Let me preface by saying I know NOTHING about inverters, how they work, how they are wired etc. I do however understand the basics and I know some have actually installed in an ACE like mine. So here’s my question(s). If I wanted to install an inverter that would supply enough power to one or both TV’s, DVD (same outlet) and the refer, what size and type would I need? Going forward how exactly are they wired? I would like it to supply power to these items en-route, but be overridden when we plug in to shore power. Or don’t I want that? Could they be drawing on the inverter all the time and never be bypassed and the shore recharges the battery like always? As far as specs, My ACE 29.2 has 2 house batteries, we have 2 TV’s (22”) and DVD, and the standard small cheapo refer. I don’t need power to any high draw things like AC or Micro. I can run those via Gen if I need to. Also, how are they wired? From the batteries to the fuse box? That sounds like chasing a lot of wire. Thanks.

Hi,Add up the wattage of everything you wish to use. Get a small psw unit. 300 watts will be fineThe fridge draws 325 watts--so if you wish to power it, too, get a 600 watt pure sine wave inverter.A 300 watt inverter running flat out will draw about 30 amps. 600 will be double that amount.With that small a battery bank I would not attempt to run the fridge unless you are trundling down the road.

pianotuna wrote:Hi,Add up the wattage of everything you wish to use. Get a small psw unit. 300 watts will be fineThe fridge draws 325 watts--so if you wish to power it, too, get a 600 watt pure sine wave inverter.A 300 watt inverter running flat out will draw about 30 amps. 600 will be double that amount.With that small a battery bank I would not attempt to run the fridge unless you are trundling down the road.Assuming the reference to trundling is that the Alt will be constantly charging the batteries. likewise with shore power. I don't plan on boondocking - not something we really do - but more to simply avoid running the gen just to turn on the TV.

You should be able to install up to about 300 watts using the existing battery connection and use a small transfer switch to connect to the tv circuit.tvs & dvd are easy and will do fine on 300 watts. Fridge depends on model and options. Standard absorbtion fridge will run the 300w at the max. Icemaker could be too much. Compressor type fridge will need 1000 watts. I would try to skip the fridge unless there is a specific need.

You don't need to wire the fridge to the inverter. Set your fridge to Auto and let it switch by itself between electric and gas.Avoid wiring bathroom and kitchen circuits to the inverter so you don't accidentally turn on an electric coffee maker or hair blow dryer when the inverter is on.

It surprised me that a 2012 Class A wouldn't have an inverter! I went to a couple of web sites for the OPs MH and none of the sales brochures even made a mention of an inverter as an option either. I "assumed" all Class A MHs came with an inverter and we all know what assuming will get you...Bill

If I wanted an inverter...Who, how, what... | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

Effy
Explorer II
Apr 02, 2014
Rwake901 wrote:
Effy wrote:
Rwake901 wrote:
I don't know if there are two places to plug into, I can check when I get home. What brand is your kitchen TV?

It's a Jensen.

Check the model number online or just look at the back of the TV. Its a very small plug...

I will check but like I said it won't operate unless I have shore or gen power (tried before). So unless there is a a 12V "option" (another port or switch) on it, I doubt it will work. Will take a look when I get home. My guess would be that the outlet requires 110 anyway. I have the DVD plugged in there too.
Rwake901
Explorer
Apr 02, 2014
Effy wrote:
Rwake901 wrote:
I don't know if there are two places to plug into, I can check when I get home. What brand is your kitchen TV?

It's a Jensen.

Check the model number online or just look at the back of the TV. Its a very small plug...
Effy
Explorer II
Apr 02, 2014
Rwake901 wrote:
I don't know if there are two places to plug into, I can check when I get home. What brand is your kitchen TV?

It's a Jensen.
Rwake901
Explorer
Apr 02, 2014
Effy wrote:
Rwake901 wrote:
Effy wrote:
Rwake901 wrote:
Effy, Have you checked your TV in kitchen/living area? I have a 2014 Thor ACE 30.1 and the 32" TV in the kichen/living area runs on 12 volts. It works without being plugged into shore power or running the generator... :)

That's odd. yes I checked. In both ACES we've had (29.1 and 29.2) the living room required 110. Now the 29.1 had a 12v in the bedroom, but the 29.2 has a 110 LED. Are you sure you don't have an inverter in your new 30.1 ? They may have added them on newer models.

Nope, no inverter. I looked at the back of the TV and the small power plug that plugs into the TV says 12 volts right on the TV. Its a Jenson brand TV. Maybe yours has that option?

