• VantasticOdyssey@gmail.com

Category Archive Off-Grid Prepared

gas generator ban

Portable Gas Generator BAN

Portable Gas Generator Ban has passed in California.

Will it be illegal to run your portable generator at a campsite? Will you be able to own a portable generator at your place of residence?  The California Air Resource Board (CARB) was considering a regulation to ban small off-road engines, which included portable gas generators used by RVs (recreational vehicles).

California became the first state to outlaw the sale of single-engine off-road equipment (SORE). This law included lawnmowers and leaf blowers.

How does it affect portable generators?  Any gas-powered generator under 25 horsepower, which is most portable generators, will be part of the ban.

This does not affect stationary generators.

You may use a generator during a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).

Permits may be required to allow you to use a back-up generator. Again, CARB regulations allows you use a generator during PSPS. The proposed law to ban portable gas-powered engines has passed in California. This will affect portable gas generators in 2028. It seems to ban the sale of portable gas generators and finally the use of portable generators in 2028.

The intention would indicate that ZEE generators (with zero emissions equipment) would replace portable gas generators. Many RVers rely on portable gas generators to boondock.  They use them when a hook-up is not available. Also, portable generators have served a crucial role during natural disasters and major power outages.

This post will be updated to any changes or any exemptions that may occur.

Thank you for reading this blog, I hope you will share it.

CARB California Air Resource Board

https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/homepage

So far this law will affect:

  • lawnmowers
  • weed trimmers
  • chainsaws
  • golf carts
  • specialty vehicles
  • generators
  • pumps

What is does not affect:

  • on road motor vehicles
  • off road motorcycles
  • all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
  • boats
  • snowmobiles
  • model airplanes, car or boats (I believe RC hobby)

The goal is to transition to 100 percent zero-emission off-road vehicles and equipment by 2035.

  • Hilipert KF94 Mask
    Hilipert KF94 Fish Type Face Mask Questions? Is your mask comfortable? Do you have an upgraded mask? Staying safe is an issue we all face. I came across this mask by accident. I didn’t even know its worth. I just knew, it was more comfortable than my former masks. It turns out the Hilipert KF94… Read more: Hilipert KF94 Mask
  • Lithium Battery price drop
    Lithium Battery price drop.  I have added another link for the next seller until this item is restocked, This seller is AMAZON’s choice with 5 year warranty. Link at bottom of page I keep seeing prices drop for lithium batteries. This is a new low price for a LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery at 100-amp hours with… Read more: Lithium Battery price drop
  • Portable Gas Generator BAN
    Portable Gas Generator Ban has passed in California. Will it be illegal to run your portable generator at a campsite? Will you be able to own a portable generator at your place of residence?  The California Air Resource Board (CARB) was considering a regulation to ban small off-road engines, which included portable gas generators used… Read more: Portable Gas Generator BAN
  • Harmony Borax Works
    The Harmony Borax Works Interpretive Trail is located in Death Valley.  At its full operation three tons of borax was produced per day.  The Harmony Borax works employed 40 men.  To transfer all this borax required a 20-mule team.  The operation became famous because of the large mule teams and double wagons.
  • Furnace Creek Visitor Center
    Furnace Creek Visitor Center features small museum and small bookstore.  You can speak to rangers, pay park fees, or buy a yearly national park pass.  Some exhibits include short films about Death Valley.  There is a large 3D display map showing where all the popular sites and attractions are located.  You can verify weather conditions… Read more: Furnace Creek Visitor Center
Comment
byu/vantasticodyssey from discussion
inVanLife
solar generator

Item List and Cost

Item List and Cost – How Much?

 

Item List and Cost

Before I begin, I want to emphasize the build was driven by cost. That is finding the best deal. How much does it cost to build a solar generator?  Buying a solar generator can be costly.  Building your own generator allows you to expand the amount of power for substantially less cost.  Basically, more power for less money.  

