Hey Jerry, I just got thru talking to a friend about power inverters.
I am a novice basicly... But my buddy was telling me that I have to run extra batts along with the power
inverter. And can not run it directly to the electric fridge.. Now I love this guy like my own brother.
He saved my life over seas years ago... But is this true.....If it is not I will find some way of informing him.
Main reason is I don't want to spend $1,500 on a lp fridge when I bought this nice size fridge
at Lowes Home improvement for $204. twice the size plus has a bigger freezer. It would only e running while I drive. keeping the stuf in the fridge cold!
What do you think?????????????
John :) :)
First make sure the required wattage needed by the refrig is not more than your inverter is capable of putting out.
On my rig and it should be on yours. I have an electrical cord that I can plug into 1. my generator,or 2. shore power,or 3. out put from my inverter. Using this method I know I will never have a feedback problem. Some folks have a master switch to take care of this.
Batteries: Make sure your Amp out put of your house batteries is enough to feed your inverter. Going down the road should charge your battery/batteries.
BUT!, you will use your battery/batteries up real fast if you don't have: 1. a whole bunch of stored amps., or 2. you have a constant way to keep the house battery charged.
Quote from: mccammonds on December 08, 2009, 07:10:42 AM
First make sure the required wattage needed by the refrig is not more than your inverter is capable of putting out.
On my rig and it should be on yours. I have an electrical cord that I can plug into 1. my generator,or 2. shore power,or 3. out put from my inverter. Using this method I know I will never have a feedback problem. Some folks have a master switch to take care of this.
Batteries: Make sure your Amp out put of your house batteries is enough to feed your inverter. Going down the road should charge your battery/batteries.
BUT!, you will use your battery/batteries up real fast if you don't have: 1. a whole bunch of stored amps., or 2. you have a constant way to keep the house battery charged.
What Mac said! Plus, you will save a bunch of battery reserve if you load and cool the refer the night before a trip while on 120v power. Pro Tip: Rogue 22 ouncers are excellent chill packs when stacked properly in a refer. You may not even need power to keep the refer cool on daily drives. 5L mini kegs work as well with less weight.
This might help!!
Converting Watts to Amps
The conversion of Watts to Amps is governed by the equation Amps = Watts/Volts
For example 12 watts/12 volts = 1 amp
Converting Amps to Watts
The conversion of Amps to Watts is governed by the equation Watts = Amps x Volts
For example 1 amp * 110 volts = 110 watts
Converting Watts to Volts
The conversion of Watts to Volts is governed by the equation Volts = Watts/Amps
For example 100 watts/10 amps = 10 volts
Converting Volts to Watts
The conversion of Volts to Watts is governed by the equation Watts = Amps x Volts
For example 1.5 amps * 12 volts = 18 watts
Converting Volts to Amps at fixed wattage
The conversion of Volts to Amps is governed by the equations Amps = Watts/Volts
Hey Mccammonds, Did you ever serve at Fort Rucker in Alabama???
----------------
Any way, Thnks!!!...I bought a 4500 watt inverter, thinking that tht would be enough
for anything. But I will check out the wattage tomorrow morning after the 2nd cup
of coffee. I was going to run the fridge off the power invert then run it off of shore power
when we dock over night or for long stays. Thanks!!!!! John
Back in the mid 70s I spent three weeks at Fort Rucker teaching the installation and maintenance of a recorder in the control tower at the airport.
Base Commander name was Neil R Christencen!!!!!!!
Now Brig.Gen. RET.
"My Uncle"
He wanted me to learn to fly Hellicopters...." I joined the Coast Guard"
He still wont speak to me.............
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) John
Ok, You guys are probably going to get tired of me asking this question.....
But is there a way that I can run the fridge off the Altinater and power converter
then when Parked use shore power?????
If so could I get the up graded alt and use the 2500 watt power converter
fridge spects are as follows--- Power input 120 w
rated current 1.5 a
Voltage 115 v
I just get soo confused lately, Thanks for your help !!! john
Hi John
Thats how I run mine. I run the inverter all the time till I plug in. I can run the fridge about an hour or so with the engine off until it runs the battery down.
