian. The GV columbian runs $5.98 for a 7 ounce jar that easily lasts me a month.  Taster's Choice usually runs about $8.97 for same sized 7 oz. jar. 

Figure 2: Taster's Choice Instant Coffee

You can use regular ground coffee,  tie up 2 tablespoons coffee in a coffee filter and put in the water.  Bring water up to a boil.  Don't over boil it too long or it becomes bitter. Or you can drop your tied up coffee in a cup and pour boiling water over it.  Allow coffee to steep until it's desired strength.  You've just made the coffee variation of a teabag. 

Cream and sugar?  Flavored coffee? 

I do enjoy cream and sugar in my coffee

The flavored liquid nondairy creamer small bottle costs $1 at Family Dollar stores.  It doesn't need refrigeration after opening.  Just be sure to close it tightly. 

The powdered flavored nondairy store brand creamer is generally about $3 for a largish bottle.  

Figure 3: Nondairy Creamer (powdered) 

There are many choices in nondairy creamer. 

Sweet? 

There are too many choices of how to sweeten your coffee from sugar to agave to honey to zero calorie artificial sweeteners.  I prefer raw sugar, but I've been known to use honey,  light brown cane sugar, dark brown cane sugar,  or even karo syrup. 

Flavoring Your Coffee 

I'm known for enjoying various flavors of coffee.  I'll add cinnamon,  marshmallow,  or any flavored extract generally used in baking.  I also enjoy adding a touch of unsweetened cocoa powder for a hint of dark chocolate flavor. 

I hope you've enjoyed this blog today.

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Good coffee to you

JustLou and Kira too