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gandttimes · 09-27-2014, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landrum

We have a 2014 international that was produced in April of this year. I believe the paperwork said it has the 800 W inverter. I'm wondering now if I have 800 W or 1,000 W? Is The size obvious by looking at the inverter? is there a label or a sticker?

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We also have a 2014 International that was produced earlier in July 2013 and it has the 1000W and I was told that the change had been made for all 2014's

George

**Rocinante** · 09-27-2014, 08:23 AM

Yup, our 2014 model, made in 2013, came with a 1K watt WFCO inverter. Haven't tried plugging the inverter into AC power to see whether the optional pass-thru feature works, but I will eventually give it a go.

RussH · 10-05-2014, 07:50 AM

For those of us not able to "do it yourself," are there any (probably large) authorized Airstream dealers with personnel capable of upgrading the solar panels and 1,000 watt inverter system on the 2015 Airstream Classic 31' trailer who can do the job expertly and safely, even if it is more money? Any suggestions? The factory will not, I have learned, and I want a high-end, professional job that will not come back to haunt me a year from now!

**Rocinante** · 10-05-2014, 01:45 PM

In my limited experience, the AS dealer in our area, while capable and competent, doesn't really know much about solar. When we asked them to install a system, they just went with a Zamp 150 Watt solution. It's OK, but if I had it to do over again I would have gone to a solar energy expert and had a much better system installed for the money. At the time I didn't know enough to ask for something better or to consider going to a third party.

YMMV, but Lewster here on the forums seems a perfect example of the kind of person I would have considered for the job if I had known then what I know today.

PharmGeek · 10-05-2014, 07:40 PM

We used out factory 1000w inverter on our first boondocking trip this weekend - sounds dumb I know but somehow I assumed before that TV components would work off grid off dc power or some such

Quickly realized to swap plugs to inverter outlets and was good to go

Used for that - charge cell phones and run. Small fan at night

My fan kicks on as soon as you power it up - you can hear it when lying on the bed - which is fine cause that's why I use the small fan - love that noise when I sleep (luckily)

Glad I got this unit - although not sure how quality the unit is - worked for our needs fine over the weekend

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idroba · 10-05-2014, 10:12 PM

The WFCO 1000 watt inverter takes between 1.76 and 1.9 amps when just on, doing nothing, or powering such small loads as cell phone chargers. So, be aware that you can use a lot of your battery power when you leave it on. Every 10 hours it will consume 17.6 to 19 amp hours from your batteries.

mefly2 · 10-05-2014, 11:05 PM

Lewster here on this forum is the man for your upgrades. He does installs in OR and IIRC FL ...
Very good credentials and experience - as well as advice.

Option7 · 10-06-2014, 08:48 AM

Does anyone know what the standby power is for the inverter on a 2007 Airstream Interstate? I replaced all my halogen lights with LEDS and replaced the Propane Detector which used 76ma with a more efficient one at 46ma to extend my house batteries when dry camping. I never looked at the efficiency of the inverter which I have never used so I thought it was off or not connected since my 110v plugs are all dead until I plug in shore power (plugs go live immediately)or run the generator (plugs go live after about 30 seconds). If I have Gen on and AC running, power to microwave goes off. Inverter not big enough to run either AC or MW but am I supposed to be able to use plugs for TV or appliances through inverter when on battery power alone or when engine is running?

PharmGeek · 10-06-2014, 11:25 AM

Option7 - did you opt for an inverter? You will have I believe special outlets labeled as inverter outlets if you got the inverter option?

In my standard 110 outlets - my TV and DVD player all cut off also until I plug into shore power or generator - I have to swap the plugs and turn on the inverter

Figured that the inverter eats up some battery pretty good - the amount I had to use it did not make a big difference as I boondock at this point only for shorter trips

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rp709 · 10-14-2014, 09:12 PM

I now own a 2015 Flying Cloud 30 RB. The WFCO 1000 inverter has a built in transfer switch. I ran a flat plug extension cord from the nearby roadside outlet down behind the L- lounge cushion and through the removable wood panel above the inverter, and plugged it into the inverter power cord. I now have shore power to the blue label outlets or inverter power if on battery. It work well.

lewster · 10-15-2014, 07:01 AM

So the question remains: why doesn't the factory install the WFCO inverter in the way it SHOULD be installed to allow the 120 VAC pass thru when on grid and eliminate the redundant outlets??

Better yet....... Why don't they use the Magnum MMS-1011 which also has a great 4-stage charger WITH temperature compensation like they do on the Interstate coach???? They already use the Magnums, so why not include them on their 'premium' trailers?????

Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357

SCOTTinNJ · 10-15-2014, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idroba

The WFCO 1000 watt inverter takes between 1.76 and 1.9 amps when just on, doing nothing, or powering such small loads as cell phone chargers. So, be aware that you can use a lot of your battery power when you leave it on. Every 10 hours it will consume 17.6 to 19 amp hours from your batteries.

I only use the factory inverter when running heavy loads. For charging laptops and such, I purchased a small portable 200w inverter. Works in the tow vehicle as well.

SCOTTinNJ · 10-15-2014, 07:11 AM

Speaking of the factory inverter, does anyone know what happens if it is overloaded? Is there a fuse that blows (and therefore needs to be replaced) or a circuit that trips?

PharmGeek · 10-15-2014, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTTinNJ

I only use the factory inverter when running heavy loads. For charging laptops and such, I purchased a small portable 200w inverter. Works in the tow vehicle as well.

Overnight cell phone battery charging with this will use I guess much less juice than running the inverter overnight?

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PharmGeek · 10-15-2014, 07:54 AM

I wish the inverter outlets could work for shore power OR for inverter (extra shore outlets would be nice

Or have the standard outlets double as both

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mefly2 · 10-15-2014, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTTinNJ

I only use the factory inverter when running heavy loads. For charging laptops and such, I purchased a small portable 200w inverter. Works in the tow vehicle as well.

OK ...if and only if you have a place in which to plug it ... late model AS have eliminated the 12vdc power points and replaced with USB ...

RVDreamer · 10-15-2014, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mefly2

OK ...if and only if you have a place in which to plug it ... late model AS have eliminated the 12vdc power points and replaced with USB ...

Well yes, but I have a small inverter just like that one and I never use it anymore. Pretty much all my devices charge via USB so I don't need to invert to 110.

However I agree that Airstream should have an option for those who want the 12vdc power points for other uses.

PharmGeek · 10-15-2014, 10:50 AM

RV dreamer

I think the USB plugs require AC power? Would they work with factory inverter if so? Just out I curiosity ?

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SCOTTinNJ · 10-15-2014, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mefly2

OK ...if and only if you have a place in which to plug it ... late model AS have eliminated the 12vdc power points and replaced with USB ...

Not sure about 2015. My 2014 has one by the DVD player.

RVDreamer · 10-15-2014, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PharmGeek

RV dreamer

I think the USB plugs require AC power? Would they work with factory inverter if so? Just out I curiosity ?

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I have not picked up my 2015 Serenity yet so I don't know what circuit the USB plugs are on. However the USB standard is for about 5vDC out so I don't know why you would need the inverter. I would assume these run off the battery circuit.