Community Forums

Randall55 · 08-25-2023, 03:42 PM

How to I find out what type of inverter do I have in my TT.

I have a 2012 Cruiser RV FUNFINDER 210UDS. I know it must have an inverter in order to operate my fridge and stuff when on battery.

The reason I am asking is because I am thinking of up grading my system to allow for more boondocking. As it stands right now I can only stay at locations that have shore power or the ability to moochdock and I would like to be a little more self-reliant.

Currently my battery is a 12volt wet battery with 100 amphrs which is really only 50 amp hrs. I am thinking of changing it to 4 6V Golf Cart Batteries with 215 am hrs configured into two batteries in series and then placed in parallel which should provide 12 volts and 430 amp hours.

I have a GXS4300iDC - Dual Fuel Inverter Generator that can provide 3100 watts when using propane.

So I was wondering what type of inverter do I need or do I need to up grade it at all?

Thank you in advance for any assistance that can be given.

twinboat · 08-25-2023, 04:33 PM

Is your fridge 120 volts ?
If not, you probably don't have an inverter but instead a converter.

If its a converter, it will charge your larger battery bank.

TacomaJoe · 08-25-2023, 04:53 PM

Do any of your 120VAC sockets work on battery power? I don't think you have any inverter. You probably have an absorption refrigerator like I do. When you have shore power it uses the 120VAC to work it, when boondocking it switches to propane (just needs some 12V for the control board).

Your converter runs the 12V stuff and charges the battery when you have shore power. An inverter takes 12V from the battery to make 120VAC for your outlets and other AC items.

tuffr2 · 08-25-2023, 04:59 PM

In 2012 you most likely have a converter. 99% chance.

Invertors are a thing in the last few years where you can have a outlet or two always having power.

Marine359 · 08-25-2023, 07:35 PM

Your battery upgrade plan is a good one, and will take you to boondocking nirvana. You have an absorption fridge, so with a 4x 6v bank you should be able to go 4 days without recharging using your converter either from SP or generator,. Likely 4 days will take you just below 50% DoD, if you’re not running 120v ac appliances on an inverter. Just have to ask yourself whether you really need or want an inverter, and what appliances you would power with it. Before you pull the trigger on 4x GC batteries, make sure you can handle the added weight on the tongue. Crank 200lbs additional into your tongue weight, and ensure your tv and hitch can handle it.

tuffr2 · 08-25-2023, 08:04 PM

Having a few live outlets from an inverter is good for charging cell phones and a few other things like maybe an electric shaver or an LED light.

Persistent · 08-25-2023, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randall55

How to I find out what type of inverter do I have in my TT.

I have a 2012 Cruiser RV FUNFINDER 210UDS. I know it must have an inverter in order to operate my fridge and stuff when on battery.

The reason I am asking is because I am thinking of up grading my system to allow for more boondocking. As it stands right now I can only stay at locations that have shore power or the ability to moochdock and I would like to be a little more self-reliant.

Currently my battery is a 12volt wet battery with 100 amphrs which is really only 50 amp hrs. I am thinking of changing it to 4 6V Golf Cart Batteries with 215 am hrs configured into two batteries in series and then placed in parallel which should provide 12 volts and 430 amp hours.

I have a GXS4300iDC - Dual Fuel Inverter Generator that can provide 3100 watts when using propane.

So I was wondering what type of inverter do I need or do I need to up grade it at all?

Thank you in advance for any assistance that can be given.

Please post make and model of refrigerator for better advice.
What stuff are you talking about?

12 volt Side of Life part 1
The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)
12 volt Side of Life part 2
The 12volt Side of Life Part 2
Some of the information is a little dated, but it is still pretty good.

zrock2010 · 08-26-2023, 08:40 AM

if you plan on upgrading your batteries and already have a generator to me their is really no point in upgrading your invertor. With the gen you can top off your battery's every few days in a few hours. Change all you lights to led and that will help as well.. I can go a few days on my 2 6v battery's and if need be i top up with the generator. I also have a solar panel i usually plug in and that usually keeps me topped up, depending on how many teenagers i have out camping with my kid...LOL...

In reality the only reason to upgrade you inverter is to have one that will power your 110v plugs off battery power. My self im just going to add a stand alone invertor that is capable of powering a small appliance, but do not really need it do its not high on my list.

Marine359 · 08-27-2023, 11:21 AM

@Randall
Unless you installed an inverter, 2012 era travel trailers did not come standard with an inverter. If you really want an inverter, without the hassle of installing one and without the weight of all those FLA batteries, you may want to consider buying a powerstation. The advantages are, no installation, plentiful LiFePo4 storage and amperage output, solar charging with no added charge controller,, plug and play with your existing battery system and charger. If these newgen powerstations were around when I upgraded my system three years ago, I would have definitely bought a powerstation and been done with it, and be able to boondock with it on day one.