I’m getting my Amazon cart filled up and about ready to make the big purchase for all things VAN LIFE! I’ve got a 2015 MB Sprinter 170" and wanting it pretty comf. Wanting to make the van as smart as possible.
Do you have recommendations for which smart home accessories I should get? I have a iphoneX and macbookpro so I was originally thinking Apple HomePod, but its pretty big and doesn’t pair with ton of devices… and its doesn’t play as nice with Spotify I’m finding out. Alexa is integrated into a smoke/CO detector that I can embed into my ceiling which would be cool, but I guess it doesn’t connect with phones as well as the other assistants. I have a Google home in my current apartment and it works fine.
Simarine has a pretty interesting gadget as well that I guess you can get all sorts of readings on like fuel, water, propane levels, solar usage, etc.
Thoughts? What do you Smart Van Lifers use? Thanks!
While it’s certainly possible to go high tech, that’s just that much more stuff to go haywire. Personally I’m a big fan of low/no tech, because I prefer the reliability and lack of tinkering needed.
Another thing to keep in mind is that typically when you go to sell a rig, you’ll lose most if not all of the money you have put into your build. Non factory campers are extremely hard to sell for more than just the value of an empty van.
If it’s a hobby, maybe it’s worth it to you, but if you’re trying to add resale value, I’d advise against it.
Cheers!
"Be the reason someone smiles today!" ~ Van_Dweller
EverythingWill be much better if you utilize Google products rather than Apple products given that they are not only significantly more reliable and integrated but they are also much more lowfi compatible. Google is always better than Apple but I won’t get into that argument. I imagine you would like something like a nest thermostat, Philips hue lights, Google home hub, Google Chromecast, temperature detectors, humidity detectors, and general raspberry pi sensor setups - I want to have the same but I’m learning that all the added glamour might actually reduce the smartness of the vehicle. In order to have everything interconnected using IOT you will have to have a stable wifi connection which will rely on either a hotspot or a jetpack of sorts but the moment that is down the devices will disconnect and it will just add another layer of troubleshooting. A switch for lights, easy, a cell phone instead of hub, easy, a dumb thermostat is fine since you’re either in the vehicle or you aren’t and it changes temp rapidly anyway, and Chromecast is still ideal but it relies on WiFi so you may as well plug the TV into a laptop or just use the laptops. I want the same, as I said, but the more I think about it - it’s less smart to do so and it just adds complications (for me personally). Definitely excited to hear what you come up with.
I use Alexa daily. Wakes me up, plays my music. Raises and lowers my automated desk via voice command that i programmed with Amazon Lambda function and a solid state drive (DC to AC power), monitors my outside cameras that are WiFi enabled cameras by monitoring “suspicious activity” then sending me a push notification to look at who’s around the rig via the cameras app, deploys my rooftop drone lol. I’m a software engineer so the curiosity/effort to build is minimal. If you’re like me and like to code stuff together, go with Alexa as it’s the most easy when it comes to developer idea to execution. If you’re not, I suppose the more simple user friendly devices (google, apple) devices are better.
All fun ideas… just remember that (unless you’re also about to buy a satellite internet package) all of these devices depend on being online constantly and most of us don’t realize how valuable that built in cable/nether net connection is/was in our apartment.
Staying connected in a van is difficult and even moreso if you travel remotely and sled much time outside of urban environments (which I hike you will), so adding a bunch of WiFi enabled devices that suddenly can’t connect to the internet or to each other can become a hassle.
The more you can connect via Bluetooth and keep the system working regardless of WiFi hotspot or burning your cell data plan the happier you’ll be!
Spotify songs can be streamed on Apple Homepod if you change the format. DRmare Spotify Music Converter helps you. Finally, you are allowed to play Spotify music on it freely. Know more about the converter on the DRmare website.
I’ve now gone the exact opposite route, simple, cheap, and easy to repair or replace. The less you have that can go wrong, the less you have that WILL go wrong.
Cheers!
"Opportunities are everywhere, but only action makes it happen." ~ Van_Dweller
Spotify music can be saved on Apple HomePod with no quality loss if an AudFree spotify song downloader is used. It helps you get Spotify MP3 files so that you can import the Spotify songs to the devices for offline playing and keep the songs forever.
I’m currently going through the smart van process. I highly recommend Shelly devices. I found this out after buying $200 worth of renogy smart stuff Renogy smart relays only go on/off. Shelly relays you can go on/off, set dim, change colors and other boxes can even trigger actions on devices. I am using Shelly RGBW 2 dimmer box for all my dimmable and color changing lights. I can control from an app and Alexa (from anywhere in the world) or a physical switch on board. I got one set up so far and it’s incredible. I’m now adding motion sensors and door openings to create scenes that can happen automatically between all my devices. Also great app to go with the shelly. I can’t speak on how long it has gone without any issues but I am very technically inclined so I will deal with issues when they pop up. I can say the set up process and user interface on dashboard and mobile app is very simple and a joy to work with
My Apple HomePod can pair with Spotify well. I use ViWizard Spotify Music Converter to download Spotify songs and save them on Apple HomePod, which solves this problem. And now, it is convenient for me to listen to Spotify music offline in my house.
In my low tech RV, one thing I’d really appreciate is smart mouse detection and repellant system, before they chewed the wires out. Infrared detection, mouse trap status real time information (bait gets stolen by ants, mouse in the trap, mousetrap dragged away), sound and light repellant devices activated outside, all setup as a single system. In some places mice problems are ridiculous and they destroy vehicles overnight. For now its low tech 6 mousetraps around the perimeter and a couple of motion sensor lights I put on the ground. Id like remote controlled motion sensor lights, sound repellants and activity monitors permanently mounted on the bottom of the vehicle
I have mounted two led lights on the underside of my hood, one on each side connected to my house battery, on 24/7. No mice problems since, and no noticeable battery drain either. Bonus is lighted engine compartment for checking oil etc. at night.
Cheers!
"Stealth is an obvious camper with nothing to hide." ~ RoadRunner
Renogy smart relays only go on/off. Shelly relays you can go on/off, set dim, change colors and other boxes can even trigger actions on devices. I am using Shelly RGBW 2 dimmer box for all my dimmable and color changing lights. I can control from an app and Alexa (from anywhere in the world) or a physical switch on board. I got one set up so far and it’s incredible. I’m now adding motion sensors and door openings to create scenes that can happen automatically between all my devices. Also great app to go with the shelly. I can’t speak on how long it has gone without any issues but I am very technically inclined so I will deal with issues when they pop up. I can say the set up process and user interface on dashboard and mobile app is very simple and a joy to work with