Non Gi-hugey Trailer Links

Fiberglass RV

Fun Toys Of No Major Consequence

Even junk you don't need to survive with the squirrels can be used without great tax on electrical systems. I have audio, video and internet.. all off the grid.

Yes, I have a small LCD TV. It runs off 12v. It is pretty generic, a little 10 inch one that was designed to use in cars. For a DVD player, I have a small portable, but end up watching movies on my laptop most times, as the screen is bigger. Depends on the computer battery charge, and my mood.

Low Fi Entertainment and Lighting (Getting Cranky)
 

The flashlight is one of a zillion available online or at Wally World etc. It too has a Dynamo Crank and is quite effective for walking to the 2 holer at night, or as a reading light should your systems fail. I have several of these and have had to resort to them for inside lighting in an emergency.

The radio you see to the left is 100% human charged. It has a Dynamo Crank to charge the internal rechargeable batteries. (It can also run off regular batteries, or with a wall wart to power when plugged in.) 2-3 minutes of cranking gives you an hour or more of use. I usually fall asleep before it runs dry. Probably from exhaustion from cranking... Now, no, it isn't exactly high tech audio. I have a CD player for that, also battery powered. The radio is what some call a survival tool. I am just happy to get the news. High tech is not needed in my case. I work with musicians all day. I like to leave that part of my life out of the woods. The radio has a line output and I connect it to a 12v set of speakers, like ones you would use with your I-Pod.. or Lily Pod.. whatever you have. It has shortwave and TV channels. Since I fall asleep watching TV most nights anyway, this makes my drifting off time just like home! Such Radios are available in any big box electronics store. I have a smaller handheld one that lives in my car, as well as a handheld battery powered TV.

The most Evil of Evils. The Internet.

Yes. I admit it. I am an internet junkie. Not to mention overworked, and often times, my work can be done online just as easily as in my office. Do I let that stop me from camping? Noooooo. I have no qualms about typing away in my trailer while on an outing. It's this ability to stay connected that often ALLOWS me to go out. Otherwise.. I would be drinking bad office coffee on a Saturday morning instead of listening to chirping birds and smelling skunk trails.

Cell Towers. The damn things are everywhere.
 

Have laptop, will travel. That wavy little device over there is what is known as an "Air Card". Sort of a generic name for internet access by cell tower. It's not a cell phone, it's a card that plugs into your comp and connects to a server via cell signal. I use the "Big" national company, and I have not found a ton of places I cannot get a signal, in high speed. It's not as fast as DSL or cable, but only slightly slower. If in a really rural area, it will still connect to the service at dial up speeds. IF there is a signal. I have not tried to use it in Kansas, but I bet it works there too. Keeping the laptop powered is fairly easy. Follow this simple rule. Let the battery charge, run it down, then charge again.. while NOT using the comp. Trying to charge with the LCD screen going is like pedaling backwards. It consumes too much power, and since this is one of the few items I invert, all the inefficiencies of the inverter go along with draining your house battery unduly. You would be surprised how quickly the battery charges with the power off. It only takes an hour or so to get it up and running again. Take this time to, oh, I don't know.. enjoy the outdoors?

Outdoor lighting at night is achieved by lantern, solar yard lights and crank up LED lanterns like above. I have this junk on my awning, stick it in the ground, or bring into my screen house. The more color.. the better. I draw the line at Pink Flamingos, however.

I hope these pages have given you some ideas and that you pursue more info on the fine details if any of this junk is appealing. Google is your friend.

I am going to drift off to sleep now, in my warm trailer in the woods. After I get these planes to stop buzzing me...