Solar generators provide a reusable source of energy using solar panels.  Gas generators can provide power as long as you have access to fuel.  The point is during a natural disaster, these resources may not be readily available.  Once you build your solar generator, you can use sun as a power source.  Weather allowing of course.  

Solar Panels – my cost for 2 120 watts 12v – 300.00

MPPT Tracer Solar Controller – my cost for 30 amp – 129.00

30 amp Tracer Solar Controller
Solar Charge Controller Tracer 30 amp

AGM Deep Cycle Batteries – my cost for 2 100 amp 12v – 340.00 

AGM Deep Cycle Battery
AGM Deep Cycle Batteries

Pure Sine Wave Inverter – my cost for 1000 watt 2000 surge – 200.00 

mppt pure sine wave inverter
mppt pure sine wave inverter

Mt-5 or MT-50 meter – my cost for meter programmer – 35.00

MT-5 Meter for Tracer
MT-5 Meter or MT-50 Meter

Wiring 8 gauge – my cost for panels to solar controller – 30.00-50.00 

 Wiring Battery – my cost for 2 gauge battery to battery – 10.00-20.00

3M Double sided tape my cost for flexible solar panels Tape – 20.00-30.00

MC4 Connectors my cost making connectors – 15.00

Branch Connectors – my cost – 8.00

Fuses and breakers – my cost – 40.00 

Misc. unforeseen cost – my cost – 100.00 buffer may more or less

and finally – Dual Battery Isolator my cost – 100.00

https://www.vantasticodyssey.com/staging/3055/battery-isolator-install/
  • Hilipert KF94 Mask
    Hilipert KF94 Fish Type Face Mask Questions? Is your mask comfortable? Do you have an upgraded mask? Staying safe is an issue we all face. I came across this mask by accident. I didn’t even know its worth. I just knew, it was more comfortable than my former masks. It turns out the Hilipert KF94… Read more: Hilipert KF94 Mask
  • Lithium Battery price drop
    Lithium Battery price drop.  I have added another link for the next seller until this item is restocked, This seller is AMAZON’s choice with 5 year warranty. Link at bottom of page I keep seeing prices drop for lithium batteries. This is a new low price for a LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery at 100-amp hours with… Read more: Lithium Battery price drop
  • Portable Gas Generator BAN
    Portable Gas Generator Ban has passed in California. Will it be illegal to run your portable generator at a campsite? Will you be able to own a portable generator at your place of residence?  The California Air Resource Board (CARB) was considering a regulation to ban small off-road engines, which included portable gas generators used… Read more: Portable Gas Generator BAN
  • Harmony Borax Works
    The Harmony Borax Works Interpretive Trail is located in Death Valley.  At its full operation three tons of borax was produced per day.  The Harmony Borax works employed 40 men.  To transfer all this borax required a 20-mule team.  The operation became famous because of the large mule teams and double wagons.
  • Furnace Creek Visitor Center
    Furnace Creek Visitor Center features small museum and small bookstore.  You can speak to rangers, pay park fees, or buy a yearly national park pass.  Some exhibits include short films about Death Valley.  There is a large 3D display map showing where all the popular sites and attractions are located.  You can verify weather conditions… Read more: Furnace Creek Visitor Center
quick van build Zion National Park

Quick Van Build

Quick Van Build

This video is about how I started my YouTube Channel.  Along with many, I became  homeless in 2008. I never want to be unprepared again.  So, I began to make plans to build a disaster recovery vehicle.  Eventually I began my search for a van. Number one, I added Solar Panels one by one. Number two, I built a solar generator, which includes a solar controller, AGM deep cycle batteries, and a pure sine wave inverter. Number three, I customize the interior with a folding bed and small kitchen.

