STRUGGLING WITH WINTER VAN LIFE
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- Hey what’s groovy!?
Finally catching up with the vlogs, my intentions are good I promise and then life happens! SORRY IT’S LATE!
My Christmas vlog goes live tomorrow(new years eve) at least it’s before 2025 LOL😂
Has anybody else tried a battered mars bar though? It’s got to go on my New Years bucket list ✨
Check out @amazinggrace90 to see what my folks have been up too in their van ❤️
I hope everyone had a lovely christmas!
STAY GROOVY!
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Hey Mrs, I have always kept a genny for winter. I put it on once a week charge everything, have done this for 15 years. For me it’s the most practical off grid way in uk.❤️🙏
That's a great suggestion. Practical and affordable. 👍
Oh okay cool! What genny do you have may I ask? And have you ever had ant complaints while using it? 😊
@@LolaBeakA genny is my next upgrade, I have 20a b2b but a genny is far better value than a bigger b2b and potentially killing or having to upgrade the alterntor
I have a Honda suitcase genny converted to work on my lpg gas bottle.That way I don’t need to carry raw petrol in the van, just hooks up to gas bottle. I only ever use it in a lay-by or industrial estates and have never had an issue.🙏
@ yep genny is the only easy practical solution for uk in the winter.🙏
Awww... Its all a learning experience. Its Brave at Least!!!! Yay Grampa, just take 1 day at a time, ponder alternatives & a backup to a backup on all systems. Propane , battery, DC to DC charger for charging off the engine. Bottled water , not just the tank. I used a solar shower bag the first year, warm up water on the stove , fill the bag , take a shower. I still keep it handy when i travel. Just a few things to ponder in yur Groovy Quest. Be blessed you All from Idaho. 🙏🙏🎁🎄💙🤙
@racebanning6390 Aw lovely comment thank you!! Hoping to be more prepared for next winter 🙏 it will be my third!
Happy new year to you xx
... Tough breaks Bean... Good to hear that you'll have hot water again soon..
Here's to an Awesome 2025...all the best. 💜🐇👍
@@tazstidson4231 thank you so much! Happy New Year 🙏❤️
Happy New Year chickadee! Saw you and Adam on your folks channel enjoying Christmas. Yay! Soon get power again. Shortest day has passed. Onwards and upwards in 2025!! 💕xxx
Happy new year girlie ♥️ awesome I havent seen that video yet lol!
Yeah hopefully sunnier days are on their way 🙏 xxxx
Get 'ecoflow alternater charger'....costs sub £300.....and wires direct to your van battery for 800w constant charge whilst engine runs. (Ive got a delta 2 so check you power stations specs).....
Also, i have a petrol generator cost about £200.....which gives 1.5kw constant power..... charges my powerstation in an hour.
Also for showers.... 5 litre water bottle with holes punched in the cap....is a really nice shower...if partner is holding it over you.......(Nice and romantic in nature too!)....
Also chinese diesel heater is a must....and easy to fit.....once you sort your power issues.....goodluck
Ecoflow alternator charger charges at 800 watts when your engine is running amazing
I dont know what you mean, is that an adaptor for the echo flo?
@@the_groovy_life iirc, it's a B2B charger especially for the ecoflow. It's supposed to be pretty good but I don't have one so don't quote me!
4 years in, we have a Genny, and if it did get bad would just pull into a campsite for the night to charge, or the EV to campervan chargers look like a good option (juicybrucy cable) hope the rest of winter goes well.
@mrcamper5211 4 years! Awesome, you must be a pro 😊 I think I'll invest in an EV charger just to charge the echo flo! So much cheaper, would be a good investment and I think they are cheaper now too!
Thanks so much and Happy New Year ✨️
Yes i have a ecoflow, and plug in to charge whilst driving but yes if you are selltled someone where you use power it's a tricky one.😢
Happy New Year!
LOL😅
Happy New Year Chris 🥞🥙🥘🍲🍛🫒🥖🥫😂
I would fit a vsr, £70 for a kit off Amazon to charge from your stater battery.......great video btw 👍
All the best for 2025, looks like you were in Littlehampton, take care and keep warm
@johnf4883 Hey. Thank you! Happy new year ✨️ yes littlehampton is where I'm parked at the moment!
Happy Christmas guys and happy new year
@donnysweekendvanlifetravel7854 You too Donny!! Hope to meet you on the road/busking in 2025 😊✨️
@the_groovy_life def duet time x
I'm really frugal with power this time of year, last winter I limped through on about 50 amps a week, upto about 150 a week this winter and still have to be careful. If you can fit a big tupperware tub in your fridge with a bag of ice in it that will keep the fridge around 4-5c for about 4 days until you have power to run the fridge again, couple of litres of water for washing up when the ice melts. Another 6 weeks and solar will start to make a difference again 🎉
Yeah I'm tight with the power too. Just woken up with no 12v though 😒 it's freezing!
That's a good tip about the fridge, thanks for sharing.
And yes hopefully spring comes around quick 🙏 🌞
Buy yourself a small inverter generator so when you run out of power you can charge your power station
Generator ideal for back up
Buy a 12v fridge, use more gas, buy bigger lithium batteries, and run engine more.
Love the scarf! Where did you get it?
Thank you, its from Shein 🫢
I have a genny, can't rely on sunshine in the UK.
