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Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have (Shopping For An Inverter)
What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361418] Sun, 03 January 2021 19:16 Go to next message
Melbo is currently offline  Melbo   United States
Messages: 144
Registered: August 2018
Location: Albuquerque NM
Karma: 0
Senior Member
What size and brand name inverter are you using in your GMC and what do you power from them. Did you have to upgrade your alternator or do you run a stock alternator. My plan is to use the stock alternator and 2500 watt inverter which will handle 20 amps at 120 volts. But if I am missing something and should go larger or could go smaller it would be good to know before I part with the money and have to start over. The main thing that I think I would be powering is the refrigerator. On the road sometimes passengers want to watch TV so that is also a consideration. I am looking at pure sine units just because that is what I have used in the past. Ken sent me an excellent diagram so I have a good plan to wire things up but my question now is size and brand name. I am familiar with Magnum inverters but I think that is overkill.

I realize that asking what is best is opening a can of worms so I am really just asking what has worked for you in terms of brand name and size.

Thanks

Melbo


Albuquerque NM Bus Conversion 1978 MCI 1973 GMC
Re: [GMCnet] What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361422 is a reply to message #361418] Sun, 03 January 2021 19:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
Senior Member
I use a Progressive Dynamics with the magic box that monitors state of
charge of the batteries. Leave it plugged in all the time. Check the water
in my Trojan batteries a couple of times a year. Seldom need water. Just
sits there and does it's job quietly. My transfer switch makes more noise
than the PD does. I do check electrical connections at the same time. They
need more looking after than anything else in the coach. Don't neglect them.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Sun, Jan 3, 2021, 5:17 PM melmull--- via Gmclist
wrote:

> What size and brand name inverter are you using in your GMC and what do
> you power from them. Did you have to upgrade your alternator or do you run
> a
> stock alternator. My plan is to use the stock alternator and 2500 watt
> inverter which will handle 20 amps at 120 volts. But if I am missing
> something
> and should go larger or could go smaller it would be good to know before I
> part with the money and have to start over. The main thing that I think I
> would be powering is the refrigerator. On the road sometimes passengers
> want to watch TV so that is also a consideration. I am looking at pure sine
> units just because that is what I have used in the past. Ken sent me an
> excellent diagram so I have a good plan to wire things up but my question
> now
> is size and brand name. I am familiar with Magnum inverters but I think
> that is overkill.
>
> I realize that asking what is best is opening a can of worms so I am
> really just asking what has worked for you in terms of brand name and size.
>
> Thanks
>
> Melbo
> --
> Albuquerque NM Bus Conversion 1978 MCI 1973 GMC
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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Re: What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361424 is a reply to message #361418] Sun, 03 January 2021 20:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Rick Staples is currently offline  Rick Staples   United States
Messages: 126
Registered: May 2014
Location: Johnstown, Colorado, USA
Karma: -1
Senior Member
Melbo,
A lot depends upon what you're using for house batteries. The stock alternator is only capable of about 1200 watts, and that's at around 2500 engine rpm, so it's certainly not going to keep up with a 2500 watt inverter, which seems like overkill to me. Using a pair of 105AH 6V batteries some years ago, we dry camped at Great Sand Dunes park. In the morning, we used my 1,000 watt (modified sine wave) inverter to microwave a bowl of oatmeal for my wife, and make a pot (10 cups) of coffee. Don't recall if we had used much battery power for water pump or furnace, but I don't think it was much. Just as the coffeemaker dribbled it's last cup, the low battery beeper went off. So I don't expect a lot out 120V power out of my house battery bank. YMMV.

HTH
Rick Staples


Rick Staples, '75 Eleganza, Johnstown, CO "Advice is a dangerous gift, even from the Wise to the Wise, and all paths may run ill." -Tolkien
Re: What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361427 is a reply to message #361418] Sun, 03 January 2021 21:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
Senior Member

I have a 750 watt Harbor Freight inverter. It powers a 19" TV/DVD combo and our laptop computers (two of them) and runs battery chargers etc just fine. When I was looking for one, I asked a friend who is fluent in electronics, what to get. He suggested a cheap modified sine wave inverter from Harbor Freight and to get the extended warranty. That was about 11 years ago and I have had zero issues with either the inverter or what it powers.

