Is there life without propane?

[zip]

I bought my first van the day I turned 16. 1967 Ford Econoline, with faded Pete's Plumbing logo on the side. Total Chic Magnet Mobile. I cooked with old school Coleman white gas stove. After that, 2 VW Westfalias, a SMB, and now running a Roadtrek.
Since my first Ford, I have had propane, and loved it. I am planning my next build, and considering dropping the propane.
My inside build will be minimalist. I will have a furnace, stove, and fridge. I don't need a hot water heater. These portable electric refrigerators like ARB and Dometic look very good.
Has anyone here run electric stove and heater? I currently run two solar panels, with two standard marine deep cycle batteries. I generally move every day. I would prefer not to upgrade alternator.
I know that I will have to buy additional batteries. Am I going to have to fill my whole roof with solar panels to go without propane?

 

[carleton]

I'll let some other folks weigh in on the math on using 12v for heat.....but general wisdom is that it is tough.

I've seen induction stoves with 2000w inverters in van builds. I think for this setup you could also get away with idling for additional power if you have a smaller battery bank, esp if mostly what you are doing is heating water and not doing elaborate meals.

Air heat via 12v doesn't seem to be done. However, you can get 12v electric blanket, and some folks have done that to make the bed more cozy for cold nights.

Personally, I think propane sucks and would do a build with an induction cooktop.....and a gas webasto/espar for heat. That way you can drop the propane.

 

[zip]

I'll let some other folks weigh in on the math on using 12v for heat.....but general wisdom is that it is tough.

I've seen induction stoves with 2000w inverters in van builds. I think for this setup you could also get away with idling for additional power if you have a smaller battery bank, esp if mostly what you are doing is heating water and not doing elaborate meals.

Air heat via 12v doesn't seem to be done. However, you can get 12v electric blanket, and some folks have done that to make the bed more cozy for cold nights.

Personally, I think propane sucks and would do a build with an induction cooktop.....and a gas webasto/espar for heat. That way you can drop the propane.

SWEEET! Great info. I have heard of those options, but since I’ve always propane, I have never done any research.
I have great sleeping bags, and only have heater on when I am awake.
Don’t cook elaborate meals.
Thanks very much.

 

[86scotty]

I would go with a CDH (chinese diesel heater) and a butane stove. In fact, I already do. I have a propane fixed stove in my rig but no plumbed propane tank, just an adapter to a little overlander looking 5 lb. tank under the sink which can be shut off and removed very easily.

I'm not yet a believer in induction cook tops because of the power used. Portable butane stoves are just so quick and simple, and you can move them outside.

Electric heat is hard for anyone to pull off without a giant lithium bank, tons of solar and/or driving a lot every day to recharge batteries (or generator of course)

 

[JaSAn]

. . .
My inside build will be minimalist. I will have a furnace, stove, and fridge . . . Am I going to have to fill my whole roof with solar panels to go without propane?

Not hard.
This is what I use:

For heat: bunk heater, fuel = diesel, uses minimal electricity.​

For stove: MSR X-GK, fuel = white gas, no electric.​

For refrigeration: 2 cu.ft. upright 120V run through inverter.​

This is what I have:

200W solar​

210AH FLA batteries​

Runs fridge, furnace, lights, electronics fine. Most of the time I am back to 100% battery by 1pm.

You should have an alternate way of charging for those multiple heavy overcast days.

 

[DirtWhiskey]

Speaking generally here, you probably will have to upgrade your alternator and best move is to move to lithium batteries for cooking, heating and fridges. All associated wiring, controllers etc. Might need an inverter too depending on what you want to do. I love propane. Checks a bunch of boxes but am looking at upgrading my propane fridge to electric. It is nice having it run without draining the batts but they can be flaky at elevation and in transit and you have to really watch it.

 

[86scotty]

Speaking generally here, you probably will have to upgrade your alternator and best move is to move to lithium batteries for cooking, heating and fridges. All associated wiring, controllers etc. Might need an inverter too depending on what you want to do. I love propane. Checks a bunch of boxes but am looking at upgrading my propane fridge to electric. It is nice having it run without draining the batts but they can be flaky at elevation and in transit and you have to really watch it.

Agreed but it all depends on how you travel as well. I was pretty surprised to find out my van only has the stock 165 alternator in it. I was expecting to have to upgrade but it puts 40a to my lithium bank while driving or idling, no problem and we generally move every night when we travel. I won't be upgrading until I have to.

 

[RVflyfish]

The stove discussion always seems to revolve around which fuel sources people want on their rig.

For me that’s a secondary question. I despise cooking with electric. I’m visiting my dad this week and they have an induction cooktop. I would throw that thing on the front lawn if I had my druthers.

I’ve never been in a commercial kitchen that uses electric. I think there’s a reason.

 

[ChasingOurTrunks]

I generally prefer cooking over gas - induction can be faster to boil a pot of water, but gas is quite versatile for all sorts of cooking tasks - but I also 100% appreciate the OP's question as I despise having to carry multiple fuel types with me everywhere.

ASPW of 4xOverland on YouTube did a test of induction cooking that may be informative.

 

[jkam]

Not for me.
My whole RV runs on it, so I'm not giving it up anytime soon.
It's a very efficient way to power a lot of things.
My fridge, water heater, furnace and stove/ oven all use propane.
I use about 10 gallons a month and have about 20 gallons with the three tanks I have.
One built into the RV and two portables that I can take to town and bring back to camp.
And my gas grill is propane and that makes a lot of fine meals.

 

[plh]

I have a diesel heater, butane stove and a 12V blanket. Solar and a Li-Ion pack for the electrical bits, no inverter, not really found a need for AC while camping. Works for me.

 

[charlieaarons]

Ditched propane cylinders and stove for induction. But you want lots of batteries (840ah@12v in my case) and solar panels (950w nominal). And 2 x 45a dc to dc chargers.
And of course Webasto for heat and hot water. Using electricity for heating in a camper is crazy. IMHO

 

[86scotty]

The stove discussion always seems to revolve around which fuel sources people want on their rig.

For me that’s a secondary question. I despise cooking with electric. I’m visiting my dad this week and they have an induction cooktop. I would throw that thing on the front lawn if I had my druthers.

I’ve never been in a commercial kitchen that uses electric. I think there’s a reason.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[zip]

Fantastic info everyone. I really appreciate it. Very informative.

In a perfect world, I would be handsome, a good lover, married to Jennifer Aniston, and rich enough to drop 1/4 Million for a new Field Van Ford Classic. That ain't happening.
Next option would be to buy a 20 year old whipped SMB Quigley with 200K miles on it with an asking price of more than it was brand new. Not knocking SMB or Quigley, but that ain't happening either.
So, it appears I am going to have to do my own build. Hopefully this year.

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2005-Sportsmobile-E350-5032367322#sid=192714

This might work for someone here. Looks like a 2022 UJOR conversion.

 

[Sparse Gray Hackle]

Another option is the Wallas heater/stove.