https://www.cbsnews.com/news/this-week-on-sunday-morning-may-26/
I saw this on Sunday Morning this morning.
Jean and I used to aspire to touring the country in our Sprinter van conversion. I was an early Sprinter buyer, perhaps 2004 or so, and was much taken by the efficiency. I believe I bought the first USA imported model; badged as "Freightliner". Later, we bought a slightly newer used professional Sprinter conversion fitted with cooking, refrigerator, bed, etc. Jean had her last excursion in that Sprinter. For it's first trip, we took a one week tour through west Texas. Very fond memories of some of Jean's last days.
With my infatuation with EVs, I rather lost interest in extensive ICE driving. Though I have taken a couple of Big Bend trips and a Florida trip in the conversion. It now sits mostly unused in a building constructed to protect it from the elements.
Here are some dots that might be connected by the imaginative:
1) Mercedes Benz is supposed to be offering an electric Sprinter version.
2) I'm now infatuated with Tesla PowerWalls in addition to Tesla cars.
3) A PowerWall is light enough to carry around in a Sprinter.
4) I've become fairly experienced at lashing up grid tied PV systems. I might even use the term "skilled".
5) One or more panels can be used to charge a PowerWall.
6) A PowerWall can be charged from "shore power" where you might charge an EV. Certainly at RV parks and I doubt that using a J1772 would be an insurmountable problem.
7) A PowerWall can be used to charge EVs.
8) Conceptually, an EV battery can be used to replace or supplement a PowerWall battery.
I look forward to developments in vehicle to grid and micro grid fields that will make EV batteries more versatile.
Could you convert your Sprinter to an EV, add a powerwall and solar panels? Might be another project when you are out of space for more panels on the farm.
ReplyDeleteYes, a one off conversion IS possible. Though one would want to start with a big, high top Sprinter van; my old van is mid-length and mid-height. But, it would almost certainly suffer from the other one off conversion short comings with which I am so intimately familiar. Mainly, HORRIBLE reliability.
ReplyDeleteI have maybe 1/4 acre of panels. I have ~180 acres in which to expand. I will not be running out of space in my life span.