Power inverter installation

[MagillaGorilla]

Have any of you ever installed an inverter to run your TV and DVD player?

Was it difficult?

How many watt did you need?

Where did you get the 12VDC power source for the input?

What tips can you share?

[shepstone]

Good advice thanks. Its been so long that I used it but I am fairly sure I did that , but a good reminder, nonetheless

[CA_Traveler]

shepstone wrote:
For the few rare times that I need to run of the inverter I bring the umbilical to the inverter and plug it in then have hydro to the entire rig. But I've only used it that way for short periods of time. Please tell me if I am doing it wrong. Its a Cat CPL 1000 inverter running off 2 Crown cr235 6volts

That's fine but turn off the charger. With the inverter drawing from the batteries to supply the charger to charge the batteries to supply the inverter doesn't work and will drain the batteries even faster.

[shepstone]

For the few rare times that I need to run of the inverter I bring the umbilical to the inverter and plug it in then have hydro to the entire rig. But I've only used it that way for short periods of time. Please tell me if I am doing it wrong. Its a Cat CPL 1000 inverter running off 2 Crown cr235 6volts

[wkswenson]

I completed an install of a 1000W Xantrex Pure Sine Wave inverter and updated some of the wiring to the existing 2000W inverter used for the fridge.

The original battery/inverter area with a mess of cables.


installed a wall to mount the parts and pieces on


Starting to install the components


Completed the install of the wiring. The remote switch on this panel is for the fridge inverter.


The remote switch inside the camper.

[tenbear]

Way, way, way out of line. If you have any DIY skills, or a friend that does, its a simple job.

I you do negotiate a reasonable price with the dealer make sure he installs a good Pure Sine Wave inverter, not a piece of junk.

[sh4717]

MagillaGorilla wrote:
Update: We are scheduled to take delivery on our MH this weekend. I called the dealer to see what the cost would be to have them install an inverter that would just run the TV and DVD player (just for the living room TV). They said that it would run between $2800 and $4000.

Is it me or does that seem insanely high?

"Insane" is an understatement.....All that is required is to purchase a small inverter, mount it in a compartment close to the batteries, run cables to the batteries, and then run wiring to one of your outlets or run an extension cord directly to a power strip where the TV and DVD player are. Easy.

[time2roll]

$1,000 would be insane.

I use a 300w Go Power sine wave inverter with remote switch.
Mounted behind the breaker/fuse panel.
12v power from main battery feed.
Small transfer switch to feed the circuit you want.
No wire to pull, just make connections.
$400 max for easy self install.

Go Power 300w $172

KISAE 15a switch $50

[MagillaGorilla]

Update: We are scheduled to take delivery on our MH this weekend. I called the dealer to see what the cost would be to have them install an inverter that would just run the TV and DVD player (just for the living room TV). They said that it would run between $2800 and $4000.

Is it me or does that seem insanely high?

[westend]

Calkidd wrote:
You can also wire in your inverter to certain plugs.

There was a discussion about this were I explained my install and being careful about how your wire in your inverter.

Grounding an inverter

"Plugs", meaning receptacles? I'd even settle for outlets 🙂

I'm pretty sure this is a regional thing with "plugs" but it bothers the heck out of me. A "plug" in usual electrical parlance is the male end of a cordset having two or three metal prongs that are inserted into a female socket (receptacle, in most cases).

[Calkidd]

You can also wire in your inverter to certain plugs.

There was a discussion about this were I explained my install and being careful about how your wire in your inverter.

Grounding an inverter

[Ron3rd]

..as to the fan noise, you don't necessarily need a fanless inverter, just get one with a quite fan. The cheap ones are very noisy, the better quality ones are very quiet. In the 300w range, the best is Morningstar (fanless) but they run about 3 bills. My Samlex PST Series PSW 300w is very quiet and runs about $150. Also, the fan is thermo controlled meaning the fan only comes on when needed. The cheapos run all the time.

[Almot]

MagillaGorilla wrote:
Have any of you ever installed an inverter to run your TV and DVD player?
I wouldn't call mine an "install". Just put it in the front pass-through storage and threw an extension cord under the bed platform to inside. Temporary setup.

Was it difficult?
No.

How many watt did you need?
Inverters are rated for "continuous power" and "peak power". Continuous power rating should be at least 1.5 times of TV/DVD power. You can get away with as little as 100W, check the specs of your TV/DVD.

Where did you get the 12VDC power source for the input?
You can use 12V cig lighter receptacle if you have one. I connected inverter directly to battery because don't have a 12V receptacle in my trailer.

What tips can you share?
Nothing too important. If it's in the trailer inside, make sure it's fanless.

[Almot]

wanderingbob wrote:
Ain't nuttin wrong with going larger than you need , a larger inverter will not draw more from your battery than a smaller inverter if the loads are equal !

I wouldn't be so sure. Up to 300W they are (mostly) fanless, while larger inverters have fun. Idle draw of 175W inverter can be 3-4 times less than 1,500W one.

[Muddydogs]

I just did this install, had a 750 watt inverter laying around so I used it. Put inverter as close to the battery's as I could which is the front storage hold, I mounted it so I could open the door and reach in to the unit to turn it on. For the inverter to battery run I used 4ga wire. For the power line I ran a 10/2 outdoor extension cord under the trailer and up the fridge vent to a plug box hole I cut behind the TV which is mounted above the fridge. Wired a dedicated plug at the TV then ran 10/2 romex behind the microwave and through another cabinet to the DVD player which is above the kitchen sink, on the end of this line I just wired on an extension cord plug to plug the DVD into. System works great but I do have to go outside to turn on and off the inverter, next inverter will have a remote switch.