Lithium battery pack to replace generator.

[slowmachine]

11 KWh battery pack in a Thor Tuscany.

https://youtu.be/Cnnon-_zpo0

[jcussen]

Originally Posted by slowmachine

11 KWh battery pack in a Thor Tuscany.

https://youtu.be/Cnnon-_zpo0

Brilliant idea!! Could be the future.

[Reed Cundiff]

I heard it as being a 40 kW-hr battery suite at 56 V nominal.
Our system is almost 5 years old and is 9.5 kW-hrs at 48 V nominal.

The technology and usage is developing

Reed and Elaine

[arcaguy]

Interesting thread, but how do you recharge it if you don't have massive solar or go on shore power. Even with 1200 watts of solar you would need 33 hours to do a full charge. This looks like something for weekend/vacation coaches, not full timers. So if you get 5 cloudy days in a row you start your engine to charge. Not my ideal situation.

[jcussen]

Originally Posted by arcaguy

Interesting thread, but how do you recharge it if you don't have massive solar or go on shore power. Even with 1200 watts of solar you would need 33 hours to do a full charge. This looks like something for weekend/vacation coaches, not full timers. So if you get 5 cloudy days in a row you start your engine to charge. Not my ideal situation.

The video indicates that the main engine has a 11000 watt alternator. Should take care of it. Not much different than running your generator, except maybe a little more noise, and maybe a little more fuel used. Nice thing about a lithium battery that big, is that you can charge it at a very high rate for a short period to get to 100%

[cwk]

Originally Posted by jcussen

The video indicates that the main engine has a 11000 watt alternator. Should take care of it. Not much different than running your generator, except maybe a little more noise, and maybe a little more fuel used. Nice thing about a lithium battery that big, is that you can charge it at a very high rate for a short period to get to 100%

The concept sounds interesting. Solar obviously would be great way to recharge the batteries. But, what if there are multiple cloudy days? Or, electrical usage is temporarily greater than normal for some particular reason and solar cannot keep up with it?

What is a "short period" for recharging by the main engine?

For example, if this 40Kw-Hr battery suite is down to 10%, how long would it take the 11,000 watt alternator to charge it back to 100%?

And, any guess at what RPM's are required by the main engine so the alternator is actually generating 11,000 watts?

It will be very interesting to watch further developments.

[jcussen]

Originally Posted by cwk

The concept sounds interesting. Solar obviously would be great way to recharge the batteries. But, what if there are multiple cloudy days? Or, electrical usage is temporarily greater than normal for some particular reason and solar cannot keep up with it?

What is a "short period" for recharging by the main engine?

For example, if this 40Kw-Hr battery suite is down to 10%, how long would it take the 11,000 watt alternator to charge it back to 100%?

And, any guess at what RPM's are required by the main engine so the alternator is actually generating 11,000 watts?

It will be very interesting to watch further developments.

Believe in theory, if you ran a 10 kw generator at full load for 4 hours it will produce 40 kw's. As lithium batteries will take a 1C charge rate, around 4 hours should do it.
It will require some engineering to design the alternator to supply the max output at all engine speeds. Maybe some type of slip clutch, or reverse cvt. Pretty sure your big diesel engine, auto starting in the middle of the night and going to 1800 rpm is not very practical.

[cwk]

Originally Posted by jcussen

Believe in theory, if you ran a 10 kw generator at full load for 4 hours it will produce 40 kw's. As lithium batteries will take a 1C charge rate, around 4 hours should do it.
It will require some engineering to design the alternator to supply the max output at all engine speeds. Maybe some type of slip clutch, or reverse cvt. Pretty sure your big diesel engine, auto starting in the middle of the night and going to 1800 rpm is not very practical.

Thanks!

That helps put it in perspective. So, as the video seemed to imply, cruising down the highway for a few hours to get to your next destination should easily top off the batteries if they are about 1/3 to 1/2 discharged. A longer trip would do even more. Of course, solar can be factored into the charging numbers as well.

Yup. Would not recommend an auto-start on the main engine in the middle of the night at 1800 RPM!

[winniman]

Originally Posted by cwk

Thanks!

That helps put it in perspective. So, as the video seemed to imply, cruising down the highway for a few hours to get to your next destination should easily top off the batteries if they are about 1/3 to 1/2 discharged. A longer trip would do even more. Of course, solar can be factored into the charging numbers as well.

Yup. Would not recommend an auto-start on the main engine in the middle of the night at 1800 RPM!

Considering all the complaining about someone idling their diesel while they tear down camp, I cant see that going over to well at most campgrounds. This system could be less efficient in cold weather, especially if you need to run your furnaces on a regular basis. Air conditioning could create the same problem.

[jcussen]

Originally Posted by winniman

Considering all the complaining about someone idling their diesel while they tear down camp, I cant see that going over to well at most campgrounds. This system could be less efficient in cold weather, especially if you need to run your furnaces on a regular basis. Air conditioning could create the same problem.

Agree, if a normal campground with electric, no problem, batteries are charged by shore power, but if out on BLM land etc, would definitely park away from others. In theory, one ac could run over 24 hours on a full 40 kw battery pack, your propane furnace, or aqua-hot, probably weeks.
Speaking of engine noise, have a buddy that just bought a ram 6.7 diesel, that engine is quieter than many gas engines.
I know some of the newer coaches are using this engine now, but have never heard one running.