Vanlife Hack! Camping at an EV Charger 🔌

[@JericoGoods]

I would mount it on the side of the van like a water port or on an EV ,a charging port. Nobody would know that its not an EV swap until after you've charged and started your rig. Good video .great hack.

[@martycannon]

I am currently on a month long roadtrip in my van, and this exact same idea crossed my mind while I was stealth camping in Vegas. I ended up using Plugshare to find an available 110v outlet to charge, but I kept wondering how I could use J1772 plugs to charge my house batteries. This is brilliant. Thank you so much!

[@HankHill757]

This is genius!! You’re paying for the energy so it’s not like you’re taking advantage of anything. Thanks for the tip!!

[@JoshuaTrinityWolf-dc4up]

YOU are nothing short of brilliant. I don't think you will ever have a problem for sleeping or fake charging. A person that thinks outside the box will always win in the world.

[@RingoTheGSP]

Wow! Thank you! I can't believe we're just learning this.....never, ever even crossed my mind that this was possible!!! 🐾🇨🇦

[@BuckJones1909]

Great plan with readily available devices!

[@josielinnea]

Thanks for doing this in a respectful way and talking about how to do it in a good way. Good for you for finding a way to recharge in doing so!

[@OverlandOne]

I have my generator for solar back up but this is an interesting idea. Been on the road in my van full time for 1.5 years and I like having multiple back up ideas. Thanks.

[@1978rayking]

I would have a sighn above the built in side of the van plug in outside,,saying this van is a hybrid yes this van has batteries 🔋

[@Eric-R]

many stations charge a much higher rate $5-10/hr after the first 3-4 hours, presumably to stop people from hogging the charger spots.

[@samuelfox8126]

That's hours connected. So disconnect

[@leeinwis]

@@samuelfox8126 I only need a couple hours

[@leeinwis]

@@samuelfox8126 It only takes 2 hrs to charge everything .

[@e6ensperception]

this should be top comment. Guess they prefer people to fake charge after 3 hours

[@samuelfox8126]

@e6ensperception they want them to get off the charger when they're full and penalize them if they don't. Sounds pretty fair to me.

[@cbinett]

Good trick to get heating and battery charging in winter. We have good rates here in Montreal, Canada. About 1$CAD per hour for 6Kw charging power.

[@leeinwis]

Now get rid of Trudeau .

[@gailasgreatdanesandmanes1042]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@stevezelen4651]

I’d like to see your charging set up.

[@IntoTheMystery13]

This is fantastic. Thanks for sharing.

[@markmcla]

That's very smart! Well done and thanks for sharing!

[@leeinwis]

😨😨

[@e6ensperception]

dude youre a genius

[@Ulbre]

This seems awesome for boon docking in the city. perfect time to use that water heater and microwave and other high wattage appliances. It'll get harder once more folk cotton on to it...but then again more businesses will be installing these chargers. Excellent thinking outside the box.

[@Tazdeviloo7]

I'd love to get an old Rivian Amazon delivery van for stealth camping like this. So many free or cheap L2 chargers around and no one suspects a delivery van either

[@hansolo7205]

I been struggling to charge my 240ah lithium battery bank. I considered buying a portable generator, until I found your vid. Thanks! Question, the max step down I found is 45amp, I looking for an 80amp charger. Why not buy a 240V battery charger with EU plug?

[@VanIife]

@@hansolo7205 I've heard it's not good to use chargers with too high of amps. I would go with 55 A or lower. You can find them for $100 or less on Amazon 120v.

[@keldaMouse]

what an amazing idea! so safe and legal. Very cool.

[@Raykenn1]

Excellent 🏆. Enjoyed your video thanks for posting 👍

[@NotSoFastOldtymer]

I saw another vanlifer do this but in the EU. Thanks for showing us what you use. I’m in Canada so your links didn’t work but I’ve ordered the exact same products from the Canadian site.

[@autoboto]

ev stations are high amps and if you have input system to accommodate the amperage you can charge very rapidly. I can see RV's integrated with this system for the future. I use a small teardrop trailer for boondocking so if I keep batteries in the truck I can pull up and charge my gas truck for my camper haha. Anyway it's a great idea and a convenient alternative to acquire fast power besides solar and gas generator. I will say once my batteries are filled I would feel I should move for the next possible person to charge probably. Or do slow charge rate. Should not always recharge with high amps on your lithiums anyway

[@SageMonkeyOP]

would love a tour of your setup! looks dope!

[@Frank-r1o5f]

Thank you. Just learned something new. Brilliant.

[@stephenrogers9664]

Just found your channel, & now following. Can’t wait for a tour, & a tour of your electrical setup

[@TravelingGamer_]

Even though this is very helpful I can absolutely see this being an issue where the same ppl who leave poop bags and trash at a Campsite/BLM Land would ruin this for everyone.

