I currently have to t106's in the 5th. Im not totally averse to buying 2 more, I just dont want to if I dont need to.The plan:purchased 2 inverters, 500 watt pure sine, 1500 watt modified.install the 500 watt and run 2 new outlets to TV area for sensitive gear.install 1500 watt and run 2 outlets up to kitchen for microwave and coffee pot kettle etc.the reason:given the amount of waste energy through inversion, I figured that a 500 would be good enough for an LED TV and what ever, for about 2 hours max.... the 1500 would only be powered up if I wanted to make coffee or run the nuke or fill the air bed for 2 minutes...we do carry a generator, Im shooting for convenience here for when we are not hooked up and boon docking or dry camping on the road.I wouldnt plan to use the inverted power too long, like I said, maybe 2 hours of DVD movies or something. likely be something we did for about 5 day intervals before we plug in and fully charge up again, but will run the geny from time to time for an hour or so to cool the unit etc.the question:is 2 t105's enough ? will my 220 amp alternator be able to run enough amps through the light gauge wire in the 7 pin plug to replace some used amp hours through the day of driving ?another question, has anyone wired up a switch or relay to swap the 110v from shore to inverter ? or is plugging in the norm ?

MudChucker wrote: 2 inverters, 500 watt pure sine, 1500 watt modified.install 1500 watt and run 2 outlets up to kitchen for microwave and coffee pot kettle etc.the reason:given the amount of waste energy through inversion, I figured that a 500 would be good enough for an LED TV and what ever, for about 2 hours max.... the 1500 would only be powered up if I wanted to make coffee or run the nuke or fill the air bed for 2 minutes...is 2 t105's enough ? another question, has anyone wired up a switch or relay to swap the 110v from shore to inverter ? or is plugging in the norm ?Your wiring plan is questionable. What do you mean by 'run 2 outlets'? Some folks like me, find it much easier to supply the coach's breaker panel directly. That way there's no messy wiring to be done.As I'm sure you've read on this board, MWs don't do too well with MSW. I think you're going to struggle with just 2 batts for any heavy loads like the MW.Transfer switches are common.I'd get a big PSW and be done with it. 'Waste energy thru inversion' is a common gripe, but your approach seems to be a lot of work and expensive, relative to installing two more batteries, which you're going to need anyway.

You don't need 500w for TV and miscellaneous cellphones etc...The 1500 might be marginal for the MW, depending on inverter model and the MW involvedWhat is the input power for the MW, not the cooking WattsTwo batteries are will work for the TVNot really enough for a large MW, just OK for say a 700w modelAny MW use is going to mean recharging the next day,And I doubt that 1 Hr will be enough more like 2~3 hrs

While you can have 14.4 volts at the alternator output and probably 13.8 volts to the engine battery, chances are that very little amperage will go through the #14 or #12 wire going to the back bumper, then the #14 wire to the RV cord, and then to the RV battery.Upgrading to a #8 wire with a 50 amp rated Anderson Connector, or a twistlock 4 wire plug (so that it does not accidentally get plugged into 120 volt power) you can get a lot more amperage back to your battery.You would be much better off spending $800 or so to install a large solar system. You can buy a 140 watt solar panel for about $229. A PWM controller in the 20 - 30 amp range is only about $20 nowdays. Solar mounts can be made by cutting 6" long 2" angle aluminum and drilling 3 holes for #10 screws into the roof side and 5/16" hole for the solar panel frame side.SunElec.comHave fun camping!Fred.

I hadnt thought about that, I have the grey spade connector for my electric hydraulic brakes on the deck trailer.... I can make up a cord for the 5th if it's worth while.If 1500 msw won't run the MW I'm ok, so long as I can make coffee without pulling out the geny. The electric perculator says 750 watts.For the most part, I just want to be able to use the tv for an hour or so, so I can rest while the family bug out.I'm going to run the power fro the inverters to the area of need and install orange receptacles. They will only be hot when the inverter is on

You will work the pair fairly hard at times. I recommend two more T105s.

Inverter installation | Good Sam Community

MudChucker
Explorer
Jun 26, 2016

This is what I meant when I said second receptacle. The inverter is the 3rd.

