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| [GMCnet] Shore Power Question [message #256068] |
Mon, 21 July 2014 22:05  |
Peter Garry
Messages: 138
Registered: July 2011
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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My two bits worth,
I have bought a Aims Global LF Series Pure Sine Wave Inverter, battery charger and AC auto transfer switch.
When AC power cuts off (or falls below an acceptable range) the transfer relay is de-energized and the load is automatically transferred to the inverter output. Once the AC is restored, the relay is energized and the load is automatically reconnected the AC utility.
It also charges the batteries from the PV panels or the AC utility if plugged in. The inverter has a 1500 watt capacity with a surge ability of up to 300% for 20 seconds, this should help with any 120v motors starting.
Sounds like a panacea, and I'm expecting it to work as described. I've coupled all of this with 4 120 watt solar panels and 2, 100 amp hour lithium ion batteries.
(These 2 lithium batteries are the equivalent of a 400 amp hr lead acid arrangement with no maintenance required)
Cost........mmmmmm $3,000 but if all goes well we will be able to boondock as long the sun shines and not have a generator.
Peter Garry
Calgary Alberta
'73 23' (not so big class A)
Sent from my iPad
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| Re: [GMCnet] Shore Power Question [message #256076 is a reply to message #256068] |
Mon, 21 July 2014 22:42  |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Peter,
My reply to Guy about "inverter" didn't mean to imply that there are not
combination "inverterrs", like your Global unit, available; nor, that they
are to be avoided. I merely meant that they're not very common in GMC's
because the complete electrical system is not generally upgraded all at
once. Your solution is certainly the simplest. In the US, large SOB's
generally have a Heart or Xantrex combination inverter/charger/switcher,
which is commonly called simply (and confusingly) an "Inverter".
Personally, i prefer the 3 functions to be separated so that failure of one
doesn't take out the others, but that's a personal preference.
Ken H.
On Mon, Jul 21, 2014 at 11:05 PM, Peter Garry wrote:
> My two bits worth,
> I have bought a Aims Global LF Series Pure Sine Wave Inverter, battery
> charger and AC auto transfer switch.
> When AC power cuts off (or falls below an acceptable range) the transfer
> relay is de-energized and the load is automatically transferred to the
> inverter output. Once the AC is restored, the relay is energized and the
> load is automatically reconnected the AC utility.
> It also charges the batteries from the PV panels or the AC utility if
> plugged in. The inverter has a 1500 watt capacity with a surge ability of
> up to 300% for 20 seconds, this should help with any 120v motors starting.
> Sounds like a panacea, and I'm expecting it to work as described. I've
> coupled all of this with 4 120 watt solar panels and 2, 100 amp hour
> lithium ion batteries.
> (These 2 lithium batteries are the equivalent of a 400 amp hr lead acid
> arrangement with no maintenance required)
> Cost........mmmmmm $3,000 but if all goes well we will be able to boondock
> as long the sun shines and not have a generator.
>
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Shore Power Question [message #256079 is a reply to message #256076] |
Mon, 21 July 2014 23:30 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Ken,
I installed an inverter in Double Trouble and decided that it would be a good idea to add an IOTA Auto Transfer Switch. I bought one
and JimB installed it (remember I'm electrically challenged).
It has worked fine now for 4 years, however, during that time I remember reading a message here that someone had problems with
theirs and when I did some research low and behold IOTA stopped making them!
I realized that if the damn thing failed I was in BIG trouble as I would have to replace it (again remember I'm electrically
challenged).
I found a unit that was a "DIRECT REPLACEMENT" for the IOTA and ordered it, WHEW!
The unit arrived and it may have been a "DIRECT REPLACEMENT" function wise it sure wasn't physically. The internal connections were
COMPELETELY different.
Fortunately Mac MacDonald came to my rescue and sold me the one he had purchased.
In summary if you decide to install an ATS check the reliability of the unit and consider buying (and carrying) a spare!
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Henderson
Peter,
My reply to Guy about "inverter" didn't mean to imply that there are not
combination "inverterrs", like your Global unit, available; nor, that they
are to be avoided. I merely meant that they're not very common in GMC's
because the complete electrical system is not generally upgraded all at
once. Your solution is certainly the simplest. In the US, large SOB's
generally have a Heart or Xantrex combination inverter/charger/switcher,
which is commonly called simply (and confusingly) an "Inverter".
