Installing a power inverter.

[ClassCrunner]

I want to install a power inverter into my 2023 Redhawk 24B and I am not getting any help from Jayco. Seems like if your unit did not come with one, they will not even tell you what brand and model number they are using. Is there anyone that has an inverter in a class C that can tell me what they use. I would also need to get an additional automatic transfer switch to wire in between the current trans sw. and the inverter according to the Jayco inverter schematic. It looks like they are using a Renogy Inverter according to the schematic but I cannot make out the brand for the trans. sw.
Thanks

 

[JimD]

My 2017 Greyhawk came with Magnum Dimensions 1000 watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter. It does have an external transfer switch. Some inverters have an internal transfer switch which may be easier to connect. Mine is wired to provide power to the TV outlets in the main area and bedroom.

You didn't say what you want to power with the inverter but be advised, it is not a cure all for lack of shore or generator power. An inverter sucks the life out of a battery and you have to be careful not to let the 12 volts get too low or you will damage the battery. You will need a stout battery or batteries and a good way to recharge them. Solar is good for this. In addition to solar I have a small inverter generator that I can plug the rig into. This will power many items except ACs. It is also great for powering the converter to recharge the batteries after dark if needed.

You will need to calculate what you want to power. A quick rule of thumb is that the 12 volt drain from the battery is about 10 times the amp draw from the 120 volt item being powered. For example, say you have something that pulls 5 amps at 120 volts. In this case you would be pulling 50 amps from the battery. If you want to power something that draws 10 amps, it would pull 100 amps from the battery and this would not last very long.

Don't expect to easily be able to power all 120 volt items in your rig. Setting up something like that would require multiple lithium batteries and a crap load of solar. An inverter is great for smaller loads such as TVs. There are many good brands out there. Just do some research and also check reviews.

 

[ClassCrunner]

My 2017 Greyhawk came with Magnum Dimensions 1000 watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter. It does have an external transfer switch. Some inverters have an internal transfer switch which may be easier to connect. Mine is wired to provide power to the TV outlets in the main area and bedroom.

You didn't say what you want to power with the inverter but be advised, it is not a cure all for lack of shore or generator power. An inverter sucks the life out of a battery and you have to be careful not to let the 12 volts get too low or you will damage the battery. You will need a stout battery or batteries and a good way to recharge them. Solar is good for this. In addition to solar I have a small inverter generator that I can plug the rig into. This will power many items except ACs. It is also great for powering the converter to recharge the batteries after dark if needed.

You will need to calculate what you want to power. A quick rule of thumb is that the 12 volt drain from the battery is about 10 times the amp draw from the 120 volt item being powered. For example, say you have something that pulls 5 amps at 120 volts. In this case you would be pulling 50 amps from the battery. If you want to power something that draws 10 amps, it would pull 100 amps from the battery and this would not last very long.

Don't expect to easily be able to power all 120 volt items in your rig. Setting up something like that would require multiple lithium batteries and a crap load of solar. An inverter is great for smaller loads such as TVs. There are many good brands out there. Just do some research and also check reviews.

Jim,
Thanks for the info.
I plan to use it mainly for the tv, charging cell phones and a laptop. The circuit that is labeled inverter is the one for the tv and bedroom so I am happy with that. The wiring diagram that I was able to get shows the extra transfer switch installed between the original transfer switch and the main panel and powering everything. Jayco installs a 1000 watt but I believe that if I install a 2000 watt, I should be able to use the microwave for a short period of time.
Do you know model of the second transfer switch?
Milton

 

[JimD]

The included picture shows my silver inverter at the top with a transfer switch on the left plugged into it. Can't read the label. You may want to search Amazon for transfer switches. You won't need a very heavy duty one for the inverter.

 

[dvspl]

Like Jim, my 2020 Greyhawk uses a Magnum Dimensions CSW-1012 inverter. The inverted power then goes through a Magnum Energy CSW-TS15 transfer switch. It is wired with 4 AWG copper between the batteries and the inverter. If you decided to upgrade to a larger 2000W inverter, you should check the installed wiring to make sure it is capable of carrying the DC amps required. I think you would probably need to use 2/0 wire to carry ~175 amps. The transfer switch mentioned above would also be to small to carry 2000W (16.7 amps at 120V AC).

 

[ClassCrunner]

Like Jim, my 2020 Greyhawk uses a Magnum Dimensions CSW-1012 inverter. The inverted power then goes through a Magnum Energy CSW-TS15 transfer switch. It is wired with 4 AWG copper between the batteries and the inverter. If you decided to upgrade to a larger 2000W inverter, you should check the installed wiring to make sure it is capable of carrying the DC amps required. I think you would probably need to use 2/0 wire to carry ~175 amps. The transfer switch mentioned above would also be to small to carry 2000W (16.7 amps at 120V AC).

