Accessory Fuel Words of Wisdom

[Pizote]

Looking for words of wisdom/advise for accessory fuels.

The plan/use case:
No generator
2Kva Solar with supporting batteries
Combination of boon docking/dry camp sites (mostly) and improved connected sites

The idea is to have the batteries charge via alternator, solar and 30amp 110v when plugged in and then run whatever possible on 12vdc or 110vac when a 12vdc solution is not available.

Appliances that I will have are:

• Furnace (propane, diesel)
• Water heater (propane)
• Cook/Stove top (propane)
• Refrigerator (DC/AC/propane)
• Generator - undecided (propane/diesel
• *AC Unit (shore/generator power only)

The question is:
What's the best option for fuels? I want to reduce the number of aux fuels I carry - diesel would be great but water heaters would be difficult to come by, generators will be noisy and costly, cook tops will be a no-go (haven't seen any diesel cook tops (multi-fuel camp stoves yes).

Propane can fuel them all, but it requires additional infrastructure and under-frame space is limited.

Looking at the list now that it's written out, it seems propane is the way to go, but I am looking for wisdom/experience for other options.

I also might be putting in propane to inject into the engine to cool it down and increase the diesel burn rates (more power/less fuel)

[o1marc]

My plan is mostly propane also. From what I've heard you don't want to deal with a propane fridge.

[Pizote]

Thanks. I’m not too concerned about a propane fridge other than cost. I have one in my Class C and it’s super efficient. If it’s plumbed correctly, it’s safe. Lucky I know how to plumb gas.

[brokedown]

Mine looks like this:

Propane stove, water heater, and bonus heater

Diesel for engine and primary heater (diesel air heater)

12v electric for refrigerator, lighting, laptops, phones, etc

110v from power inverter for power tools, electric toothbrush charging, misc

110v external plug for 110v air conditioner and electric heater when stationary and necessary

I've recently discovered the secret to refilling 1lb propane canisters so I may not end up running a centralized propane source.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by Pizote

Thanks. I’m not too concerned about a propane fridge other than cost. I have one in my Class C and it’s super efficient. If it’s plumbed correctly, it’s safe. Lucky I know how to plumb gas.

Wow,

Please share with us which fridge you have???

I may need to give it a second look. I have planned a 10.7cu.ft. electric refrigerator. Are the new RV refrigerators that much better?

I have dumped two RV refrigerators and replaced them with "Apartment" refrigerators partly because the RV fridge used 3x the power that my conventional refrigerators do and perform poorly in hot weather.

[Pizote]

I have a 2007 model of a Dometic. The model number is worn off. It’s a LPG/110vac model. As for efficiency, it’s great on propane, I have no idea on electric but I hardly ever hear it turn on other than propane. Since it’s not 12vdc I don’t know how efficient it’s is for batteries.

[o1marc]

Unfortunately the Dometic costs 3x's what you can have an efficient 110v, apartment fridge for.

[BlackJohn]

I had a Dometic catch fire on the back side. Didn't know at first. Stepped out of the shower to flames licking out and up the fridge. Shut the propane down quick but the ammonia pressure blew off. Ungodly noise forever it seemed but burnt itself out finally.

I'm lucky I'm here to write this. But for me, was a very cold freezer so was on pilot mostly once working to temp required.


Not sure about another one ever, went electric ac this time. Doing well.



John

[born2bfree]

"(haven't seen any diesel cook tops (multi-fuel camp stoves yes)"

There are diesel cooktops on the market, webasto makes one as well as some other manufacturers. They are expensive though. You might be able to pick up a used one somewhere. There are also diesel hot water heaters too. I would post some links but then my post would have to be approved by a moderator, which takes forever.