Personally, i prefer the 3 functions to be separated so that failure of one
doesn't take out the others, but that's a personal preference.
Ken H.
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Shore Power Question [message #256095 is a reply to message #256076] |
Tue, 22 July 2014 09:15 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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Ken Henderson wrote on Mon, 21 July 2014 23:42Peter,
My reply to Guy about "inverter" didn't mean to imply that there are not combination "inverters", like your Global unit, available; nor, that they are to be avoided. I merely meant that they're not very common in GMC's because the complete electrical system is not generally upgraded all at once. Your solution is certainly the simplest. In the US, large SOB's generally have a Heart or Xantrex combination inverter/charger/switcher, which is commonly called simply (and confusingly) an "Inverter".
Personally, i prefer the 3 functions to be separated so that failure of one doesn't take out the others, but that's a personal preference.
Ken H.
Ken,
I read three other RV boards and a number of cruising boat boards.
Failures of these units, while not common, are far from rare and yes, the owner finds out he has a problem when the house bank goes flat. Like many RV, the house bank also starts the APU. Not many have the equivalent of our "Boost" switch.
And it is also fun over at the RV boards because they continually mix holding and potable tanks as well as inverter and converter.
This is an uncommon community. With years of reading, I am convinced that many "Normal" RV owners should never venture more than a day from home and stay only on the blue roads.
Me Thinks you also like the redundancy separate devices give you because of you history. But then, motorhomes won't fall out of the sky if things break.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] Shore Power Question [message #256118 is a reply to message #256095] |
Tue, 22 July 2014 14:10 |
rjw
Messages: 697
Registered: September 2005
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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Matt Colie wrote on Tue, 22 July 2014 10:15Ken Henderson wrote on Mon, 21 July 2014 23:42Peter,
My reply to Guy about "inverter" didn't mean to imply that there are not combination "inverters", like your Global unit, available; nor, that they are to be avoided. I merely meant that they're not very common in GMC's because the complete electrical system is not generally upgraded all at once. Your solution is certainly the simplest. In the US, large SOB's generally have a Heart or Xantrex combination inverter/charger/switcher, which is commonly called simply (and confusingly) an "Inverter".
Personally, i prefer the 3 functions to be separated so that failure of one doesn't take out the others, but that's a personal preference.
Ken H.
Ken,
I read three other RV boards and a number of cruising boat boards.
Failures of these units, while not common, are far from rare and yes, the owner finds out he has a problem when the house bank goes flat. Like many RV, the house bank also starts the APU. Not many have the equivalent of our "Boost" switch.
And it is also fun over at the RV boards because they continually mix holding and potable tanks as well as inverter and converter.
This is an uncommon community. With years of reading, I am convinced that many "Normal" RV owners should never venture more than a day from home and stay only on the blue roads.
Me Thinks you also like the redundancy separate devices give you because of you history. But then, motorhomes won't fall out of the sky if things break.
Matt
Today it is raining and we are inside our GMC camped in a National Forest Campground in Michigan's UP. We have a golden age passport it cost $8/night. It cost us more to go over the Mackinaw Bridge. Very nice and secluded. We have a Wilson sleek 4g cellular signal booster that works great with our iPhones for internet connectivity otherwise I could not be writing this.
I have a Todd transfer switch (had a lifetime warranty, but I didn't know at the time it was the lifetime of Todd) that so far works great. I have a pure sine wave inverter that with my homemade automatic transfer switch powers most of the outlets (except one dedicated for a cube heater). Great for the T, other A/V stuff and computers and battery chargers. At #3 I have a Statpower TC40 converter that still works. We can dry camp for as long as it takes to fill our black water tank. About 2-3 days since we shower daily. We've been running that way for 15 years. I did replace the modified sine wave inverter with a pure sine wave unit when our new digital TV buzzed with the old inverter.
I agree with Ken to have separate components. It is easier to mix and match separate components. I would not want an all in one box.
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water heaters.
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