Induction cooktop? - Page 2

DCHitt · 10-02-2015, 05:38 PM

Lets see. My Promaster has the factory installed 220 amp alternator. I know you don't get 220 amps out of it at idle but there is a factory feature code XF6 that will "auto idle up" with a heavy load. The big alternator and XF6 are part of an "Ambulance Prep Package". I'm still looking for a dealer that can find the XF6 feature and I'm hoping it can be installed by a dealer.

I don't like all the problems with Propane.

Viva · 10-02-2015, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCHitt

I don't like all the problems with Propane.

I understand that which fuels to carry and use is a personal choice, and there is no reason you "should" like propane; but I'm curious as to what "all the problems" are that you have had with it? Not trying to convince you, but I've been using propane for years on boats and in RV's and haven't had much in the way of problems. Anyway, just wondering what they were if you care to divulge.

DCHitt · 10-02-2015, 06:19 PM

Why I don't like Propane in an RV or Boat.

Vapor propane is heaver than air so I would never use it in a boat.

You never know if you are really getting Propane or Butane.

Prices are all over the place. One price for stove cooking. One price for heating, One price for motor vehicle fuel. Also sold by the pound or gallon or?

Sometimes hard to find when you really need it.

Requires special handling to fill tanks.

You can't go some places with it (like tunnels).

There are probably more reasons but that is all I can think of at the moment.
It does burn clean and hot and is nice to cook with.

Viva · 10-02-2015, 06:58 PM

Thanks for expounding. I understand all of your reasons (even if I make other choices, and even if I can see some of the same issues with gasoline or, to some extent, diesel). When I read "problems" I was thinking more along the line of "malfunctions." Anyway, thanks for clarifying.

Bellpilot · 10-02-2015, 07:29 PM

I bought an inexpensive one at Target and only use it when hooked up to shore power or the generator. Sure heats the coffee water up quick with no fumes in the van and it takes up only about 1 1/2" x 8" space.

valschae · 10-02-2015, 09:23 PM

Propane for me is inducing PTSD. Without going into details, in case of a multi-vehicle crash with people trapped. propane is not a helper.

The exact words used were "your van came in with two 90 amp batteries and we are going to install an additional 200 amp battery."

Probably need to boil water to cook fresh pasta (3-4 min), heat pasta sauce in microwave (3-4 min) after that.

Thanks

Valerie

1der · 10-02-2015, 11:47 PM

Thanks Valerie. More clarity is needed re:batteries -
You have diesel van which comes with TWO starting batteries around 90Ah each. These should not be used for house systems. They should be "isolated/protected" so as to be a available for starting duty.

The 200 Ah battery would be your house battery . 50% draw down means you have 100 amps usable before charging becomes necessary. If you have a fridge that will use about 35 to 45 amps. Lights another few amps, water pump? Computer, radio?

Look at the Iwatani butane cartridge stove to heat water. Perhaps that is a "risk" you could live with and still have a electrical system you can actually use. A single 200 amp battery (assuming it is not lithium) is not going to be long lived with a induction stove drawing from it.

sbgrimm · 10-03-2015, 01:16 AM

FWIW, our first SMB experience was with a Sprinter we rented in Las Vegas. It had a two burner induction cooktop and worked great for us. Unfortunately I knew nothing about SMB's at the time, so I have no information about battery capacity other than noting there were two large house batteries under the gaucho and two solar panels on the roof. We did cook up a storm on that cooktop and had no problems. But we were in perfect conditions for generating power, ie. Death Valley solar plus we drove the van quite a bit every day.

Here's a tour of that rig: http://youtu.be/_lxv50OzR44

Brad

valschae · 10-03-2015, 07:48 AM

Does the location of those 90amps batteries help? they are under each side of the dinette in the storage area.

Thanks

Valerie

REF · 10-03-2015, 08:30 AM

Well based on those locations, and how they described the batteries when the van came in and adding an additional 200 to them, I would think that those are indeed house batts. Still, those cooktops are a huge draw. Assume also they are sealed AGM based on location too. I would just confirm all this with SMB, hopefully they know you don't want to run the cooktop off of shore power?
Is this a diesel rig? Have you considered the wallas diesel fuel stove, sealed top no fumes, I believe they are currently available through scanmarine.