Lose Power In Your Van? 10 Back-Ups

I lived in Florida for many years and lived through some pretty exciting hurricanes. You might lose power for a day or a month. Something everyone learns is to be prepared because without power you are like a turtle on a hamster wheel.

I bought my van from Coachman. It came with all the bells and whistles. I have a gas generator, propane furnace, electric AC, stove, and frig. I have a little solar but it doesn't make much difference.

My lifestyle is boondocking so I rarely, if ever, have shore power. My generator charges my battery and all things need the battery to operate.

What happens if my generator breaks down or just plain breaks?

My refrigerator and freezer defrost.

I am cold with no heater.

I am hot with no AC.

No running water.

No way to charge my phone or computer.

No way to make coffee. (Life as I know it has ended)

I have no way to cook.

I have no lights.

In other words, I am dead in the water.

It has been decided by me that it will no longer be this way. Since, if you follow me you know, I have been without my generator multiple times in the last three years. In my generator's defense, many of those times were because of my lack of knowledge.

Here is my list of 10 back-ups.

My hurricane training taught me what to do. Here is my list of emergency supplies.

Power Station

This is the most important thing you can invest in if you want to keep as many things up and running as possible. I have a Grecell Power Station T-500, You could get the solar panels to go with it but I opted not to because I have no storage for the panels.

The Power Station can also be charged with the 12V (used to be called a cigarette lighter). I charge it when I drive. I use the power station to charge all of my electronics even when I do have power.

There are many other brands and sizes out there. Check them carefully.

Lights

When the days are long you won't need as many lights. But lights help even when brushing your teeth. I have a few of those little battery-powered stick-on lights. They give off decent light and they stick to the wall so you can keep them in strategic places.

Solar Phone Charger

I do have a solar phone charger I got before I got my power station. This is also good if you know you are going to be away from a charger for a long period. It is perfect for hiking.

Night Buddy

These little lights are amazing. You wear it on your head like a headband. Mine has a red light, a side light, and then 3 levels of brightness across my forehead. And one light is red. I am not sure what that one is for....... These are perfect for moving around in a dark van doing things you need two hands for.

They have a great reach for distance so are great for outside, too. USB chargeable.

Flashlights

You can never have enough flashlights! In addition to my Night Buddy, I have a Powertac M-5. This has 3 levels plus it has a strobe light. If you know what you are doing, (I don't) you can use it as a weapon.

This is USB charged.

Propane Stove

You will still need to eat and make coffee, so a propane stove is an answer to this. You buy the propane tanks, plug them in, light the stove, and coffee and pancakes will be done soon!

There are a lot of different choices. Think through what you will be using it for and make the appropriate choice.

Propane Heater

This is a super important one if you are going to be in cooler weather.

I chose the 4000 BTU because that is plenty for my small van. Depending on the size of the space you are trying to heat you might want a bigger

one.

IMPORTANT *Be sure you get one for indoor use.*

Cooler

If I lose power, I can just go ahead and throw out everything in my freezer. There is no way those things will be safe!

I bought a reasonably nice cooler. It is a good size and has a leakproof cover that seals. You can hear it. And a Microban interior. That keeps that pesky mold away.

I use it to store water when it doesn't have the refrigerator items in it.

Tea Lights and Candles

I like the tea lights. They give off light and extinguish themselves when they burn out. I feel as if they are safer than taper candles.

Scented candles in jars are good. I don't think they give off as much light.

Plenty of Batteries

I try to get only things that are charged with a USB but not all things to work that way. You may not have the ability to charge your power station in the way I do either.

So get batteries. Remember those AAAs are in a lot of things, too. I have a drawer full of AAs because I forget about the things that take AAAs.

Fans

These are a little more problematic. There aren't many, if any, fans big enough to cool you down using a USB. Mostly, there are tabletop 5" fans. They don't keep you cool but they do keep the air circulating.

Lots of Water

When there was a hurricane coming, everyone rushed to fill up their bathtubs with water. I don't have that luxury. But I do have the luxury of still being able to drive and stores are still open. Even so, I try to keep 5 gallons of drinking water around all of the time.

I am prepared! Over time, I hope you can start accumulating some of these things, too! They aren't just for times without power, many of them you can use every day!

Off The Grid

Pam and Coco

Find all of the items HERE

Lose Power In Your Van. 10 Back Ups

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