If i went full time id get a stove i think. Or stove AND diesel heater...i that a thing? I love my diesel heater but only use the van a few days a week, can see it being a total drama if i needed it all the time. Ive got a 40a dc to dc charger, two AMG batteries and two 170w solar panels. I didnt actually realise it was such a drama trying to maintain power in your batteries 🤔
Ps How does your hair look so good after three weeks of now shower?? 😃
Deisal heaters are great!
My dc to dc is only 20amp but I need a new altenator if I want a bigger Dc to dc charger 🫠
Aww haha thank you, curls hide a lot 🤣🤣
It’s tough in winter but with a good capacity of lithium and a decent b2b charger I get on ok.
I also use a pub stop over that has electric £10 a night to charge everything up.
Oh where's the pub stop please? That's cheap. I'll add that to my maps 🙏♥️
Hi, using a car charging point is another method.
Type 2 to plug board. Just need a switched resistance to mimic the car.
Take care M
Winter Spain.
@@leeyoung9469 I knowwwww 😍
Also a great van life idea.....😅 And the busking is way more profitable.....I'm heading that way next week after I sort some new tires 😊
Can you charge at the launderette or at work?
No plug sockets at the laundrette, and there's only plug sockets in the boss' office at work so. I need to get brave enough to ask 😅
I survive without solar as I have a DC to DC charger and 200AH of lithium batteries. As long as I drive once a day, or every other day I have no power issues 😊.
What amp is your DC charger? 😊 and what appliances are you running?
@@the_groovy_life Hi, I'm using a Victron Orion TR Smart DC to DC, at 360w (30a). I run multiple appliances - 800w Microwave, Work Laptop, Surface Tablet (or my own laptop for movies/gaming), high pressure water pump, Thetford Tall Fridge, Truma combi (gas but still uses a little bit of 12v 😊) and my mobile phone charger. There are also LED lights and other small consumers too.
@user-vt5fl5yv3p I think upgrading to a 12v fridge will really help! My DC is 20ah but I would need to get a new altenator if I was to get a bigger DC to DC charger
@@the_groovy_life Yes a 12v fridge would be beneficial, the Thetford 12v compressor fridge is very good, uses minimal power, is a good size with freezer compartment. Unfortunately the alternator will restrict what you can do. Do you have Lithium batteries?
I believe that you can connect a DC to DC to your Ecoflow too 😊.
I would ask work if you can charge there. A lot of places should let you. Even the laundromat would save money on buying the coffee. What about charging at the library?
I have tried the library once and the echo flo was so loud. 🙃 felt like I was being annoying but I may try again.
There's no plug sockets at the laundrette, I check. Lol well I actually check almost everywhere these days 😂
@the_groovy_life maybe the bus station or train station? Pretend you are waiting lol.
@the_groovy_life You can even just ask for some warm or hot water at the cafe instead of buying the coffee. Some places like Starbucks give you free hot water. I have done that.
Can't you get a cheeky charge at a library or failing that Spoon's, apparently they are doing cheep beers for 99p
@Defender200tdi I struggle for parking at our nearest spoons. Boo! I did the library once and the echo flo was so loud in there, I was getting looks 👀 lol
99p beers...groovy!
Honda geny
Hard? Nothing hard about it...pffffft...I love winter in my van
Why cant you charge it at work or the gym thats what i use to do
I need to get brave enough to ask my boss. He knows I live in a van now 🙈
@the_groovy_life take it in a sport bag and charge in staff room
Can't you plug into an electric car charging point ? Would cost you Pennie's
Only the 3.5kw Ecoflo pro which is 45kg and pulled along on wheels can be charged at an EV point.
@SheDigsitUK I did get a couple goes on my folks ev charger to charge my echo and it was so much cheaper, something I will invest to make life easier. It costs about 60p I think. Much better 😌
You are so going to enjoy getting a mortgage.
@nigelnigel. I don't want a mortgage lol
Breathing cold air isn't good for lungs 😢
Diesel heater.......£100......problem solved
Desisal heater sorted, lovely and warm! The problem is power..
My new Elec blanket Rocks. It was 18°F lastnite.... No problem!!🔥🔥
Diesel heater draws most power on start up procedure 50 to 100+watts....then settles down to 5 to 9 watts draw. So if you have the ecoflow alternator charger on (so good....total game changer!). Just run the van engine during the diesel heater start up......and turn van off after it settles down.
Turning the diesel heater on and off.....is where the power drain occurs. Some choose to have the heater run all night on low setting.....as it's easier on power usage (though heavier on fuel obviously).....hope these comments help you.
Year 5 of van life for me. Did the first 4 years with no diesel heater 🫣...and no decent power solutions.........so it was candles in winter for light.
Happier now I have power and heat sorted. But never done a hard winter.....always go to Spain Dec to March. The house has wheels for a reason.....and there's good vanner vibes and music down their
You can't film people 😮
I thought you can in public spaces, I was just trying to paint a picture 📸 🙈
Sounds like boat living would suit you best
@craiga631 what makes you think that? I'm intrigued 🤔
It’s tough in winter but with a good capacity of lithium and a decent b2b charger I get on ok.
I also use a pub stop over that has electric £10 a night to charge everything up.
Wheres the pub stop please 🙏 that's so cheap! I'll add it to my maps when we hit the road ❤
@ The Arkwright Arms in chesterfield just off the M1 if your heading north.