Power inverters

If I remember correctly, I used 2ga wire on a very short run. Wiring to the 12v outlets is not going to be enough for anything that can run a microwave. 

If I remember correctly, I used 2ga wire on a very short run. Wiring to the 12v outlets is not going to be enough for anything that can run a microwave. 

 

 

Hey Craig,

 

Thanks...what about Don C's question.. I am "electronics challenge" [dumb as a post].. what size inverter will the OEM FWC 12v outlets support?  They are ones I use for my small inverter and every time I grind coffee beans I hold my breath...

 

Thanks...Phil

On my camper the FWC 12V outlets are fused at 10A, so you could run up to ~100W of inverter load.    Remember it is not the size of the inverter that matters, it is the size of the load.    A 300W inverter will work fine as long as you don't load it over 100W, if you do  you will pop the fuse. 

On my camper the FWC 12V outlets are fused at 10A, so you could run up to ~100W of inverter load.    Remember it is not the size of the inverter that matters, it is the size of the load.    A 300W inverter will work fine as long as you don't load it over 100W, if you do  you will pop the fuse. 

 

Hmmm. Very interesting that it's a 10-amp fuse.  Mine is a 15-amp fuse but that's probably because my Hawk shell was wired (or re-fused) by a previous owner.

 

Anyway, I just found this online calculator: Calculator | DC to AC amperage conversion run through an Inverter .  If we put 120 in the AC volts and check the 12V button, then start plugging numbers into the AC Amps box, we see both wattage and DC Amps calculated for us.  If we do that a few times trying to get close to a DC 10A result, that shows 108 watts.  That's close to rando's 100W number for a circuit fused with a 10A fuse.  And if we do it a few more times looking for a DC 15A result (for my circuit fused at 15 amps), that's about 162 watts.

Edited by Old Crow, 09 November 2016 - 04:09 PM.

Hmmm. Very interesting that it's a 10-amp fuse.  Mine is a 15-amp fuse but that's probably because my Hawk shell was wired (or re-fused) by a previous owner.

 

Anyway, I just found this online calculator: Calculator | DC to AC amperage conversion run through an Inverter .  If we put 120 in the AC volts and check the 12V button, then start plugging numbers into the AC Amps box, we see both wattage and DC Amps calculated for us.  If we do that a few times trying to get close to a DC 10A result, that shows 108 watts.  That's close to rando's 100W number for a circuit fused with a 10A fuse.  And if we do it a few more times looking for a DC 15A result (for my circuit fused at 15 amps), that's about 162 watts.

 

 

Mine could be 15A and I just read off the wrong slot in the fuse box.   Either way, you are still in the 100W range.   Inverters are not 100% efficient, and it was also be wise to stay well below your fuse rating.   The fuses are designed to protect the wires running the sockets, routinely running them until they blow would probably not be wise. 

I did a search on inverters, and ended up here.

 

 

I would like to get an inverter for my 2017 fleet so I can run a coffee maker (and occasionally a toaster oven) without needing shore power (or my Honda 2000).

 

I figured I should probably be in the 2000 watt area, because my coffee maker says it's 1500 watt.

 

my questions for you electrical guys is, what brands/models are best, middle of the pack, and what brand should I stay away from?

 

Thanks for the help.

Don't. Thats way too large a drain for too long a period. Coleman makes a nice drip coffeemaker that runs on propane. My microwave takes my voltage down to 11.8 just over a three minute period (bout how long I run it at most). It rebounds quickly but I'd hate to see what a coffee maker would do.

IMO the best coffee maker for the camper is an Aeropress Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker https://www.amazon.c...a_pcqtAbK19VN2C

It makes a great coffee and take very little space. If you want a perfect latte you can also get a good steamer Stove-Top Cappuccino Steamer https://www.amazon.c...a_xfqtAb4RRM46E

Better than Starbucks

I run a small 150watt that plugs into the cigarette lighter. I use it mainly for charging electronics and running my razor.

IMO the best coffee maker for the camper is an Aeropress Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker https://www.amazon.c...a_pcqtAbK19VN2C

 

Most anything is better than Starbucks!

and I vote for French Press over the Aeropress because of fewer things to clean!

That said, the Aeropress does make impressively good cup 'o coffee.

 

Thanks for this thread - even tho it's making my head spin. I have a little inverter that plugs into the outlet that I tried to use for my MacBook but it made weird noise, so I stopped using it. In retrospect, it was probably a fan inside of it, but it freaked me out and I'm "better safe than sorry" when it comes to the possibility of electrical fires inside my camper. But I like the idea of tying in a good inverter to the system!

Edited by hoyden, 03 January 2018 - 08:39 PM.