Inverter/Battery Question

drhuggybear wrote:
We have a Wildwood 29QBDS. We don't typically do boondocking so I haven't really ever looked into running things when I don't have access to shore power.

My daughters are now getting to the age where their events last most of a Saturday or Sunday. I have a few questions for the experts on here:

1) If all I was going to run was some lights, a fan or two, how much power (size of an inverter, number of batteries, size of batteries) would I need?

2) If I added the use of a microwave how much would that change question 1?

3) I am fairly handy. Given some decent instructions I typically can do things myself. Is this something that I could install myself or do I need to bite the bullet and have the dealership install this?

Thanks

#1 Change 12V incadescent lights to 12V LED lights, that makes the lighting pretty much a non issue.. Fans, well they do make 12V fans..

12V Lights and fans eliminates the need for a 12V to 120V inverter, thus saving a lot on battery capacity. Typically you could get away with a size group 27 (about 60-80 Ahr) or a pair of group 27 batteries (about 120-160 Ahr)

#2 General consensus around here is it IS better to run high wattage/high 120V demand items DIRECTLY FROM A GENERATOR.

Some folks have managed to run a microwave from inverter and batteries BUT it typically takes two PAIRS of 6V GC batteries (400 Ahr or more of battery capacity) to get enough capacity for 5-10 minutes or so of microwave.

Then you NEED a generator to recharge the battery bank as soon as possible to avoid reducing the battery capacity.

#3 12V LEDs are typically a DIY project and 12V fans should also be no problem.. If you use a generator to run your microwave there is nothing needed to be installed by a dealer..

If you want 120V for a SMALL LED/LCD TV/DVD then you could possibly get away with a small plug in inverter (cig plug), provided it doesn't draw more than about 80W (limit of cig plug)..

Cell phone, tablet and even laptop PCs all can be charged directly from 12V if you purchase 12V chargers..

Most Cellphones now days use a 5V USB port charger so you can buy a $5 12V to USB charger..

Many tablets also can use USB port for charging, the caveat there is they often will charge very slowly if your 12V to USB adapter can only supply 5V at 1A..

Tablets recharge much faster with 5V at 2.1A chargers.. A bit more expensive but much better than running an inverter to charge these devices..

For Laptop PCs you can buy a generic 12V to laptop power supply which you can run or charge your laptop directly from 12V.