I am looking to add an inverter to my motorhome to run the TV and the DVD player. If possible I wouldn't mind it running all the electrical, Microwave Ect. while we are driving down the road without running the generator. I am not sure if I have one already or where to look on the motorhome itself. I dont think I do so I was wondering what watt size someone might look at putting on and how do you connect to the system. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated Thanks.

Merick, Running a TV and such is one thing, (maybe 300 watts) and running a microwave (1500 watts) are two very different things. The little inverter for the entertainment systems can probably be had for less than 40$ for a cheapie, and can be simply wired. But the 1500+ watt inverter will need to be next to the batteries because it will be wanting 150 amperes from the house bank. It will have to be wired with figure thick (2~00 AWG) cable. Not all microwave like running from inverter power. Decide what you want to do and how much you are willing to spend before you jump in. This is want I did a lot of on boats before the depression.Matt

These threads will help you get started.. Don Rowe site Inverter FAQInverters by Phredinverter threadMSW v. pure sineInverters and MW thread

Need 2000 watts to run the microwave. Need four house batteries to drive this size inverter. I recommend Go Power sine wave. Connection to the electric system is done with a transfer switch.

Thanks for the replies, I am pretty sure that I mainly am just looking for one to run the tv and dvd player as we go down the road. As everyone knows with a gas motor the coach already eats enough fuel without running the Gen also. So I believe that maybe a smaller 750watt would work just fine to do that I will just have to figure out how to run the power from the battery to it.

Hi merick,300 watts is plenty for the entertainment system. It will have sufficient capacity to charge things such as laptops, and cell phones. Do spring for a pure sine wave unit.

Adding a power inverter | Good Sam Community

time2roll
Nomad
Aug 29, 2014
MSW is fine for most usage. At this power level the items I understand may have issues are electric blankets and Apple products. tv & dvd should be fine. I had some lines on my picture using a MSW that went away with SW. Could have been a grounding or proximity issue. Still ran/runs fine.
jhilley
Explorer
Aug 29, 2014
mericksonjr wrote:
Why would I need a Pure sine wave inverter? It seems like they are a lot more expensive. I wont be using a satellite for TV as I dont have a subscription to a provider and the TV will be used mostly for movies played from the DVD player. Its an older TV, The Flat screen but not like the new ones it still has the big tube. (Motor Home is a 2007) I may replace it in the future but not now. So is it something I need for the newer TV's? Just wondering

If you wanted to run the microwave on the inverter.
mericksonjr
Explorer
Aug 29, 2014
Why would I need a Pure sine wave inverter? It seems like they are a lot more expensive. I wont be using a satellite for TV as I dont have a subscription to a provider and the TV will be used mostly for movies played from the DVD player. Its an older TV, The Flat screen but not like the new ones it still has the big tube. (Motor Home is a 2007) I may replace it in the future but not now. So is it something I need for the newer TV's? Just wondering
jhilley
Explorer
Aug 29, 2014
A 2000 watt Xantrex Prowatt pure sine wave inverter can be bought for $383.13. You can turn off the converter, put the refrigerator on propane and plug the shore power cord into the inverter. You will be limited to 15 amps for the whole motor home, but it is easy to do. Mount the inverter next to the batters and run a 10 or 12 gauge cable back to the shore power compartment. Mount a 30 amp receptacle on the end of the cable in the shore power compartment.
bsinmich
Explorer
Aug 28, 2014
I run my generator when I want extra cooling (if it gets over 100) and the fuel consumption is not that much. Mine takes a little over 1/2 gal per hr.
CT_WANDERER
Explorer
Aug 28, 2014
mericksonjr wrote:
Thanks for the replies, I am pretty sure that I mainly am just looking for one to run the tv and dvd player as we go down the road. As everyone knows with a gas motor the coach already eats enough fuel without running the Gen also. So I believe that maybe a smaller 750watt would work just fine to do that I will just have to figure out how to run the power from the battery to it.

You do know that the TV is not to be viewable to the driver while going down the road. Gary
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 28, 2014
mericksonjr wrote:
So I believe that maybe a smaller 750watt would work just fine to do that I will just have to figure out how to run the power from the battery to it.

Stick to 300 watts max as that is twice what is needed.

Use the existing 12v main power feed to the 12v panel to get 12 volts.

Then use a small transfer switch to power the single tv/dvd circuit.
http://www.donrowe.com/KISAE-TS20A-Automatic-Transfer-Switch-p/ts20a.htm

No pulling wire, just make connections.

Go Power 300w sine wave has a provision for a remote switch. No digging into hidden area to turn power on. http://gpelectric.com/products/300-watt-pure-sine-wave-inverter
pianotuna
Nomad III
Aug 28, 2014
Hi merick,

300 watts is plenty for the entertainment system. It will have sufficient capacity to charge things such as laptops, and cell phones. Do spring for a pure sine wave unit.
mericksonjr
Explorer
Aug 28, 2014
Thanks for the replies, I am pretty sure that I mainly am just looking for one to run the tv and dvd player as we go down the road. As everyone knows with a gas motor the coach already eats enough fuel without running the Gen also. So I believe that maybe a smaller 750watt would work just fine to do that I will just have to figure out how to run the power from the battery to it.
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 28, 2014
Need 2000 watts to run the microwave. Need four house batteries to drive this size inverter. I recommend Go Power sine wave. Connection to the electric system is done with a transfer switch.

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