Starting Van Life On A Budget OFF-GRID POWER 'REALITY CHECK'

Talking about PORTABLE batteries and living the van life. READ THE DESCRIPTION: Below is a list of items and the POWER NEEDS THEY HAVE......Click SHOW MORE

OK we are going to compare a few electronic items against the Jackery Explorer 1000 (1002 watt hour battery) Maximum 1000 watt output BUT has a 2000 watt peak. Meant for products 1000 watts or less. And show you the how long they will last before before the battery will need to be recharged....
6000btu Air Conditioner (500Watts) RUNTIME: 2 HOURS
Hair Dryer (1000Watts) RUNTIME: 1 HOUR
Curling Iron (30Watts) RUNTIME: 33 HOURS
Induction Cooktops (2000-4000 watts) RUNTIME: 0
Ceramic Space Heater (1500Watts) RUNTIME: 0
Vitamix Blender (1300Watts) RUNTIME: 0
(some appliances above need a higher inverter to power them 2000 to 3000 Watts)

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THE VAN AND US:
2004 Ford E250 Extended Cargo van
Purchased Aug 16th 2017 with 165,000 KMS (Paid $6500)
Started Full-time Van Life September 11th 2017
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[jimc]

Just type in how many batteries for inverter found a web page and found To size a battery bank we take the hours needed continuously x watts = total watts/DC volts=amps needed.
Example: 3 hours of run time needed * 1500 watts = 4500 watts total / 12 volts DC = 375 amps. You will need a total of 375 amps of stored power in the batteries. We don’t recommend fully depleting your batteries so keep this in mind when you are calculating the number of batteries needed.
Here is another example: Let’s say you purchase a 2000 watt inverter 12 Volt. If you max out the inverter at 2000 watts, you are pulling 2000 watts /12 volts = 166.6 DC amps per hour. If you use  a 200 amp 12 volt battery you would divide 200 amp battery / 166.6 amps = 1.2 hours of run time. This is if you plan on fully depleting the battery, which we DON’T recommend. We recommend 50% depth of discharge. Since we recommend 50% depth of discharge, you would divide 1.2 hours /50%  = .60 hours. If you use 30% depth of discharge you divide 1.2 hours/30%=.36 hours.
From the inverter store

[karenrichards]

I live on a amazing how much life is simple and happy without all those ‘high power’ things.

[hikeon]

Well said. I have an end goal for my van, but for now, I'm enjoying the process. I'm proud of my build. My heart and sweat equity went into it. It's just fine for me. Other builds give me inspiration, but this is my journey. I'm embracing every part of it.♥️🌞😎

[LovesTruth]

Chrome, I just wanted to tell you that I watch you every day! I love what you do. And not just WHAT you do, but the way you do it. When people are passionate about what they're doing, they have the ability to do it well, and you do! I appreciate all of your content, and while some of it may not be applicable to me, I enjoy watching because of what you bring to everything you present. So, kudos bro! And keep on! Teaching, learning, exploring, and experiencing life!

[TheDawnofVanlife]

Excellent Video. People need to realize the idea is *not* to drain your batteries to zero everyday. There's a reason most vanlifers use gas (propane or butane) for heat & cooking. Saves on electricity. Electricity is a limited resource in vanlife.

[gisellegonzalez]

It’s about getting back to basics, cook with gas, heat with propane, Jackery is a luxury. Learn how aclámate to Van life before you empty your pockets on this much power. I still have battery powered lights and I’m on year three out here. I love my 160 W Jackery just right for my needs. Thanks for the video it’s a much needed reality check

[LifeBetweenTheDash]

"Let it go..." I love that advice Chrome. I'm into vanlife because I wanted something different. I want simplicity; it makes me feel alive. Thanks for the video.

[scottsladeadventures]

A much needed video. I could read the confusion in the comments from yesterday. Well done.

[mikebolinger]

Chrome that’s awesome and I agree a lot of people don’t understand that I think one thingPeople don’t understand is how happy they will be without all those big electronics buzzing around their head When you disconnect from the grid is when you find your happiness

[chikadee]

I "bake" in my dutch oven - pizza, cake, cookies, pie - over a camp fire. It's fun to challenge yourself and find a way of doing things.

[cocacolafiesta]

Great video! I have to have another mindset while traveling in my van. Propane, butane, solar or Jackery 500 powered is something I have to think about before putting something in my van. What you describe is like having a $1000 budget and using it up in one day. Budget, budget, budget the POWER.

[gretchenlee]

I absolutely agree. Less is more. I just finished my van build. I'm a 53 year old woman living in New Mexico. You dont have to give up who you are to live simply! Chrome, if you want, I can film my build!

[alicegarcia-yoursoulmentor]

Great video!!! And great normalizing all van life. People come from all walks of life. You Rock my friend! Well...you feel like a friend 🤪

[bonnieg]

I'm not even a van lifer but enjoy your channel so much. Really admire your real, fair and common sense approach.

[MarkDouglasOutside]

Excellent video! Never really thought about the power draw and financial cost of electric appliances. Thanks for explaining everything 👍

[Justmario]

Great information chrome. Most people don’t realize how much power some things take.

[AndZephyr]

I am so glad to hear you being real with your followers. There are a lot of people out there not using their common sense and expecting a whole lot more than they or reality can give

[beckyspindler]

I so appreciate your honesty about getting rid of the unnecessary electrical items and that just because somebody started out with a better pocketbook than yours doesn't mean that they don't have a real van life. The answer is if you live in a van you are living the van life how frugally you are living the van life is really the question and a fabulous challenge. I have just sold my house I will be working on my van in North Carolina here real soon see you around and safe travels

[xenfye]

seriously dude im just gonna say it...i love you. your opinion and truth to all of this is so sincere and honest. hard truth here and there but its because its necessary. i really appreciate all of your videos. I've started a van life myself and i find myself going back to your videos to see what else i need here and there. youre an amazing person man. thanks again for all of this :)

[reagancronin]

Well said chrome. You always make things easy to understand. I remember when educating myself about batt/solar and realizing how much power some appliances use was just insane, was a huge shock....