โApr-12-2018 07:24 AM
โApr-14-2018 01:53 PM
โApr-14-2018 01:42 PM
Naio wrote:
Don't use a MSW inverter for your electronic devices!
I killed my laptop that way, after charging fine the first few times. Plus, the MSW did something to the laptop charger,
โApr-14-2018 12:17 PM
Get a small 150w inverter for charging laptop and phone, it's cheap, MSW type is fine.
โApr-13-2018 06:14 PM
Westend wrote:
1" fiberglass batt against inside of aluminum siding,compressed, 1" extruded polystyrene, polyethelene 4 mil vapor barrier, 1/4" fanfold extruded polystyrene
โApr-13-2018 04:35 PM
rbts wrote:
Thanks for the tip and well wishes. I know its over the top for a small travel trailer, but I actually have the budget to have some fun with it. We bought it 1/2 price and had the budget for a new one, so theres some room to play with ideas right now.
Definitely going to cram as much XPS sheets into those tiny walls as I can!
โApr-13-2018 11:59 AM
rbts wrote:
I know its over the top for a small travel trailer, but I actually have the budget to have some fun with it. We bought it 1/2 price and had the budget for a new one, so theres some room to play with ideas right now.
โApr-12-2018 03:21 PM
โApr-12-2018 11:45 AM
โApr-12-2018 11:44 AM
2oldman wrote:rbts wrote:Except for the 11,000 watts part.
Thanks for a good critical assessment.
โApr-12-2018 11:28 AM
rbts wrote:Except for the 11,000 watts part.
Thanks for a good critical assessment.
โApr-12-2018 10:58 AM
donn0128 wrote:
My toaster is rated at 1100 watts@120VAC. That translates to 11,000 watts @12VDC.
โApr-12-2018 09:55 AM
westend wrote:time2roll wrote:
OK I understand you want all that equipment for ease of use. Pace yourself. Get the RV panel with converter and go camping.
Then start completing your plan to add the inverter and solar. Besides that I am an advocate for separate components so that if one item fails it is far easier to diagnose, adapt, bypass and repair. So I recommend a separate stand alone inverter, separate transfer switch(s), separate charging system. This feeds right back into just get the RV electric panel with converter to do the charging.
You can still enjoy the travelling, outdoors and some nature without toast for a few days. Besides you can make toast on a skillet with propane. Likewise a dozen ways to make coffee with propane instead of a Keurig.
X2, this is all solid advice. Assuming that you will have batteries installed outside the cabin, all of the solar and inverter connections to the batteries can be done after the installation of the batteries and the off-the-shelf load center w/converter.
Having said that, I also gutted my trailer and used a residential load center, a deck-mount converter, and have solar, inverter. I also spent considerable money to build a distribution panel with master switches that connects/disconnects two battery banks with the various electrical devices. I made 12V bus boxes that facilitate that variability. A guy can get too carried away but, if installed correctly, little need to futz and tweak the systems later.
Good luck with your restoration. If I had one tip to give, it would be to draw plans on paper where things will be installed. It saves heartache.
If I had more tips to give: Insulate that trailer like there is no tomorrow. The cost of insulation and the labor to get everything perfect will be paid back in huge dividends later.
โApr-12-2018 09:37 AM
time2roll wrote:
OK I understand you want all that equipment for ease of use. Pace yourself. Get the RV panel with converter and go camping.
Then start completing your plan to add the inverter and solar. Besides that I am an advocate for separate components so that if one item fails it is far easier to diagnose, adapt, bypass and repair. So I recommend a separate stand alone inverter, separate transfer switch(s), separate charging system. This feeds right back into just get the RV electric panel with converter to do the charging.
You can still enjoy the travelling, outdoors and some nature without toast for a few days. Besides you can make toast on a skillet with propane. Likewise a dozen ways to make coffee with propane instead of a Keurig.
โApr-12-2018 09:13 AM
donn0128 wrote:rbts wrote:donn0128 wrote:
Why do you want an inverter charger? Are you planning to run everything on 120VAC instead of 12VDC? In a RV 12VDC is much more convienent. You already have the battery, so use a converter charger of your choice, make everything 12VDC except the one or two things you think you want as 120VAC.
In a small RV like your RPod you will not have enough space to put enough batteries to run much on 120VAC.
The inverter is for the ability to run some AC appliances for short amounts of time while not plugged in to shore power (laptop charger/toaster/etc.) I know DC is far more efficient, but my goal is to make everything as versatile and painless a system as possible.
OK, lets assume you want to make toast. My toaster is rated at 1100 watts@120VAC. That translates to 11,000 watts @12VDC. Your fooling yourself if you think you could actually do that and still have battery power enough to run lights, water pump, and control power for the refer. RPods are pretty small and you simply do not have enough space for that many batteries nor roof space for solar panels. Make toast in the oven, make coffee on a stove top coffee maker. There is nohing 120VAC that you need when boondocking. If you want to watch TV a simple 25 dollar plug in inverter will do.
I think since you still at the planning stage that you need to sit down, make an honest assessment of your needs. Take each 120VAC appliance you think you want to power and calculate how many 12VDC amps that it will use. Remember you should never dischaege a battery below about 50% meaning a battery with 200AH capacity you should only use around 100AH before recharge. Second you need to calculate how you are going to draw XXX amps out of a battery per minute and how big everything is going to need to be. Heck, a 2000 watt inverter needs 2ga wire at minimum. Your going to want a lot of 0ga wire. And that stuff is expensive. Just price it out to see the falicy of your idea in such a small RV.
Definitely not trying to be mean, but trying to get you to open your eyes and not make a huge mistake.