Inverter usage while underway
Greetings to all. This may or may not be a tough question. I am presently considering the purchase of an inverter to keep my reefer running while underway. I have a single 12v deep cycle battery. ...
Forum Discussion
Hi,
I drive a class C E-450. The OEM charging path was a #8 wire. When running the inverter from the house batteries while trundling down the road the house bank would gradually discharge. I doubled up on the charging path which has helped some what. If I were doing it again I'd add a dedicated inverter powered from the chassis battery for running the fridge and converter.
I think the wiring is poor--because mine was poor. The OEM transfer relay lasted less than 12 months and the OEM "hard to find and purchase" 60 amp fuse failed multiple times. I've since replaced the fuse with an automatic circuit breaker rated at 50 amps. I replaced the relay with one rated for 200 amps, and added the 2nd charging path.
I also have solar which contributes to running the fridge while driving--but I would still end the day with a deficit on the house bank.
I drive a class C E-450. The OEM charging path was a #8 wire. When running the inverter from the house batteries while trundling down the road the house bank would gradually discharge. I doubled up on the charging path which has helped some what. If I were doing it again I'd add a dedicated inverter powered from the chassis battery for running the fridge and converter.
I think the wiring is poor--because mine was poor. The OEM transfer relay lasted less than 12 months and the OEM "hard to find and purchase" 60 amp fuse failed multiple times. I've since replaced the fuse with an automatic circuit breaker rated at 50 amps. I replaced the relay with one rated for 200 amps, and added the 2nd charging path.
I also have solar which contributes to running the fridge while driving--but I would still end the day with a deficit on the house bank.
Gene_M wrote:
I'm not sure why Pianotuna thinks that because I run a Class C the charging path for the house battery is "poor", my alternator is 130a and my Iota DLS55 converter is more than adequate and with the IQ4 makes it a multistage smart charging system.
I believe the wiring design I will be using will be the simplest and will do what I need, a simple relay will serve as a transfer switch.
