Inverter question

[Vt_Rv]

I know my 2003 Damon Challenger has an inverter, and I have two golf cart batteries for house power, but how do I know what runs off the inverter?

I've been thinking of adding a cube size fridge to the basement area and was going to add a 110 AC outlet to run it off but have been thinking of maybe either adding it to the existing inverter or adding another inverter just for the fridge.

The compartment where I want to put the fridge is right beside the two batteries. I'm not sure what the draw is or what size inverter I'd need but it seems like it would be simple to wire. My thought is that it would then run while traveling without having to run the generator.

From what I've read it looks like a 1000 watt inverter should run the fridge?

[OnaQuest]

MOST Damon Challangers would not have come with an inverter as standard. They were available, of course, as an option.

I suspect that if you have an inverter, it is a very small one and installed to operate the entertainment systems only. Probably located in the area of the TV.

[harold1946]

It should be in the same bay.
Get the manufacturers name and model number of what you have found. Makes identification much easier.

[Vt_Rv]

harold1946 wrote:

Vt Rv wrote:

RoyB wrote:
I suspect you are calling your POWER CONVERTER/CHARGER unit an INVERTER. These are two different animals. Most trailers come with the CONVERTER as a standard item and the INVERTER is a custom install items.

You are correct. I went out and checked and it is a converter rather then an inverter.

You may want to check further. On many Damons they are two seperate units.

Would the inverter be located near the converter?

[RoyB]

HAROLD1946 - I get caught all the time with some of my trailer answers verses motorhome answers. It appears they are different animals with how things are setup. I tend to hang-out on the NEWEST POSTS section and don't always catch which forum thread is being posted.

I need to watch that more closly. I normally try to stay clear of the motorhome posts. Common sense answers doesn't always apply...

Roy ken

[harold1946]

Vt Rv wrote:

RoyB wrote:
I suspect you are calling your POWER CONVERTER/CHARGER unit an INVERTER. These are two different animals. Most trailers come with the CONVERTER as a standard item and the INVERTER is a custom install items.

You are correct. I went out and checked and it is a converter rather then an inverter.

You may want to check further. On many Damons they are two seperate units.

[Vt_Rv]

RoyB wrote:
I suspect you are calling your POWER CONVERTER/CHARGER unit an INVERTER. These are two different animals. Most trailers come with the CONVERTER as a standard item and the INVERTER is a custom install items.

You are correct. I went out and checked and it is a converter rather then an inverter.

[harold1946]

RoyB wrote:
I suspect you are calling your POWER CONVERTER/CHARGER unit an INVERTER. These are two different animals. Most trailers come with the CONVERTER as a standard item and the INVERTER is a custom install items.

The CONVERTER takes 120VAC from the shore power hookup and converters it to 12VDC to run all of your 12VDC items and also charge your 12VDC batteries.

Provide us with model numbers and we can tell you what you have...

The INVERTER is connected to your BATTERIES and provides 120VAC to run some of your 120VAC Appliances. The INVERTERS are very battery power hungry. A 1000 WATT unit like you mentioned will draw a good 85-100AMPS DC CURRENT from your batteries when fully loaded. Thats alot of DC CURRENT to deal with.

here is a simplified 30AMP Power Configuration diagram to help you identify the different things associated with the 30AMP Power configurations... As you can see from this chart your OUTLETS only work when connected to SHORE POWER. All of your 12VDC items including the ceiling lights all work from your BATTERY or from the CONVERTER and BATTERIES when connected to SHORE POWER. Hope this helps..


Roy Ken

A Damon Challenger is a class A motorhome. It has both a converter/charger and an inverter.
The battery bank is being maintained by the engine alternator when traveling.

[harold1946]

Disconnect from shore power and be sure the inverter is on. The television and microwave should run. To find any other outlets that run off the inverter, plug in an appliance. If it runs it is powered through the inverter.
The house batteries are charged by the engine alternator while traveling so the exhisting inverter should handle the additional frig.
If its 1000 watts or better it will be fine, no need for adding another one.

[RoyB]

I suspect you are calling your POWER CONVERTER/CHARGER unit an INVERTER. These are two different animals. Most trailers come with the CONVERTER as a standard item and the INVERTER is a custom install items.

The CONVERTER takes 120VAC from the shore power hookup and converters it to 12VDC to run all of your 12VDC items and also charge your 12VDC batteries.

Provide us with model numbers and we can tell you what you have...

The INVERTER is connected to your BATTERIES and provides 120VAC to run some of your 120VAC Appliances. The INVERTERS are very battery power hungry. A 1000 WATT unit like you mentioned will draw a good 85-100AMPS DC CURRENT from your batteries when fully loaded. Thats alot of DC CURRENT to deal with.

here is a simplified 30AMP Power Configuration diagram to help you identify the different things associated with the 30AMP Power configurations... As you can see from this chart your OUTLETS only work when connected to SHORE POWER. All of your 12VDC items including the ceiling lights all work from your BATTERY or from the CONVERTER and BATTERIES when connected to SHORE POWER. Hope this helps..


Roy Ken

[et2]

Vt Rv wrote:
I know my 2003 Damon Challenger has an inverter, and I have two golf cart batteries for house power, but how do I know what runs off the inverter?

I've been thinking of adding a cube size fridge to the basement area and was going to add a 110 AC outlet to run it off but have been thinking of maybe either adding it to the existing inverter or adding another inverter just for the fridge.

The compartment where I want to put the fridge is right beside the two batteries. I'm not sure what the draw is or what size inverter I'd need but it seems like it would be simple to wire. My thought is that it would then run while traveling without having to run the generator.

From what I've read it looks like a 1000 watt inverter should run the fridge?

Turn the inverter on while not plug into AC. Then you can test the wall outlets and see what is powered by the inverter.

I'm not sure I understand the need for a second inverter. If your not using the inverter while driving for something else (like residential fridge) it should power the cube just fine.

Where is the current inverter location? Why do you need a second? I'm no electrician but I'd be concerned about two inverters of the same power source.