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synergy_58's avatar
synergy_58
Explorer
Apr 24, 2014

Inverter questions. Which one do you use and why?

So I'm trying to get set-up with an inverter and surg protector. I think I've got the SP concerns nearly worked out. So, now I need to get a handle on this inverter thing.

I have a 2009 Navion, and LOVE it! It has all the typical appliances, with a diesel generator. I hate cracking the genny up just to brew a pot of coffee, or charge my cell phones and lap top, or other simple things.

I have owned one inverter in my life, a 1000 wt West Marine unit that I paid $99.00 for. It worked fairly well for my needs. I wired it directly to the battery under the passenger seat in my Sprinter van. I would plug my coffee pot in to it. But that's all the experinece I have with an inverter.

So, an inverter. But which one? I've had a few suggestions from 2 sales folks, like:

1.http://www.bestconverter.com/Samlex-PST-2000-12-Pure-Sine-Inverter_p_550.html#.U1kjU284QeE

2.http://www.aimscorp.net/3000-watt-pure-sine-power-inverter-24-volt.html

Seems the Aim's is a better value at this point for a 3000wt at $519.

Help me understand a few things please:

Will an inverter be difficult to install, hard-wire?
Where do I need to install it?
Do I simply wire it to the house batteries, which one, since I have two?
What's the difference of getting one that is 12v, 24v, 48v, will any of them work for my need?
How big of one do I need?
Will an inverter work my microwave (i don't use it very often, but popcorn would be nice)?
How else can an inverter make my life easier, other than coffee and charging lap top?

Anxiously waiting, and looking forward to your responses.

Thanks!
Class C

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  • eric1514's avatar
    eric1514
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2014
    synergy_58 wrote:
    ...I don't have a clue really. I have two house batterys, which I believe are 750 to 850 (one of those) amp hrs, if I'm on the same sheet of music here.
    My RV is a 30A unit.


    Your batteries are not going to have 750 or 850 amp hrs. You're probably reading the CCA number (cold cranking amps) which also leads me to think you don't have deep cycle batteries.
  • mlts22's avatar
    mlts22
    Explorer II
    Apr 24, 2014
    There is also power overhead. Inverters are not 100% efficient. A 300 watt inverter consumes less power than a 1000 watt model, even when no devices are using electricity. I like the MorningStar SureSine 300, as you can wire it close to your battery bank, then put the 120 volt receptacle somewhere more accessible.
  • synergy_58's avatar
    synergy_58
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2014
    smkettner wrote:
    To properly run the microwave you are looking at 1800+ watts of sine wave power and four batteries connected with large wire as it will draw 160+ amps. I recommend GoPower brand inverter but Xantrex and others are fine. Stick with sine wave only.

    You have 12v supply so you need 12v inverter.

    If you can make coffee and popcorn on the stove.... installing a 150w/300w inverter to run small stuff would be a lot easier. Use the generator for the big stuff.

    I actually have a Xantrex Prosine 1800 to power the MW and one added outlet in the kitchen. I also have a GoPower 300w sine wave inverter wired to the existing outlets to run the tv, dvd, laptop, cell phones, games etc.


    I think I like the idea of having a smaller dedicated pure sine wave unit for my lap top, charging cell and ipads; keep them safe.

    Then, use another, less expensive unit for the coffee. I'll just do the Jiffy pop corn, like back in the days of the camp fires, forget the microwave. Maybe I should just ditch the micro for more storage space, we rarely use it and it makes a lot of clankity nosie when we drive on gravel/dirt roads. Ha!
  • Sandia_Man's avatar
    Sandia_Man
    Explorer II
    Apr 24, 2014
    Running your microwave is not a wise choice with just 2 batteries, coffee pot is doable, but will consume quite a few amphours requiring longer generator runtimes to recharge.

    We have a large MSW inverter that feeds the entire rig sans converter and AC, and a small 300 watt PSW inverter in our entertainment center that runs the HDTV, HD satellite, Blu-ray DVD, game consoles, and for charging various devices.

    We run genny to power high current draw items such as microwave, heated hair appliances, AC unit, and a couple of space heaters while camping off the grid.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Apr 24, 2014
    To properly run the microwave you are looking at 1800+ watts of sine wave power and four batteries connected with large wire as it will draw 160+ amps. I recommend GoPower brand inverter but Xantrex and others are fine. Stick with sine wave only.

    You have 12v supply so you need 12v inverter.

    If you can make coffee and popcorn on the stove.... installing a 150w/300w inverter to run small stuff would be a lot easier. Use the generator for the big stuff.

    I actually have a Xantrex Prosine 1800 to power the MW and one added outlet in the kitchen. I also have a GoPower 300w sine wave inverter wired to the existing outlets to run the tv, dvd, laptop, cell phones, games etc.
  • garyhaupt's avatar
    garyhaupt
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2014
    Desert Captain wrote:
    If you want to keep it really simple buy a 250 to 300 watt (I like my 20 year old Stat Power 250), that will plug into a cigarette lighter outlet. My 250 recharges every AC gadget (I phones, Tablet, I Pod, camera, hearing aid batteries etc.), quickly and easily. It will run the 22" Vizio TV and the DVD player as well as most small power tools like my Dremel. They cost less than $100 which leaves you money to buy a coffee pot for the top of the stove.

    :C


    x2...I have 3 small inverters. (why 3 I have no idea) I had a cig plug drilled under the dinette for easy access. That and one one in the dash, that I seldom use. The inverters power my battery chargers for cameras, cels and computer. One of them will run my kitchen stick blender for my morning shake.

    I use the stove top for coffee. To watch a movie I use the computer and use exterior speakers. No..no hair dryer.



    Gary Haupt
  • Desert_Captain's avatar
    Desert_Captain
    Explorer III
    Apr 24, 2014
    If you want to keep it really simple buy a 250 to 300 watt (I like my 20 year old Stat Power 250), that will plug into a cigarette lighter outlet. My 250 recharges every AC gadget (I phones, Tablet, I Pod, camera, hearing aid batteries etc.), quickly and easily. It will run the 22" Vizio TV and the DVD player as well as most small power tools like my Dremel. They cost less than $100 which leaves you money to buy a coffee pot for the top of the stove.

    :C
  • synergy_58's avatar
    synergy_58
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2014
    pianotuna wrote:
    Hi,

    Most RV's are based on 12 volts, so that eliminates any other DC voltage.

    The Aims units do not get good reviews.

    The best bank for the buck is probably the prowatt pure sine wave line from Xantrex--but it IS a throw away if it should fail.

    How many amp-hours of battery bank do you have? Large inverters can be very power hungry.

    For example a 400 watt coffee pot will draw about 40 amps of current, after inverter losses are accounted for.


    Okay, so forget Aims. Thanks.
    I'll check out the Xantrex now. But a throw away, meaning if it gets hit, thats it?

    I don't have a clue really. I have two house batterys, which I believe are 750 to 850 (one of those) amp hrs, if I'm on the same sheet of music here.
    My RV is a 30A unit.

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