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Topic: Adding Inverter and receptacle under curbside window? (Read 765 times) previous topic - next topic

Adding Inverter and receptacle under curbside window?

 Did the search found some amp values etc but maybe the early OREDs  dont have an inverter  to power the 110 volt items.  I would like to watch the TV and maybe use the coffee maker without running the genset.
 Can I simply add a small inverter  at the coach batteries and add a receptacle along the wall where the table is?  What is the best way to get the  wires up through the wall ?
 I now have one 8D but hope to add one more.
 Thanks as always. MM 

Re: Adding Inverter and receptacle under curbside window?

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Protech Racing –
Did the search found some amp values etc but maybe the early OREDs  dont have an inverter  to power the 110 volt items.  I would like to watch the TV and maybe use the coffee maker without running the genset.
 Can I simply add a small inverter  at the coach batteries and add a receptacle along the wall where the table is?  What is the best way to get the  wires up through the wall ?
 I now have one 8D but hope to add one more.
 Thanks as always. MM
Wires are always easy to run. That idea is fine.TV, no problem. 100 watt would run that. Coffee pot, not so much. It will kill a battery just making one pot. Been there, done that many different ways.
Try a European press type. Boil the water on the stove. It makes great coffee.That's what we do when dry camping, and not wanting to bring the batts down.
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Adding Inverter and receptacle under curbside window?

Reply #2 –
Mike, look at your TV to see what its power requirements are in watts.  Use an inverter with at least 50% more capacity.  Most newer TVs work better on pure sine wave inverters.  Most of these will have a GFCI outlet with the assumption that whatever you are powering plugs in directly to it.  If you are going to go from the inverter to another outlet in a box then it is a good ideal to add a box that holds a circuit breaker between your outlet and the small inverter.  Safety first.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Adding Inverter and receptacle under curbside window?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
Most of these will have a GFCI outlet with the assumption that whatever you are powering plugs in directly to it.  If you are going to go from the inverter to another outlet in a box then it is a good ideal to add a box that holds a circuit breaker between your outlet and the small inverter.
Roger,

I've always read that inverters should be mounted as close to the battery as possible.  Is that true with the smaller "individual use" inverters, such as being discussed here?  If one is going to take the trouble to mount the inverter near the battery, then run a power cable up to a duplex outlet for the TV (or whatever device), then it seems (to me) like it would be better to go with a larger inverter that would handle multiple circuits and devices.

I'm not criticizing Mike's idea of a small inverter just for his TV - just asking a general question out of curiosity.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Adding Inverter and receptacle under curbside window?

Reply #4 –
Generally if you mount the inverter (of any size) closer to the battery the 12v wire size can be a bit smaller.  The 120v side can be 14  or 12 ga in most cases (15 or 20 amps, 120v).  With no circuit breaker in the wiring to the new outlet a short at that point, connecting something or in the connected device is unprotected.  The circuit breaker needs to be close to the source of the 120v power just as you would put fuses in 12v circuits close to the battery.   

A GFCI on the small inverter does not provide the same protection as a circuit breaker.

Our bigger Victron inerters call for a circuit breaker box close to the inverter for the 120v feed back to the inverter panel.  I added a circuit breaker for the output of my smaller Victron inverter (which is about 6 ft from the batteries).  There is also a DPDT switch to power those circuits from the smaller inverter (normal) or the bigger inverter or the landline (rarely used).  In the center off position of the DPDT switch the circuits beyond are not powered.

This is a good wire size calculator for DC circuits.  The wire length is the total from the battery and back.
Bos'ns' Corner - Wire Size Calculator
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN
 

Re: Adding Inverter and receptacle under curbside window?

Reply #5 –
What is the logic behind adding  enough inverter to drain the batteries in a few hrs?