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Old 07-28-2017, 03:57 PM   #1
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Help needed: Battery / Inverter mod for Dry Camping

Hello, I got a 2005 Jayco 23B Hybrid Trailer. I upgraded the battery bank to 660ah (6x 6V deep cycle batteries) because I possibly will be dry camping in some campground that do not have power input (and without generator).

However, I found out that if I do not connect the 110V power source (or generator), then the microwave, fan, a/c, and 110v sockets does not work.

Is there a mod that I can change this? Do I need an inverter? How difficult to do the wiring? I believe someone should have done this before. Please give me some more information.

Thank you so much.
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Old 07-28-2017, 05:14 PM   #2
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I guess my question may not be clear.

I believe, if I get an inverter and connect it with my battery bank, I would able to use 110v electrics.

In fact, the more perfect mod (if there's any) is able to invert the 12v from the battery bank and use the 110v electric (and sockets) inside the trailer.
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Old 07-28-2017, 06:41 PM   #3
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Hello, I got a 2005 Jayco 23B Hybrid Trailer. I upgraded the battery bank to 660ah (6x 6V deep cycle batteries) because I possibly will be dry camping in some campground that do not have power input (and without generator).

Which batteries did you purchase? Mfr/Model/Ah ratings per battery? Where are you mounting your batteries?
How long are you going to be dry camping? 3 days... 1 week? 2 weeks?...

IF you are going to be out longer than 3-4 days, how do you plan on recharging your 6 deep cycle batteries? They will take a lot to recharge time wise.

Do you have a Battery Status monitor that will give you the status of your batteries? You need to know when your batteries hit 12.0VDC so you can shut down your system. (Battery 50% rule)


However, I found out that if I do not connect the 110V power source (or generator), then the microwave, fan, a/c, and 110v sockets does not work.

Everything runs off of 12VDC, except for the AC and the microwave, and depending on which fridge you have (120VAC)
Most likely your fridge will run on LP while dry camping (saves battery)


Forget running your AC while dry camping. Even your 660Ah, of which you can only use 330 Ah of those 660 (50% rule) would die fast.


Is there a mod that I can change this? Do I need an inverter? How difficult to do the wiring? I believe someone should have done this before. Please give me some more information.

Yes, you need an inverter to run your 120VAC things (no AirCond, unless hooked to shore power). Most members hook up an inverter to the batteries and run an extension cord to the inside of the TT to power their Tv. You can wire in an automatic transfer switch (knows if you are hooked to shore power or need the inverter. Major wiring required. This will connect your inverter to the TT's 120VAC outlets. You will need to rewire your TT's battery charge controller so that it does not work while on battery power.

First things first:
- Get yourself a 120VAC > 12VDC inverter (around a 1000 watt version), mount it by the batteries and run the extension cord from the inverter into the TT. Since you have no way of charging your batteries while dry camping, forget the electric coffee pot, and microwave.

If you can, do a drive way-test for a weekend, monitoring your batteries and getting an idea as to how much power you will need. Remember your battery cut off is 12VDC.
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BATTERY - Marine Battery cut off switch.jpg   BATTERY - AUTOMATIC Transfer Switch.jpg  
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Old 07-28-2017, 09:34 PM   #4
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Which batteries did you purchase? Mfr/Model/Ah ratings per battery? Where are you mounting your batteries?
How long are you going to be dry camping? 3 days... 1 week? 2 weeks?...

IF you are going to be out longer than 3-4 days, how do you plan on recharging your 6 deep cycle batteries? They will take a lot to recharge time wise.

Do you have a Battery Status monitor that will give you the status of your batteries? You need to know when your batteries hit 12.0VDC so you can shut down your system. (Battery 50% rule)[/URL]
Thank you for your suggestion.

I am using Interstate 6v deep cycle, serial and parallel connected with a battery status monitor. Estimated 660ah total.

My goal is to have a setup I can use for dry camping for 1-2 days. I plan to travel around the country and of course will try to stay at the full-loaded campground. Solar charging is on the list for next upgrade if I could make use of the current battery bank.

Not plan to use AC but occasionally microwave is necessary. TV, phone charging and laptop needs 110VAC.

Yes, I understand the 25%-50% usage rule. That's why with the extra weight, I want to built the battery bank with 6 batteries.

