New SMB owner 1995 Dodge

[casscamper@gmail.com]

Just purchased this 1995 Dodge Ram B3500 van. It has 112,000 miles on it and looks immaculate inside. So excited to start camping soon!

[Twoxentrix]

Well, seams not only are you ending this challenging 2021 on high note, but you’re also starting 2022 on the same! Congratulations!

[bigriver]

Thinking that's the coolest looking old skool van I've ever seen! You're going to have sooo much fun in it. Quite a score - congrats.

[marret]

Nice, congrats, and welcome.

[Pntyrmvr]

Sweet real!

[casscamper@gmail.com]

Thanks everyone! Glad I found this forum!

[nwlady]

I have a 1999 Ford Coachman. LOVE it! It is an oldie but I have really enjoyed it. I've had it for about 7 yrs.
About two years ago converted it to lithium. The single lead acid for the for the coach just wasn't enough. I am now anxiously awaiting a danfoss refrig. I am soooo tired of trying to be absolutely level do I don't ruin the absorption refrig.
Congrats! Vans like yours are such a perfect size!! You will have so much fun with it!!

[casscamper@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by nwlady

I have a 1999 Ford Coachman. LOVE it! It is an oldie but I have really enjoyed it. I've had it for about 7 yrs.
About two years ago converted it to lithium. The single lead acid for the for the coach just wasn't enough. I am now anxiously awaiting a danfoss refrig. I am soooo tired of trying to be absolutely level do I don't ruin the absorption refrig.
Congrats! Vans like yours are such a perfect size!! You will have so much fun with it!!

I have been looking into Lithium batteries. I know they are really expensive but it would be so worth it. I am trying to research all of th is on my own and I am concerned that maybe the Lithium wouldn't fit into the small area under my bench seat in the back. Right now I am going to need a new deep cycle because I noticed that it is only holding steady at 10.5 and I have tested it and is only in the fair range. I am thinking go ahead and buy deep cycle and then save for the Lithium. Thanks for the replay!

[nwlady]

Yes... lithiums are expensive... but so worth it.

My van came to me with a dead lead acid battery like yours. I immediately bought I Trojan t-105. Even with the new battery, I could BARELY camp 3 days, without shore power, just running my propane refrig, carbon monoxide and propane sensors and a few LED lights.
I switched to lithiums. There is more that goes into switching to lithiums than just buying the battery.

You might want to visit the "class B forum". Lots of information there and many knowledgeable people willing to help.

My SMART son "built" my first 200 amp lithium before battleborns were available. .... and I am still using it now. He switched out my charge control to a progressive dynamic unit that could properly charge the lithiums. He also put in a 20 amp DC to DC charger after a couple of yrs so that the alternation could much more effectively charge my batteries as I am driving.

When you decide to switch to lithiums, I would HIGHLY recommend battleborns. $800 right now and sized to replace convenstion lead acid and AGMs.

If you want to PM me with questions, happy to help. I know a little... my son knows what he had to do for my switch. The folks at the "class B forum" are a wonderful resource.

If you haven't already done it, switching out your light bulbs to LED is an easy electricity saver. ... not new fixtures.... just new bulbs.

If I had not switched to lithiums, I would have gone with AGMs. My 2 battleborns and the 200 amp lithium my son built sit under my bed. No need for venting.

Congrats! on your beautiful van. Loads of fun awaits you!!

[nwlady]

BTW, you don't have to create a new account at the class B forum. Just sign-in with the same user name and password you use on the sportsmobile forum. They are somehow all linked.