Can You Permanently Mount An Inverter To A Camper?

I do not know about your cpap but a lot of them have 12v cords available. Since we use two cpaps, i mounted a 12v receptacle under each side of the bed and that is what we use whether we have 120v or not. I mounted a small 400w inverter right over the power dist panel which is in reach of the tv or a crockpot. It may not work for everybody but it is great for us.

Up to about 300w you can easily connect to one or two strings of outlets.

Much bigger it gets complicated to have big 12v wire, extra batteries, pull wire to the main panel.

Easy: Plug the shore power cord into the inverter.
Hard: Hard-wire the inverter before the main panel.

I've seen some CPAPs that have multiple batteries, so one can charge up 3-4 of those, then be able to keep that going even for an extended run.

As for TVs/DVDs, I've seen some pretty good 12 volt models. I know Roadtrek has moved to those in all their new rigs, as well as PW.

It might cost to move to a CPAP with replacable batteries, and a 12 volt TV/DVD, but it means no need for an inverter.

Just keep in mind that running stuff on 120v/inverter will take 10 times the amps from the battery as it would to run it on 12v...so plan for that in battery capacity.

So three common options (and likely many more) for the inverter.
- Hardwire the inverter into the AC distro panel. This will require an inverter with a pass-thru, and maybe a transfer switch if you want it to be easy. The generator and shore power would run into the transfer switch, then the switch would go to the inverter, then the inverter would go to your 120VAC panel.
- Just plug the shore power cable into the inverter. Then your hands will become a "manual transfer switch" to switch between generator and shore power, or inverter.
- Just wire a small inverter directly to the battery, and use it to install a separate 120VAC plug where you need it. You'll create an independent circuit this way and don't have to worry about wiring into the panel. Be sure to fuse this one.

You'll probably want to disconnect your converter for the first two options (or just remove the fuse), but the converter will work fine with the third option.

Or, it sounds like you may be using a 12V already...you could just install another 12V outlet where you need it. That might be the easiest option if a 12V can fill your needs.

And remember that I'm not an electrician... :)

westend wrote:
Yes, some inverters are capable of being wired directly into the load center, powering your outlets. Another way to accomplish this is to plug your shore power cord into the inverter.

I guess plugging the TT cord into the inverter will work but then I'd have to hook/unhook when running the genny twice a day. I'd like to make it as easy as possible from the start.

Yes, some inverters are capable of being wired directly into the load center, powering your outlets. Another way to accomplish this is to plug your shore power cord into the inverter.