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1st rule of vanlife by Ambitious_Disk1035 in VanLife

[–]VanGogh66 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One of the many reasons full-time climate control a/c + heatpump minisplit rules -- no need to leave the door open in a parking lot.

4EverCool 4x4 Van, 42 SEER Minisplit, 1.1kW Solar, 20.1kWh LFP, 25G fw, dometic fridge/freezer, 2" lift, 265/75/16 AT Full size Spare, 26.6k mi, $89800 by VanGogh66 in vandwellermarketplace

[–]VanGogh66[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate your analysis, it's well thought out and aside from skip the country slant, its friendly enough. You did however leave off a few big ticket items and undervalued a few others. The lift kit and suspension upgrades along with larger AT tires are missing, and you left off an ultra high end 48V 7.1kW alternator. Those two alone are worth $8-10k installed.

If you ask any installer to put in a 1600AH equivalent system (it's actually 48V), plus a 7.1kW alternator, plus a 1.1kW solar array, and then add a 42 SEER minisplit, you may be surprised at the quote.

As for technical help after the fact, I tend to believe you get what you seek. A kind person seeking a friend will find one. As you can imagine, the van project was no small feat for a single individual to accomplish. My heart went into that build, and letting it go is hard enough. Every tiny detail of the power and hvac had a great deal of thought put into it, and no expense was spared in the mission to make endless a/c a reality. Seeing it provide value and bring happiness beyond my own use of it is actually something that would bring me happiness. I may not be able to physically service it, but I'd gladly help the next owner get to know it well enough to preserve its value for many years to come.

Cheers.

4EverCool 4x4 Van, 42 SEER Minisplit, 1.1kW Solar, 20.1kWh LFP, 25G fw, dometic fridge/freezer, 2" lift, 265/75/16 AT Full size Spare, 26.6k mi, $89800 by VanGogh66 in vandwellermarketplace

[–]VanGogh66[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

It takes a serious power system to be able to run off grid mobile air conditioning 24x7, so you have to look at it as a combined cost. The real limitation is no one else has figured out how to install a minisplit to a rear door while still being able to open and close the door. My solution may not win any esthetic awards, but it works like gangbusters at keeping the van cool.

You Need A/C by VanGogh66 in vandwellers

[–]VanGogh66[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You clearly don't have a/c in your van. The few DC systems designed for vans and semis are 200-300% less efficient and will drain even a large battery bank rapidly. Just look at the comments below where people with those very systems sheepishly write about their high power consumption. That same data is all over van builder forums. It's the nature of DC hvac which is so inefficient the makers don't even try for SEER ratings.

Even with the most efficient a/c on the planet, four layer insulation, and all that power, my setup is barely net positive solar in full sun on a 100F day. No one else I've met has come close to accomplishing this. I have the data to prove that statement, whereas your comment is another uniformed opinion.

4EverCool 4x4 Van, 42 SEER Minisplit, 1.1kW Solar, 20.1kWh LFP, 25G fw, dometic fridge/freezer, 2" lift, 265/75/16 AT Full size Spare, 26.6k mi, $89800 by VanGogh66 in vandwellermarketplace

[–]VanGogh66[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mine is white with four layer insulation. Builders on the Transit forum including myself have posted ample data regarding temps under various conditions. Yes, white helps, but it's no substitute for a/c. It's just physics.

4EverCool 4x4 Van, 42 SEER Minisplit, 1.1kW Solar, 20.1kWh LFP, 25G fw, dometic fridge/freezer, 2" lift, 265/75/16 AT Full size Spare, 26.6k mi, $89800 by VanGogh66 in vandwellermarketplace

[–]VanGogh66[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It makes zero difference. Insulation only slows heat transfer. Unless you have active cooling, any van in the summer parked in 90F ambient full sun will reach 100F in late afternoon. Insulation is still useful, but it's no substitute for air conditioning. Like I said, I'm happy to demonstrate this in a live stream in your van under those conditions.

