Inverter placement

[JRRNeiklot]

I'm redoing my system and I'd like to get my inverter closer to the batteries. I have the Renogy 1,000 watt invrter, and I'd like to put it in the storage area under the bed, next to the batteries. I understand this can be done with lithum batteries. There is plenty of space, but very little - if any - ventilation. IS this a bad idea? The only other option is placing it in the pass-through storage area outside the trailer, which would have to be closed in inclement weather anyway.

[pianotuna]

dougrainer,

Using 120 volt fans may not be the best idea. My Magnum inverter caught on fire because of that design. Far better to have a 12 volt fan, thermostatically controlled, that will continue to operate when the inverter is turned off.

[Lwiddis]

I wouldn’t operate an inverter without more ventilation than I believe you’ll have in the under the bed storage area. Heat kills electronic devices.

[dougrainer]

Inverters NEED fresh cooling air. Fresh INCOMING and a way to exhaust the Hot air. Failure to do this will decrease the life of the Inverter. This is one reason most RV makers install the Inverter's in the lower LARGE storage compartments. With a larger volume of space there is more fresh air to help keep the Inverter cool. What I do is, install small 4 inch 120 volt cooling fans connected to the OUTPUT side of the Inverter. Cut the appropriate in and out holes in the surrounding cabinet area. The reason for the output side is when INVERTING, those fans come on to dissipate the heat. When connected to shore the fans then run. If you have the time and energy, you can install Temp switch's instead of wiring direct to the output side. Then the fans only come on when the heat builds up. Doug

[2oldman]

Inverters do need to breathe.

[BFL13]

You can install a "cable hatch" in the cargo space access doors on each side of the pass-through. They have the little snap in opening for the cable you can leave open which is also in the bigger hatch opening that can be left open.

That lets you lock the access doors as usual, but provides ventilation.

It also provides access for wires if you have a portable solar set to get at the batteries. In this case you will have drilled through from under the bed to the cargo space for the wires from battery to inverter, so you can run your solar wires through the same hole, and keep the controller in with the inverter. Actually you would just run the controller's output wires over to the inverter's input terminals.

You can have a deck mount converter in there too with the inverter and controller if you can run 120v to it from under the bed with an extension cord.

[wa8yxm]

JRRNeiklot wrote:
I'm redoing my system and I'd like to get my inverter closer to the batteries. I have the Renogy 1,000 watt invrter, and I'd like to put it in the storage area under the bed, next to the batteries. I understand this can be done with lithum batteries. There is plenty of space, but very little - if any - ventilation. IS this a bad idea? The only other option is placing it in the pass-through storage area outside the trailer, which would have to be closed in inclement weather anyway.

Are you moving the inverter or the batteries?

I'd move the inverter One thing the inverter needs to do is BREATH. it gets hot in that box and the fans need air to cool it off.

[JRRNeiklot]

I'd like to keep them inside, under the bed, if possible. But if it's going to create an overheating issue, I'll put them in the pass-through. I'd really like to keep them inside, if possible.

[pianotuna]

I did not realize you already had the li jars.

For a 1000 watt inverter running flat out the heat dissipation would be about 120 watts. Placing it in the pass through storage would not create a heat issue. Mount it in a manner that allows all sides to radiate into the compartment (i.e. not flush to the wall--but rather out by an inch). Make sure the fan points up and that there is space above it for air to flow.

[JRRNeiklot]

I normally turn it off when I go to bed. I do use a cpap, and sometimes run a fan at night, but I generally run those through a smaller 300 watt inverter.

Lithium's don't do well in the cold, that's why I have them inside.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

If there is a reason to run the inverter during sleeping hours it may not be a good place to put it under the bed.

Is there a cold weather reason to contend with? If not I'd use the pass through storage for the battery bank.

My next bank may be SiO2 which share a lot of similarities with LI with a few exceptions. SiO2 are heavy. SiO2 can be used and charged at -40. SuO2 are about 1/3 the price of Li.