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garyemunson's avatar
garyemunson
Explorer II
Jul 09, 2017

Inverter Info

Thought I'd post this as I've come across quite a few people who don't realize it. Most motorhomes made in the last 10 years now come with an inverter. Since the new flat screen TVs don't seem to be sold with 12 volt operation and residential fridges are getting so common, it became necessary for the manufacturers to include an inverter/charger/converter on new units. Most people who have a 2-way fridge (110 AC/propane) rather than residential don't realize that anytime they are travelling, they should fire up the inverter so the fridge can run on AC rather than propane. Just another way to save on propane. Unless they are boondocking, most people without a residential refrigerator don't think to ever use the inverter at all. As long as you are driving, the RV will keep the batteries charged. Back when the 3-way fridges (12DC/110AC/propane) were common, this strategy wasn't needed but it's been a while since I've seen a 3-way.
Class A

9 Replies

  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Jul 10, 2017
    garyemunson wrote:
    Doug, are you on a Ford or Workhorse chassis? The Ford F53 runs a 175 amp alternator...certainly big enough to run the chassis and the fridge without draining the house batteries unless there's an issue... Looks like Workhorse chassis have 145 Amp..still pretty stout.


    If this is directed at me. I am talking about the SIZE of the Inverter, not the system powering it. I do NOT own an RV. I WORK on them. For 38 years and still working. Doug
  • Jim's avatar
    Jim
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2017
    I disagree with the original premise. That people would prefer to run their absorption refers on AC rather than propane when on the road because of propane usage.

    I've run mine for weeks, months, on propane and never needed a fill because of the refer. Mainly because I use my electric heater for water, and have tended to stay in places where I didn't need to use the propane furnace. The refer 'sips' propane. Those other two devices 'suck' propane. I do use the gas stove to cook, and don't notice much of a quick decrease in propane level during refer use along with the stove. I just don't think that the refer is much of a big user of propane.
  • garyemunson's avatar
    garyemunson
    Explorer II
    Jul 10, 2017
    Doug, are you on a Ford or Workhorse chassis? The Ford F53 runs a 175 amp alternator...certainly big enough to run the chassis and the fridge without draining the house batteries unless there's an issue... Looks like Workhorse chassis have 145 Amp..still pretty stout.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jul 10, 2017
    I have tried running my RV fridge off the inverter.. ENgine alternator does not charge house batteries as fast as Fridge drains 'em... So I run it on Propane on the road.. Electric when parked.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Jul 09, 2017
    The problem is, IF you have a RV LP/120 refer, very few OEM's wire the refer receptacle to the Inverter output. Why? Because you can run off the LP in transit. Even Monaco years ago, they ran the LP/120 refer on LP. They had 2 receptacles behind the refer. One for the Icemaker(on Inverter) and the other for the refer operation(NO Inverter) and you ran the refer on LP. They have NOT had 12 volt TV's in Motorhomes in almost 20 years. The Inverter's if you have a LP/120 may not be large enough to power a refer and other appliances. Doug
  • garyemunson's avatar
    garyemunson
    Explorer II
    Jul 09, 2017
    Residential fridge owners get the talk...My post is about those with 2-way fridges.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jul 09, 2017
    You'd think the owner of a resi refer would know that before driving off the lot.
  • OldShu's avatar
    OldShu
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2017
    3 way fridges are still out there.

    Lance 1475/1575 models have them. To run the 12v there is a separate switch that needs to be turned on to activate the circuit as a safe guard to keep from running down the batteries. Switch is located above the fridge with a red light to indicate it is on.

    I use it when traveling so I have the no-propane on while traveling police at bay. Just have to remember to turn it off.......
  • jplante4's avatar
    jplante4
    Explorer II
    Jul 09, 2017
    Shop customer overhead me talking to another customer about adding a small inverter to his class B to run a radio or TV. The shop customer admitted that he didn't know if he had an inverter in his 31' Challenger. This coach has 4 TVs and he didn't have a clue about how they were powered.

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