[@leeinwis]

Yep, thought of that right away, keep it a secret ;)

[@trailingupwards]

@@TravelingGamer_ Once cheap used EVs are common people are going to catch on they make pretty good places to live. You can sit in an EV with the heat or air conditioner running for days, and not worry about destroying your engine, or carbon monoxide poisoning.

[@humanvan5415]

Likewise, education is key. Helping people be more thinking and talking about community will help us all out of the down spiral to collapse. ✌️

[@guy33909]

i think you are on to something..........very good, sir!

[@dmmetzpaul]

Great tip for anyone traveling with a battery system!

[@trailingupwards]

Buy a Ford E-Transit with 89 kWh battery and park at various free chargers. It will take 10-12 hours to charge a depleted battery from a level 2 charger. Boom. Now you are charging for real.

[@leeinwis]

12 hrs is a Loooong time .

[@trailingupwards]

@leeinwis That's the point. You get a legit excuse to park there for 12 hours. Where I live there are tons of free chargers.

[@shockingguy]

@@trailingupwards where do you live that there are free chargers

[@samuelfox8126]

@@trailingupwards just a wee bit more expensive route. And range anxiety.

[@MagicCarpetRide8669]

It’s a good idea just keep in mind these EV’s can burst into flames without warning while you’re sleeping

[@SpikedVanlife]

I'm beginning to think i should have installed the charging prt and step down in the van. Plug and play. Lol

[@edwardseth1230]

another good alternative would be the ecoflow alternator DC-DC charger (800w).. directly charging your batteries while the vehicle is on the move (no u don't need the ecoflow battery banks)

[@edthelazyboy]

The only problem I see with this is that some public level 2 charger might run on 208 instead of 240 volts AC. The step down would result in 104 volts which might affect some loads.

[@michelleassuras8277]

This is so cool. And I’ve noticed ChargePoint says open 24 hours.

[@EdwinCV-dh8qc]

Dre, I just came across your channel I subscribed to see what you up to.

[@Thesaltymedic36]

Need a van tour 👍🏼

[@datageek824]

Thx for the info. Great information. I just subbed to your channel.

[@carld3184]

Excellent 👌 suggestions!! Since you are paying for the electricity and the parking spot you should be legal. I found a few 100V - 240V chargers on Amazon that claim to be suitable for lithium batteries and cost less than $250 I don't know anything about these chargers but with the multiple voltage input you would not need to buy a transformer. I cannot think of any 240V appliances that I would use in the RV but once your batteries are charging then your whole RV electrical including the inverter etc are providing power as if the batteries were full so you can start using all the RV appliances once you are plugged in.

[@paul9156c]

I like it. 👍 ( Really hate having to to order online ONLY. )

[@rvboondocker2559]

We are not ALL entitled. If someone is charging, that’s cool. If someone is parking, that’s not cool. Many charging stations continue a fee if you are not actually charging. People who PARK there are the entitled ones. It’s like parking at a gas station pump.

[@BlackCatRacing11]

He is going to be the first one complaining that he gets kicked out of a charging station even when the name is his video says "Camping at a charging station. You Sir and the people that follow this process are the entitled ones.

[@RayRayIsCoolio]

bros living the life 🍻

[@jeannebenz]

Super thank you I will do this when I get on the road …

[@mrmotofy]

The US is 120v/240v hasn't been 110v for like 60yrs

[@Gary-um8bp]

Follow-up question … how many amp hours of batteries do you have? Can you top up full in 6-8 hours on the ev charger? What did you spend (time in hours, watts charged, $)?

[@VanIife]

700ah of cheap lifepo batteries. it seems like it takes about 4-6 hours for the bulk charge with my 55 amp converter/charger. Cost about 50 cents. It's hard to tell exactly because I don't have any sort of battery monitoring other than my cigarette lighter voltage readout.

[@samuelfox8126]

This answered my question of how you charge you batteries. Thank you!

[@leeinwis]

@@samuelfox8126 55A is alot , make sure the battery is rated to be juiced that fast. Mine are 50A max .

[@samuelfox8126]

@@leeinwis 700ah. That's less than a .1C charge rate

[@practicalpracticewithgeekw9400]

Great info, thank you for sharing!

[@BSerrell4]

I don’t understand where you plug in the 240 to 110 step down controller. Please clarify.

[@VanIife]

@@BSerrell4 EV charger cord > EV adapter > step down. Check out my other vid too it might help. Thanks for watching

[@cosmicsunbeams]

When describing charging rates you say 30 to 40 cents is that per hour or per minute or total cost?

[@VanIife]

That is per kw/hr which is what electric companies use to measure power. It has nothing to do with how long you use electricity or stay at the charger, it's just based on how much electricity your devices use. I wasn't very clear on this in the video.

