Inverter use.

[ivbinconned]

Last winter boondocking and having only a 400 watt inverter that attaches to battery posts with clamps. A couple times wanting to watch tv and not run yamaha gen, I just ran an extension cord from inverter in through a window and plugged the tv in.
That worked fine.
Would it work to make up an extension cord with male ends at both ends and just plug the one end into an outside plug thus powering up the trailer.
Would this impact the trailers converter in any way?

Da wife wanting to run her sewing machine I also plugged it into this 400 watt inverter. It would work but it buzzed or whined.

[ivbinconned]

It’s not on the same Circuit.
Happened once one other time 3 years ago.

[time2roll]

Is the fan on the GFCI circuit? And this never happened on utility power?

[ivbinconned]

I choose the 1000 Samlex from a local dealer. I mounted the remote switch inside basement right beside battery cut off switch. Within inches of the power bar where Ipluged in the converter.
Stepped into trailer to test. Tv on disc player on.
Turned on ceiling blade fan. Then stepped out to check the display on remote switch. I expected that since the fan was running I’d expected to see the output indicator on the display would be higher. So I’m happy.
However when I stepped back into trailer the moment I shut off the fan the GFI switch in the bath snapped. ??

[DrewE]

philh wrote:
does a sewing machine need pure sine wave?

It would depend on the sewing machine, I think. Probably most modern ones would as I think they'd use a phase control circuit for the motor speed control (similar to that in an AC electric drill or dimmer switch).

My old Riccar would probably operate fine, though perhaps more noisily, with an MSW inverter as its speed control appears to be just a variable resistor. The nameplate on it also suggests that it would work from a 115V DC circuit. I don't know that I will ever encounter a 115V DC power line in my life, but if I do and have to throw together some curtains or something, I'll be in luck.

[time2roll]

philh wrote:
does a sewing machine need pure sine wave?

If any product has digital controls or a motor I highly recommend sine wave.

[NRALIFR]

An older electric model with purely mechanical stitch selectors and an analog foot control (gas pedal) would be OK on a MSW inverter. One of the new fangled electromagical machines, probably not.

:):)

[BFL13]

philh wrote:
does a sewing machine need pure sine wave?

A friend's fancier one sure does. Won't run on MSW. Don't know about other ones.

A Singer treadmill one is the way to go with an RV. 🙂

[philh]

does a sewing machine need pure sine wave?

[crcr]

ivbinconned wrote:
Recommended brand?

Samlex Pure Sine Wave Inverters seem to have a very good reputation.

[time2roll]

ivbinconned wrote:
I suggested I would find her an old treadle sewing machine. She wasn’t impressed.
Searching the Internet 1000 pure inverters range from $450 to $1500. Can there be that by a difference in quality?

I have and recommend GoPower sine wave.

https://www.boatandrvaccessories.com/products/go-power-gp-sw1000-12-inverter
$425

But you can go as low as $149 or I see $750 a Xantrex that I do not recommend (my 1800w burned up way too early).
https://www.donrowe.com/Inverters-1000-to-1800-Pure-Sine-Wave-s/1951.htm

Keep shopping.

[ivbinconned]

I suggested I would find her an old treadle sewing machine. She wasn’t impressed.
Searching the Internet 1000 pure inverters range from $450 to $1500. Can there be that by a difference in quality?

[Veebyes]

A 400w inverter is nothing really. Can't imagine what happens to it when she stomps on the sewing machine pedal & starts up while you have the TV & whatever else is on.

Get yourself a minimum 1000w PURE sine wave inverter & do as suggested, connect to breaker panel & make sure things like converter, fridge, water heater & microwave are OFF.

[wa8yxm]

ivbinconned wrote:

Would it work to make up an extension cord with male ends at both ends and just plug the one end into an outside plug thus powering up the trailer.
Would this impact the trailers converter in any way?

There is a very very very good reason why they call such a cord a SUICIDE CORD.. and that is why I'm telling you don't do it.

There are many ways to get into the RV from outside. one is very likely the power cord portal( If you have an attached cord) and Id just route an extension cord in via one of them and to the TV when you wish to watch on inverter.

OR you can come into the wet bay and up into the RV's service "Tunnel" alogside the water lines.

Or if all else fails. DRILL A HOLE.

But do not build a Suicide cord.. Unless you want to suicide.

[MrWizard]

I have a 2000w > 4000 psw inverter
I installed the inverter In a storage bay close to the converter and batteries,
Ran new 20amp 12ga cord, to bay with the shore cord, and plug into the shore cord with an adapter, I have whole house power in the RV, just turn off the converter breaker, which is a dedicated circuit in this RV, but I limit my MW run time, 2 minutes for a cup of hot water or warm up coffee, 20 seconds for some precooked mw bacon
Anything longer than 4 minutes I use the generator
10 minutes for the coffee maker uses a lot of power, and means more generator runtime when charging batteries, 10 minutes for the mw is a terrible idea
Since I retired some years back, I don't believe in 5 am wake up
I don't need to silently make a pot of coffee at 5am