After 4 years with the original AGM batteries, it was becoming clear that we would need to replace them before our 5th winter. After considering our options, we decided to purchase the RoamRig system to convert our coach's power system from AGM to lithium. We started with Stage 1, and will monitor our usage for a year or so to see if we need to add more storage or charging capacity. With Stage 1, we are more than quadrupling our storage capacity, so this will allow us to use the van a bit differently than before. (Update Sept 2021: without a 2nd, dedicated alternator, our Sprinter alternator recharges our Stage 1 batteries at 9.25% per hour of driving. Solar also contributes to this in some small amount as well.)
The dinette bench is markedly cleaner, and built in a steel frame, as opposed to the wood & staples box that originally comprised it.
07-May-2021
5 comments:
Hi Jeff, first off, your blog is great!
We have a 2019 Revel, and are interested in RoamRig upgrade. Have you upgraded to Stage 2 or 3 since your last update?
Have you made any other recharge upgrades (e.g. solar)?
Yes, I added two more lithium batteries to max out the Roamrig installation, giving us 630 AH. I did not add a 2nd alternator because we basically don't need it, and I'm constantly seeing problems with them (I don't want more complexity that can break/fail). So we have sort of a RoamRig 2.5: maxed batteries, but no alternator.
Honestly, it's so much power that I never even consider power reserves or have any concern about power at all - - it's now a non-issue. (Keep in mind that we don't have a rooftop air conditioner.) The solar now contributes a tiny fraction of power to the batteries - - so little that I have seriously considered removing it completely. So no, I have not upgraded the solar, and to the contrary, I question if it really has any value at all when my storage reserves are so large.
That's a great point. From the way you describe it, it sounds like you're not staying put in a single place for a week. I bet it does alright with your Zero Breeze, too!
Different question - can you comment on the solar tax credit process that RoamRig recommended? We're also from the Bay and I was just starting to do some research.
The longest we usually stay in one place is about 5 days, and we have enough power to do that, for sure.
Sorry, I have no info about the solar tax credit.
For future reference on solar credit - we checked with our accountant: new solar energy systems installed on your RV do qualify for the federal solar tax credit as of July 2023!
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