Greetings, and welcome.

Yes, there are all sorts of ways that folks have made RVs more green.

This can range from:

- Installing alternative energy sources to run your electrical needs (solar is more practical and prevalent than wind) - don't forget the importance of your battery bank system in this equation.
- Some diesel engines can be converted to run off WVO (waste veggie oil) - if you're willing to hunt it down and process it.
- Installing a composting toilet
- Solar roof water heating systems

When you are searching the web for information on these sorts of things, include keyword searches such as boondocking, WVO, off-grid, etc. to find information posted by others who have done these sorts of modifications. You will find that there are endless discussions out there on these topics from folks playing around with alternative ideas.

Of those above, solar is quite common - and can range from systems that just keep the batteries trickle charged to completely robust systems that can run most daily electrical needs in temperate climates indefinitely.

All will require extensive upfront research and investment to get done, but can give you autonomy down the road. Some can even save you money in the long run.

Best wishes,
- Cherie

Hi Jess -

You can read all about our Lithium setup & research at: http://www.technomadia.com/lithium

The Cost Analysis article has the details of all the parts we used, including the costs. 

 

I don't know what the equivalent would be to the number of golf cart batteries.. as that was never a consideration for us. But we do consider our 500AH LFP bank to be the approximate equivalent usable capacity of a 800 AH AGM battery bank. 

 - Cherie

If you look at the financials page here on the RV-Dreams website you will see a running commentary on the monthly expenses Howard and Linda have had for the past 6 years. They have a great solar power setup and travel very little most years (compared to other fulltimers).

These financials will provide you with a great average cost per month to use for your planning.

TMichelle,

Check out Howard and Linda's "Site Map" link on the homepage for the website.  I'm pretty sure they have a lot of information there, along with their electrical and solar set-up.

Terry

Jack, your right.... I was thinking about RVers like http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com/ who travel constantly from coast to coast. Plus some of the others who travel from tradeshow, RV show, fair, flea market selling their wares.

Except now Our Odyssey is out to sea in their new boat.

Edit by moderator: Activated link.  Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Tuesday 2nd of April 2013 03:47:11 PM

That is the first I have heard that Howard and Linda travel very little. I think they travel a lot. We do about 6-7K a year and they do more than us. Most fulltimers average about that range....it is not a race.