Check the current pricing/coupons on the things I use: amzn.to/46jU9L3 - Renogy 100 Kit amzn.to/47GKejW - Renogy 200 Kit amzn.to/4aoBVvp - Renogy 100 Panel Only amzn.to/48bxCS9 - Renogy Brackets amzn.to/41bjW7a - 3M VHB Tape amzn.to/3ThI9qM - Eternabond Roof Sealant Tape amzn.to/4cqlVZN - 10 Foot Solar Panel Extension Cables amzn.to/3yEZZM9 - 6 in 1 solar cable adapter amzn.to/3H0d0AE - Bluetti EB70S Power Station amzn.to/3X0F7sL - VTOMan 1000 Power Station amzn.to/3urIblw - Alpicool 12v Refrigerators amzn.to/3UnlI3u - Setpower PT55 Dual Zone Fridge amzn.to/4biEaQd - Gooloo GP4000 Jump Starter (This is a BEAST!) BudgetTravelGuy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for people to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I also participate in other affiliate programs where I may be compensated for referring traffic. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Go to Facebook and FOLLOW our page for other hints/tips/thoughts/fun stuff--- tinyurl.com/qqdx8lg ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other videos: th-cam.com/video/rJKWET24zuM/w-d-xo.html - No Drill Solar Panel Install (Metal Top Vans) th-cam.com/video/ARL8PCwlb9k/w-d-xo.html - Does Buc-ees Hate VanLifers? th-cam.com/video/1Ui5h5cMQsU/w-d-xo.html - Minimalistic Minivan Camper Build th-cam.com/video/zADRAs_1CKM/w-d-xo.html - Camper Van Inverter Install th-cam.com/video/ACEeWBf3yaw/w-d-xo.html - Minivan Passenger Seat Removal/Reversal th-cam.com/video/ww1WzQNATNc/w-d-xo.html - Best Vanlife Toilets 2024 th-cam.com/video/uUGsf36gWeQ/w-d-xo.html - Minivan Build 2.0
Nice to see you again Neal. How are them goats? Ha! Naples Florida resident here saying you are absolutely right about those mosquitoes!! If you can't open the door then keep driving 😂 Hope you & your loved ones are enjoying a blessed Independence Day 🎆💯❣️
I know you like having your power station easily accessible. I am looking at putting my power station nearer the back and running my power cords down the back hatch rain gutter and then up and in from the bottom weather stripping to try to keep the water from slipping in with gravity feed. Otherwise, I really do like you pointing out the options! It makes me a little crazy with the number of holes these youtube videos are suggesting people put in there vans. Take care and enjoy!
Good point, Troy, that running those cords around the weatherstripping will cut down on any water that could come in. I agree with you on some of these people cutting up their vans - they never seem to mention the leakage issues that can cause, or what happens when they misjudge their cuts. More soon...safe travels!
Thanks, Kevin! I have been waiting for this video! I chose the rear hatch location. I tucked a piece of sheer window panel into my rear windows to make screens. Thanks for all of your great ideas! I, too, am a minimalist on the road. I just want to go and have fun. I don't want to have to dig around looking for stuff! I got back 2 weeks ago and put more stuff in the basement. As you said, there is a Dollar General or a Walmart for those times you need something. Keep us posted on your travels!
Thanks, Lisa. I ended up staying with using the hatch to route those solar wires. Sounds like you've done this enough to figure out what works well for you! More soon...safe travels.
Running (solar) wires is a matter of finding what works for you. I've ended up staying with just dropping them through the hatch in this build. More soon...safe travels!
Yep, we run our 12 gauge extension cord through the bottom of our rear hatch when we have access to power. There's even a little gap in the weatherstripping that's the perfect size for it (I'm guessing it's there to allow for expansion when it gets hot) but it's fine even when we're not using the gap; so I would think an even thinner solar cable would fit without any problems.
Good to know in case I want to put a 2nd panel on top solely for charging a larger power station as I transition to cooking on an induction stove. My tradesman version of the PMC has a black plastic piece on the rear edge of roof that I’ve through that first kind of wire entry port you showed could fit on. I wouldn’t have to cut a whole.
Thomas, as far as what to do with the seat belts when removing back seats in a van...if it's going to be temporary, I'd leave them. If you're going to keep the van as a camper, then I'd remove them - however, some are a bit of a pain (retracting behind plastic side panels, etc), so it is okay to leave them as long as they're not in your way. More soon...safe travels!
