When to use my inverter?

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When to use my inverter?

March 12, 2021, 08:37:37 am

What is the recommendation for use of the inverter? The camper we had for the last 15 years didn't have one, so any time we needed 110v we'd just kick on the generator to make coffee, charge the laptops, etc. when we weren't hooked up. Can I leave the inverter switched on all the time, including while driving? Is there a reason not to leave it on?

Re: When to use my inverter?

Reply #1 – March 12, 2021, 08:53:04 am

I leave it on all the time unless I'm doing extensive boondocking, or want to use an appliance that requires a lot of amps-think toaster oven, hair dryer.

Re: When to use my inverter?

Reply #2 – March 12, 2021, 08:56:31 am

Quote from: Dan & Annie – March 12, 2021, 08:37:37 am

1. Can I leave the inverter switched on all the time, including while driving?
2. Is there a reason not to leave it on?

It would help make answers more specific if you give the make and model of your inverter. In many cases on older coaches the inverters have been upgraded from OEM, so we can't assume you have the original unit on your coach. However, my answers to your questions based on my experience with my Magnum MS2812 inverter/charger are:

1. Yes, you can leave the inverter on all the time. Most modern inverters have a "resting" mode where they draw very little power off the battery bank. In this state, they are ready to power up instantly whenever you turn on a device that requires 110V power. Some of us have residential refrigerators that require constant 110V power, so we are using our inverters at all times (when we are not running the generator or plugged in).

2. If you are in a "dry camping" situation where you do not often require 110V power AND you desire to reduce the draw on your house battery bank to a bare minimum, then turn the inverter off. If your inverter/charger has a separate on/off switch for the inverter and the battery charger, you can leave the battery charger turned ON so anytime your generator is running the house batteries will receive a charge.

Re: When to use my inverter?

Reply #3 – March 12, 2021, 08:58:04 am

The only downside to leaving it on always could be if shore power is off for an extended period it could run your batteries down too low. Or if you have solar and have cloudy, rainy days. Of course that depends on if the inverter has a low voltage shutoff. An inverter will use battery even when idling if on.
I usually leave mine off until needed.

Re: When to use my inverter?

Reply #4 – March 12, 2021, 09:10:54 am

Quote from: Dan & Annie – March 12, 2021, 08:37:37 am

Is there a reason not to leave it on?

The inverter always draws power when on. Newer ones not so much so, older ones, well, Wow!.

Re: When to use my inverter?

Reply #5 – March 12, 2021, 09:13:04 am

Don't leave it on while dry camping in order to extend battery charge/life.

Turning it on only when using 120 VAC appliances uses less amp-hrs from the battery as an inverter on standby DOES use some power.

If you are mostly on shore power and, as an example use it while driving or stopping for a break, sure, leave it on, as both alternator and shore power both last night and this night will easily make up for the amp-hrs used.

Re: When to use my inverter?

Reply #6 – March 12, 2021, 10:45:53 am

We removed our old Taytronics inverter as it used a huge amount of power just at idle. We replaced it with an old school Trace inverter and set it for a ping every second or so. Standby power usage is very little but it starts up larger appliances, etc. Next to it we have a new sine wave inverter. It also uses very little current at idle. 1500 watts each with the Trace up to 2000 cont. with/fan.

We turn off any inverter in operation at night for energy saving. The inverter is turned off when we leave the coach for any length of time. The fridge switches to propane automatically so no big deal. The new sine wave inverter has a remote panel to switch it on and shows battery status but we have dash voltmeters for that.

So, solar keeps the batteries full by mid-morning, either inverter keeps power to the coach until we go to bed and the process is repeated the next day.

No reason not to keep the inverter on while driving.

Inverters last the longest if they max at about 2/3 output in continuous operation according to several internet sites. I've never had one fail but there are YouTube videos of several failing, either just stopping or in a couple of cases, actually catching on fire.

Pierce

Re: When to use my inverter?

Reply #7 – March 12, 2021, 01:11:59 pm

Rarely turn ours on, unless we need the microwave or blow dryer briefly. We do use it to make coffee, if in an area where we don't want to bother someone with noise, but only if we are driving that day, and can charge the batts back up.Otherwise we run the gen for it.

We have 475 watts of solar, but if we use the big inverter for electric coffee pot, it really takes the batteries down. This makes it hard to get them back up by night fall.

I installed a 300 watt pure sine wave inverter into the overhead, wiring direct to batteries. I run the TV, satellite receiver, 3 way powered splitter, wifi ant/router and DVD 24/7 with it.This way the satellite receiver stays loaded. Also have a small 100 watt inverter in closet for bedroom TV, we only turn on, while watching tv while dry camping.

We have boondocked indefinitely with this setup. Our gen has right at 900 hrs on it.Coach has 130K miles, so it does get used.
Chris

Re: When to use my inverter?

Reply #8 – March 12, 2021, 03:41:45 pm

Lots of good input here. Your best use of an inverter depends on your circumstances.
There is no reason to turn it on unless you are using it and at least 2 good reasons to turn it off when you are not using it.
They do use power and they do wear out.

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When to use my inverter?

March 12, 2021, 08:37:37 am

Re: When to use my inverter?

Reply #1 – March 12, 2021, 08:53:04 am

Re: When to use my inverter?

Reply #2 – March 12, 2021, 08:56:31 am

Re: When to use my inverter?

Reply #3 – March 12, 2021, 08:58:04 am

Re: When to use my inverter?

Reply #4 – March 12, 2021, 09:10:54 am

Re: When to use my inverter?

Reply #5 – March 12, 2021, 09:13:04 am

Re: When to use my inverter?

Reply #6 – March 12, 2021, 10:45:53 am

Re: When to use my inverter?

Reply #7 – March 12, 2021, 01:11:59 pm

Re: When to use my inverter?

Reply #8 – March 12, 2021, 03:41:45 pm

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