Love these videos! Put something to remind people to push like button. The video will finish, and I will go to the next one, and then I realise I haven't pushed the like button. Sometimes, I'll go back, but not normally.
😂 I will eventually get it checked, tested and certified by an electrician. My last van passed no problems and I have actually researched the requirements, so should be all good. 😁
Good videos. It would be good to see a video where you go into detail on some of the challenges you have faced on the road that is Australian specific. I know you have touched on some things within videos but it would be good to have a dedicated one, perhaps on the next rainy day. And yes, that bend is good 🤣
Thanks mate and glad you can appreciate a good bend 😂 There's not really any more problems on the road than what I've already covered. Really the biggest challenge is just finding somewhere quiet to sleep. I'll keep it in mind though. There might be some other general discussion topics I can include. Thanks for the idea.
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces LOL. It is good that you aren't facing too many challenges. I guess I just wondered what some of the realities are for those that have chosen this path. For instance were there any build or design regrets? Are there any insulation/condensation issues? What is it like when it is miserable weather for a few days? What are the realities of low budget van life as opposed to many people's ideas before they start out of touring the whole of Australia, is the reality of petrol rationing a tougher reality than anticipated? Great content mate, and it is nice to see areas that I recognise.
@Whisky_Warrior ah, I get you. Yeah, there's some good topics there. I am always thinking about doing a progress video in the van build and how my design decisions have gone. Makes sense to roll it all into an overall video. Might take me a while, but I'll work on it. Thanks!
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Hi mate, sorry I didn't mean to come across as one of 'those' who watch and start trying to dictate the content. Just as someone who is interested in van life and hopefully following that path in the near future, those are some of the questions I have. The content is good mate, I just wondered about those details is all. 🙏
No, not at all, no need to apologise 😊 They're valid questions and certainly topics I see people asking in Facebook groups. I definitely want to do it! It's great to get content ideas from people like you. Really appreciate it!😁
They're Hornvalmo blinds. Only come in 2 sizes but I really wanted the up/down function. One of them doesn't fold up as well anymore after a day in hot sun. I need to guide the material into place as I open it, but other than that, very happy with them. They're only a few months old now so will see over the long term.
That qualified electrician did a great job 🤫. Just found your channel as I’m about to embark on vanlife, loving the videos too. Just a question, I see on your roof you have foil board insulation. During winter when you get condensation have you noticed any moisture build up in the board. The only reason I ask is they recommend not to use the foil board in vans as it is expanded foam and not closed cell so water can permeate it over time causing mould. Just interested to hear feedback as foilboard is much cheaper than a lot of insulation types? Loving the channel keep up the videos🤙
Thanks for following along! 😊 I haven't noticed any moisture issues with he foilboard. I would imagine if it was getting wet above, then I would see some dripping on the edges, but nothing. I have a section at the front that's not insulated yet, over the cab, and it gets very wet at night, so there is condensation around, just not seeing any issues where it's insulated.
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces well that’s a good thing. I must say you’re very clever, welding, woodwork, plumbing, electrical. You must have been an engineer or just a very capable father to teach you. Well done.
Great videos, thank you! Do you think there is any truth to the claim that a 240V AC fridge in an RV struggles due to excessive movement and vibration? We currently have a three-way fridge in our MH, which is very energy-intensive (we use about 4kg of LPG a week and if not on gas draws 300W when running on 12V), thinking of ditching it for a compressor fridge, but they are so expensive! Any feedback would be much appreciated. Pushing the friendship, sorry, but also we have a Renogy 3000W inverter which itself draws 150W to run!! I noticed in another comment that you made, that your inverter is very efficient. Any tips on that would also be appreciated
Hi Julia. I had a 240V fridge in my last van too, and it was fine for the 3 years I had, plus the new owners never mentioned any issues, so I'm pretty sure it lasted 5 years until they sold it. My current fridge has been bouncing about for the best part of a tear now and no issues either. So based on my experience, a house fridge works fine in a van. As for the inverter, mine allegedly uses 1A while it's running for a 2000W inverter. 150W sounds excessive. I don't see keeping the inverter on all the time as an issue as long as the battery and solar system covers it. Even if you replaced your inverter...mine was $320....plus the fridge was $300, you're way ahead of an RV fridge for cost. All reports on the cheaper 12V fridges is that they are terribly inefficient. Many people complain about getting flat batteries....
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Thank you so much for replying. Your cost comparison is very helpful., a bit of a no brainer. We just can't work out why our inverter is so energy hungry just running on its own. Thanks again for the detailed information, it's very much appreciated!
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Thank you for your comment, it prompted us to investigate further. We discovered that when the inverter runs without any load, it consumes only about 12W. However, our Enerdrive charger is currently connected to the inverter and is drawing 160W. Based on your experience, do you agree that the charger should not be connected to the inverter? We bought the motorhome second-hand, and it appears the setup might be somewhat dodgy?
Ummm...what is the enerdrive charger trying to charge? If it's draining the house battery just to try and charge it.... that's definitely wrong. Personally I can't imagine any reason why someone would plug a charger into the inverter....I would unplug it. Depending on which Renogy inverter you have, it may be one that is supposed to be connected to your shore power and basically switches everything to shore power when it's available. Either way though, I still can't see why the charger would be plugged into the inverter.
I don't think I've ever seen anyone using a 240V AC fridge in a van build. How do you find it goes with the inverter on constantly? I know a lot of people are allergic to that idea because of the idle drain of the inverter
It's not a problem running the inverter 24/7. At worst it consume 1A per hour, which is only 12Ah overnight. Solar more than covers it during the day, so you just get a battery that can do it. My first van started life with a 65Ah (usable) AGM battery and that would run the fridge and inverter for 2 days with no solar input. My current 300Ah lithium battery will run it forever 😂 It's worth noting that I believe residential fridges are a lot more efficient than the 12V options like Glacio or similar. You see so many people on forums running out of battery with those fridges. Residential fridges potentially have better insulation so cycle less often.
@@MakingStuffGoingPlaces Interesting, hadn't thought about it like that. I have a 95L dometic in my little van and it's a dog especially when you have the freezer set to -10 to -15 C. It just seems to always be running. I'd like to see a side-by-side comparison of a residential fridge vs a 12V. Did you go with the Renogy 300Ah out of curiosity? Don't see a whole lot of 300Ah ones around but I'd like to upgrade Thanks mate.
@user-hp2zt8xl2f I've got a Volt X 300Ah....just a cheap brand but had a 200Ah in my last van and was happy with that. The 300Ah is still a $1500 battery!
I also got the impression he sees his mum as a pain in the ass. It was a hassle to drive 45 mins to Penrith. But that’s what he does all the time -drive everywhere😂
