The E-trek Blog

[Arlo]

Ok, thanks Gryphon. Sound advice. My experience with cars is similar to yours, but the E-Trek is my first vehicle with a second alternator on the serpentine. I have the green Gates belt that Booster mentioned as a spare if needed.

[gerrym51]

i was reading the etrekblog and they say roadtrek said the lithium batteries were on 'backorder'.

maybe roadtrek is not making it's own batteries?

[markopolo]

The lifepo4 "cells" are "batteries". I believe most us think that Roadtrek purchases the 3.2 volt cells aka batteries and groups them together in a higher voltage (and capacity) configuration.

Good news on the E-trek blog service update: ROADTREK E-TREK SERVICE UPDATE | The Etrek Blog

Among the list of repairs and upgrades there's a note that a battery balancer will be installed:

the Roadtrek E-trek service technician will install a balancer that will improve the performance of the batteries. All eight of the 6-volt AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries will be load-tested and replaced if necessary.

There's another report of a battery equalizer being installed on a Roadtrek back in the factory for repairs: https://www.facebook.com/groups/road...1349372357380/

That's fixed, and they also installed a battery equalizer. (Which, in my view, should have already been on it.).

So there's progress on the battery balancer / equalizer front by Roadtrek.

Maybe Roadtrek can send battery balancer / equalizer's out to those customers who want one so that they can be installed at a local dealer rather than at the factory.

[gerrym51]

Kicking and screaming

[booster]

I think the " backorder" status may actually be a hold until they get the initial issues they have had sorted out. It sounds a lot better and it prevents more from getting into the field.

Great news about the balancers, ditto on Gerry's comment.

[wincrasher]

Jim said something about getting the individual cells from the same supplier as Boeing.

So if a third party assembles finished battery packs, or they do it at Roadtrek I don't know.

[gregmchugh]

As you would expect, Roadtrek is using Lithium Iron Phosphate cells rather than the Lithium Cobalt Oxide cells used in the Boeing Dreamliner. It would be interesting to know who supplies the cells for the Roadtrek battery modules. At least to see other applications where they are used.

[obgraham]

Originally Posted by gerrym51

Boeing... only complete 3 planes a month

Say whaaaatt??

[gerrym51]

Originally Posted by obgraham

Say whaaaatt??

i was incorrect-lol

[Jostalli]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

Jim said something about getting the individual cells from the same supplier as Boeing.

So if a third party assembles finished battery packs, or they do it at Roadtrek I don't know.

Same supplier as Boeing? Sounds like a tactic to keep prying eyes away. Are they sealing their battery boxes like Advanced RV? If not we can see the cells to determine what brand they are. Say they are Calb cells. They most likely sent out RFP's to anyone who has access to these cells. They are definitely assembling their own packs.

[gregmchugh]

Here is a photo of the inside of an Ecotrek battery box...

[gerrym51]

roadtrek is building their own batteries. I supect the building of the batteries has the same quality control shown in roadtreks. i'll leave it at that

[wincrasher]

Wow Gerry. You switch to Red Bull from your usual fruity drink?

[gerrym51]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

Wow Gerry. You switch to Red Bull from your usual fruity drink?

i am always honest. i am still interested in ecotrek but i will wait-as oppossed to buying a new van every 6 months-get the drift-lol

[wincrasher]

Don't get carried away now.

You are wise to wait though. They jumped the gun and are now paying for it in spades. Give it a year and you'll probably be safe to upgrade.

[gerrym51]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

Don't get carried away now.

You are wise to wait though. They jumped the gun and are now paying for it in spades. Give it a year and you'll probably be safe to upgrade.

when you keep buying old technology its easy to buy-what is it -every 3 months.lol

[wincrasher]

Ha. It's been 6 months. But who's counting anyways? I'm cheap, not poor.

I don't have the time to be a beta tester.

[gerrym51]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

Ha. It's been 6 months. But who's counting anyways? I'm cheap, not poor.

I don't have the time to be a beta tester.

you got me on the beta-tester part. i lucked out and am not one

[wincrasher]

Sometimes things work out and you dodge a bullet. Unless you wanted to spend the summer in Canada....

[markopolo]

Just catching up on the E-trek blog.

In this post: TRIP #8--GETTYSBURG AND OUR E-TREK | The Etrek Blog

they had trouble making coffee (1500W Keurig) even with the engine running ...........

Any ideas as to what is going on? Anyone else with a E-trek type unit able to run a Keurig?