Do I need an inverter?

[emilyweav]

I will be full timing on shore power most of the time. I was planning on getting new batteries and an inverter, but I was wondering if this is necessary (at least for the time being). If I decided to travel or sell I would most likely install one, and I plan to wire everything in such a way that adding one wouldn't be a difficult task. Is there any reason I would need one right away and if not what should I make sure to do to make hooking one up in the future as easy as possible?
Thanks in advance!

[azflycaster]

Inverter or Converter?

Inverter creates 120 volt AC power from your batteries and if you are on shore power, you do not need one. If you are without shore power you can use one to run a coffee maker or watch TV. You are limited in what you can do by the size of the inverter and you battery capacity.

Converter makes 12 volt DC power from shore power and you definitely need one and your trailer came with one that is not great. Upgrading your converter from the factory supplied one is a very good idea.

[Wconley]

You only need an inverter for those things that run on 110v ac. And then only when you’re not hooked to shore power. Those things are your TVs, DVDs, microwave, convection oven, HPs (heat and Airconditioning) and anything that plugs into an outlet. Of those, the microwave, convection oven, HPs require a lot of battery power through an inverter. If you can live without those items for the times you’re not hooked up to power, then you don’t need one. If you plan a lot of boondocking and want those items, then the answer is yes.

[Bill M.]

We have been camping 5-6 months a year for the last 11 years and do not have an inverter. I did carry a real small plug in inverter from Autozone to run my CPAP if i needed it. But now I have a 12-24 volt transformer for it and have ditched the inverter. More efficient. So no, I do not think you need an inverter right away. But your usage may vary. Battery life is not good for us having to run the CPAP every night so I really do not want to do anything with an inverter that I can do with propane, like heat water for coffee.

What you do need is a modern 4 stage converter like the Boondocker, Using the original converter from that trailer will toast the batteries.

[Mattirs]

Since you are going to be hooked up full time on shore power you will have 120V electricity available all the time.
Once you disconnect from shore power and want 120V electricity you will need one to invert the 12V coming from the batteries to 120V's.

As to how to hook it up, I'm not handy enough to know how, sorry.

[emilyweav]

Thank you everyone for your replies! Is there any reason I would need batteries right away if I have a converter? I'm just thinking they'll just be sitting and not getting used so if I don't need them I'll wait until I decide to travel.
Thanks again!

[xrvr]

I think your lp gas detector is hot wired to thebattery. I would get one battery and monitor it to keep the water level up. This might help the converter.. Depending on year of trailer.

[Bill M.]

I have run my trailer for a couple months without batteries. so it works. But, you get a more uniform 12 volt supply with a battery in the circuit. Might be easier on the appliances, And you have the 12 volt there for power outages. And for the brakes if you do tow the trailer, Not an absolute need, but I would put in the new style converter and at least 1 battery. About $150 for the converter and $80 for the battery. If you do not change to the new style converter then having a battery when hooked up all the time is a problem. It will boil dry. You will need to check the water every month.

[Mollysdad]

I owned my former RV for 10 years and never used the inverter.
I told the new buyer I didn't have an inverter, then he pointed it out to me.
I've never turned on the Airstream's inverter yet. Maybe I should to see if it works.
If it were up to me, I wouldn't have an awning or an inverter.

Originally Posted by emilyweav

Is there any reason I would need batteries right away if I have a converter?

Yes. There will be times you want to turn on lights when you're not plugged in.
If you're worried about dead batteries, take them home and buy a small float charger. They're not that hard to remove.

[smithcreek]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

If it were up to me, I wouldn't have an awning or an inverter.

Off topic, I love the concept of having an awning, but it seems 9 out of 10 times the shade it casts is near useless!

[rintintin]

Originally Posted by Wconley

You only need an inverter for those things that run on 110v ac. And then only when you’re not hooked to shore power. Those things are your TVs, DVDs, microwave, convection oven, HPs (heat and Airconditioning) and anything that plugs into an outlet. Of those, the microwave, convection oven, HPs require a lot of battery power through an inverter. If you can live without those items for the times you’re not hooked up to power, then you don’t need one. If you plan a lot of boondocking and want those items, then the answer is yes.

Also check on the power required to run those items on an inverter because they are mostly used for small items that don’t take much power such as a tv or recharging your iPad or phones .

[Al and Missy]

Originally Posted by emilyweav

Thank you everyone for your replies! Is there any reason I would need batteries right away if I have a converter? I'm just thinking they'll just be sitting and not getting used so if I don't need them I'll wait until I decide to travel.
Thanks again!

If the trailer in your signature is what you have, the converter in it may not be well enough regulated for more modern 12V equipment like computer chargers, televisions, etc. Older converters used the battery as a filter to clean up the power.

I think it would be a good idea to check the converter to see what type it is and, if it is original, replace it with a modern unit. I would also consider adding a battery so that in the event that shore power is temporarily lost you would have lights, refrigeration, and other things that work off of 12V and/or propane but need 12V for control.

Al

[Freebird73]

Just get a deep cycle marine battery from Walmart. It's my understanding that your breakaway switch will need the battery to activate the brakes in the event your trailer comes off the ball and gets unplugged from your tow vehicle.

[rmkrum]

Absolutely correct statement, Freebird73!!!

A battery to engage the electric brakes in case the trailer breaks away from the tow vehicle is required by law most places in the US.