Southwest New 2018 models out on AS site

[Troutboy]

2018 models are out and described. Can't believe it but AS is using pass through. On inverter and upgraded to a multi-stage charger.....

And added a battery disconnect.

[NWbarber]

Okay, so they are saying "improved battery disconnect feature, multi stage converter, combined inverter outets, and dedicated HDMI plugs".

So can anyone elaborate on what this means? Also, in your opinions, would any of the new upgrades make it worth purchasing a 2018, or should I try and score one of the remaining 2017's at model year end discount pricing?

[Troutboy]

For me. I replaced all the electronics anyway with what I wanted. So I would go for 2017 cheaper and rip out the stock electronics.

[wulfraat]

Yup my 2017 will get a Victron Hybrid inverter, Lithium, 600+ watts of solar, proper battery disconnects, system monitoring, etc... the 2018's have another price increase which wasn't worth it given that I am going to re-configure the energy system anyway...

Check out the improvements on the classic... looks like they made a lot of changes with the AC / heating system control unit. Makes me think that the first attempt in this area was problematic....

[overlander63]

Look closely for the water filter...

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by Troutboy

2018 models are out and described. Can't believe it but AS is using pass through. On inverter and upgraded to a multi-stage charger.....

And added a battery disconnect.

Please excuse my ignorance but what is "pass through"?

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

Yup my 2017 will get a Victron Hybrid inverter, Lithium, 600+ watts of solar, proper battery disconnects, system monitoring, etc... the 2018's have another price increase which wasn't worth it given that I am going to re-configure the energy system anyway...

Check out the improvements on the classic... looks like they made a lot of changes with the AC / heating system control unit. Makes me think that the first attempt in this area was problematic....

Hi

On the 2017 Classic, you have multiple control gizmos. You have the control panel that does almost anything from many places. You then have the Aldi panel that does the hot water heat. Next up you have the thermostat that runs the AC/ Heat pumps. I'm not really sure if moving all that into one big color panel is a step forward to less confusion or a move to ever deeper menus to navigate. I'd bet it *does* let you adjust things like the AC from more locations. Until somebody crawls around one with a camera and does some poking, it's all a bit unclear.

Bob

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Hans627

Please excuse my ignorance but what is "pass through"?

Hi

I believe it's a reference to a transfer switch. It was previously available on part of the lineup, but not on all models. It switches the "inverter" outlets to shore power. No more moving things between outlets.

Bob

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

I believe it's a reference to a transfer switch. It was previously available on part of the lineup, but not on all models. It switches the "inverter" outlets to shore power. No more moving things between outlets.

Bob

OK, got it and thanks!

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by Hans627

Please excuse my ignorance but what is "pass through"?

A pass through inverter powers one or more 120v circuits in the trailer. The front side of the inverter is connected to the breaker panel which provides power to whatever is on the circuit (TV, DVD, etc..). The backside of the inverter is connected to 120v shore power and 12v battery power on 2 separate lines obviously.

When 120v shore power is present the inverter "passes through" that 120v supply to the breaker panel. When 120v is not present then the inverter automatically switches to battery supply, inverts 12v to 120v and supplies the same breaker panel.

This allows you to have a single outlet that is powered by shore power when available, otherwise will automatically fail over to inverted battery power.

No need to plug the TV/DVD into a different outlet for inverter-supplied 120v power.

PS - a transfer switch has a similar outcome, however is wired differently and requires separate hardware from the inverter.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

A pass through inverter powers one or more 120v circuits in the trailer. The front side of the inverter is connected to the breaker panel which provides power to whatever is on the circuit (TV, DVD, etc..). The backside of the inverter is connected to 120v shore power and 12v battery power on 2 separate lines obviously.

When 120v shore power is present the inverter "passes through" that 120v supply to the breaker panel. When 120v is not present then the inverter automatically switches to battery supply, inverts 12v to 120v and supplies the same breaker panel.

This allows you to have a single outlet that is powered by shore power when available, otherwise will automatically fail over to inverted battery power.

No need to plug the TV/DVD into a different outlet for inverter-supplied 120v power.

PS - a transfer switch has a similar outcome, however is wired differently and requires separate hardware from the inverter.

Totally understand now! Thanks for taking the time to explain it in more detail!

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

A pass through inverter powers one or more 120v circuits in the trailer. The front side of the inverter is connected to the breaker panel which provides power to whatever is on the circuit (TV, DVD, etc..). The backside of the inverter is connected to 120v shore power and 12v battery power on 2 separate lines obviously.

When 120v shore power is present the inverter "passes through" that 120v supply to the breaker panel. When 120v is not present then the inverter automatically switches to battery supply, inverts 12v to 120v and supplies the same breaker panel.

This allows you to have a single outlet that is powered by shore power when available, otherwise will automatically fail over to inverted battery power.

No need to plug the TV/DVD into a different outlet for inverter-supplied 120v power.

PS - a transfer switch has a similar outcome, however is wired differently and requires separate hardware from the inverter.

Hi

So an inverter that is advertised as "integrated transfer switch" is different than and inverter that is advertised as "pass thru feature" ?

Bob

[wulfraat]

I'm not sure if they are the same. That is a question for Lewster.

Generally speaking a transfer switch has a time delay before switching sources.

My GoPower transfer switch takes about 5 seconds to activate / switch sources.

A true "hybrid" inverter which also happens to have pass thru capability is instantaneous switch over (milliseconds).

I'm not sure if there are "pass thru" inverters that are not hybrid (ability to supplement shore power with battery power)

[wulfraat]

I'm not sure if they are the same. That is a question for Lewster.

Generally speaking a transfer switch has a time delay before switching sources.

My GoPower transfer switch takes about 5 seconds to activate / switch sources when 120volts shore power goes dark.

A true "hybrid" inverter (ability to supplement shore power 120volt current with inverted battery current) with pass thru capability is instantaneous switch over (milliseconds).

I'm not sure if there are pass thru inverters that are not hybrid but yet provide uninterrupted cut over.