The wife wants to watch tv while we're camping.So I got everything I thought i would need?12 volt inverter http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-400-Watt-12-Volt-120-Volt-Inverter/dp/B001RNOHBC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1373156849&sr=1-1&keywords=12+volt+inverters12 volt lcd tv VIP211k HD Receiver with hard drive that I took out of our bedroom So here's the problem when I turn everything on the inverter gives a low battery warning? My batteries are not low slightly over 13 volts with the solar charging the two new group 27 batteries.What i think I need is a heavier cord to go from my 12 volt power outlet (it says 8 amps on the wall plate seems like more then enough ?) Do they make a 12 gauge power cord? It works fine if I hook it up one of my old batteries direct with a heavier wire. I would like to be able to plug it into my power outlets so I can move it from the living room to the bedroom without having to hard wire the inverter. Thanks Gary

You'll have better luck not using the 12v socket and wiring it directly as you did.

I think you've found the problem. Your 12v wiring is too small. If I understand correctly you want a long 12v cord on the inverter so you can use it in the LR or the BR while still plugged into your RV's 1 12v outlet. This is the wrong approach. You would want to leave the inverter near the 12v outlet and use a long cord for the 120v output.If you are just needing a heavier cord on the inverter one could be made easily but I doubt anything is available ready made. There really isn't much available as far as 12v extension cords and such.I think your best option would be to hard wire the inverter near the batteries. You could either use an extension cord to the TV or hook up the RV's appropriate circuits to the 120v output.

Sorry but using the lighter plug is your problem as you already discovered. Wire your inverter directly to the battery at the shortest distance possible with the heaviest wire the inverter will accept. Then run 110 volt extension cords to where you need the power.I installed two inline transfer relays (link below) to power the circuits for the entertainment center and the outlets where we plug in laptops. That way those circuits are powered by shore power when plugged in and inverter when not, no action required by me it just works.Transfer Relay

If you are using a 12 Volt TV set, you don't need the inverter.

Mount the inverter as close to the battery as possible. Connect it with 10 ga wire and run 14 ga wire from the inverter to your TV and satellite receiver.

12 Volt Inverter | Good Sam Community

RJsfishin
Explorer
Jul 07, 2013
http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-400-Watt-12-Volt-120-Volt-Inverter/dp/B001RNOHBC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1373156849&sr=1-1&keywords=12+volt+inverters
I have this very same converter.
It works great hard wired to the batteries
mustangglp
Explorer
Jul 07, 2013
Simplygib wrote:
While boondocking I have the inverter connected to the batteries with 10 ga. wire. My rig's 120v power cord is plugged in to the inverter. That way all my 120v outlets are live and I can plug in the (in my case, laptop) anywhere I want. If you go this route you will want to make sure your converter is disconnected first, and don't try to run stuff like microwaves, a/c, hair dryers or welders (;)) on it.

So how do you go about disconnecting the converter:h that would be sweet
the only downfall I can see would be having to go outside and switch the plug to run the generator. I could mount the inverter in the generator compartment right next to the batteries?
mustangglp
Explorer
Jul 07, 2013
full_mosey wrote:
mustangglp wrote:

What i think I need is a heavier cord to go from my 12 volt power outlet (it says 8 amps on the wall plate seems like more then enough ?) Do they make a 12 gauge power cord?

8A x 12V = 96W. You cannot draw 400W no matter what size wires you use from that socket.

That is why you place the inverter close to the battery and use larger cabling between the two. To get 400W you would need cables bigger than 400/12 = 33A capacity.

Yes I was thinking 8 amps of ac is quite a bit my ice make takes 2 amps and it wouldn't work that!

