Cool! It's an Urban Assault Vehicle!
Posted on 11/01/2016 1:14:31 PM PDT by RegulatorCountry
I know there are any number of FReepers who are knowledgable regarding various technical fields, this question arises due to a possible opportunity to buy a "classic" RV for cheap, appears to only need the two roof unit air conditioners replaced, everything else runs well and appears to have been serviced up to very recently. It's a 78 GMC 26 footer, interior mostly original, newer carpet and upholstery, cockpit seats replaced with Honda Odyssey units some time ago in good condition, appliances newer and in good condition.
I've read that the mini-split heat pump can be an excellent update, even though it's to date unusual in the US. The inside blowers are ceiling mount cassettes for this Senville unit that has piqued my interest, three of them, triple zoned. Replacement BTUs are roughly equivalent of the two nonworking units currently in place. The external component of the mini split heat pump will have to go either on the rear bumper or inside one of several ventilated outside access panels, in behind the Dometic fridge looks promising.
Much lower operating cost as well as greatly enhanced compatibility with solar would be why I'm considering going against the grain and installing typical replacements for the existing two roof units. It would take a pretty large solar array to run A/C even with this, but it appears very doable for at least the hottest part of the day, with dehumidifiers and blowers in each of the three ceiling cassettes to help alleviate discomfort if/when the air isn't a good idea.
Battery bank is another issue, but there are numerous Li-Ion, etc. battery packs existing now for this application. They're a bit pricey, but with such an inexpensive RV to install it in/upon, maybe it makes sense?
This is posted to General/Chat, so please don't give me any crap about vanities, I've posted to the correct forum for this sort of inquiry. Hoping the vast knowledge of FReepers as a group can shed light on this particular one, as well as any others that might fit the bill, in addition to the wisdom or lack of it in even considering doing this.
The mini split unit in question is a ductless 3 zone with ceiling cassettes, please see the following: https://senville.com/air-conditioners/
Thanks.
Working link: https://senville.com/air-conditioners/
Screw the batteries, get a nice generator and spew that CO2 out. Trees will love you for it.
It’s got an Onan 6000 in working order, I just don’t want to have to fill the tank every week if I’m in it for any length of time.
Uh....eh, got nada. Sorry.
They run on 240v, so you better have some seriously beefy batteries with an expensive 12v to 240v inverter. You are probably better off with the Coleman roof-mount AC.
They are very efficient, but running them on solar or battery power is probably not a very practical idea at this point from an economic standpoint.
The smallest one they show is 9000 BTU, which translates into something like 900 watts, although power consumption is not given on the web page you link.
That would require something like 100 square feet of solar panel, assuming you are getting high-quality direct sunlight. If you want to power it during the non-peak flux hours, the number of square feet goes up.
That's not counting losses due to converter inefficiencies, cable losses, etc.
In case you don’t know, there is a vast cult of RV’ers on YouTube with (what seemed to me to be highly experienced) vids on just about topic you might imagine. I found a lot about “what to look at on a used RV” that might be useful to you.
If you have a woman that’s going to stay with you, I recommend a water heater upgrade, preferably tankless. Never-ending hot water. Saves a bit on propane as well if your current water heater is gas.
I haven’t made the jump yet myself, but it’s definitely on the list.
I read an interesting stat sometime back.
It takes 1000lbs if LiOn battery to equal 1.85 gallons of gasoline. If your Generator is only 20% efficient you can save a bundle and save more by not having ti haul around a ton or more of batteries.
Existing two roof units are 13,000 BTU each, so I was looking at the 27,000 BTU but with three ceiling cassettes, I understand that just two leaves the front of the coach hot or cold, as the case may be. Solar array would be on the large side, I understand that. With the roof cleaned up due to losing the two roof units, maybe there’s enough real estate up there for four of those Kyocera 285 panels? I’m just knowledgable enough to get myself into trouble trying to force the issue, lol. Does sound doable if willing to forego A/C at night, should be bearable with dehumidification and blowers moving air.
I’m wanting to do some seriously back country camping on family owned land on a vacant mobile home pad with well and septic. I don’t want to run power to it. Well pump can be easily run with it’s own panel, and easily decontaminated since it’s been unused for years. Septic doesn’t require power in and of itself. I’d want off-grid, for that reason and possibly others.
It’s a stretch, I realize. Panels are getting better and cheaper. I would like to try unless it’s a complete boondoggle. I’m willing to concede use of other appliances to maintain charge when needed.
Cool! It's an Urban Assault Vehicle!
I’ve viewed quite a few over the past month, thanks. A lot on the GMC, and a lot on various “hacks” for boon docking off-grid. It’s been very interesting.
This one’s a Royale, the one with black walnut cabinetry. Aesthetics are tired inside and out. Outside, the original Royale livery stripes should come off with a little effort, and the original GM Emron paint appears solid and should shine up decently enough with some effort. The interior needs textiles, carpets and upholstery. The wood and counter tops are still pretty nice. Dry bath is still harvest gold though, lol.
I think the Tesla power wall goes for about $5K. You could obvious make it work, and there are mini splits that are made for solar power, but I doubt you would ever save any money on your utility bill. If you want to do it just to be off the grid, that’s another story.
You can learn almost anything on YT. I figure, at least you can generally get multiple opinions, by people who have actually done it.
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