mobileempire
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Re: Heat water with Propex heater?
@ Handbasket ,, You might want to research Dickenson Newport propane heaters too , The Dickeson Newport might have less amp draw then the Propex , I think the Propex draws 2 amps to run the 12 volt fan , I heard the Dickenson Newport takes up more space though.248Views0likes0CommentsRe: living without a generator
yizit wrote: Run your frig off the propane, it is cheap, and will save your battery. On our 2004 conversion van, we had a 450W inverter, and it ran the TV and charged our phones, laptop, etc. We would watch 4-5 hrs a night of TV, use the lights sparingly, and water pump occasional. It would drain the battery to fair or good. Next day we would drive to our next destination and charge the battery up, while also running the frig on battery. Depending on your use and what you want it for, a single battery can work. Doing it all over again, we would have bought an AGM battery with more amps, maybe even 2. We also have a gen and wouldn't be without one. Comes in handy when we stopped somewhere and needed to run the AC. We also used it on occasion to charge the battery. We recently upgraded our 2004 for a 2013 with 2 AGM batteries, solar panels and generator (won't be without one). The frig is an electric only and the TV is 12V. With our current setup, we don't have to worry about draining the 2 AGM's. Also, wouldn't be without a bathroom:) Yizit , You recommended that he run his fridge on propane but then you said that when you upgraded to your current rig that you went with a electric only fridge , my question is do you wish you yourself had gone with a propane fridge ? Also do you run your fridge off of 12 volts dc or Ac Thanks480Views0likes0CommentsRe: living without a generator
Icky wrote: I disconnected the generator in my Sportsmobile Sprinter many years ago and gave it away. Too much trouble. I have 2 group 27 batteries, large normal size 12 volt type. The inverter is a 3000 watt unit. The fridge is a DC 4 cu ft model. I boondock a lot. The fridge will run about 3-4 days in the hot desert on battery alone. But since I start the engine every day or so, I usually don't discharge the battrys too deep. I have run the microwave many times with the van engine off, no problem. The Coleman roof air conditioner will run 30 min only on battery alone, so I don't do this often. The van has a "high idle" switch that holds the engine at 1600 rpm and it has a high output alternator (200Amps) installed. With the van engine running (way quieter that the old genset, but not as fuel efficient) on high idle, I have used the airconditioner continuously for many hours without running the batteries down. The AC normally cycles about 50% anyway. So yes its possible to operate without a genset. I would never even consider owning one again. Someday I will add a solar panel just for the fun of it. Icky , Your fridge sounds interesting , What model and brand fridge do you have ? Thanks480Views0likes0CommentsRe: living without a generator
IMO , You dont need a generator unless your running Air conditioning and then it is a must have but very expensive , I have a Honda 2000 and if I'm not mistaken the gas cost me 75% more then if I got my electric from the grid , not that I ever get it from the grid but just a example to show how inefficient producing electric from a generator is. Also I would ditch the idea of a invertor and instead run all 12 volt appliances , You can pretty much leave 12 volt LED Light strips on without worrying about amp draw. I bought a 12 volt truck driver oven from the truck stop , it looks like a joke but worked very well at replacing my microwave , The truck driver oven is small and does'nt take up much space , takes about 10 minutes to warm up hot dogs or a dinner, if the dinner is frozen i plan ahead and Iet it thaw over night . It would take about 40 minutes to warm up a frozen dinner. For boiling water I use a propane cooker instead of microwave. mayby hook up a invertor but only use it for emergencys ( to save power) like power tools and such . One thing I've never figured out was how do i run a air conditioner while boondocking and make it cost effective , I ve searched searched and searched looking at truck driver air conditioners and also marine air conditioners and also the mini split units which are very bulky To power the fridge you could get a fridge that runs on propane , I heard they run a long time on not too much propane.481Views0likes0CommentsRe: Sprinter tire carrier / Continental Kit
I'm going to build a DIY tire carrier , I plan to mount it to the bumper instead of the frame , I'll have a pin that you pull out so that it will swing down to the down position so I can load/unload the tire , I'll try to post some pictures of my design. Its about the same design as the Road treks tire carrier except it will be mounted to bumper instead of the frame or the hitch. Really aint that much to it I got the metal out of a scrap pile ( 1x2" tubeing about 5 foot long and a little 2"x2" square tubeing I'll buy 3 wheel studs from auto parts store that I'll have a welder weld on . 6"x6" 10 guage steel plate to thread the wheel studs through I'll cut everything to size and then take the parts to local welder I'll need a couple of grade 8 bolts and nuts for the swing down portion and the pin Paint & Clear coat Dont know what I'll do for a tire cover because I'll need one like the Road Trek one thats got the hump436Views0likes0CommentsRe: Heat water with Propex heater?
@ Handbasket , I really like the Propex , my van is insulated pretty good except the cab portian and the Propex keeps me warm in the winter , the cab area stays kind of chilli , as for noise you just hear the fan which is' nt very loud and you also hear a constant rush of hot air blowing out which is a relief . It sounds like a hot air balloon being heated up except much more quiet.249Views0likes0CommentsHeat water with Propex heater?
I'm using a Propex 2800 heater to heat the van and all is working well but I need something to heat my water to keep it from freezing , normally I've been just setting my 5 gallon water jug in front of the Propex until the water reaches my desired temp , this has worked so far but as the temps outside dropped below freezing I started thinking about building a insulated box and then pipeing in a tube from the Propex , is this a good idea or would I better off getting a propane powered water heater? I would like to keep everything as simple as possible , less wiring and less Plumbing etc.2.5KViews0likes8CommentsRe: cheap remote control for lights and stuff
diveman52 wrote: I tried that exact one. Remotes a POS, lasted about 2 weeks. What failed on yours ? Mines going on 3 years and still working fine , my metal antenna did break off but works great with out it , with the metal antenna it had a range of about 60 feet , without the antenna it now has a range of about 20 feet , I can't deny its a cheap remote but for $11.99 I think it is amazing as it funtions good and buttons work good.321Views0likes0Commentsremote control propane regulator or valve ?
How are you guys turning the flow of the propane tank off and on? , Its getting old opening my propane tank storage box and manually turning the tank flow on. I only use Propane for a Propex heater , I would like to find a electronically controlled Propane valve and wire it so it turns on automatically when I flip the Propex switch. Any thoughts ideas or experiences?2KViews0likes8Comments
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