Adding Inverter

[Not_a_Clue]

I know this has been discussed many times, but I am looking for information specific to my situation.

Currently I have no inverter in my motorhome.
I have two six volt batteries that are 7+ years old

I am not going to add more batteries, space issue......
I will be probably be changing them out for two AGM's

The easiest path to take is a whole house setup. Replace charger with inverter/charger.
Since this is being done at a shop the labor vs more expensive hardware kind of balances out.

I was quoted two ways to go.

Inverter....MSW 1200w 70A charger.
Inverter....PSW 1000w 50A charger $292 more.

I know that on this setup I will have to watch what I run and not run to many appliances together.

I will be going full time later this year. I am not looking for a setup for lots of boon docking, just looking
to be able to overnight in a non hook up environment if needed, or maybe a couple of days with out hook ups.
I have a good working generator. I have a Traveler automatic dish on the roof.

Based on lots of reading I am leaning towards the PSW, of course.
This will be an exact replacement to size also matters.

Thanks in advance!

[wildtoad]

donn0128 wrote:
Personally, I would get a stand alone inverter and connect it to one or two dedicated outlets.

I like this idea.. When I ordered my new mh I opted to get the inverter. However, it only runs the plugs associated with the TV's. Everything else we need to run already runs on 12v, a combination of 12v and propane, or the inverter would not help anyway (roof heat pump as an example)

[donn0128]

Personally, I would get a stand alone inverter and connect it to one or two dedicated outlets.

[2oldman]

wbwood wrote:
My question is how much can I expect for installation of one to run all the outlets (labor only).

Of course it will vary by shop, but I'd allow 2 hours. As mentioned, you will need a transfer switch.. either an automatic one or a manual knife switch...like this:

[wbwood]

I have a similar question. WE also have no inverter and I am looking at adding one down the road. It will be a pure sine wave one. My concern is how to install it. I could install it and just connect to the batteries and plug things it at the inverter or have it installed where it functions all outlets. I can't see running many things on it besides charging some cell phones or computers. We've done good with out one so far.

My question is how much can I expect for installation of one to run all the outlets (labor only).

[westend]

If your charger works now, you only need to install an inverter. If you have it installed and want a "whole house" solution, you'll also have to install an additional transfer switch or manually connect the shore power cord when using the inverter.

Two 6V batteries will limit your inverter size to around 1000W as a big inverter operated toward the maximum rating will suck down the two batteries pretty quick. Most folks just need inversion for entertainment gear, charging/operating computers, and phones. Small items. You can get an inexpensive transfer switch limited to 15 Amps to run that sort of stuff through a single AC branch circuit.

[time2roll]

What do you expect to run? Dish, tv, dvd, phones, laptop maybe 300 to 600 watts max. Coffee, microwave, hair dryer probably needs 2000 watts and more battery depending on use.

Is this a 50a or 30a MH?

I like separate components. Separate inverter, transfer switch, charging system. When something fails the rest still works and you just replace what you need.

I only recommend sine wave.

[2oldman]

PSW.. yes, get that. No problems running anything. Whole house? Yes, easiest by far. And don't trust those 7yo batteries to last much longer!

It's a good idea for you to oversee the installation you want rather than one they want. They're just the labor, not the design. Don't let them scare you with stories about forgetting and leaving your WH on electric and running down your batteries. Of course you must remember to do that.