One large inverter or 2-3 small ones?
So as I get closer to adding solar (or at least a larger battery bank) to my RV, I have more questions than I started with! Big thanks to the folks who have helped me along so far. I found a great...
Forum Discussion
Ok - help me understand this.
My rig has a 30A plug. At 120VAC, that's 3600W. Does that mean *if I wanted to max out*, a 3600W inverter would be required? But I could probably get by with a 1000W or 2000W inverter...I'll just have more capacity inside the rig than the inverter could supply. Just have to make sure nobody accidentally turns on the A/C with the microwave running, for example. Is that all correct?
Why are some 2000W inverters about $400-500 and others are $1000+? Besides pure sine vs modified, is there anything else in particular that makes an inverter better for an RV?
Also, I got the estimate back from Camping World for the mods I was considering...crazy expensive! They wanted $850 for a 130W solar panel. I found a 150W panel at amsolar for $300. What's the difference? The only panel I found close to CW's price/wattage had built-in charge controllers but the CW one did not. I will contact them to ask the details, but I wanted to ask here if there's any valid reason for that much price difference so I know what to listen for.
They also wanted over $500 to run three 12V outlets! Not happening...that's something I can figure out for myself at that price. The converter is under the bed, right next to where I want two of the outlets anyway (for heated mattress pads).
My rig has a 30A plug. At 120VAC, that's 3600W. Does that mean *if I wanted to max out*, a 3600W inverter would be required? But I could probably get by with a 1000W or 2000W inverter...I'll just have more capacity inside the rig than the inverter could supply. Just have to make sure nobody accidentally turns on the A/C with the microwave running, for example. Is that all correct?
Why are some 2000W inverters about $400-500 and others are $1000+? Besides pure sine vs modified, is there anything else in particular that makes an inverter better for an RV?
Also, I got the estimate back from Camping World for the mods I was considering...crazy expensive! They wanted $850 for a 130W solar panel. I found a 150W panel at amsolar for $300. What's the difference? The only panel I found close to CW's price/wattage had built-in charge controllers but the CW one did not. I will contact them to ask the details, but I wanted to ask here if there's any valid reason for that much price difference so I know what to listen for.
They also wanted over $500 to run three 12V outlets! Not happening...that's something I can figure out for myself at that price. The converter is under the bed, right next to where I want two of the outlets anyway (for heated mattress pads).