Can you tell me more about the automatic transfer switch?? Is it hard or complicated in wiring? Can you do a simple drawing so I got a better picture of the wiring with this transfer switch?

Thank you so much.
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Old 07-28-2017, 11:32 PM   #5
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Rather than buy all those batteries, your money would be better spent on only 2 - 6V batteries and a couple of 100 Watt solar panels.

Assuming your Television is a small one, say 24", check the label on the back and you will probably find that it draws only about 30 watts. I bought a cheap Harbor Freight inverter that puts out about 40 watts and it works just fine. Larger sizes are available if you need to run things like a DVD player. It plugs into the 12V outlet near the radio; no need to wire it to the battery. This size inverter can also power a laptop unless it's a really old one.

Most people use a car charger for their phones so there is no need to run the inverter just to charge a phone. Or you can install a USB outlet and just use a simple USB cord to charge your phone.

As has been stated, you can forget about A/C, toaster, coffee pot, and things like that without a generator.

A small microwave will draw about 1500 watts. This would require a much larger inverter that would have to connect directly to the battery and make a serious dent in your available battery reserves. It could be done, especially with six batteries, but is it worth it just for the microwave? That's a decision you'll have to make.
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Old 07-29-2017, 04:07 PM   #6
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I have 6-6's and a 2000 watt whole house inverter from Magnum Energy.. works like a hot darn and powers everything except the A/C
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Old 07-29-2017, 05:26 PM   #7
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For a few days 660Ah should do fine without a recharge, just keep an eye on the battery levels. Here is the wiring diagram from Progressive. Connect the inverter to the generator terminals.

Still trying to figure out where you put the 6 batteries?

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BATTERY - Automatic Trans Switch Progressive 30 amp wiring.jpg  
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Old 07-29-2017, 08:06 PM   #8
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I have 6-6's and a 2000 watt whole house inverter from Magnum Energy.. works like a hot darn and powers everything except the A/C
That's an impressive setup!
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Old 07-30-2017, 07:54 AM   #9
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That's an impressive setup!
Thanks I spend over 200 days a year Boondocking and I want all the comforts without the noise and pollution of a gen.
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Old 08-01-2017, 11:59 PM   #10
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I have 6-6's and a 2000 watt whole house inverter from Magnum Energy.. works like a hot darn and powers everything except the A/C
Do you have the Magnum Energy MS2012 Inverter?
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Old 08-07-2017, 01:32 AM   #11
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I have 6-6's and a 2000 watt whole house inverter from Magnum Energy.. works like a hot darn and powers everything except the A/C
With the Magnum Energy installed, do you get the 110V socket and microwave works during dry camping?
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Old 08-07-2017, 02:48 PM   #12
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Do you have the Magnum Energy MS2012 Inverter?
I have the ME series. If I had to do it again I would go with the full sine wave inverter. One of these days I will upgrade to it.
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Old 08-07-2017, 02:49 PM   #13
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With the Magnum Energy installed, do you get the 110V socket and microwave works during dry camping?
Everything works except for the A/C.. it actually works but it only lasts about 20 min before it pulls the battery bank down and shuts off.
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Old 08-07-2017, 06:46 PM   #14
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I have the ME series. If I had to do it again I would go with the full sine wave inverter. One of these days I will upgrade to it.
Yes I probably will go for sine wave too.
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Old 08-07-2017, 06:50 PM   #15
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Everything works except for the A/C.. it actually works but it only lasts about 20 min before it pulls the battery bank down and shuts off.
That's probably enough. My goal is having a dry camping for 1-2 days without using generator. (I still have a small generator but don't want to use it unless it is really necessary).

How difficult is the installation? Any tips? Do I need to connect it to the main panel in order to power up all the 110v sockets?
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Old 08-08-2017, 07:05 AM   #16
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That's probably enough. My goal is having a dry camping for 1-2 days without using generator. (I still have a small generator but don't want to use it unless it is really necessary).

How difficult is the installation? Any tips? Do I need to connect it to the main panel in order to power up all the 110v sockets?
Yes you go from the input to the inverter then back to the panel and then disconnect your converter. you no longer will need it as the Magnum Energy will act like one when you have shore power. You need a 6 wire cable or 2 - 3 wire cables.. just follow the instruction booklet PREREAD IT AND UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING BEFORE YOU START.
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