Inverter Install

[Sierrapapa]

I am running a stock electrical system in my 2007 25 FT SS International. I want to change out the converter to a 3 stage charge and supply system. Everyone on this site leads me to believe my stock parallax 7300 series converter will give me troubles and my batteries would be better protected by a 3 stage set up. While I am at this converstion it leads to my real question.

My question is on an inverter install while I am changing out the converter. Do some of you have built in plugs in your AS that come from an inverter and give you 110 AC even when not hooked to shore power?

I have a car inverter I plug into the cigarette type plug and I do run some small wattage items off of my batteries, but I have gathered some of you have this built in?

If not, can an inverter be hard wired to select plugs? Or what have you seen?

[kscherzi]

According to the 2012 Airstream online manual, the inverter option includes a special outlet near the table and another behind the television, both powered by the Airstream installed inverter. I didn't order that option with mine so I cannot confirm exactly. However, if it happens that both outlets are on their own separate circuit then I suppose it would be possible to wire in you own inverter to get the same outcome.

AM Solar suggested to me the SureSine 300 as a good low draw inverter for the TV and light appliance usage.

[TG Twinkie]

I installed an inverter along with a dedicated outlet. I picked up one of the orange outlets at HD.
You wouldn't have to use what I did, but the outlet should be clearly marked as "inverter powered".

[Jim Clark]

I changed out my convertor in my 2005 Safari SS with one from Best Convertors, it was a direct replacement. To do what our are asking I would think you would have to run a additional circuit or install or a selection switch A/B switch between one of the existing 120 Volt circuits and the shore power and the inventor. Lot of A/B switches on ebay just bought one to select shore power or genset on my boat.

[adwriter73]

I'm looking at doing the same thing. Thought maybe the easiest option would be to wire the inverter to the battery and then plug in an extension cord to run anything off of it. Not ideal. But I would love to know how to wire it into the 120 system so that all plugs would have power.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by adwriter73

I'm looking at doing the same thing. Thought maybe the easiest option would be to wire the inverter to the battery and then plug in an extension cord to run anything off of it. Not ideal. But I would love to know how to wire it into the 120 system so that all plugs would have power.

You need to be careful with trying to energize all the 120v plugs with an inverter. You could end up with a battery-killing loop where you're energizing the converter from the inverter which itself is supplied by the batteries, so you'd run down your battery if the inverter is on, even if it has no apparent load.

I think it's a better idea to have dedicated inverter receptacles.

[BAB]

I ordered the 700W inverter when I bought my trailer. There are specific 110V outlets wired to the inverter....specifically to the front and rear TV sets, with an extra outlet to the right of the door (curbside) as well as under the dinette (where the TV plugs in). These outlets are clearly labeled. The on/off switch also indicates if you do an overload....and a reset is then indicated. Confess that I would probably have preferred a 1500 W inverter as I could run my Keurig without 100V...but the pull on the two batteries would be FAR less than ideal...