Tripp Lite inverter how do it use it

[SarahAnders]

Here I am again.. We are such newbie's..

We have a 1989 winniebego that has a interter under the front swivel seat and we aren't sure when to use it.. I think I understand it pulls for the battery to converter DC to AC.. My husband flip the switch on once and over night it killed the battery.. So I guess I'm asking

How do I use it
When do I use it?
and for what?
Will it kill the battery?

We are camping with no hookup this weekend and the Generator seems to use alot of fuel.. Any thoughts or suggestions would be great

[Luv2go]

The inverter will kill the batteries if left on overnight. You can turn it on only when you really need AC power and don't want to run the generator, then turn it off when you are finished using those things.

It may power things such as the microwave, TV, other AC appliances. The best way to tell what works is to turn it on and see what works around the coach.

Good Luck!
Stewart

[SarahAnders]

Any thoughts of how long I'd have before it kills the battery.. Like if we are parked and using it to watch tv.. Does it drain the battery quickly.. What about while we are driving? We run the Generator to use the AC while driving is there a better way?


Thanks for your help..

[wa8yxm]

How long before it kills the batterie(s) depends on several things

1: he load on the inverter.. A LCD television takes a long time.. A Microwave very short time, CRT television in between

2: How much battery: Takes longer to kill a pair of golf car batteries (220 amp hours) or an 8-D 12 volt (About the same) than say a Group 24 (about 75 AH)

Finally we have 3: The efficiency of the inverter.. Generally peaking in the 90 percent range. but some may be less. also at lower loads it goes down (The unit has a minimum draw)

Mine runs fine overnight on around 300 Amp hours of battery with a CRT tv on half the night. But do not microwave.