Hi Mike,
1. at 24 volts you want to move over to an MPPT controller. Xantrex is not a brand I would recommend.
2. no, a 300 watt inverter will not run a drip coffee machine. Some drip coffee machines can draw 1200 watts. The inverter should be a minimum of 125% of that value (1600 watts).
3. In best practise, it should be impossible to plug the shore power cord into a pedestal and the inverter at the same time. A simple manual system of plugs will make that possible. You can get fancy and use a transfer switch--but I don't like them. I want to KNOW the power is off, and unplugging does that for me. In addition to powering via the shore power cable, I chose to add a dedicated inverter outlet in the kitchen. When I have only 15 amp shore power that lets me draw from the battery bank while cooking. Much nicer than having to "load balance", particularly if you do not have access to the shore power breaker.
Mike@Asheville wrote:
3 more questions please.
1. What is the practical difference in 12v and 24v panels. How do they impact the user different?
2. Is a 300 watt inverter enough to run most drip coffee machines? I'm sure the other electrical needs I have will be more than covered by 300w. A few LED lights, a little TV occasionally, charging phones, and the sleep machine at night when my wife is along. When I'm alone I'm normally outside until close to bedtime so I don't use much A.C.
From 3 Tons: "What I did is wire the output of my Morningstar inverter to a 30 amp RV receptacle. Before I turn on the inverter, I turn off the converter. Then all 110V outlets are live, which is very convenient. The only caution is when doing it that way, don't try to run the microwave or AC. If I want those heavy draw items to run, I plug the 30A power cable into my genset."
3. I'm still confused on the 110 outlets. From 3 Tons post it sounds like you can make all the outlets live but you risk someone forgetting to turn converter or inverter off and causing a significant repair bill. Is that correct?
if so It sounds like it's best to have one or two NEW dedicated outlets run directly to the converter. is that right?
