Power supply & Power inverter for boondocking

I did mean 60 amps but I even lied about that, it's actually 30 amps. Not sure where I got 60 from.

I was pretty sure from what I had read already that 3000k is enough to run AC but at even half that it would drain batteries in a real hurry so I was hoping it would do all else easily. The reason I would consider downsizing is to save weight and space, these take up a considerable amount of each.

I figure I will probably do the Honda 2000 generator that so many other folks here praise.

Again thanks your input.

Tony

If you already have the 3kw inverter keep it. It will won't draw much more than a smaller inverter powering the same load. It will work great for the microwave, toaster, coffee maker, etc. Short duration large loads.
What inverter is this? Does it also have a charger built in?
What is the 12v 60 watt power supply for? Did you mean 60 amps? A 60 amp supply would be great for charging a big battery bank.

Thanks for all of the input. I asked the question about AC runn on an iverter because I was curious about in motion use. My engine doesnt charge the house batteries so never ming :(

Our coach has a 2000w inverter and runs the microwave or hair dryer just fine. Before I got a 12v TV I used to carry a 400w inverter in my truck camper, ran my computer and TV with some to spare.

Just in case you didn't know the recommended wiring size from batteries to the unit for a 2000w Xantrex/Heart inverter/charger is 4/0 with a 300A fuse, something to take into account if you're planning on using one that large.

Before you think about running AC look again at just what VintageRacer has to power his inverter and the fact that he only runs it while moving. Bottom line is to run an AC of any size long enough to do any good while parked it would take a battery bank much larger than any RV can carry.

Caseyjones955 wrote:
3000 watt power inverter. Is this overkill? does it serve any practical purpose?

Depends on what you're running with it. It's overkill for a TV but not a Mw and even occasional short a/c use.

A 3000WATT load will drain around 250AMPS @ 12.2VDC from your battery bank. Thats a bunch... I imagine the 3000WATT Inverters will require a 400AMP protection fuse be installed between the Inverter and the battery.. You will need a bunch of batteries to sustain this.

We camp alot off the power grid and our biggest load of course is between 8PM and 11PM watching HDTV etc... We use a 600WATT PSW Inverter. We do just about everything we do at regular electric sites except no air conditioner or no high wattage microwave when camping off the power grid.

We will draw around 20AMPS for these three hours from our 255AH battery setup. This along with the usual 1AMP or so draw for parasitic drains all day long will run down our battery bank to around 12.0VDC (approx 50% state of charger) by 8AM the next morning. This is when we will re-charge it back up to its 90% charge state by connecting the 30AMP shore power cable directly to our 2KW Honda Generator. Using smart-mode charging technology this will take around three hours to do which fits into the times allowed by most boondocking camp grounds to run a generator.

We can do these 50% to 90% charge cycles with our battery bank for 12-14 days before we must re-charge the batteries back up to their 100% charge state otherwise it will start doing damage to our batteries. Using the 2KW Honda generator to re-charge to the 100% charge state will take around 12-13 hours which most boondocking camp grounds will not allow you to run the generator this long of time here on the East side of the US so this is usually when we head for the house.

Of course all of this does not include use of Air Conditioning or high wattage microwave.

Usually lots of shade so don't miss the air conditioner anyway...

Roy Ken

My RV is a converted bus, an MCI MC-5C. It has a 270 amp 24 volt alternator designed to run the OEM air conditioning fan motors. I just removed the factory AC and installed a typical 15K btu rooftop unit, a 3KW pure sine wave inverter and a 24 volt house bank of batteries. On the road I bridge the house batteries to the start batteries and run the inverter from the bus engine alternator. Works a treat, and keeps the house batteries fully charged.

Brian

Vintage racer, I like the idea of running an AC on the inverter. If you don't mind my asking, how do you have that setup?

A larger power supply - converter/battery charger - is very relevant to boondocking since it's primary benefit will be reduced battery recharge times. I'd say the bigger the better, matched to the size of your battery bank (max charge rate around 20% of the 20 hr amp-hour rating for wet cell battery). 3000 watt inverter not so much. But - just because you have it doesn't mean you need to use it, it will be as efficient as a smaller one for small loads so no real loss, it should be able to power up a coffee maker or a microwave for midnight snacks with no generator, and it could come in useful in some unforeseen emergency. Plus the one you have is cheaper than the one you don't have. FWIW I have a 3000 watt inverter for boondocking and it works great, although the primary use is running an air-conditioner while I'm traveling on the road.

Brian

I don't really know why you would need a 3000 watt inverter to boondock unless you can't go with out the comforts. 3000w inverter is going to draw a lot of amps and drain those batteries quick. I'm not sure why you would need a 12v 60watt power supply - maybe there is a purpose but I can't figure it out.

If you want to boondock you won't need either. Just get a couple of good batteries and maybe buy the cheap Chinese LEDs.