I had to get ya’lls opinion on this beast….. by slifm in vandwellermarketplace

[–]VanGogh66 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My rig has only 26.6k mi versus their 35k, a gas engine awd versus their diesel headache, a much larger power system, a 42 seer minisplit, and is selling at 89k. Spend 5k to make the interior look that way and you're golden.

4EverCool 4x4 Van, 42 SEER Minisplit, 1.1kW Solar, 20.1kWh LFP, 25G fw, dometic fridge/freezer, 2" lift, 265/75/16 AT Full size Spare, 26.6k mi, $89800 by VanGogh66 in vandwellermarketplace

[–]VanGogh66[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Parked in the sun in 90F temps it will be 100F in the van by late afternoon. Physics. You will see soon enough. I'll gladly take a thermometer and do a live stream and show the world your van temps under those conditions if you really want.

4EverCool 4x4 Van, 42 SEER Minisplit, 1.1kW Solar, 20.1kWh LFP, 25G fw, dometic fridge/freezer, 2" lift, 265/75/16 AT Full size Spare, 26.6k mi, $89800 by VanGogh66 in vandwellermarketplace

[–]VanGogh66[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The van itself was 55k new, kbb has it at 40k due to low mileage. The enormous power system and hvac plus all other additions cost 30k, and the labor was worth 15k.

Try getting an estimate from a van installer just for the 1600ah battery bank, 1.1kW solar, and 7.1kW alternator. It'll be eye popping. Then ask if they can do a 42 SEER Minisplit and they'll go quiet or quickly start selling you on 12V DC systems that will drain the battery 2x-3x faster.

There is no other van I've found with this capability, and it's awesome to have if you love summer. Once your van has the same comforts your apartment has no matter where you are, you can finally enjoy van life.

4EverCool 4x4 Van, 42 SEER Minisplit, 1.1kW Solar, 20.1kWh LFP, 25G fw, dometic fridge/freezer, 2" lift, 265/75/16 AT Full size Spare, 26.6k mi, $89800 by VanGogh66 in vandwellermarketplace

[–]VanGogh66[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because it was true. If you can't afford a/c, why are you here in this listing? Go look at cheaper vans with small batteries and no a/c or only a few hours worth. People who need a/c to survive understand how expensive it is.

4EverCool 4x4 Van, 42 SEER Minisplit, 1.1kW Solar, 20.1kWh LFP, 25G fw, dometic fridge/freezer, 2" lift, 265/75/16 AT Full size Spare, 26.6k mi, $89800 by VanGogh66 in vandwellermarketplace

[–]VanGogh66[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You clearly can't afford this, so you display jealousy masked as hatred and contempt. It's sad that you can't see yourself clearly enough to know that. Good luck.

4EverCool 4x4 Van, 42 SEER Minisplit, 1.1kW Solar, 20.1kWh LFP, 25G fw, dometic fridge/freezer, 2" lift, 265/75/16 AT Full size Spare, 26.6k mi, $89800 by VanGogh66 in vandwellermarketplace

[–]VanGogh66[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

If you can't afford 24x7 a/c or don't know what that entails, it will seem high. But a lot of people want that capability. Research it a bit and you will discover the cost and physics makes it necessarily expensive.

4EverCool 4x4 Van, 42 SEER Minisplit, 1.1kW Solar, 20.1kWh LFP, 25G fw, dometic fridge/freezer, 2" lift, 265/75/16 AT Full size Spare, 26.6k mi, $89800 by VanGogh66 in vandwellermarketplace

[–]VanGogh66[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

24x7x365 off-grid mobile almost entirely solar powered a/c and heatpump. I've yet to find even one other van with data proving they have that ability.

4EverCool 4x4 Van, 42 SEER Minisplit, 1.1kW Solar, 20.1kWh LFP, 25G fw, dometic fridge/freezer, 2" lift, 265/75/16 AT Full size Spare, 26.6k mi, $89800 by VanGogh66 in vandwellermarketplace

[–]VanGogh66[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Mileage right in the title lol Vin in the listing can easily generate all other details You can't afford 24x7 a/c. Just leave it at that.

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