The electric RV.
Instead of buying a $75,000 -$100,000 brand new RV, what if I bought a used one for $10,000 as a conversion project? The technology has changed very little on the inside so it can be a few years old as long as it is clean and in working order (fridge, sofa/bed, tv, generator, toilet/bath, carpets, etc.).
I don't like driving all day long, so traveling 200 miles at 55mph in one day is great. Besides this leaves more time for camp set up. Some mountain grades can be very steep so the ability to go at least 5% grade at times is a must.
What motor/controller/battery set up will work? Some cities use electric buses so I know its possible to find some heavy duty parts.
Hmmm. Imagine removing the primary ICE and transmission. Could a powerful ac motor(s) be attached straight to the drive shaft and still meet the torque and rpm requirements? Perhaps a gear ruduction assembly would be required. Perhaps a change in the ratio in the diff would be needed.
The existing generator will be left as is to assist in its normal functions (air conditioning, and other ac power) but it will also be able to help slow the main battery packs from depleting. Obviously it would require a much larger generator to keep the batteries from ever depleting but the goal would be to assist in the range bump it from lets say 100 miles electric only to 200 miles using generator. Re-gen braking would be used on all the grade decents and braking during traffic. Obviously this is a minimal amount but every bit helps for range extension.
The long flat roof is ideal for solar panels. If my RV is sitting out doors all the time, then it makes sense to have solar panels. The extra weight and cost is a draw back at first, but the savings over time (and thats what solar is all about) would be great. 99% of the time an RV is sitting around at your storage lot or your house or even the camp ground. I would love to have the sun recharge the batteries for me, sort of like a full tank of gas a week, only not paying $250 and worrying if the gas is getting old as the RV sits through winter. And if my RV is parked in my side yard, then perhaps it's solar energy can be fed back to the utility company's grid, another cost savings plus over time.
When I get to the camp site and pay my $25, I could re-charge the batteries...big gas savings especially the more I use the RV over the years.
Another savings could be the yearly registration. Maybe there is a loop hole for a electric RV and could save hundreds each year.
Most RVs are desinged for their weight and also to pull something like another car or boat. Plenty of room along the frame for all of those batteries. Even if some of the storage compartments have to be sacraficed for batteries that would be just fine. I think lead batteries would be much cheaper at first, but then when you consider that the generator had to be used most of the time during operation, and too much increased weight, in the long run it would be worth while to have higher energy density batteries right from the get go.
Or just not mess with and have a regular motor home with it's factory warrenties and shell out $2000 for gas each trip. Plus all the maint cost.
I've read a lot of these posts and a I'm interested in how this concept can be improved. Good day.
Instead of buying a $75,000 -$100,000 brand new RV, what if I bought a used one for $10,000 as a conversion project? The technology has changed very little on the inside so it can be a few years old as long as it is clean and in working order (fridge, sofa/bed, tv, generator, toilet/bath, carpets, etc.).
I don't like driving all day long, so traveling 200 miles at 55mph in one day is great. Besides this leaves more time for camp set up. Some mountain grades can be very steep so the ability to go at least 5% grade at times is a must.
What motor/controller/battery set up will work? Some cities use electric buses so I know its possible to find some heavy duty parts.
Hmmm. Imagine removing the primary ICE and transmission. Could a powerful ac motor(s) be attached straight to the drive shaft and still meet the torque and rpm requirements? Perhaps a gear ruduction assembly would be required. Perhaps a change in the ratio in the diff would be needed.
The existing generator will be left as is to assist in its normal functions (air conditioning, and other ac power) but it will also be able to help slow the main battery packs from depleting. Obviously it would require a much larger generator to keep the batteries from ever depleting but the goal would be to assist in the range bump it from lets say 100 miles electric only to 200 miles using generator. Re-gen braking would be used on all the grade decents and braking during traffic. Obviously this is a minimal amount but every bit helps for range extension.
The long flat roof is ideal for solar panels. If my RV is sitting out doors all the time, then it makes sense to have solar panels. The extra weight and cost is a draw back at first, but the savings over time (and thats what solar is all about) would be great. 99% of the time an RV is sitting around at your storage lot or your house or even the camp ground. I would love to have the sun recharge the batteries for me, sort of like a full tank of gas a week, only not paying $250 and worrying if the gas is getting old as the RV sits through winter. And if my RV is parked in my side yard, then perhaps it's solar energy can be fed back to the utility company's grid, another cost savings plus over time.
When I get to the camp site and pay my $25, I could re-charge the batteries...big gas savings especially the more I use the RV over the years.
Another savings could be the yearly registration. Maybe there is a loop hole for a electric RV and could save hundreds each year.
Most RVs are desinged for their weight and also to pull something like another car or boat. Plenty of room along the frame for all of those batteries. Even if some of the storage compartments have to be sacraficed for batteries that would be just fine. I think lead batteries would be much cheaper at first, but then when you consider that the generator had to be used most of the time during operation, and too much increased weight, in the long run it would be worth while to have higher energy density batteries right from the get go.
Or just not mess with and have a regular motor home with it's factory warrenties and shell out $2000 for gas each trip. Plus all the maint cost.
I've read a lot of these posts and a I'm interested in how this concept can be improved. Good day.