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RE: Holding tank heaters for Roadtrek 210P
Yes, 12V tank heaters take too much current for practical dry camping on a normal class B.
I have 2 exposed grey water tanks, about 15 feet of exposed piping, and a macerator pump. (black water tank is inside and acts as "stand" for the toilet).
I can't remember the numbers, but I think I was going to get maybe 5 hours of countiunous operation out of my 2 AGMs, plus vehicle battery. If you are going to use it for dry camping, be sure to do the math. Your assumed duty cycle is going to be important in how it comes out.
I ended up making a piping system w/ circulating pump and heat exchanger to my diesel heater. It worked down to 5 degrees F last winter.
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bbennick
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08/22/09 07:09pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Powering an AC with batteries?
My Class B has a diesel generator mounted under the van behind the rear axle. I got it installed as part of the initial build by SMB. It does not interfere with the trailer hitch. It is heavy though.
SMB also offeres a setup with an inverter and a high amp alternator that can run the AC. It does require running the engine at 600 RPM continuously. This was for the '06 Sprinter. I'm not sure it is still available.
Also consider this device - it is an AC generator powered by your vehicle engine.
Also consider a DC Compressor AC. They claim 8-12 hrs on 3 AGM batteries.
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bbennick
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08/22/09 07:00pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Leveling a B
1. We generally don't level unless the site is really bad. Even then, we usually park so the slope puts our heads higher than our feet. We have a DC compressor refrigerator, so we don't have to level for that.
2. I put in an Espar diesel heater and a moderately complex home built tank and pipe warming system. We did a week in Cincinnati last winter with the temperature ranging from 5°-35° and we were OK with full use of the water system.
Here is a link to an unfinished web site about the freeze protection system.
3& 4. We use it to take mostly 1 or 2 week trips with 2 teenagers. When we bring the teenagers, we usually bring our Casita TT. We also have a TOAD that we set up for our prior class C. If a car is important at our destination, we bring the TOAD. If it is a relatively short trip w/out teenagers, we just bring the van. We usually go to a camp ground with hookups, but often dry camp at rest stops in route. Although I've never really given it a fair test, my van has good dry camping potential.
5. No data on RT. I have a small, but usable hard-sided wet bath. Water escape is not a problem. We don't sue it much because campground showers are usually more convenient. When we have the TT, its larger, nicer wet bath is better.
6. We can sleep 4 in our long wheelbase Sprinter. This does require using a bed that goes across the front seats (good thing DD is short). When we are set to sleep 4, there is very little open floor space in the RV.
7. I have a diesel generator. It runs for about 3 hrs/ gallon of fuel at full load, 4 hrs/ gal at light load. It was expensive and it is heavy. This is my home backup generator also, so that helps justify the cost. (So far, diesel runs out last at the fuel stations around here when we have a hurricane). The cab AC is OK maybe into the low 90’s, but we use the Generator to power the roof AC when it gets really hot. The Espar diesel heater does not require AC power. During the summer, using the generator to power the AC lets me get in the required generator “exercise” time.
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bbennick
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08/21/09 07:23pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Anyone use a Class B in the winter?
I added a diesel heater and a plumbing warming system to my B so I could use the plumbing in the cold. I also put computer fans in the cabinets to keep the interior pipes warm.
If I were doing it again, I would set up the fresh water w/ a recirculating pump and heat exchanger. I would buy, rather than build, that heat exchanger because of the safety issues.
It was OK down to 5 degrees F for several days last winter.
We did have a problem with the diesel heater at high altitudes. After DW nearly frooze at an overnight rest stop (I was sleeping in the TT w/ the kids), I noticed the footnote in the instructions that specified the high altitiude kit above 4500'.
I took a lot of photos along the way, but I haven't had time to put together a web site on the topic yet.
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bbennick
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07/09/09 10:03pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Towing a small car
We have a 2005 PT Cruiser that we outfitted for towing when we had a class C.
When we go to city destinations where parking is an issue, we sometimes bring the toad with the B.
We also have the Casita TT.
Nothing beats the freedom of driving the B without anything connected to the hitch, but sometimes the TT or the toad makes the trip better.
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bbennick
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06/23/09 08:37pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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RE: Sleeping with Windows/Vents Closed?
Condensation on the windshield was a problem in a 2 week trip in below freezing conditions even though my van has built in permanent ventilation around the rear door seals.
My next project will be to put in a dehumidifier. I've seen the ones for boats that you put over the sink, but I don't want to give up the space. I think I'll sacrifice part of the cabinet under my refrigerator for the dehumidifier.
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bbennick
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03/24/09 08:15pm |
Class B - Camping Van Conversions
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