No Generator?

[whoisjohngalt]

I'm looking to buy a 2005'ish - 2015'ish Roadtrek. One of the ones I'm considering has a generator that doesn't work. (I am aware generators are a problem area). The only thing I can think of that would require a generator if off-grid would be the AC. Any of you remove the generator and add a large inverter and/or lithium batteries to power everything but the AC? Is it difficult? Thank you!

 

[booster]

I'm looking to buy a 2005'ish - 2015'ish Roadtrek. One of the ones I'm considering has a generator that doesn't work. (I am aware generators are a problem area). The only thing I can think of that would require a generator if off-grid would be the AC. Any of you remove the generator and add a large inverter and/or lithium batteries to power everything but the AC? Is it difficult? Thank you!

Quite a few of us have done those kind of changes. We have done no plug in on 440ah of AGM and now on 618ah of lithium. Both work just fine for all but air conditioning which the AGM could only do a short time if they were above 50% SOC, and the lithium can get 2-3 hours pretty well. We look for shore power if we are going to need AC, so not a big deal. We do the microwave, instant pot, curling iron and hair dryer and only charge in the mid SOC range. Our 300 watts of solar keeps up in moderate sun conditions and the alternator is set to charge at 120 amps so no real issues at all, so we never plug in except in really hot weather we hit by accident. Our Magnum MS2000 psw inverter/100 amp charger died this spring so I am currently changing it out for a Samlex EVO 3000 watt psw inverter/130 watt charger. I only use shore power except for AC to calibrate the Victron battery monitor that controls the alternator charging over the winter. No generator is a wonderful thing for us, as is no cord to deal with all the time.

 

[RT-NY]

I use my generator to charge my relatively modestly sized lithium battery bank. But I use it for this purpose all the time, so I couldn't do without it. But, if I had a second alternator or a much higher capacity single alternator then that might be OK as an alternative.

 

[booster]

I use my generator to charge my relatively modestly sized lithium battery bank. But I use it for this purpose all the time, so I couldn't do without it. But, if I had a second alternator or a much higher capacity single alternator then that might be OK as an alternative.

Are you charging the battery bank though a stock 45 amp Tripp-lite charger or do you have a higher charge rate one?

I just noticed you have a Dodge so probably have 50 amp max from the van alternator and a 20 or 40 amp charger. You can still get plenty from the alternator, probably more than than the charger to the coach. I would ditch the isolator, though, so the voltage is high enough to do a good job of charging the coach.

 

[RT-NY]

I just noticed you have a Dodge so probably have 50 amp max from the van alternator and a 20 or 40 amp charger. You can still get plenty from the alternator, probably more than than the charger to the coach. I would ditch the isolator, though, so the voltage is high enough to do a good job of charging the coach.

I have the 45amp Progressive Dynamics charger (a drop-in upgrade to the stock Magnetek converter that I did years ago), and I can get 40 amps+ when the lithium is empty, so I couldn't match the PD charging level from the alternator at idle. I could get it closer than it currently is, but the alternator is very old at this point and there is no need to stress it too much, and I also don't need the effort and expense of removing the isolator or adding a b2b charger. I only use the alternator to charge at highway speeds. So for me generator charging is cheap, easy, and functional. But if I ever did my own build I would do a second alternator rather than a generator.

 

[phantomjock]

I'm looking to buy a 2005'ish - 2015'ish Roadtrek. One of the ones I'm considering has a generator that doesn't work. (I am aware generators are a problem area). The only thing I can think of that would require a generator if off-grid would be the AC. Any of you remove the generator and add a large inverter and/or lithium batteries to power everything but the AC? Is it difficult? Thank you!

I did a complete an electrical makeover/upgrade of the house system.
We have a 2008 Chevy 2500, Roadtrek 170P. A RT 190 or 210 would provide much more room to perform this type of "makeover."

The effort is relatively easy if you plan the effort, can weld, have some wiring experience, and a patient understanding wife/spouse/partner. It may not be inexpensive, but rewarding. Depending how far you go, it can run close to $10k quickly. Its something you can do incrementally:

1. I removed a non functioning generator. Replaced with a welded frame for encased 520Ah of LiFePO4 batteries. Fitted in place of the generator.
2. Removed and replaced the factory air conditioner with an inverter ac unit. [but you said...]
3. Removed all the "stock" inverter/charger/shore power components and upgraded to a 3000Watt inverter/charger. [This also supports the microwave.]
4. Upgraded to a high capacity Battery to Battery charger/controller
5. Upgraded the alternator from stock to 420A hot-rated
6. Improved the measurement and control of the system
7. Upgraded "miles" of cables and dozens of fuses and connectors
8. Added a few tools along the way, and we are happy campers!

You said not to include the air conditioner. What about microwave? These both require sizable inverters and battery capacity.

