400w inverter/power regulator April 22, 2017, 07:19:18 pm Hi all! I've read Andy's RV Power for Dummies, so I think it's fair to say I -may- be one notch up from "Dummy", but I seek promotion from that level sooo, can anyone suggest a decent 400w inverter? In addition, I'll be going to the Mothership to have the roof sealed, window seals checked, and a general look-over to ensure everything is leak-proof. I decided to use portable solar panels and, wondered something. Would you have the Mothership hardwire the inverter and power regulator (not sure if that's the right terminology), or would that best be done elsewhere?Thanks, as always.
Re: 400w inverter/power regulator Reply #1 – April 22, 2017, 07:26:27 pm I have thought about a mounted solar controller and remote solar panels. I was thinking of a Morning Star Sun Saver Duo with a remote readout. Then I could see the voltage of both batteries. What do the Pros say?
Re: 400w inverter/power regulator Reply #2 – April 27, 2017, 01:01:48 am This would be my first choice in that price range. Great price, too.Prowatt SW600 Sine Wave InverterSteve
Re: 400w inverter/power regulator Reply #3 – April 27, 2017, 10:53:50 am Opuntia,A few years ago, I installed a solar system, with an inverter, into our camper. The job wasn't very difficult, other than climbing up and down onto and off of the roof and a little bit of drilling and cutting for the controller. I was really tickled with how well it worked and how inexpensive it turned out to be!I used Renogy Solar and they were very easy to work with and their help desk was knowledgeable and helpful and didn't make me feel stupid. Renogy Official Site | All-in-one Solar Kit | solar panel kits | Portable...I bought their 100 watt panel through Amazon, as well as a MPPT controller and a remote monitoring display. If I remember correctly, the whole thing cost less about $300 including the panel, the controller, the monitor, wiring, feet, connectors, etc. The display is a little Mickey-Mouse, but it worked well and was fun to watch. I ran the wiring down the refrigerator vent so I wouldn't have to drill more holes in the otherwise watertight roof. Since the camper only had one wet cell marine deep cycle battery, it didn't make sense to install more than 100W on the roof, but on the other hand, on a partially sunny day, the 100W panel completely charged the battery every day and we stopped carrying the 2000W Honda generator. The system allowed unlimited lights at night (LED) as well as a little 12v cooling fan in the daytime, furnace at night, etc.I also wanted to wire in a 600W pure sine wave inverter, but because the inverter pulls so much current, it turned out that the best way to wire it was to use 10G wire and a big 12v cigarette lighter plug and plug it into the cigarette lighter in the truck dash when I needed it. Mostly, we used it to run the coffee grinder and for 12v to charge the motorcycle helmet intercoms and phones. (Cyndy wanted an inverter to run a hairdryer, but 1500W, it just pulls too much current, not to mention the cost of a 2000 watt inverter. On our tug we have a 2000W inverter and it can easily pull 100A to start a 1000 w microwave and requires welding cable for wiring!)I still use the same inverter, plugged into the Lazy Daze dash, to grind coffee. Who wants to light up the generator at 6:30am in camp to grind coffee?
Re: 400w inverter/power regulator Reply #4 – April 27, 2017, 12:51:38 pm Quote from: Blueox25 - April 27, 2017, 10:53:50 amI still use the same inverter, plugged into the Lazy Daze dash, to grind coffee. Who wants to light up the generator at 6:30am in camp to grind coffee?A lot of work to go through just to grind coffee ;-)Get one of these from BB&B, with a 20% off coupon.Buy Evengrind 12 oz. Coffee Grinder in Black from Bed Bath & BeyondLarry 1 Likes
Re: 400w inverter/power regulator Reply #5 – April 27, 2017, 12:57:05 pm Quote from: Opuntia - April 22, 2017, 07:19:18 pm Would you have the Mothership hardwire the inverter and power regulator (not sure if that's the right terminology), or would that best be done elsewhere?The Mothership does not do this kind of work, it will need to be done elsewhere.Modified sine-wave inverters are inexpensive and available widely. Amazon.com: 400-watt power inverterA pure sine-wave inverter is usually overkill, most appliances and electronics work fine on the modified sine wave power.Larry As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: 400w inverter/power regulator Reply #6 – April 27, 2017, 01:24:00 pm Before buying an inverter of any type or capacity, it may be useful to understand what an inverter does, what it can and can't run, and how to select the appropriate size for one's specific power needs; the selection process should include calculating the "start-up" draw needs of each of the appliances one intends to run. One source (among many) of information:Power Inverters | Frequently Asked Questions About Power Inverters | DonRowe.com 1 Likes
Re: 400w inverter/power regulator Reply #7 – April 27, 2017, 03:05:25 pm Larry,Great suggestion on the Evergrind. With that thing, Cyndy can grind the coffee even quieter than running the electric grinder while I continue to fake sleeping. No reason to get out of the sack before coffee is ready!It is just the distribution of labor...HD
Re: 400w inverter/power regulator Reply #8 – April 27, 2017, 04:08:41 pm When I got the LD in 2003, I bought a Zassenhaus manual wooden coffee grinder; made in Germany, stainless steel grinder parts, little drawer that the ground coffee fell into. I used it twice; the thing was as SLOW as a sap run! Grinding even a couple of small measures of beans took several minutes, and no matter how the burrs were adjusted, a lot of unground bean bits ended up in the drawer. Maybe the newer manual grinders are faster and more efficient than the one I had, but I'd want a real world speed and usage test before springing for another manual!
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