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

[sdifox]

I was planning on getting a electric van that has it's giant lithium battery already removed.

It shouldn't be that expensive without the battery.

You have no idea. Just go to junk yard and find a van body without engine and start from that.

 

[sdifox]

And you've looked into how much it'll cost to buy that van without a battery, the generator and the work to make everything run?

Just a couple of plasma "donations". No biggie.

 

[nakedfrog]

And you've looked into how much it'll cost to buy that van without a battery, the generator and the work to make everything run?

He can just get the folks living in his born-in-1994 apartment building to pitch in and help him get it installed and working.

 

[jmagg]

Obv Uranium

 

[Red Squirrel]

Whatever you do it will take up space, I would build a wall behind the driver and passenger seat with a small door to get to the cab. Both sides of those walls provide space for things like charge controller and inverter. The battery can be in a wood box that sits on the floor and doubles as a seat. Maybe one on both sides. A lot of van builds also put all that stuff right under the bed, if it's a van they plan to sleep in.

Also have to consider how long people would actually be gaming for at night. Let's say you do have a gaming session going on, and everybody works the next day. You might game for like 1-2 hours max. It's not like you're gaming all night. You just need enough battery to last a couple hours. If by chance you game longer because it's a weekend and you plan to do an all nighter, then you can just start the engine or hookup a generator or to shore power once in a while to top up the battery. Just make sure your electrical is setup that way where you can plug in an AC source, but also that it can charge from the vehicle alternator. Gives multiple options.

 

[sdifox]

Whatever you do it will take up space, I would build a wall behind the driver and passenger seat with a small door to get to the cab. Both sides of those walls provide space for things like charge controller and inverter. The battery can be in a wood box that sits on the floor and doubles as a seat. Maybe one on both sides. A lot of van builds also put all that stuff right under the bed, if it's a van they plan to sleep in.

Also have to consider how long people would actually be gaming for at night. Let's say you do have a gaming session going on, and everybody works the next day. You might game for like 1-2 hours max. It's not like you're gaming all night. You just need enough battery to last a couple hours. If by chance you game longer because it's a weekend and you plan to do an all nighter, then you can just start the engine or hookup a generator or to shore power once in a while to top up the battery. Just make sure your electrical is setup that way where you can plug in an AC source, but also that it can charge from the vehicle alternator. Gives multiple options.

Homeless people, no need to worry about next day.

 

[nakedfrog]

Homeless people, no need to worry about next day.

Do you think they're all going to sleep on the mattress together, or is he going to make them sleep in tents outside? I mean, they're probably used to it at least. How many protein bars does he need to bring to feed everyone for a week?

 

[sdifox]

Do you think they're all going to sleep on the mattress together, or is he going to make them sleep in tents outside? I mean, they're probably used to it at least. How many protein bars does he need to bring to feed everyone for a week?

Hunger games

 

[nakedfrog]

Hunger games

Hunger Gaming Laptops, you mean.

 

[sdifox]

Hunger Gaming Laptops, you mean.

No, all 6 of them have to walk bare feet over a path littled with random geometric shapes op 3d printed to get to the one protein bar he brought.

 

[Gizmo j]

Hunger games

May the odds be ever in your favor.

 

[Gizmo j]

ChatGPT says a 220A alternator would provide about 3000w and that a gaming laptop takes up to 330w so I should be able to power 9 gaming laptops with a 220A alternator.

Any objections?

 

[WelshBloke]

Any objections?

I mean my main objection is that you don't have a van, 9 gaming laptops or the need to simultaneously charge 9 laptops on a road trip.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Get 10 exercise bikes and 10 smaller alternators. Everyone has to pedal to power their own laptop.

 

[Gizmo j]

What do you guys think about "dual alternators"?

 

[nakedfrog]

I think it's a majestic idea and you should begin immediately.

 

[IronWing]

I thinking dueling alternators would be better. Run them out of phase so they cancel each other out.

 

[Gizmo j]

How much do you guys suspect it'll cost to get a electric van that already had its giant lithium battery removed?

 

[nakedfrog]

Ten thousand dollars.

 

[Gizmo j]

Ten thousand dollars.

I tried asking ChatGPT a few times but it basically kept saying no vendor sells electric vans without the battery.

 

[sdifox]

I tried asking ChatGPT a few times but it basically kept saying no vendor sells electric vans without the battery.

Well yeah, zero demand.

 

[sdifox]

Ten thousand dollars.

You wish.

 

[Gizmo j]

Some people on reddit was saying leaving the car on idle for long periods of time damages the car and ChatGPT confirmed this.

So I'm having doubts I could just get a powerful alternator or dual alternators.

 

[sdifox]

Some people on reddit was saying leaving the car on idle for long periods of time damages the car and ChatGPT confirmed this.

So I'm having doubts I could just get a powerful alternator or dual alternators.

As long as you get the engine up to normal operating temperature first, there is no problem.

 

[Kaido]