This website is also about the Honda Odyssey itself, covering maintenance issues and modifications. This van conversion or quick van build camper is going to be my disaster recovery vehicle if a natural disaster occurs. As a Amazon Affiliate I receive a small percentage from purchases made from this website. I wish everyone the best.

https://www.vantasticodyssey.com/staging/3055/angels-landing-hike-in-zion-national-park/
Please rate our website(required)

As a Amazon affiliate I may receive a small percentage at no cost to buyer

baofeng

Baofeng UV-5R and UV-5RA Dual Band Radio

If you lose phone service, what will you do. Imagine no cable, internet or phone service. Do you have a back-up plan? Communication during an emergency is vital. This is an entry level solution for communication. Currently, the Baofeng UV-5r (暴风影音) runs about 25.00 to 35.00 dollars. During a crisis the price will increase and availability may be limited. I recommend to you to at least check it out. This is the lowest cost solution I can find.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

This is my pick:

Ham Radio Baofeng Radio Upgraded Baofeng UV-5R Walkie Talkie with 2 Rechargeable 1800mAh Battery Handheld Radio with TIDRADIO Driver Free Programming Cable

bad water basin

Dante’s View

Death Valley is part of the Mohave Desert located in the eastern part of California.  Dante’s View is 13 miles up on Dante’s View Road off HWY 190. It is located 11 miles southeast of Furnace Creek or 18 miles North of Death Valley Junction. There is a 25-degree temperature change at the top of this mountain range, so fair warning, Dress warm… even though this is Death Valley, the hottest recorded temperature on recorded is 134 F.

Once you reach the top of Dante’s View, you will see a panoramic view of Death Valley. Furnace Creek is visible to the North 31 miles away. To the south is Owlshead Mountains. Looking west and down is the Badwater Basin. Looking straight across to the west is Telescope Peak. Dante’s View is part of the Black Mountains along the Amargosa Range.

Cooking while camping

I use an electric cooker which runs off solar. It’s great. While you can use propane or butane, an electric cooker is another way to go. I even use it while I am driving. I plug it into my pure sine wave inverter and when I arrive at camp my meal is ready to eat.

Furnace Creek Visitor Center

https://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm

  • Hilipert KF94 Mask
    Hilipert KF94 Fish Type Face Mask Questions? Is your mask comfortable? Do you have an upgraded mask? Staying safe is an issue we all face. I came across this mask by accident. I didn’t even know its worth. I just knew, it was more comfortable than my former masks. It turns out the Hilipert KF94… Read more: Hilipert KF94 Mask
  • Lithium Battery price drop
    Lithium Battery price drop.  I have added another link for the next seller until this item is restocked, This seller is AMAZON’s choice with 5 year warranty. Link at bottom of page I keep seeing prices drop for lithium batteries. This is a new low price for a LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery at 100-amp hours with… Read more: Lithium Battery price drop
  • Portable Gas Generator BAN
    Portable Gas Generator Ban has passed in California. Will it be illegal to run your portable generator at a campsite? Will you be able to own a portable generator at your place of residence?  The California Air Resource Board (CARB) was considering a regulation to ban small off-road engines, which included portable gas generators used… Read more: Portable Gas Generator BAN
  • Harmony Borax Works
    The Harmony Borax Works Interpretive Trail is located in Death Valley.  At its full operation three tons of borax was produced per day.  The Harmony Borax works employed 40 men.  To transfer all this borax required a 20-mule team.  The operation became famous because of the large mule teams and double wagons.
  • Furnace Creek Visitor Center
    Furnace Creek Visitor Center features small museum and small bookstore.  You can speak to rangers, pay park fees, or buy a yearly national park pass.  Some exhibits include short films about Death Valley.  There is a large 3D display map showing where all the popular sites and attractions are located.  You can verify weather conditions… Read more: Furnace Creek Visitor Center

There are a couple of hiking trails. One short trail and a few longer ones. All of them have great views. I went for the sunrise. I watch the shadow of the Black Mountains falls, I here sunsets are amazing from Dante’s View and Zabriskie Point.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/dantes-view-trail