Using electrical outlets off of battery

[upsfella]

If I have my batteries charged can I use the outlets in camper? What would I have to do? Thanks in advance for any answers on this.

[pnichols]

2112 wrote:
upsfella - I installed a 400W MSW inverter directly to my power distribution panel. I flip a switch, open the converter/charger and microwave breakers and can watch TV and charge my gadgets for hours on my single group 27 hybrid wet cell battery. The 12V side (lights, water pump, fridge, furnace, etc.) are unaffected but will consume available battery Ah if used. The furnace will be the biggest drain.

What I can't do is run high power demand items such as the AC, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, hair drier, etc.

Search 'inverter', going beyond the last 12 months and you will find tons of good information on this topic.

Randall (the OP), what 2112 suggested above is an excellent way to easily and conveniently have 120 volt AC power in your camper powered from the camper's 12 volt DC battery(ies).

HOWEVER ..... I would suggest that you spring for the more money required to buy/use a 400W PSW (Pure Sine Wave) inverter instead of a 400W MSW inverter. A PSW inverter is more "versatile" because it's 120 volt AC power output is exactly the same as that in a residence, so anything that can run off 400 watts or less of residence power can run off a 400 the PSW inverter.. A MSW inverter has a 120 volt AC power output is that is a distorted form of 120 volt AC residence power ... that can not run well, or can ruin, certain types of devices that you may want to run in your camper.

So, for all around convenience with no worries, you might want to consider using a PSW inverter in your camper the way that 2112 suggests above.

[2112]

This one certainly got away from us.

upsfella - I installed a 400W MSW inverter directly to my power distribution panel. I flip a switch, open the converter/charger and microwave breakers and can watch TV and charge my gadgets for hours on my single group 27 hybrid wet cell battery. The 12V side (lights, water pump, fridge, furnace, etc.) are unaffected but will consume available battery Ah if used. The furnace will be the biggest drain.

What I can't do is run high power demand items such as the AC, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, hair drier, etc.

Search 'inverter', going beyond the last 12 months and you will find tons of good information on this topic.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Just like an RV the more room you've got to stuff, the more stuffed it gets.

Ooooooooo heat my coffee, make my toast! Really big inverter
OK I'll get more batteries!
The converter is too small. I'll upgrade
But what abut the alternator?
And the wiring?
Waddya mean I need AGM batteries for the microwave?
Where do we store the new ultra powerful vacuum cleaner?
Since I have more batteries now, time for lights for the barbecue and patio
Man those air bags were expensive!
Honey, you have to be joking! Tired of our motorhome? Desert Mauve? You want four slideouts, central heating and a central vacuum system?
Then my giant battery inverter system will be too small...

[NinerBikes]

bucky wrote:
Was she knockout grade before or after the beer?

Sounds like she knocked out his credit limit pretty quick too.

[bucky]

Was she knockout grade before or after the beer?

[SCVJeff]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
UPS FELLA got me. Too many years down here haha. A 150 watt load will drain a single battery in about 4 hours. Most people go overboard sizing an inverter. Sorta like giving a knockout platinum champagne grade blonde a platinum VISA card when having a beer grade income. Disaster looms.

With a single battery a 150 watt imverter is more than enough.

dont forget the huge differences in idle current between them too

[MEXICOWANDERER]

UPS FELLA got me. Too many years down here haha. A 150 watt load will drain a single battery in about 4 hours. Most people go overboard sizing an inverter. Sorta like giving a knockout platinum champagne grade blonde a platinum VISA card when having a beer grade income. Disaster looms.

With a single battery a 150 watt imverter is more than enough.


There's always a catch. Like: They snore

[RJsfishin]

Yup, here is a couple ac outlets that will run off your RV batteries.
It will run the tv, sat receiver, DVD, vacuum cleaner, and even a sound system. And it is quiet, no fan,....worked so good I just bought a 2nd one.
Just plug it in the cig liter socket, or chop the plug off and wire to battery.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/191694191726?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

upsfella wrote:
If I have my batteries charged can I use the outlets in camper? What would I have to do? Thanks in advance for any answers on this.

[SCVJeff]

NinerBikes wrote:

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
I gazed at his User Name...

He probably works for UPS delivery systems, ie He works for BROWN, like FedEX, not uninterurpted power supply batteries.

well that ruined MY thought....

[NinerBikes]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
I gazed at his User Name...

He probably works for UPS delivery systems, ie He works for BROWN, like FedEX, not uninterurpted power supply batteries.

[bikendan]

upsfella wrote:
If I have my batteries charged can I use the outlets in camper? What would I have to do? Thanks in advance for any answers on this.

Suggest you Google "The 12 Volt Side of Life", so you can understand how the two different RV electrical systems work.

[time2roll]

150 to 300 watt inverter is pretty easy install for small items.
2000+ watts for large items gets to be a bit more complex.
Most items run better on sine wave.

What do you expect to run?

[MEXICOWANDERER]

I gazed at his User Name...

[filthy_beast]

Batteries should be 12 volts. You can install an inverter to provide 120 vac but you need a good battery bank if you want to run anything with a substantial amp draw.