Replacing Inverter February 18, 2008, 09:35:16 am Yahoo Message Number: 89531In our 2002 RB with the "Entertaiment Center" the 400 watt Power Star Inverter failed as we 'hooked-up'Sunday at the Pueblo El Mirage RV Resort in NW Phoenix - actually El Mirage. Something electrical melted, fused, just or burned . . . along with that wonderful smell that goes along with the process. It will need to be replaced and so my question is: does anyone have a recommendation here in Phoenix and what particular brand/model might be best ? I'll call the factory on Tuesday ( This being President's Day week-end ) to get their take as well. Thanks,Bill Atkins02 RB"Merlot"
Re: Replacing Inverter Reply #1 – February 18, 2008, 09:47:43 am Yahoo Message Number: 89533Ugh- I'm so sorry that happened to Merlot. While I'll let knowledgable folks give inverter recommendation, there might be helpful info here:Links > Improvements > Electrical Devices > Converters & Inverters (Click on "Inverters")Quick access:http://tinyurl.com/246svk>Hope that helps, Tessa
Re: Replacing Inverter Reply #2 – February 18, 2008, 10:01:55 am Yahoo Message Number: 89535Bill Sorry to hear about your inverter, In our 05, the factory installed the Xantrex 400. It's hardwired into the entertainment center, is that how yours was done? Anyhow, since the factory used the Xantrex on ours, I suspect that's what they'll recommend. If you're heading to NM, look us up, be great to see you guys again.Kate http://cholulared.blogspot.com &http://www.cholulared.comWant to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096
Re: Replacing Inverter Reply #3 – February 18, 2008, 10:42:14 am Yahoo Message Number: 89536While we're looking at inverters, I have a few questions:It seems folks have installed various inverters at different price points based on capacity: Xantrex 400: $30 at Amazon http://tinyurl.com/2gvwrf West Marine 700 (Larry W): http://tinyurl.com/2zhvvo (In fact, West Marine has various capacity inverters - see link)XPower Inverter 1500 -Express Distributing $180: http://tinyurl.com/yoexkw>So which capacity is best based on LDer's love of boondocking?Then there's this little portable Xantrex 400 powerpack: http://tinyurl.com/24njud> It's $100 on Amazon, free shipping.Do you really think that portable 400 can jump start the engine battery? And inflate tires? And run power tools? If so, maybe that is a good, portable option that could replace an on- board air-compressor? (I really question if it can inflate RV tires, but they say it can - 250 psi).Back to Bill. So what capacity do you think is best?Inverter confused, Tessa
Re: Replacing Inverter Reply #4 – February 18, 2008, 11:00:45 am Yahoo Message Number: 89538"It will need to be replaced and so my question is: does anyone have a recommendation here in Phoenix and what particular brand/model might be best?"BillCondolences for your inverter (and dog Buffy). A couple of months ago at Costco, I found a Xantrex 400 watt inverter with soft-start and digital readout. It cost about $30 and came with both a cigarette lighter adaptor and heavy wires for hard wiring it. I wish I had been smart enough to buy a spare. The good news is that small inverters are available almost everywhere such as HD, Lowes, Radio Shack, Walmart, etc. Find your inverter and get it's measurements and also note how much room is available for the new one before buying a new one. I cannot recommend any particular make or model since I have seen burnt models from every major manufacturer (including Xantrex). I'm starting to think of smaller inverters as disposable. The installation should be simple with just the positive and negative wires to connect with maybe a third ground wire to the inverter's case. Stay with a 400-watt inverter since the factory wiring is probably not rated for anything larger.Good luck and let us know if you have more questions.Larry
