Replacing magnetek 6300 with inverter/charger

Gdetrailer wrote:

nakedgun wrote:

Thanks, all great tips. Will definitely consider the remote switch - didn't know the idle draw was so high on the inverter!


...Now I just need to make a call on the 2000w vs something smaller.

Yes, inverters can have a pretty high idle current, generally the higher wattage inverter, the higher the idle current will be.

It is for that reason why some boondockers will employ a low wattage inverter for low wattage needs (300W-400W for say TV, entertainment) and a higher wattage inverter for heavy 120V needs and only run them when needed.

For extremely low wattage items like charging your phone, tablet, laptop PC consider buying 12V chargers designed to take 12V directly and convert to the needed application.

Pretty much any device that uses 5V USB connection to charge you can buy a cig lighter style 12V to 5V USB charger that will work great and has extremely low idle current draw when compared to any inverter.



$5-$10..

Just need to add in a couple of cig lighter power points..

You can also buy built in 12V to 5V USB charging ports..

$8-$15



For laptops, you can buy a "universal" 12V to laptop power supply, uses changeable "tips" that sets the voltage and current for your laptop..







That one is a 90W universal laptop supply I bought for DDs loaded i7 laptop.. DD liked it so much that she only uses that power supply for her laptop! Bought it back in 2019 and so far, she hasn't broke the power supply yet. Best of all, it can not only operate from 12V but 120V also and even has built in 5V USB charging port to boot!

Found ***Link Removed*** for $35

Just verify that the power supply you choose has a compatible tip for your PC..

Thank you! Good tips. Already installed a USB hub for charging the smaller devices. The laptop thing looks interesting but we have older Macs so I don't think that'll work. The newer macbooks use usb-c and have 12v chargers available. But yeah, very expensive pieces of kit!

time2roll wrote:

nakedgun wrote:

time2roll wrote:
I would skip the big inverter/charger for your described use. 300 watt inverter will work fine. Add a small transfer switch to the branch circuit and use the existing outlets. Replace the converter for faster charging of the AGM batteries.

Thank you. Pardon my ignorance, but the transfer switch would connect the 30a shore supply line/inverter output and feed into the 30a supply line into the distribution panel? In this scenario, is it necessary to disconnect the Magnatek charger to prevent a power loop, or would the transfer switch handle that automagically? A link to an online product would appreciated, so I can investigate more.

Thanks all for your help.

No. Just power the one branch circuit for the outlets. Remove the branch circuit Romex from the breaker and connect to the transfer switch output. The transfer switch input connects to the inverter and that now empty breaker.

Thank you! I'm a little confused though - you'll have to bare with me as I'm only used to DC systems.

In this picture you'll notice there are 3 breakers installed: https://ibb.co/gTGrqnV

I am assuming the first 30A breaker is for shore power. The second one powers some 15/20a circuits - and I think supplies power to the charger below. Last one is a 15a. So in my simple understanding, the first is an input circuit (which feeds the adjacent breakers) - which are output circuits.

When you say "Remove the branch circuit Romex from the breaker and connect to the transfer switch output" - what breaker would this refer to? I am not sure what a branch circuit Romex is. I get that there are live, neutral and ground wires - the top bar is ground, the left is neutral. That's about the extent of my understanding of this thing.

If I feel like the above is outside of my comfort zone worst case I'll run a cord from inverter > shore power hookup and add the spst switch on the 120v line to the converter. It's a little manual but could work.