| Author |
Message |
Glenn Williams (Glenn)
Registered Member
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 95
Registered: 6-2006
Posted From: 216.163.56.136
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 29, 2007 - 2:58 pm: | |
I've been planning what my usage of the bus will be and I could use some help in inverter selection.
Mostly we will be camping with electrical available. But I would really like the ability to dry camp without a lot of genset use. I am also checking out a sourse for used solar panels so that needs to be figured into the equation. Also take into account that we are almost never in our bus during the day. When we are camping, we are out doing things. Motorcycles, antique cars, boats keep us quite busy. We are building a nice place to travel in, sleep in, cook and eat in if the weather is bad.
Here is a list of our 110 uses:
-3 Roof airs - At most we might use 2 under high heat days. I need to consider powering these while going down the road.
-Microwave
-plugs
-Converter? (I have one from a travel trailer, should it be used as a battery charger still?)
-an electric fan (small one that I use for white noise while sleeping - might want to change this to a 12 volt item?)
-Flat screen tv/dvd (we have not bought this yet, and would only use it sparingly on bad weather days.
Our fridge and oven/stove are propane. All of our lighting is 12 volt. We have a 6.5kw gasoline genset to power AC's in high heat or to charge batteries back up. I have the ability to install a 12v alternator on the bus to charge house batteries while going down the road. I also plan on installing 2 group 31 batteries in the bus AC compartment and us the 2 8D's for house batteries and switch the wiring to be 12 volt. I think keeping the house batteries 12 volt gives me more inverters to choose from.
Other info that may help - I have a Todd Electric Switching panel for 240/120 50A service that will switch from inverter, Genset and Shore power. Also a 125 amp panel (currently only has a single 20A GFI breaker in it) it does not have a 50A main breaker in it. Do I need it, or does the transfer switch handle that?
I hope this is enough info! |
John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member
Username: John_mc9
Post Number: 538
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 66.217.101.202
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 12:18 am: | |
Tough question (I can't answer), but you can make it easier
for others to answer!
Re:
"I would really like the ability to dry camp without a lot of genset use."
What 120vac devices are you planning on using without the genset
or shore power?
(Nothing's impossible; some things, impractical. It depends on how
deep your pockets are) |
Bob Shafer (Michigander_bob)
Registered Member
Username: Michigander_bob
Post Number: 45
Registered: 2-2005
Posted From: 68.61.134.126
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 8:04 am: | |
Glenn,
I'm no expert on inverters but a 24v inverter/charger would probably be the way to go since your bus is 24v. Here's a link to a site I found that has some great info on rv electrical systems for boondocking.
http://www.equalccw.com/hardcore.html#INVERTERS
Do some searches on the different boards cause there's been lots of discussions on these topics. |
Glenn Williams (Glenn)
Registered Member
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 96
Registered: 6-2006
Posted From: 216.163.56.136
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 11:35 am: | |
John,
While dry camping we would use:
Microwave
Plugs (really small stuff if at all)
small electric fan at night (could replace with a 12v model)
Flat screen tv/dvd (have yet to buy this and would only get used on bad weater days.)
Bob,
Great article! I have read most of the posts here and on MAK and none seem to cover my needs.
I am trying to decide what type/size I should be looking at. Either a used Xantrex/Trace with all of the goodies or just an inverter like a Vector Maxx SST 3000. Or, should I go 24v for the AC's during over the road use and dry camping? |
Jerry Liebler (Jerry_liebler)
Registered Member
Username: Jerry_liebler
Post Number: 292
Registered: 3-2005
Posted From: 67.141.39.65
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 8:33 pm: | |
Glenn,
If your budget will allow it, you can't do better than a Trace SW4024MC2. It would require that your house battery be 24 volts, then you could charge the house bank and run the inverter off of the 7,000+ W bus alternator. I'd use an equaliser for the 12 volt stuff. With this setup you could certainly run 1 AC and most likely could run 2 while driving without running the genset. If you decide to go this way, I'll be glad to coach you through the system design options and installation, just shoot me an email off board and we'll trade phone numbers.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120 |
Ed Roelle (Ed_roelle)
Registered Member
Username: Ed_roelle
Post Number: 44
Registered: 3-2005
Posted From: 69.136.130.161
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 10:07 am: | |
I agree with Jerry. Get an SW4024 ($2000-$2500)
Ed Roelle
Flint, MI |
Glenn Williams (Glenn)
Registered Member
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 97
Registered: 6-2006
Posted From: 216.163.56.136
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 12:05 pm: | |
That is a great inverter. At some places, it can cost more than my bus! Will this unit start any electric start generator? Mine is quite old. |
Ed Roelle (Ed_roelle)
Registered Member
Username: Ed_roelle
Post Number: 45
Registered: 3-2005
Posted From: 69.136.130.161
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 12:32 pm: | |
Glenn,
The SW4024 inverter will charge your batteries very well. The batteries that are charged will be at 24 volts DC. Your generator starter probably requires 12 volts DC. A separate 12 volt battery, just for your generator, is desireable in the event your other batteries are very low, so that you can start the generator and charge your 24 batteries through your inverter/charger. Does that make sense?
Ed Roelle
Flint, MI |
Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member
Username: Buswarrior
Post Number: 1093
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 76.68.122.137
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 5:44 pm: | |
I love my SW4024.
The auto start feature is able to handle most generator starting circuits, including glow plug systems.
Check the manual online to see if the directions work for you.
I read about too many people going out and upgrading their inverters, so I just went to the top to start with.
happy coaching!
buswarrior |
Glenn Williams (Glenn)
Registered Member
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 98
Registered: 6-2006
Posted From: 216.163.56.136
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 03, 2007 - 10:50 am: | |
Well, we dug DEEP into our pockets and found an SW4024 for 2100 on ebay and bought it. I'm glad my wife was so supportive! I'll tackle a battery bank come spring. Thanks for all the help guys! |
Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member
Username: Buswarrior
Post Number: 1098
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 76.68.121.96
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 04, 2007 - 9:40 am: | |
You won't regret it!
Don't forget it has to breath when working hard...
happy coaching!
buswarrior |