Forum Discussion
- Cheryl,
How did you decide on 3000 watts and not know what you need to run?
You really need six batteries to run anywhere near capacity.
2000 watts will run the microwave and I cannot imagine needing more than that for typical use. Forget air conditioning or a space heater. - pianotunaNomad IIIHi Cheryl,
I own the Magnum 3000 hybrid inverter/charger. I can run anything in the RV, but only for as long as the battery bank lasts. My bank is medium sized at 556 amp-hours of surplus acid AGM's. I can run the roof air for 1.7 hours before hitting 50% state of charge.
So the question becomes not "what can you run?" (answer everything), but "how do you recharge the battery bank?"
For recharging, I use a combination of solar, shore power, and a generator (which lives on a rack behind my class C). Costs for recharge from solar are essentially free after the initial purchase. Cost for shore power is included in a site rental. Costs for running the generator are astronomical in comparison.
The three inverter makers I would consider are Victron, Magnum, and Outback. All of them have a hybrid inverter charger and all are top drawer items.Cheryl_B wrote:
I want to buy an inverter and I'm going to go all the way and get a 3,000 watt. What can you run on it and can you power your whole RV with it? I saw a video on youtube where a man installed a 3-prong plug (so he could plug in just like he could with shore power) and he was able to run his microwave. The video didn't show him running anything else. - Cheryl_BExplorerI'd like to ask a question and I hope you don't mind if I thread-jack a moment. I bought a 3100 watt generator and then discovered that without a toad, I just didn't know where to keep the dog gone thing. I couldn't set up my dining room table and that was a drag. So, I sold it last week.
I want to buy an inverter and I'm going to go all the way and get a 3,000 watt. What can you run on it and can you power your whole RV with it? I saw a video on youtube where a man installed a 3-prong plug (so he could plug in just like he could with shore power) and he was able to run his microwave. The video didn't show him running anything else.
Is this a viable option or do I still need a small generator eventually? Thanks for the information. - StraboExplorerWe use our Genny.
- SCVJeffExplorer
smkettner wrote:
Generously apply to the source of smoke, let dry, and sell it..
I only recommend sine wave. I switched to GoPower when the smoke came out of the Xantrex Prosine 1800. - pianotunaNomad IIIGreat plan SMK.
71chevelle wrote:
That's easy. Just power the one branch circuit you need.
I wanted to get rid of the converter and get an inverter and a better charger just to run the tv and small appliances so I don't have to run the gen if I'm off the grid. My issue now is I bought a used magnum 1000w inverter charger but it only has a 20 amp pass through relay for shore power instead of 30. It has the smart switch but with the low amperage I'm not sure how to route it to make it work. I know I should've got a 30 amp but the price was right.
Remove the branch circuit romex from the panel and attach to the inverter output. Get a short piece of romex and attach to the inverter input and to the panel where the other wire was removed.
Main cord --> main breaker --> branch breaker --> inverter in --> inverter out --> branch circuit- kevdenExplorerI bought a refurbished msw motomaster eliminator 1750 (made by xantrex) from e bay. The first one was doa, went thru 2 more in about a year. Not sure if it was because it was refurbished, or if they are junk to begin with. Now i have a peak brand 2000w msw from amazon that works great so far. It is going thru a xantrex prowatt automatic transfer switch that is rated for up to 15 amps.
- 71chevelleExplorerI wanted to get rid of the converter and get an inverter and a better charger just to run the tv and small appliances so I don't have to run the gen if I'm off the grid. My issue now is I bought a used magnum 1000w inverter charger but it only has a 20 amp pass through relay for shore power instead of 30. It has the smart switch but with the low amperage I'm not sure how to route it to make it work. I know I should've got a 30 amp but the price was right.
- I only recommend sine wave. I switched to GoPower when the smoke came out of the Xantrex Prosine 1800.
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