Roadtrek introduces the RS E-TREK

bob_nestor wrote:

MAU MAU wrote:
It says the Air Conditioning can be run for hours and hours from the batteries only. I wonder how long that really is before they are totally depleted.

I think I would like to see the electrical system displays inside of the vehicle instead of having to open the back doors to view them.

It is also interesting that they have not yet set the price but are taking orders. I have a feeling the base will be around 120K.

I've seen comments from RT that indicate you can run the A/C all day on the batteries. Not sure what else can also be used during this time period. To do this they've installed 8 AGM or 2 Lithium-Ion batteries. (Hate to think about replacement costs!) I thought I'd also seen someplace a claim that the batteries could re-charged in 40 minutes on the engine alternator, but that would have to be one heck of an alternator - maybe something off a Kenworth capable of putting out a couple 100 AMPs. Not sure about the size of these batteries but I'm betting you're looking at 1,000+ pounds here. With a full load of gas and water I'm wondering how much is left over for food, people and their belongings.

They've installed solar on this thing too and I don't know if it has a genny option (probably not if the engine alternator can re-charge them in 40 minutes). It would take a heck of a lot of solar to keep all these batteries up, and they'd also need good sunshine. Overall I think this vehicle is really designed for the traveler who will hook-up to shore power when not traveling. It doesn't seem like it would be all that usable as a dry camping RV.

-bob

Let's do some simple math here. I can't get a couple of things they are claiming to add up. Eight batteries, I am assuming standard deep cycle batteries so that should be about a 960 to 1,000 amp/hrs battery bank. The A/C can be made to last longer on batteries by simply lowering the BTU rating of the A/C unit. RT 170, 190 and 210's all have a 12,000BTU model, but the standard RS only has a 11,000/BTU A/C, I don't know what the RS-E has. Recharge the depleted 8 batteries in 40 minutes - WOW I want to see that engine/generator that can put 960amp/hrs in those batteries in 40 minutes! How could a 240 watt solar panel recharge these 8 batteries, on a good day that panel is only putting out about 20amps an hour - it would take a minimum of 48 hours of daylight to fully recharge the battery bank.