pianotuna wrote:
Hi Davydd,
I think Alvars recharge numbers are pretty high, particularly the 300 amps per hour from the extra alternator. A V-10 would be a better choice than the Sprinter diesel engine for idle based recharging. I can, in a pinch, use the v-10 with the oem alternator (130 amps) to recharge at up to 70 amps (perhaps higher--but my meter doesn't read above that number). Someday I'll have to try it while idling. So far I have only used it while driving at highway speeds.
There is no choice in the engine if you want a Class B Sprinter. We are talking Sprinters and Class Bs here. 300 amp charge rate is in a Class B RV actual test. That you will have to ask ARV if you are curious. Keep in mind also the LFP batteries charge faster than lead-acid and don't go through a last 20% slow charge acceptance phase to top off.
I love solar recharging but again their numbers are pretty much "summer time only". The flexible panels seem to have "come of age" now with excellent output per square foot.
If you read the Advancing Alvar thread you will notice I have come to the conclusion that Solar is mostly just frosting on the cake based on my projected habits of driving a lot. Maybe if I park at Quartzite this winter for a week or two I'll appreciate it.
Espar heating is a magnificent idea. Do they plan to use it for space heating too?
The Espar hydronic diesel powered heater transfers heat into the B via a fan unit. The Espar heater switches to electrical when on shore power. There is also a heat exchanger for hot water. Glycol waste heat before it returns can also be channeled down a groove in the fresh water tank to keep that water from freezing in cold weather.
The outback inverter is one of the ones I was considering--but I wanted hybrid technology. I'm often where I only have 15 amps to play with, so being able to draw from shore power and the battery bank at the same time is useful to me.
They settled on the Outback and I can see no reason why I would have to draw on shore power and batteries at the same time.
Have they considered going to 24 volts DC?
Not to my knowledge. If you read that Technomadia blog and the Mar Azul blog I linked you will see the reasoning for the 12 volt LFP battery systems. From what I can tell ARV is very similar with those Elite Power System GBS LFP batteries those two blogs chose. I'm not sure why Roadtrek is hybridizing with 24 volt that eventually feeds out to 12 volt power. Probably cost and battery capacities of AGM I guess.
We live in exciting times for new technology and RV's. In 1990 a 5000 watt grid tied inverter was about $50,000.00.
It sure is going to be one nice Class B when they finish it off.
I hope so. :)
I have a few other things in my B under construction right now that are going to be of interest. Stay tuned.
