Van Life - Solar Power Set-Up / Off Grid Mobile Office While Traveling In A Van

With our solar panel set-up, we’re able to work off the grid. Free power from the sun!
When we’re on the road, we still have to work! I can set up my Web Design office just about anywhere as long as my Verizon Hot Spot can get a connection. And Mike can have our solar/mobile office set up in 5 minutes or less! Here’s one of the cool places we’ve set up shop on the road… Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, Wyoming. Read more at www.backroadsvanner.com/video/...
Founded in 1897, Thermopolis got its name from the geothermal hot springs under its feet (and probably under our feet as we sit here in this park!). Just behind us at the other end of the park, you can swim in the mineral-laden geothermal waters and kayak or fish in the Big Horn River. What a gorgeous place. The caretakers of this park do an immaculate and beautiful job at maintaining this lush landscape. The grass was like carpet. Not a bad view for a day in the office!
And with our solar panel set-up, we’re able to work off the grid. Free power from the sun! For a list of the solar panel gear we use, see www.backroadsvanner.com/video/....
Here we are charging up our small, portable solar generator due to a perfect day of sun. Mike has the solar panel positioned just right to bring in the solar power, and on this day we had about 20 amps coming in. We were able to plug in our portable hard drive to the 110 plug on the generator, which allowed us to download photos from our trip. We can also charge our phones and other devices and run the laptop. Whew! What a lifesaver.
Our two mascots, our beloved furry friends, like working in these conditions, too. We loved this location so much, we set up our mobile office here on 3 separate occasions during our trip through Wyoming.
If you get the chance to take your office outside, a few simple tools can allow for an easier time of it. Stay tuned for reviews on the tech items we use to make this happen.
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CREDITS:
Music Credit:
KZbin Audio "Sleepy Jake" by Silent Partner
Video Footage, Voice-over and video editing by Mike with www.backroadsvanner.com
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[@JuniperTrekker]

Suggestion: Use a strip of reflective mylar (space blanket) on the ground--in front of solar panel. Reflector should be about twice as long as the panel is high, same width. This should boost solar gain by 25 to 75%. Use caution in summer--you don't want to overheat the panel. Definitely helps in early AM or late PM solar charging.

[@BackroadsVanner]

Thanks for the suggestion Juniper. Will have to try that. Thanks so much for taking time to comment.

[@gamure]

Wow thats beautiful. I admire you guys that get to travel around the country to the most beautiful places and enjoying life. All i can do is dream about it. Keep those videos coming and don't ever stop. Cheers!

[@BackroadsVanner]

+Javier Urenda Thanks Javier! We'll be posting more travel videos as we go. Hopefully you'll be able to travel soon as well. Thanks for watching!

[@WannaBFree]

That's about the best office anyone could ask for. Thanks for the update! Safe travels to you two.

[@BackroadsVanner]

+WannaBFree Thanks Bruce! We caught a few of your videos - looks like we missed you in Deadwood, SD & Mount Rushmore by a couple months. Maybe we'll see you down the road sometime. Thanks for watching!

[@Lbbcvt]

great job on the video, found myself watching several

[@BackroadsVanner]

+Laurel Cashman Awesome, thanks Laurel! Stay tuned for more!

[@ricikeri]

you guys are living the life...hope to do that one day...keep the vids coming!

[@BackroadsVanner]

+ricikeri Thank you!!! Lots more coming - thanks for watching!

[@pelenaka]

I have a few goal zero products love them all. I enjoy the plot of your vids (you don't ramble on) !

[@BackroadsVanner]

+pelenaka LOL.. thank you! I can be pretty long winded sometimes! We love our Goal Zero products too! We just got some new solar power lights and a flashlight that we love! You can see all the solar products we have so far at www.backroadsvanner.com/all-posts/featured/our-mobile-office-set-up-in-thermopolis-wyoming/ Thanks so much for watching!

[@lynzteee]

we visited thermopolis last year for our first vagabonding excursion in our van. we really enjoyed our time there. i've seen goalzero before but perhaps i'll have to give them a closer look - thanks for sharing :)

[@BackroadsVanner]

+lynzteee And here's a bit more info on the solar panel set up www.backroadsvanner.com/all-posts/featured/our-mobile-office-set-up-in-thermopolis-wyoming/ We love all of Wyoming, especially Grand Teton and Yellowstone! Thanks for your comments!

[@prideventues]

Such great videos! Very well produced and informative. Sometimes people try to do videos and leave a lot of important things out, your videos sync together very well. and I find myself fully informed. Thank you. I have been looking at this lifestyle for some time. So many of us in the US think we need tons of space and most times we don't use it. I have been to Japan and the people there live in what we would call minimum space and are happy/ I have tried some stealth vanning with my 14 year old son and he loves it.

[@BackroadsVanner]

+Maurice Jones AWESOME! Most of the time, the size of one's living space is mostly determined by the amount of STUFF they have. When we pack up the van and leave our stuff behind, we rarely miss anything! It's amazing how little stuff a person actually needs. Thank you so much for your awesome comments. We really appreciate it! Thanks so much for watching - we have lots more coming! Have fun making cool memories with your son on the road!... make it a back road! lol

[@paulhunter546]

Cool..love the videos !