Check the current pricing/coupons on the things I use:
amzn.to/46jU9L3 - Renogy 100 Kit
amzn.to/47GKejW - Renogy 200 Kit
amzn.to/4aoBVvp - Renogy 100 Panel Only
amzn.to/48bxCS9 - Renogy Brackets
amzn.to/41bjW7a - 3M VHB Tape
amzn.to/3ThI9qM - Eternabond Roof Sealant Tape
amzn.to/4cqlVZN - 10 Foot Solar Panel Extension Cables
amzn.to/3yEZZM9 - 6 in 1 solar cable adapter
amzn.to/3H0d0AE - Bluetti EB70S Power Station
amzn.to/3X0F7sL - VTOMan 1000 Power Station
amzn.to/3urIblw - Alpicool 12v Refrigerators
amzn.to/3UnlI3u - Setpower PT55 Dual Zone Fridge
amzn.to/4biEaQd - Gooloo GP4000 Jump Starter (This is a BEAST!)
BudgetTravelGuy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for people to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I also participate in other affiliate programs where I may be compensated for referring traffic.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Go to Facebook and FOLLOW our page for other hints/tips/thoughts/fun stuff--- tinyurl.com/qqdx8lg
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other videos:
th-cam.com/video/rJKWET24zuM/w-d-xo.html - No Drill Solar Panel Install (Metal Top Vans)
th-cam.com/video/ARL8PCwlb9k/w-d-xo.html - Does Buc-ees Hate VanLifers?
th-cam.com/video/1Ui5h5cMQsU/w-d-xo.html - Minimalistic Minivan Camper Build
th-cam.com/video/zADRAs_1CKM/w-d-xo.html - Camper Van Inverter Install
th-cam.com/video/ACEeWBf3yaw/w-d-xo.html - Minivan Passenger Seat Removal/Reversal
th-cam.com/video/ww1WzQNATNc/w-d-xo.html - Best Vanlife Toilets 2024
th-cam.com/video/uUGsf36gWeQ/w-d-xo.html - Minivan Build 2.0
Nice to see you again Neal. How are them goats? Ha! Naples Florida resident here saying you are absolutely right about those mosquitoes!! If you can't open the door then keep driving 😂 Hope you & your loved ones are enjoying a blessed Independence Day 🎆💯❣️
white tape will blend the wires better than black for contrast
Those Gulf coast skeeters are awful. Glad you explained all this. Thank you..Happy 4th.
Hope you had a nice 4th, also...safe travels!
I know you like having your power station easily accessible. I am looking at putting my power station nearer the back and running my power cords down the back hatch rain gutter and then up and in from the bottom weather stripping to try to keep the water from slipping in with gravity feed. Otherwise, I really do like you pointing out the options! It makes me a little crazy with the number of holes these youtube videos are suggesting people put in there vans. Take care and enjoy!
Good point, Troy, that running those cords around the weatherstripping will cut down on any water that could come in. I agree with you on some of these people cutting up their vans - they never seem to mention the leakage issues that can cause, or what happens when they misjudge their cuts. More soon...safe travels!
Thanks, Kevin! I have been waiting for this video! I chose the rear hatch location. I tucked a piece of sheer window panel into my rear windows to make screens. Thanks for all of your great ideas! I, too, am a minimalist on the road. I just want to go and have fun. I don't want to have to dig around looking for stuff! I got back 2 weeks ago and put more stuff in the basement. As you said, there is a Dollar General or a Walmart for those times you need something. Keep us posted on your travels!
Thanks, Lisa. I ended up staying with using the hatch to route those solar wires. Sounds like you've done this enough to figure out what works well for you! More soon...safe travels.
I prefer the two small rear windows.
Running (solar) wires is a matter of finding what works for you. I've ended up staying with just dropping them through the hatch in this build. More soon...safe travels!
Yep, we run our 12 gauge extension cord through the bottom of our rear hatch when we have access to power. There's even a little gap in the weatherstripping that's the perfect size for it (I'm guessing it's there to allow for expansion when it gets hot) but it's fine even when we're not using the gap; so I would think an even thinner solar cable would fit without any problems.
Brigand, that's a good tip on how to run an extension cord through the hatch!
Good to know in case I want to put a 2nd panel on top solely for charging a larger power station as I transition to cooking on an induction stove. My tradesman version of the PMC has a black plastic piece on the rear edge of roof that I’ve through that first kind of wire entry port you showed could fit on. I wouldn’t have to cut a whole.
karin, how is the induction stove working out for you?
I no this has nothing to do with this video but what do you do with the seat belts when you remove the back seats
Thomas, as far as what to do with the seat belts when removing back seats in a van...if it's going to be temporary, I'd leave them. If you're going to keep the van as a camper, then I'd remove them - however, some are a bit of a pain (retracting behind plastic side panels, etc), so it is okay to leave them as long as they're not in your way. More soon...safe travels!