New Roadtrek RS E-Trek

[markopolo]

I'm waiting to see RS E-Trek technical details like:

Air Conditioner on battery discharge/recharge times...........
Heat, hot water ........ is it diesel AND electric?
Storage for the 10L jugs of Methanol if you opt for the EFOY.
Does the engine have an auto-start feature if it is being used as a generator?
Did Roadtrek opt for the single speed fast idle, the variable speed fast idle or just normal idle on the Sprinter?

There's no real detail on this unit yet

[markopolo]

Just saw Mike Wendland's teaser video about the Roadtrek RS E-Trek for the Facebook users group.

[youtube:3qqtb7pu]Ejhsuzc52zI[/youtube:3qqtb7pu]

It's good! It's a funnier when you've been following all the posts about hockey player security etc. etc. on the group but still very fun to watch.

Wow - did you get a glimpse of the solar panels on the roof!

[markopolo]

Here's the Roadtrek RS E-Trek release video:

[youtube:30unv9fw]e7ZJlxygtzk[/youtube:30unv9fw]

Looks like an Outback inverter.
I didn't catch what the heat and hot water options are.

[markopolo]

Outback FX series inverter
Looks like 6v batteries so probably 880 ah (704 ah usable at 80% discharge or 440 ah at 50% discharge depending on your preference)
I'm very interested to find out the recharge rates.

24 volt DC sytem perhaps? With a 24v to 12v converter for things like the fan and water pump? Inverter shows 12.3v so maybe not...........

[markopolo]

Weight of the batteries is probably close to 500lbs: 8 x 65lbs = 520 lbs

Amp hours (they look like 6 volts batteries): 8 x 6volt 220 ah batteries = 880 ah total capacity at 12 volts

Useable ah at (80% discharge) 704 ah
Useable ah at (50% discharge) 440 ah

11,000 btu Dometic a/c could draw 150 ah on a 93% efficient Outback inverter.
14 amps at 120 volts AC. (10.5 compressor, 3.5 fan) 1,680 watts

I checked the specs on some high output Sprinter alternators and they can put out a 190 amps at idle!

But wouldn't that mean at least 2.3 hours idling the van motor to replace 440 ah (50% discharged battery bank?

My guess is that you could get 80 ah out of the flat mounted 240 watt solar panel per day. They EFOY 2200 could give you another 180 ah per 24 hours.

What do you think of my math...... Am I calculating this right?

[Mike]

Not sure about the math, it looks right, but even with a more efficient A/C system, there still isn't a good way to replenish the batteries, no matter what consumes them. Unless there was a away to rotate the batteries being used through a usage/recharge system, where you depleted a subset of your battery bank, while the other (half/third of the) bank was offline being recharged? Would require a pretty large battery farm. Perhaps the battery manufacturers need to step up to the plate, to find a battery that has greater storage capacity, but recharges much more quickly?
Maybe batteries aren't the answer?
On board, nuclear mini-reactor anyone? Cold fusion?

[markopolo]

I was way wrong on the coach heating in the RS E-Trek. It is:

Heat will be provide by the heat strip and an electric quartz heater

The electrical system is (or will be) patented by Roadtrek. Part of it (at least) is proprietary. RT won't release specific operating voltages of the panels and inverter (and reducer if there is one ) to protect their ideas and investment. If I buy one I'll have more questions for them but the info provided good enough for me as a Class B enthusiast.

I think the system will work. It will be a very quiet RV (with typical RV use) when dry camping.

---------------------------------------------
Here are a couple of threads with a lot of info about running an air conditioner off an inverter and using your engine as a generator for anyone wanting a very basic understanding of it. Obviously, Roadtrek has installed a much more sophisticated system but the concepts do work. The system components just need to be sized appropriately.
Engine as a generator
Running small air conditioner on an inverter

---------------------------------------------

[wabbit]

I like where they are going with this model. It will be very interesting to follow.

[markopolo]

Very clean look - hardly looks like an RV.

[Mike]

Shouldn't the Canadian Tire bug deflector be mounted lower, on the leading edge of the bonnet, instead of up where the 3 skylights should be?

