Adding Inverter/Charger.Questions

[Talisman61]

Hi all,

Looking at getting a budget inverter/charger unit from Tripp Lite for my 71 caveman Truck Camper.

Currently my 110v and 12v systems are totally separate. I have shore power that feeds a single breaker, feeding my outlets/fridge/lights etc.

I have a Single 12v battery feed connected to my water pump and a few small 12v light fixtures.

Looking at this:
Tripp Lite APS750 Inverter / Charger 750W
And just wanted to clarify some things.

Using the above unit,
I planned to feed my 110v breaker box from one of the available outlets.
Hardwire shore power cable into the units AC input feed.
Run 2awg wire from this unit to my battery bank (adding a second battery in series)

Am i correct in assuming that when shore power is connected it will straight pass through this unit to my breaker and run everything as it does now while charging my battery.

When disconnected from shore my fridge will run off propane, not the converted 110v feed from my batteries.

I was looking at a simple converter/charger but felt the inverter/charger would suit my needs better. Since I have to add one or the other to charge my battery bank from shore power, I would like to be able to use my outlets when disconnected from shore if i ever have to.

New to camper configurations, not necessarily wiring and electrical.

[MrWizard]

You can't use this the way you have it drawn

You must understand that a combo inverter charger has a built in pass thru circuit that is relay switched between inverter and shore
The way you have the drawn
You are feeding the breaker/camper and the inverter while splitting the shore power which goes thru the unit then back to camper
While it is the same source it is dangerous and illegal
The inverter power will be going back to the shore cord thru the breaker

I suggest you use plugs to move camper power circuit back and forth or install a transfer switch

The Tripplite can stay wired to the battery
But can not wire the 120 from inverter back to the breaker circuit
The way you have drawn it

[Talisman61]

time2roll wrote:

Does it have a 30 amp RV cord? or just a standard 5-15?
Standard 5-15

What size wire is before the breaker? and after the breaker?
will check, looks like at least 10ga, haven't torn into yet

Do you have an actual list of appliances?Electric/LP Fridge, 3 overhead light fixtures, 3 outlets on 110 circuit

Water pump, stereo, cig lighter, bathroom light, over sink light are on 12v circuit


What do you really expect to run from the outlets?
Nothing major. Maybe phone chargers. In the future wife may want a microwave that runs off genny/shore just in case. She doesn't use a hairdryer/straightener/etc while camping.


Is everything wired on just one branch circuit?
strangely, yes. When plugged into shore power (and no 12v source) I flip the only breaker and it kills all lights, fridge, and outlets.

Answers in bold.

To be honest the panel itself doesn't look like it belongs. I'll get pics after work. It's old, but still looks added.

[time2roll]

That is an old camper. It will really come down to ratings and we would need a full list and maybe some pictures to really get this right. Single 25 amp breaker is a bit of an odd duck. Most equipment is now 15, 20, 30 and 50 amp in modern RVs.

Does it have a 30 amp RV cord? or just a standard 5-15?
What size wire is before the breaker? and after the breaker?
Do you have an actual list of appliances?
What do you really expect to run from the outlets?
Is everything wired on just one branch circuit?

[Talisman61]

Ideally I wanted a unit that, when plugged into Shore power, would charge the battery, but not be wired in line with the breaker.

IE, shore power comes into power wall panel, branches out to Inverter/charger and campers 25a breaker separate, but if no shore power is present, the inverter/charger draws from the battery bank and backfeeds the entire wall panel and juices the single 25a breaker.

See below.

[Talisman61]

time2roll wrote:
Is this a 30 amp RV? APS750 is not going to pass through 30 amps.
More like 8 amps so no MW, A/C, hairdryer, or electric water heat.... even when plugged into utility power.

I think you are better to power up one branch circuit (or 2) that handles some light loads. Not power up the entire panel.

https://www.tripplite.com/750w-powerverter-APS750/

Hmm. There is only a single 25A breaker in the panel for the entire unit.

No A/C or MW. But if the unit limits pass through when connected to shore power then that's a problem. I never planned to run appliances through the inverter in Dc mode, but planned to have all those available when connected to shore/external genny.

[time2roll]

Is this a 30 amp RV? APS750 is not going to pass through 30 amps.
More like 8 amps so no MW, A/C, hairdryer, or electric water heat.... even when plugged into utility power.

I think you are better to power up one branch circuit (or 2) that handles some light loads. Not power up the entire panel.

https://www.tripplite.com/750w-powerverter-APS750/

[Talisman61]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Be aware that the Trip Lite is a modified sine wave inverter. (and excellent). So don't run any apple products from it, nor computerized things such as heating blankets.

Yup, I don't feel like spending bug bucks on the true sine wave inverter just yet.

I knew things like a microwave/tv/fridge would be a no go.

Wasn't aware that phone chargers would be a problem.
Thanks for that!

[Talisman61]

MrWizard wrote:
Yes 110v power will pass thru while charging the batteries
You will have to set the fridge to LP manually
Because on automatic, it will run using the inverter, when the inverter is turned on for other things

Fridge is so old I do not think it has auto switch. Small dial saying elec/gas. So should be good, thank you!

[Talisman61]

2oldman wrote:
You are correct. Your fridge will run on gas if you tell it to. Don't add another 12v battery in series. That would be 24v.

Meant parallel. Oops. Thanks!

[MrWizard]

Yes 110v power will pass thru while charging the batteries
You will have to set the fridge to LP manually
Because on automatic, it will run using the inverter, when the inverter is turned on for other things

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Be aware that the Trip Lite is a modified sine wave inverter. (and excellent). So don't run any apple products from it, nor computerized things such as heating blankets.

[2oldman]

You are correct. Your fridge will run on gas if you tell it to. Don't add another 12v battery in series. That would be 24v.