Inverter [message #167778] |
Fri, 27 April 2012 14:42  |
zhagrieb
 Messages: 676 Registered: August 2009 Location: Portland Oregon
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I'm adding an inverter. Biggest load will be microwave which draws 1500 watts. So I'm thinking of a 2500 watt modified sine wave unit which I would mount under the passenger seat to be close to the house batteries.
Would like your input on what brands you've had what luck with.
Glenn
Glenn Giere, Portland OR, K7GAG
'73 "Moby the Motorhome" 26'
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Re: Inverter [message #167821 is a reply to message #167778] |
Fri, 27 April 2012 20:49   |
Bob de Kruyff
 Messages: 4260 Registered: January 2004 Location: Chandler, AZ
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Glenn Giere wrote on Fri, 27 April 2012 13:42 | I'm adding an inverter. Biggest load will be microwave which draws 1500 watts. So I'm thinking of a 2500 watt modified sine wave unit which I would mount under the passenger seat to be close to the house batteries.
Would like your input on what brands you've had what luck with.
Glenn
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$99 and runs microwave and refigerator for last 4 years or so:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/refrigerator/p16527.html
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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Re: Inverter [message #167828 is a reply to message #167778] |
Fri, 27 April 2012 21:51   |
RadioActiveGMC
 Messages: 1020 Registered: November 2010 Location: Hot AZ desert
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They make a modified step sine wave which is sorta between the pure and a reg modified. Whistler makes one thats like 2500/4000w. It shows watt draw, and current voltage on a display. They make several versions and market them under different brands, 2500/4000 or 2500/5000 are common. They retail for around $190-$210
A pure sine wave inverter isn't needed unless your using ultra sensitive equipment. I've charged my mac book pro, ipad and use the microwave, shop vac and such all easily on the modified step sine wave. Theres no doubt a good pure sine wave inverter is a nice investment, but for these types of applications you'd not get back any benefit in the added price. Unless your using some sorta medical equipment!
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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Re: Inverter [message #167829 is a reply to message #167778] |
Fri, 27 April 2012 21:53   |
RadioActiveGMC
 Messages: 1020 Registered: November 2010 Location: Hot AZ desert
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Oh PS: does your micro draw 1500 watts or does it cook at 1500 watts? If it cooks at 1500 that booger is going to draw 2000+ I bought a 600 watt so it would take a ton off the battery bank. It draws 950 on high.
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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Re: Inverter [message #167830 is a reply to message #167778] |
Fri, 27 April 2012 21:57   |
RadioActiveGMC
 Messages: 1020 Registered: November 2010 Location: Hot AZ desert
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Sorry my brain is never ending! How many house batteries do you have? If your going to use a 1500 watt microwave on the house battery man thats a lot of juice from it! I used 6 6 volters and only use a 600w microwave. I also ran it direct to the AC fuse panel, soldering the wires directly into the inverter. This allows me to store the inverter in a AC fuse panel cabinet.
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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Re: [GMCnet] Inverter [message #167831 is a reply to message #167825] |
Fri, 27 April 2012 21:59   |
Bob de Kruyff
 Messages: 4260 Registered: January 2004 Location: Chandler, AZ
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Robert Mueller wrote on Fri, 27 April 2012 20:28 | Bob,
Now that's a good deal!
I went with pure sine wave because I was told that some microwaves didn't
like modified sine wave.
I'm electrically challenged and so I just did as I was told! 
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob de Kruyff
$99 and runs microwave and refigerator for last 4 years or so:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/refrigerator/p16527.html
--
Bob
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My GE microwave does run slower on the invertor and it has a different sound so you may be right. However, when I want popcorn at 10 pm it does the trick. One time I was doing baked potatoes and decided to run the genny. For me, it does the trick 90% of the time and for the money it was a good tradeoff for me. I do have a pure sinewave 1500 Xantrex on the drivers side to run the freezer but I don't think it really cares that much. I have 4 inverters in the coach--passenger side microwave and refigerator, driver side freezer, console computer, upper compartment flat screen and DVD. I guess I would call it a distributed approach
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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Re: [GMCnet] Inverter [message #167834 is a reply to message #167828] |
Fri, 27 April 2012 22:21   |
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USAussie
 Messages: 15912 Registered: July 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia
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G'day,
Here's some information I reviewed before I bought the Xantrex Inverter:
http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/articles/inverters_wanderer.htm
As noted earlier in this thread that I am electrically challenged I decided
to heed the advice in the article:
Quote:
The only totally safe advice is this. A good modified square-wave inverter
may well do the job. In fact it usually does. And if it does you will
certainly save a fair amount of money. That inverter may well run future
purchases - but you cannot be sure. If you really know what you are doing,
or can obtain truly reliable advice from someone else, then by all means buy
a modified square wave inverter.
