Weather or not you ever need to Bug Out or just end up camping in the side yard, an RV is made for living off the grid. You can always find a deal on a used one. Most rigs have

1. 12V Power (deep cycle 12V batteries, charged by the alternator, the rigs converter and/or generator)

2. 12V Lighting

3. 12V Fans/Small Appliances

4. 12V Water Pump with on-board freshwater tanks. (keep filled, carry extra 3-5gal water jugs!) Note: Try to fill tanks with city water for long term storage.

5. Water Heater (uses propane!)

6. Furnace (uses propane!)

7. Refrigerator (propane and 12V powered, in one unit!)

8. Generator (propane powered!)

9. Power Inverters/Converters ( most have a converter only = 110V AC to 12V DC )

10. Air Conditioning (powered by the generator or 110V AC)

11. TV/Radio Antennas (good quality crank-up units)

12. Bathroom, with separate gray-water and sewage holding tanks.

13. Some rigs are built with cold weather insulation and heated water systems including the holding tanks! (this is highly recommended for any climate)

The above list is just the basics, the skies the limit from herestart with a solar panel!

One 500 or 1000# tank of propane will run the refrigerator, furnace, hot water heater and generator (running the generator long enough each day to keep the batteries topped off) for months or more! You can also buy propane cylinders, from 1# to 20# like your BBQ grill tank, on up to 100#(any size will work with the proper adapter). I expect a shortage of propane cylinders by fall so grab some over the summer.

Look for a smaller rig no matter what you buy, as they are much easier to tow, heat etc. I do not like pop-up tent campers because they have a big moisture problem if you ever have to use the furnace.

A RV or Marine supply dealer (west marine is a good one order the catalog, the online store doesnt have pictures) is a gold mine of available goods like 12V water pumps, fans, appliances, lighting, and propane powered refrigerators, furnaces, water heaters and generators. All of this could be adapted for home use as well and is easy to get locally.

Reposted for people new to the forum...

-- BiGG (supersite@acronet.net), July 21, 1999

Answers

Thanks BiGG--

I personally feel that 12 volt is the answer to nearly all my power requirements, with the exception of hot water (heated with fire) and a microwave for those special occasions (generator).

-- Michael (mikeymac@uswest.net), July 21, 1999.