Choosing and installing an inverter
Background: New 21' Fiberglass FW, all power related equip under the rear dinette seat. 2-6V Interstate GC batteries 232A 160w 12v flat mount solar, will add another 100-160w this spring/summe...
Forum Discussion
Padlin,
Sounds like you are well on your way to a sweet set-up.
Here are a few thoughts that may, or may not, be of help:
- To run a microwave for more than just a few seconds (and only when the batteries are 100% full), you will need more battery capacity. I suggest a minimum of four 6 volt GC batteries. (we frequently run ours with our four batteries)
- To run a microwave, the inverter will need to be connected to the battery with large diameter wires that are short (in length).
- Some devices don't fair well with MSW inverters. I never had problems (other than buzzing noises) before I switched to a PSW inverter, but I know people who have had their devices destroyed by MSW inverters.
- If you really don't need automatic switching (who really does?), an alternative (not cheaper though) to the transfer relay is simply a 30 Amp DPDT center OFF switch. One advantage of such a switch is that you can switch your entire rig with it allowing the inverter to power everything (of course, can't run the AC)...this is what I do. Another advantage is that by manual switching past a center OFF position, there is less likelihood of burning the contacts.
- I believe you get what you pay for with inverters. The Xantrex is a good quality consumer quality unit that should be fine for occasional use (I have the same inverter you are looking at), but it is not of industrial quality (something I would want if I lived in my trailer full time).
- I (or should I say my wife) really likes the remote switch. She doesn't have to do anything other than just push a button to fire up the microwave to heat up lunch.
- Another consideration that I think should be taken into account when shopping for inverters is their Standby Power consumption. Lower is better (you will find the Xantrex fairly low for a sine wave inverter in this price range). THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) is another factor that might be of importance, esp. if running high quality audio gear is important to you. One source for inverters that you may want to check into is Don Rowe
- You are right in thinking of replacing your converter with a better battery charger. There are lots to choose from and probably all do a reasonable job. Just remember to check on the wire size between the charger and battery as it is likely too small for the distance. Better yet, why not put the inverter and charger right next to each other and run the same SHORT and FAT wires to them both.
Because I use my trailer for winter (snow) camping, temperature compensation was important to me. So I choose the Xantrex TrueCharge 2. This is not a recommendation, just what and why I chose what I did. You may find, as I have, that with solar (I have 300 watts) you really won't need the battery charger very often Yes, I have a generator....just haven't yet needed it.
I suggest you continue to do as you are and consider the whole package (inverter, charger, solar, transfer switch) as you design the system. This doesn't mean you have to do it all at once, but at least plan for it.
Hope this rambling helps,
Steve
Sounds like you are well on your way to a sweet set-up.
Here are a few thoughts that may, or may not, be of help:
- To run a microwave for more than just a few seconds (and only when the batteries are 100% full), you will need more battery capacity. I suggest a minimum of four 6 volt GC batteries. (we frequently run ours with our four batteries)
- To run a microwave, the inverter will need to be connected to the battery with large diameter wires that are short (in length).
- Some devices don't fair well with MSW inverters. I never had problems (other than buzzing noises) before I switched to a PSW inverter, but I know people who have had their devices destroyed by MSW inverters.
- If you really don't need automatic switching (who really does?), an alternative (not cheaper though) to the transfer relay is simply a 30 Amp DPDT center OFF switch. One advantage of such a switch is that you can switch your entire rig with it allowing the inverter to power everything (of course, can't run the AC)...this is what I do. Another advantage is that by manual switching past a center OFF position, there is less likelihood of burning the contacts.
- I believe you get what you pay for with inverters. The Xantrex is a good quality consumer quality unit that should be fine for occasional use (I have the same inverter you are looking at), but it is not of industrial quality (something I would want if I lived in my trailer full time).
- I (or should I say my wife) really likes the remote switch. She doesn't have to do anything other than just push a button to fire up the microwave to heat up lunch.
- Another consideration that I think should be taken into account when shopping for inverters is their Standby Power consumption. Lower is better (you will find the Xantrex fairly low for a sine wave inverter in this price range). THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) is another factor that might be of importance, esp. if running high quality audio gear is important to you. One source for inverters that you may want to check into is Don Rowe
- You are right in thinking of replacing your converter with a better battery charger. There are lots to choose from and probably all do a reasonable job. Just remember to check on the wire size between the charger and battery as it is likely too small for the distance. Better yet, why not put the inverter and charger right next to each other and run the same SHORT and FAT wires to them both.
Because I use my trailer for winter (snow) camping, temperature compensation was important to me. So I choose the Xantrex TrueCharge 2. This is not a recommendation, just what and why I chose what I did. You may find, as I have, that with solar (I have 300 watts) you really won't need the battery charger very often Yes, I have a generator....just haven't yet needed it.
I suggest you continue to do as you are and consider the whole package (inverter, charger, solar, transfer switch) as you design the system. This doesn't mean you have to do it all at once, but at least plan for it.
Hope this rambling helps,
Steve
