New Owner with MORE questions than answers...

[mountainsun]

So I am the proud new owner of a 1978 Ambassador International, and she needs a bit of work. I brought her home, plugged into 110 house power, but I am missing batteries and an inverter. From what I have gleaned so far from the forums, is that most people use a auto battery, deep cycle marine battery, and an inverter, to power the 12 volt system onboard. Attached I have a photo of where 2 batteries were stored near the fuse panel. The smaller box on the right is accessed from the outside, and box on left is not. I'm anxious to start working on 12 volt system. Is there a Thread or "How To" for connecting the battery system with the Inverter ?

Thanks much for your wisdom !

Rick

[Aerowood]

Hi from Arvada
The first thing is you do not want to use is an Auto battery but a Deep Cycle battery or batteries. Second you want to use a Converter to convert 115VAC to 12VDC. An Inverter changes 12VDC to 115VAC. If you replace the converter, which you probably should because the old Univolt Converter that the trailer came equiped with will fry a battery fairly quickly.

http://www.bestconverter.com/

[dwightdi]

You can get away with just one battery, if you do not boondock in the cold. You need a converter (not an inverter) to charge the battery and run the 12 volt stuff when plugged into 110. A smart battery charger is a cheaper way to charge the battery than a converter.

[ROBERT CROSS]

IMHO...I would not keep two lead acid batteries inside the coach.

For sure not open, connected to a univolt.

At the very least, if in the trailer, they should be in a sealed box vented to the outside connected to a modern 3 stage charger.

A quality r/v/marine, deep-cycle high, amp/hour,(100a/h) will work well.

We use 2 grp27 100a/h Lifeline AGM batteries and an IOTA DLS 55a IQ4 Converter.

Bob