ELECTRICAL INVERTER

[terance13]

Hi...when we got our 2001 Premier, I knew someday my wife would like to go boondocking. I didn't know it would be on our 4th trip!!!

She bought a small inverter which worked to recharge our phones (eventhough service was sketchy), but nothing else...even our k-cup coffee maker didn't like this inverter (it loved the generator!). I survived 6 days in the woods but think that it would be nice to have more electrical capacity., like using all the outlets! So we have been looking at inverters with more wattage...but they require direct hookup to the battery, right? So, I'm not smart enough to figure out the best way to hook it up. Any help/suggestions/recommendations on which inverter and installation? Or even other options? Thanks!

[deppstein]

I installed a Xantrex 1000 watt pure sine inverter in our 2004 Premier...locates it right behind the driver’s seat so I could easily run wires directly to the battery bank (by-passes the LVD and all other regular wiring. Ran heavy guage wire with a 150 amp fuse. In addition to charging our phone, computers, iPad while boondocking, the 1000 watt is enough to also charge our Copenhagen Wheel pedal assist electric bikes (via a cord that I have run from front grill through engine compartment into the cab). This system works well for my needs, but it does not power the regular outlets or have enough juice for coffee maker, hair dryer, etc. I too am “electrically challenged” so took this easy route rather than trying to figure out how to wire an inverter into the Rig’s regular power stream.
David

[chin_k]

For charging your phone, you better off get a USB converter that plug into the cigar outlet.

To be practical with inverter, you need to access how much energy you need, and figure out how you going to satisfy it. Most of us use the generator when we need to use the microwave, AC, and other heating devices. Tell us how many watt you will be using, and for how long, and that will tell you how much battery you need. There is no use to get a inverter if you only can run it for 15 minutes, and be dead in the wood and need to fire up the generator to get you out. Frankly, I think most people will need to do a bit of compromise when they do have to use an inverter.

[caconcourse]

I will just chime in on making coffee in particular, since my daily coffee is a big deal for me. Heating water for coffee with batteries is just never a good idea, it is so crazily inefficient. We have our coffee make for shore power, and use a teapot and french press for when we do not have shore power. Heating water in the teapot on the stove only takes a few minutes and is very efficient use of propane.

I don't think we have ever cooked on our stove, but we use it often it for heating water for coffee, tea,. oatmeal, etc at breakfast.

In a pinch I would use the generator to use the microwave to heat water, rather than an inefficient inverter.

Since we prefer not to run the refrigerator on propane while driving, it might make sense to run the fridge in AC mode on an inverter while driving, as that would likely be more efficient than using the DC mode, which does such a poor job. That is something I might look into.

[chin_k]

Clay, the AC mode for fridge is not that good either, and with the efficiency of the inverter, I think you will lost all the advantage if you are not plug in, and use the alternator to feed the inverter. I think it is fine to run the fridge in DC mode if your engine is running.

I will only use my microwave to heat water if it is very, very small amount. Anything more, and I need to kick on the generator, it is just not making any sense compare to use a pot and put it on the stove, unless.... the genset is already running (for the AC).

Now, why people still be drinking coffee if you are already retired, and does not need to worry about clocks and deadline? I always assume the first thing that people throw away when they retired are the alarm clock and the coffee marker!

[caconcourse]

Clay, the AC mode for fridge is not that good either, and with the efficiency of the inverter, I think you will lost all the advantage if you are not plug in, and use the alternator to feed the inverter. I think it is fine to run the fridge in DC mode if your engine is running.

Now, why people still be drinking coffee if you are already retired, and does not need to worry about clocks and deadline? I always assume the first thing that people throw away when they retired are the alarm clock and the coffee marker!

I used to run the fridge in DC while driving. We forgot to turn it off when we parked for lunch a couple of times, and the LVD tripped within an hour. And we started the evening with less reserves. That would have been OK, except that it wasn't keeping the refrigerator cold either! One day I forgot to set the fridge to DC, and at the end of the day, the fridge was cooler than some days driving with DC. So now we just leave it off while driving and let it work like an icebox. But I keep a lot of frozen water bottles in the freezer, since we don't have much frozen food generally. It's pretty well insulated, so if you don't open the door, it stays pretty cool. AC may not be any more efficient electrically but it might keep the food cold.

I did throw away the alarm clock, but I do need to stay awake to enjoy retirement! Morning coffee in the Chinook is retirement at its finest.

[terance13]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I've concluded that my batteries can support a 2500 watt unit. Next step is finding a way to run the cables from the battery compartment into the cabin...not big on putting another hole in the flooring...but so be it.

[chin_k]

The previous owner of my rig run the wire to the inverter up the driver side pillar. There are enough space in there.

The lead acid battery can support a bit of wattage, but the important thing is not to shorten the life of the batteries if you keep using the inverter and drain down the capacity. In term of current, lithium can be a better choice, but you will need to look at other part of the electrical system if you do want to change the battery chemistry.

[68camaro]

For charging your phone, you better off get a USB converter that plug into the cigar outlet.

To be practical with inverter, you need to access how much energy you need, and figure out how you going to satisfy it. Most of us use the generator when we need to use the microwave, AC, and other heating devices. Tell us how many watt you will be using, and for how long, and that will tell you how much battery you need. There is no use to get a inverter if you only can run it for 15 minutes, and be dead in the wood and need to fire up the generator to get you out. Frankly, I think most people will need to do a bit of compromise when they do have to use an inverter.

I agree with Chin. I only boonedock and when I redid my power systems I bought a 2500 watt inverter, but once I discovered the requirements and draws I was looking to get I ultimately decided to return inverter and instead start up engine or generator if I need some time for appliance or charging. I may get second heavy duty alternator at some point though. I do also have two (small and large) capacity battery chargers I keep with me. The small one I have in my fly sling pack in case I catch so many fish I run my phone battery down...haha.....sadly hasn't happened yet though The bigger can jump my coach battery if ever needed (but camper batteries are first backup), plus it charges all electronics several times.

However, I rarely stay at same place for more than one night so when I travel to next spot I recharge all my electronics on the road. Like others, for coffee I use a french press that just takes water heated on stove.

I experimented with frig AC/DC and propane when driving and discovered for me that propane is easiest and most foolproof. Trying to use the others just caused issues draining battery. Before I go on trip I get frig cold using shore power but switch to propane while driving and boonedocking.

Like caconcourse, I do put lots of water in freezer and then put in frig if I think ground is uneven when I fish for the day. This will keep things cold if propane turns off.