Do you mean there are 2 places, a 12v and and a 110 to plug? Never seen that. I will take a look but when wiring some speakers etc I never noticed anything like that.

I don't know if there are two places to plug into, I can check when I get home. What brand is your kitchen TV?
Effy
Explorer II
Apr 02, 2014
Rwake901 wrote:
Effy wrote:
Rwake901 wrote:
Effy, Have you checked your TV in kitchen/living area? I have a 2014 Thor ACE 30.1 and the 32" TV in the kichen/living area runs on 12 volts. It works without being plugged into shore power or running the generator... :)

That's odd. yes I checked. In both ACES we've had (29.1 and 29.2) the living room required 110. Now the 29.1 had a 12v in the bedroom, but the 29.2 has a 110 LED. Are you sure you don't have an inverter in your new 30.1 ? They may have added them on newer models.

Nope, no inverter. I looked at the back of the TV and the small power plug that plugs into the TV says 12 volts right on the TV. Its a Jenson brand TV. Maybe yours has that option?

Do you mean there are 2 places, a 12v and and a 110 to plug? Never seen that. I will take a look but when wiring some speakers etc I never noticed anything like that.
Rwake901
Explorer
Apr 02, 2014
Effy wrote:
Rwake901 wrote:
Effy, Have you checked your TV in kitchen/living area? I have a 2014 Thor ACE 30.1 and the 32" TV in the kichen/living area runs on 12 volts. It works without being plugged into shore power or running the generator... :)

That's odd. yes I checked. In both ACES we've had (29.1 and 29.2) the living room required 110. Now the 29.1 had a 12v in the bedroom, but the 29.2 has a 110 LED. Are you sure you don't have an inverter in your new 30.1 ? They may have added them on newer models.

Nope, no inverter. I looked at the back of the TV and the small power plug that plugs into the TV says 12 volts right on the TV. Its a Jenson brand TV. Maybe yours has that option?
Daveinet
Explorer
Apr 02, 2014
I would go down to Harbor Freight and pick up their 2000 watt inverter. Its on sale last I checked, for less than 150 bucks. I would use heavy gauge wire, and mount it as close to the chassis batteries as I could. I would then install a cord that would plug into the inverter and run back to a box where my shore power plug is. When you unplug from shore power, then just plug it into the inverter outlet. That way all the outlets are hot. You state you only want to run the TV, but the reality is, sooner or later, your DW will want to make coffee while driving down the road. Next thing you know, she will want to run the microwave. Trust me, I know how these things work.

The only draw back to running shore power off the inverter is it is a good idea to turn off the converter, so you are not creating a loop. It doesn't actually hurt anything, but it pulls/wastes a lot of current. Also force the fridge to run on propane. This is especially true if you pull over for a short stop at a rest area, or stop for fast food. while you are sitting there, you don't want these two issues to drain the battery.

And yes, I did buy my inverter from Harbor Freight, and it has worked very well for about 5 years now. Kids run the TV and video games all the time we are rolling.
Effy
Explorer II
Apr 02, 2014
Rwake901 wrote:
Effy, Have you checked your TV in kitchen/living area? I have a 2014 Thor ACE 30.1 and the 32" TV in the kichen/living area runs on 12 volts. It works without being plugged into shore power or running the generator... :)

That's odd. yes I checked. In both ACES we've had (29.1 and 29.2) the living room required 110. Now the 29.1 had a 12v in the bedroom, but the 29.2 has a 110 LED. Are you sure you don't have an inverter in your new 30.1 ? They may have added them on newer models.
Rwake901
Explorer
Apr 02, 2014
Effy, Have you checked your TV in kitchen/living area? I have a 2014 Thor ACE 30.1 and the 32" TV in the kichen/living area runs on 12 volts. It works without being plugged into shore power or running the generator... :)
Crabbypatty
Explorer
Apr 02, 2014
In my TT I found that both TV's and the two 110volt outlets in our bedroom are on one circuit in the shore power panel. I disconnected that and installed a standard three prong plug. I then installed a Xantrax 1200 watt inverter and plugged that circuit into it. So the two tvs sat dish and two outlets are always on the inverter and I have an on off switch. So when not in use i turn it off. This has worked perfectly for going on 8 years. My batteries I upgraded to two Trojan T 125's they are 6 volt tied them together to make 12 volts. This coupled with a charge wizard on the shore power charger continues to work perfectly going on 10 years.

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If I wanted an inverter...Who, how, what...

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