2016-17 Plateau LPG Usage for AC...
- Thread starter RedBanker
- Start date
The problem with Pleasureway Rv's in terms of energy usage isn't so much the size of the LP tank but the fact that everything runs off LP (generator, furnace, 3-way refrigerator, water heater & stove). You would probably be filling the LP tank quite a bit which is a nuisance.
There are ways around this dilemma including a second engine alternator (in place of the LP generator), compressor refrigerators, Espar diesel furnaces, etc.. With some of these alternatives, the tank size would be fine.
There are ways around this dilemma including a second engine alternator (in place of the LP generator), compressor refrigerators, Espar diesel furnaces, etc.. With some of these alternatives, the tank size would be fine.
bl_smith25
Member
Keep in mind, you're not using all these propane appliances at once. The fridge takes very little propane but would be on all the time unless you're plugged in. The stove also hardly takes anything and you're not cooking constantly so it's overall very little use. The old ones are heating 6 gallons of water whether or not you're using it and if you don't turn it off when the water is heated, will cycle on and off heating water for no reason, turn it off when it's heated. The new ones have tankless systems, thereby reducing propane usage quite a bit.
That leaves your furnace. While the newer ones are supposed to be more efficient, they're operating mostly only in the winter and for short bursts, but they are a relatively large consumer of both propane and battery power.
The generator is the other propane hog on the older models. On the newer models, the need for the generator is reduced to only when you need the air conditioner. Everything else (except the fridge) will run off the whole house inverter.
So, when you add it all up, there's not a whole lot of propane being used in vast quantities unless in the winter if you leave the furnace on.
The size of the tank also depends on the model and floorplan you're looking at. I believe the tank sizes are different for the cutaways, versus MB vans versus the Promaster.
Hope that helps some.
That leaves your furnace. While the newer ones are supposed to be more efficient, they're operating mostly only in the winter and for short bursts, but they are a relatively large consumer of both propane and battery power.
The generator is the other propane hog on the older models. On the newer models, the need for the generator is reduced to only when you need the air conditioner. Everything else (except the fridge) will run off the whole house inverter.
So, when you add it all up, there's not a whole lot of propane being used in vast quantities unless in the winter if you leave the furnace on.
The size of the tank also depends on the model and floorplan you're looking at. I believe the tank sizes are different for the cutaways, versus MB vans versus the Promaster.
Hope that helps some.
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The fact that everything runs off of propane is not that unusual but that capacity is kind of small for a Class C. Whether it is a problem or not will depend on usage... the fridge and stove and reasonable use of the water heater will not amount to that much, but the cabin heater and generator will use quite a bit more. Most people don't really end up running their generator for A/C for long periods of time (if you really need that you're better off finding a spot with commercial power), more likely for an hour or two here and there for a cool lunch stop or to bring up batteries when boondocking, and the same if you need lots of heat under very cold external temperatures, so you may be fine for campground use and casual boondocking. If you plan on extended dry camping in cold temperaturess though then you may find it restrictive. If so an Espar heater is a fairly cost-effective way to reduce propane usage.