I'm not suggesting that a pure sine wave inverter would not be a better choice, I'm just relating what I did and how it has proven more than satisfactory. I used a Kill-a-Watt meter to check the electrical draw of the things we wanted to use and it was only about 350 watts total, so at John's suggestion, I doubled that.

We do not try to run a coffee maker (using a "Presto My Joe" instead) or a microwave or any other high draw appliances while dry camping, opting instead to use the stove-top (propane) or to grill outside.

I also have a small solar system (195 watts total) which generally replenishes the two GC-2 batteries by mid afternoon, and a three way fridge running on propane when not plugged in.

JWID.


Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
Re: [GMCnet] What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361428 is a reply to message #361418] Sun, 03 January 2021 21:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dolph Santorine is currently offline  Dolph Santorine   United States
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Registered: April 2011
Location: Wheeling, WV
Karma: -41
Senior Member
Sine wave vs. Modified Sine wave, or power quality is part of the answer you are looking for, and charging capability is the next.

If you’re buying an all in one box, my recommendation would be to get one that will easily handle future battery technology, meaning not only the flooded cells you’re used to, but AGM, SiO2 and LiFePO4. The latter two are coming down in price tremendously, and that will likely continue.

That’s the charge side. Now for the inverter:

Modified Sine Wave inverters make something that approximates a sine wave (what you get from the power company) in the least expensive way possible, and generally have 20% or more harmonic distortion. Two things will happen - first, if you put a cheap voltmeter on the output, it will read something like 90 volts. Only a true RMS voltmeter will give you an accurate reading.

Second, any motor you attach to it will heat up more than usual. In a lot of applications, it really does not matter. Fans don’t care. Power tools don’t either. Refrigerators may or may not care.

Sine wave inverters make nice, low distortion 60 hz waves, just like you get from the power company.

I have a Xantrex Pro Sine 2000. It does a terrific job, and I can program the charging curve to properly charge many LiFePO4 batteries (with a good BMS). It’s about half way through it’s life cycle, and i can see me using it for another 10 years.

Now for some real numbers. When I had a residential fridge, it looked for about 135 watts… at 120 volts that’s 1.125 amps or so.

Ten times that at 12 volts, plus 10% inverter losses, or 12.5 amps

The coffee maker looks to the batteries for about 115 amps when it’s running.

The microwave goes looking for about 1,400 watts (1,250 watt in the oven, plus 150 for the light/turntable and overhead).

That’s 160 amps or so from the batteries.

Since those are the big draw in our coach (no TV, and trying to power the AC is not a consideration), there you have it.

Those are real life measured numbers.



Dolph

DE AD0LF

Wheeling, West Virginia

1977 26’ ex-PalmBeach
Howell EFI & EBL, Reaction Arms, Manny Transmission

“The Aluminum and Fiberglass Mistress”

|[ ]~~~[][ ][] \
"--OO--[]---O-"

> On Jan 3, 2021, at 8:16 PM, melmull--- via Gmclist wrote:
>
> What size and brand name inverter are you using in your GMC and what do you power from them. Did you have to upgrade your alternator or do you run a
> stock alternator. My plan is to use the stock alternator and 2500 watt inverter which will handle 20 amps at 120 volts. But if I am missing something
> and should go larger or could go smaller it would be good to know before I part with the money and have to start over. The main thing that I think I
> would be powering is the refrigerator. On the road sometimes passengers want to watch TV so that is also a consideration. I am looking at pure sine
> units just because that is what I have used in the past. Ken sent me an excellent diagram so I have a good plan to wire things up but my question now
> is size and brand name. I am familiar with Magnum inverters but I think that is overkill.
>
> I realize that asking what is best is opening a can of worms so I am really just asking what has worked for you in terms of brand name and size.
>
> Thanks
>
> Melbo
> --
> Albuquerque NM Bus Conversion 1978 MCI 1973 GMC
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

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Re: What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361434 is a reply to message #361418] Mon, 04 January 2021 08:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
lqqkatjon is currently offline  lqqkatjon   United States
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
Senior Member
I have a xantrex inverter I think 1000 or 1500 watt sitting on my bench not installed. It was given to me by someone else who never installed it.

