solar question

2oldman wrote:
I don't understand the question. Inverters and converters are different things.

I think he is confused! Shouldnt be fooling with electricity.

It sounds like you want more 120 VAC. Your Yeti is rated for 1500 W. Even 1500 W is a lot for extended battery operation - what are these "REAL appliances" you're talking about? There's a reason RV appliances which create heat use propane (furnace, stove, water heater). Same with 12 V (lights, water pump). Or both (refrigerator). Microwave and AirCon are AC only, and typically are expected to only be used when plugged into "shore power."

But even your 1500 W Yeti should handle a microwave for short periods (popcorn, not rump roast), as long as nothing else is running. Again, what are these appliances which need more than 1500 W AC, where you expect 700 W of panels to keep the batteries charged?

If you want more AC power when off-grid, you get a bigger inverter, connected to the batteries. 1500 W is going to draw over 125 A @ 12 V, so if you want more power for other than brief periods, you're going to need a big bank of batteries and hefty wiring.

Normally, if you then want AC when plugged in, you'd have a transfer switch to disconnect the inverter from the outlets, and connect them to the incoming AC line instead. The converter changes AC to DC, and requires you to plug into external AC power. When plugged in, it can both charge the batteries and power DC appliances.

I think you're saying you want to avoid that, and always have the inverter provide the AC power, but have a converter provide DC to the battery and inverter to support that. Not the usual method, and it would work in theory, but you'd need a MUCH larger converter than 90 A to power a larger inverter. It wouldn't even power a 1500 W one, which is what you have in the Yeti.

Mako Kupo wrote:
hello, currently I am using 550w 12v rangy panels (4x 100w and 1x 150, with 1x more 150w coming). I completely rebuilt my RV, and it currently has no true electric. the solar panels go through my yeti 1400, and it has done well enough. I now need to put in REAL appliances though, and it will not be enough power. so my question is this:

I am buying progressive dynamics 240/120v 90amp converter with built in fuse panel and everything. the batteries will be charged by driving the motorhome, and solar. do I need a dedicated inverter for the solar, or can it all work though this 120/240 - 12v converter?

https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Dynamics-PD4590K18LV-Converter-Charge/dp/B002OR41YS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1519400250&sr=8-2&keywords=progressive+dynamics+90+amp

If you have no "true electric" why do you need a converter?
A CONVERTER takes incoming 120 VAC electricity and CONVERTS it to a low (12-14) DC voltage.
To need a converter, you would need first, an outside source of AC voltage. (generator or public utility). and secondly a DC battery or appliance in need of power.

Your post says you are charging your batteries by solar or running the motorhome's alternator. So what do you need a converter for?
Are you still intending to have 120 Vac appliances or television/lighting in place? Your prior post make it appear not. You seem to be trying to manufacture electricity by converting back and forth between AC and DC with the converter and inverter.
Understand, any time you change a dynamic in energy or power, be it from spinning a turbine with water and gravity or heating water to create steam, a portion of the power used to change the state of the energy is lost. There is no perpetual motion machine.

I don't understand the question. Inverters and converters are different things.