hello, currently I am using 550w 12v rangy panels (4x 100w and 1x 150, with 1x more 150w coming). I completely rebuilt my RV, and it currently has no true electric. the solar panels go through my yeti 1400, and it has done well enough. I now need to put in REAL appliances though, and it will not be enough power. so my question is this:I am buying progressive dynamics 240/120v 90amp converter with built in fuse panel and everything. the batteries will be charged by driving the motorhome, and solar. do I need a dedicated inverter for the solar, or can it all work though this 120/240 - 12v converter? https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Dynamics-PD4590K18LV-Converter-Charge/dp/B002OR41YS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1519400250&sr=8-2&keywords=progressive+dynamics+90+amp

I don't understand the question. Inverters and converters are different things.

Mako Kupo wrote:hello, currently I am using 550w 12v rangy panels (4x 100w and 1x 150, with 1x more 150w coming). I completely rebuilt my RV, and it currently has no true electric. the solar panels go through my yeti 1400, and it has done well enough. I now need to put in REAL appliances though, and it will not be enough power. so my question is this:I am buying progressive dynamics 240/120v 90amp converter with built in fuse panel and everything. the batteries will be charged by driving the motorhome, and solar. do I need a dedicated inverter for the solar, or can it all work though this 120/240 - 12v converter? https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Dynamics-PD4590K18LV-Converter-Charge/dp/B002OR41YS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1519400250&sr=8-2&keywords=progressive+dynamics+90+ampIf you have no "true electric" why do you need a converter?A CONVERTER takes incoming 120 VAC electricity and CONVERTS it to a low (12-14) DC voltage. To need a converter, you would need first, an outside source of AC voltage. (generator or public utility). and secondly a DC battery or appliance in need of power. Your post says you are charging your batteries by solar or running the motorhome's alternator. So what do you need a converter for? Are you still intending to have 120 Vac appliances or television/lighting in place? Your prior post make it appear not. You seem to be trying to manufacture electricity by converting back and forth between AC and DC with the converter and inverter. Understand, any time you change a dynamic in energy or power, be it from spinning a turbine with water and gravity or heating water to create steam, a portion of the power used to change the state of the energy is lost. There is no perpetual motion machine.

It sounds like you want more 120 VAC. Your Yeti is rated for 1500 W. Even 1500 W is a lot for extended battery operation - what are these "REAL appliances" you're talking about? There's a reason RV appliances which create heat use propane (furnace, stove, water heater). Same with 12 V (lights, water pump). Or both (refrigerator). Microwave and AirCon are AC only, and typically are expected to only be used when plugged into "shore power." But even your 1500 W Yeti should handle a microwave for short periods (popcorn, not rump roast), as long as nothing else is running. Again, what are these appliances which need more than 1500 W AC, where you expect 700 W of panels to keep the batteries charged?If you want more AC power when off-grid, you get a bigger inverter, connected to the batteries. 1500 W is going to draw over 125 A @ 12 V, so if you want more power for other than brief periods, you're going to need a big bank of batteries and hefty wiring. Normally, if you then want AC when plugged in, you'd have a transfer switch to disconnect the inverter from the outlets, and connect them to the incoming AC line instead. The converter changes AC to DC, and requires you to plug into external AC power. When plugged in, it can both charge the batteries and power DC appliances.I think you're saying you want to avoid that, and always have the inverter provide the AC power, but have a converter provide DC to the battery and inverter to support that. Not the usual method, and it would work in theory, but you'd need a MUCH larger converter than 90 A to power a larger inverter. It wouldn't even power a 1500 W one, which is what you have in the Yeti.

2oldman wrote:I don't understand the question. Inverters and converters are different things.I think he is confused! Shouldnt be fooling with electricity.

