Community Forums

TheKassman · 07-15-2018, 04:35 PM

I have a 1998 36 SDS.
I could use some input here as I am a total dunce when it comes to electric. My inverter/charger finally gave up the ghost. It was 20 years old. It was a freedom 1000 watt. replaced it with an Aims power 2000 pure sine inverter/charger. When I am running down the road are my house batteries being charged? When I am running down the road should my AC outlets be functional? It seems that only the DC (12V) outlets work. Only the DC lights work. Is this normal?? Please not to technical.

Thanks

Old Scout · 07-15-2018, 04:52 PM

….well I guess this all depends on how you [or someone else] installed your new inverter......driving down the road, the alternator on your Cummins is charging [12v] both battery banks thru a battery isolator--nothing to do with your inverter--the old one or your new one. If properly installed, configured, and operating correctly, your inverter will "convert" the 12v current being produced by your Cummins and stored in your house batteries to 120v. However, your inverter only only powers those 120v circuits connected to the inverter--eg, your inverter would likely power your TV, microwave, some lights, but not your water heater or roof A/Cs......

Sco70ttie · 07-15-2018, 06:03 PM

I have a 1998 36 SDS also. I found the only AC power from the inverter when disconnected from AC was the AC power outlets in the Audio/video cabinet above the driver and passenger seat and the AC power outlet the rear TV is plugged into. I ran an extension cord from the rear TV power outlet to power my CPAP machine when I am dry camping. I am planning to buy a small inverter (about 400 watts pure sine wave) and run a dedicated DC line to power the CPAP and the alarm clocks. Since the clocks don't like the AC it receives from the original inverter. Hope this helps!

twinboat · 07-15-2018, 06:28 PM

If it wasn't re-wired when the 2000 watt inverter was installed, the 1000 watt inverter would only power low draw items like entertainment systems, lamps and phone/computer chargers.

1000 watts wouldn't have powered a microwave, unless it was a tiny dorm room size. Even some of them are nearly to big.

As mentioned, the engine alternator should be charging your house batteries, thru the battery isolator device.

AKOne · 07-16-2018, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheKassman

Please not to technical.

Certainly understand. Coach electrical talk can and does get technical fast. When it comes to power inside your coach, the AC system is divided into two parts. Only one of those parts works when you are not plugged into shore power and your inverter is turned on. In other words, some AC outlets will work and some will not -- Old Scout makes that pretty clear which AC outlets will run on inverter power. Now, when you are plugged into shore power, all the AC outlets should work.

The DC system is separate from the AC and the inverter does not provide power to items that run on DC power.

Batteries. Your inverter will charge batteries only when you are plugged into shore power. When driving down the road, all batteries are being charge by the engine, just like your car.

Be sure you understand from the owners operations manual what you need to do to turn on the inverter. Inverter bands vary on how they operate. Hopefully the new inverter was installed currently. Please post again if you have more questions.