I do plan on install it this spring... What i have learned is an inverter is not as easy to install as one might think.

the need for the heavy 2 or 4 awg wiring, fusing, and trying to split loads, and figure out the transfer switching between shore power, generator power and inverter power. I also want ability to make sure I can cut power to the inverter, because I sometimes do not want the drain of the inverter not being used.


I have found that I really have not had the need for an inverter. Even when my generators were not working this past summer on our 4000 mile trip, we did not miss the generator other then for roof air. My current thoughts is to install it and just wire up one or two completely separate outlets. I can maybe see the need for use for the coffee pot or microwave. TV's are normally 12v these days, or can be found as a 12v.



Jon Roche 75 palm beach EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now. St. Cloud, MN http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
Re: What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361435 is a reply to message #361434] Mon, 04 January 2021 09:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
Senior Member

One of the reasons I went with a smaller inverter was that I didn't need to run huge cables to it. Here's what I did:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/gmc-tv-mount/p41551-inverter.html

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/gmc-tv-mount/p41554-inverter-outlet.html


Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
Re: [GMCnet] What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361438 is a reply to message #361435] Mon, 04 January 2021 09:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
richshoop is currently offline  richshoop
Messages: 190
Registered: April 2017
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Anytime you are adding an electrical device to the coach, you must consider the additional load. In regards to inverters, consider a 750 watt inverter. 12V at 750 watts is 62.5 amps, requiring #6 wire at a minimum. If the wire run is more than 5 feet or so, you need #4 wire. And be sure to run a black negative wire back to the battery, do not use a wire connected to the frame of your coach. This arrangement will allow you to use the basic Mr. Coffee machine as sold at CVS for your morning brew.
> On 01/04/2021 7:01 AM Carl Stouffer via Gmclist wrote:
>
>
> One of the reasons I went with a smaller inverter was that I didn't need to run huge cables to it. Here's what I did:
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/gmc-tv-mount/p41551-inverter.html
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/gmc-tv-mount/p41554-inverter-outlet.html
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Re: What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361440 is a reply to message #361418] Mon, 04 January 2021 10:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
I've a 750 rackmount UPS which I intend to put in my coach. Step - wave output. I needto take it out of the mount, buy or make a box for it, and mount it in the 12volt supply/breaker box where the cable run is close.

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361456 is a reply to message #361418] Mon, 04 January 2021 14:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   Canada
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
Senior Member
We have years of experience with the 750/1500 modified square wave inverter from Hazard Fright. It was cheap. Our OE died suddenly and we were less than a week from scheduled departure. So, I bought that, a dorm reefer. I had #6AWG on hand but when I tried to bend it to fit, it didn't cooperate at all. So, 3*#10 = #7 Close enough and I have lots of #10THHN in stock. We went to our destination with a 14-3 extension cord from the right side of the glove compartment to the reefer. My inverter live in the right side of the glove box because our coach is a 23 with the house bank in the front.

We replaced the dorm single door with a two door because Mary was not happy with both the performance and the convenience of that unit. It got sold at a little less than break even. About a year later, just a short time after that departure, the inverter let some smoke out. I had installed it with a resetable breaker, so we got off the highway and I jumped out and tripped the breaker manually. We knew right where the nearest HF was so, I got a replacement off the shelf (with the protection plan this time). I installed it while we were underway, but we did have to pull into a rest area for me to reset the breaker.

