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Old 04-24-2024, 11:16 AM   #1
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1984 Holiday RamblerAlumi-Lite 32' - 35Amp plug!

Good Morning Everyone!

I am in the process of upgrading my electrical system to LifeP04 280ah batteries, which seems to require an upgrade of the converter and the inverter along with heavier battery cables.

Question: Since I only have 35Amp input power is the any reason to buy a converter that is larger than 35Amps?

Question 2: What amperage should I buy for the inverter - there will be four 280ah LifeP04 batteries?

Thanks for any help! New at this and have a lot of questions I hope you all will help me with!

Hal
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Old 04-24-2024, 11:58 AM   #2
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I believe you're confusing the 30 amp 120 volt shore power supply ; with the inverter's 12 volt amperage output for charging batteries .

Didn't the batteries come with instructions that state the required charging volts and amps ?

What RV systems are you intending to power from the inverter ; and for how long?
Setting up for extended periods of boondocking ?

Does your shore power cable plug into an out let with this layout ?

EDIT: Site computer posted my photo upside down .
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Old 04-24-2024, 01:08 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skip426 View Post


I believe you're confusing the 30 amp 120 volt shore power supply ; with the inverter's 12 volt amperage output for charging batteries .

Didn't the batteries come with instructions that state the required charging volts and amps ?

What RV systems are you intending to power from the inverter ; and for how long?
Setting up for extended periods of boondocking ?

Does your shore power cable plug into an out let with this layout ?

EDIT: Site computer posted my photo upside down .
I might be! But I see so many bad reviews on Amazon on converters and inverters where the say their NEW 55 amp inverter/converter does not work and when they go back to their original 35 amp converter or inverter the problem goes away!

I will be living in my 32’ Holiday Rambler Alumi-lite full time for the next year until my house is repaired from the fire on March 22! So I need to make my RV as cosy as I can make it! Both of the house batteries that are in it now are dead, so instead of buying lead acid or AGM batteries, decided to step up to the LifeP04 280ah batteries, which is going to require new converter and probably inverter also! Maybe even a change of the chassis battery also!
I plan to run everything from toasters, microwaves and three TVs as well as Cell phones, laptops, tools, etc in it!

Hal
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Old 04-24-2024, 07:35 PM   #4
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I'd look for an inverter charger. A 35 amp charger isn't going to recharge the batteries very fast.

What AC amperage do you have access to? Even at 30 amps you're going to have to ration power, watch what appliances you use simultaneously.
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Old 04-24-2024, 07:42 PM   #5
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If your not dry camping, you only need 1 cheap 12 volt battery , a 55 amp converter and your 30 amp should power everything.
When always plugged in, the battery is just a buffer for when you use slides and levelers, but you don't need them if stationery.

A 55 amp converter will draw max 11 amps if your using 55 amps of DC power. DC powers the lights, fans and pumps.
You won't need an inverter, you have shore power. Inverters are substrates for shore power.

AC 30 amp power is for the fridge, air conditioner, microwave, water heater, and small appliances. You won't be able to power all of that on 30 amps but we don't know if that's what you have. It may be a 50 amp RV in which case you can run everthing.
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Old 04-25-2024, 04:37 PM   #6
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Thanks for the advice! I have a 35 Amp plug but requested Colorado Springs Utilities to install a 50 Amp poll with breakers! And both a 35 and a 50 amp plug! Just in case I need it! Since I will be living in it for at least a year, want to upgrade as much as I can afford! Like a tankless water heater; a converter that can charge LifeP04 batteries - that is I can find where Holiday Rambler installed it! An Inverter that can handle 4 each 280 ah LifeP04 batteries! During blizzards we have been known to lose shore power for extended periods! So want the batteries to be there!


Thanks
Hal
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Old 04-25-2024, 06:29 PM   #7
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I think I'd have alternative plans for a blizzard. RVs aren't 4 season vehicles, very little insulation, small furnace with limited fuel supply and lots of leaky single pane windows.

They look like houses but have a lot of limitations. A big one is going to be the 30 amp power (not 35).
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Old 04-25-2024, 06:50 PM   #8
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There is no 35 amp plug in the RV world, it's 30 amp-120 volts OR 50 amp- 120/240 volt.
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Old 04-26-2024, 09:42 AM   #9
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I'm kinda not seeing the need here for this. I have the same trailer, 1987 version.

If you're living in it full-time, with A/C, microwave, water heater (convert it to use A/C power, see link below), "toasters, microwaves and three TVs as well as Cell phones, laptops, tools..." then, really, you're going to be plugged into shore power for most of that to work. If so then the only thing you'll use your batteries for are:

- Lighting
- Water plump
- TV and stereo (mine's 12V)
- Charging cellphones using the car-plug behind the TV
- Vent fans
- Heater fan

Nothing else will use the batteries, everything else will be shore powered (even the fridge). At that point the light 12V load will pretty much all come directly through the inverter, not from the batteries, so there will be almost no load on the battery to charge back up.

