59KL

Recently, we covered the Winnebago Travato 59GL and 59KL with the Pure3 Energy Management System in our live interactive webcast. We collected the top questions we received in that webcast. You can WATCH OUR WEBCAST HERE on the Winnebago Travato 59GL and 59KL. We also covered the 2019 model year changes in the 59G and 59K and introduced the Pure3 Energy Management System in a webcast earlier this year – WATCH IT HERE.

What is the difference in operation between the Pure3 system vs. the Coachmen lithium system?

The Pure3 system is considerably easier to operate – it is a one button operation that is run off one inverter. The coachmen has several different gauges to operate the system. Read our blog post on the Pure3 Energy Management vs. the Coachmen Galleria lithium system here.

Does the inverter need to be on to run 12-V appliances in the Travato 59KL and 59GL?

No the inverter does not need to be on. The inverter is only required to be on when you are wanting to power 120-volt electronics, like the air conditioner, without shore power.

How do you charge the Pure3 System in the Travato 59KL and 59GL?

• Underhood generator – The Pure3 Energy Pack can also be charged through the underhood generator or second alternator. The Travato’s dedicated 58-volt alternator is twice as powerful as the competitors. Its compact design keeps it out of the way of curbs and road debris. It also allows you to completely recharge your battery in approximately 1.4 hours allowing you to get back on the road and off-the-grid.
• Shoreline – Like other RVs, the Pure3 Energy Pack can be charged off shoreline power or when it is hooked up to power at a campsite. However, unlike most other RVs, the Travato 59KL and 59GL are equipped with a 3600-watt pure sine wave inverter bringing 30 amps of power wherever you go.
• Solar Package – The Pure3 Energy Pack can be charged by the solar power system. The Travato 59KL and 59GL’s MPPT solar controller provides best-in-class solar absorption, up to 30% better than competitors, giving you more off-the-grid performance. The Travato comes standard with 200-watts with ports to plug in additional panels.

What mode charges the Travato 59KL and 59GL the fastest?

The underhood generator. The Travato’s dedicated 58-volt alternator, or under hood generator, is twice as powerful as competitors. Its compact design keeps it out of the way of curbs and road debris and the auto-start and high-idle control significantly extends air conditioner run time.

How long can you run the AC off the Pure3?

6-8 hours if you are running several systems like the refrigerator and the Truma Combi at the same time.

What are the considerations for cold weather operation?

The lithium battery pack is in a sealed and insulated compartment. Temperatures in the compartment are regulated by the interior temperature of the motorhome.  A good rule of thumb is that if you as the coach owner are comfortable inside, so is your Pure3 lithium pack. The Travato’s Volta Power Systems Pure3 Lithium Energy Pack is sealed in a battery compartment that is heated and cooled with an environmental fan:

• Fan will turn on at 59°F (Heat Mode) or 110°F (Cool Mode).
• Fan will turn off at 68°F (Heat Mode) or 90°F (Cool Mode).

The Pure3 pack is discharged as required by the load and should only be used around the following conditions:

• High Temperature Limit: 135°F
• Low Temperature Limit: -4°F.

What is the lifespan of the batteries?

The expected useful life of the batteries is 10 years and they are covered by an industry-leading 8 year warranty.

Is the vehicle a true 4 season RV?

Yes. The water lines are inside the coach along with the battery pack that is insulated and heated by the Truma Combi Eco Plus advanced climate control system providing coach heat and quick hot water recovery with LP and electrical heating using 1,750 watts of heating elements

Has Winnebago road tested the Travato 59KL and 59GL?

Absolutely. There is an employee at Winnebago that has put on over 10,000 miles and has yet to charge the system with shore power. Winnebago also tested the location of the underhood generator to ensure users don’t have issues with ground clearance causing damage to the underhood generator.

Currently, Lichtsinn RV has in-stock 2019 Travato 59K, 59G, 59KL and 59GL models. You can see our Travato inventory here.

For more information on this product, please call 1-800-343-6255 and speak with one of our Winnebago Factory Trained Sales Consultants.

Lichtsinn RV, America’s closest dealer to Winnebago Industries, has been named Top North American Winnebago Dealer by Winnebago Industries for the last four consecutive years. We proudly sell New RVs manufactured by Winnebago Industries as well as Used RVs.

