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
All the previous orders shipped!
Just ordered the batteries...took me a while b/c I was having pre-buyers remorse deciding between two and three! (j/k) I'm sure I can get by with 460AH without too much impact, but it'll make a difference for winter trips...so I went ahead with three.
I was also considering impact on CCC. I just weighed yesterday and with a normal load of hard supplies (i.e., tools, extra kitchen appliances, etc) and stuff I have about 2000lbs left over. Minus about 700lbs for 4 people, and factoring in a couple hundred in case I need to drive with something in the black/gray tanks, etc...that extra 150lbs of battery will make a difference. But I did it anyway.
Measured the places where I can weld on the battery rack...plenty of room in a couple places. The one I think I prefer now means the best place for the inverter is in the kitchen sink cabinets. It's out of the way from the plumbing so that doesn't seem to be a big deal, but it's right above the propane water heater...and that does seem to be important. There's already a hole in the floor, and it's inside the cabinet so no need to dress it up or hide it from view.
The other option would be leaving it in an outside compartment. I could heat it, but still...not ideal, IMO. I'll play around with some more ideas before I install it.
So...other than any observations on the above:
- Anyone had an issue with a steel platform welded on not being strong enough to hold 500lbs of batteries and accessories? Would it be a good idea for the platform to straddle the frame member, effectively making two platforms?
- The inverter's battery monitoring kit comes with a shunt. What's the purpose of this? Should I install it instead of, or in addition to, the fuse?
Just ordered the batteries...took me a while b/c I was having pre-buyers remorse deciding between two and three! (j/k) I'm sure I can get by with 460AH without too much impact, but it'll make a difference for winter trips...so I went ahead with three.
I was also considering impact on CCC. I just weighed yesterday and with a normal load of hard supplies (i.e., tools, extra kitchen appliances, etc) and stuff I have about 2000lbs left over. Minus about 700lbs for 4 people, and factoring in a couple hundred in case I need to drive with something in the black/gray tanks, etc...that extra 150lbs of battery will make a difference. But I did it anyway.
Measured the places where I can weld on the battery rack...plenty of room in a couple places. The one I think I prefer now means the best place for the inverter is in the kitchen sink cabinets. It's out of the way from the plumbing so that doesn't seem to be a big deal, but it's right above the propane water heater...and that does seem to be important. There's already a hole in the floor, and it's inside the cabinet so no need to dress it up or hide it from view.
The other option would be leaving it in an outside compartment. I could heat it, but still...not ideal, IMO. I'll play around with some more ideas before I install it.
So...other than any observations on the above:
- Anyone had an issue with a steel platform welded on not being strong enough to hold 500lbs of batteries and accessories? Would it be a good idea for the platform to straddle the frame member, effectively making two platforms?
- The inverter's battery monitoring kit comes with a shunt. What's the purpose of this? Should I install it instead of, or in addition to, the fuse?