[@chipper7711]

Q: When you step down from 220V to 110V, does the amperage step up?

[@mrmotofy]

The watts are always the same but the amps/volts will change. So 10A at 120v is 5A at 240v same 1200w. If I recall the 240v in Europe and most other countries is different than the US. The US is 60Hz and most other 240v countries are 50hz as 1 example

[@chipper7711]

@ I should clarify: just wanna be sure that with his particular transformer, the amperage does indeed double when voltage is halved.

[@mrmotofy]

Yep just looked it up many European or other 240v countries use a single 240v hot wire and a neutral plus ground . Vs the US 2 Hot or 120v and the neutral plus ground.

[@mrmotofy]

@@chipper7711 It says 3000w 120v shared...I'd assume that means total of the 2 outlets. But a 20A circuit is 2400w so that would be the max. Unless you have a 2nd circuit/device to run. You'd need a direct wire to use the full 3000w which is 25A @120v. A normal 30A camper is 3,600w. You could possibly get a 240v plug that fit in there then wire with 10ga to a 30a 120v receptacle to safely run the full 3000w. But normal cords/plugs are 20a with generally 12ga wire at best.. but some extension cords are 10ga and plain 20a plug, like for heavy duty use. I'd suggest an Ammeter installed to monitor your usage. Or use a KillAWatt meter and figure out what each load uses and track.

[@lesliehunter1823]

I believe those transformers come in a variable model.

[@shericontrary2535]

What adapter should I get if I want to use a 30 amp such as use the 30 amp at a campground to connect to my power station?

[@VanIife]

For that you just Need a simple 30a to regular household plug. You can find those adapters at wal mart in the RV section, and you don't need a step down for them.

[@Thesaltymedic36]

That’s a good idea. Maybe someone will make a literal plug in connection and you could hard wire it. EV people would freak out but being plugged in and charging ain’t a crime 😂. Honestly it would be neat if manufacturers would put a plug in to recharge big banks of batteries in campers 🤷🏼‍♂️. You only can get so much while driving so maybe it could be an option. Cool idea

[@shayne87]

You have no idea how entitled EV owners can be lol. They will have a conniption if they see your camper there 😂

[@shadmcdaniel4184]

think about all those Tesla owners that now have to share the superchargers now

[@leeinwis]

@@shadmcdaniel4184 He's right though, they are Karens - squared .

[@trailingupwards]

@@shayne87 I don't think you will have any problem unless someone needs to charge and can't.

[@BongRipBing]

There are a lot of chargepoint chargers where I live that don't get used. 30a charger @ 35c a KWH. I feel like I'm the only one that uses them.

[@rvboondocker2559]

We are not ALL entitled. If someone is charging, that’s cool. If someone is parking, that’s not cool. Many charging stations continue a fee if you are not actually charging. People who PARK there are the entitled ones. It’s like parking at a gas station pump.

[@TinyHomeCookingwithSherlei]

Do you charge a power station this way?

[@leeinwis]

I wonder if the amps would be too high for muh little Bluetti .

[@robertallmon2347]

Love it

[@alexphelps7042]

If you put it in gear and crank the engine you will have temporarily have a hybrid drivetrain for however long it takes your starter to explode. So if your house batteries are connected to engine batteries, technically you are charging your plug-in hybrid.

[@VanIife]

Exactly my thoughts! Haha. Thanks for watching.

[@Tyler77573]

Great info, thank you!

[@mikk1332]

Great idea for van lifers to top up their batteries. Like shore power/camping spot included

[@plantstho6599]

Thanks to the algorithm for putting this on my feed. I was curious about how to convert my system to be able to use a Tesla Supercharger. This is close enough. Although I know nothing of these EV chargers, my brain is already trying to figure out if there is a NACS to 240v or 110v adapter? NACS is set to be standard within a few years. Either way, thanks for the vid. Subbed!

[@tc5673]

Great hack!

[@chriskopeikin2702]

Def not anywhere lol but would be awesome if that was the case. How does the payment work?

[@VanIife]

Definitely. Some require a specific app, some are free with no app, and others you just tap your credit card on the spot.

[@chriskopeikin2702]

@ damn some are free that’s good to know, thanks

[@VanIife]

@ yep, the free ones are usually in areas with security though so be careful

[@thegreatcurtismo4329]

I'm a little concerned about how narrow that adapter's wire is, that's a bunch of current running through that little guy. I'd be careful could be a fire hazard if left connected for to long.

[@Solkre82]

lol and I thought you had a EV Van when I clicked the link.

[@VanIife]

Thanks for telling me. I'm thinking of changing the title to make it more clear.

[@Chicago_Clout]

Smooth move.

[@abelincoln3261]

No one can ask you to leave, those chargers are on leased space at a mall or whatever ... unless they are owner operated... station types.. thus that parking spot is basically under the lessor's legal authority only. Another words only that lease owner or manager can ask the police to ask you to leave... that is extremely unlikely to ever happen.

