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OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,647
1,116
NORCAL is the hizzle
Well, yeah, I read that, but it’s just a Ford Transit van. I mean, pretty much all camping rigs have ‘electric cabins’.
Last I heard, V6 wasn’t ‘electric’.
It’s definitely a misleading headline because the vehicle itself is not electric. But a lot of campers and RV’s - probably most - supplement their 12v power with propane or diesel. Especially those built before the newer lithium batteries became so popular. Better solar, lithium, induction cooktops, and other developments all make an all-electric cabin more doable but it’s a fairly recent thing from what I’ve seen.

My van (built out in 2014) has propane for the cooktop and fridge (when boondocking) and a diesel hydronic hot water/house heater, which is fairly typical for the time. All electric would be pretty sweet but because gremlins, multi-source arguably has some benefits. (Kinda like diversifying risk.) As always, pros and cons however you do it.
 

maxyedor

<b>TOOL PRO</b>
Oct 20, 2005
5,496
3,140
In the bathroom, fighting a battle
go with the 100 watt panels that way if something hits and damages one panel it can be disconnected and leave you with something functional until you can get it fixed
I believe this is going to be my route, drilling holes and removing the existing bracketry in a fully sealed roof has me a little freaked out, but I guess dicor exists so it'll probably be fine.
 

jimmydean

The Official Meat of Ridemonkey
Sep 10, 2001
40,931
13,129
Portland, OR
I believe this is going to be my route, drilling holes and removing the existing bracketry in a fully sealed roof has me a little freaked out, but I guess dicor exists so it'll probably be fine.
I used the low profile surface mounts for my panels because I didn't want to drill any holes. I took the spots on the roof down to bare aluminum and used the hardcore 3M tape. 3 years and they are still stuck very solid.
 

Jozz

Joe Dalton
Apr 18, 2002
5,752
7,214
SADL
I used the low profile surface mounts for my panels because I didn't want to drill any holes. I took the spots on the roof down to bare aluminum and used the hardcore 3M tape. 3 years and they are still stuck very solid.
Also 3m glued brackets on my Sprinter, directly on paint. Going on 7 years.
 

Jozz

Joe Dalton
Apr 18, 2002
5,752
7,214
SADL
My roof wasn't smooth, so I just marked the spots and hit them with the flapper wheel. Good to hear yours are holding up.
Indeed. Wanted to have minimal perforations if the roof. Some add Dicor around brackets for added security.
 

jdcamb

Tool Time!
Feb 17, 2002
19,799
8,383
Nowhere Man!
It turns out Fema Trailers are poorly designed. No amount of reengineering can overcome that. They were designed for habitat in a warm climate. Not a cold one in any way.
 

gonefirefightin

free wieners
Boondock ready

Ended up with 600 watts of solar
400 amp hours of lithium batteries
2000 watt inverter
Charge controller with remote

all the major components were mounted under the bed storage area so I don't have to mess with climate control for the batteries and had two disconnects installed for ease of use down the road.

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6thElement

Schrodinger's Immigrant
Jul 29, 2008
15,825
13,054
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stevew

resident influencer
Sep 21, 2001
40,494
9,525
I'd be all over that if local. That thing needs a swap.
there is a guy in nashville who races pikes peak....in a tri turbo diesel thing...

anyway...i believe he has a vw tt thimated to a pdk 7 speed trans in a westy...

 
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kidwoo

Artisanal Tweet Curator

StiHacka

Compensating for something
Jan 4, 2013
21,560
12,504
In hell. Welcome!