Forum Discussion

luludog's avatar
luludog
Explorer
Jan 18, 2016

All Electric Motorhomes

Why did the major RV manufacturers switch to all-electric coaches and do away with propane? Was it for safety reasons? Second, has this caused a problem with using residential refrigerators or are the new RVs designed to carry more batteries so they can continue to be used during travel and boondocking?
  • The 2 way or 3 way fridge has been a selling point for rvs forever. As a full timer our fridge has been a huge pib. The concept sounds good but the reality is awful. There are big changes as of late, the most important is the super efficient residential fridge that sips power instead of slurping. Better batteries, solar etc. Make the res fridge a viable option. When my nevercold dies we will go residential, mods to the coach will be 2 more 6v Batts and a second inverter.

    If you never dry camp you do not need a 2 way fridge, if you only occasionally dry camp you don't need a 2 way. Only hardcore dry campers need consider the 2 way.
    It does mystify me that the major 2 way fridge manufacturer's have not come up with anything better given the outdated units they offer now.
    That's why I'm not in charge??
  • vic46 wrote:
    valhalla360 wrote:
    The high end rigs are rarely away from an electric outlet and when they are they don't hesitate to crank up the generator. It saves on build costs by eliminating a system.

    Love the simple reliability of the propane fridge. Only real downside is it doesn't bring the temp down as fast as a compressor based fridge. For cooking electric is horrible.


    Have you tried induction electric. I find it to be very similar to gas with out the hot surface of an element. I would suggest that it is also quicker than gas.


    Almost ALL the rigs have Induction cooking. The drawback is you do have to use Induction pots and pans. Doug
  • lanerd wrote:
    Mr.Mark wrote:
    bluwtr49 wrote:
    I suspect a lot of it is market differentiation. From a sheer practical sense the difference between an all electric and one that only has a gas cook-top and, perhaps, a gas/electric fridge is minimal.

    Marketing is what drives much of coach design and when something "innovative" resonates with the consumers for whatever reason that drives more of the same. MH design is not immune to current fads and the associated bragging rights.

    Have you ever seen the Marathon (I believe) that tried the slide out patio...that one didn't take off but if it had you would see others jump on the bandwagon practical or not.


    The coach that you are thinking about is the Country Coach Veranda. Personally, I though the only real purpose for it would be if you were handicapped or had a handicapped passenger. They could just roll out to the Veranda and enjoy the weather without having to climb steps, etc.

    The 'Veranda' took up the space for a slide which narrowed the interior. If it were raining, the Veranda would be a big mess. Also, leaves and debris would need to be kept away as the floor of the Veranda mashes up against the sliding door. You would want that area as clean as possible.

    MM.


    And another reason they "didn't take off" is due to the fact that Country Coach went out of business that very same year.

    Ron


    Yea, that was a problem..... that darn going-out-of-business thing.

    They did make it for two years, 2009 and 2010. I think it really had a limited audience. Why have a 'veranda' when you could just walk outside and sit at the patio? You lose a good slide-out in that space.

    But, some people like quirky stuff. National just wasn't strong enough to keep everything floating until the next economy boom.

    MM.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    " The drawback is you do have to use Induction pots and pans. Doug"... this means magnetic. While 100% Stainless Steel is not magnetic, many SS pots and pans are magnetic and work fine on an induction cook top. Do not go out and buy expensive Induction Pots before you try what you have... even SS ones.
  • Ivylog wrote:
    " The drawback is you do have to use Induction pots and pans. Doug"... this means magnetic. While 100% Stainless Steel is not magnetic, many SS pots and pans are magnetic and work fine on an induction cook top. Do not go out and buy expensive Induction Pots before you try what you have... even SS ones.


    The pot or the base of the pot must be a ferrous metal as is stainless steel. Aluminum for example will not work. However some manufacturers of aluminum cook ware are now using a ferrous metal base plate so that their product will work with an induction heat source. If I recall correctly I think I have seen a product created from ferrous metal that is in the form of a circular plate the size of the induction cooker "burner". The plate reacts to the induction (electromagnetic) process and heats up and then conducts the heat to a non ferrous pot. Similar to the ferrous metal base on a non ferrous metal pot. However I am not sure this is a good idea! The plate will be very hot and rather awkward to deal with. Perhaps a safety issue! Perhaps not good for the cooker as the plate remains on the unit unlike a pot which is removed when the cooking process is complete. It would be interesting to hear what the induction cooker manufacturers have to say about that concept.
  • vic46 wrote:
    If I recall correctly I think I have seen a product created from ferrous metal that is in the form of a circular plate the size of the induction cooker "burner". The plate reacts to the induction (electromagnetic) process and heats up and then conducts the heat to a non ferrous pot. Similar to the ferrous metal base on a non ferrous metal pot. .


    so basically you are converting an induction cooker into a standard electrical one?
    bumpy
  • Lots of stainless steels are magnetic. Problem is that they also rust if left wet for a while. The higher the nickle content the less magnetic so get cheaper S.S. cookware and it will probably work.
  • All electric make it easier to boondock not harder. You have extra batteries, inverter(s), big generator, solar panel, and more.
  • Roof obstacles don't have to restrict panel size - you just need to think outside the box.