Final assessment: The reefer change cost us a little, but they were about 125$us. The inverter was 40$ on sale and the replacement was not on sale, but I used the protection plan to replace the one that leaked smoke. So, I have a spare. A replacement LP/120 was 1200$us and not real available and the coach has no LP service to the reefer area. I was worried about the nearly square wave power to the compressor, but I carry an IR gun (every GMC should) and early on I did check the temperature of the compressor. On the inverter, it seems to run about 3~5°f higher than it does on shore power. It also runs a little warmer on the APU. I have never had a scope on the Onan so I don't know how much distortion it produces.

Of course I made the obligatory promises to my self that this was a temporary install and I would clean it and install better gear when practical. In the intervening decade, I did bury a 14-3 run of stranded NM in some wire mound so it isn't hanging out to be tripped over. This also provides 120VAC for other small loads or some larger loads for short times.

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
Re: What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361503 is a reply to message #361456] Tue, 05 January 2021 19:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Melbo is currently offline  Melbo   United States
Messages: 144
Registered: August 2018
Location: Albuquerque NM
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Senior Member
Thank You All for the information. I am making up a plan and using a lot of the information that was given.

The plan will probably be changed multiple times before I am completely done but you have provided some GREAT information.

This is a great winter time project. It would be nice to get some travel in this summer. We will see what the world looks like in the spring.


Thanks again

Melbo


Albuquerque NM Bus Conversion 1978 MCI 1973 GMC
Re: What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361505 is a reply to message #361418] Tue, 05 January 2021 20:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Larry is currently offline  Larry   United States
Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI
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In 2005, I bought and installed a TRACE Truck Series 1000W Inverter Converter Charger. Installed it with a ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) This is a Modified wave inverter. The only thing I have not been able to run on 120v inverter power is an electric blanket that we had for a while. It had an electronic control of some kind and when on inverter, the controls just flashed and would not heat. When on shore power it worked fine. So, we bought a different blanket that had dual controls ...what appeared to be analog in nature. This blanket works fine on inverter, though we almost never use it that way. We also use the inverter all of the time with a small crockpot. When traveling long haul, putting in long days on our way from Wisconsin to Florida or California, Lucy will fill the crockpot with some favored recipe, plug it in, and at noon, turn on the inverter. We have a nice hot meal at the end of the day waiting for us. We set the crockpot down in the bathroom sink. Fits snug in the sink, so any sudden movement around corners or stopping, the crockpot is safe. Everything else (TV's, computers, Micro, etc), work just fine. Just what we do.

Larry Smile
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.

[Updated on: Tue, 05 January 2021 20:33]

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Re: [GMCnet] What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361507 is a reply to message #361422] Tue, 05 January 2021 21:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
rallymaster is currently offline  rallymaster   United States
Messages: 662
Registered: February 2004
Location: North Plains, ORYGUN
Karma: -4
Senior Member
We use our crockpot much the same.
Set it up before we leave, in the morning, and by dinnertime, it's ready
to eat.
Difference is that we use a 12 volt crockpot, and it's in the galley
sink.

On Tue, 05 Jan 2021 19:29:00 -0700 Larry via Gmclist
writes:
>

We also use the inverter all of the time with a small
> crockpot. When traveling long haul, putting in long days on our way
> Wisconsin to
> Florida or California, Lucy will fill the crockpot with some favored
> recipe, plug it in, and at noon, turn on the inverter. We have a
> nice hot meal at
> the end of the day waiting for us. We set the crockpot down in the
> bathroom sink. Fits snug in the sink, so any sudden movement around
> corners or
> stopping, the crockpot is safe. Just what we do.
> --
> Larry
> 78 Royale w/500 Caddy
> Menomonie, WI.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Ron & Linda Clark
North Plains, ORYGUN
78 Eleganza II
Re: What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361508 is a reply to message #361418] Wed, 06 January 2021 07:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
RF_Burns is currently offline  RF_Burns   Canada
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One thing you should consider is the larger the inverter, the more power it consumes itself. So a 2500W inverter might consume 2 amps with no power draw from it, whereas a 1200W unit might consume less than 1 amp.