[@BackroadsVanner]

+Paul Hunter THANKS PAUL!!! Glad you are enjoying the videos. Lots more coming soon so stay tuned! We appreciate your comments.

[@MrChangeordie]

I guess I'm binge watching your Vids lol pretty addictive ...thumbs up 😊👍

[@BackroadsVanner]

+Kaleb S. LOL!!!! Great! We're glad to have you! Thanks for watching!!!

[@unclefrankonap1953]

really interesting like your awning system . going to try this own my ford van I bought a few ladder racks 3 .

[@NoMortgageNomad]

Wow !! Just found your channel and subbed. Great job on the "how to" vids, you have a gift for explaining things. Keep em coming !! They're addictive....Thanks.

[@BackroadsVanner]

+No Mortgage Nomad Love your username! Thanks for the awesome comments and for subscribing!!! More vids coming so please stay tuned!

[@stringbender57]

Cool office! I have never heard of the Goal Zero power station. Looks like something I'll want for sure. Great job on the video! The editing, video and audio quality are perfect. I am really enjoying your channel. Looking forward to more videos. Thank you!

[@BackroadsVanner]

+stringbender57 Thank you! We have more information on our solar set up on our web site at www.backroadsvanner.com/all-posts/featured/our-mobile-office-set-up-in-thermopolis-wyoming/. Thanks for the comments on the video editing and audio - it will get better from here on out - it's a learning process! We really appreciate your comments and thanks for watching! More coming soon!

[@judichristopher4604]

GREAT Video... Great Information... Since this video is 6 years old... Do you have any other UPDATES on this subject? Thank you for sharing this great video.

[@hanieb.travels9121]

Nice VAN. Please get to writing those How to ebooks. Thanks for sharing. I have been going back and forth over whether to buy that exact goal zero product. Glad to see that it works well. I have a similar need for its use. Where can I purchase the material you have used for screens? Thanks.

[@BackroadsVanner]

+HanieB.Travels Thanks! We do love the Goal Zero set-up. And we just put out a new video that will answer your question on the screens! Check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/noTHanZ3nteFaJI

[@paulkrack355]

Love what you are sharing! What is the background music?

[@BackroadsVanner]

Hi Paul, the music is Sleepy Jake. I always put the music in the video description below. Just click on the " more". Thanks for watching!

[@sipapito]

Great channel sub!Greeting from Germany!Oh yeah why did you got with chevy van?

[@BackroadsVanner]

+Tonahuac Theonewhocarriesthelight Thank you for subbing! I've had all makes and models but this Chevy was my work van and since I already had it, it was an easy decision. My previous camper van was a Ford. The main thing is getting out there and enjoying the lifestyle no matter the make or model! Thanks for watching in Germany!!!!

[@TinManisbugginout]

Goalzero, huh? That's pretty darn cool. What do you use to connect? I've found a small handful of varying options, but nothing that's truly practical to my desires.

[@BackroadsVanner]

We use a Verizon hot spot. It works good for us. Hope this helps.

[@lvntravels]

I sore wish you'd show how to do the step to step process of the 22 v battery to converter, and solor stuff. I'm a nurse and my job is far away so after work on my days off I need all that stuff ..charge phone, have fan, extra. How do you keep cool during the hot, humor days in van?

[@BackroadsVanner]

Working on videos on all of your questions! Stay tuned! Thanks for watching.

[@judichristopher4604]

@@BackroadsVanner Do you have the video with these questions ready?

[@jaysuper8255]

I'm surprised that solar panel is only 30 watts. I have the 100 watt Renogy suitcase portable solar which folds out to what looks like two of your panels. I upgraded to the group 29 deep cycle battery that has 30% more storage capacity over the group (basic) group 26 battery. Going to Alaska next summer, so there is going to be many nights camping off the grid on the way up and at some of the Alaska state & national park campgrounds.

[@BackroadsVanner]

+jay super Thanks for the info. We'll have to check out that solar panel. We do love our Goal Zero. We're also planning a trip to Alaska next year - can't wait! We'll have cameras in hand in search of grzzlies! We checked out your youtube channel - do you live in Ohio? We're very familiar with that part of the country. Thanks for watching. PS Your kayaking profile pic is great.

[@jaysuper8255]

+Backroads Vanner Yup NE. Ohio....Have flown to AK. 4-5 times to visit family, but this will be our first time RVing up. Here is a link to RVing galleries including two sets from past AK. visits. www.irv2.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=28455

[@BackroadsVanner]

+jay super Cool! We will check those out! Stay warm up there! Snow is coming ;)-

[@jaysuper8255]

+Backroads Vanner That is OK, were skiers....looking for the snow. Has been the 2nd warmest Nov. on record. No snow in site....

[@Mssummer362008]

Sorry I reported by mistake was trying to click on gold zero link

[@BackroadsVanner]

+Summer362008 Not sure what that means but thanks for letting us know. No worries.