What outlets are available when using battery power?

[jagzoo]

We have a 2009 25FB International Airstream trailer. I know our dealer told us this, but we can't remember and can't find it written anywhere. Is there an outlet that supplies 110 power when on battery? I know that the TV works on battery. We will be traveling out West where we will mostly be staying in National Parks and other Federal lands without electricity. If there isn't such an outlet then we need to know to bring an inverter for our computer.

Thanks

[mello mike]

Only if you have an inverter.

[jagzoo]

Hi Mello Mike,

We do. It was part of the original equipment.

[jagzoo]

If it makes any difference, it is a 600w inverter.

[moosetags]

To have a 110 volt outlet operational while not on shore power, it would have to be one powered by an inverter unit installed in the trailer. If there is such an outlet, it should be clearly marked as such. Depending on the wattage of the inverter unit, this could run down your batteries pretty quickly. Some televisions can run on 12 volt with their own built-in inverter.

Brian

[moosetags]

The 600 watt inverter will put our 5 amps.

Brian

[mello mike]

Originally Posted by jagzoo

Hi Mello Mike,

We do. It was part of the original equipment.

Okay, if you had an inverter installed when you bought the coach then it could be wired in one of two ways:

1. Providing power to a single 110v outlet.
2. Providing power to all 110v outlets.

My Freedom 10 1000w Inverter provides power to all my 110v outlets.

[moosetags]

jagzoo,

You posted this thread twice. I have deleted the other one.

Brian

[jagzoo]

Thanks everyone,

Obviously, the smart thing to do it to just disconnect shore power and test!! Guess I could have thought of that before. I'll let you know how Airstream wired it.

[jkcru]

Only the TV outlet is powered

[TBRich]

We have a 2006 19 Safari SE. My guess is that your factory inverter will provide to some but not all outlets, but I don't know that for sure. We have a factory 600w inverter alss...and there are separate receptacles for use when running on the inverter. In our unit we have two inverter outlets...one under the dinette table and one near the TV and cable/satellite incoming lines. Where they are located in your model will most likely be completely different.

[jagzoo]

Thanks,

That sounds like what I thought the salesperson said. I'll check tomorrow.

[CanoeStream]

Awesome tow vehicle in your avatar pic, jagzoo.

We have a 100 watt inverter that plugs into a cigarette lighter on my truck (try Amazon or Radio Shack). It's the size of half a brick and fairly lightweight. I use it to recharge my computer or camera. I recharge when we're underway or running into town or wherever.

I baby the batteries on my Safari. I have a couple LED lanterns for after dark inside. I'll need everything the batteries have to run the furnace fan if it's getting cold at night. Try to develop an understanding about what it takes to avoid discharging lead-acid batteries much lower than 45% (eg, see this chart). I got 4.5 years off the first pair and am finally replacing them this spring. I can do some email and AIR Forums at night -- but no DVD or hulu action. That's what campfires are for.

[jagzoo]

THanks CanoeStream,

Boy, don't we wish we could use "GOTSMRT" as a tow vehicle! I even wish we could load her onto our truck bed and take her with us.

Your suggestion to use the inverter off the truck battery to save the trailer batteries when we are dry camping for any length of time is a good idea. I do have a 100 watt inverter like that.

Thanks for the suggestion. Also, thanks for the chart.

[3 Dog Nite]

Please note that using an inverter on batteries will cut their charge down quickly. I have 2 group 27 marine batteries in my MH. Using a 175 watt inverter for tv gives us about 7 hrs of usable 110 AC power. Even less if using lights, fridge, & other 12 volt items. If thinking about doing this for a whole weekend, find a way to charge them back up.

Ricky

[Relentless]

Our inverter outlets are under the dinette in the back wall and next to the tv.
They are marked at inverter outlets. If you intend to do a lot of dry camping and, at the same time, use some AC stuff you might consider getting a generator like a Honda 2000. It will run you about $800 to $900.

John

[jagzoo]

Thanks,

We do also have a Honda 2000 generator that we intend to "top off" the batteries with. So I guess we are set. I did go and test - the outlets under the dinette and by the TV are the active ones.

Thanks to everyone for your help. This is a great site!

Jagzoo

[ostream]

Instead of adding another inverter to your bag of tricks, you might consider a DC/car power supply for your laptop. iGo (www.igo.com), Tumi (TUMI > Ultra Slim Universal Power Adaptor Kit > Electronics), etc. offer these. Much more efficient than going from DC-AC-AC-DC.

Alternatively, you can plug you laptop AC power supply into the same outlet as your TV and use your existing inverter.

In either case, be sure to turn off your inverter when not in use to conserve your coach batteries!

[Phoenix]

Question for those using the Honda 2000: Do you use it to charge the 12v batteries or connect it to the shore power connector? (It seems like it would be more efficient to charge the 12v batteries directly when boondocking, but I don't know.)

Also, it seems like some of you have both solar panels and generators, which sounds like the ideal setup. For those of us on limited funds, which is more practical, efficient or reliable?

Since our 19-foot Bambi has limited space for solar panels, we are looking closer at a generator. Also, there seems to be some controversy on whether the Honda 2000 will power the air conditioner. Any comments or experiences to share? Since our air conditioner will almost run on the 15 amp circuit on our patio (will run for a few minutes, then blows the circuit breaker on the house), I wonder if the Honda 2000 will work (with nothing else on in the trailer).

[6PackCharlie]

You will need 2 Honda 2000 watt generator hooked together to run your airstream Air Conditioner. If you plug your airstream into 110 and try to run the AC, my understanding is that you can ruin your airstream's Air Conditioner.