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Inverter Upgrade

BigDaddy1951
Explorer
Explorer
2007 Winnebago Voyage 35L just upgraded to lithium, new converter etc. Now I would like to upgrade the inverter from the 600 watt to about 2000. The 600 watt powers the front TV, two front outlets, and the rear TV. How hard would it be to power all the 15 and 20 amp breakers on the load center? Just want to power the outlets, possibly the microwave. I know a little about electrical stuff, but far from an expert. Is this something I could do myself? All
Ideas and input appreciated!
17 REPLIES 17

MrWizard
Moderator
Moderator
On a few Winnebagos I have looked at the 600 watt "Entertainment Inverter" is wired in down stream from the Circuit Breaker panel, there's a pass thru relay switch (at or in the inverter) for 120v coming from the breaker panel, to the inverter which is install in the cabinet where the TV is,
Breaker panel ~ inverter with passthrough ~ outlets for TV & DVD VHS etc.
For you to add a 2000w, will mean putting it close to the batteries, then for automatic service you need an additional new transfer switch between the inverter and breaker panel, and add a sub panel,
Or Manually
you plug your shore power cord into the inverter,(50amp to 15amp adapter)

I turn off breakers for things that should not be using inverter power like the converter), I installed a power transfer switch between the inverter and shore cord, but no sub panel , before I turn on the inverter , I turn off the breakers for the converter and for the A/C, my fridge is set to LP and stays there unless I run out, so my whole RV all outlets all breakers get power from the 2000 watt pure sinewave inverter, it will power the MW , that's good and bad, it lets me use a soldering gun/iron, or my vacuum cleaner, green machine, box fan, A/C blower fan, or anything else I might decide to use, instead of waiting for the the next day and the generator, basically anything that will plug into the MH duplex outlets, I do use it for short bursts Microwave reheat at night after the generator is turned off, it does make a bacon snack real quick, it also means more recharge runtime, burn more fuel the next day for battery recharge, but 30 seconds to warm up my half full coffee cup, or cook a few strips of Bacon, really isn't much Drain, my real power Drain when on inverter is from watching a streaming movie late at night
My main inverter use is Entertainment TV, laptop, T-Mobile home internet gateway, sometimes a Heat Pad for my back, a table fan I use in the bedroom, I have used it, with a 12v battery charger to start somebody's vehicle, even powered my Husky single tank 120v portable Air compressor, even my 120v impact wrench to change a tire, even powered my 12v charger to recharge there motorcycle battery for my scooter brought the battery inside connected the charger and let it recharge while watching a movie and using my laptop à, there are advantages to whole house inverter power, as long as you are good at monitoring your battery drain, I did the Manually plugin routine for a while, but prefer the auto switch over method, it's really nice to Not go out in the rain or cold to gas up a generator or move the shore cord because utility power was lost during the night, or the generator is out of gas, and I want something hot to drink or reheat some food, or make my favorite hot snack ... Bacon with Cheese melted on top
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....

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Dale_Traveling
Explorer II
Explorer II
BigDaddy1951 wrote:
,,, How hard would it be to power all the 15 and 20 amp breakers on the load center? Just want to power the outlets, possibly the microwave.,,,


Not too difficult but depending on how complex you make it a second ATS (inverter/load center feed) and a sub panel might be needed.

When I did mine I only powered two outlet circuits so two simple 120VAC double pole double pole relays rated for 15 amp service were all I needed. Easy route for me was a pair of Xantrex relays that are in the power feed from the load center to the first outlet in the circuit. If the inverter is on and power is lost the relays switch to feed the loops with 120VAC from the inverter.

Amazon - Xantrex PROwatt SW Auto Transfer Switch
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Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Moderator
time2roll wrote:
Bruce Brown wrote:
Good advice offered above.

The only thing I would add is we have a 2000 watt inverter and our microwave does NOT like running on it. It'll run but it's not happy about it, to the point we simply don't do it.
This is worthy of a new thread. My 2000w sine wave Go Power inverter runs the full size Dometic MW same as plugged in.
If the inverter is MSW then yes the MW will run at lower pawer and could make unfamiliar noises.

