Update: I have been using this to power my generator. It’s a poly, some people say get a monocrystalline….but 🤷🏻♀️…it’s working well!
Quick unboxing. This little gem will power my Jeep mini camper.
I’ve camped a lot, but never built custom cabinets for an suv. 😳.
Will share the rest of my power system when it gets here.
✌️Shassy
Click here to check out these solar panels. Just look for “Newpowa Solar”
What I’ve learned. I’ve been converting my 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee into a mini camper.
I took out all the seats, except for the drivers… obviously… lol… built wooden platforms to create a level working space. I built an elevated bed platform and created storage by using the space underneath. I built three cabinets for the inside, one of which I ended up taking all apart, sawing in two, and starting all over again… it wasn’t working out like I thought.
It’s been a journey for sure. I started out not having a clue what I was doing, but knowing what I wanted in the end… which is not here yet. But I’m getting closer.
I knew I wanted to be able to have power. So I researched and bought a solar generator and a solar panel…note.. pay attention to what kind of panel you are buying, I bought a polycrystalline panel, but monocrystaline is said to convert a little better. All I’ll say is that yesterday, it was completely cloud covered, and my panel still charged my generator. So 🤷🏻♀️…you can choose what you want.
Anyway, it’s been a journey of discovery, and me learning more patience. I’ve had to learn how to do everything. My cabinets will not win any awards, but they will serve their function. Will I make changes later? Probably, as I learn and move along. But right now it’s working for what I intended.
So what was that intention? To help my mental status. To help with PTSD, MDD, BPD symptoms. I struggle so much that I decided to add another tool to my toolbox.
It has been amazing. I feel so much better sitting here in this little mobile home that I’ve created. I feel like I have the freedom to just pull over and stop anywhere if I want… but mainly it’s to be out in nature and with the animals. Even if it’s where I keep my horse…currently I’m parked right next to her paddock, and got morning nickers…I can’t tell you how that fills my heart and helps me. (Though I will say she probably had an alternative motive…wanting me to let her out to run around…but it rained last night, and I don’t want her to leave hoof marks in the main yard… and I can guarantee she would.)
I haven’t finished the #jeepminicamper. I still need to get the sink, faucet and fresh water installed. Build awnings, and maybe add a tent that attaches to the back end… not sure about that one yet, but we’ll see.
Thus far it’s serving its purpose…helping me mentally. I can park it anywhere right now and have a warm place to sleep, and hang out, without seeing another human being, if that’s what I want.
For the longest time I’ve underestimated myself. Didn’t think I could do something because I wasn’t “trained”, or because I would succumb to other peoples comments like “why would you do that? You have a house and a bed.. why would you want to go sleep in a car?”
Well, I don’t care what people think or say about what I’m doing. The number one reason?➡️My mental state is better for it. If I’m having a rough day… I can go out in the middle of the pasture, or park next to my horse, spend time with her/fresh air and my mind finds peace.
To all the naysayers…go on and keep doing you boo… and I’ll do me. To each his own, and have the day you deserve. Bless your heart.
✌️
Shassy
Professional Outdoor Gear – Free Shipping on US Orders over $50
“Under the night sky, the wind is chill. I’ve turned this jalopy and bent her to my will. But she holds me safely, with not a budge to her name. Even though I’ve stripped her all the same. She’ll never complain, and basks with delight. For the adventures await, and she shows no fright. Old as she be, there’s not a hitch in her step, onward and upward she says, I will not be kept!!” ©️shassyswalkabout.com
A little diddy I wrote for my Daenerys. My old Jeep that I have halfway finfished turning into a mini camper… I’ve got all the seats out, a platform build for the bed, recycled a junk desk from Walmart and a spot for the Zoester. It’s enough for us to sleep out under the stars. Though it’s freezing outside at the moment… 🤣
Oh… and I’m not a carpenter… my wood work is ragtag, but it works! I’ll fix and decorate more after I get finished. Nothing has given way yet! Haha… I’ll take a video tomorrow to share.
But right now I’ve got power, and warmth, and my girls (Sadie standing by as well). Simba will come too after I get his area situated.
Also… that little solar generator? It’s still going. Five days now. I haven’t been using it non stop, just when I need my small electronics charged. I’m impressed thus far!
https://shassyswalkabout.wordpress.com/quick-solar-generator-update-1/
✌️
Shassy
Find all of these things via my Linktree, click here. 😊
I’m on a tight budget, but I knew I could find an entry level solar powered generator that would work for what I needed. I also didn’t feel like I needed to go with a “name brand” because as I was researching, I could get the same components, for less money, with an off brand. It’s just like anything else, you pay more for a name brand, and it’s not always necessary.
So this is a 300 watt, pass through (means you can charge while the generator is charging) unit. It has two QC 3.0 charging ports (the bigger end of a usb cord), one usb c port, two plug in ports, and a 12v port (like a cig lighter). It also has a little led light. There’s nothing fancy about this, but it has all of what I need, at a very reasonable price…close to 300 less than the name brands. I might even buy another one to run a 12v fridge/freezer.
Anyway. I’m using it as my only source of power today for my phone and laptop. My laptop (ipad air) is plugged into one of the plugin ports, and the keyboard is plugged into the usb c port. I’ll follow up with how it did later.
✌️
Shassy
Solar Generator, off grid, go outside, Jeep Mini Camper
I like to get out and away from civilization. I feel so much better mentally when I can spend time in nature. But being on a fixed income, I just can’t go out and buy a $50,000 (that’s on the less expensive side) camper.
