| Author | Message | ||
| RCBishop (128.123.62.237)
Rating: N/A |
What do you all think (know) about the possible use of two-three smaller inverters; purchasing one for present use, adding as requirement for more wattage is needed? Ideas are welcome.  Thanx. RCB BTW, CORY.......thanx for a great description of your GPS set-up. | ||
| Rodger (216.170.151.103) Rating: N/A |
RC My all electric bus with 50A service, has two 1200W inverters. An inverter pulls power from the batts whenever it's ON. My guess is a 90% efficient 1200W inverter draws 120W just to operate even when idling. A 2400W would use 240W? The main advantage I see in a multi inverter arrangement is to reduce unneeded battery drain when on the road or dry camping, without running the genset. I can opt to run only the inverter I need. #1 inverter powers the micro wave, bathroom and kitchen appliance outlets and forward TV. Radio/tape/CD player are 12VDC. The Norcold fridge is AC/DC and runs on DC whenever when genset or shore AC power is not present. Norcold cautions against use of inverter power for AC, so I have it connected to the main AC cb's as are the two roof A/C's. #2 inverter powers the AC indirect flourescent lamps through out the coach and the bedroom AC outlets and TV. Since the recessed ceiling lamps, under cabinet lamps and reading lamps are all 12VDC, I seldom need inverter #2 for lights. To tell the truth, I have no idea how much running one 1200W unit as opposed to a 2400W or larger inverter adds to battery life between charges. Rodger | ||
| Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.142.112.250)
Rating: N/A |
Small inverters don't come with chargers, so you might want to figure in the cost of charging the batteries into the overall picture. Many inverters can go into idle mode if there is no draw which greatly reduces the idle load. However the microwave and other clocks will be off during this time! Just can't seem to get somethin' for nothin' anymore. Jim | ||
| Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (64.114.233.133)
Rating: N/A |
One of the nice things about big, modern inverters is that you cover so much ground with a single purchase, and you do it without wasting much power. The idle current for a big inverter is a fraction of one watt, IIRC, and none of those small inverters can match that. The numbers I'm remembering for the small inverters are in the .7 amps range or about 8 to 9 watts. And then, you get a big, smart charger and a transfer switch thrown in. I don't think that you can accomplish nearly as much for the same money if you try to do it in pieces. With the included smart charger, you do away with the need for a converter. And in the case of some of the power meters, you get full charger output for your batteries while the same charger puts out what your're using in the coach as extra. Before you take a pass of these units, look them over carefully. There's a reason that people pay the money that they do for them. For what it's worth. Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 Suncatcher | ||
| FAST FRED (63.208.87.248) Rating: N/A |
"There's a reason that people pay the money that they do for them." AMEN ! FAST FRED |