Thanks to you and Jim for the info.
I plan to install the inverter within 6' of the batteries and install a 30 amp transfer switch between the existing transfer switch and the panel.
Milton

 

[Cfiddy]

If you already have a transfer switch and not using a generator, why install a second one?

 

[Mark_L]

Thanks to you and Jim for the info.
I plan to install the inverter within 6' of the batteries and install a 30 amp transfer switch between the existing transfer switch and the panel.
Milton

I have a 2019 Redhawk 24B. I also put in a Renogy 2000W, it was installed in the outdoor cubby just to the left of the propane. It shuts off when the battery gets low, so no worries ruining the batteries. While on inverter, I have to remember to shut off all the breakers except the outlets and GFCI outlets. I have to run the fridge on manual rather than auto, I use propane when camping to save the battery, but switch it to AC when driving since the battery stays charged with the engine running. First time I have ever been able to drive without propane on as recommended. A couple of panels keeps the batteries charged for exactly what you want to do, charging devices and watching TV without a generator.

If I need to start the generator, I first turn off the inverter, then turn on the converter breaker. One complaint, the 2nd transfer switch setup takes just over 30 seconds to provide power after the generator starts, but provides power almost instantly when the inverter is the only power source. I took a picture of a drawing they made.

 

[dholliday-JAY]

I have a 2019 Redhawk 24B. I also put in a Renogy 2000W, it was installed in the outdoor cubby just to the left of the propane. It shuts off when the battery gets low, so no worries ruining the batteries. While on inverter, I have to remember to shut off all the breakers except the outlets and GFCI outlets. I have to run the fridge on manual rather than auto, I use propane when camping to save the battery, but switch it to AC when driving since the battery stays charged with the engine running. First time I have ever been able to drive without propane on as recommended. A couple of panels keeps the batteries charged for exactly what you want to do, charging devices and watching TV without a generator.

If I need to start the generator, I first turn off the inverter, then turn on the converter breaker. One complaint, the 2nd transfer switch setup takes just over 30 seconds to provide power after the generator starts, but provides power almost instantly when the inverter is the only power source. I took a picture of a drawing they made.

View attachment 739728

 

[dholliday-JAY]

I have a 400-watt inverted that came with my 2006 Seneca that powers the entertainment center It has an inverter in it. I installed a second 400-watt inverter to power my ice maker and the wife's curling iron. This inverter also has a built-in inverter so it is much easier to install and wire.

I would look for an inverter that has an included transfer switch as it makes the installation very easy.

 

[DoogSK]

Hi there, 1000 w inverter from factory. Magnum brand:

 

[Go-red-car]

My 2017 Greyhawk came with Magnum Dimensions 1000 watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter. It does have an external transfer switch. Some inverters have an internal transfer switch which may be easier to connect. Mine is wired to provide power to the TV outlets in the main area and bedroom.

You didn't say what you want to power with the inverter but be advised, it is not a cure all for lack of shore or generator power. An inverter sucks the life out of a battery and you have to be careful not to let the 12 volts get too low or you will damage the battery. You will need a stout battery or batteries and a good way to recharge them. Solar is good for this. In addition to solar I have a small inverter generator that I can plug the rig into. This will power many items except ACs. It is also great for powering the converter to recharge the batteries after dark if needed.

You will need to calculate what you want to power. A quick rule of thumb is that the 12 volt drain from the battery is about 10 times the amp draw from the 120 volt item being powered. For example, say you have something that pulls 5 amps at 120 volts. In this case you would be pulling 50 amps from the battery. If you want to power something that draws 10 amps, it would pull 100 amps from the battery and this would not last very long.

Don't expect to easily be able to power all 120 volt items in your rig. Setting up something like that would require multiple lithium batteries and a crap load of solar. An inverter is great for smaller loads such as TVs. There are many good brands out there. Just do some research and also check reviews.

This is good advice for the OP. I don’t have a class C but the principles are the same for any rig. I use the Renogy 2000 inverter and an external transfer switch. This is supported by 2x100AH lithium batteries and 400W of solar. The drain from an inverter is huge. If you have lead acid or AGM batteries you should not go below 50% charge… at 12.0v you are at 50%. Below this you are doing permanent damage to the batteries. This is not the case for lithium batteries and you can run them to almost zero. This gives you about double the capacity. With a 100AH lead acid you only have 50AH of usable capacity.

You also need to flip the breaker off on your converter unless you wire in a relay to do this automatically. If you don’t do this you create a parasitic loop. Battery supplies power to inverter and converts to 120v which the converter uses to flip back to 12v to charge the battery .

 

[fenderworks]

That Rats Nest of wires, looks just like my rig. Quality control at its "best". Go jayco.