Top 5 upgrades

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Larry,

What you are talking about is called "double conversion". I use it lots, especially when I'm on limited shore power.

Here is what I did:

1. added an auxiliary shore power cord that has two standard outlets
2. put a plug powered by the auxiliary cord in the power center for only the converter
3. put an inverter powered outlet in the shore power cord box
4. plugged the shore power cord into the inverter powered outlet.

That worked so well, that I decided to add another power outlet in the kitchen that is only powered by the inverter. That way I can use more than the 30 amps my RV is equipped with.

Since I used standard plugs, I can switch back to OEM wiring in 20 seconds.

You can not do it forever, because most converters can't "keep up" with the load, so the batteries eventually become discharged. But it is great for cooking and etc.

Larryzv7 wrote:
I’m thinking I can hook my inverter to my 5th wheel batteries, which would give me an additional 120 power source, and the trailer batteries X2 will be recharged by the shore power; or is this incorrect?

pianotuna, thank you for responding to my inquiry. My 30-amps only gives me about 3,300 watts and I use two 1,500 watt space heaters to save on propane, but I can not run them both at once else they will trip the gfci outlet, so I currently run a 110 extension cord from the 110 outlet on the shore power box into the 5th wheel via the pass-thru storage compartment, in addition I have the 30-amp hooked up, and I plug 1-space heater into the 110-extension cord and the other into an RV outlet, and they both run fine that way, but I am always looking for ways to get more power sources for my RV.

I have a 1200-watt inverter in my truck, which helps me when I’m dry camping, but as I’ve said I have to run the truck when I use it else I will drain the truck battery. And I have 2-Honda 2000 generators, but I've been brainstorming ways that I could somehow use that inverter in the 5th wheel instead of the truck without draining the battery. Again, thanks for your information, I have printed it out and will give it some serious consideration.