12 Volt Inverter

[mustangglp]

The wife wants to watch tv while we're camping.
So I got everything I thought i would need?
12 volt inverter http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-400-Watt-12-Volt-120-Volt-Inverter/dp/B001RNOHBC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1373156849&sr=1-1&keywords=12+volt+inverters
12 volt lcd tv
VIP211k HD Receiver with hard drive that I took out of our bedroom

So here's the problem when I turn everything on the inverter gives a low battery warning?
My batteries are not low slightly over 13 volts with the solar charging the two new group 27 batteries.
What i think I need is a heavier cord to go from my 12 volt power outlet (it says 8 amps on the wall plate seems like more then enough ?) Do they make a 12 gauge power cord?
It works fine if I hook it up one of my old batteries direct with a heavier wire. I would like to be able to plug it into my power outlets so I can move it from the living room to the bedroom without having to hard wire the inverter.
Thanks Gary

[mustangglp]

full_mosey wrote:

mustangglp wrote:


What i think I need is a heavier cord to go from my 12 volt power outlet (it says 8 amps on the wall plate seems like more then enough ?) Do they make a 12 gauge power cord?

8A x 12V = 96W. You cannot draw 400W no matter what size wires you use from that socket.

That is why you place the inverter close to the battery and use larger cabling between the two. To get 400W you would need cables bigger than 400/12 = 33A capacity.

Yes I was thinking 8 amps of ac is quite a bit my ice make takes 2 amps and it wouldn't work that!

HTH;
John

[mustangglp]

Simplygib wrote:
While boondocking I have the inverter connected to the batteries with 10 ga. wire. My rig's 120v power cord is plugged in to the inverter. That way all my 120v outlets are live and I can plug in the (in my case, laptop) anywhere I want. If you go this route you will want to make sure your converter is disconnected first, and don't try to run stuff like microwaves, a/c, hair dryers or welders (;)) on it.

So how do you go about disconnecting the converter:h that would be sweet
the only downfall I can see would be having to go outside and switch the plug to run the generator. I could mount the inverter in the generator compartment right next to the batteries?

[RJsfishin]

http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-400-Watt-12-Volt-120-Volt-Inverter/dp/B001RNOHBC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronic...
I have this very same converter.
It works great hard wired to the batteries

[mena661]

I put a 30 amp receptacle in my MH's shore cord compartment. From there it goes to a 20 amp plug. The plug goes to a 300W PSW inverter. The inverter is hard wired to my batteries. All I have to do is turn my converter off. My converter and inverter are in the same compartment so I just unplug the converter and turn on the inverter.

[full_mosey]

mustangglp wrote:


What i think I need is a heavier cord to go from my 12 volt power outlet (it says 8 amps on the wall plate seems like more then enough ?) Do they make a 12 gauge power cord?

8A x 12V = 96W. You cannot draw 400W no matter what size wires you use from that socket.

That is why you place the inverter close to the battery and use larger cabling between the two. To get 400W you would need cables bigger than 400/12 = 33A capacity.

HTH;
John

[Simplygib]

camperpaul wrote:
If you are using a 12 Volt TV set, you don't need the inverter.

He probably needs it to power whatever he's got it connected to (DVR?).

[Simplygib]

While boondocking I have the inverter connected to the batteries with 10 ga. wire. My rig's 120v power cord is plugged in to the inverter. That way all my 120v outlets are live and I can plug in the (in my case, laptop) anywhere I want. If you go this route you will want to make sure your converter is disconnected first, and don't try to run stuff like microwaves, a/c, hair dryers or welders (;)) on it.

[mustangglp]

Thanks for all the replies
I don't need a long cord probably could get by with a 16 inches as the 12 volt outlet are where I need them. I hadn't thought of running the 110 with cords. That would be easier than running heavy gauge 12 volt to opposite ends of the 5th wheel
The tv is 12 volt so it works fine.

[hershey]

Mount the inverter as close to the battery as possible. Connect it with 10 ga wire and run 14 ga wire from the inverter to your TV and satellite receiver.

[camperpaul]

If you are using a 12 Volt TV set, you don't need the inverter.

[hmknightnc]

Sorry but using the lighter plug is your problem as you already discovered. Wire your inverter directly to the battery at the shortest distance possible with the heaviest wire the inverter will accept. Then run 110 volt extension cords to where you need the power.

I installed two inline transfer relays (link below) to power the circuits for the entertainment center and the outlets where we plug in laptops. That way those circuits are powered by shore power when plugged in and inverter when not, no action required by me it just works.

Transfer Relay

[KD4UPL]

I think you've found the problem. Your 12v wiring is too small.
If I understand correctly you want a long 12v cord on the inverter so you can use it in the LR or the BR while still plugged into your RV's 1 12v outlet. This is the wrong approach. You would want to leave the inverter near the 12v outlet and use a long cord for the 120v output.
If you are just needing a heavier cord on the inverter one could be made easily but I doubt anything is available ready made. There really isn't much available as far as 12v extension cords and such.
I think your best option would be to hard wire the inverter near the batteries. You could either use an extension cord to the TV or hook up the RV's appropriate circuits to the 120v output.

[2oldman]

You'll have better luck not using the 12v socket and wiring it directly as you did.