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Who's Installed an inverter?

Inverter battery boondocking

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#1 Escapepod

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Posted 19 February 2018 - 04:39 AM

Because we often dry-camp in our travel trailer, we installed a 1,750 watt inverter. It's wired to the 110 v outlets for convenience. Who's got an inverter in their FWC, and what do you use it for? (I should have mentioned: we've ordered a Grandby. Thinking about an inverter for it too.)

Edited by Escapepod, 19 February 2018 - 05:34 AM.

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#2 Vic Harder

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Posted 19 February 2018 - 04:57 AM

Me.  Had a 300W pure sine wave .... it died (manuf defect) and I am now running a small 75W POC.  Use it for charging batteries of various kinds... phones, laptops, cameras


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#3 Escapepod

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Posted 19 February 2018 - 05:31 AM

Thanks Vic! Do you ever charge these devices through your 12-volt system?
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#4 PaulT

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Posted 19 February 2018 - 07:18 AM

Escapepod,
I use a small 150 watt inverter for my DSLR battery charger. It is the only device where I have not found a reliable (& inexpensive) 12v DC charger. Every other electronic device I use can be powered or charged from 12v.

The good thing about getting 12v chargers is that you can charge either in your truck or in the camper where the solar panels do most of the work.

Many newer devices charge from USB. I keep USB chargers in the camper 12v power ports.

Paul
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I thought getting old would take longer.

#5 Lineman

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Posted 19 February 2018 - 11:27 AM

I have a 300w in my Grandby. It is split wired to the 120v outlet, the top plug in is still wired to shore power and the bottom plugin is wired to the inverter. Mostly used for laptops and a DVD player. In a front dinette there is room for an inverter under the battery charger.
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#6 Lobster

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Posted 19 February 2018 - 03:35 PM

When I built out my grandby shell last year I installed a Xantrex inverter/charger. 1600 watt inverter, 40amp charger.
When the campers in the garage the charger keeps the batteries topped off.
I have a plug for 120 but so far only used it for a friend who needed his bike lock cut off at the beach.
On my boat, I watch t.v., charge drill motors, charge my iPad with a similar inverter.
Thought It would be nice to have the option camping.
All said we’re still newbies but in 2 months we’ll start camping seriously and see what works.
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#7 klahanie

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Posted 19 February 2018 - 03:37 PM

We have a large inverter sized for a microwave or hairdryer. But what we use it most for is powering a 12x24" heat pad at night, similar to this one.

https://www.ebay.com...5cAAOSw61habX3R

 

60w max, with a shutoff timer, used a few times a night, most nights outside of peak summer. For someone who sleeps cold and has chronic back pain it's gold. And the second best thing we've added to the camper.

 


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#8 craig333

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Posted 19 February 2018 - 04:30 PM

1250 used for the microwave and the odd device that isn't 12v (laptop) or usb. Its wired to a separate outlet.


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Craig K6JGV_________________________ 2004 2500 CTD 4X4 FWC HAWK 1960 CJ5


#9 So Cal Adventurer

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Posted 19 February 2018 - 06:12 PM

I've run a ProWatt 2000 Xantrex inverter hard wired to an Odyssey PC2150 in my truck for 2 years now with zero issues.

 

When my Hawk arrives, I will be moving it into my Hawk and running 110 outlets for photo charging gear.


Edited by So Cal Adventurer, 19 February 2018 - 06:13 PM.

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#10 BILL98388

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Posted 19 February 2018 - 07:12 PM

I have a 300W inverter that I use for small device charging. It has a built in USB port. Many devices charge off of USB so I mostly use a 12V to USB for charging, it is more efficient I believe. A power off switch on any inverter is a good idea, many have substantial parasitic loss when on but not in use.

Bill

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Bill

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