We're going on so many trips....

[chazwood]

I don't have time to write, convert and go every weekend....all at the same time. It's all I can do to repair the damage I"ve done in time to go again.

However, let me say this. I was at a campground parked near a beautiful, brand-spanking-new Winnebago "TOUR" today (or some such thing of beauty) and had a friendly chat with the owner. He was telling me about how bad the storm was a few days ago. He said it was bad enough to retract his awning. I must have looked pretty stupid as I glanced at his awning and back at him with a blank look. Say what? Bad enough to retract your awning? How bad must it be to make you want to pull in your awning?....doesn't everyone pull in their awnings when the wind kicks up. Then he kinda focused in on me and started talking a little slower..... (so I would get a clue.)..... No dummy.....the coach has this little wind speed measuring device on the roof that detects when the wind gets to blowing too hard..... and if the awning is out.... it retracts automatically to protect itself from damage. You know....Kinda like an anti-awning-damage feature for those who've had it with the whole awning kite routine.

I was impressed and humbled by such unheard of marvels........ and thinking I was in the presence of "He who knew most everyRVthing,"...... I asked him a very lame question. Umm......when you're driving down the road.....what voltage does your coach operate on? (I know ...very lame question.... but I was wondering if the new ones were 12 or 24....and my brain was still reeling from the awning revelation) He paused for a split second (as he sipped his Jim Beam) and then said...... "50 volts."


I had to find somewhere to be........ Quick.


I'm looking forward to meeting my first bonafide Busnut.....you know ....someone who not only knows where his genset is located..... but also knows what size it is.

[Kristinsgrandpa]

Maybe the gauge on his dash isn't calibrated.

Ed.

[luvrbus]

good answer from somebody drinking Jim Beam

[oldmansax]

He didn't say how LONG it ran on 50 volts......... 

TOM

[Paso One]

Maybe when it reaches Highway speed the diesel shuts off and the awning motor powers it.

New energy efficient winnie....

[HighTechRedneck]

48 volt system, running at 50 volts with engine running?  Don't know, just asking?

[luvrbus]

the man is talking about his shore power I have had the S&S guys ask if I had 50v service in my unit some get their amps and volts mixed up

[bobofthenorth]

This is amusing and obviously the guy the OP is referring to was a fool but....

I won't be able to put my finger on it now but I have read about the automotive industry going to higher voltage systems.  12 or 24 is really a stupid voltage.  With current battery technology there is no reason to stay at such a low voltage (and attendant necessary high amperages).  So who knows, maybe the guy was just way ahead of his time.

[Jeremy]

This is amusing and obviously the guy the OP is referring to was a fool but....

I won't be able to put my finger on it now but I have read about the automotive industry going to higher voltage systems.  12 or 24 is really a stupid voltage.  With current battery technology there is no reason to stay at such a low voltage (and attendant necessary high amperages).  So who knows, maybe the guy was just way ahead of his time.

Electric and hybrid vehicles typically need DC battery packs giving at least 98v, some over 200v, because the motors need that kind of voltage to run efficiently (24v motors that produce the same amount of power are available, but the duty cycles are very low and they produce lots of heat). Stringing chains of 12v batteries together to produce high DC voltages isn't very clever for a host of reasons, but once high voltage batteries become generally available I expect all vehicle systems will evolve to use them.

Actually, the 'best' electric vehicles use AC motors, but that involves another level of complexity as apparently the inverter / speed control systems for the AC motors have to be pretty much custom designed for every application

Jeremy

[DrivingMissLazy]

The new automotive voltage that I have read about is a nominal 42 volts. I suspect they are planning on keeping below 50 volts.  Above 50 volts is where UL would be applicable.

Richard

[Len Silva]

I'm sure luvrbus has it right, he meant 50 amps.  When the conversation takes a turn like that, I start talking about the weather 

[cody]

Sure is cold in tennessee today, somewhat rainy too lol.