Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 06-20-2017, 11:18 AM   #1
New Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3
Default Finally got a Van!

Hello campers!
I have been searching for a long time and finally got the camper I've always wanted. I purchased a 1987 Chevy hightop camper van! Now the fun begins and need to get ready for the road. Need help on electrical, as far as charge ports, switching to solar and what needs to b done and parts do I need. Also need suggestions and recommendations on how or what product to use for a shower. Mechanically- she's good to go, and getting new tires put on this week!
Please Help! Thanks in advance

Shane
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_0790.jpg (451.7 KB, 14 views)
Sestone24 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-20-2017, 12:12 PM   #2
BBQ
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: East
Posts: 2,483
Default

.

Congratulations!

She looks like a beauty.

What are your travel plans? Weekend trips? Long hauls? Retirement full timing?
What is your refurb budget?
What are your priorities?
What is your timeline?

Sounds like you have a lot of fun awaiting.


BBQ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-20-2017, 12:29 PM   #3
New Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3
Default

Open to all traveling haha, work a job where I am off for 3 wks at a time every other 3 wks. Priorities are being able to go off the grid and live out of van for some extended periods. Will need a way to generate power for lighting, fridge, charging phones and cameras, and tunes of course! As far as timeline I'd like to get her ready for the road asap, but also want it done correctly and proficient. Thanks BBQ!
Sestone24 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-20-2017, 01:07 PM   #4
BBQ
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: East
Posts: 2,483
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sestone24 View Post
Open to all traveling haha, work a job where I am off for 3 wks at a time every other 3 wks. Priorities are being able to go off the grid and live out of van for some extended periods. Will need a way to generate power for lighting, fridge, charging phones and cameras, and tunes of course! As far as timeline I'd like to get her ready for the road asap, but also want it done correctly and proficient. Thanks BBQ!

3 weeks off every other 3 weeks? Lucky you.


The first thing is to do an inventory...
Go take pictures of every nook and crannie of your RV.
The battery (with the labels), the switches, the wiring (to and from),
the furnace, the charger, the isolator, and so on...

You got the idea?

You can post the pictures to this thread.
There are lots of old hands here who can give you a review,
and let you know what needs to be done, and how to do it.

Have fun.


BBQ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-20-2017, 01:10 PM   #5
New Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3
Default

Ok will do, thanks for the advice BBQ. How hard and what is needed to switch to solar and go off the grid with no generator?
Sestone24 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-20-2017, 02:28 PM   #6
BBQ
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: East
Posts: 2,483
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sestone24 View Post
Ok will do, thanks for the advice BBQ. How hard and what is needed to switch to solar and go off the grid with no generator?

It all depends on your power needs.


Some people like air conditioning.
Some people cook with their convection microwave...

Some people use camp fire...

Some people have TV computer satellite cell phone wifi router...



It wasn't that long ago that we camp with an 80AH wet cell battery with no generator and no solar. So it all depends on what you want to do.


Adding solar is not difficult -- all you need is money.

The basic components are:
1. solar panel
2. wiring
3. charge controller
4. battery to hold the charge

Lots of youtube video on how to rig them up.



BBQ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-20-2017, 09:52 PM   #7
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: WA
Posts: 202
Default

Congrats! Have fun with the solar and other mods, there has to be some real fun when it comes to doing it yourself.
WingedRyno is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT. The time now is 08:21 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.