Inverter outlets in new 22fb

[dpreston]

We just purchased a new Caravel 22fb and were surprised to learn that the inverters only power 2 outlets, at the tv and radio areas. The outlets at the bed and dinette are not hooked up to inverter even though the wiring diagram shows them as inverter outlets. This does not appear to be a problem with the 20fb.

I use a BIPAP machine and expected to be able to hook it up next to the bed.

Does anyone have experience with this issue or how to wire them as inverter outlets?

Dave

[vanderwielen]

Originally Posted by dpreston

We just purchased a new Caravel 22fb and were surprised to learn that the inverters only power 2 outlets, at the tv and radio areas. The outlets at the bed and dinette are not hooked up to inverter even though the wiring diagram shows them as inverter outlets. This does not appear to be a problem with the 20fb.

I use a BIPAP machine and expected to be able to hook it up next to the bed.

Does anyone have experience with this issue or how to wire them as inverter outlets?

Dave

Interesting that AS does show circuit 4 as being on the 2000w inverter. That's unfortunate. I would wire a dedicated receptacle from the output of the inverter to a location you need. You might have a bigger issue though, and that is the current draw with both your DC fridge and a CPAP machine running overnight. Did you get the Lithium upgrade?

[waninae39]

Get a victron mutiplus 3k systemto replace stock system.
Then rewire all outlets to the muliplus

We did that on our old sport 22bf and our current fc 25fb
It works very well

[BGClassic]

+1 for the Victron Multiplus, but in your case it's easier to add a cigarette lighter outlet and get a 12V converter to run your CPAP. I did that, installed the outlet near the bed. The inverter wastes a lot of battery.

[MrPickle]

Originally Posted by dpreston

We just purchased a new Caravel 22fb and were surprised to learn that the inverters only power 2 outlets, at the tv and radio areas. The outlets at the bed and dinette are not hooked up to inverter even though the wiring diagram shows them as inverter outlets. This does not appear to be a problem with the 20fb.

I use a BIPAP machine and expected to be able to hook it up next to the bed.

Does anyone have experience with this issue or how to wire them as inverter outlets?

Dave

Had the same problem with our 2024 27 foot Flying Cloud with twin beds. The inverter is under the bed. The dealer installed a new plug in the side of the bedside table and wired it directly to the inverter. When I use it nothing else comes s plugged into the other inverter plugs.

One thing bad about using the inverter for my bipap is over night it drains a lot of power from the Lithium batteries. I’m not sure what would happen with lead acid. I have a set of external batteries for my bipap and I’ve gone back to using them. During the day I can possibly charge the battery from the inverter. That way I don’t have the inverter on that long. I haven’t tried recharging the battery during the day yet. If that doesn’t work, there is always the inverter in our track when we drive around.

[dpreston]

This is a new 2025 with solar upgrade. Additionally I had the dealer add one more solar panel on the roof for a total of 300 watts.

The dealer has gotten back to me indicating the wiring diagram is correct meaning that the bed and dinette outlets should be inverter capable. They are now working with Airstream to work out the fix.

I will investigate converting the BIPAP to 12 volt.

Dave

[MrPickle]

Originally Posted by dpreston

This is a new 2025 with solar upgrade. Additionally I had the dealer add one more solar panel on the roof for a total of 300 watts.

The dealer has gotten back to me indicating the wiring diagram is correct meaning that the bed and dinette outlets should be inverter capable. They are now working with Airstream to work out the fix.

I will investigate converting the BIPAP to 12 volt.

Dave

Check the brick on your BIPAP for the voltage that it is supplying to the machine. I have a ResMed BIPAP and it runs on 24 volts.

