I tried to find a way to do a search for a topic easily but haven't figured it out yet so please forgive me if there has already been a discussion on these issues, and if so, feel free to just link the discussion in a reply instead of having to reiterate everything. I did find the discussion on a tankless water heater but I was also wondering about some other ways to lighten the load as well as the cost over the long haul.
Does anyone know of windpower and solar power to help run an RV? What kind of devices can you use and how much power can you save? Also, has anyone known of using biofuel in a diesel and what kind of hassel can one expect? Is there an easy way to purify the biofuel or is it more trouble than it is worth?
Thank you. I would really love to full-time and would probably look to buy a used Class A motorhome and have some moderations made on it (at least that is my dream right now). I would like to find a way to make it as economical as possible because I hope to do a lot of traveling with it as opposed to spending a lot of time in a few CGs. If you have any other tips, ideas or wisdom, please let me know.
Technomadia said
01:32 PM Mar 31, 2013
Greetings, and welcome.
Yes, there are all sorts of ways that folks have made RVs more green.
This can range from:
- Installing alternative energy sources to run your electrical needs (solar is more practical and prevalent than wind) - don't forget the importance of your battery bank system in this equation. - Some diesel engines can be converted to run off WVO (waste veggie oil) - if you're willing to hunt it down and process it. - Installing a composting toilet - Solar roof water heating systems
When you are searching the web for information on these sorts of things, include keyword searches such as boondocking, WVO, off-grid, etc. to find information posted by others who have done these sorts of modifications. You will find that there are endless discussions out there on these topics from folks playing around with alternative ideas.
Of those above, solar is quite common - and can range from systems that just keep the batteries trickle charged to completely robust systems that can run most daily electrical needs in temperate climates indefinitely.
All will require extensive upfront research and investment to get done, but can give you autonomy down the road. Some can even save you money in the long run.
Best wishes, - Cherie
jholderbaum said
02:08 PM Mar 31, 2013
Hey Cherie & Chris, I saw a youtube video about you guys putting Lithium Ion battery banks into your rig. The bank you had was equivelent to how many 6v Golf-cart batteries? And do you have a quick link I can lok up the hardware you used? I am thinking I want a Lithium Ion Bank equivelent to 8 6v Golf-Card batteries.
The Cost Analysis article has the details of all the parts we used, including the costs.
I don't know what the equivalent would be to the number of golf cart batteries.. as that was never a consideration for us. But we do consider our 500AH LFP bank to be the approximate equivalent usable capacity of a 800 AH AGM battery bank.
- Cherie
TMichelle said
07:10 AM Apr 1, 2013
Oh thanks for the good tips. I really would like to minimize monthly costs and dependency as much as possible, but it is kind of hard knowing where to start.
The Bear II said
03:32 PM Apr 1, 2013
If you look at the financials page here on the RV-Dreams website you will see a running commentary on the monthly expenses Howard and Linda have had for the past 6 years. They have a great solar power setup and travel very little most years (compared to other fulltimers).
These financials will provide you with a great average cost per month to use for your planning.
TMichelle said
04:38 PM Apr 1, 2013
Thanks Bear. I did see that financial page but I didn't realize that they had a solar power setup. I will have to check it out.
Terry and Jo said
02:17 AM Apr 2, 2013
TMichelle,
Check out Howard and Linda's "Site Map" link on the homepage for the website. I'm pretty sure they have a lot of information there, along with their electrical and solar set-up.
Terry
TMichelle said
07:41 AM Apr 2, 2013
Terry and Jo wrote:
TMichelle,
Check out Howard and Linda's "Site Map" link on the homepage for the website. I'm pretty sure they have a lot of information there, along with their electrical and solar set-up.
Terry
Thank you Terry. :)
The Bear II said
02:42 PM Apr 2, 2013
Jack, your right.... I was thinking about RVers like http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com/ who travel constantly from coast to coast. Plus some of the others who travel from tradeshow, RV show, fair, flea market selling their wares.
Except now Our Odyssey is out to sea in their new boat.
Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 2nd of April 2013 03:47:11 PM
bjoyce said
03:50 PM Apr 2, 2013
We normally travel 10 to 12K miles a year. The highest was 19K, the year we went to Alaska plus had a factory appointment. The lowest 9K, when Diane was laid up with back problems.
Edit: We normally put about 16K on the tow car in a year. When we had a house and no RV we put 10 to 12K a year on each our cars.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Thursday 4th of April 2013 04:51:36 PM
Jack Mayer said
09:23 PM Apr 2, 2013
That is the first I have heard that Howard and Linda travel very little. I think they travel a lot. We do about 6-7K a year and they do more than us. Most fulltimers average about that range....it is not a race.
nightsky said
09:41 PM Apr 4, 2013
Reading other people's miles traveled, I think I'm in trouble....... I bought a brand new Prius in March of 2011, it has 75,000 miles on it now and I put over 60,000 on my Tundra in the same time period.
I tried to find a way to do a search for a topic easily but haven't figured it out yet so please forgive me if there has already been a discussion on these issues, and if so, feel free to just link the discussion in a reply instead of having to reiterate everything. I did find the discussion on a tankless water heater but I was also wondering about some other ways to lighten the load as well as the cost over the long haul.
Does anyone know of windpower and solar power to help run an RV? What kind of devices can you use and how much power can you save? Also, has anyone known of using biofuel in a diesel and what kind of hassel can one expect? Is there an easy way to purify the biofuel or is it more trouble than it is worth?
Thank you. I would really love to full-time and would probably look to buy a used Class A motorhome and have some moderations made on it (at least that is my dream right now). I would like to find a way to make it as economical as possible because I hope to do a lot of traveling with it as opposed to spending a lot of time in a few CGs. If you have any other tips, ideas or wisdom, please let me know.
Yes, there are all sorts of ways that folks have made RVs more green.
This can range from:
- Installing alternative energy sources to run your electrical needs (solar is more practical and prevalent than wind) - don't forget the importance of your battery bank system in this equation.
- Some diesel engines can be converted to run off WVO (waste veggie oil) - if you're willing to hunt it down and process it.
- Installing a composting toilet
- Solar roof water heating systems
When you are searching the web for information on these sorts of things, include keyword searches such as boondocking, WVO, off-grid, etc. to find information posted by others who have done these sorts of modifications. You will find that there are endless discussions out there on these topics from folks playing around with alternative ideas.
Of those above, solar is quite common - and can range from systems that just keep the batteries trickle charged to completely robust systems that can run most daily electrical needs in temperate climates indefinitely.
All will require extensive upfront research and investment to get done, but can give you autonomy down the road. Some can even save you money in the long run.
Best wishes,
- Cherie
I am thinking I want a Lithium Ion Bank equivelent to 8 6v Golf-Card batteries.
Jess
Hi Jess -
You can read all about our Lithium setup & research at: http://www.technomadia.com/lithium
The Cost Analysis article has the details of all the parts we used, including the costs.
I don't know what the equivalent would be to the number of golf cart batteries.. as that was never a consideration for us. But we do consider our 500AH LFP bank to be the approximate equivalent usable capacity of a 800 AH AGM battery bank.
- Cherie
These financials will provide you with a great average cost per month to use for your planning.
TMichelle,
Check out Howard and Linda's "Site Map" link on the homepage for the website. I'm pretty sure they have a lot of information there, along with their electrical and solar set-up.
Terry
Thank you Terry. :)
Jack, your right.... I was thinking about RVers like http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com/ who travel constantly from coast to coast. Plus some of the others who travel from tradeshow, RV show, fair, flea market selling their wares.
Except now Our Odyssey is out to sea in their new boat.
Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 2nd of April 2013 03:47:11 PM
We normally travel 10 to 12K miles a year. The highest was 19K, the year we went to Alaska plus had a factory appointment. The lowest 9K, when Diane was laid up with back problems.
Edit: We normally put about 16K on the tow car in a year. When we had a house and no RV we put 10 to 12K a year on each our cars.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Thursday 4th of April 2013 04:51:36 PM
Reading other people's miles traveled, I think I'm in trouble....... I bought a brand new Prius in March of 2011, it has 75,000 miles on it now and I put over 60,000 on my Tundra in the same time period.
