2017 Sport 16 add inverter

[truffies]

Add 1500 inverter, I see you can add T30 for transfer at fuse box. Can I tap 12 volts to Y to inverter under bed. Tie to T30 transfer to 110 volts

[Bruce B]

I don't understand exactly what you are asking but if you are asking if the 1500 watt inverter can be powered by existing battery cables found inside your Airstream I'd suggest that that is not the best idea.
Inverters require lots of energy to work and voltage drop is your enemy.
Big battery cables and short length wires are what you need...
Bruce

[NorCal Matt]

In our 16', I found a 12v lead under the bed, tv side. I hooked up and inverter to that that I stored in the clothes hamper in that side. I better arrangement I saw later was to use the 12v at the antenna button and install a cigarette lighter type socket and then buy a cheap plug in inverter. Hope this helps!

[truffies]

Yes, was going to install under TV side under bed behind the power panel. Like to use the 12 volt line from batt to panel and than back to 110 ac of power panel.

[truffies]

th yu the size you install in hamper was?

[USAtraveler]

Originally Posted by NorCal Matt

In our 16', I found a 12v lead under the bed, tv side. I hooked up and inverter to that that I stored in the clothes hamper in that side. I better arrangement I saw later was to use the 12v at the antenna button and install a cigarette lighter type socket and then buy a cheap plug in inverter. Hope this helps!

An inverter can put a heavy draw on your battery(s), depending on what device is hooked up to it. Attempting to power devices that produce heat will quickly drop the voltage of your battery. Running a permanently installed inverter with a massive battery bank may make sense for some uses. But your trailer does not have a massive battery bank. As Matt sez, a better solution is a small portable inverter that can plug into a lighter socket. Harbor Freight sells an 80 watt model for $18 that will operate something like an electric shaver or other small device. It also has a USB slot so you can conveniently recharge your phone or tablet from your trailer battery.

[TG Twinkie]

A 1,500 watt inverter will take #4 wire at a minimum. Larger if the distance is over 6 feet.
Another requirement adequate ventilation.
It is best to locate the inverter as close as possible to the battey(s).

[truffies]

In 2017 Sport you have two USB sockets. I changed one to a 12v car socket. You can find on Amazon 12v sockets, meters, and Anderson sockets. The sockets are used in Ham Radio a lot. Then I purchased a 200 watt inverter ( Harbour Freight for $19.95), for use to power TV on other side of bed. Plus, I use a sleep breathing machine.

But researched, you can with the 6 gauge factory installed wire from batt to power distribution unit, a Samlex 600 watt Sine wave inverter can be attached. The power unit is made by WFCO - they make a transfer box ( T-30 ). It goes directly into power unit, three pairs of wires; 1st goes to 110 input side, 2nd goes to shore power line, 3rd goes with a power plug into 110 v output of inverter. The 12 volt going to power unit "Y" positive to both power unit input and a lead to a fuse unit of 150 to 200 amps than to inverter. Do the same on negative "Y" to both units.

So wished Air Stream would use 4 or 2 gauge wire so you could safely go to a 1000 watt inverter.

Good luck.

[TG Twinkie]

According to the "Inverter Store" you can operate a 1,000 watt inverter on #6 wire with a 100 amp fuse for protection.
They have a unit on sale right now. Check it out.

[TJGolden13]

Weak on Popular Mechanics stuff. If plugged into 30 or 50 shore power outlet would you ever need one or use one in a 16' Sport, assuming you will always be at some full service RV park? Sounds like complicated science/electricity and a chance to do damage if you don't know what you are doing?

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by TJGolden13

Weak on Popular Mechanics stuff. If plugged into 30 or 50 shore power outlet would you ever need one or use one in a 16' Sport, assuming you will always be at some full service RV park? Sounds like complicated science/electricity and a chance to do damage if you don't know what you are doing?

Hi

I suspect that in the 6+ months since this thread went dormant they have headed off in another direction.

To answer the question in the title of your post - an inverter turns 12V from the battery into 120V AC to power "stuff". A fully loaded 1,000W inverter will pull 90 to 110A depending on this and that. The single battery in some smaller AS trailers will go below the "stop using" point in < 30 minutes at this sort of discharge rate.

Bob

[TJGolden13]

thanks