Adding a power inverter

The problem with the inverter install for us was the small space we had to install equipment in. It is just not the inverter. There are several other components you must install along with the inverter. We are talking about a Magnum 2000 watt pure sine wave inverter. I know one of the components was a fuse bar. We are currently on an Alaska adventure and the inverter has been very handy. By the way, we have 4 Group 27 batteries

Just a bit of grist for your mill: if you or your SO use a CPAP, concentrator or similar "home medical appliance" treat you and your rig to a pure sine wave inverter. While a modified sine wave inverter (aka square wave inverter) may power your equipment without issue, I have discovered the manufacturer of the inverters will not honor warrantees if used with the aforementioned equipment.

To be fair to the sales staff, you don't NEED an inverter.

Everything in the RV should be able to operate from battery power other than the tv, microwave and A/C unit. Even rigs I have seen with residential refrigerators come with an inverter dedicated to the operation of the refrigerator.

The problem is that you want luxuries, not necessities. For that you need an inverter, lots of battery power, and then a way to recharge those batteries.

Fortunately everything you need to know is in the thousands of threads on this forum. Get a drink, get comfortable, and start reading, you have a lot to learn.

How difficult an inverter is to install depends on your skill level but it is fairly easy. With the items you listed a 2000 watt inverter would do the job, you might getaway using a 1500 watt inverter but will more than likely experience overload conditions at times. This size inverter must be wired close to the battery bank which must consists of at least two batteries, four (or more) would be better.

Any successful attempts at boondocking with such 120Vac demands will require a way to restore consumed amphours to your stored 12Vdc supply. The 2 most commonly used methods are via generator and solar, if using a generator to replenish stored 12Vdc power, a multi-stage charger (portable or onboard converter) is required to effectively boost your battery amphour capacity quickly to avoid running your genny excessively.

For our particular situation when boondocking, we prefer to run 120Vac appliances that draw 1000 watts (heated hair appliances, microwave, portable heaters, AC unit) or more using our generator, although we have a whole house MSW inverter capable of doing so, we only have a pair of 6 volt GC2 batteries and would rather not deplete them so quickly.

I also installed 300 watt PSW inverter in our entertainment center that is used for powering our 32" flatscreen, HD satellite, Bluray player, Bose speakers, gaming systems and for charging all of our handheld electronics. Works like a charm and is a minimal drain or our 12Vdc reserves, with our onboard Iota IQ4 converter replenishing consumed amphours is quick and easy. It's rare that our battery bank is depleted down to 50% under most conditions anyway since we converted to LED lighting 3 years ago.

When we used to tent camp frugal was the word of the day as it pertains to power consumption, since we purchased an RV to enjoy the same amenities we have at home while camping, we use our rig to it's fullest and simply recharge to continue camping in style. For us boondocking is our favorite way to camp followed by state and federal campgrounds. It's only when these options are not readily available that we have to unfortunately resort to a private campground.

Finally, sales people rarely have all the right answers to every question. It is wise to be as informed as you can possibly be about the products you are planning to purchase, if they don't know the answer ask them to get the info you require from someone with more expertise at the dealership. Enjoy your new rig!!!

Hi karmi,

The inverter should be sized at 125% of the greatest load it will have to carry. I.E. a 1200 watt hair drier needs a 1600 watt inverter. Pure Sine wave is preferable but not 100% essential. Since Xantrex makes a 2000 watt psw for $355. it is a no brainer to go that direction, unless 300 watts or less is needed.

Installation can be as simply as plugging into a cigarette lighter (no more than 150 watts available--even if the inverter can do more). Or you can have a large inverter tied in directly to the battery bank--with a system of plugs or an additional transfer switch.

Decide how much wattage you need--and then ask for specifics on installation and brands.

Peg Leg wrote:
12.0 volts is considered a 50% charge and the max that I like to draw them down too.

Just want to point out that 12.2V is considered 50% SOC on 12V systems, at least from all the manufacturer data I have seen. Since most batteries are made by a few parent companies I believe this holds true across the board.

I dry and wet camp about 50-50. In my old tt I had two trojan 6volt T125s batteries and a Xantrax 1200 watt inverter. In my new TT I have two Trojan t125s and a Xantrax Pure Sine Wave 2000 watt inverter.

