Forum Discussion
- Dale_TravelingExplorer IIInverters are becoming more common from the builders especially with more and more coach models coming off production with a residential fridge. My coach did not come with one but I installed it myself. Not difficult but my back ground is electrical in nature so it was pretty simple for me. Dealer install cost will depend on the complexity of what you want. Complexity = more labor time and material cost. My invertor is a small 800 watt unit. Primary use for us is to run a slow cooker, TV, DVD, computer, table lamps and such when we do camp without shore power. No microwave oven, morning coffee and such for me. I need my generator for those items. With two medium size batteries I can last a day or two with good power conservation practices before I need to recharge the batteries.
Invertors and installed battery capacity will determine what you can and can not operate and for how long. The coach air conditioner normally should not be operated off the invertor. The amount of power the unit demands can tax the limits of an invertor and can deplete the batteries very quickly. Coffee pots or other such heating devices (hair dryers, space heaters, microwave, toaster ovens) are not far behind. I'm not saying you can't run such appliances but there are limits that will depend on your configuration.
For us we can use the TV, DVD, satellite receiver, table lamps, clock radio, laptop and such. Adds a bit of flexibility for us when shore power is not available and I do not want to run the generator. Also I do not have solar panels. - wildtoadExplorer IIMy new Bay Star Sport has in inverter but it was a selectable option. It is wired to the TV sets only and is a 1,000 watts maxiximum. In this setup the tv's will either run off the inverter if there is no 110v connection.
It is a simple process to install an inverter, the tough part is running wires and connectors to run off of it, as well as having enough battery capacity to do what you want. - dahkotaExplorerOur Bounder came with one - standard, not option. Ours is always on - if the power goes out, we typically don't notice unless the a/c or fireplace shuts off. It makes traveling very easy: we can overnight, dry camp, and boondock without fuss, we don't have to run the generator to watch tv or make coffee, and we can use it to supplement 30A power.
The inverter does not run our fridge, a/c, fireplace, or microwave but can run everything else. - Dutch_12078Explorer IIInverters are pretty much standard in higher end Class A's, and available in all others, either as a factory or dealer installed option. With residential refrigerators becoming more common, so are standard inverters though. How much you can run with one depends on the inverter capacity and the battery bank capacity. Running a roof air conditioner on an inverter would require quite large numbers for both in order to handle the momentary 700 or so amp starting load and 120 amp or so running load on the batteries. Something that's generally not practical or economical versus running the onboard generator when needed.
- cjd10ExplorerOur Georgetown with residential refridgerator came standard with one. It is only wired to run the refrigerator but does have another plug on it if I wanted to run something else
- KD4UPLExplorerSome come with, most do not. If an RV dealer can't install one find a dealer who could.
A large enough inverter and battery bank to run the AC while driving would be really expensive and really pointless. What's wrong with the dash AC? Any load running thru the inverter would need to get the electricity from the engine. With all the losses involved in the alternator, batteries, and inverter it would actually take more power from the engine than the dash AC would. - ValkyriebushExplorer III have a 2000w inverter, four 6 volt house batteries. Powers, Entertainment system, a couple ac outlets, microwave. I never turn it on unless I'm going to use it. Find my self using generator 5-1 compared to the inverter.
- sailor_louExplorerMine came with one and we never used it until I replaced the Norcold with a residential fridge. We always stay a full hookup sites so it is only on when traveling.
Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy - bluwtr49Explorer IIYes, mine came with one and I never shut it off. Great while driving to keep all the little AC things powered up. Items like clocks, battery chargers, ice maker, Insta Hot, and etc.
No chance of running the AC but that's what the gen set is for. - pianotunaNomad IIIHi,
If you wish to run the roof air then probably the best path is to change to a 48 volt LI battery bank with a 1600 watt or larger solar system.
I can easily run my roof air from my existing system--but I don't have enough solar to recharge the battery bank from that sort of load. Since I'm committed to 12 volt, I'd have to use a Magnum PT-100 charge controller. That would allow me to get to 1200 watts of solar. I'd have draw from the battery bank and limit run time on the air conditioner somewhat.
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