The distribution panel you are buying is intended for 50 amp service available to plug in. Multiple breakers allow you to distribute 120v power on separate branch circuits.The 12v distribution side includes a 90 amp converter to supply 12v to the RV lights and accessories. In addition it will charge your battery when you are plugged into electric power from utility or generator power.This system works in conjunction with the solar or alternator to keep the battery charged.No inverter.Maybe post what you are attempting to accomplish so this can be confirmed or redirected to some other equipment.

solar question | Good Sam Community

Mako_Kupo
Explorer
Mar 01, 2018
:S
MrWizard wrote:
marko
the answer is yes

why didn't you put your question that way in the first post
Almot
Explorer III
Feb 28, 2018
Mako Kupo wrote:
do I need a separate inverter for the solar? or can I tie it (charge controller/panels) into the rest of the system.

1. You don't. Inverter is a load, not a charging source.

2. Yes.
allen8106
Explorer
Feb 28, 2018
Mako Kupo wrote:
pianotuna wrote:
Here is what you need.

A converter. Progressive Dynamics, Iota, or Boondocker.

A solar charge controller and panels

An inverter that is large enough to run all the devices you wish to power. It should be sized at 125% of the maximum load that needs to be run.

A large capacity battery bank. Decide the sizing by doing an energy audit.

The inverter can either be stand alone, or have a charger built in. I kept the OEM converter because sometimes the Magnum inverter causes gfci outlets to fault.

There are a few inverters that double as charge controllers for Solar. I would not choose that type of equipment. They have not been around long enough to have a track record.

I have the progressive dynamics 90 amp 120/240. I also have 700w in panels. I'm still just waiting for a basic answer to my question. can solar panels charge the house batteries that are also charged by shore power/alternator? that is all I am asking. thank you! I included the link to my converter in the OP.

Normally you'll want to disconnect the converter and install a inverter/charger. That's what I did and I left the converter intact in the event my inverter goes down. All I have to do in plug my converter back in and plug into shore power.
time2roll
Nomad
Feb 26, 2018
Mako Kupo wrote:
all I need to know is if I need a separate inverter aside from the circuits from the converter?
No. All an inverter does is take battery power and produces 120vac.

Mako Kupo wrote:
do I need a separate inverter for the solar? or can I tie it (charge controller/panels) into the rest of the system.
An inverter has nothing to do with solar.
MrWizard
Moderator
Feb 25, 2018
marko
the answer is yes

why didn't you put your question that way in the first post
Mako_Kupo
Explorer
Feb 25, 2018
wonderful. thank you guys!
pianotuna
Nomad III
Feb 25, 2018
Yes, and solar "plays well" with PD converters.

Mako Kupo wrote:
I have the progressive dynamics 90 amp 120/240. I also have 700w in panels. I'm still just waiting for a basic answer to my question. can solar panels charge the house batteries that are also charged by shore power/alternator?
pianotuna
Nomad III
Feb 25, 2018
Yes.

If you intend to boondock, solar pays for itself quickly.

This plain english series of articles may help with the "how".

https://freecampsites.net/adding-solar/

Mako Kupo wrote:
lets just rephrase this entirely. my question is this:

I have a motorhome with existing converter that allows you to plug into shore power or generator to charge batteries and power everything in the RV.

can I add solar panels and charge controller to charge those same house batteries? that is all I was asking, thank you!
Mako_Kupo
Explorer
Feb 25, 2018
pianotuna wrote:

An inverter that is large enough to run all the devices you wish to power. It should be sized at 125% of the maximum load that needs to be run.

A large capacity battery bank. Decide the sizing by doing an energy audit.

on this I still have some questions. you guys are all wonderful by the way, so many responses! I'm deciding what batteries to get, currently I have a duralast 80ah and the yeti 1400. I want to go for lithium I think, and was looking at Winston cells. there are a few others, but I've heard good things about the Winston's and they are reasonable so I think I will go with them.
to get a lithium battery bank, id need a more specific charge controller I believe. battleborn batteries (Nevada) sell morningstar mppt controllers right on their site, and Winston does as well but I don't recognize any of them. I know I have to program to charge at different voltages than AGM or flooded, but the descriptions are only so detailed. any recommendations?
Mako_Kupo
Explorer
Feb 25, 2018
lets just rephrase this entirely. my question is this:

I have a motorhome with existing converter that allows you to plug into shore power or generator to charge batteries and power everything in the RV.

can I add solar panels and charge controller to charge those same house batteries? that is all I was asking, thank you!

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