Inverter location 1999 Sea View

[Tracy F]

Hi all. Brian & I just purchased our first motorhome - a 1999 Sea View 8330. We’re trying to educate ourselves on the operation of the various components but there’s one piece of equipment we cannot locate - the inverter. Any suggestions would be most welcome.
Thank you.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi Tracy & Brian! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!

Congrats on the new rig! I'm sure someone will be along that can answer that question. Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[amosnandy]

Originally Posted by Tracy F

Hi all. Brian & I just purchased our first motorhome - a 1999 Sea View 8330. We’re trying to educate ourselves on the operation of the various components but there’s one piece of equipment we cannot locate - the inverter. Any suggestions would be most welcome.
Thank you.

Are you sure it has one? Most low-priced gas MH of that era did not.

I looked at the brochure online and it says nothing about an inverter.

[Tracy F]

Thank you for your input.

[Orazio]

Hi Tracy, I have a 2000 Seabreeze. All it has is a converter. I don't know if it ever had an inverter from the factory. from the research I've done it was supposed to have had one that just powered the front overhead tv, but installation of a more powerful one was optional. I'm in the process of figuring out how to install a 2500W one. Ray

[Skip426]

Welcome to iRV2

As Orazio , has mentioned ; in your coaches vintage " inverters "( to power 120 volt appliances from the coach batteries were not common .

My 99 Dutch Star had only a 400 watt inverter to power the TV , and inverter for the microwave and a few 120 volt outlets was an $$ option.

A converter( to operate 12 volt lights and charge the batteries when supplied with shore power) is most like what your coach has .

Converter is usually 8"x 10" x 4" and will be similar to the photo below .
When plugged into shore power , the converter , will charge the batteries at a rate between 13.1 and 14.2 volts depending on the batteries state of charge.

The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)

[amosnandy]

Originally Posted by Orazio

Hi Tracy, I have a 2000 Seabreeze. All it has is a converter. I don't know if it ever had an inverter from the factory. from the research I've done it was supposed to have had one that just powered the front overhead tv, but installation of a more powerful one was optional. I'm in the process of figuring out how to install a 2500W one. Ray

My suggestion if you want to install an inverter and don't want to spend a ton, is to figure out which line powers the outlets or devices you want to power.

On a 50 amp coach, the lines split at the distribution panel. You will have 2 120v lines from your shore power cord that go through a transfer switch, then to the distribution panel. Usually, line 1 will power outlets and fridge, and maybe the microwave.

A Victron Multiplus II has 50 amp pass through and you can install it on one line with nothing else. You put it after the transfer switch in one the line of the 50 amp. When not on shore power, it will only power that line. You can make modifications to power both lines up to the related inverter power. but if you don't need to power the entire coach chose one line and that is the one you will have power when inverter. If you want to power the entire coach there is a multi-phase switch you can install that when turned on will power both lines, but that is another cost and step. The Victron has a transfer switch that will pass through the 50 amp or 30 amp when on shore power, and will provide the rated capacity up to rated inverter., and it will add boost if you draw more than power, up to the rated capacity if you are on 30 amp, 20 amp or 15 amp.

I personally installed a Victron 12v 3000 2/120 multi plus and both lines pass through. If on 30/20/15 amp it will boost the amperage up to the rated capacity up to 3000 watts additional power. Remember, this is drawing from the batteries.

It was a $1579 inverter but it works flawlessly. You can buy a Victron 3000 pass through hybrid for about $900

To add a none passthrough inverter you have to make a dedicated line to one side of a distribution panel. Mine had a 30 amp sub which I just bypassed and supplied power to all the legs.

[TechWriter]

Originally Posted by amosnandy

I personally installed a Victron 12v 3000 2/120 multi plus and both lines pass through. If on 30/20/15 amp it will boost the amperage up to the rated capacity up to 3000 watts additional power.

This inverter is rated at 2400W output. That "3000" is VA, not W.

[Orazio]

Amosnandy, Any chance you could post a diagram on how you hooked yours up. Just want to see if i'm on the right track. Thanks, Ray

[John Wayne]

If yours is like mine you have a converter. On my rig there is a storage bay just ahead of the steps inside this bay is where all my 12 volt electrical, is located. sitting on the shelf in this bay is a metal looking box with wires coming out of it this will be your converter. Unless up graded it will be simple on off type converter not an up graded type like a progressive 3 stag which I upgraded to. It will be plugged into an electrical socket like you have at home this is where it gets 110 power to convert to 12volt.

[TechWriter]

Originally Posted by Orazio

Amosnandy, Any chance you could post a diagram on how you hooked yours up.

Here's my Victron MultiPlus II install . . .

[m.elliott63]

Originally Posted by amosnandy

My suggestion if you want to install an inverter and don't want to spend a ton, is to figure out which line powers the outlets or devices you want to power.



On a 50 amp coach, the lines split at the distribution panel. You will have 2 120v lines from your shore power cord that go through a transfer switch, then to the distribution panel. Usually, line 1 will power outlets and fridge, and maybe the microwave.



A Victron Multiplus II has 50 amp pass through and you can install it on one line with nothing else. You put it after the transfer switch in one the line of the 50 amp. When not on shore power, it will only power that line. You can make modifications to power both lines up to the related inverter power. but if you don't need to power the entire coach chose one line and that is the one you will have power when inverter. If you want to power the entire coach there is a multi-phase switch you can install that when turned on will power both lines, but that is another cost and step. The Victron has a transfer switch that will pass through the 50 amp or 30 amp when on shore power, and will provide the rated capacity up to rated inverter., and it will add boost if you draw more than power, up to the rated capacity if you are on 30 amp, 20 amp or 15 amp.



I personally installed a Victron 12v 3000 2/120 multi plus and both lines pass through. If on 30/20/15 amp it will boost the amperage up to the rated capacity up to 3000 watts additional power. Remember, this is drawing from the batteries.



It was a $1579 inverter but it works flawlessly. You can buy a Victron 3000 pass through hybrid for about $900



To add a none passthrough inverter you have to make a dedicated line to one side of a distribution panel. Mine had a 30 amp sub which I just bypassed and supplied power to all the legs.

This era Sea View would be 30 amp not 50 and an inverter would be an option. Like my 1998 Sea Breeze is. Also it would not automatic transfer switche(s). I added both to my Sea Breeze that was also a 30amp coach.

[TechWriter]

Originally Posted by m.elliott63

This era Sea View would be 30 amp not 50 and an inverter would be an option. Like my 1998 Sea Breeze is. Also it would not automatic transfer switche(s). I added both to my Sea Breeze that was also a 30amp coach.

Starting in 1999, Dolphin, Sea Breeze, Sea View, and Tradewind models are all 50A in order to support their 2 ACs.

[m.elliott63]

Originally Posted by TechWriter

Starting in 1999, Dolphin, Sea Breeze, Sea View, and Tradewind models are all 50A in order to support their 2 ACs.

Mine is a 1998 and has 2 ac's.