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Better energy systems are the next wave in RVs. More owners want their AC and other appliances to run longer—long enough to keep pets cool for hours, and still provide hot showers while running other appliances. But they also want to untether from campground outlets and avoid noisy generators that compete with the sounds of nature.

That’s why there’s a buzz around lithium ion batteries—the kind that power electric and hybrid cars. Traditional lead-acid batteries like to be charged relatively slowly compared with lithium ions. The faster charge rate combined with much greater capacity for their weight is what makes lithium ions a true game-changer.

A few RV “techies” are installing their own systems and posting DIY instructions online. But if you’re not that much of an engineer, you’ll be happy to know a few RVs now come with optional lithium batteries built-in. At Winnebago, we’ve started with one of our most popular B vans, the Travato, introducing the Pure³ Energy Management System in our 2019 Travato 59GL and 59KL. (See video here.)  These two models are fully engineered around the most advanced energy system available (see comparison chart).

If you’re seriously comparing RV battery systems, here are the main factors to keep in mind:

Available power

Think of power as three traits: charging speed, battery capacity, and how long the charge lasts. Most new RV lithium cells, including the do-it-yourself kind, are just 12 volts—a size that typically requires a long charge time and quickly depletes. If you want a rapid charge or several more hours of reliable juice, look for a more robust system, like the 48-volt Pure³.

The Winnebago system recharges from either a conventional outlet or a dedicated 58V alternator hooked up to the engine and a solar panel on the roof helps maintain the charge. During a charge cycle—whether manually initiated or requested by the battery—the Travato’s engine starts and ramps up to 1600 rpms, dramatically reducing recharge time compared with conventional batteries or smaller lithiums. You’ll quickly have 30 amps of 110v power for heating, cooking, or air conditioning.

Ease of use

Fewer RV owners are parking near a hook-up station for very long. They’re blazing out to the trailhead, exploring a National Park, or dry camping at an outdoor music festival. If this sounds like you, you need a system that restores battery power while you run the engine. Even short trips will do it.

And when you’re parked, the Travato 59GL and 59KL have an auto-start feature that starts the engine to recharge the battery. This feature extends the run time of the air conditioner beyond the battery’s fixed capacity. It’s a convenience that provides extra peace of mind when you’re gone from the RV for an extended period of time—for example, when you leave your pets for an evening out to dinner.

Ease of use includes keeping tabs on available energy. You shouldn’t have to scratch your head over the readout on a voltage indicator. The Pure³ system has a simple analog gauge that lets you know when it’s running low—like the gas gauge on your car.

Durability

Look for a battery that’s built to last. The best value and least hassle will be one that’s automotive-grade like the Pure³. You’d generally expect to replace a common lead-acid battery several times over the life of your RV, but the Pure³ is built to work as long as the Travato does, just like batteries in electric cars. To get a unit this durable, Winnebago worked with Volta, the leading name in vehicle energy systems.

Protection from the elements contributes to long life. For that, we mounted the Pure³ below the coach and inside a water-resistant, insulated steel housing. Cabin air circulates around the compartment when the weather gets too hot or cold. And the whole system is compact to provide ample clearance, even on rutty roads.

The ultimate test

Beyond tech specs, the key test is lifestyle. Will it enable the uncomplicated RV life you want? Our goal with the Travato 59GL and 59KL was to take lithium technology out of the realm of geek-dom and put it in the hands of the everyday RVer. For $20,000 above the Travato’s regular MSRP, the advanced Pure³ energy system is a practical solution when you average its cost and comforts over the entire life of your RV.

We’re pretty sure lithium ion systems are going mainstream in the not-too-distant future. So, when it comes time to shop around, look under the hood—or, in Winnebago’s case, under the coach. Make sure the energy system you choose has the capacity, durability, and simplicity you need for truly carefree adventures.

Post originally appeared on RVT.com.

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Lichtsinn RV, America’s closest dealer to Winnebago Industries, has been named Top North American Winnebago Dealer by Winnebago Industries for the last four consecutive years. We proudly sell New RVs manufactured by Winnebago Industries as well as Used RVs. See our Winnebago Travato inventory here.