Re: Replacing Inverter Reply #5 – February 18, 2008, 11:29:17 am Yahoo Message Number: 89542"Then there's this little portable Xantrex 400 powerpack: http://tinyurl.com/24njud> It's $100 on Amazon, free shipping.Do you really think that portable 400 can jump start the engine battery? And inflate tires? And run power tools?"Tessa We carry a battery booster and it will start a car or MH with a dead battery. Since the our LD has a switch and cable to jump the starter from the coach battery, the booster lives in the Jeep but is still available to help others. I have started more than one LD with it.Here is the one we use. http://tinyurl.com/3d8kwf> The trick when buying boosters is to get the heaviest one available. The power comes from a sealed gell-cell battery. The heavier it is, the more lead it contains and that is basically what determines power output. The same thinking goes for the starting battery. When given a choice, go for the heavier battery.You can buy the boosters with built-in air compressor. They do work but are slow and cannot run air tools unless you have a very large air storage tank. I tend to stay away from multiple devices because when one part fails, they whole thing fails. I would stick with a independent 12-volt compressor and have a separate battery booster.Larry
Re: Replacing Inverter Reply #6 – February 18, 2008, 01:23:28 pm Yahoo Message Number: 89549I concur with Larry on the inverter he uses. I have three of them. I got mine at Costco for just under $26.00 . It's called a Xantrex XPowerDigital Power Inverter 400W. It's a modified sine wave inverter.Hope this helpsJC
Replacing Inverter Reply #7 – February 18, 2008, 02:37:23 pm Yahoo Message Number: 89550Tessa, Kate, Ron, and Larry, JC and any who might send ideas beyond this message . . . "Thanks" for all the suggestions. I think Larry and Ron pointed out a key factor - actual physical size of the inverter. On our 02 RB the inverter is located beneath the rear facing dinette seat in a small area workable only from the top. The rear of the outside battery box also enters into this area. The actual size of the currant 400 Watt Power Star Model U9G400 is 9.5" long X 3" high X 3" wide. The working space described above is very small and so a replacement will have to be very near the size same size. I've just called the Mother Ship and talked with Todd who said that LD was now using a Xantrex 400 watt, "True Wave" model. I had checked the dimensions of this one and questioned its suitability to the space. Todd went and checked with Steve Newton and came back to reply that Steve said I was correct and it would not fit the 2002. They had no other practical suggestions. So the search is on. Bill Atkins 02 RB "Merlot"
Re: Replacing Inverter Reply #8 – February 18, 2008, 02:43:07 pm Yahoo Message Number: 89551Look at all these Powerpacks - including a solar one! Andy, you might like one of those with your Boondocking (but I'm sure you already know about it).http://tinyurl.com/ytubprGreat article on RV inverters:http://www.roadtripamerica.com/dashboarding/Power-Inverters.htm> It makes a lot of sense regarding true-sine wave and modified-sine wave and when each is needed. Tessa
Re: Replacing Inverter Reply #9 – February 18, 2008, 03:06:04 pm Yahoo Message Number: 89552I must say, how many RV manufacturers could you call and in a matter of a few minutes find out these tpye of details? Impressive.ken wannabe in SoCal
Re: Replacing Inverter Reply #10 – February 19, 2008, 01:19:40 pm Yahoo Message Number: 89573So to summarize all this, basically we should try using a 400 watt modified-wave inverter first. It is cheap and readily available from Costco, etc. There's no need to buy a $300-$400 a true-sine wave inverter unless we have:1. A really nice TV 2. Specialized computer equipment or 3. Devices that won't run on modified-sine wave inverterDoes that sound accurate?Tessa in TX, still trying to figure out this inverter stuff
Re: Replacing Inverter Reply #11 – February 19, 2008, 01:51:54 pm Yahoo Message Number: 89577Quote "So to summarize all this, basically we should try using a 400 watt modified-wave inverter first. It is cheap and readily available from Costco, etc.There's no need to buy a $300-$400 a true-sine wave inverter unless we have:1. A really nice TV 2. Specialized computer equipment or 3. Devices that won't run on modified-sine wave inverterDoes that sound accurate?Tessa in TX, still trying to figure out this inverter stuff" By golly, I think you've got it!Chris
Re: Replacing Inverter Reply #12 – February 19, 2008, 01:59:02 pm Yahoo Message Number: 89578Tessa I think you've nailed it! I wouldn't have paid for the one we have,. but it was certainly a nice addition.One other thing, I think if an inverter is hardwired rather than plugged into an outlet, you get a lot more bang for your buck.Kate http://cholulared.blogspot.com &http://www.cholulared.comWant to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096
