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11-08-2016, 10:16 AM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
1971 31' Sovereign
1973 29' Ambassador
1978 31' Sovereign
Palm Desert
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 369
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Zamp Pure Sine Inverters on sale at my Lowes
It looks like they're clearing them out. They have a 300W for $90, 600W for $119, 1000W for $197 and 2000W for $325. Those seem like good prices.
The question is, should I get one? Maybe the 600W or 1000W? The 1000W comes with a remote switch.
My '71 doesn't have an inverter. I have 2 6V Lifeline batteries and 2-100W Renogy solar panels on the roof, a 60amp Boondocker converter and all LED lights. I've never gone below 97% on my batteries with the solar panels.
I guess the only reason I need one is to occasionally run appliances that I don't use now or to get a better television than the 24" Supersonic 12V tv I bought a few months ago (the sound is terrible).
From what I read on here, it would be wired to the 120V breaker box so all receptacles would be running on the inverter when it's on. Then turn off the inverter if I want to run the generator.
Thoughts? Thanks.
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11-13-2016, 10:49 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
1995 34' Excella
Lynchburg
, Virginia
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,225
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Craig
My situation is similar to yours although I don't have any solar. My 2 golf cart batteries typically don't go below 12.6 volts after camping for 3-4 days.
We have a small 400 watt inverter connected to the batteries that we use for operating a 14" fan when needed to keep us cool. We just run an extension cord from the inverter, next to the batteries, to the 14" fan (50 watts). Our TV is also 12v.
The only reason we would have to install a larger inverter, like 1000w, would be to operate the small microwave or my wife's hair dryer. Currently we need to get the generator out to operate these now. Neither would be used much so I would not be too concerned about draining the batteries.
Our 400 watt inverter is not pure sine output. I don't know if it is important to tv's and other electronics that the electrical input is pure sine.
I would also hard wire the inverter output to the input of the panel box. My only concern then would be forgetting to turn the inverter off before I plugged in the generator or connected to the house.
Thanks for posting. I may need to order one for our Tradewind.
Dan
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11-13-2016, 11:58 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Ever wonder 'why' they might be clearing them out????
Lew Farber
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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11-13-2016, 12:41 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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Probably because nobody is buying them. Slow moving items get tossed out and not carried at most big box stores.
Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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11-13-2016, 12:56 PM
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#5
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4 Rivet Member
1971 31' Sovereign
1973 29' Ambassador
1978 31' Sovereign
Palm Desert
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 369
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According to the Lowes website they are on sale (40% off) until 12/10/16 not clearing them out.
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11-13-2016, 08:20 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
1995 34' Excella
Lynchburg
, Virginia
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,225
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I am thinking that a simple 3 way switch could be used to set where the power to the panel box was coming from. In one position it would come from the inverter. In the other position it would come from the power connector at the back of the airstream (see photo). This could be either shore power or the generator.
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11-13-2016, 09:00 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
New Borockton
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,593
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There is noting wrong with Zamp pure sine inverters in fact we too are bringing them on board as well since the solar kits and portables are doing so well. Just a great company and great products. Just finished testing them and they're fantastic.
__________________
Randy...Converters, Inverters, Trimetric, Surge Protectors, Zamp, Smartplug, AGM Batts
888-828-1893
Bestconverter.com
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11-13-2016, 09:38 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
1995 34' Excella
Lynchburg
, Virginia
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,225
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Here is the photo of our 15 amp power connection to our Tradewind. Power will be either from shorepower while home or from our 1000 watt Honda generator.
BTW if you have a Lowes credit card you can save another 5% on the Zamp inverter.
Terry- Thanks for chiming in about the quality of Zamp products. I am glad to hear that you will be selling their products. BTW you recommended a Progressive Dynamics 40 amp converter, 9200 series I believe, and it has performed flawlessly for the past 4 years! Thanks for your help.
Dan
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11-13-2016, 10:27 PM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
1971 31' Sovereign
1973 29' Ambassador
1978 31' Sovereign
Palm Desert
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 369
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I bought my Lifelines and Trimetric from Randy a few months ago. So far they've been great.
Don't I need to install a transfer switch or are they just in case you forget to turn off the inverter?
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11-13-2016, 10:38 PM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2006 25' Safari
Signal Mountain
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 450
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TouringDan
I am thinking that a simple 3 way switch could be used to set where the power to the panel box was coming from. In one position it would come from the inverter. In the other position it would come from the power connector at the back of the airstream (see photo). This could be either shore power or the generator.
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That is certainly one bullet proof way to do it. It would be like the gen, off and shore power on my boat. You could also do with a 30 or 50 amp automatic transfer switch. The switch would automatically select shore power when sensed. My inverter on my boat has one internally.
__________________
Don
'06 Safari 25 LS
'18 GMC 2500HD Duramax/Allison
TN,”Greenest State in the Land of the Free”.Davy Crocket
" America is not a place;it's a road." Mark Twain
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11-14-2016, 02:02 PM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
1986 25' Sovereign
Huntsville
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 283
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And if you have military id, you get more discount.
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11-14-2016, 03:24 PM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
2000 34' Limited
1985 25' Sovereign
LaGrange Highlands
, Illinois
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 98
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inverter
Quote:
Originally Posted by TouringDan
Craig
My situation is similar to yours although I don't have any solar. My 2 golf cart batteries typically don't go below 12.6 volts after camping for 3-4 days.