[@jerrytalley802]

You should put a plug in on the side of your camper? You can hook up, not run cords through the door, and who knows, they may think yiu are an EV, lol. Great idea though

[@vincedenbu]

curious how much did it cost overnight

[@VanIife]

About 30 cents if I'm just charging batteries, or about a dollar if I'm showering with hot water and heating my van a tiny bit.

[@leeinwis]

@@VanIife wowzers, a steal !

[@norcalvandweller8401]

So happy your videos popped up on my feed Building my van to live in while struggling with Chemo and the ability to charge like this would be great to have Have solar and generator as plans A and B but always good to have a Plan C just in case Following from Sacramento please show more on the app etc, and do a van tour as well and tell us about you and your vanlife Hope to see more

[@donalshelton9205]

Can’t believe you are showing this. I’ve been doing this for years. Within a year or two you are going to destroy are secret. Let me help destroy it. Plug it in like a ev and put a hybrid emblem on your unit. Personal I use the free ones at government locations. ie parks library etc. Let the shit show begin

[@realfortwoods]

That's a good idea. I was thinking the same. Put a socket on the front and wire it straight into your vehicle. Have a nice permanent setup that can use any EV charger.

[@adambatchelder4121]

Great idea, camping and using those otherwise useless camp spots and infrastructure. But I'll bet it won't be long until they start putting up no camping signs

[@mrmotofy]

Some cities are implementing regulations to parking while charging and thats it...encouraging people to move and open charger. But it does offer an option to park at night

[@samuelfox8126]

FYI Europe is 220v 50hz and USA is 220v 60hz.

[@mrmotofy]

US is 240v...hasn't been 110/220 for 70+ yrs

[@samuelfox8126]

@mrmotofy US actually has 208, 220 and 240. But the common electric dryer and stovetop say 220v on them.

[@mrmotofy]

@samuelfox8126 What an appliance says is irrelevant. The official rating is 120v/240v. Not 110/220. 208v is used in Industrial but were not in that realm here. There's lot's of other options in there. Stick a meter in a socket and ya get 120/240. I haven't found anywhere still with 110v/220v although it's generally still within spec

[@samuelfox8126]

@@mrmotofy if what an appliance says doesn't matter than neither does what I say. Everyone knows what I'm talking about. Should I correct you and say my house has 122v? No. Because who cares. Even most electricians are still going to say 220v and 110v. Europe is actually 240v as well. Did I correct him? No. I knew what he was talking about. 220 is the vernacular used.

[@mrmotofy]

@samuelfox8126 If you claim to be knowledgeable and educating people as you seem to be, then you should be doing it accurately. I know many electricians don't have a clue...they know just enough to do a job. I've asked a few...they just say idk why. It's just what I hear. That's part of the problem. Stop being a mindless robot and hold some pride

[@TheExAquarist]

Very clever.

[@masminor]

It converts 240V to 120V.

[@VanIife]

Yes thanks for the correction

[@masminor]

@@VanIife Everyone does it because the appliances are 110v & 220v but outlets are 120v & 240v.

[@Locd4life707]

New subscriber here. I look forward to following your page.

[@leeinwis]

I'm scared it will burst into flames .

[@007nadineL]

Cool 🎉🎉🎉🎉😂❤❤❤

[@HalifaxComputersRepair]

thats very nice easy cheap way to charge your battery's who would though of that lol

[@goldpanvanman]

Loving this channel, new sub here. Just started my own channel and having a blast with it. Looking forward to following your page, keep up the good work and be safe.

[@Slugabug67]

Good thing Kamala got all those charging stations built!

[@larryslifeadventures]

There’s no law yet to prevent you from plugging into ev charging station, but it won’t be long they will figure it out and write a law to stop the freedom loving nomads 😢

[@Tracy30444]

I’m all on board for anyone charging any type of battery for as long as he needs, even a battery inside a gas car. But also, imagine if an EV was camping overnight in front of the only gas pump in town and you needed to fill up. Gas drivers freak out if you take too long using the bathroom and getting snacks after filling up, let alone blocking the pump for hours! It’s the same thing. Nothing freedom loving or freedom hating about that. It’s fellow nomads living in EVs that wanna charge overnight, and they would be thrilled to have a gas van nomad keeping company in the parking spot next to them.

[@petes9878]

S W E E T ; - )

[@KehHs-l8b]

Better off making a fake ev jack and arguing that with someone. Im not opening my 20 year old rv hood ti show u my uodated ekectruc engine lol....crazy. Guy. People gonna mess with you cuz people suck. Dont even get the homeless tenters going

[@VagaBumAdventures]

A 60 amp dc to dc charger would be better. Charge as you drive, only costs $150