HTH;
John
mena661
Explorer
Jul 07, 2013
mustangglp wrote:

So how do you go about disconnecting the converter:h that would be sweet
the only downfall I can see would be having to go outside and switch the plug to run the generator. I could mount the inverter in the generator compartment right next to the batteries?
Yes get it close as you can to the batteries. I just unplug my converter. When I had a 5th wheel the converter shared a breaker with the outlets. I moved it to its own breaker but my MH already had it on a separate breaker. Some people put an on/off switch on the converters 120V line.
Almot
Explorer III
Jul 07, 2013
mena661 wrote:
I put a 30 amp receptacle in my MH's shore cord compartment. From there it goes to a 20 amp plug. The plug goes to a 300W PSW inverter. The inverter is hard wired to my batteries. All I have to do is turn my converter off. My converter and inverter are in the same compartment so I just unplug the converter and turn on the inverter.

no transfer switch?
RoyB
Explorer II
Jul 07, 2013
This is a typical trailer hookup mounting the INVERTER in the pass thru storage area very close to the 12VDC batteries... I use the PSW type inverter here so that I don't ever have to worry about plugging my expensive home entertainment items into the inverter 120VAc source.

I started out with a 300WATT Inverter setup in my OFF-ROAD POPUP setup but kept adding more items to the emergency power source and finally ended up with a PSW AIMS 600WATT Inverter. I have two 120VAC drops here one going to the home entertainment area ad the other going to the tent bed table top. Always have something 120VAC you want to plug in hehe... All that is visible is the multiport 120VAC receptacle at these locations. All wiring is inside WIREMODE duct work.

food for thought
Roy Ken
mustangglp
Explorer
Jul 07, 2013
Thanks for all the help
I hardwired the inverter with 8 gauge wire with a 36 inch of wire run it seams to work if i run two cords it won't work if I run one! The hard drive and the satellite receiver must take quite a bit of power they don't seem to have any UL power specifications but they do put out a lot heat.
I guess I need to think about a bigger inverter If I do that I will want more solar panels. and a dedicated stating battery for the generator.
Simplygib
Explorer
Jul 07, 2013
mustangglp wrote:
Simplygib wrote:
While boondocking I have the inverter connected to the batteries with 10 ga. wire. My rig's 120v power cord is plugged in to the inverter. That way all my 120v outlets are live and I can plug in the (in my case, laptop) anywhere I want. If you go this route you will want to make sure your converter is disconnected first, and don't try to run stuff like microwaves, a/c, hair dryers or welders (;)) on it.

So how do you go about disconnecting the converter:h that would be sweet
the only downfall I can see would be having to go outside and switch the plug to run the generator. I could mount the inverter in the generator compartment right next to the batteries?

Like mena661, I just unplug the converter. Mine plugs into an outlet and is easy to get to. Sounds like you got it figured out.
BFL13
Explorer II
Jul 07, 2013
mustangglp wrote:
Thanks for all the help
I hardwired the inverter with 8 gauge wire with a 36 inch of wire run it seams to work if i run two cords it won't work if I run one! The hard drive and the satellite receiver must take quite a bit of power they don't seem to have any UL power specifications but they do put out a lot heat.
I guess I need to think about a bigger inverter If I do that I will want more solar panels. and a dedicated stating battery for the generator.

The two cords thing might be where each receptacle only does half the rated watts of the inverter. One inverter model has 1000w rating but each receptacle has a limit of 500w eg.

Many inverters will do the whole thing from one receptacle, but you have to read their manuals on-line to make sure, and even then IMO phone their tech support and try to pin them down on that topic, to be even more sure before buying that model.
mena661
Explorer
Jul 08, 2013
Almot wrote:
no transfer switch?
There's one for genny/shore power but I did not add another one. Don't need too.

EDIT: By using the shore cord, I'm still using the built-in transfer switch.

BFL13 wrote:

The two cords thing might be where each receptacle only does half the rated watts of the inverter. One inverter model has 1000w rating but each receptacle has a limit of 500w eg.

Many inverters will do the whole thing from one receptacle, but you have to read their manuals on-line to make sure, and even then IMO phone their tech support and try to pin them down on that topic, to be even more sure before buying that model.
X2, my Go Power 300W PSW inverter will do the whole 300W from one receptacle.

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