It is a maze there, so it takes some studying to make the best choice (not saying poorer choices will not work). So some pointers I experienced
- inverters don't have transfer switches. Inverter-chargers do, but for lot of $$$
-not all chargers are equal. Some of them are design just for charging, when in RV you need a maintainer who will supply constant voltage
-factory RV converters of latest generation are design to work parallel with batteries, meaning they supposed to keep maintaining voltage of about 13.5V. But for the big money they cost, the 13.5v is not always true, so monitor it.
Lance made bigger charging cord for running refrigerator on 12V, but that require redoing truck wiring, fuse and relay. That means lot of work on your truck for still unreliable power supply. Most of owners run fridge on propane and cut the Lance plug off, replacing with standart you can put directly into your truck adapter.
-those who really want to run camper on 12V, put big wires and designated HD plug for transfering 12V from truck to camper. That is pretty big task.
- inverters don't have transfer switches. Inverter-chargers do, but for lot of $$$
-not all chargers are equal. Some of them are design just for charging, when in RV you need a maintainer who will supply constant voltage
-factory RV converters of latest generation are design to work parallel with batteries, meaning they supposed to keep maintaining voltage of about 13.5V. But for the big money they cost, the 13.5v is not always true, so monitor it.
Lance made bigger charging cord for running refrigerator on 12V, but that require redoing truck wiring, fuse and relay. That means lot of work on your truck for still unreliable power supply. Most of owners run fridge on propane and cut the Lance plug off, replacing with standart you can put directly into your truck adapter.
-those who really want to run camper on 12V, put big wires and designated HD plug for transfering 12V from truck to camper. That is pretty big task.
I had such manual transfer switch on older motorhome. You should turn all appliances off when using it.
Wasn't too excited about it. Than other motorhome from 1980's had an adapter at generator and when you run generator - you plug shore cable into generator adapter.
Maybe not the most convenient, but extremely reliable and foolproof.
On other hand, the automatic transfer switch I had in Lance made quite a big box.
I open it and there is not that much inside, so for unit where each inch is at premium, that might be consider overbuild.
With all those automated gadgets we want in our TC, the April fool joke about need for tag axle might become very realistic.
Wasn't too excited about it. Than other motorhome from 1980's had an adapter at generator and when you run generator - you plug shore cable into generator adapter.
Maybe not the most convenient, but extremely reliable and foolproof.
On other hand, the automatic transfer switch I had in Lance made quite a big box.
I open it and there is not that much inside, so for unit where each inch is at premium, that might be consider overbuild.
With all those automated gadgets we want in our TC, the April fool joke about need for tag axle might become very realistic.
Kayteg1 wrote:Supercharged111 wrote:
Duh! I forgot that Torklift makes mounts like this. I could easily make my own and hang it off the frame in front of the rear wheels. Out of the way and I could have a relay in the mix to divorce it from the truck too. Would plug into the camper the same as something that lived in the back of the truck.
I just went via torklift site and the only thing they do is hanging bracket with standard battery box.
So you need 1 for each battery.
At $140 a pop, that can get pricey and I can't imagine this thing lasting.
Yeah I have no intention of overpaying for that, but it reminded me of the idea to hang them off the frame in front of the tire. Excellent place for the weight.
