I can easily imagine that knowing the outside temperature when staying overnight in a camping car would be useful in determining heating/cooling options.
I found out about an inexpensive monitoring unit Inkbird IBS-TH1 that can monitor temperature and humidity and send the data via Bluetooth to your smartphone app. The dedicated app can display the current values as well as log and graph the monitored data. The unit comes with an external sensor probe that can be placed away from the main unit where the measurement is desired.

I placed the main unit in the back engine room wall and extended the probe cable up to the front of the car just outside the upper front grill, just beneath the hood. Getting it to communicate with the smartphone app took a few resets to succeed coping with the whimsy nature of cheap Chinese products, but succeeded to display measurements on the app once it got going. (I had to open up a sticky battery cover to take out the battery each time to power cycle. Troublesome Chinese gadget should all have reset buttons. lol)
All went well though I was wondering if the placement of the probe was sufficient to get accurate external temperatures.
A search on the internet (and asking for advice) revealed that the sensor is typically placed near the license plate where there is minimum effect from the engine heat. Next day, rewiring is done and I change the probe location to the lower grill near the license plate.

The day happens to be a cold one with a cold front setting in, and I couldn't help smiling to myself watching the app display showing 4-6 degC in the coziness of 26 degC air conditioning.

By the way, there is a version with a display on the main unit, that can be used for internal temperature monitoring. The app can be used to log and display both sensor units and play around with. Geeky.

p.s. Something to get rid of the "commercial van" look. Still haven't decided.

January 15th, I became an owner of a camping van trading in my Mercedes Benz SLK.

I started my search (and study) back in the latter half of 2020, filtered the search down to several candidates around June 2021 and was asking for information and quotes from the manufacturers. I boiled my choice down to one and placed my order around the beginning of fall. With camping currently being a big trend in Japan, delivery typically takes 1-2 years. However with luck and fortune on my side, delivery came earlier than expected.

The solar panel, the portable power unit...a lot of stuff I bought at Black Friday last year was for the camping van I was waiting for.

Considering the in road and parking situation in Japan, I had my thoughts on a van type from the beginning instead of the truck/bus type "motor home" that can accommodate 4-5 people which people would typically imagine as a "camping car".

I did have the desire to get one with many built-in features though, and my search was initially focused on a larger van, the Toyota HiAce with a variety of standard equipment. However, the HiAce was rather large in size to casually use not just for traveling but for daily use. In addition, I learned from research that fixtures such as refrigerators, sinks, and microwave ovens take up sleeping space and not worth the burden in contrast to their low usage. I also found out that many people DIY them afterwards (and find it fun too.) Change of mind.

I ended up choosing a model called the FOCS Luz based on the smaller Nissan NV200, not the HiAce. The camper is equipped with only the basic features such as the sub power supply and FF heater (both necessary when spending time in the car with the engine shut down), and obviously the bed unit. It accommodates only 2 people, fine with me. The minimalist camper. My mind is already thinking about where to put stuff inside like the portable refrigerator, and even have a few sketches already for my DIY sink unit.

The NV200 base car is a commercial van. The 1600cc engine has no positive specs to note, and the interior full of plastic is by no means luxurious. It's not the most exciting car to drive, but I have no issues with it. I do have some worries about how it'll run on the highway since it is low geared and the engine being not so powerful. I opted for off-road looking wheels and tires since the standard ones which are very small and narrow added to the "commercial van look" which I wanted to avoid. The macho looks of the mud tires are nice, but but the massive road noise has me thinking I made a wrong choice.

Two weeks have past, and I've only started playing with it.
Added blankets and pillows to make the interior "American" looking, making coffee and eating inside, relaxing with my MacBook (and napping), and trying out my solar panel charging of the sub battery. Even paid a visit to a nearby roadside station for a "park and nap"
Can't wait to take it traveling.

Childhood memories living in the US.

The scenes of camping cars gracefully and happily coasting along US highways.

The Tonka Winnebago parents bought for my brother, and I was secretly jealous of.

My buddy Nissan Terrano (Pathfinder) which was my second car and traced (the majority of) the whole coastline of Japan together camping in the car.

The LEGO VW Camper Bus I instantly bought and built just ten years ago.

My longing for camping cars and car camping has been in my blood since my youth, initially sinking in without me noticing, but coming out and taking shape once in a while. The fact that I've owned three station wagons and one SUV (utility cars) despite my love of sports cars is probably a sign too.

Then, my detailed daydream (comparison )about my dream traveler last summer.

Traveling around Japan in my own camper.
Another one of my to-do's in life which I've decided to put to action. The events that occurred this past couple of years has made me decide that now is the right timing to make it real at last. While I can.

Van Weekender....Gonna spend my weekends and vacations traveling all over Japan with my new partner, a NV200.
(and there's a sticker for it !)

The Toshiba HDD recorder I've been using for 11 years is slowly breaking down.
DVD-R formatting isn't working, so I can't get it to copy recorded contents to DVD.
The DVD drive seems to be reaching it's life.
About time for a replacement ?

Among all the cars I have owned in the past, I'm having the most difficult time parting with the SLK. I am even still partially regretting the decision to let go of it though there is no going back now.

I love(ed) all my cars. I am confident that every car I bought was the best and reasonable choice (including the compromises) for the everyday/weekend drive at each moment of life. Some added performance and added luxury at times, but all were practical choices.
My partner.

In contrast, the SLK was an inspiration. I had searched and looked for this near-20 year old specific model because I was in love with it. The pleasure of ownership. The pleasure of looking at it for hours. The pleasure of going out with no destination in mind. It gave me the experience of owning a near classic sports for pure hobby and self satisfaction, something that was on my To Do list in life.
My lover, and the reason why letting go of this machine is so emotional.

Some say that the R170 represents the start of quality decline with the merger between Mercedes Benz and Chrysler. The R170 has been mentioned as the secretary's car due to the lackluster performance. From my point of view, I see it as a well balanced and (maybe the last of ? dunno) no-compromise (heavy steel door) Mercedes Benz. Most important, fun to own and drive.

Life is short. Time for other ambitions.
However, life also doesn't always give you everything in your way.
I desperately wish I was able to keep the SLK (forever) while seeking my other long-treasured desire, but it turns out I just don't have the capacity to do so. Owning 3 cars is just too much. Tough choice to make, but I've decided to part with the SLK and move on.
Only 4 years. It's half-assed, and I accept the criticism.
I respect everyone who is doing it.

Saying bye to your lover while you are still in love.
That is also life.
As of now, I'm not sure if I can get over it.

Looks like I had a very fulfilling 2021-2022 new year holiday though it was a quiet one without any party plans in particular.
Blessed to be able to welcome the new year in peace.
The breakdown, below.

#mt Fuji shivering from cold
#year end tennis
#Win11 unapplicable(what ???)@GPD Pocket
#year end soba - chili oil sesame soba@Ishihara
#enjoy, be bright, be cheerful
#hotcake@Repol Sugi
#car washed x2
#wiperblade logo
#year end Chinese food with family

#happy new year
#festive flowers
#safety drive in the year of the tiger

#wish for good health
#osechi new year dishes 2022
#zouni soup dish with rice cakes 2022
#router failure (not now...ugh)
#new year Fuji
#Tokyo strolling on Wheels
#scenes with the SLK, 1
#Pavlov Patisserie
#Farewell Drive

#Open Air Ginza
#Open Top Seating
#Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Odaiba
#homemade roast beef
#Garigari-Kun ice bar
#Scenes with the SLK, 2
#Big Mouth No Guts
#curry udon with eggs and yam@KonpiraChaya
#homemade pancake with potatos@Denny's