diy solar

diy solar

400 watt 300 AH Van Build

8milimeter

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Joined
May 25, 2020
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54
Back in May I decided if I was going to enjoy my retirement with Covid-19 I needed a Off Grid Van.
Dec 10th, 1000 hrs labor later it was complete. It would not have been possible without Forums and Youtube.
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Graat looking van I like the wood ...how strong is that rotating table leg ?
 
The Lagon mount is pretty strong. My table is 38x24, this is about as big a table as it will support.
There is some movement, but not enough to cause things to spill.
The loss in stability is made up for with its versatility. You can position against the wall or extend your counter top.
 

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How much money do you think you saved building this custom setup vs buying something already built? How much in total do you have in the solar setup and what do you power with it?
 
Good Question.
Solar, about $5200 total. This includes wiring and misc hardware. 4 x 100 panels, 3 x 100 Battleborn, Renogy Dcc30S MPPT Alternator charging, Victron IP67 17A 110v charger.
Van build, $12,500, this includes the Solar costs. A lot of the materials (wood wire hardware) were recycled stuff I had already.
I calculated that I had about 1000 man hours designing and building. Building cabinets and walls in a Van (especially a Transit) is a nightmare. Everything is curved, walls ceiling. The cargo area is wider and taller in the back and tapers toward the front. Every piece of wood is custom cut.
If I made another (But I wouldn't) just like it now it would take less then half that.

A local Van Builder her is Frederick MD (OGAVans) charges $43,500 for a similar interior.
Mine is not quite that level of quality, but pretty close.
I submitted an estimate to my insurance company that values the build at $35,000.
So I saved $22,500, for four months of 12 hour days. (not an exaggeration)
I'm a 62 year old retired guy, what else could I be doing in a pandemic ?
 
Hmm....this iswhat always gets me. Would I rather work the hours to pay for it or build it myself...

Thanks for the response.
 
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