My 6volt trojans on my old rig were 10 years old and still going strong when I sold it so it was a no brainer put two new ones on my new tt. I upped the inverter size so I can run an appliance or a tool if need be in an emergency. I couldn't do that before.

In both setups I isolated the tv circuits which also seem to string a long a couple of outlets. I disconnect that circuit from the shore power box and put a plug on the end. Then I run (its 15 amps) 14/2 romex to the converter and put plugs on the end. The inverter needs to be mounted as close the batteries as possible so its up in the front storage compartment. I plug in the romex and the tvs, plus a few outlets are now always on the inverter. I have installed a remote on/off switch which I use to turn it off when not in use. Keep in mind like toetoads stated you a have to adjust your use when off the grid as you only have some many amps until you recharge. Your fridge and hot water heater will run on propane, so minimal draw. We dont use the microwave or hairdryers when dry camping.

We watch satellite tv, dvds, charge our phones laptops etc and make coffee in the morning. Then start our genny and charge up. I will be further upgrading this year to solar.

Contact www.donrowe.com. They set me up with my inverters and help you trouble shoot. As far as batteries 6volt versus 12 volt search on the net you will see the difference. Ill never go back to 12volt deep cycle, been there done that they are just not as durable as golf cart batteries. Also google Trojan Batteries.

Pm me if you need more help.

Happy Trails

I have a 30 amp 5th wheel. I just spent a week in SE Tenn and we tripped the pole breaker twice. We had the water heater and fridge on elec, the AC was on along with the TV. With the microwave on and the AC compressor kicks on, POP goes the breaker. Just remember to turn off the AC for a bit. Did I mention that my forgetter works perfectly.

I've also tripped the breaker on my generator before. Mostly I forget about the fridge being on automatic, the microwave and the Air Cond will run at the same time with the gen unless the fridge is on elec. Momma doesn't like it getting to hot while cooking, and I do like eating. If I could just remember that fridge being automatic. Oh well the breaker seems to jog my memory.

We spent 3 nights/2 days boondocking. No TV, radio ran a couple of hrs, minimal lights mainly a LED and a florescent. Ran the water pump for showers and dishes, Fantastic fan and a Cool fan in the bedroom 3 nights. With 2 12v batteries the voltage was at 12.3 when we left. 12.0 volts is considered a 50% charge and the max that I like to draw them down too. I have a 2,000 watt cont inverter but don't even take it with us. It will draw 2 amps or about 25 watts just being turned on and not in use. We have a 12 TV in the bedroom if we want to watch something.

1 fully charged 12 battery on my inverter will make 2 pots of Mr Coffee and start the 3rd before the inverter kicks off due to low voltage @ 10.5 volts. As stated, anything with a heating element is not your friend. All appliances should have their wattage listed on them. Amps X volts = watts or 2 batteries will have a bit over 100 amp hrs to get to a 50% charge. At 12 volts this means a bit over 1200 watts for 1 hr. Boondocking would be more appropriately called electrical management training.

Congrats on the new unit whatever it will be. In defense of the salesman an inverter would not be something considered necessary for dry camping. It is a nice to have but certainly not a need to have. The RV is designed to operate using 12 volts and propane. However if you decide there are some things that run from 120 volts you feel you need for camping then sit down and make a list of what they are. The size of the battery bank, inverter and possible solar system will be determined by that list. There are 30 dollar solutions for simple needs all the way up to 5000 dollar systems for more elaborate needs.

Happy camping.

Appliances with heating elements (hair dryer, toaster, etc.) will require a lot more power than other appliances (tv, computer, etc.). With a generator, you should be able to run the heating element appliances (but not necessarily at the same time). Without a generator, you'll be more limited.

I stay at dry campgrounds (no hookups), so I've picked up a lot of boondocking behavior. Since I don't have a generator and don't want one, I only run what I can on propane and/or battery power. No toaster - I grill my bread (lightly butter both sides and grill in pan on stovetop). No hairdryer - I let it dry naturally. Fridge on propane; water heater on propane. No microwave. I may hop on my laptop to watch a movie, etc. I charge my phone each night. I play music with my mp3 player and powered computer speakers. I turn on lights when inside at night as needed. I spend a few hours in bed reading my kindle using a LED puck light. I run a 12v fan as needed as well as vent fans. By the end of 4 days, I haven't even put a dent in my group 31 AGM battery.