Cotay
Explorer
Joined 12 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: Inverter Charger Upgrade in TT?
smkettner wrote: You don't need 2000 watt inverter to run 200 watts of equipment. 400 watts of solar should make the 2x Honda 2000 about obsolete for battery charging. If you need to run the air conditioner consider a Magnum or Victron hybrid inverter that will combine power with a single Honda and run the air just fine. If you don't get the hybrid consider separate components to avoid replacing it all if one part fails. The reason for the inverter/charger is that I can't locate a separate 100amp charger. If you know of a reasonably priced one I'm all ears. :)522Views0likes0CommentsRe: Inverter Charger Upgrade in TT?
Veebyes wrote: Did that a couple years ago. The 5er is now wired like a typical cruising boat. No more converter charger. Installed a pure sine wave 2000W inverter charger & a single 4D Lifeline AGM battery. The 4D battery has about the same AHs as a pair of 6Vs but without all of the addional linking cable. With the inverter turned on ALL 110AC circuits are live so to prevent killing the battery in only a couple of hours the power hungry AC draws, water heater, fridge, microwave, air, are turned off at the circuit breaker panel. This leaves all outlets live. How many amps is the charger in your inverter? I'm trying to decide on which inverter/charger and your experience would be helpful to know.522Views0likes0CommentsRe: Inverter Charger Upgrade in TT?
DrewE wrote: The inverter/charger will power stuff directly just as the converter does. In both cases, they're connected in parallel with the battery, and on average will power the house loads (and reduce the charge rate to the battery) up to their current limitations. Of course, it's not really possible to tell exactly where any given electron came from, whether the battery or the charger/converter, even if you could identify them individually. It should be a reasonable upgrade, I think. I would consider installing a 12V outlet for the CPAP machine—it would be more efficient than going via an inverter of any sort, and the installation isn't all that difficult. The hardest part is physically running a wire. By the way, your battery bank is 300 Ah, not 300 mAh—perhaps that's just a typo. That's about 3.6 kWh total energy storage (at a nominal 12V), if those are easier units to work with. Thanks! Yes, I meant Ah...I've been working with some LiPo RC batteries this morning and had mAh on the brain. :) I have a 12V outlet that I purchased to install, but the bed is on a rear slide and I just haven't taken the time to think out the cable run since there isn't an obvious path. I had a 120 plug in the ceiling near the bed so I figured it was easier to just use that with the inverter. I'll give it more thought...if I'm going to be in the electrical anyway, I might as well install the 12V outlet as well. Since my Lifelines can handle more amps during charing, I'm considering this inverter/charger: http://www.donrowe.com/KISAE-Abso-2000-p/ic1220100.htm This one looks interesting as well, but it's 55A: http://www.donrowe.com/Xantrex-807-2055-Freedom-HFS-2000-p/807-2055.htm522Views0likes0CommentsInverter Charger Upgrade in TT?
I am considering replacing my WFCO WF-8955-PEC with an inverter/charger in my Outback Terrain 250TRS. We are starting to dry camp more (30% of the time) and my TT doesn't have 12V outlets to run my 12V compatible CPAP so I need 120 at night to run it. I could just use a separate deep cycle battery for it, but with 5 kids, we also want to be able to run our two TV/DVD setups after quiet hours when we can't use our generators (EF200is x2 in parallel). Right now we have 2 Lifeline GPL-6CT batteries (300mah reserve) as our battery bank. I'm thinking about a 2000w inverter/100 amp charger and adding a 400w solar array. Aside from the need to install the inverter/charger closer to the batteries and run thicker wiring between them, are there any inherent disadvantages to completely removing the converter/charger and going with an inverter/charger? I realize that rather than converting 120AC to 12V DC directly for all of our 12V appliances/lights, the inverter/charger will essentially just be replacing power into the battery bank in all circumstances (shore power and generator); no longer will my 12V appliances/lights be running directly off of converted power. Would using an inverter/charger potentially shorten the life of my batteries? Are the charger sections in inverter/chargers really any better than the 3-stage charger in my 8955?2.6KViews0likes9CommentsRe: outback king slide question
I have the 250 and my understanding is that it is rated to 1000 pounds. Between me (overweight), my pregnant wife and our four (currently) kids we are about 600 pounds and it is stable when we are all on it during the mornings when the kids climb up to "snuggle". I'm not so much concerned with weight as I am with quick and sudden jolts that might knock it off its tracks. It is quite sturdy, but we decided that exuberant "marital relations" should probably be limited. So no "swinging from the rafters" for us. :-)337Views0likes0CommentsRe: Storge in a Jayfeather 17Z
Our Aerolite 174es had essentially the same floorplan as the 17z and storage was extremely problematic for us. We ended up storing clothing in the TV and pulling out what we needed as we went along. Ultimately, we decided to upgrade to a larger TT as a result. I miss the tent camping feel of the HTT, but with four small children the Aerolite simply didn't have the storage we needed.823Views0likes0CommentsRe: Dutchmen vs. Aspen Trail?
Our 2013 Aerolite (also built by Dutchmen) had several annoying issues including window screens that did not fit and tank sensors that had been installed incorrectly. The supports for the dinette bed were improperly secured and it broke under the weight of my 35lbs son. I repaired that myself and had the other issues repaired under warranty. When we went to purchase our TT, we were determined to avoid anything made by Dutchmen. In hindsight, I've come to realize that all makes/models have issues and you cannot avoid having to fix some little things. Now that Keystone is handling Dutchmen directly, I don't think I'd have any issues with picking up one of their units on our next go round.699Views0likes0CommentsRe: Frameless windows?
We had frameless on our HTT...they were nice looking but we didn't make them a priority when we upgraded to the Outback Terrain 250TRS. I wouldn't agree with those who say that they wouldn't buy a TT without them...look for a floorplan you like first and if the TT comes with frameless windows, then more power to you. If all things were equal then I'd probably opt for the look of frameless, but I wouldn't sacrifice getting the layout you want for them.445Views0likes0CommentsRe: Can you camp at Wal-Marts....
tjfogelberg wrote: Be sure to download the list of "no park Walmarts" and save yourself the hassle of getting turned away at one. I've Googled this list and find that it is inaccurate. It is best to call ahead. Some that I've seen reported as "no park Walmarts" regularly have RVs and TTs parked in them.548Views0likes0CommentsRe: Inside Bike Storage
The Outback Terrain 230TRS as previously mentioned has the ramp. They also have the 250TRS that has a door on the port side that allows access to the fold up bunk for bike storage. The 230TRS has more room for bikes, but the 250TRS has a larger living area due to its dinette slide. I have the 250TRS and it works well for two adult bikes and several smaller childrens bikes.561Views0likes0Comments
Groups
Motorhome Group
Join in here to discuss all things motorhomes.Mar 09, 202538,709 Posts RV Families
Activities, advice, and destinations for those traveling with kids!Oct 09, 2024501 Posts Travel Trailer Group
Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Apr 19, 201944,027 Posts
