Installing an inverter...

[heypilch]

I'm extremely interested in a efficient solar system for my '11 Fuzion & have been doing a lot of reading on this site as well as others. There's a lot of information that, to the inexperienced (like myself), is a little overwhelming.

For the short term though, I wanted to ask a dumb question. Out of curiousity, what's involved in putting in a quality inverter that will allow me to run basic house current stuff off my existing 2 6V Golf cart batteries? The solar system is gonna happen, but just not right away. I've got a portable 120W system that I'd use to charge my batteries for now, but I don't know how to safely set up an inverter. I should mention that my intention would be to run the inverter in such a way as to be able to use the wall plugs in my TH. With the configuration as it is currently, I realize that I wouldn't be using my microwave/AC/coffeemaker (I'm not THAT ignorant LOL), but I do travel in my 5'er for business and often use the garage as a mini studio/office & would like to be able to run through an inverter when having to work while parked overnight in a WalMart lot.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Or, if you wanna pummel me for asking such basic questions, feel free!!

[Ed-Sommers]

The easiest way is to just get an 800 watt (or so) inverter and place it close to your batts. Run positive and negative wiring from batts to inverter and then plug in shorepower cable into the inverter. DONE!

Ed

[patty98311]

here is a manual from iota engineering that contains a wiring diagram on how to electrically install an inverer.


http://www.iotaengineering.com/pplib/50rman.pdf

[davecampbell]

Theres no such thing as an efficient solar system

Its not so much the inverter, just follow installation instructions, but the COST of the solar panels. Typical solar panels are 19% efficient.Typical inverter efficiencies are 90%-ish, down to 85% for higher powered inverters.
Its $ 13,000 to buy solar panels to provide 3KW for a house, and a lot of surface area. thats a pallet of panels. A MH could be run on less power than that, but i doubt the top of a MH would have enough surface area to make much power.

Solar panels are a function of very high cost, poor efficiency and how fast you want the batteries recharged. Theres no way to put enough panels on the top of an RV thats driven to power the rig.

[heypilch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by davecampbell Theres no such thing as an efficient solar system Its not so much the inverter, just follow installation instructions, but the COST of the solar panels. Typical solar panels are 19% efficient.Typical inverter efficiencies are 90%-ish, down to 85% for higher powered inverters. Its $ 13,000 to buy solar panels to provide 3KW for a house, and a lot of surface area. thats a pallet of panels. A MH could be run on less power than that, but i doubt the top of a MH would have enough surface area to make much power. Solar panels are a function of very high cost, poor efficiency and how fast you want the batteries recharged. Theres no way to put enough panels on the top of an RV thats driven to power the rig.

OK, let me rephrase that. The idea of solar power to charge a bank of batteries would allow me to have access to the electronic equipment I needed to work when no other power source existed. By efficient, I just meant that as long it would be up there, I'd want it to work as efficiently as possible

[heypilch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed-Sommers The easiest way is to just get an 800 watt (or so) inverter and place it close to your batts. Run positive and negative wiring from batts to inverter and then plug in shorepower cable into the inverter. DONE! Ed

I wondered about this, so I'm glad you brought it up!! Now, would I have to flip a circut breaker to do this, or just plug and play? I'd have to have an adapter on top of another adapter to make this work (50>30>110V), but that would be OK right?

[RV Wizard]

What specifically do you want to power up? You may be able to wire in a good sine wave inverter with its own 120 vac receptacle and not need to feed the rest of the coach. This would be the simplest configuration of only battery cables to inverter protected by a single fuse near the battery.

[heypilch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Wizard What specifically do you want to power up? You may be able to wire in a good sine wave inverter with its own 120 vac receptacle and not need to feed the rest of the coach. This would be the simplest configuration of only battery cables to inverter protected by a single fuse near the battery.

Well for the short term, I need a backup supply to run a laptop and a few other pieces of equipment when I'm not plugged in to shore power. I'd love to drop the $3k on a total solar system, but that's just not going to happen before May. Yesterday, I put together a small b/u system using a car battery, an inverter and a small solar panel that will recharge it while I travel. That's going to be it for now I think.

Ideally though, I'd like to have enough power to boondock a few days with most of the amenities my 5'er offers. I know that's going to take a big investment down the road though.

[Ed-Sommers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by heypilch I wondered about this, so I'm glad you brought it up!! Now, would I have to flip a circut breaker to do this, or just plug and play? I'd have to have an adapter on top of another adapter to make this work (50>30>110V), but that would be OK right?

You have it! Just use the inverter as you would use elect service on a pedestal.

For what you said you want to use the power for this KISS system would work fine but do not expect to use the microwave or coffee pot, ect.

Be sure to use the proper fuse on the positive cable, available at a solar equipment store.

Ed