dry camping and inverters

[capt mav]

OK getting ready for my first dry camp adventure in my 2000 journey. Have only a 130w
inverter (I think). On off switch is up by all my TV controls in the right overhead cabinet by passenger. I can find no literature in my manuals on Inverters just an old note from the previous owner that its a 130w inverter. From what I can figure out the only ac thing I can run off this is my TV? So besides my 12 volt stuff is that all I have? I thought my 110 recepticals would work for low voltage stuff like my laptop or phone so i didnt have to run the generator? But none of them work. Am I missing something, thanks....

[capt mav]

OK getting ready for my first dry camp adventure in my 2000 journey. Have only a 130w
inverter (I think). On off switch is up by all my TV controls in the right overhead cabinet by passenger. I can find no literature in my manuals on Inverters just an old note from the previous owner that its a 130w inverter. From what I can figure out the only ac thing I can run off this is my TV? So besides my 12 volt stuff is that all I have? I thought my 110 recepticals would work for low voltage stuff like my laptop or phone so i didnt have to run the generator? But none of them work. Am I missing something, thanks....

[Petro]

capt mav;

I can't help you with your question as I have a 2000 Watt inverter. A previous 97 Adventure had a small inverter and it only powered the TV and VCR.

If you would like some Winnebago Karma please ask and we will fix you up.

Don

[porscheracer]

Our View has a 300w inverter that runs a dedicated outlet. We had it installed (aftermarket) to power our computers - and that is all it does.

I'd suggest getting a night light or a receptacle tester and checking all the outlets (most likely around the dinette) with only the inverter on (no generator and no shore power).

Although, re-reading your post, it is lkiely that the TV receptacle is the only thing it powers.

<edit> Your information appears to be correct. The 2000 Horizon brochure lists an optional 130w inverter. That's only about big enough to run a TV. </edit>

[rvcarpenter]

my 2001 sunrise has a similar setup. if you look up in the cabnet where the TV is plugged in (above passenger seat) you will see the in verter there and the TV is plugged into the back I think. you can plug anything you want into that outlet as long as it's below 130 watts. I have an extention cord plugged inot it so I can us my laptop off of it.

[skigramp]

You can also buy a small inverter (Radio Shack, Walmart, ....) that plugs into the cigarette lighter ...

I have one that I use to power my laptop and charge the cell phones when I don't want to consume battery charge with the whole house inverter ...

I bought mine a few years ago for less than $20

[capt mav]

great stuff
what about my heat i realize it runs off propane but the fan, will it run down my batteries fast? Also the Fridge even on propane i believe it draws dc for a fan or something, does it suck a lot of juice?

[dirko]

Hi Ho: What you really want to know is what you have for coach batteries and what condition they are in. Batteries are rated in ampere hours. So if you know how many amperes a certain load pulls you can tell how long the batteries will power that load. Generally speaking good coach batteries will power furnace, fridge, and lights for several days.

You should only run your batteries until the no-load voltage is somewhere between 11.5 and 12.0 volts. Draining them completely will shorten life. You can have your batteries load tested to determine their condition, or you can load-test them just by using power for a day or two and watching the battery voltage.

If you dry camp a lot you might consider adding batteries and if you need a lot of ac power a high-power inverter.

Good luck, Dirk

[Don G]

looked at the wire diagram for 2000 journey. shows inverter located to the right of the TV with all the other TV related components. Looks like it only powers the oulet for the TV and VCR.