So I decided to do some research and make my suv into a mini camper. I’m going to be building it out slow, but the first thing I wanted to do was get my power situation taken care of. I don’t want to use any of my vehicles power, to run anything other than the vehicle. It’s an old Jeep, and has a lot of miles, so I need her power system to be dedicated to just her. Her name is Daenerys btw. 😁
I could get a solar panel, controller, inverter, and battery. I was going to do that initially, but with limited space (I have a Grand Cherokee), I opted to go with just a solar panel and a solar generator. Small, nothing huge, just enough to make it possible for me to stay warm, charge my electronics, and heat food.
These are what I chose: Generator is a Ctechi portable 300w LiFePO4 299w. It has enough power to do what I need. (I also have some other small solar power stations, but this will be the main one.) Right now it has a $55 off coupon on Amazon. I’ve looked A LOT of solar generators, and it’s the same as anything…they make good ones, that you can get for less money, that don’t have a name brand. If it fails, I’ll learn, but that’s the point of all of this. This has great reviews, and I depend a lot on that. I don’t need any fancy bells or whistles, I just need it to work. I like the LiFePO4 as it has a longer lifespan. We’ll see! I’ll be posting updates as time moves forward. My first camping “trip” will be close to home, where I keep my horse, and it’s almost February, so I’ll for sure be testing how warm I stay. I’ll cover the windows with homemade thing-a-ma-jigs, but I’ll post those later as well.
The solar panel I chose was a basic polycrystalline 12v panel by Newpowa. The generator already has an inverter built in. My main concern was space, and I don’t have much of it. I’m not going to be running a water pump, or any lights, as I have that taken care of, so I really just need these to be able to power a small heater (150w), which won’t be run a lot, or for long periods of time, a food heater, (I’ll link the one I’m using as well) and electronics. This should be enough.
I’ll need a longer cord from the panel to the generator as well.
The food prep that I’ll use is this…I’ve seen videos of other van lifers/campers/truckers using this and it has a ton of good reviews.
The rest of my build will be a composting toilet, (really easy to build and won’t stink if done the right way), small sink/ cooking area, with a grey water tank and filtered water tank, supplied by a foot pump. On the other side will be another small cabinet for food storage, clothes, whatever I need it for.
I am going to move my spare tire from the floor storage area, and put it on the top of the Jeep. I’ll use that area for more storage of tools, food, misc…whatever.
This is totally new to me, I’ve never built anything out by myself so it will be a learning experience. I will share everything as I go, with all the mistakes I’m sure I’ll make, and all the things that work.
Wish me luck! Lol… I’ll need it.
✌️Shassy
Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are just around the corner. I’m going to go over some of my favorite things in this post. Maybe you’ll get some ideas for gifts for others.
My number 1 favorite gadget is this SOLAR POWERED FLASHLIGHT. You can charge your electronics with it, it has 6 different light settings, a seatbelt ”cutter”, glass breaker, and a powerful magnet to stick to anything. I’ve also included two of my videos about this flashlight.
You can shop all of 4Patriots products via THIS LINK.
Another favorite of mine is this portable water filter. Are you prepared? Do you live a nomad lifestyle? These are things that you need to have if that’s the case. (That link will give you a few different options for water filters, water filtration systems, and replacement filters. )
Another favorite product is THIS WEIGHTED BLANKET. Studies have shown that weighted blankets help with anxiety, stress, sleep and other health challenges. This link will take you to my original post about Thera Blankets.) You can read more about weighted blankets through this trusted source.
Who doesn’t like getting FOOD for gifts? I mean really, chocolate covered strawberries are a favorite of mine. Edible Arrangements is an excellent choice if you want to send a gift to a friend or loved one. HELLO FRESH is also hot right now… why not get your family meals delivered, so all you have to do is put it together. The holidays are super busy, and I have used Hello Fresh and the food quality is top shelf.
THRIVE FOODS specializes in organic, healthy food choices. After doing a lot of research on how our food is made, and having numerous medical issues caused from processed foods, I can say that cutting out the ”junk”, has helped. Here’s a link from one of my trusted sources about organic food and farming. (Mayo) Keep in mind that you can have all of this delivered to your door. I’m good with that. ✌️
Jewelry. You absolutely cannot go wrong with pretty things. Even manly jewelry. Zales is running a sale now, if you feel like you want to send a forever piece to your bestie.
Kitchen, bathrooms, living rooms, decor…you can’t beat stuff like that for gifts. Don’t know what they want? Get them a gift card. Or, you know, just ask… people will always give you answers when you ask the right questions. OVERSTOCK is a great place to shop. So is AMAZON. I know there are different opinions out there about different places. But I have to run a business, and attempt to have enough money for my funeral, so I’m going with the online choices. 🤷🏻♀️ (Any of the underline words or pictures will take you to where you want to go.)
Don’t forget perfume and cologne. I’m tellin’ ya… if a man smells good…mmhmm. What about your favorite DIOR product? Or Burberry? (my favorite). Doesn’t everyone love a nice scent?
Stay tuned for some items from my baby Etsy Shop. I’ll post some pictures here in the future, but in the mean time, here is the LINK TO MY ETSY.
Also, you can get to ALL of my websites, via one place, my LINKTREE. Just click on the appropriate button, and it will take you there. Or just aim at the QR code for instant access.
Here’s a Story 