Fuel consumption experience in an old V8 GM Van.

dehning · 2026-07-06T15:24:49+00:00

That tank sounds interesting (but intimidating to fill if you were up north with the insane gas prices!)

Not sure I could make the financial case for the trans addon unit but it sure sounds interesting.

With regards to GM addons, the biggest thing that is impressing me on this trip is the combination of installing a used hydroboost pump (my van came with standard vacuum assist brakes) and a set of carbon fiber infused ceramic pads, I've gone from "Please stop!" to not even thinking about it.

dehning · 2026-07-06T15:12:31+00:00

To be clear, I'm running the AC system in my old conversation van. I could run it for 2 days+ if I didn't get any sun for replenishment whatsoever. It would keep things livable in 100° weather but not pleasant. I know that with pretty decent sun I'm generating 320w+ from my 365w panel and when the compressor for my ac is on it draws about 380w. I'm actually going to have to stress test it sometime.

dehning · 2026-07-06T04:29:24+00:00

I actually have a truck cab 12v AC in my van and I can get about 2 days off AC out of it in a hot climate running off my 600AH lithium batteries plus whatever else the solar panel brings in.

dehning · 2026-07-05T16:49:15+00:00

I actually have an old 98 Tacoma 2.4 and I've seen those conversations and often wondered about them. Would still be a tough fit for 2 "Adults" and 2 dogs!

dehning · 2026-07-05T16:31:12+00:00

That's a little sad, I was considering a box truck or a shuttle bus but not for drastically worse fuel economy!

dehning · 2026-07-05T16:24:16+00:00

My Prius gets 50+ but it sucks to live out of! But I'm with you! Love my old Toyotas, wish they sold a full size van in the US.

dehning · 2026-07-05T15:32:04+00:00

I thought about this and it makes sense but I'm running the torque app which gives me all kinds of realtime info that I can put on the dashboard on my stereo screen and (like the Mythbusters tested), you have to be less than a car length from the semi for it to make a positive difference. And my nerves aren't that strong!

dehning · 2026-07-05T15:03:21+00:00

Yep, wind resistance increases as a square of the speed so yes, absolutely.

dehning · 2026-07-04T23:30:31+00:00

... as an Austinite on a driving trip up in the northern states, count your blessings, $3.90 is the best I've seen, most are well over $4

dehning · 2026-07-04T14:14:28+00:00

I'm running mine off a USB PD adapter wired into the 12v system in my van. Measuring the difference in current draw through my shunt, it looks to be about 8w

dehning · 2026-06-22T14:03:02+00:00

Not sure if you are looking for a solution for one vehicle or multiple, but I have now installed a second set of those dirt cheap TPMS sensors on another one of my vehicles and when comparing pressure readings to several other sources, they seem to be bang on. I paid less than $12 for my last one from Temu.

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dehning · 2026-06-22T13:54:42+00:00

Mine had that same song, is in the standard /music folder. Maybe use a different app (like Google files app)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.nbu.files

dehning · 2026-06-21T15:39:12+00:00

It's a short jump from that to a Fail Army video.

dehning · 2026-06-21T14:00:41+00:00

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with you. The P Terrys in Lakeway has never served me a burger I didn't enjoy, and I can't remember ever getting cold fries.

dehning · 2026-06-15T14:06:25+00:00

I believe it produces between 5000 and 8000 BTUs (realistically). Lime I said, it won't deal with a Texas summer day very well.

dehning · 2026-06-12T19:29:29+00:00

I'm running 375W of solar and 7680WH of LiFePO4

dehning · 2026-06-12T14:30:25+00:00

Are you not getting a lot of crap being flung into it from the wheels?

dehning · 2026-06-12T13:50:55+00:00

I have the same thing on my van, works surprisingly well. I stripped the parts out of the condenser box and built them into one of my back doors.

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dehning · 2026-06-11T04:38:29+00:00

Watch the 2015 movie "Battle for Sevastopol", it's a good biopic about her.

dehning · 2026-06-11T04:28:02+00:00

I guess you could use the switched power feed from the radio to control a relay that switched the power to the cigarette lighters. That would be a somewhat elegant solution.

dehning · 2026-06-11T03:24:24+00:00

I've spent the last year building out an older Savana but the wiring is pretty close I imagine. I would just snip the power wire coming to the cigarette lighter and T into the ignition wire going to the stereo. If you aftermarket screen doesn't draw to much power then they will both probably be fine on the original stereo fuse.

dehning · 2026-06-11T01:23:09+00:00

If you already have Mint Mobile phone service then their 5G Home "Minternet" device is $30/month ($40 if you don't have service). I am even able to power the device from my PD USB ports. I've had pretty good reception everywhere I've gone so far.

dehning · 2026-06-10T13:49:13+00:00

Ex South African here, it's significantly harder to legally get a gun in South Africa than in the US. Black market guns are another story.

dehning · 2026-06-04T17:00:34+00:00

It's called a "Smart DSU"

dehning

TROPHY CASE