How to use a DC to AC power inverter in an RV (RENTAL)

poker620 wrote:
Thanks guys! I'm only looking to charge phones and a camera so I can use a USB one like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Anker%C2%AE-5-Port-Charger-PowerIQ-Technology/dp/B00J4IQ7RO

But I'm still not sure whether it will kill the battery to have something like a phone charging on that overnight? I know that's something you don't do with a car but is that ok with an RV?

No, the lights and furnace will kill the battery long before charging a phone or camera.
The rental place will guide you. Ask the question during rental demonstration.

While you are @ Amazon, find some backup batteries too, like this one. Charge that while driving and charge your devices at night.

Thanks guys! I'm only looking to charge phones and a camera so I can use a USB one like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Anker%C2%AE-5-Port-Charger-PowerIQ-Technology/dp/B00J4IQ7RO

But I'm still not sure whether it will kill the battery to have something like a phone charging on that overnight? I know that's something you don't do with a car but is that ok with an RV?

You really need to talk to the rental guys about all of this... What you don't want to happen is show up with all the things you think you will be needing only to find out none of it will be compatible with your rental RV unit.

The Austraila guys bringing there RV's to Amaerica for long term visit has the same problem.

Best to find out all of these issues before you hit the road...
Roy Ken

APT wrote:

so we can keep things charged on the way

What are you charging? Cell phones and tablets for example only need 5V USB, so something like this adapter and your favorite USB cables is a cleaner solution. Seem silly to convert 12V DC (car or RV house battery) 110V or 220V AC just to get it back down to 5V DC.

Laptops can be a little trickier, but there are DC->DC adapters available for most.

That was my guess too. I believe you want to charge your devices, cell phone, tablet etc., if so, just use any 12 volt receptacle & appropriate device adapter in the coach & forget about the inverter. You need to have the rental service explain the power distribution system in the RV to you before departing for the trip.

so we can keep things charged on the way

What are you charging? Cell phones and tablets for example only need 5V USB, so something like this adapter and your favorite USB cables is a cleaner solution. Seem silly to convert 12V DC (car or RV house battery) 110V or 220V AC just to get it back down to 5V DC.

Laptops can be a little trickier, but there are DC->DC adapters available for most.

I noticed in the RV specs it mentioned it is 240 volts.. I assume this is an European model.... Designed for 240 volts because people there are smart enough not to play with live wires as opposed to an American 120 volt model.

The inverter is 110 volt

IF the assumption in the above is wrong, or the RV is an Americanized version so everything works on 120 volt. then that invrter can likely power your entainerment stuff... HOWEVER be warned..many of the 12 volt outlets epically the one on the antenna wall plate are NOT STRONG ENOUGH for that inverter. and plugging it in, best case,, you blow the fuse (worst case you melt the outlet) You may need to find an outlet powerful enough or add one.

If it is a rental.. you can get a clip on outlet that has battery clamps on one end of a heavy cable (Like 14ga or bigger) Even this is not enough

That inverter can draw around 30 amps (10ga wire needed or larger). Most 12 volt accessory outlts are rated 10 amps.. Heavy duty ones 20.

Our used X rental had a very small fuse in cig lighter and the "power point" connection. Turns out Cruise America puts tiny fuses because if they didn't renters would try to power up a small city. I'm willing to bet Cruise America is not the only RV rental outfit that puts in small fuses. Can't remember the size of fuse but do remember blowing the fuse on a small invertor. But 2 phones and a gps works fine on ours.

Those converters you plug in to the wall to make US type electric stuff work in Europe (at least in Germany) are available lots of places and not much money. Something like a CVS type store.

(other stuff that might help) The problem I had was my credit card (without a chip) wouldn't work in there ATM machines. As matter of fact their ATM ate my card. Turns out their ATM's require a chip in the card. That was about 7 years ago.

Maybe your card already has a chip in it. Technology catching up, if not call and find out if there is anything you need to do to use your card in other country's.

That was the trip we discovered that we will always have more than one credit card account from different institutions and will bring a card from each and will have a little more cash than we think we will need, just in case.

Tom_M wrote:
Iceland uses 220 volt power so the inverter that they supply would most likely be 220 volt. If the stuff that you bring will run on 220 volt then this would be okay. The AC plugs are different so you would need an adapter. I have used a cheap 125 watt modified sine wave inverter for many years without any issues.

That is a good catch! If you need 110V then you probably need to take your own unit. OP, can you contact the rental Co. to find out?
Having said that many chargers/power packs will run on 110 or 220.
You need to do a little more homework.

Iceland uses 220 volt power so the inverter that they supply would most likely be 220 volt. If the stuff that you bring will run on 220 volt then this would be okay. The AC plugs are different so you would need an adapter. I have used a cheap 125 watt modified sine wave inverter for many years without any issues.