Whole House Inverter

[brulaz]

Originally Posted by fisher99

...
As for batteries, I currently have two Interstate deep cycle 12v batteries. I understand that upping the battery capacity would have definite benefits for running "stuff" that requires bigger draws or stuff that I want to run for longer amounts of time. But truthfully the satellite receiver is the only additional load that I would want to run for any length of time (beyond the TV/lights/pump/etc that we already run), so I'd really only be adding that fairly small load (plus phone/tablet charging). The microwave or hair dryer would be infrequent, short burst things, and probably rarely used. If I move forward with the inverter I'll probably at least give the current battery setup a try before investing in more battery capacity.

My understanding is that a 2000W inverter running a microwave can create such a heavy amp load on the batteries that with just 2-6s or your 2 -12s the voltage drop will be substantial, perhaps enough for the inverter to cut out.

IOW it's not only the long term depletion of the smaller battery bank, but also this potential voltage drop.

But like you say, try it and see.

Originally Posted by fisher99

Although "nothermark" does make a good point about the amount of current that a large inverter itself can draw. Seems like it would be possible to put the inverter on a switch so you only have it on when you actually need it? In my example, if I'm just watching OTA TV and not satellite, I wouldn't need the inverter at all, so leave it switched off and save that battery drain?

That's what we do.

[Rickeoni]

With my larger bank I can run the microwave for hours and hours...
But when we do I see a fairly substantial load on the meter but it is only for short bursts.
We got the 2000 watt inverter because the stand by load is only >1amp, and we have a remote switch for it anyway. like the old idiom says "Go big or go home"

[fisher99]

Rikeoni says "go big or go home". That's pretty much the decision point I'm at right now. While the idea of a whole house inverter is extremely attractive, the truth is that if I bought a small 100w inverter to use just for the satellite receiver my wife would probably be happy (she's the TV watcher in the family). Less $$ and less hassle. Seems like the smart choice for our use. But the lure of being able to use any outlet in the trailer for pretty much anything I want is still extremely attractive.

In any case, I appreciate all of your comments. It will give me lots of food for thought while the trailer is put away for the winter. I should be ready to move forward one way or another by next spring.

[brulaz]

Heh. My setup started with a small hand held inverter just to grind coffee. But the initial motor surge eventually killed that. I tried hand grinding but ... went looking for another hand-held one day and found the 1000W Pure Sine Wave (PSW) inverter on sale and couldn't resist. It was all downhill (more complicated and $$) from there.

The nice thing about the PSW is that it works better with some electronics and motors. We don't hesitate to charge things up with it.

Another thing to remember is that the bigger the inverter, the bigger the 12VDC cables have to be. I was able to use 5' of 6ga cables with my 1000W inverter on a 70A fuse. A 2000W inverter with a larger draw (150-200A) would have required 1 to 00ga cables for that 5', adding to the cost. You really want the big inverters very close to the batteries for this reason, if nothing else.

[1bigmess]

This discussion has me leaning away from whole house inverter and instead going with what I know I need: 12v throughout. The only thing I need an inverter for is the laptop, and maybe not even that if I can find a 12 plug for it. Everything else I have, aside from the microwave, can run just fine on 12v, and the only high power demand item is a 100 watt amateur radio, which I will handle with it's own battery or just run the necessary wiring to from the house batteries and be done with it.

One thing I will do, and soon, is change out the converter to a Xantrex or Progressive Dynamics or maybe another that will properly charge the deep cycle batteries so I can get a true 100% charge when I do hook up to shore power or my gennies.

Thanks for this discussion, it has helped me get closer to making up my mind about how I want to live in my trailer.

[Rickeoni]

Originally Posted by Martin6

Rick,

Where did you place the other two 6v batteries? I had to modify the battery compartment to accept just 2 6v batteries.

One picture is worth a 1000 words.

[Martin6]

Originally Posted by Rickeoni

One picture is worth a 1000 words.

WOW! That's some cramped quarters and a lot of weight in a small area.

Good job!

[Rickeoni]

My truck struggles under the weight.

[fisher99]

Originally Posted by Rickeoni

My truck struggles under the weight.

F450. Struggles. Funny...

[Rickeoni]

Wow is my trailer dirty! Wonder if the dealer will wash it while it is in for warranty work?

[Lac]

Originally Posted by Rickeoni

My truck struggles under the weight.

To reduce weight.....buy light beer and only 6 packs and don't buy a fridge fan.

Coops