But unless you are in that position, bite the bullet and buy a good quality
sine-wave unit. You may well have spent more than you needed to, but you
have peace of mind.
Be wary of sales advice on this. There are sales people who know about stuff
like this. But they are rare.
Unquote:
I was told that microwaves with digital displays didn't like modified sine
wave inverters.
The Xantrex cost $325 and personally the extra few bucks is worth the peace
of mind to me. However, I will admit that I have been accused of having more
money than sense quite frequently! ;-)
By the way, poke around Collyn's website a bit I think you will find it
chock a block with good info.
Regards,
Rob M.
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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: Inverter [message #167836 is a reply to message #167778] |
Fri, 27 April 2012 22:31   |
RadioActiveGMC
 Messages: 1020 Registered: November 2010 Location: Hot AZ desert
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When I was at the super convention where only the most exclusive gmc owners were invited I taught a a three day discourse on this subject. Everyone was taking notes and in the end were so enlightened and intrigued that they missed the class on tube socks sucking up trans fluid class.
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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Re: Inverter [message #167839 is a reply to message #167830] |
Fri, 27 April 2012 23:03   |
zhagrieb
 Messages: 676 Registered: August 2009 Location: Portland Oregon
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Michael, microwave draws 1500 watts. I have 2 golf cart batteries.
Glenn
Glenn Giere, Portland OR, K7GAG
'73 "Moby the Motorhome" 26'
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Re: Inverter [message #167842 is a reply to message #167778] |
Fri, 27 April 2012 23:30   |
RadioActiveGMC
 Messages: 1020 Registered: November 2010 Location: Hot AZ desert
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Oh that's not bad. I like those little 45.00 600 watters however.
Make sure a inverter had low amp draw at no load. Around 1 amp give or take is acceptable. Nothing over 1.5 amps however. If you do get one that draws a lot with no load just shut it off when not in use.
A volt meter is nice and watt usage meter is nice.
Make sure it's fan cooled.
Most quality modified sine wave i inverters in the 2000 watt range are usually in the 125.00 to 200.00 range. I like the modified step inverters. Pure sine is nice but little advantage. You will notice your motors run a little different but will not affect the longevity. Modern microwaves are not sensitive. Portable medical equipment is however.
Try to find one that has the highest continues power your dollar will allow. Keeping in mind space limitations.
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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Re: Inverter [message #167864 is a reply to message #167836] |
Sat, 28 April 2012 08:03   |
Bob de Kruyff
 Messages: 4260 Registered: January 2004 Location: Chandler, AZ
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Mr.RadioActive wrote on Fri, 27 April 2012 21:31 | When I was at the super convention where only the most exclusive gmc owners were invited I taught a a three day discourse on this subject. Everyone was taking notes and in the end were so enlightened and intrigued that they missed the class on tube socks sucking up trans fluid class.
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Great morning chuckle
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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Re: Inverter [message #167886 is a reply to message #167778] |
Sat, 28 April 2012 13:49   |
RadioActiveGMC
 Messages: 1020 Registered: November 2010 Location: Hot AZ desert
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Every once in a while I pull off a funny one!
***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia-
Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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Re: Inverter [message #167954 is a reply to message #167864] |
Sun, 29 April 2012 13:50   |
Carl S.
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Bob de Kruyff wrote on Sat, 28 April 2012 06:03 |
Mr.RadioActive wrote on Fri, 27 April 2012 21:31 | When I was at the super convention where only the most exclusive gmc owners were invited I taught a a three day discourse on this subject. Everyone was taking notes and in the end were so enlightened and intrigued that they missed the class on tube socks sucking up trans fluid class.
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Great morning chuckle 
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OMG! Soooooo Funny. Ha Ha Ha LOL LOL LOL!!!!!
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
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Re: Inverter [message #167997 is a reply to message #167886] |
Sun, 29 April 2012 19:36  |
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Matt Colie
 Messages: 8547 Registered: March 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan
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Mr.RadioActive wrote on Sat, 28 April 2012 14:49 | Every once in a while I pull off a funny one!
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You mean..
Are you Saying - that the sock thing was a JOKE??
Now, What then am I supposed to do with the crate of too small white cotton tube socks that I ordered based on your advice??
Matt
(is there a smiley for snicker?)
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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