It's the Magnum inverter that came with the MH. It's been this way from day 1, almost 16 years now - I'm not going to worry about it.
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910

TechWriter
Explorer
Explorer
BigDaddy1951 wrote:
How hard would it be to power all the 15 and 20 amp breakers on the load center? Just want to power the outlets, possibly the microwave.

Since you have 50A service, you can just bite the bulllet and power ALL your outlets using a Victron Multiplus II inverter/charger.
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time2roll
Nomad
Nomad
Bruce Brown wrote:
Good advice offered above.

The only thing I would add is we have a 2000 watt inverter and our microwave does NOT like running on it. It'll run but it's not happy about it, to the point we simply don't do it.
This is worthy of a new thread. My 2000w sine wave Go Power inverter runs the full size Dometic MW same as plugged in.
If the inverter is MSW then yes the MW will run at lower pawer and could make unfamiliar noises.

time2roll
Nomad
Nomad
BigDaddy1951 wrote:
Thanks for the responses. After looking I may just leave it as is except I would like to power the outlet by the bed for my CPAP at night. Does anyone have a schematic or picture of how the inverter is wired into the 120 volt load center? I’ve looked at the wiring manual from Winnebago and can’t figure it out.
Small 400w inverter and a small transfer switch on the single branch circuit will do exactly this.
Use the main 12v feed to power the inverter. No wire to pull just make connections.

theoldwizard1
Explorer
Explorer
BigDaddy1951 wrote:
2007 Winnebago Voyage 35L just upgraded to lithium, new converter etc. Now I would like to upgrade the inverter from the 600 watt to about 2000. The 600 watt powers the front TV, two front outlets, and the rear TV. How hard would it be to power all the 15 and 20 amp breakers on the load center?

Too bad you upgraded the converter. When you installed that, it was the perfect time to upgrade to an inverter/charger/automatic transfer switch !

The I/C/S would make installation SO MUCH EASIER ! Remove converter. Wire DC distribution panel directly to the battery bank via a mega-fuse. Connect the AC distribution panel directly to the output of the I/C/S. Move the shore power cord to the I/C/S. Connect the I/C/S to the battery. DONE ! Even easier to use. Just turn the item you want on.

What is on the 20A circuit ?

wallynm
Explorer
Explorer
Consider a 2000 watt full sine wave inverter

BigDaddy1951 wrote:
2007 Winnebago Voyage 35L just upgraded to lithium, new converter etc. Now I would like to upgrade the inverter from the 600 watt to about 2000. The 600 watt powers the front TV, two front outlets, and the rear TV. How hard would it be to power all the 15 and 20 amp breakers on the load center? Just want to power the outlets, possibly the microwave. I know a little about electrical stuff, but far from an expert. Is this something I could do myself? All
Ideas and input appreciated!
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pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III
BigDaddy1951 wrote:
By the way, I have 50 amp shore power and 350 amps in lithium house batteries.


The simplest way would be a dog bone since both legs of the 50 service need to be powered. Manually switch the fridge to propane; turn off the electric side of the water heater, and unplug the converter.

Once you know it works, add a sub panel for the outlets that need to be powered.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

BigDaddy1951
Explorer
Explorer
Thought about that. I would like to make the bedside outlets hot on the inverter, but would only use one. Running a separate wire is possible, but a lot of bending for an old man, LOL!

CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Explorer III
BigDaddy1951 wrote:
Thanks for the responses. After looking I may just leave it as is except I would like to power the outlet by the bed for my CPAP at night. Does anyone have a schematic or picture of how the inverter is wired into the 120 volt load center? I’ve looked at the wiring manual from Winnebago and can’t figure it out.
Why not just install a new outlet and wire it to the inverter?
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BigDaddy1951
Explorer
Explorer
By the way, I have 50 amp shore power and 350 amps in lithium house batteries.

BigDaddy1951
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the responses. After looking I may just leave it as is except I would like to power the outlet by the bed for my CPAP at night. Does anyone have a schematic or picture of how the inverter is wired into the 120 volt load center? I’ve looked at the wiring manual from Winnebago and can’t figure it out.

larry_cad
Explorer II
Explorer II
Too bad you didn't just upgrade to an inverter that was also a charger (converter). Two birds with one stone. I agree with Bruce Brown, that you should maybe upgrade to a 3000 watt inverter so that you can for sure use the microwave. It would involve some wiring, but there are many on here who could help.
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