Community Forums

dilyse · 02-13-2018, 10:20 PM

Hi all-

About to buy a 32SA. First time we'll have a residential fridge.
We occasionally dry camp for up to 3-4 days at a time.
Most units we see with the residential fridge include the 4 batteries but only a few include the 2000w inverter.

I'm not that experienced with electrical so please excuse the dumb question

: What is the benefit of a 2000w inverter vs the standard 1000w? Should I absolutely get a rig with the 2000w if we plan to dry camp? Thanks!!

Skip426 · 02-13-2018, 10:49 PM

JMHO, while the 1000 watt inverter may be enough to keep the fridge operating while the RV is in motion . When you’re boondocking and may be using other items that take power through the inverter; TV etc.; I’d be inclined to opt for the 2000 watt unit.
Now , if the four battery bank would be enough to operate the fridge for 3/4 days , without solar or Gen set operation , would require info on battery capacity and fridge power use.

Peter M · 02-14-2018, 04:43 AM

Not sure on this but when the 32 SA has the 1000 W I Tiffin supplies you with the 5000W generator. Therefore 2000W I has the 7500 W gen, go for both.

twinboat · 02-14-2018, 05:01 AM

The 1000 watt inverter will give you fridge, TV equipment and phone/computer charging. Maybe a small, 4 cup coffee maker, if the fridge is temporary switched off.

The 2000 watt inverter will also give you a small electric coffee maker, mixer/blender, compact microwave or toaster. I have to switch off the fridge when using the 700 watt rated cooking, microwave.

Most of the above items are short time use things that you wouldn't need the generator for. If your going to microwave something for 5 minutes or more, it would be better to run the generator.

Take a look at the watt rating on the electric things you may want to use. You need to stay near or under the inverters rating to use them.

Isaac-1 · 02-14-2018, 07:17 AM

Or to put it another way, a 2,000 watt inverter will power anything one thing that can be plugged into a standard outlet. In my case the big difference is that a 2,000 watt inverter will let me run my microwave, and a 1,000 watt will not. Though of course large loads like this drain batteries fast, still its nice to be able to warm something for breakfast without firing up the stove or the generator while boondocking.

MisterT · 02-14-2018, 07:33 AM

the difference between most units with 1000w or similar sized Inverters, versus larger units with 2000w Inverters, or more, mostly DIESEL PUSHERS, is this:

do you want to deal with only 'some' of your electrical outlets and appliances working when on the Inverter(dry camping), or do you want ALL of them available?

I don't want to be dry-camping and only be able to use 12v items, but not be able to plug-in my iPhone charger, or desktop computer, or a 120v tv, or my satellite receiver, etc...

get the picture? go for the larger Inverter and 4 batteries, which will also come with the larger Generator, and you'll be easily set for dry-camping.

tmw188 · 02-14-2018, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilyse

Hi all-

About to buy a 32SA. First time we'll have a residential fridge.

We occasionally dry camp for up to 3-4 days at a time.

Most units we see with the residential fridge include the 4 batteries but only a few include the 2000w inverter.

I'm not that experienced with electrical so please excuse the dumb question

: What is the benefit of a 2000w inverter vs the standard 1000w? Should I absolutely get a rig with the 2000w if we plan to dry camp? Thanks!!

You more than likely do not have any room for more batteries and without that I don't think you'll benefit from a larger inverter. Your rig is probably wired for just certain inverted receptacles. This being said you could extend your run time by adding more batteries but I would see how it performs the way it is. If you are really wanting more serious boon docking capabilities you could try to add the batteries then. Dry camp in your driveway or a day use park and see how it performs. Don't run them down too far though.

Sent from my iPhone using iRV2 - RV Forum

dilyse · 02-14-2018, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter M

Not sure on this but when the 32 SA has the 1000 W I Tiffin supplies you with the 5000W generator. Therefore 2000W I has the 7500 W gen, go for both.

Thank you for your reply. I thought so too (that if the unit has the 7000w generator that it would also automatically include the 2000w inverter). To my surprise that's not the case. I found a unit yesterday with the 7000w generator with only the 1000w inverter. Apparently they are separate line items on the Tiffin price list and not all dealers order the 2000w despite the bigger generator. Hence my confusion....

tmw188 · 02-14-2018, 08:20 AM

I don't have a Tiffin but do have a 7000 watt gen, with a 1000watt 2 battery set up. It will run my RF18 thru the night if charged easily.

luvlabs · 02-14-2018, 10:46 AM

You have all missed the reason to get the 2000 watt inverter - it is a pure sine wave inverter. Electronics are happier, motors are happier, and the extra 1000 watts is pretty useful. I would opt for the 2000 watt simply because it is pure sine wave.

cruzbill · 02-14-2018, 10:58 AM

I think you want to separate the res refrig from the rest of your inverter system. Especially with only 4 batteries. Try this to run the fridge: https://www.aimscorp.net/1200-Watt-P...-Transfer.html

Get the 2kw if you want for micro, everything else, but with 4 batteries AND the res refrig, you won't use the 2kw that often. I've had our coach for 3 years now and have yet to use the inverter (2500w) more than once.

garykk · 02-14-2018, 11:27 AM

My friend used to say” first money is best money” If you’re even thinking about getting the 2000 inverter then get it and 7k genset.,better now than be sorry later.
Don’t know the battery layout on your particular MH, but a friend installed 6 batteries in his Red.

tmw188 · 02-14-2018, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvlabs

You have all missed the reason to get the 2000 watt inverter - it is a pure sine wave inverter. Electronics are happier, motors are happier, and the extra 1000 watts is pretty useful. I would opt for the 2000 watt simply because it is pure sine wave.

I didn't see any mention of a PSW. Are you saying all 2000w inverters are PSW?

nothermark · 02-14-2018, 11:36 AM

A different perspective is folks like me. When we dry camp I get up, hit the water pump switch and start the generator, step into the bathroom. No reason to carry a ton of extra batteries when I have a generator and enough battery to go through the night. Generator handles the microwave and toaster quite well. Also makes heat, hot water and the refrigerator switches to electric while bulk charging the batteries. By the time breakfast is cooked and the dishes done the batteries are up in the 80-90% range and I shut down.

With a usage pattern like that the only issue is if the Inverter and the loads are compatible. As twinboat pointed out, 1000 W will handle the refrigerator and TV. What else do you really need to run off battery??