All electric vs propane

[tcg]

We don't full time but...

I don't think I'd buy an all electric rig. I like not worrying about the fridge while we travel because it's on propane. I like knowing that if we're out for the day, or longer, if there is a power problem at the park our food will be safe.

I also like being able to turn the forced air propane furnace on to take the chill out rather quickly. We mostly use electric heaters but I won't leave them running while we're out. It's nice to turn on the furnace to get instant heat.

Those things could be solved with batteries, inverters, and running the generator while we travel but those are also more things to go wrong that I might not be able to fix myself.

I guess it comes down to how you're going to be living. If you're not moving around much all electric might make sense for you.

[docj]

With a residential fridge and a diesel/electric hydronic heating system, the only use we have left for propane is the 2-burner cooktop which we rarely use since we prefer to use our induction burner instead. However, this summer we spent 2 months with a 30A hookup and found it very helpful to switch back to propane stovetop cooking. We don't use it often, but every once in a while it's nice to have.

[skypilot_1]

Originally Posted by varmonter

Is this house alternator in addition to the engine alternator?

Exactly what I was thinkin when I read that reference to "house alternator" as there is no such item. The engine driven alternator charges house battery bank when driving....on some coaches.

[dix39]

Originally Posted by skypilot_1

Exactly what I was thinkin when I read that reference to "house alternator" as there is no such item. The engine driven alternator charges house battery bank when driving....on some coaches.

I interpreted that to mean that the engine driven alternator charged the house batts. as well as the chassis batts. Perhaps some do not? Ours always have, but I don't know if they all do.

Our "camping" is usually done in a "boondocking" manner, so for the last 40+ years we have had propane and will continue to do so. We've had no problems with it over that period of time, although the refrigerator does struggle a bit to keep things solidly frozen when the outside temps are 115+. We've never lost anything though. Propane just seems so much simpler and less expensive than electric.

I haven't noticed much difference in the difficulty of leveling the camper refrigerator anywhere in the US. There are hills and flat areas everywhere, although the hills are a little higher in the west. It has always been manageable for me, and in the few cases where it wasn't, I just turned the thing off for the night. That worked as long as the refrigerator door wasn't opened very often.

Steve

[Hoosier14]

Originally Posted by skypilot_1

Exactly what I was thinkin when I read that reference to "house alternator" as there is no such item. The engine driven alternator charges house battery bank when driving....on some coaches.

“There is no such thing” as a house alternator. You are incorrect; many Rvs have one alternator that will charge the house batteries or chassis batteries while on the road. We have an alternator that charges the four chassis batteries and a separate alternator that charges the 8 D house batteries; if you still doubt this google the following: Delco Remy 50 DN, it weighs about 100 lbs and puts out 270 amps.

[BillJinOR]

Originally Posted by skypilot_1

Exactly what I was thinkin when I read that reference to "house alternator" as there is no such item. The engine driven alternator charges house battery bank when driving....on some coaches.

On the coaches in the price range / size the OP is looking at they ALL do (or something is broken!)

[docj]

Originally Posted by Hoosier14

many Rvs have one alternator that will charge the house batteries or chassis batteries while on the road. We have an alternator that charges the four chassis batteries and a separate alternator that charges the 8 D house batteries; if you still doubt this google the following: Delco Remy 50 DN, it weighs about 100 lbs and puts out 270 amps.

With all due respect, I seriously doubt that "many" RVs have such an arrangement. You're driving a Prevost conversion that probably has lots of features not found in more "mundane" motorhomes.

[Hoosier14]

Originally Posted by dix39

Is it engine driven?


Thanks,


Steve

Yes Steve, the large house alternator on our Coach is driven by the Series 60 Detroit. For the OP on your search, as you may see even from this one post you receive different opinions. There are many modern conveniences that are available in many different forms. Even as I said earlier that air conditioners and washers and dryers are powered by the generator or shore power, there are some coaches that will power theses items with their inverters and batteries. With what you seem to be looking for it most likely will not exist. As another example, although we have an all electric coach, I can also elect to heat our water heaters with the webasto furnace. The pump will require battery power, but not as much as the electric elements in the heaters. (Before someone says I spoke wrong about heaters, we do have two 10 gallon Atwood water heaters). Heating also has choices, we can choose between the heat pumps in the roof A/C units, webasto (all diesel) or even the all electric fireplace. All coaches have different features and operate differently. Find what best suits you and your family. Good luck.

