Beginnings of a new build

[Mischievous]

We have been the full gamut of RV's. Started years ago with a Pop-Up. I miss that rig. Then progressed to a 26 ft bumper pull. It was a higher end unit w/ lots of upgrades. Then to a 37-ft Class A pusher. Sold the coach last week. It just didn't get used. Too darn big and too much of a PITA to go anywhere. During the sale process discussion brought us to the realization that we are Weekend Warriors. We like short term camping and adventures. We looked at many Class B rigs. But, never quite found what were looking for at a price we are willing to pay. So we bought a 2008 Ford extended passenger van, with a topper. It was a personal handicap van, in it's previous life.

Our intent is to build it in a modular design. Everything will be easily removable, so the use can change. It's going to be fun to build. And even more to play with.

First question. Please offer your opinions.

Refrigerator: One option is to buy a chest design Dometic, or similar, higher end 12V fridge / freezer. Another is a small apartment type residential fridge and power it off the inverter.

I will have 3 each - 70AH Trojan 24-AGM house batteries. They will connect to a 5000 watt sine wave inverter / charger. Dang Keurig takes 1500 watts, for 1 to 3 minutes. Plus the alternator will be used for charging. The alternator will use an isolator. Plus the vehicle battery will have a low level detector to open the isolator.

Thoughts??

Layne & Vicky

[Mischievous]

Lwiddis, I agree with what you said. However, I already have 2 of the 3 batteries. So, that was the decision maker. The primary charging will come from the alternator. Our van will be a Road Warrior. When used as a camper, it will be overnight, or short term. It sounds crazy but the primary purpose of the battery / inverter is for the stoopid coffee maker. It will have high draw / short duration usage.

[Mischievous]

Propane is out. That defeats the whole concept of a modular design. Each station will be built for easy removal. The galley will be in two cabinets. One w plumbing and one w fridge, Kuerig, and possible micro. The bed in two halves. Removable Captains seating. The idea is to convert from camper to people road warrior in a few hours.

[Campfire_Time]

Personally I would build it out to be usable with a 30 amp electric connection as well as run off propane. Get a two way fridge that can runs on either propane or electric. That way you will not be taxing your batteries when not on shore power.

[ctilsie242]

Have you looked at NovaKool or TruckFridge models? Either are made to be more durable than a cheapie "dorm fridge" fresh off the Chinese boat, and likely use less amperage.

I like the idea of building from scratch, but I don't have the tools, so I'm probably going to see about the Erwin Hymer budget model on the ProMaster chassis that Camping World sells, which uses an alternator to charge up a 200 ampere-hour lithium battery which is then used with an inverter to keep the A/C and other appliances going. The fridge on that is pretty puny, so I'm probably am going to add a TruckFridge chest fridge for additional capacity and tuck it near the passenger seat.

[Lwiddis]

76 AH and 54 pounds each for your proposed batteries....that's 228 and 162 for three. Not sure that's enough AHs for a residential fridge, Keurig and general stuff even when moving every day. Three 27TMXs would give you 315 AHs for 141 pounds. But recharging remains an issue either way. How much roof space do you have for solar?