Further, even though you have "only" a 30A shore power plug, your entire 120V electrical system is based around that, primarily the A/C circuit breaker system. Even if you were to switch your plug to a 50A one, your system will not draw any more power than it's designed for (same as if you used a 50A converter plug). And if you tried to pull more load from the shore power then the A/C circuit breaker panel would trip...so you'd have to replace/upgrade that component as well.

Are you planning to run the A/C *and* the microwave *and* the toaster *and* charge a bunch of laptops all at once? Then maybe you need a system upgrade. Otherwise, just manage them one or two at a time...and of course, none of those are running off the batteries.*

Honestly, man, I see no value in spending money for better batteries and converter when you're going to be consuming almost all of your needs from shore power (or a generator). It just doesn't make financial or technical sense...

To live in mine full-time, I'd ensure solid shore power access, a good converter that won't overcharge my batteries, maybe change all the lighting to LED (I did that, as well as converting my outisde security lights to LED). Convert the water heater to 120VAC to minimize propane use (and see about getting a 120 gallon tank installed close by) and depending on the part of the country I'm living in I'd look into buying full skirts for the perimeter of the trailer (the fully covered bottom with heat going through it helps, but it's not freeze-proof in very cold temperatures).

Another big winter plus would be to fab some insulation panels to block off the storage areas under the front kitchen bench and the rear bed storage lockers, as those get really cold in the winter. Same goes for the access doors for A/C and water valves.

Honestly, I think you're good, but please keep us posted. And I wish you the best on getting back into your real home! - GA

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-11773-W...0024E6UMC?th=1

*I have this oddball idea that some day I want to convert my A/C to run off a large inverter. Reason is, if I convert it to that system then I can run the A/C off a smaller portable generator, like a Honda EU2000, instead of the larger EU3000is I have now (I've installed a SoftStart but it's *just* not enough, so I have to schlep the 3000). A/C would run off a 3500W inverter with the battery taking the startuip load, and a small portable genny (plus the PV on the roof) would keep the batteries topped off.

EDIT: just re-read your comment about "blizzards". if you are going to have long-term problems with shore power, note that you will lose access to almost anything that is 120VAC only. And, of course, your batteries aren't going to last forever without a charging source.

Will that be a generator? Then it's still the same situation as shore power and the same points as above apply, but with an additional need for long-term access to gasoline. For 30A service - which will pretty much run everything you need in winter - a Honda EU3000is is fine. Or maybe one of the newer Wen DF450i if you want to pull a full 30A through the shore power connection.

Will that be batteries and you do without 120VAC equipment? Then you need a solar array to keep your batteries up to snuff (and access to sunlight...) But even with a 200W array you're not charging your batteries very hard...and will need to shed load as much as possible to ensure you have enough for heat.
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Old 04-26-2024, 06:39 PM   #10
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Search for a site called The 12v Side of Life. It will explain how the 12v system and different components work together. I agree, you're going over the top with upgrades if you're going to be plugged in.


Then you need to realize you have 30 amps of 120v available which isn't a lot compared to what you're used to in a house which can have 200 amps. You'll have learn what combination of appliances can be used without tripping a breaker. Every electrical device will have a tag which lists the power it requires.
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Old 04-28-2024, 06:47 AM   #11
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Yeah, I was thinking about this as I was cleaning and de-winterizing mine yesterday. I was plugged into a standard 15A circuit and was able to run the microwave *and* start the A/C (I have a SoftStart, highly recommended). Then I plugged in the coffeemaker and it kinda burped at me but ran.

That's a pretty good load right there, and that's only a 15A circuit.

Since all the high load stuff is running on 120VAC, I honestly can't think of a solid reason to spend the time and money to convert to larger batteries and converter, when connected to shore power.

Secondarily, given the need to survive - literally - in a blizzard with no shore power, I suggest the backup is a generator (in a small wooden hut some distance away from the trailer, to avoid snow pileup and CO poisoning).

Backup to THAT would be winterizing the trailer and getting a hotel.
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Old 04-30-2024, 07:58 AM   #12
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Although my motorhome is old 1984, it is still in good shape, just needs some TLC and repairs, as well as upgrades for the long term plan of taking it on a three month trip up the AlCan Highway to Alaska and back! Dry camping most of the way, and running the 4.5kw Kolar when needed! And pulling a trailer with extra tires/rims, plenty of fishing tackle and repair parts! AND several 30 and forty lb propane bottles or a couple of 100 lb bottles!
So a lot of the things I plan to upgrade and repair now is with the idea of taking that trip next spring, after my house is repaired! My thinking is that if I do the upgrades now, I will be able to test it out while I live in it now!
I like the idea of a large propane tank for winter, and use the on board propane when the big tank gets empty! Thanks for the suggestion!
On my old Class C motorhome, I used bales of hay around the outside of the rig which greatly helped with the cold in Nebraska winters! I took up the carpet and put the two sided aluminum with bubbles in between then reinstalled the carpet, which seemed to help! So I did a complete under chassis layout which worked for a time, until the wind caused gaps!
My buddy owns a glass shop here and I will ask him if there is anything he can do about the windows cheaply!
Ordered 12v LED lights based on your suggestions!
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