My mantra:

Identify and Understand your Consumption​

Right Size the Capacity - Understand and build to Depth of Charge​

Provide the necessary Charging resources​

​

Cheers Jim
Many images on my "albums" page. I can share a spreadsheet (PM me) of the costs, but certainly some prices have changed.

 

[whoisjohngalt]

I did a complete an electrical makeover/upgrade of the house system.
We have a 2008 Chevy 2500, Roadtrek 170P. A RT 190 or 210 would provide much more room to perform this type of "makeover."

The effort is relatively easy if you plan the effort, can weld, have some wiring experience, and a patient understanding wife/spouse/partner. It may not be inexpensive, but rewarding. Depending how far you go, it can run close to $10k quickly. Its something you can do incrementally:

1. I removed a non functioning generator. Replaced with a welded frame for encased 520Ah of LiFePO4 batteries. Fitted in place of the generator.
2. Removed and replaced the factory air conditioner with an inverter ac unit. [but you said...]
3. Removed all the "stock" inverter/charger/shore power components and upgraded to a 3000Watt inverter/charger. [This also supports the microwave.]
4. Upgraded to a high capacity Battery to Battery charger/controller
5. Upgraded the alternator from stock to 420A hot-rated
6. Improved the measurement and control of the system
7. Upgraded "miles" of cables and dozens of fuses and connectors
8. Added a few tools along the way, and we are happy campers!

You said not to include the air conditioner. What about microwave? These both require sizable inverters and battery capacity.

My mantra:

Identify and Understand your Consumption​

Right Size the Capacity - Understand and build to Depth of Charge​

Provide the necessary Charging resources​

​

Cheers Jim
Many images on my "albums" page. I can share a spreadsheet (PM me) of the costs, but certainly some prices have changed.

Thank you.
1.This work is likely beyond my capabilities but I am impressed by what you did!
2. I did forget the microwave and that is something I will frequently use.

 

[phantomjock]

booster's approach may be more what you are looking at. I seem to recall some folks have supplemented capacity and charging by running the engine (alternator support) to run the microwave.
Best of Luck.
Cheers - Jim

 

[whoisjohngalt]

booster's approach may be more what you are looking at. I seem to recall some folks have supplemented capacity and charging by running the engine (alternator support) to run the microwave.
Best of Luck.
Cheers - Jim

yes. I was reading some of those comments last night and the second or even larger one alternator seemed like a good possible solution. I imagine there is a limit on the inverter size upgrade without up sizing the wiring? Not sure what the typical inverter capacity is on these Roadtrek era vehicles.

So I don't annoy anyone with my newbie questions is there a basic 'primer' for power on Roadtreks? Thank you

 

[booster]

Are you charging the battery bank though a stock 45 amp Tripp-lite charger or do you have a higher charge rate one?

booster's approach may be more what you are looking at. I seem to recall some folks have supplemented capacity and charging by running the engine (alternator support) to run the microwave.
Best of Luck.
Cheers - Jim

It is kind of interesting that you mention that, as I had basically the same setup in the generator spot for our previous 440ah AGM bank. Everything was already there so just needed a differently shaped battery holder/tray.

I decided, grudgingly, not to put the lithium underbody because of the heat they would see there, especially from the rear axle. The AGMs were shrouded with masticated rubber sheets so deflect the hot air and had a duct from the wheelwell for fresh air, but still ran about 20+ degrees above ambient when not charging and about 10 degrees hotter than that when charging at 120 amps. On 100+ degree days, I chose not to charge while driving in the heat of the day. Lithium is said to not like temps that hot, especially continuously on long drives and charging. If I were starting with a bare van, I would probably ventilate a sealed and insulated box from inside the van to get cooler and more consistent temps, but with all the insides finished, we decided to just lose the approximate 13X22" area of rear underbed storage. We had a 5X5 foot clear area under the full time bed so still plenty of room for our stuff.

Installing inside was much easier and they don't get too hot or too cold.

 

[ChristyCappello]

I'm looking to buy a 2005'ish - 2015'ish Roadtrek. One of the ones I'm considering has a generator that doesn't work. (I am aware generators are a problem area). The only thing I can think of that would require a generator if off-grid would be the AC. Any of you remove the generator and add a large inverter and/or lithium batteries to power everything but the AC? Is it difficult? Thank you!

I

 

[ChristyCappello]

My last class B, did not have a generator, which I didn’t mind because I mostly stayed at campgrounds. Then I started dry camping. I realized I needed a generator. When I brought my RT, I wanted a working generator. Glad I did. I also have a 1800-2000 watt power station that I can hook my RT into to keep my house battery charged. The great thing about the generator is that I can power my A/C when the temp is high. I usually travel with my dog & if I need to run into the store I can turn on the A/C for my dog.