Inverter,,yes or no??

Mile High wrote:
Our inverter is necessary for the residential fridge, so it's the first time I have had one. It has plenty of advantages, as I have 110V for TV, vacuum, microwave, etc and I don't have to start the generator each time.

However, its a 2800 Watt and 6 31 series AGMs that take a lot of space. Not saying you would need one that large if you have a gas fridge, but still it would be a chore to retrofit one with enough capacity to be useful.

No matter what the fridge type, I like running it on electric, when going down the road, so installed my own 1KW in our old rig, running on two batteries.
With our present coach, it came with a whole house 2KW with pass through outlets, so very convenient and if a nice day that doesn't require roof air, then it makes it nice for running the drink maker and MW, while going down the road as well.
Story short, it's a little like the old days argument of should we get a tv or just stick with our radio. Then is was color vs a b & w tv, then the garage door opener.....etc...etc...

Our inverter is necessary for the residential fridge, so it's the first time I have had one. It has plenty of advantages, as I have 110V for TV, vacuum, microwave, etc and I don't have to start the generator each time.

However, its a 2800 Watt and 6 31 series AGMs that take a lot of space. Not saying you would need one that large if you have a gas fridge, but still it would be a chore to retrofit one with enough capacity to be useful.

THe decision is yours. With an inverter v/s without

IF for any reason power should fail (Happened Friday Night to me) even for a short time. Well in my case most of the RV returns to POWER ON (or off) last state, but one device, (A digital TV converter) Deaults to power off.. Till I get up and push the button any shows that the attached DVR are supposed to record.. WON'T. (I did not loose any)

If power fails while I"m watching TV, or cooking a meal or using the computers. ONLY LAPTOPS keep working and they may loose internet.

WITH an inverter
The TV/Computers never even blink, Cooking continues..

I really need to get my inverter fixed

I vote "no"...installing an INverter. However...that depends on the type of RVing one does. Boondocking...probably could use one. ONLY full hookup campgrounds? Probably not. A very seldom overnighter at WalMart? Again...probably not.

My 2001 came with a CONverter and an INverter. Last fall, I removed the INverter. The TV, 2 outlets and the bed room outlets were on that circuit. Didn't get any power to any of those outlets. INverter crapped out. Never used it, anyway. If not hooked up to shore power, and wanted a cuppa coffee, either turn on the generator, or perc a pot on the stove.

So...I guess it depends on what one does. I never needed or used it. That's me. And...to buy one...lotta bucks. ($1000?) Would that be worth it? Up to you.

Now...with CONverters...after all these years, mine was getting "weak". Bought a PARALLAX 4455.($200) NOT the "smart charge version....I figured my original (Magnatek) didn't have that feature (not mentioned in the owners' manual) didn't need it then...why need it now? All works just fine.

Just my opinion(s).....

tropical36 wrote:

ted and renee wrote:
My "96 Georgie Boy does not have a inverter,,should I install one??

Before this goes completely astray, lets try and clarify a few things.

Yes, so let's just wait and see which one he's asking about. Of course we could go on with pages of replies without even knowing what the real question is.

ted and renee wrote:
My "96 Georgie Boy does not have a inverter,,should I install one??

Before this goes completely astray, lets try and clarify a few things.
Most every coach came with a converter that makes 12vdc from 120vac and required for charging the batteries.
An inverter, that you most likely don't have from the factory, makes 120vac from 12vdc.
I installed my own aftermarket inverter, in my last coach.
With just two batteries, anything over 1KW would be a waste.
Mount it, other than in the battery compartment, but close enough, so as not to require more than 5ft or so of #2 awg cable or larger for going to the batteries with it's input.
After that, the easy way is to plug in the whole coach, but with only the main and low power circuits on. This takes some diligence and for not being forgetful.
The other way, without making a major project out of it, is to run a couple of private circuits from the inverter's AC output up through the floor to some new self installed outlets, Then use an extension cord for powering up the TV and other low power items.

Converter.....120V AC IN/12V DC OUT (handles DC System demands WHILE hooked up to AC Power Source)---recharges/maintains battery

Inverter.....12V DC IN/120V AC OUT (can be used to power AC Outlets whn NOT hooked up to AC Power Source (Can have charger section that recharges/maintains battery WHILE connected to AC Power Source)


Older converter/chargers usually rely on RV battery to act as 'load' and are NIT very good chargers...single fixed charge voltage

IF you are looking to upgrade....NEW Converter with 3 stage smart charger

An inverter would be nice to power up some of your equipment without using the generator, but you would either have to size it to a reasonable capacity to the batteries you have, or start adding additional batteries. Wiring can get a little tricky as well because you aren't powering the whole coach.

For me, it would be one of those projects I dreamed about over the winter, then never did anything about it come spring :)

Since you ask you must need one, YES.

You may want to change your post title also.