Scott

[LNBright]

The Mrs complained that the inverter only powered a couple of outlets. I am going to remove the factory 1000w inverter, and install a Multiplus 3000, which will 'invert' the whole trailer. Except... I suppose with the factory inverter removed, those particular outlets that do receive inverter power, will no longer have power, unless, I figure out a way to redirect them from the factory inverter to the Multiplus. I was originally picturing that I'd use the second AC output, but then read that it is only active when on shore-power, not on the battery bank. So, the second AC output isn't going to be the correct place to tie in those outlets.

So, anyone done this before? Any guidance?

[vanderwielen]

Originally Posted by LNBright

The Mrs complained that the inverter only powered a couple of outlets. I am going to remove the factory 1000w inverter, and install a Multiplus 3000, which will 'invert' the whole trailer. Except... I suppose with the factory inverter removed, those particular outlets that do receive inverter power, will no longer have power, unless, I figure out a way to redirect them from the factory inverter to the Multiplus. I was originally picturing that I'd use the second AC output, but then read that it is only active when on shore-power, not on the battery bank. So, the second AC output isn't going to be the correct place to tie in those outlets.

So, anyone done this before? Any guidance?

its actually easier than you think. you have a 2015, so i might not be totally correct, however, when you remove the inverter, you wire it's AC input to it's AC output. Then, the MP simply intercepts shore power as its input and outputs it AC to the breaker panel. Thus, the entire trailer is powered with inverted AC power including your air conditioner. Do you have a 30 Amp single Air or a 50 Amp dual air?

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by LNBright

The Mrs complained that the inverter only powered a couple of outlets. I am going to remove the factory 1000w inverter, and install a Multiplus 3000, which will 'invert' the whole trailer. Except... I suppose with the factory inverter removed, those particular outlets that do receive inverter power, will no longer have power, unless, I figure out a way to redirect them from the factory inverter to the Multiplus. I was originally picturing that I'd use the second AC output, but then read that it is only active when on shore-power, not on the battery bank. So, the second AC output isn't going to be the correct place to tie in those outlets.

So, anyone done this before? Any guidance?

LNBright, vanderwielen is on the right path. I replaced the inverter on our 27’ GT with a MultiPlus II. On our trailer there was an AC receptacle in rat’s nest that the original inverter plugged into. When you’re connected to shore power, the inverter would pass AC to the inverter receptacles.

I understand some older trailers did not have this shore power bypass but if yours does, all you need to do is tie the inverter’s AC feed wire (from the receptacle) to the inverter’s AC output wire. When I did this, all the receptacles were powered.

Hope yours is the later bypass version!

[LNBright]

Originally Posted by vanderwielen

its actually easier than you think. you have a 2015, so i might not be totally correct, however, when you remove the inverter, you wire it's AC input to it's AC output. Then, the MP simply intercepts shore power as its input and outputs it AC to the breaker panel. Thus, the entire trailer is powered with inverted AC power including your air conditioner. Do you have a 30 Amp single Air or a 50 Amp dual air?

Yes! Our 2015 is a 20FB, it's a 30a single AC. That's reassuring to hear. I had almost contemplated leaving the stock inverter in place just for those outlets, but it had hit me, that if the rest of the trailer is going to run off the multiplus, that those outlets should be powerable from it too, without having to keep the stock inverter.

Thanks!

[LNBright]

Originally Posted by jeffmc306

LNBright, vanderwielen is on the right path. I replaced the inverter on our 27’ GT with a MultiPlus II. On our trailer there was an AC receptacle in rat’s nest that the original inverter plugged into. When you’re connected to shore power, the inverter would pass AC to the inverter receptacles.

I understand some older trailers did not have this shore power bypass but if yours does, all you need to do is tie the inverter’s AC feed wire (from the receptacle) to the inverter’s AC output wire. When I did this, all the receptacles were powered.

Hope yours is the later bypass version!

I have yet to pull out the stock inverter: I'll definitely get in there and see how those are currently wired, as I'm removing it, to put the new one in-place.

Thanks!