Re: Replacing Inverter Reply #13 – February 19, 2008, 01:59:50 pm Yahoo Message Number: 89579"teresadhill" wrote:So to summarize all this, basically we should try using a 400 watt modified-wave inverter first. --- When Larry and the other "electric stuff gurus" aren't handy for answers and explanations, we're on our own! I have found these websites to be useful in boosting my comprehension of the differences between the power produced by pure sine wave and modified sine wave inverters: http://www.sinergex.com/main_inverter_info.phphttp://www.xantrex.com/support/readfaq.asp?did=268&p=1348 http://www.querycat.com/faq/43b3696a8794b1f42c107c2fe5fca494 HTH,Joan
Re: Replacing Inverter Reply #14 – February 19, 2008, 04:06:04 pm Yahoo Message Number: 89586"There's no need to buy a $300-$400 a true-sine wave inverter unless we have: 1. A really nice TV 2. Specialized computer equipment or 3. Devices that won't run on modified-sine wave inverter Does that sound accurate?"TessaAlmost. TVs, DVD player and most entertainment electronics usually are not sensitive to modified sine wave AC. Older laser printers were sensitive but newer ones may not be (anyone know?). Most computer stuff will be fine. You will find few small devices that will not run on modified sine wave 120 VAC.My rule of thumb is to attempt operation using a modified sine wave inverter and upgrade to a true sine wave inverter only if necessary. Make sure to check for overheating of the device especially if it has a transformer (power bricks) This only applies to devices using a limited amount of power. If you insist on being able to run a microwave or other power hungry device off battery power, spend the money on a high quality inverter such as the PROsine 2.0 2000-watt inverter and be happy. It has been my experience that large cheap inverters do not handle large loads for extended periods. A modified sine wave inverter may harm some microwaves.In most cases, the preferred inverter would be a pure sine wave inverter but the cost will steer most of us toward the modified sine wave inverter, which is perfectly adequate for most of our needs. Many who have a big pure sine wave inverters still use low power modified sine inverters for running small devices.Larry
Re: Replacing Inverter Reply #15 – February 19, 2008, 06:21:25 pm Yahoo Message Number: 89593This whole inverter thing had me baffled too so I started studying what y’ all were saying in the discussion before this one. Andy’s Eureka explains it well too. So I finally decided that I would get an Xantrex 400. I was actually going to get an 800 but Andy suggested that I don’t need that much (yet). He said I could just plug it in and use it but later get it hard wired so I would get more power from it. So whenever I can find someone I can trust to hard wire it in I will. My Dog Daze is a RB so the inverter will be behind the TV area. I will be using my laptop on the other side (barrel chairs) and my laptop cord might not reach easily without being in the way of some dog. So I am asking if I ought to get someone to put in another 12V plug coming down from the 12V light fixture above the barrel chairs and get another inverter for that side for ease of plugging in?? Or will this be an overkill? It seems handy to me. Another question……….would anyone living in the general Northwest know and recommend a great RV guy that can install my whole house surge guard, the Xantrex inverter, my Wilson antennae (when I get one), and maybe a couple other things? It would be nice to find someone east of the Cascades and closer to north Idaho but I will travel if I have to in order to not worry about their expertise. It is hard to find someone if they don’t come recommended. It is like opening the yellow pages and pointing to the one that looks “okay”.Anyway, thanks for any help you can give me.Judy Wms. ’07 blue RB “Dog Daze” and all the fur kids[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Replacing Inverter Reply #16 – February 19, 2008, 06:49:42 pm Yahoo Message Number: 89595Excellent info! Some wee questions: Are all inverters either hardwired OR they plug into a DC plug (round hole)? We have plenty of DC plugs
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