Propane or Electric - Page 2
 

Propane or Electric

Started by Ray D, September 28, 2007, 07:37:39 PM

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NJT5047

Quote from: tekebird on October 01, 2007, 08:12:43 AM
electric appliances are more expensive that the propane or three way version....but they can be had at bargin prices if you know how to internet shop.

Huh?  Most all electric home-grown buses are done so because they are initially viewed as easier and cheaper to assemble.  Looks like little house things would be just the ticket.  And the owner plans to be on a pole or have the genset running. 
My vote goes to propane.   I built an RV style system and have been pleased with it.  LP is cheap these days.   
As others have stated, the fridge and hot water heater will work on 110 or LP.  I've got rooftop heatpumps that are great, but also have an LP furnace if we're off the pole..which is frequent. 
Use a small 6500 diesel genset for the ACs.  It only uses about a 1/2 gallon of diesel fuel an hour.
Two 40 lb LP tanks last me for years.  And I run the fridge on LP almost all the time.  Even when traveling.  That last idea may not be ideal...?  Not a recommendation.  ::)  LP fridge is an expensive appliance.  The advantage is that I can sit for a week without power and still have cold adult beverages, cook, have hot water, all with almost no electricity.   The heater is the power hungry unit.  That will require battery charging every 3 days or so.   
Also have a 2400 watt inverter for the MW, TV.   
If you plan to stay on a pole, all electric is great.  But, it is very expensive (may not be a problem...?) to go solar, buy a huge battery bank that must be replaced every 3 or 4 years, huge inverters, complicated wiring schemes, and a large generator for those unfortunate times when the pole ain't there. 
Jerry, Sean, and others, are electrical engineers and are more than able to execute these sorts of complex electrical projects.  You may be too.  If you are not, be sure that you have an idea of what the cost is for all the goodies to build a "smart" all electric coach.   
May I suggest pricing all the components for both a primarily LP coach, and an all electric with minimal boonying capability, and see which one works for you.   All these upscale RVs can't be wrong with their LP appliances.
One thing is probably true enough, LP fridges are likely the number one cause of RV fires, but, the percentage of fires in all the units in service is something less than zilch. 
As much camping as I do, I've only seen one coach fire and that was due to a gasoline generator.  That fire destroyed a class A motorhome.   
Most of the fridge fires are due to faulty operation such as problems starting, which should have been noticed and repaired, or improper install.  And...maybe a few recalls that were ignored? 
As TonyLee says, depends on how you plan to use the coach.  Unless you plan to be plugged in all the time, or spend an inordinate amount of bucks, all electric may not be the best route. 
If you plan to be plugged up in campgrounds, the all-electric concept becomes a little more doable too. No need for big battery bank, inverters, $olar panel$, huge generator....and Webasto heating systems...BIG bucks.  Definitely keep the OTR bus heat.   
Alas, my time is up...Next!  ;)
JR


JR Lynch , Charlotte, NC
87 MC9, 6V92TA DDEC, HT748R ATEC

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Ayn Rand