Any reason I can't plug my TT into an onboard inverter?

[qdude79]

Background: I'm running two 6volt Interstate GC2-ECL-UTl batteries, with solar on the roof.

We occasionally stay at a nice campground with dumb rules: no generator before 10:00am. Wife wants coffee and blow dryer before 10:00am.

My question: any reason I can't take my 30 amp shore power plug and plug in to a 1500 watt inverter to power the ENTIRE COACH for awhile in the mornings? (I'm aware that blow dryers and coffee makers would need to take turns, as well as the microwave, AC not an option)

I would have the remainder of the day to recharge either by sun or generator.

Any potential pitfalls?

[ALJO]

Sure you can as long you have enough battery capacity. I use a 3000 watt inverter, hooked up to 4 - 6 volt golf-kart batteries.

[rgardjr]

Originally Posted by qdude79

Any potential pitfalls?

I've only read a little bit about inverter installs. You might want to turn the converter/charger AC circuit off. I've heard it called a "death spiral" on a few posts when you're using the batteries to power the inverter, to power the converter/charger, to recharge the batteries.

[wags999]

Using appliances that heat, which use a lot of wattage, will drain your battery rather quickly. Look at the amp hours on your battery and do the math, see how long you can power a 1500 watt appliance. It's always comes down to math.

Not being able to use generators is not uncommon, many only allow a few hours per day, out of respect to those around you.

[North of 49°]

I think there would be too many inefficiencies, since the onboard converter converts 120 to 12 volt. So look at it this way: you're converting 12v to 120v with the INverter to run the plugs, then back to 12v in the CONverter to run the lights, pump, etc. Every time you convert from one to the other, you lose some power through inefficiencies, components heating up, etc.

I've never done it myself, but my elementary knowledge of electrical engineering leads me to believe this might be the case. Of course, YMMV.

[norty1]

Get a small percolator like the original campers used and make a pot on the gas stove.

We carry one to heat water and make a old time cup at times.

[Mustang65]

If you look at my SOLAR album, you will see how I have my TT wired to use either shore-power/generator or inverter. ITs is the picture with the 2 4x4 electrical boxes in it. No chance of leaving the inverter on when Shore-power/generator is activated.

AS mentioned, the MAIN thing you need to remember is to shut-down the TT's battery charge controller. It will try to charge your batteries using the batteries. All you have to do is turn of that AC breaker. I added a new breaker (purchased at Lowes) to a spare slot because there was something else connected to the original breaker.

ALSO, turn off your thermostat so the AC does not kick on, or you may be replacing your inverter.

Do not get any ideas about installing an Automatic Transfer Switch (wired in reverse) because if for some reason you are in Shore-Power/Generator mode and the source power drops off activating your inverter while your AC is on, that could be a MAJOR issue for the inverter. There are ways around this, but would require additional AC wiring.

Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[CampNow]

Yes, you can; however, suggest turning off the converter's circuit breaker for reasons already mentioned.

Hope your wife can get by on the blow dryer's low power setting. Many blow dryers draw 1800+ watts on the high setting---that's 15+ amps at 120vac---a bit more than your 1,500 watt (12.5 amp) inverter can handle. The blow dryer's low setting will probably draw anywhere from 750 to 900 watts or 6-7 amps at 120 vac.

My guess is your 1,500 watt inverter will not have enough inrush capability to "start" your microwave--unless you happen to have a very small microwave.

All this is a go, assuming the cabling between your batteries and inverter is sufficiently large enough to handle these large DC current loads (100+ amps) without significant voltage drop. Doesn't take much DC voltage drop to trip the DC low voltage shut-off on a lot of inverters.

Good luck!

[ALJO]

Best way is to run the inverter only on the circuits you need with 3 way switches. If you use a microwave it has a 13 amp draw, you can run the A/C (15 Amp) and it will run 3/4 hour on 4 golf-kart deep cycle batteries. Just do the figuring.

[qdude79]

Did not think about the charge controller! Glad I asked! I will report back after I get this put together and tested, though it may be awhile. Just ordered the inverter so I've got a few steps to get to on my weekends off before I can get it "field tested." Thanks for the input, everyone.

[namusmc65]

Originally Posted by qdude79

Background: I'm running two 6volt Interstate GC2-ECL-UTl batteries, with solar on the roof.

We occasionally stay at a nice campground with dumb rules: no generator before 10:00am. Wife wants coffee and blow dryer before 10:00am.

My question: any reason I can't take my 30 amp shore power plug and plug in to a 1500 watt inverter to power the ENTIRE COACH for awhile in the mornings? (I'm aware that blow dryers and coffee makers would need to take turns, as well as the microwave, AC not an option)

I would have the remainder of the day to recharge either by sun or generator.

Any potential pitfalls?

What am I missing here? If he has 30 amp shore power, why can't he just plug the rig in direct with the power cord?

[snowbird47]

X2?

[Bassdogs]

Blow drying before gen hours in the morning does not in my world justify hammering my battery bank and requiring extended gen run time later just to bring it back to full charge. The coffee thing is easily solved. I have a mr coffee maker that has a water fill onboard [pretty typical] and an exposed filter/basket area when the top is opened to add water and or coffee grounds. Without having to actually turn the coffee maker on, I boil water in a pan on the stove top and then slowly pour the near boiling water onto the grounds [exposed by opening the top] and letting it drip thru the filter into the pot below. Viola you have fresh brewed coffee before generator hours with out electricity.

Unless you have a 4 or 6 bank of 6V batteries and a 2000w inverter, running anything like a microwave or other heavy draw device might work but will discharge batteries very quickly.

[qdude79]

Originally Posted by namusmc65

What am I missing here? If he has 30 amp shore power, why can't he just plug the rig in direct with the power cord?

My message was a little unclear. I'm talking about when I DON'T have shore power, I would use my shore power LINE from the coach to plug in to the inverter. Sorry for the confusion...

[NH_camper]

That's the beauty of camping, there's a hundred ways to do it. For me the simpler the better. I got too many complications with my house!

[RogerR]

gas heat for the coffee

and how about one of these? My wife has one, not as good as AC dryers but also works in car if hair not dry before leaving in the AM.

https://www.amazon.com/Collapsible-c...olt+hair+dryer

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by RogerR

gas heat for the coffee

and how about one of these? My wife has one, not as good as AC dryers but also works in car if hair not dry before leaving in the AM.

https://www.amazon.com/Collapsible-c...olt+hair+dryer

12VDC but where do you plug it in. The 12VDC accessory outlets are rated for less than 10Amps. This unit is 18Amps.

Found this in the product review.

0
votes

Question:
How many watts?

Answer:
Hi
Because the hair dryer is 12V power supply, so it is a small power hair dryer, its power is only 216W.
Thank you
By Ymkf Sqqr SELLER on September 16, 2017


Don
My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[fyrman]

Originally Posted by rgardjr

You might want to turn the converter/charger AC circuit off. I've heard it called a "death spiral"

Ground loop. You can't power the charging section of the converter from the inverter. It will trip out most good inverters.

You would have to go with something considerably larger. I would also look for something of better quality than the offerings at Harbor Freight. If you are going to go through all of that time and expense, you may as well step up to a 2000 watt Magnum inverter charger, and look for a spot to mount two more 6 volt batteries. Do it right the first time and all that jazz.