[varmonter]

OP here.
I certainly dont doubt there could be a second alternator to do this.
My gmc Sierra charges the tt batteries while we are towing the
Camper through the round plug.
My concern is merely the ability
To go a night or two keeping our food cold. Or running an aqua-hot type diesel furnace off the batteries. Campgrounds pay for electric. For the most part. But I
Want the ability to not have to
Have an electric hookup if need be. Our travel trailer works pretty good at boondocking. Propane to
Cook and heat water and run fridge.
We can go 3 days if frugal off two 6v golf cart batts.
Does the induction cooktop
Run off batteries when not plugged in??
We dont need electric for any medical reasons( no cpap) . But
Working in a state park this summer so many motorhomes would turn around if they couldnt get an electric site. Just wondering why? Guess my question should be. Why would I want an all electric coach as opposed to a propane coach.
Or is it all just subjective and not worth worrying about.

[Hoosier14]

Originally Posted by docj

With all due respect, I seriously doubt that "many" RVs have such an arrangement. You're driving a Prevost conversion that probably has lots of features not found in more "mundane" motorhomes.

This conversation about alternators is getting off track with what the OP has asked. I said many (I don’t know any that don’t, but I certainly don’t know all that have been made) have one alternator that charges the house and the chassis batteries. I realize not all have separate alternators. I doubt that you really disagree that there is an engine driven alternator that charges the house batteries in some manner, in different ways on different rvs? OP I think the main thing to know is there are systems on coaches designed or that can be added that will easily get you through the night with a residential refrigerator.

[grindstone01]

Why the concern of wanting a elec coach. For our fifth wheel, a 20lb bottle will last 10 months when just using the stove/oven. It is a nice option to have the water heater run on propane if needed which would be a good boondock benefit. We also have a generator that runs on propane that we rarely use, but the gas never goes bad and it's always ready to go.
It seems like a all elec coach would just restrict your options.

[varmonter]

Originally Posted by grindstone01

Why the concern of wanting a elec coach. For our fifth wheel, a 20lb bottle will last 10 months when just using the stove/oven. It is a nice option to have the water heater run on propane if needed which would be a good boondock benefit. We also have a generator that runs on propane that we rarely use, but the gas never goes bad and it's always ready to go.
It seems like a all elec coach would just restrict your options.

Seems that way to me as well.
Not that I want or dont want. Just looking at my options
My search is broadened if I look at both.
That's why I'm asking the question?
But coming from a 32ft travel trailer.
To a full blown 45 ft coach. It will be the last
One I buy. I want to be informed enough to
know what's right for us.
I'm leaning toward propane..as I haven't heard any reasons not too. Other than the
Inconvenience of filling it up. And the inherent risks associated with LP. When plugged
In all systems could still run off shore power. Except the stove. Isnt this correct?
When unplugged we could still cook. Possibly run the fridge. Do the fridge/freezers in the basement run off
LP as well?
Is there anything I'm missing?
Again thanks.

[Filthy-Beast]

There are many people who boondock just fine with all electric.


Remember that additional batteries and a bigger inverter are put in all-electric units. So you are not running that fridge off the small batteries pack you're used to.


Since we will have a DP with a diesel generator, why not also have diesel hot water and heat. Then why add the headache, additional risk and take up space just for propane cooking. I can cook outside or run a gen for a bit while cooking.



If you're not on shore power and want AC you'll be running a gen in either.

[lwmcguire]

Originally Posted by varmonter

I am searching for an older coach.

Bit of a newbie. But I'm not a new rv owner . Dw and I are going to

Do full time hopefully by next summer. I've been looking at quality older coaches. Newmar essex, tiffin zephyr,country coach

Magna series. Some coaches say

All electric some have propane.

What are the advantages disadvantages over a coach with

Propane. I know some refrigerators run on propane..

When not electric. When my wife

And I boondock in our 32 ft tt its

Nice to have propane. Does the fridge in an all electric run off the

Battery inverter until drained than

The gen kicks in?? How long roughly will an all electric run on

Batteries alone using minimal

Fridge water pump etc.

Sorry if these are newb questions..

Take some time and read several thousand threads that have several answers for all your questions