[vanderwielen]

Originally Posted by LNBright

Yes! Our 2015 is a 20FB, it's a 30a single AC. That's reassuring to hear. I had almost contemplated leaving the stock inverter in place just for those outlets, but it had hit me, that if the rest of the trailer is going to run off the multiplus, that those outlets should be powerable from it too, without having to keep the stock inverter.

Thanks!

i have converted a 20FB with a multiplus. https://youtu.be/k-aaT-WCsus?si=ZwJhAkSKRlQbXtap

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by LNBright

I have yet to pull out the stock inverter: I'll definitely get in there and see how those are currently wired, as I'm removing it, to put the new one in-place.

Thanks!

Unfortunately I think your trailer is to old for the pass-through inverter. I think that started in 2017-2019 and some of the earlier trailers with the pass-through inverter didn't have the outlet for the new type inverter to plugin to use the pass-through function.

[LNBright]

Originally Posted by Wazbro

Unfortunately I think your trailer is to old for the pass-through inverter. I think that started in 2017-2019 and some of the earlier trailers with the pass-through inverter didn't have the outlet for the new type inverter to plug in to.

So if not as simple as it could have been, but, it's still possible. I just need to be prepared to go either route. I just need to get back in there and look and see.

[LNBright]

No outlet down in there like the newer ones.

The existing inverter connections are:
A taped-up electrical plug;
The 10/3 wiring via a coupler;
A heavy red cable to the fuse, then down the hole;
A heavy black cable, down the hole;
A copper ground in a shroud, down the hole;
And the remote control ’phone line’.

So: worst case scenario, I could wire the 10/3 to the secondary AC output on the Multiplus: it would let those outlets work when on shore power, but not off-grid.

But ideally, I’d like them to function as normal outlets, like all the others will behave once the Multiplus is in there.

What would be the best approach to tackling this?

[MDVan]

Originally Posted by dpreston

We just purchased a new Caravel 22fb and were surprised to learn that the inverters only power 2 outlets, at the tv and radio areas. The outlets at the bed and dinette are not hooked up to inverter even though the wiring diagram shows them as inverter outlets. This does not appear to be a problem with the 20fb.

I use a BIPAP machine and expected to be able to hook it up next to the bed.

Does anyone have experience with this issue or how to wire them as inverter outlets?

Dave

Dave - Maybe not the answer you want but I can offer the solution we use. We have a 2021 Caravel 22'. The battery is original so we are gentle with it. The inverter drains it quickly and we purchased a small Jackery unit to power the 2 CPAPs when boondocking. It is good for 1 night but is charged in the truck when on the move.

[dpreston]

What size Jackery unit handles both of them? I am concerned about Airstream battery draw down once the outlet becomes inverted.

Dave

[dpreston]

It took the dealer and Airstream a week and a half to discover a simple and obvious wiring mistake at the inverter. I would have traced it myself but it was a warranty issue. Everything appears to be working normally now except my respect for Airstream and the dealer service groups.

I left a Winnebago View after 5 years due to a constant stream of repairs to all the myriad systems. This was not the ideal way to start my Airstream experience.

[BGClassic]

Originally Posted by LNBright

No outlet down in there like the newer ones.

The existing inverter connections are:
A taped-up electrical plug;
The 10/3 wiring via a coupler;
A heavy red cable to the fuse, then down the hole;
A heavy black cable, down the hole;
A copper ground in a shroud, down the hole;
And the remote control ’phone line’.

So: worst case scenario, I could wire the 10/3 to the secondary AC output on the Multiplus: it would let those outlets work when on shore power, but not off-grid.

But ideally, I’d like them to function as normal outlets, like all the others will behave once the Multiplus is in there.

What would be the best approach to tackling this?

Do you know the model number of that WFCO inverter? Do you have your Airstream electrical schematics in .pdf? I'd start there, and plan out the Multiplus install on paper. It's easy to get overwhelmed at the beginning.

I would trace those cables and over hand, and document them on paper.