SOLAR on my Van!

A couple of weeks ago, I drove down to Langlois to a vanning friend's house to have solar put on my van!

I have been pretty much homebound during the winters since my mother passed away. This last winter, though mild, was hard on me. As I age, arthritis flares up more often and I ache for some sunshine during the winter. So this coming winter, I plan on taking the van to the desert for a few months. I'll hire a housesitter and follow the sun!

I do have a couple of solar suitcases, but that requires heavier lifting than I'm comfortably capable of these days to set them up. So I bought a 200 watt panel and had it installed on top of the van. It works GREAT! Here are some photos:

Now I have my small propane AND my water in my kitchen

My fridge will live under my bed until destination. Then I'll move it into the side tent.

I had a catalytic heater installed on the back of the kitchen wall.

I also had a CO2 and Propane detector installed

The solar panel itself is very low profile

He used flat wires that to right into the kitchen area

Wiring

Battery

Other wiring. This all fits in the bottom cubby of my kitchen.

My fridge is a Bouge 23 quart fridge. I got purple because it was on sale. 

My battery:

Other items that make vanning comfortable for me include the following items. All of the "electrical" items are rechargeable by USB.

For washing clothes

I love these Eclipse shades!

My Luggable Loo - I've covered it with pretty cloth so it can also be used as a seat. 

For baking 

Both propane and butane

For hot nights

Jet Boil for quick boiling water

My rechargeable shower.

Water pump for my 5 gallon jug

My Jackery for even more power when needed

Side tent for shade and privacy. 
The sides drop.

My chair. I wove this myself.

Window film gives privacy and is pretty

I made these screens

For taking baths

I love this mattress!

TONS of uses for these magnets

For charging phone if my other USBs are full

For light and bug control

Motion lights for safety

Multiple uses including filling with water for window film and vinegar for dish washing

A new screen and backup camera

Just because I love cows!

For making coffee

I had two of these installed for charging USB items

Lightweight, foldable storage

LOONA Urinary device for nights and traveling

I'm set up now and very happy!
I'm looking forward to more van trips.
And... this winter will be a test.

I'll either love it or hate it. 
If I don't like it, then I'm not out much...

but if I LOVE it,

I'll be in the market for a larger van next year
so I can stand up cooking!

Also in the future for Joe and I is ONE. MORE. CAMINO!
We are discussing a very slow Camino.
We'd like to walk 

the Camino Frances again 

and just walk half stages, 

taking around two months to finish.
I'd like to do it Spring 2027 

but that is a HOLY YEAR 

and sure to be busy.
But we may do it.
It's on the burner, 

slow cooking...

SO...

Stay tuned 

and enjoy your life!

Love,

Annie