In December of 2012, I hit the road in the Maevemobile. It didn't have solar power yet (I didn't trust anyone in New England to know what they were doing with such an installation) and it relied on the engine to recharge my batteries. As soon as I could, I found a good solar installer (Starlight Solar in Yuma AZ) and put up three solar panels and a good charge controller. A year later I added another solar panel, not because I needed it, but because it gave me peace of mind when I visited cloudy climes. I now had solar overkill. I bought an electric bike and still had power to burn.
In winter of 2014, I installed a 900-watt microwave in the van. I use it sparingly and always at 50% power, but it's working out just great. (note: I have a BIG pure-sine wave inverter -- 2,000 watts).
In the spring of 2014, I decided to put the remaining surplus power to good use and ordered something I hadn't originally believed I'd ever have in my campervan -- a FREEZER! In addition I had to add a thermostatically controlled vent fan to vent the heat of the freezer and refrigerator on hot days. I feel like I'm living in luxury. The van is cooler than it has ever been, I'm able to go much longer between grocery stops, and I'm eating better.
No comments:
Post a Comment