Two amps may not seem like much, but take a 12 hour over night stay that's 2A x 12hrs = 24Amp hrs. So say you have a 100Amp-hr deep cycle battery that you don't want to discharge to more than 50% (now 50amp-hrs), that's 1/2 of your usable battery capacity.

You mentioned you want to run the fridge from it, so I am assuming you have an all electric fridge. Like Matt, we also run an all electric fridge. I use a 1200W sine wave inverter from a 100Amp-hr battery. We can do an over-night off-grid, but we don't run the microwave or coffee maker from the inverter. For heavy loads I'll start the generator. We have run the microwave or coffee maker while on the road, but never at the same time.

I used a Samlex EVO-1212 Inverter/charger/transfer switch. It charges (smart charger with multiple charging profiles including LiFePo4) and seamlessly transfers in-phase between shore power to inverter and back. It also accepts charging power from solar panels.
https://www.samlexamerica.com/products/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=605

You might also want to read this article on converting from lead-acid to LiFePo4 batteries. I'm considering that move over this winter.
https://marinehowto.com/lifepo4-batteries-on-boats/


Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
Re: What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361509 is a reply to message #361508] Wed, 06 January 2021 07:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
hertfordnc is currently offline  hertfordnc   United States
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Location: East NC
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RF_Burns wrote on Wed, 06 January 2021 07:33
One thing you should consider is the larger the inverter, the more power it consumes itself. So a 2500W inverter might consume 2 amps with no power draw from it, whereas a 1200W unit might consume less than 1 amp.

Two amps may not seem like much, but take a 12 hour over night stay that's 2A x 12hrs = 24Amp hrs. So say you have a 100Amp-hr deep cycle battery that you don't want to discharge to more than 50% (now 50amp-hrs), that's 1/2 of your usable battery capacity.


With that in mind, it seems like there might be some value in having more than one inverter?

like maybe a 400 watt that stays on for charging laptops and whatnot and then a bigger one that you select when you need to make coffee or run a microwave?

Perhaps a dedicated low power inverter outlet?




Dave & Ellen Silva Hertford, NC 76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021 It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.
Re: [GMCnet] What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361510 is a reply to message #361509] Wed, 06 January 2021 08:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dave Stragand is currently offline  Dave Stragand   United States
Messages: 307
Registered: October 2017
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Senior Member
Bear in mind, there are also 12v laptop power supplies out there from
the different PC manufacturers and aftermarket. These adapters
(DC-to-DC) are much more efficient than using an inverter to power an AC
adapter (DC-to-AC-to-DC).

-Dave
1978 Transmode near Pittsburgh

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of dave
silva via Gmclist
Sent: Wednesday, January 06, 2021 8:48 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Cc: dave silva
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have

RF_Burns wrote on Wed, 06 January 2021 07:33
> One thing you should consider is the larger the inverter, the more
power it consumes itself. So a 2500W inverter might consume 2 amps with
no
> power draw from it, whereas a 1200W unit might consume less than 1
amp.
>
> Two amps may not seem like much, but take a 12 hour over night stay
that's 2A x 12hrs = 24Amp hrs. So say you have a 100Amp-hr deep cycle
battery
> that you don't want to discharge to more than 50% (now 50amp-hrs),
that's 1/2 of your usable battery capacity.

With that in mind, it seems like there might be some value in having
more than one inverter?

like maybe a 400 watt that stays on for charging laptops and whatnot and
then a bigger one that you select when you need to make coffee or run a
microwave?

Perhaps a dedicated low power inverter outlet?



--
Dave & Ellen Silva
Hertford, NC

76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff

Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021

It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.



