INVERTER opinions PROS CONS

[pjay9]

I have been doing a good amount of searching here about inverters, some are just inverters some are I/Chargers size from small to pretty big.

I am going to step into the Inverter world in my Rebuilt 1161 Lance, some of you may be following my rebuild and THX.

So please post your pros and cons in short easy to read paragraphs.

Thank YOU for your interest! It will be helpful I am sure.

[pjay9]

I am using an ATS and a sub panel, which will hold the house plugs and microwave circuits. The ATS tells the inverter if there is shore or genset power and allows the current to go to the plugs and micro...by having the sub panel the refer and Converter charger are not on the inverter circuit This is a passive system...no mistakes and refer selects what it wants and cannot access the batts unless I select DC on the refer and the Con Charger cannot try to charge the batts using the batts. that is why the ATS!! The 12v panel stays the same no matter. So no matter where I plug in a laptop or TV or hairdryer I will have power either thru the shore or Genset or Inverter..SWEET!!!

[fpoole]

kerry4951 wrote:
I installed a Xantrex ProWatt 1000 and I installed 4 separate designated outlets direct from the inverter (2 in cabover and 2 in living area). They are brown outlets with brown covers. The shore power outlets in the RV are all white. When we are on inverter power we know to use the brown outlets. When we are on shore power we use the white outlets. Maybe more work than what most want to do but it works for me, and especially my wife as it makes things simple for her.

Question:
I'm going to get the Xantrex 1000, (for tV/player/DISH box) but it only has 2 plug outlets and I'm let to believe that the unit needs to be right near the battery due to cables.

What did you do to get 4 plugs and how did you run them from unit assumed in the battery area, to the 2 different locations. I can see like an extension cord, but are you wiring it behind the panels? or ?

Also, the color coding, if I had the "auto switch", would I need to worry about the color coding as the switch would change it from one to the other.

Just a Wandering Mind, That Wants to Know.. heheh,
Thanks..

[sleepy]

pjay9 wrote:
I ordered from Best Converter today: PST -2000 12 Pure Sine, 30 Amp ATS, Trimetrix 2030RV and 500 Amp Shunt plus a 300 Amp fuse. Getting breaker box and cable locally.

T think you have made wise choices,,,, now for some solar....

I like your thinking.

Chet

[pjay9]

I ordered from Best Converter today: PST -2000 12 Pure Sine, 30 Amp ATS, Trimetrix 2030RV and 500 Amp Shunt plus a 300 Amp fuse. Getting breaker box and cable locally.

[pjay9]

The decision has been made...will order everything in the morning from Best Converter in Boise...chatted with Randy briefly today and put things together. Will post what I get tomorrow. Thx folks for your comments and experiences.

[Freedom_49]

I am assuming your truly need an inverter? So much runs off DC now that I wish I didn't have one.

[kerry4951]

bighatnohorse wrote:

kerry4951 wrote:
I installed a Xantrex ProWatt 1000 . . .

Does that Xantrex 1000 have a cooling fan? How quiet is it?

I never hear it running. According to the specs it has a thermostatically controlled cooling fan. I will tell you that it works great and its stowed in an area with little air circulation and never had a problem with it.

[bighatnohorse]

kerry4951 wrote:
I installed a Xantrex ProWatt 1000 . . .

Does that Xantrex 1000 have a cooling fan? How quiet is it?

[kerry4951]

I installed a Xantrex ProWatt 1000 and I installed 4 separate designated outlets direct from the inverter (2 in cabover and 2 in living area). They are brown outlets with brown covers. The shore power outlets in the RV are all white. When we are on inverter power we know to use the brown outlets. When we are on shore power we use the white outlets. Maybe more work than what most want to do but it works for me, and especially my wife as it makes things simple for her.

[valhalla360]

donn0128 wrote:
Inverter is only one step, and not the first one. Need, power, then inverter.
Need= what and for how long are you going to operate it.
Power= sufficient batteries to supply your need.
Inverter= sufficient size to run the "needs" listed above.
Of course there is one item still missing, replenishing the power consumed?

Bingo!!!!

If you just want to watch the news each evening a little 100-150watt inverter plugged into a cigarette lighter to run your TV is probably fine.

If you want to run the microwave, you need more wattage.
If you want to run an expensive high end sterio, you better be looking at the quality of the power real hard.

What are you trying to accomplish?

[pjay9]

Lots to think about! And loads of info coming in! You are providing exactly what info I need. THX!!

[DWeikert]

I installed the Xantrex PROwatt SW 600 in my Northstar last year. I combined it with the inline transfer relay to automatically switch over when I'm plugged into shore power. I only needed it to drive the satellite dish and receiver and a laptop charger, though I already had a 12v option for the laptop, so 600W was more than enough for me. The only issue I had was my Dometic 12v compressor fridge would see the 120v when I turned the inverter on and attempt to run off the AC instead of the DC from the batteries. Unplugging the refrigerator from the AC outlet solved that problem. Granted, when I'm plugged into shore power the fridge will still be drawing from the batteries instead of directly from AC, but I can live with that.

[Boatycall]

PM'd you. Like to have you come over and actually take a look at my set up and see if it works for you.

[fpoole]

I'm watching this thread with great interest as I'm trying to do the same thing.

I would find it helpful if you simple gave the name of the model you use so it can be searched. I don't know if it makes much difference between the major brands, but I don't have a clue as to what those are...

Here's what I"m looking at right now for a 300w


I'll start another thread so as not to hijack this one, but looking at a 120v 32" TV, Blue Ray and DISH box set up..
Great topic OP.

Clueless in "Inverter Land"
Thanks