JerryT
Then I am on the right track.
Now all I need to do is get the nerve up and try to wire it myself....?????
I am not good at all with electrical. As a kid I stuck a knife in a wall outlet......
I stay away from electricity!!!!
John
Hi John
Yes get help wiring it if your not sure. Bad wiring costs $ and could take a life. I bet an old motorhome would burn like a dried out Christmas tree. :(
JerryT
Yes, I have seen an old rig go up. Due to an Lp fire while driving the 101
Nasty----- But everyone got out ok.
I know I will pay about 200. or more but it will be worth it.
John
I had an electrical install mine just because I didn't want to take any chances. I also added 2 new sealed batteries. The whole thing connected under the seat just in front of the galley. One thing that was stressed, if you add batteries inside the cabin (like I did) used sealed batteries.
Now, with 4 batteries total I can run all the normal stuff plus the PC, printer and LCD TV, which were options in 78...;-)
Wow, I guess that is what I am gona do...
I just need to get the motor in first. and finish everything else off.....
Thanks for the info.... me and electricity Well respect each other!!!!
John
ya beat me to it john :P
Welcome aboard garciamag! I am definately leaning toward your type of system, and will utilize my generac generator as a household backup in the not too distant future I think. If I install some type of solar system and batts. I should be able to adequately harness all this "Midnight Sun" I keep hearing about.
-D
Hey Danny Boy, How are ya. I was just geting ready to log out and get some sleep-wen I saw your reply.
I am sorry I didn't mean to start a contest...
I remember How Beautiful the state was when I was stationed there.
I really envy you!!!!
Take care Dan ,, John
Okay, I know this is an old thread, but maybe some of you like reading and re-reading old threads, especially when someone like me posts on them.
If I have this right, I can install one or two solar panels on the roof, run power lead down to a couple of deep cycle batteries (not house battery), from house battery to an inverter install a switch so that I can apply 110V to AC Outlets, then run my TV or Computer or music or incandescent lighting as long as I do not exceed the wattage rating of the inverter - right? Also, I can run a trickle charger to the house battery and keep that battery refreshed and topped off for the 12V side of the house. I fully intend to run reefer off of propane, but would be nice to run house furnace as well, so a need for 12V & propane. For the Roof AC, I would need to run generator.
RIGHT?
I got lost/confused reading this:
"I can install one or two solar panels on the roof, run power lead down to a couple of deep cycle batteries (not house battery)".....
Are you saying you want to keep your single separate "house battery" "isolated" as you have it now, and then add two different batteries, which are to be charged from your roof solar system, and which will then provide juice to a nice inverter which will provide power to your coach 110?
If that's what I understand, that actually sounds pretty cool. Because, for an electrical Dunce like me, it would be easier to attempt that, than to attempt to integrate a solar system into the existing Clipper house electric.
My dunce question is, how/where to you power the house 110 from the new Inverter? Do you simply plug into the generator 110 distribution outlet??
Follow Up Question:
Or, do you simply plug in your shore power cord into the inverter??
Hi Horst,
I agree about the lost/confusion bit....
However (comma) I like the idea of a completely seperate/isolated system attached to the solar system. I would think that the simplest setup would be to set it up so you can plug it in just like shore power. That way you not only provide the AC with 110V Alternating Current, but you use the existing setup to recharge/charge the house battery.
My experience/knowledge/expertise deals with HF/UHF/vhf Transmitter/Receiver Maintenance-Adjustments along with support Comm Equipment. I've learned enough where I can wire a house without burning it down or electrocuting anyone (myself especially). But when it comes to DC - Solar Cells/Panels - Inverters - Converters ... I am lacking experience/knowledge and all that. I know how to use a multi-meter and trace connectivity find shorts/opens, 8)
Do any of the Solar Power/DC Electrical Experts have any thoughts on this?
hmmm......
solar panel to controller
controller to batteries (two trojans in tandem)
batteries to Inverter (another controller or transfer switch here before inverter?)
then plug Clipper into Inverter for 110 plug juice, and to charge house system....
I'm missing something....I'm sure of it.....electrical dunce don't ya know......