Inverter question

Travelover · Oct 21, 2017

handirifle said:
When dry camping, for now, the batteries will be charged with a generator, during generator hours. Eventually I would like to do it with solar panels. I will also need to upgrade the converter/charger to a better one, a step down type. That will be before the solar, but will be a little bit in the future. The better charger will be to add longevity to battery life.

This is a 5th wheel, so the only batteries involved are for the 5th wheel. Even if I just stop for short overnight, I usually unplug from the truck.

As for separating them, I will be looking more for a typical battery cutoff switch, if one is heavy duty enough, for a 200 amp circuit.

Progressive Dynamics makes nice converters with the 4 stage charging logic built in. When I wired my tow vehicle, I added an additional charge wire all the way from the tow battery (with relay and circuit breaker) to the trailer. I used a separate Anderson connector to parallel the 7 way connector for the lights and brakes. The wire used was 6 gauge.

handirifle · Oct 21, 2017

You lost me, why the extra wiring? If it was to charge the batteries more while driving, I am not quite as concerned with that part. Especially since I will be adding solar to it. My solar will not be to really power the unit as much as charge the batteries up while sitting.

Living out west we have considerably more solar days than many do, and I plan on taking advantage of it. My house is already solar powered with battery back up and I am loving how it works.

Travelover · Oct 21, 2017

handirifle said:
You lost me, why the extra wiring? If it was to charge the batteries more while driving, I am not quite as concerned with that part. Especially since I will be adding solar to it. My solar will not be to really power the unit as much as charge the batteries up while sitting.

Yes, it is to charge the batteries while driving. If you don't care about that, don't do anything.

Living out west we have considerably more solar days than many do, and I plan on taking advantage of it. My house is already solar powered with battery back up and I am loving how it works.

Sounds good. For others not so well sited, it can be tough to get enough solar power generation to make up for large power users like inverters.

FredH · Oct 21, 2017

Semi's usually have battery shut off switches , thus assuming a local truck parts department may have something .

Something like this would work I assume :

Amazon.com: Cllena Battery Disconnect Isolator Switch for Marine Boat Car Rv ATV Vehicles: Automotive

This from the on line manuals for the Harbor Freight Jupitor brand inverters :

10. Mount Inverter horizontally. ( Number 10 of 15 that have in ther book )

Although my current Whistler brand does not have that in their manual , there is some good reading in it .

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1...ower-inverter-manual.pdf?14709532190415081729

Fred H.

handirifle · Oct 22, 2017

Thanks for the link Fred. Looks like it's up to the job with a 275amp rating. I emailed the company to see what they say about mounting. Not doubting your experience, just hoping.

In reality, I do not have much choice, unfortunately. There IS one possible spot, but I would have to make a shroud to provide with airflow, and that means putting screws into a floor right above my holding tanks. Not real excited about that idea.

jenkinsph · Oct 24, 2017

I use a Blue Seas battery switch on my camper like this rated for 300 amps continuous.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Blue-Sea... selector switches for sale&veh=sem#read-more

To mount over the tanks beneath the floor you might consider glue blocks that you can screw the inverter over.

handirifle · Oct 24, 2017

Fred
They said no issue mounting on a vertical wall. Good to know cause either way that was where it had to go.

sandman2234 · Oct 25, 2017

I will say that a 2000 watt inverter has a pretty good draw, one that pulls a LOT of power from a battery. Fred is using a tractor trailer which has three or four batteries, and he probably has a 100 plus amp alternator pushing it. I tried making coffee during the last hurricane (Irma) running my 2000 watt inverter off my pickup with a single battery and 90 amp alternator and it did not like it. The inverter was pulling more power than the truck could supply. I was using 2/0 cables and the 825 CCA battery was two months old, manufactured in 6/17. Is the 2000 watt inverter rated that continous, or starting?
David from jax

handirifle · Oct 25, 2017

My truck is either a 140 or 150amp alternator, but the inverter is in the 5th wheel. It will have 4 batteries in it, with at least 400ah of power. The inverter is rated 2000/4000 so continuous rating of 2K, but the highest pull will be the wife's hair drier (1875 on high) and only for a few 3-5 min bursts. Honestly have not even looked at microwave rating, since it's not a target appliance for this install. Most of the usage will be for the TV and Sat dish type of stuff.