Being self-sufficient for free camping.

JackoFJR · Senior Member

RE: Being self-sufficient for free camping.

NatalieC · Newbie

Thanks again guys for your time and input :) We definitely would not like to disturb fellow travellers, because we wouldn't like it done to us either in regards to noise and upsetting other travellers. We are going to do a test run at home with some borrowed items first to see how it all works before making final decisions. I don't like the expense of the fuel idea either, so will look into the fan mentioned on here and the cooling pads for my bed and pillow sound great. Microwave isn't necessary, but hubby wanted me to ask :) And when it is way too hot then we head to a park and pay for the electricity :) It is a pity we can't do a Like button on here like Facebook, so I could individually like your comments and suggestions, so this is a group thanks :)

The Hats · Senior Member

Wendy and I have been campers since we were kids with both our parents then with our kids now just us. so with about 115 years of camping between us we have an idea what we want.

We are having a new van built it will be ready in a couple of months. we have 300 watts of solar panel on the roof 440amp hours of battery storage.

This is how we have set up for free and bush camping

We have gone for the 12,24,240 volt fridge 185 ltr instead of the gas modal this leaves the gas for cooking and hot water. we have an inverter for small appliances, My view is that your free camping or remote bush camping is very much reduced by using a gas fridge, if there is a fire ban you can't cook outside then your cooking time is reduced some what by the gas fridge.I also have 160 watts of portable solar panels to use if we are camped in the shade or part shade. all lights are LED there will be no diesel heater but we have an aircon, we also have a 2.6kva genny. The genny is for emergency's only, like charging the house batteries if we have had a few days of heavy overcast. We have also included a grey water tank. just to make life easer it is better that getting moved on just because you don't have one

But also Wendy had a medical condition that some times requires her to lye down and sleep and it will come on quite suddenly, if we are travelling and it is a very hot day we can stop at a rest area turn the aircon on and let her sleep for a few hrs, most rest areas are empty during the day,

You may ask why not just sleep in the car as we are going along? well the answer to that is why should she miss out on seeing the sites she could miss many 1000's of ks of scenery over a time and that would not be fair. this part of our life is for both of us.

Also if using the genny and there are other people in the area I will set up as far as possible from them and NEVER use it after dark that is just not rite.

So welcome to the forum and enjoy your travels this is just our idea on the best way to set up but as everyone is different this set up may be totally wrong for you, as mentioned earlier read all the info you can glean as much out of it as you can then choose the set up that best suits your budget and plans.

Cheers

The hats

-- Edited by The Hats on Saturday 16th of August 2014 08:13:43 AM

Plendo · Guru

Now Ron and Wendy it sounds as if you have what you want well sorted out.

When we had our van built we opted for a Fujitsu split system air conditioner to replace the unit on the roof, it works brilliantly, and happily runs on less than half the power of the roof top unit, so much so that we run ours on the inverter. It also cost $500, not over $2,000 for an ibis.

It could be worth considering, if your van builder will do it for you (some will some wont).

aussie_paul · Guru

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12V-DC-Ceiling-Fan-12-Volt-for-caravan-very-low-watt-With-SWITCH-/281249155218?pt=AU_Lighting_Fans&hash=item417bc18892&_uhb=1

I bought one of these to try next summer. Because I have had full thickness burns to 55% of my body I have lost a lot of my ability to regulate my body temperature, SO I NEED aircon before most people require aircon. I am not going to miss out because some non thinking selfish person does not like the sound of a genset, BUT I would not unnecessarily burden other peoples enjoyment. I always try to fit in which, by the sounds of it, some posters here don't!!!

Aussie Paul. smile

beiffe · Guru

I would be interested in how it goes Paul. BE good to start a new thread when you ahve used it a bit in anger LOL and report your findings.
I am 24v but do have a 12v system.
Be interested in the air moved and how noisy it is.
I can run my Split System and you can stand beside it and not know it is going but I prefer to just it use to get the bus temp down before going to bed and then before I nod off I usually get the little 12v fan going and have the windows open.
Regards
Brian

Plendo · Guru

Paul, be wary where you mount it, or you may be getting an un intended hair cut.

There could be a bonus with the generator, it might drown out some of those noisy parrots !