What to look for in an inverter/charger?

SCVJeff wrote:
As far as running the microwave, we do it for a quick heat up or popcorn, anything longer than about 4 mins, we use the generator. It's all about battery capacity, the 2000w class inverters can run most microwaves given enough supply current.

I'm still gun shy about begging the batteries to do so much. When our kids were little and we got our first inverter, my daughter used the inverter to make toast instead of flipping on the gen. The toaster created such a load that it melted the positive terminal off one of our T105s. It looked like something out of the Terminator.

Must have been some corrosion, loose connection or bad crimp connection to the wiring. My 2 slice toaster draws about 100 amps on my batteries, the posts and cables don't even get warm.

Air conditioning draws over 200 amps, still no heating of cables or connectors.

dedmiston wrote:
The toaster created such a load that it melted the positive terminal off one of our T105s. It looked like something out of the Terminator.

That was poor clamping -not cleaned properly.
Did the same 3 days ago on conversion new starting batteries.
Good thing the conversion is using terminal to bolt adapters and when I cleaned the adapter terminal end very good - the bolt side was not so. Engine not started for over a year took some cranking and suddenly all the power went off.
I went to battery compartment to find 1/2 of the lead adapter melted on top of the battery and the bolt hanging loose on the cable.
I bought my Xantrek inverter/charger 10 years ago and used it a lot as roof AC is the only I have in the conversion.

dedmiston wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:
As far as running the microwave, we do it for a quick heat up or popcorn, anything longer than about 4 mins, we use the generator. It's all about battery capacity, the 2000w class inverters can run most microwaves given enough supply current.

I'm still gun shy about begging the batteries to do so much. When our kids were little and we got our first inverter, my daughter used the inverter to make toast instead of flipping on the gen. The toaster created such a load that it melted the positive terminal off one of our T105s. It looked like something out of the Terminator.

how many? If it were two I wouldn't have done it either, but 4 is a different story. It could also have been a bad battery or loose terminal (if 4). With our MW load that works out to 40A ea. for (x) min. Not a bad ask but no for long

GordonThree wrote:
Air conditioning draws over 200 amps, still no heating of cables or connectors.

I used to try to run air @12v with 6 batteries/inverter. Everything was ok for maybe 1/2 hour, after that, things started heating up.

Even at 48v, I got some soldering iron heating on one crimped connection (the + at the buss). Wire too small. Replaced with bigger. NO more heating.

Dave
I know your primary camping is taking the TH out to the desert with your toys

Do you ever use electric heaters? In any of those outlets?
Ever use electric toasters ovens etc..
Hair dryer?
Figure up what will be going on in the morning or evening then pick the inverter with the transfer switch that Will handle that power
Once that is in the circuit , you want one that can handle the output power of the generator that will be flowing thru it, even though you are not inverting, you're drawing that power thru the contacts of the internal transfer switch
Some of these combo inverter charger units, only handle 30 amps per leg, if all your cooking or outlet loads are on one leg of the input service, there could be a problem
If While using the generator
Turn on the A/C and MW at the same time on the same power leg?
The 50 amp main breaker won't care, but the 30 amp contacts in the transfer switch might be near peak use

MrWizard wrote:

Some of these combo inverter charger units, only handle 30 amps per leg, it all your loads are on one leg of the input service, there could be a problem

I think you are exaggerating the issue, or you do extreme things.
I have my 24 amp inverter mounted on 50 amp leg and never had a problem.
Obviously I never run AC, microwave and coffee maker all at the same time.

MrWizard wrote:
Do you ever use electric heaters? In any of those outlets?
Ever use electric toasters ovens etc..
Hair dryer?

Never. At least not anymore.

Just TVs, DVDs, mobile devices, and a CPAP.

24 amp rated switch on a 50 amp circuit would not work for me.

Does the OP have 30 amp or 50 amp RV?

dedmiston wrote:
Just TVs, DVDs, mobile devices, and a CPAP.

All you need is 300 watts, maybe 600 max. Small transfer switch for each branch circuit (two?). And maybe a converter upgrade.

Monster all-in-one is a bit overkill.