Seriously, is it a deflector to keep stuff off what appears to be the edge of a solar panel?

[markopolo]

Yes, it is in front of the solar panel.

[Davydd]

They never had the skylights on the Sprinter because Mercedes Benz evidently would not approve cutting there. I always thought that aspect was rather phoney with window decals.

[wabbit]

It will be very interesting to compare the specs and design features of the Advanced unit vs the E-Trek, once they are both out.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by markopolo

Yes, it is in front of the solar panel.

So, try to avoid parking near public park statues, and under trees, or freeway overpasses, or your solar performance might be diminished?

Speaking of that, how do you protect your panels from the corrosive effects of some bird droppings?
Could you cover them with something, which could be easily removed to clean?

[markopolo]

Originally Posted by Mike

.............. your solar performance might be diminished.............

For optimal performance your panel would be angled to match the angle of the sun and would track the suns arc.
Solar panels on most RV's are installed flat on the roof so performance is affected.

And, as you mentioned, dirt and shade affect output. You'll still get some output though. My solar controller charging light comes on when my van is parked in the garage at night when the garage interior lights are on. In the garage, it would be minimal output though.

20 years seems to be a standard solar panel warranty so they are durable and resistant to damage from bird droppings and tree sap etc.

[Lee Lee]

Nice concept, and as usual, Roadtrek is ahead of the game with innovative ideas and concepts. However, based on my personal experience with their reluctance to honor warranty matters (or lately, even respond to my inquiries), good luck trying to get some of those high-tech components repaired if something goes wrong.

[markopolo]

Lee Lee - if your concerns aren't being responded to in a reasonable time frame then contact Jim Hammill (Roadtrek President) on the Facebook Roadtrek Group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/72563760632/ Jim is on that group daily and seems genuinely interested in helping. It is an unprecedented opportunity.

Go through proper channels first. That's very important. First place would be to a Roadtrek dealer. Second would be Roadtrek service. Then you can escalate it if becomes necessary by getting Jim's help.

[Lee Lee]

markopolo, thanks for your post. Unfortunately, without going into great detail, I have been experiencing an increasing degree of poor customer care when dealing with Roadtrek. When I initially bought my RV, they typically demonstrated an interest in addressing any issues that would arise concerning defective components, etc. However, for the past year or so, they have become much less interested in correcting problems, or honoring what is allegedly a "48,000/4 year warranty," even when presented with documentation about chronic defective systems.
I have repeatedly addressed my concerns through both my local Roadtrek dealer, as well as other executives with Roadtrek directly, and frequently have not even received a reply from them. I'm not on Facebook, but I am sure that Mr. Hammill was presumably made aware of the issues that I raised with his staff.
Overall, I am pleased with the purchase of this vehicle, and have been able to benefit from many miles of great travel with their product. However, due to my very negative experience with their customer relations, I would never recommend to anyone who approaches me about the vehicle (and there are many) to purchase one from this company.

[markopolo]

You're welcome to start a new topic if you need any help with your Roadtrek. Lots of very knowledgeable people here.

We'll keep this thread on topic about the new Roadtrek RS E-Trek.

[booster]

It looks like the high output alternator thing is readily available in the aftermarket--using, of all things, GM parts!

http://www.nationsstarteralternator....printer-dk.htm

You might need an idle speed bumper, also, but those are also out there.

Without a non-electric heat source, it would get pretty useless for many folks. It takes somewhere in the 800 watts of heat to keep our C190P warm overnight when the temps hit the mid 30's F. That is over 65 amps, and would quickly take down the batteries. Personally, I would not want to run the van engine all night to stay warm, and certainly any neighbors wouldn't like the noise or smell.

That said, for as often as we use the generator, rarely and for short periods, the system would probably be fine for us, if it still had propane for furnace (or diesel heater). We would miss the propane for our grill, however, as the tiny bottles suck. Diesel heat and a built in small bottle like they use on Simplicity would be sweet. With those options, Onan could keep their noisy piece of generator!