inverters
hello, we just bought a 32 foot class c. can someone tell me what inverter we could hook up for dry camping. we do have a generator that came with the motor home. but now we could use a inverter. ty
Forum Discussion
- An inverter is only useful if you are boondocking/dry camping and DO NOT want to run your generator.
Using an inverter requires a GOOD battery bank ! At least TWO 6V golf cart batteries (the most cost effective solution). The other end of the spectrum would be 2 LiFePO4 batteries.
Must people also have solar panels to recharge their battery bank. Without solar, you will have to run the generator for charging.
By all means, you want a pure sine wave inverter. They cost more but work much better. I also highly recommend a combination inverter/charger/automatic transfer switch like one of the Samlex EVO Series. Disconnect your converter but keep the DC distribution panel. Just hook the distribution panel directly to your battery bank.
What I really like about the Samlex EVO Series is all connection are made in one place. Much easier to install. - What do you want to operate with the inverter and for how long? You size the inverter and batteries to this.
I have a 400W MSW inverter to watch TV for hours on a 100Ah battery.
I recommend buying a PSW inverter. My fan is noisy and coffee pot is slow on my MSW. - FWIW, my motorhome came with a generator, CONverter and INverter. Over the years I never used the INverter. The circuit it was part of controlled the "entertainment" (TV area), 2 outlets in the front of the coach (including the outlet for a coffee maker) and, surprisingly, the 2 outlets in the bedroom.
Last year, i got no power from anything connected to the INverter.It failed. Seeing i never used it anyway, I disconnected (removed it) and bypassed it. No problems.
Want a cuppa coffee on the road? Fine. Start up the genny...or simply buy a cheap percolator and use the stove. Watch TV? Use the genny. But make sure you don't annoy your neighbors.
Now...my style of "camping" was to use campgrounds for most overnighters and all extended stays. That means shore power which renders the INverter useless. The few times we spent a few hours (overnight) at, say, WalMart, we the coach batteries (sparingly)... our propane heater did fine for about the 6 hours we needed it..then on the road again), the fridge uses gas or electric and we did fine without TV for those few hours.
But that's me and my camping "style". Oh...and INverters can be expensive.
INverters can fail without warning. CONverters get weak over a few years,