If I like this I'll look into. 2 more Trojans a transfer switch and some solar.
phemens
Explorer
Jun 26, 2016
dahkota wrote:
We have a 1200W MSW inverter and use it to run our 900W coffee pot off 4 AGM batteries (440AH). The biggest problem encountered is the voltage drop due to the current draw - it might cut off the inverter. With 4 batteries, we see a .5V drop in the morning when brewing coffee. At that time, we are typically at 75 percent battery charge. The voltage on the batteries drops from 12.5V to 12V then returns to at least 12.4V when the coffee maker is done. Our inverter is set to cut off at 11.9V. The amp usage of the coffee maker during its cycle is 11AH but it pulls up to 100A while brewing. With only two batteries you will probably have a greater voltage drop which may make your inverter shut off.

I had the same problem with 2000w psw and 4 batteries. Replaced all the wiring (to inverter and between batteries) with 0000 gauge, no more problems.
dahkota
Explorer
Jun 26, 2016
We have a 1200W MSW inverter and use it to run our 900W coffee pot off 4 AGM batteries (440AH). The biggest problem encountered is the voltage drop due to the current draw - it might cut off the inverter. With 4 batteries, we see a .5V drop in the morning when brewing coffee. At that time, we are typically at 75 percent battery charge. The voltage on the batteries drops from 12.5V to 12V then returns to at least 12.4V when the coffee maker is done. Our inverter is set to cut off at 11.9V. The amp usage of the coffee maker during its cycle is 11AH but it pulls up to 100A while brewing. With only two batteries you will probably have a greater voltage drop which may make your inverter shut off.
MrWizard
Moderator
Jun 26, 2016
750w for about 10 minutes that's approx 70+ amps for 10 minutes
Approx 14 amp hours including inverter losses

TV even with a DVD player is less than 100w unless you have a 60" TV
So about 9 amps
A two hour movie will use about 18 amp hrs, not much at all about 8 percent of battery capacity

The 10 minutes of coffee maker will use more than that, even though it doesn't look like it
I'd not just straight math, it is the many times heavier draw that makes it harder on the battery more than an equal number of amp hours watching TV
But with summer weather, you can probably do it, make coffee in the morning, but don't try it in cool weather after using the RV LP heater at night
MudChucker
Explorer
Jun 26, 2016
Going to abandon the 1500 and put it in my construction trailer...

While plumbing the receptacle to the entertainment unit "we" dexcited that this was just so I wouldn't need to run the generator when we stop for naps onot the road and our 9 year old wants to watch a movie while I sleep.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jun 26, 2016
Micro will run better on PSW rather than MSW.

Not enough battery bank for a 2000 watt inverter (see Bestconverter for a psw for $349.00)

My inverter runs the whole RV. I'd rather just have one inverter than two.
time2roll
Nomad
Jun 25, 2016
You will work the pair fairly hard at times. I recommend two more T105s.
MudChucker
Explorer
Jun 25, 2016
I hadnt thought about that, I have the grey spade connector for my electric hydraulic brakes on the deck trailer.... I can make up a cord for the 5th if it's worth while.

If 1500 msw won't run the MW I'm ok, so long as I can make coffee without pulling out the geny. The electric perculator says 750 watts.

For the most part, I just want to be able to use the tv for an hour or so, so I can rest while the family bug out.

I'm going to run the power fro the inverters to the area of need and install orange receptacles. They will only be hot when the inverter is on
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Jun 25, 2016
While you can have 14.4 volts at the alternator output and probably 13.8 volts to the engine battery, chances are that very little amperage will go through the #14 or #12 wire going to the back bumper, then the #14 wire to the RV cord, and then to the RV battery.

Upgrading to a #8 wire with a 50 amp rated Anderson Connector, or a twistlock 4 wire plug (so that it does not accidentally get plugged into 120 volt power) you can get a lot more amperage back to your battery.

You would be much better off spending $800 or so to install a large solar system. You can buy a 140 watt solar panel for about $229. A PWM controller in the 20 - 30 amp range is only about $20 nowdays. Solar mounts can be made by cutting 6" long 2" angle aluminum and drilling 3 holes for #10 screws into the roof side and 5/16" hole for the solar panel frame side.

SunElec.com

Have fun camping!

Fred.
MrWizard
Moderator
Jun 25, 2016
You don't need 500w for TV and miscellaneous cellphones etc...
The 1500 might be marginal for the MW, depending on inverter model and the MW involved
What is the input power for the MW, not the cooking Watts
Two batteries are will work for the TV
Not really enough for a large MW, just OK for say a 700w model
Any MW use is going to mean recharging the next day,
And I doubt that 1 Hr will be enough more like 2~3 hrs

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