Electric vehicle technology experiencing growth spurt

Ideas are sprouting like weeds in the cabbage patch in the Electric Vehicle world’s  designs, batteries, and the rush to replace fossil fuels for powering the cars, trucks, and RVs of the future. Here are a few and how they might affect the RVs of the future. A company called Trexa is offering a new electric drive system which can be customized by “specialty vehicle developers” (does that mean RV manufacturers also?) for their own varied needs. Trexa says its platform has a scalable wheelbase which could work for “compact, microcar and ATV-size” applications. No RV sizes yet, but this could represent a step toward a new model for RV makers, similar to the chassis provided by Workhorse and Spartan to the RV industry. Trexa says this platform “offers an unprecedented level of versatility because it contains an entire vehicle’s drivetrain within one low-profile enclosed structure.” A number of standards are built into this platform, including four-wheel drive and four-wheel independent suspension which is “adjustable for ride height and terrain type.” The lithium-ion battery system is scalable, depending upon the application, making itavailable for ranges from 25 to 125 driving miles. A company called Balqon has developed a new lithium-ion battery powered heavy duty electric vehicle that could be possibly be astep toward an electric RV. The Nautilus XE20 electric yard tractor can tow loads of up to 40 tons at a top speed of 25 miles per hour, according to... Read more

New Innovations In Battery Technology

Many larger class “A” coaches are opting to AGM batteries, particularly if they are all-electric rigs.  This is primarily due to their cleaner operation and they are less ventilation dependant.  We are, however, going to see even greater advances in the batteries from those we use today.  They will offer more power, last longer and be far lighter. Read more  Read More →

RVIA Show, Louisville KY, Tiffin Energy Management System

One of the questions I received before the show was regarding details on the Tiffin EMS or energy management system.  I tracked down Mr. Bob Tiffin at the show who very cleverly shunted me off to Mr. George Cepynsky of Precision Circuits Inc. for the detailed information.  The Tiffin energy management system is a very cleverly designed and implemented collection of components which work together to benefit the motorhome owner.  It does more than your run-of-the-mill EMS because it connects all the potential energy sources together and uses all sources in an intelligent manner to operate your motorhome’s electrical devices.  A typical EMS will at the least, monitor energy usage and will shed loads if the programmed current limit is reached.  As an example, if a 50 amp rated motorhome is plugged into a 30 amp source, and if you are using your microwave while the air conditioner is on, you may overload the 30 amp circuit.  If you have an EMS, the EMS may shut off the A/C temporarily until the microwave is finished, then reconnect the A/C.  This same concept can be extended to several loads and the system can operate in a way that you, the user, may not even know it is happening, thus disrupting your life in the RV as little as possible.  The EMS in Tiffin motorhomes takes this concept several steps further by using an intelligent connection to the available Magnum inverter/charger installed in the coach.  Synergy simply defined, means that the whole is greater than the... Read more

Testing your RV Battery State of Charge

  When you put your RV in storage the batteries lose  their charge over time, not to mention the parasitic loads that can drain RV batteries during storage. You should test the state of charge every month and charge any battery that is at or below an 80% state of charge. Read more  Read More →

When Will We See Hybrid Motor Homes?

If you are hoping to reduce costs by buying a hybrid motor home in the near future, you had better not hold your breath.  If such a vehicle does become available, you  may  need to have deep pockets.  While an electric/gas hybrid may very well cut your fuel consumption substantially, you will probably never reach a ROI (return on investment).   In fact you will probably lose big time.   Basically, this is the way they operate.  They are propelled by either an electric motor or a gasoline engine, depending on the current circumstances.  The battery pack only receives a charge while the vehicle is coasting or braking.  When additional power is required, the gas engine takes over.  While the gas engine is propelling the vehicle, no charge is supplied to the batteries.  The gas engine will actually shut off, if and when it is not required, for example at a stoplight.  It will restart automatically when needed.  Many hybrid automobiles today are basically short time vehicles, or better put, disposable.  This is largely due to the cost of the prime battery pack that powers the vehicle while it is in the electric propulsion mode.  These batteries generally are covered by a 100,000 mile warranty and can cost anywhere from about $3,500 to $8,000 to replace.  The suggested life of the battery packs are anywhere from 8 to 10 years, based on 10,000 to 12,000 miles per year.  Higher yearly mileage would of course reduce this.  When this vehicle reaches 10 years old it... Read more

Debunking Portable Air Compressors

I think most RVers understand the importance of maintaining proper tire inflation pressure. The problem is if you wait until you’re on the road to check tire pressure the tires are too hot for correct evaluation. Checking the inflation pressure when you stop to refuel doesn’t make sense; you will get higher pressure readings and if you let air out the tires they are underinflated when they are cold. Another problem is when you are at the campground, and you want to check the tire pressure, there is no available air support to do it. Read more  Read More →

Bonding and Grounding Portable Generators

A few weeks ago I started a series of articles on bonding and grounding of portable generators when used with RVs.  Those articles stirred up quite a bit of conversation which is a good thing.  We still have a couple of subjects to cover in this discussion so let’s get started with checking your generator to determine if it is already bonded.  Remember, when we talk about bonding in the context of this subject, we are talking about connecting the neutral of the generator to the ground of the generator.  Also remember that this specific bonding is to be done in only one place according to national electrical code. 30 amp RV receptacle   In order to determine if your generator is already bonded you will need a multimeter which is capable of checking ohms or continuity.  Keep in mind that continuity is a specific check of resistance, except the resistance for “continuity” is zero or very low.  Next you will have to identify the neutral and the ground contacts on the generator output.  Most likely we are talking about a generator that has either 120vac, 20 amp output or 120vac, 30 amp output connectors.  The typical 30 amp receptacle has three connections as shown in the photograph of a TT-30R.  Looking at this receptacle, the ground connection is at the top and looks like it is round.  The two slanted slots at the bottom are the hot and the neutral connections, with the neutral being the slot on the right and the hot being the slot on the left.  In order to determine... Read more

VIDEO: One Way to Secure Your RV After-Hours

Gear to Get with Brian Brawdy Recently I got up early one morning to catch the sun rise. I jumped out of my RV and walked about twenty yards in the direction of the beach. Before I saw or heard him, I could feel someone else was there. A dark silhouette loomed in the shadows. I instantly said “Good Morning” startled a bit at his presence. Wearing a black skull cap, jacket and pants the figure stood there as I approached. Before I could get any closer, he suddenly turned and briskly walked away. Read more  Read More →

RV Doctor – RV Hot Skin Test How-To

Dear Gary, How do you perform a hot skin test on a recreation vehicle? Also I’ve heard you should still hot skin test a fiberglass sided RV by checking faucets, door frames and windows. How do you do that on a slick side motorhome? - Jay Jones, (Silverdale, WA) Read more  Read More →

RV Weekly Round-Up (Oct. 17-23, 2009)

1. Tax deduction for ‘09 vehicle purchases: The Internal Revenue Service wants to remind you that buying a new motorhome this year may make you eligible for a state-level tax deduction. State and local sales & excise taxes on new vehicles may be reduced for taxpayers whose incomes meet a designated range. Watch the IRS tax break video for details. Read more  Read More →

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