2026 Edit: Wanting to make cargo vans with generator as a engine

[sdifox]

He just needs more chances to use his mad ChatGPT skillz

 

[Red Squirrel]

Edison is already basically doing that with semi trucks. Government is giving them some trouble as they don't approve of their use of an off road generator on road, but hopefully they get it sorted out.

Testing one of their trucks, you can kind of see the configuration. The generator and I think the electronics, battery etc too is behind the cab. The axles are electric.

CAT also has a dozer that works a similar way.

 

[Gizmo j]

I'm guessing you don't need a battery for this type of van.

Am I right?

 

[WelshBloke]

Just get a portable generator.

 

[Gizmo j]

Just get a portable generator.

I wanted a portable generator on wheels that's big enough to fit a mattress for taking naps...


Do you know any portable generators on wheels that's big enough to fit a mattress for taking naps?

 

[WelshBloke]

I wanted a portable generator on wheels that's big enough to fit a mattress for taking naps...


Do you know any portable generators on wheels that's big enough to fit a mattress for taking naps?

It's called putting a portable generator in the back of your van. Or getting a big one that you can fix to the tow hook.

 

[nakedfrog]

"This type of van", meaning your imaginary one that has a generator where the engine should be? You want to know if that imaginary van needs a battery?

 

[Gizmo j]

It's called putting a portable generator in the back of your van. Or getting a big one that you can fix to the tow hook.

I think a external generator will:

1. Take up space
2. Make a lot of noise
3. Force you to inhale fumes
4. Be easy to steal

With the generator as a engine it shouldn't take up space it shouldn't make a lot of noise due to the enclosure, you wouldn't have to inhale fumes.

 

[nakedfrog]

Just get something like an Ecoflow Delta or whatever and secure some solar panels to the top of your van.
Or be smart and get an electric van which will almost certainly have somewhere you can plug your gaming laptop and pocket laptop in.

 

[Gizmo j]

get an electric van which will almost certainly have somewhere you can plug your gaming laptop and pocket laptop in.

I wanted to have at least 5 different gaming laptops at once.

 

[Ken g6]

Just get a used Ford E-Transit. You can't put gas in it, but charging stations are popping up everywhere.

 

[Gizmo j]

Just get a used Ford E-Transit. You can't put gas in it, but charging stations are popping up everywhere.

I wanted to be able to go off the grid.

 

[nakedfrog]

I wanted to have at least 5 different gaming laptops at once.

So buy another Ecoflow or two instead of trying to find the worst possible way to do anything.
It's all moot until you have enough money for a van and know four other people that want to do this with you.

 

[Red Squirrel]

A plug-in series hybrid van with solar would actually be awesome for off grid. Ideally, diesel for the generator. Upon quick search it does not seem like anything like this exists off the shelf. Maybe you can buy a GMC Savana or Ford Econoline and convert it. Honestly I'm surprised it's not already a thing.

 

[Gizmo j]

So buy another Ecoflow or two instead of trying to find the worst possible way to do anything.

Again, that'll take up space, and i wanted to go off the grid so I won't have anything to charge those powerbanks with.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Honestly the simplest option is to just hookup an inverter to the alternator, you use the engine for power. To avoid having to constantly run the engine have an auxiliary battery bank that is hooked up to the alternator or even hooked up to a secondary alternator and then run off that. Just make sure you have a switch or other means to isolate the starting battery. Throw solar panels on the roof to also charge that battery bank. Depending on the van configuration there might be room for the battery bank between the seats, if not somewhere in the back, make a box that doubles as a bench to sit on.

You pull up somewhere, stop the engine, and have power stored in batteries to run the inverter while solar is also adding power to the battery bank. If the battery gets low you start the engine.

 

[snoopy7548]

What about wind turbines?

 

[lxskllr]

What about wind turbines?

Infinite power. You could have an electric van, then go out driving to recharge it.

 

[nakedfrog]

Again, that'll take up space, and i wanted to go off the grid so I won't have anything to charge those powerbanks with.

A generator takes up space too, and fuel for the generator takes space, and a generator is much heavier, and I already told you to just put solar panels on the roof of the van.

 

[Gizmo j]

 

[Gizmo j]

A generator takes up space too, and fuel for the generator takes space, and a generator is much heavier, and I already told you to just put solar panels on the roof of the van.

I was saying I'd put the generator where the engine is supposed to be, completely out of the way.

And I doubt those solar panels could power 5 gaming laptops, especially not at night.

 

[nakedfrog]

I was saying I'd put the generator where the engine is supposed to be, completely out of the way.

So, help me out here... you're planning to buy a van, and then modify it to have a generator go where the engine goes?

 

[Gizmo j]

So, help me out here... you're planning to buy a van, and then modify it to have a generator go where the engine goes?

Maybe I could get a electric cargo van that has its giant lithium battery removed and put in a generator.

 

[snoopy7548]

You could just buy a giant magnet...

 

[sdifox]

Et voila, infinite power.