Inverter Use and Battery Level

[richinny]

i had the same thing happen to me. a moderator should remove that link.

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by Mexray

Be careful - many 12 volt 'appliances' are just plain junk - I'd include most 12 volt coffee makers in that category!

We use to use a small two cup drip 110 VAC coffee maker - using the 2000 Honda genny....BUT we've switched to this:
Aerobie® AeroPress(TM) Coffee & Espresso Maker
Ray

We have been using a French Press coffee maker for 3 years now.( similar to above ) The first one was made of glass and broke, the one we have now is made of stainless steel and built like a vacuum bottle so it stays hot in the cool mountain air.

[bryanl]

Respect the current!

That is why you don't want high wattage appliance loads at low voltage. It is why you want short leads and large wires to an inverter. It is why you want 12v batteries rather than 6v (in addition to cost considerations).

The losses with current go up with the square of the current. It doesn't take much to where the inverter efficiency and the line losses using low voltage DC circuits balance out, especially if you cut corners on wire size or run length.

This whole thing is about convenience.

sometimes it is not convenient to learn via experience but sometimes learning by experience is the only way it can happen.

[TouringDan]

Guys

Thanks for all the feedback. All of you have made some very good points.

Maybe making it removable is not necessary and just a plain bad idea. I can just keep my power board in my truck all the time. The volume needed to store it at the front of the bed is about 5 cu. ft. The total truck bed volume under the cap is about 100 cu. ft. (3.1 x 5.0 x 6.5). So I will be only using up 5% of my total truck bed storage capacity. Sure it is expensive. I will probably spend about $2,000 for all the needed stuff- 2000w charger/inverter, cables, fuses, disconnect, remote panel, etc. It should last a long time, depending on how much I use it. I hope to use it a lot! But we all can find ways to justify neat purchases if we want to. I know I can. Like I only paid less than 7K for the trailer and after I install a new fridge and maybe a new a/c that may be needed I still will only have 9K in my Tradewind. Remember my power board can be used for either my Tradewind or my Excella. I like the idea of having that quiet and convennient power available when I need it. I could also mount solar panels on top of my cap so I don't have to mount them on the AS if I decide to go that route. That is an entirely different decision.

Except for the 12v TV, I think that I will stick with 120v ac appliances. I looked at my Krups cp and it draws 850 amps. My mw is an 800watt model but that is the output. The input it requires is 1300 watts. No wonder my Honda 1000 watt generator would not power the mw. Yikes. I need to find one that is no more than 1200 watts, the same as the new 1,200 watt hair dryer that I am going to buy for my wife.

Thanks again.

[TouringDan]

Brianl

My inverter is going to be right next to my battery bank, so as long as I use the correct size wire, I would think that my losses would be minimal.

Dan

[TouringDan]

Mexray

I checked out the AeroPress Coffee Maker. I think that I am going to have to try this. Now do you have a similar simple $25 item to replace my wife's hair dryer and my microwave. I guess I can use my 1,300 watt in/800 watt out microwave to heat the water (sic). Honestly, thanks for the tip and the link to their site. This item with filters can be ordered thru Amazon for $25.38 and includes free shipping. Wow!

Dan

[TouringDan]

Sorry about the consecutive posts. My P brain is just not very good at multi-tasking.

Barts

We all pay our money and take our choice. Buying an AS and a pickup truck does not make any economic sense either just to go camping. I can have a lot of fun going motorcycle camping with my Triumph Sprint ST and boy is it cheap at 50 mpg and sleeping in a tent. I can't take my wife and dog though, unless I take the car and buy a bigger tent. Then I have to listen to my wife tell me how she hates camping. Oh well.

I hear you Barts and you have a point. Until I build my power board, I may just add a second RV battery and buy a $100 1,250 watt inverter and see how this works. Thanks for your point of view; I have a thick skin.

Dan

[TG Twinkie]

Have you looked at 12 volt hair dryers?

[TouringDan]

TG Twinkie

The 12 volt hair dryers are only like 360 watts where as the 120v hd start at about 1,200 watts. This would work on my hair, but not on my wife's hair. Her hair is very thick.

BTW, I have looked at the interior pictures of the Great Twinkie. Beautiful cabinet work! My compliments.

Dan