We have a small 400 watt inverter connected to the batteries that we use for operating a 14" fan when needed to keep us cool. We just run an extension cord from the inverter, next to the batteries, to the 14" fan (50 watts). Our TV is also 12v.
The only reason we would have to install a larger inverter, like 1000w, would be to operate the small microwave or my wife's hair dryer. Currently we need to get the generator out to operate these now. Neither would be used much so I would not be too concerned about draining the batteries.
Our 400 watt inverter is not pure sine output. I don't know if it is important to tv's and other electronics that the electrical input is pure sine.
I would also hard wire the inverter output to the input of the panel box. My only concern then would be forgetting to turn the inverter off before I plugged in the generator or connected to the house.
Thanks for posting. I may need to order one for our Tradewind.
Dan
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Well if U look in the parts for sale in the forum I have a complete system that U would not have to worry if U shut it off or not. Also I have the book that will show U how to install the complete system. Check it out in the parts for sale. Will also work with solar.
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11-14-2016, 07:29 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
1995 34' Excella
Lynchburg
, Virginia
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,225
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Matkovich
Well, I had already looked at your add. As good as your Magnum inverter is, I don't need 2000 watts and don't need to spend $1,200 when I can spend $200 for a pure sine 1000 watt inverter.
I also don't think that I need a transfer switch. With a simple 3 way switch it will either be set for charging the batteries from shore power, while I am home, or from the generator while I am camping, or it will be set for feeding the panel box from the inverter. I will use the remote switch to turn it on when I need it for my wife's hairdryer or to operate the microwave. With it normally off there will be no drain on the batteries.
Dan
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11-15-2016, 08:56 AM
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#14
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3 Rivet Member
2012 25' FB Flying Cloud
Parker
, Colorado
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 131
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I feel the Zamp 2000 watt inverter at $325 is a no brainer so I went to order it last night. When I put it in the Lowe's online shopping cart, the price changed to $540 and it's listed as out of stock. Rats! I'll keep an eye on it but if anybody has a different experience let me know.
__________________
2012 25FB with solar
2012 Toyota Tundra 5.7L V8
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11-15-2016, 09:33 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
1995 34' Excella
Lynchburg
, Virginia
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,225
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Mfrez
I ordered a 1000 watt inverter Sunday and received word today that it had shipped.
I just tried to order a 2000 watt inverter and it went into the cart like it was in stock. You might try again to place your order.
Good luck, Dan
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11-15-2016, 11:11 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
New Borockton
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,593
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They didn't buy as many as people thought and they shouldn't have bought any in my opinion. Lowe's has no experience with inverters and shoppers at Lowes are not necessarily looking for an inverter. It would be an impulse buy for a homeowner to stop, look, and consider Lowes for that type product. I would say the same for Camping World selling lumber, paint or tools.
We will have them soon and they really are great units. I wouldn't even consider them if they weren't. We should be able to get very close to those close out clearance prices since we buy them in large quantities. Will know VERY soon.
__________________
Randy...Converters, Inverters, Trimetric, Surge Protectors, Zamp, Smartplug, AGM Batts
888-828-1893
Bestconverter.com
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11-30-2016, 09:54 PM
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#17
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4 Rivet Member
1971 31' Sovereign
1973 29' Ambassador
1978 31' Sovereign
Palm Desert
, California
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 369
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Now 60% off until 1/23/17.
$60 for 300W
$80 for 600W
$132 for 1000W
$216 for 2000W
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12-01-2016, 08:37 AM
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#18
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3 Rivet Member
2012 25' FB Flying Cloud
Parker
, Colorado
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 131
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At $216 for the 2000W I couldn't say no. Tried to order it online but said not available. The chat function told me I needed to go to my local store and place a special order. Turns out they had one in stock and gave it to me!
It has a remote switch so you can turn it on and off, which is necessary for when you plug in or run a generator. It's just a pure sine wave inverter, not a converter/inverter/charger like the Magnum which manages all the switching for you. But for the price difference I'll manage.
I'm going to try to find an electrician that knows how to hook it up, but the output side of the unit only has 3 plug ins for 110v cords. I don't see where you would hard wire it into the airstream electrical system. I left a message at Zamp tech support, but does anybody know?
__________________
2012 25FB with solar
2012 Toyota Tundra 5.7L V8
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12-01-2016, 09:15 AM
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#19
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4 Rivet Member
1976 25' Tradewind
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 353
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Might be the backyard route but just take your 110 line, make a 3 way junction, and then take your new end and put a 3 prong 110 on it and plug it in?
The wire from your battery to the inverter will need to be pretty thick for 2000W and as short as you can make it.
Just my limited experience talking take it for what it's worth....
__________________
Matt
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12-01-2016, 10:15 AM
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#20
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3 Rivet Member
2012 25' FB Flying Cloud
Parker
, Colorado
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 131
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Rats. Just heard from Zamp, this unit is not meant to be hard wired in. Looks like Lew was right on why they might be clearancing them. This has 3 plugs so if you just wanted to run a couple of items by plugging them in it would work. Not what I want to do and I'm reluctant to jimmy rig the wiring to connect it to my Progressive Dynamics charger/converter.
Zamp has a pro model ZP-PS2000PRO for around $1200 that has a built in charger and transfer switch for hard wiring. For that price I'd probably go with Magnum or Victron, or an AIMS for cheaper.
But that makes my Progressive Dynamics converter upgrade obsolete, right? If so, I now have this and the Zamp for sale.
__________________
2012 25FB with solar
2012 Toyota Tundra 5.7L V8
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