Energy Hogs

Van life is a whole different mindset! I've never in my life have I considered how many watts I use, or the voltage, or the amps. Honestly, although I sat in on a solar class at Quartzsite and these terms were explained, it all went right over my head! However, my life is now consumed by wattage!

Bluetti 

The Bluetti is Big Blue's power source and it gets its energy by one of three options: 1) being plugged into the cigarette lighter when Big Blue is running, 2) into a power outlet, or 3) solar-powered with portable solar panels. When I plug an electrical appliance, laptop, or cell phone (AC, DC or USB) into the Bluetti, I can see how many watts it is using. If the object uses too many watts, the Bluetti is drained in no time. The mantra of experienced van dwellers is "MAKE SURE IT IS 12 VOLTS! DO NOT GET 110!" I'm learning.

Heaters and air conditioners are problematic because they are energy hogs. The first one I bought was sucking about 800 watts. It was returned. The second one was given to me...1200 watts! The Bluetti was drained to only 20% in only 20 minutes! OK! Now I'm starting to understand. If my energy is drained, it's way more work to charge it back up and if I don't, I might have no access to power!  Most people get propane or butane-fueled heaters, but those are toxic to me so that is not an option. (I'm finding my only option to be warm might be Mexico....)

My standard, everyday lamp is low wattage and clocks in at about 30 watts. For a little ambient light, that's worth it. There are battery-operated and solar-powered lights, lanterns, and flashlights available, but I've been trying to use what I have to avoid spending too much money.

However, I've purchased strings of solar lights I call my "rat lights". For $9.99 at Harbor Freight they are well-worth the price. Two of the strands go under Big Blue at night to deter the destructive pack rats, but I had an extra strand that I use INSIDE the van. 

If I turn on their blinking function, it's like a disco! When the sun goes down, Big Blue becomes a disco van! 

My first cooking appliance was the rice cooker on the advice of a girl truck driver. "You can cook a ham in it!" I was sold. Not that I ever eat ham, but if it can cook a ham, its capabilities are endless! The rice cooker uses about 300 watts. Too much. A meal will delete the Bluetti about 30% which isn't bad. Again, most people prefer toxic propane or butane-fueled cooking appliances because the fuel is cheap, accessible and easy to use.

Then someone highly recommended an induction cooktop. They are not cheap, but I was craving real food. The Nuwave Flex Precision Induction Cooktop runs $108.68 with tax. I waffled (pun intended) when I was told it is an energy hog, but I threw all caution to the wind and bought one anyway. I didn't realize one needs special pro-induction pans or it won't work. I discovered cast iron pans are compatible! (I'm so glad I never got rid of my cast iron cookware!) OMG! This was a game changer! Here is my first meal on the induction cook top. It was the first time in months I felt like a real person eating real food!

Just as I was enjoying this tasty meal, sitting on the sidestep of my van, gazing upon the beautiful views of the Catalinas, a herd of javelinas came frolicking for my viewing pleasure. They (6?) were about fifty feet away, but still gave me a fright since I was told they can be vicious especially if they have babies. There were babies. They are definitely one of the ugliest creatures on the planet, big hairy hogs with fangs. (Is it any wonder the psychopathic landlady thought they were cute?) I was told normally one smells them first, but I received no stink warning. They stayed on the outskirts never crossing the cement. Had they started charging, I would have slammed my door shut faster than one could yell, "ENERGY HOG!" (You can barely see them in the center of the photo rummaging through some sticks. Sorry. My camera has a weak zoom in feature.) I had planned to go for a nice walk after dinner. Ah, no, not tonight!

Just as I was feeling a little disappointed the javelinas didn't charge across the cement and dive for my delicious dining experience, a loner javelina appeared not ten feet away from my van! Holy Mackerel!

He circled my van, always staying in the desert never walking on the cement, then disappeared off into the sunset. It was quite exciting. Yes, I closed my van door and worried he'd maul the towel I had drying outside.

The Adventures of Big Blue continue...