balfre1946 wrote: Since I cannot find any inverter on/off switch I presume it was not installed in our 2010 Fleetwood Fiesta 34B..thanks all for your comments, that is how we two dingbats learn :-)
balfre1946,
First of all, this is not meant to chastise or degrade you in any fashion. One thing you need to do, along with the significant other is, LEARN your coach and how it works. I don't know if you purchased it from a dealer or an individual, either way, it sounds like you didn't get much coaching on how it operates. If you got if from a dealer, 99.9% of most sales persons are clueless on the technical operations of the coaches. I, and many here have proven it many times. So, if they tell you one thing, you will have to verify it to really make sure it's the truth and or it is what they say it is.
Did you get any manuals with it? Sometimes even they are hard to decipher. But, for the most part, they're pretty good at explaining component operation(s). If you've got friends who are close by and have an RV too, you might begin by asking for a bit of info on how things work etc. so that you might be better equipped to assist yourself in some issues. Again, I'm not belittling you, and I'm certainly not saying you shouldn't ask about things here on the RV.net site, that's certainly what it's here for.
We all started someplace in the RV world. Some are more natural at knowing, understanding the deep mechanics of these gymnasiums on wheels. If I were near you, I'd be glad to assist in helping you learn how your coach works and what you can and can't do, plugged in and not.
I don't know for sure but, it's been my understanding that about 90% or more of the gas units out there did not come with INVERTERS. All three of the gas rigs I had didn't, that's for sure. All of them came with CONVERTERS. As has been basically explained, the two have exact differences in operation.
Converter:
Converts or, changes 120 A/C (shore power/generator power) to 12V D/
C currant. So, again, as has been stated, the lights, water pump, furnace, all need 12V D/C to run. And, for the most part, the house batteries will supply that need. But, in the event you get low on house battery power, then plugging into shore power and or, running the generator will apply 110V A/C to your converter, which in turn, will change it to 12V D/C and then augment your house batteries and run your 12V appliances.
Inverter:
"Inverts" or changes 12V D/C battery power to, 110V A/C power. Things like, all the 110V plugs, microwave, coffee pot, some lights,(rare) TV and VCR etc. all need that 110V A/C voltage. So, if you want to watch TV, you're going to have to furnish it 110V A/C power. Now, you do that by either plugging into shore power, running the generator, or, an Inverter. If you have a gas rig, as stated above, it most likely dose NOT have one. It's easy to install one, especially if you ONLY want one to watch TV and a VCR. A small one like a 350-400 watt one will do just fine, for most newer TVs and VCRs because they don't draw that many amps and or watts.
So, I hope I've at least given you some basics and have not offended you in the onset of this answer. My intent was/is to help you have an understanding of your coach.
Scott
Scott and Karla SDFD RETIRED
2004 Itasca Horizon, 36GD Slate Blue 330 CAT
2011 White Honda CRV EX-L,4WD w/NAV Toad 2008 Caliente Red LVL II GL 1800 Goldwing KI60ND
You are terrific! No offense at all, we really appreciate your thoughtful comments, that is how we learn. We are in Malibu heading north, still pretty chilly here in Southern California on the coast!
I do know in one of our previous coaches the direct tv would not work on the inverter. Found out the outlet it was plugged into was not hooked to the inverter circuit; so we plugged it into an outlet that did work off the inverter.
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