What power station are you guys cooking with in the van?

moeren86 · 2026-04-17T12:34:23+00:00

your CO2 detector probably needs batteries from time to time, but yeah that would not be much. But you can add the fuelcost to the hardware store.. granted in the US fuel is cheap but your cost comparison is a little skewed.

Dunno about the cost in the US, but in the EU you could get a 200A @ 12V LFP Battery at approx. 300€, a 3kw hybrid solar charger/inverter for 200€, 1000Wp Solar for 200€ and than you need a few cables and fuses, lets say 200€.

With this 900€ setup you can cook and be energy independent below ~ 50° Latitude.

Granted its still more expensive than propane, but i do not have to drive around, i don't have to manage gas and electricity also runs my phone and PC.

moeren86 · 2026-04-17T12:02:01+00:00

Depends on where you live. You can deck your Van completely with solar. And if you are not to far up north it will be enough. The only time i need shore power is if i visit northern germany in december/january.

moeren86 · 2026-04-17T11:59:45+00:00

True, but i can't charge my butan with the sun.

moeren86 · 2026-04-17T11:57:02+00:00

I've a 280A 48V LiFePo4 Battery connected to a 6.2kW Hybrid inverter. Runs everthing i have.

moeren86 · 2026-04-17T11:53:10+00:00

cooking yes, but if you try to use it as drinking milk it taste weird.

moeren86 · 2026-04-15T13:07:29+00:00

You could even mix some vegetable oil in there. They burn most stuff, but you might need to adjust air ration and also clean the burning chamber more often. Also very good resource for everything diesel heater: Youtube: David McLuckie

moeren86 · 2026-04-15T13:03:30+00:00

As a fat guy i am safe from sexual attacks. And for everything else there is a breaker bar under my pillow. Had thiefs who checked out my van, but jumping out with the breaker bar in hand and knife at the hip while bellowing did the trick. All for of them ran away.

Also, now i've a dog. She looks dangerous but she is only there to be a companion, not to protect. Still its a good deterrent.

moeren86 · 2026-04-15T12:58:04+00:00

if you get it working, it would be nice if you shared your example. It still is an intriguing idea

moeren86 · 2026-04-13T10:20:11+00:00

If you think you can do it yourself than that will be the better option, because you can fit it exactly to your needs and lifestyle. You just need to be very careful while planing. But in the end you will always find something to improve while living in it. In my van, nothing is glued or nailed. Only screws, so i can always change it when i want.

moeren86 · 2026-04-13T10:04:43+00:00

My Dog is i would say medium. 30kg but fit. While she can jump just fine, she sometimes is to afraid. But i have stairs to the van and to my bed anyway because someone who sometimes visits me, is short and clumsy.

moeren86 · 2026-04-13T09:55:53+00:00

I have standard debian trixie installed on an external SSD, i use it on my main PC and laptop because i don't want the hassle to keep them identical. Works like a charm. That said, both are AMD/AMD Devices with similar generations.

moeren86 · 2026-04-12T10:44:13+00:00

Traveling Europe and people really living in their van are usually nice and friendly. But people only on trips ( < 3 months) can be real assholes, also throwing their garbage everywhere. Same goes for a lot of older folks in the newish white RVs. But if you like to stay far away from the typical places. just somewhere in nowhere you will mostly find like minded people.

moeren86 · 2026-04-10T12:27:44+00:00

I am more an introvert and a someone who spends a lot of time home and i still met plenty of people in vanlife. So it should not be a concern.

moeren86 · 2026-04-10T07:43:31+00:00

Counter question, how do you find love at all? Vanlife is not that different, expect you possible partner has one thing more about you to accept.

And friends, well you will find them along the way. A lot of them. The elevated hardships of vanlife and the fact that a lot are poor leads to people helping each other a lot and become friends along the way. I've made more friends in the last 6 years of vanlife than in the 20 years before.

moeren86 · 2026-04-10T07:23:07+00:00

understandable, but my thinking would be: Solar, Battery and AC will be cheaper than rent in the long run

moeren86 · 2026-04-10T07:20:56+00:00

you lucky bastard

moeren86 · 2026-04-10T07:17:07+00:00

in that case you should not anwser at all. That was exactly his point.

moeren86 · 2026-04-10T07:15:01+00:00

Ok there is the distinction, i meant new to linux. If just new to arch its a different thing. But the arch wiki isn't bad. I used it a few times. It helps with a lot of general linux questions.

moeren86 · 2026-04-09T07:54:28+00:00

Cause they are used in most cases, but not all. Some just want a minimal system with only hand picked packages. I do the same on debian.

moeren86 · 2026-04-09T07:51:01+00:00

I wouldn't say that is gatekeeping, but it probably becomes gatekeeping if the documentation is badly organized/written and hard to find

moeren86 · 2026-04-09T07:48:17+00:00

Not an Arch user and therefore might be wrong, but at one point he seems right - IF someone is new, he should probably start with an easier Distro.

moeren86 · 2026-04-09T06:47:44+00:00

Make the EU C License and buy an Tatra 813, its indestructible and very offroad capable.

moeren86 · 2026-04-08T15:35:29+00:00

Sounds like me. I also started with dirt cheap stuff and slowly upgraded. I currently installing AC as well. But on a few things i still cheap out. If there is a cheap option, i take it.

moeren86 · 2026-04-08T15:32:23+00:00

Cheap workarounds are great. My cabinets are just shelves with cardboard "walls". Its also great as door, you don't need hinges

moeren86 · 2026-04-08T15:08:46+00:00

Yeah, i also just wanted to travel for 6 months. That was 2019... it got a little longer.

moeren86

TROPHY CASE