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1978 Transmode (403) Pittsburgh, PA
Re: [GMCnet] What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361511 is a reply to message #361510] Wed, 06 January 2021 09:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
hertfordnc is currently offline  hertfordnc   United States
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Location: East NC
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Senior Member
Dave Stragand wrote on Wed, 06 January 2021 08:05
Bear in mind, there are also 12v laptop power supplies out there from
the different PC manufacturers and aftermarket. These adapters
(DC-to-DC) are much more efficient than using an inverter to power an AC
adapter (DC-to-AC-to-DC).

-Dave
1978 Transmode near Pittsburgh

Too much trouble too many devices- i have kids. this conversation has really inspired my thinking. i have a little countertop behind the dinette, perfect for phone and tablet charging. There is a 12v outlet and a 120VAC so the wiring is there for a small inverter.

I can hardwire a big one alongside the converter on the other side of the coach. I may need to work out some power transfer to prevent one from back feeding the other but that should not be too tricky


Dave & Ellen Silva Hertford, NC 76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021 It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.
Re: [GMCnet] What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361512 is a reply to message #361509] Wed, 06 January 2021 09:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Stu Rasmussen is currently offline  Stu Rasmussen   United States
Messages: 130
Registered: January 2019
Location: Silverton, OR
Karma: 0
Senior Member

While recently outfitting my locksmith work truck that's what I did - I
installed a 600 watt Xantrex pure sine wave unit scrounged from another
vehicle and purchased a Freight, Harbor 2000 watt 'modified square wave'
one.

The Xantrex powers 'sensitive' stuff 24/7 and the 2Kw is switched on
only when dirty power is needed for motors, etc.

I think I will do the same thing with the Birchaven, putting the
inverters close to the front for shortest fat battery connections and
running 120 volt lines back to the power distribution area. Luckily I
have some 2/0 welding leads (also scrounged) that make the snaking of
wires pretty easy. Also got big fat 250A fuses at NAPA to protect the
primary wiring from battery to the inverter.

Haven't had the HF unit long enough to really give it a workout or test
longevity but so far works fine and only $170 (130 on sale).

JWID

Stu

On 2021-01-06 05:47, dave silva via Gmclist wrote:
> With that in mind, it seems like there might be some value in having
> more than one inverter?
>
> like maybe a 400 watt that stays on for charging laptops and whatnot
> and then a bigger one that you select when you need to make coffee or
> run a
> microwave?
>
> Perhaps a dedicated low power inverter outlet?
>
>
>
> --
> Dave & Ellen Silva
> Hertford, NC
>
> 76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff
>
> Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021
>
> It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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Stu Rasmussen W7QJ Silverton, OR '77 Birchaven
Re: [GMCnet] What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361513 is a reply to message #361511] Wed, 06 January 2021 12:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   Canada
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
Senior Member
hertfordnc wrote on Wed, 06 January 2021 10:01
Too much trouble too many devices- i have kids. this conversation has really inspired my thinking. i have a little countertop behind the dinette, perfect for phone and tablet charging. There is a 12v outlet and a 120VAC so the wiring is there for a small inverter.

I can hardwire a big one alongside the converter on the other side of the coach. I may need to work out some power transfer to prevent one from back feeding the other but that should not be too tricky
Dave,

We got by for years with first a 60watt that I cold plug into a DC mousehole (I hate those things) and later with a 300W MsqW that was still good enough to change and run the laptop and the inkjet printer. So, yes that is a liable solution.
I only installed the big thing to run the replacement reefer.

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
Re: What Brand and Watt Inverter Do You Have [message #361515 is a reply to message #361418] Wed, 06 January 2021 14:53 Go to previous message
JohnL455 is currently offline  JohnL455   United States
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
Senior Member
Stock 80A Delcotron. Let’s call it 70A continuous to be generous. At 14VDC that’s 980 Watts available for all 12V systems. Lights, ignition and dash fan chip away at that total to give a lower available number. . If you exceed that long term your batteries will be at a deficit.

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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