Hiya Guys,
I would like to install an inverter in my fifth wheel so I can watch a couple of hours of TV after the generator is down. What do I need to do? I am sure I am not the first person to request this info. Is there a spot can I go to check past posts on the subject?
It is not only the inverter install it is also sufficient battery capacity to power the converter.
On my fiver i installed the inverter and then bought two 25 foot extension cords, two remodel boxes, two outlets and two covers. locate the box where you want inverter power, and run the extension cord from the plug in on the inverter to the box and wire up the outlets. Just be sure to install a fuse between the battery and inverter, and to make the 12VDC runs as short as possible using sufficiently large gage wire.
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
Resident Know It All
I have found that Inverters will drain a single battery rather quick. Got to watch that like a hawk.
What I did was install a PSW 400W INVERTER hardwired as close as I could get it to the Battery switch but still be inside the trailer. Then I ran an extension cord from the 400W INVERTER to the HDTV/DVD cabinet location and just plug the TV units into the emergency power extension cord when I needed it. I would turn the INVERTER ON when I needed it. This setup will run several 120VAC items like your HTDV, DVD, A 120vAC 15W Lamp, your cell phone chargers, small fan, etc... this is the simple way to do it. Your trailer Battery will continue to run the 12VDC appliances like the ceiling lights, water pump, etc.
Or you can install a few more trailer batteries and install a 2400W-3000W PSW Inverter close to the battery switch and install a switch-over relay at the Shore Power Power Distribution Center and switch the whole trailer over to the Inverter which might give you four hours of use before it completely runs down your battery bank. Large Power Inverters draw serious amps when used to their full rated values...
You will hear several different opions on whether to use a PSW or MDW type Power Inverter. Some get by ok with either one. I blew my electric blanket controller using MSW type the first time I plugged it in. Read up on google on PSW verses MSW POWER Inverters and make you own decision on that.. The PSW Inverters will run anything so I went with that which does cost alittle bit more but I dont have to worry about it burning out anything I plug into it.. (Including my expensive HDTV and DVD units). Modified Sine Wave Inverters doesnt like anything that has AC motors or AC transformers involved and will tend to heat them up. (Fans motors, Cell phone chargers, etc.)
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - PM me Roy and Carolyn
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If you have a cigarette lighter plug behind your TV, then just get a small plug in converter at Walmart. It works my flat screen perfectly. Definitely would not have enough power for a tube type TV or a plasma.
Small LCD TV draws around 50 watt. So you need a small 70-80 Watt inverter as they lose about 20% while inverting from DC to AC. So if it outputs 50W, it draws 60W from battery, this is 5A @12V. You will draw 15 AH from battery in 3 hours, which is nothing to people with big battery bank over 200 AH @12V. For somebody with one tiny battery it's a different story.
Almot wrote: Small LCD TV draws around 50 watt. So you need a small 70-80 Watt inverter as they lose about 20% while inverting from DC to AC. So if it outputs 50W, it draws 60W from battery, this is 5A @12V. You will draw 15 AH from battery in 3 hours, which is nothing to people with big battery bank over 200 AH @12V. For somebody with one tiny battery it's a different story.
OK Guys,
Thanks so much for the imput. Lots of good info. I got a 2000W MSW inverter from Farm N Fleet $189. 4 deep cycle marine batterys. Two were already installed (1 year old) 90AH each and two new deep cycle batterys 125AH each for a total of 430 AH. I am planning on running two cords from the inverter, mounted in the front compartment, to two new outlets installed in the trailer. One behind the entertainment center. The other outlet I was going to install somewhere outside that same cabinet to allow an inverter outlet for other uses. I am not interested in the micro or coffee pot, I can crank the genny for that when needed.
I have a 27" LCD TV 120W, Dish Network box 120W, a Blu-ray DVD player 25W, a VCR player 20W, an older AM/FM cassette CD changer Sterio 150W. 435 Amp total. Of course they wouldn't ALL be on at the same time, but several of them could be for sure. The TV in the bedroom would be nice to run on inverter power as well. I thought it would be easier running a dedicated 12v outlet to behind the TV now (isn't currently one there)and using an additional small plug-in inverter for that TV. I plan on boondocking in the desert in the winter then setting up in a campground somewhere for the summer months. I was just going to un-plug from the inverter outlet when on shore power and re-plug into the normal 120v service. I think it would it be wise to fuse the battery. 100 Amp? 200 amp? how do you know?
Could this be hooked up to the the main AC box so I just flip a breaker or two to change over to Shore power? I would also like to install some kind of meter or monitering station. a voltmeter at least an amp meter too would be better. Any suggestions?
Am I missing anything important?
Again Thanks guys!
Hi all, I'm installing a Xantrex HF1800 MSW inverter. It has a 3 phase charger as well. However, I have a Parallex 7300 sieries converter that also has a single phase charger that is not efficient. I'm concerned that when shore power is supplied to the system, both chargers will be trying to charge my 4 Trojan T-105 6v's. Have any of you had this issue or can you suggest a resolution? Thanks!
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