The 1500 watt "pure sine" inverter has arrived. My cunning plan is to install it against the aft bulkhead in the little cupboard under the refrigerator where the vacuum system lives. This is directly above the batteries ensuring a short cable run. I have not yet decided how to tie the inverter into the AC system. Theoretically I could just wire a double-ended plug and plug the output of the inverter into the nearest plug (via a suitable breaker). This would create some complexities though. Thoughts?
The other issue is what is in the floor of that little compartment (or, looking at it from the other side of things, the ceiling of the battery compartment)? It appears thick... are there hefty metal frame stiffeners running around in there or can I pretty safely drill two appropriate holes (for pos and neg), run the cables, and seal it all up well?
I forgot to order a remote (wireless) shutoff but it would probably get lost unless I secured it well to a convenient location. Seems like a good idea.
Craig
To make a 'remote' on-off switch for an add-on inverter, just gently open the inverter and disconnect one of the two small wires on the original on-off switch. Run a pair of wires into coach to a switch. Other end of new wires go to original switch and to the removed wire. Now you have two switches in series and either one will turn inverter on & off.
The floors have some steel around the edges, but also have a lot of Styrofoam that is easy to drill into. Use a small drill to find the Styrofoam. If you hit metal try some where else.
Wiring inverter output through a male plug is REALLY DANGEROUS.
If your inverter has a pass-through feature: Best answer is to route it through romex through the basement back to the bed area where the 120 VAC panel is.
Separate out the hots and neutrals you want to be able to run on the inverter and install them along with the power out from the inverter on a sub-panel.
If no pass through feature, you can do the same, but will need an additional ATS.