Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Tech Forums > Modifications and Updates
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 04-28-2018, 07:23 PM   #1
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
A Question About Adding an Inverter...

Hi Guys!
So the Missus and I were in Walmart this morning, and I was kicking around in the automotive section...
Low and behold...
They have some stuff in there for RVs!
I actually saw an inverter (1KW) on the shelf...
My question:
Since I've got two house batteries: would 1000 watts be sufficient, or should I look for something a bit larger for our Class C Outlaw?

Thanks!

__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2018, 08:04 PM   #2
Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
Hi Guys!
So the Missus and I were in Walmart this morning, and I was kicking around in the automotive section...
Low and behold...
They have some stuff in there for RVs!
I actually saw an inverter (1KW) on the shelf...
My question:
Since I've got two house batteries: would 1000 watts be sufficient, or should I look for something a bit larger for our Class C Outlaw?

Thanks!
You don't size the inverter for the RV you size the inverter for what you want to run off of it.

First go through the appliances you have that you'd likely want to run off of the inverter and add up their watts. You won't find an inverter large enough to run the A/C so leave that out (and the microwave for that matter).

Once you have your total watt # look for an inverter of that size or a bit larger. You can also use the watts value to figure out the current draw from the battery (watts=volts*amps, thus 600watts of power draw would be 50 amps draw at 12V...keep in mind the inverter isn't 100% efficient so it will draw a bit more current than that).

You can then use the current value to figure out how long your existing batteries will last with that power draw.
__________________
2022 Thor Axis 24.4
2021 Mach-E
blog - https://spareelectrons.wordpress.com/
JamieGeek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2018, 08:12 PM   #3
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
Thanks!
At least I now know how to figure this out...




...with Math!
__________________
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2018, 08:27 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
jpmihalk's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 35C
State: South Dakota
Posts: 1,132
THOR #3761
Jamie is spot on, it is about what you want to run on the inverter. For some, it is the entertainment systems. For others, it could be the fridge (and maybe also the entertainment systems.) I would think a 1KW inverter would work fine for entertainment or to power a residential fridge (probably not both though.) We have an 1800W inverter that handles the residential fridge and the entertainment systems.

FYI, not all inverters are the same. There are pure sine wave (PSW) vs. modified sine wave (MSW) inverters and the PSW inverters are more expensive but better handle electronics as they mimic the AC power from a generator or shore power. MSW inverters are cheaper as they use a square wave and can mess up sensitive electronics.
__________________
John
2016 Thor Hurricane 35C with pups Piper and Annabelle
2013 Ford Fiesta toad
FMCA - F457085
Blog - https://traversity.us
jpmihalk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2018, 08:34 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 273
THOR #10354
what Watt

Just for your info. I put in a 1200W sine wave inverter from AIMS that includes a transfer switch (which you will need) for around $169.

The TVs will take around 60 Watts each and they may be happier with a pure sinewave but probably fine with the approximate sine ones (referred to as "modified sinewave) because of the TV's internal switching power supply will act accordingly. The modified sinewave will be a little harder on the TV's internal capacitors but they have a 10-15 year life.

The microwave in my unit (Veagas 25.2) takes right around 800 Watts and the covection oven takes just over 1000 Watts.

I think 1200-1800 Watts is about the ideal range but you still have to be careful about all of the loads you would be running at the same time.

Amazon has the Aims 1200 W true sinewave and it is a very good deal. You should also buy the remote switch running the wiring through cabinets to a convenient wall control location.

If the inverter malfunctions, like many of the issues post here about losing power, you will also lose the generator/shorepower for these appliances because the transfer switch needs to be operating (12V DC input) for the transfer switch to connect the external AC power in when the inverter is turned off. (so it's not really completely off).
__________________
Thehobe1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2018, 08:35 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 273
THOR #10354
Refrigerator power

My refrigerator consumes around 300 Watts to heat it's internal "boiler" when the gas is not active.
__________________
Thehobe1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2018, 08:57 PM   #7
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
1200 to 1800 pure sine wave... Got it!
__________________
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 01:47 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds
State: Ontario
Posts: 265
THOR #9081
I run a 800 Watt Pure Sine wave inverter connected to the general circuit of my RV. During the day with solar I switch the Fridge to electric and run it off the inverter. In the morning I make two cups of coffee from a 1000 watts Kerig (knock off) coffee maker. The output of the general circuit from the RV breaker panel, and the inverter go into a 15W automatic transfer switch where the output of the transfer switch goes to the general circuit plugs of the RV. On the general circuit are the TVs, DVD, laptop, tablet and cell phone chargers. I use Victron Energy components, and a Xantrex automatic transfer switch. All the lights in the RV are LED and I have 300 AH of battery capacity. I may run the generator before supper to either use the microwave/convection, instapot, air fryer. The 800 Watt inverter is sufficient for me.
__________________
_____________________
2018 Four Winds 31Y
Peterrrr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 01:50 PM   #9
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
My Missus likes power... The more: the merrier!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 02:55 PM   #10
Site Team
 
16ACE27's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,121
THOR #7035
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpmihalk View Post
Jamie is spot on, it is about what you want to run on the inverter. For some, it is the entertainment systems. For others, it could be the fridge (and maybe also the entertainment systems.) I would think a 1KW inverter would work fine for entertainment or to power a residential fridge (probably not both though.) We have an 1800W inverter that handles the residential fridge and the entertainment systems.

FYI, not all inverters are the same. There are pure sine wave (PSW) vs. modified sine wave (MSW) inverters and the PSW inverters are more expensive but better handle electronics as they mimic the AC power from a generator or shore power. MSW inverters are cheaper as they use a square wave and can mess up sensitive electronics.
Actually, it's motors that don't like the MSW inverters. Most electronics just take the AC and rectify it to DC anyway so the MSW makes no difference UNLESS it is cheap electronics with little or no filtering of the rectified DC output. With poor or no filters the high frequency harmonics get through and mess with the DC circuitry.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
16ACE27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 04:04 PM   #11
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
Pure Sine wave technology: got it!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 05:28 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek View Post

.....cut....

First go through the appliances you have that you'd likely want to run off of the inverter and add up their watts. You won't find an inverter large enough to run the A/C so leave that out (and the microwave for that matter).

.....cut......

Not likely at Walmart, but there are plenty of inverter choices that can power an A/C and or microwave. Personally, I wouldn’t go to trouble of adding a permanent inverter unless it could power microwave or coffee maker — one at a time. That would likely put inverter in minimum range of 1,500- to 2,000-watts.
__________________
Chance is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 05:31 PM   #13
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
I'm not too worried about having to run the AC units... it's the microwave and at least the one BIG TV that are my main concerns.
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 05:45 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thehobe1 View Post

.....cut....

The microwave in my unit (Veagas 25.2) takes right around 800 Watts and the covection oven takes just over 1000 Watts.

.....cut.....
This has been covered before, but as a general reminder, microwave power ratings are usually the cooking power rating. The amount of electrical power they require is roughly 50% more than that.

As an example, a typical 1,000 watt microwave requires around 1,500 watts of electric power. I have a tiny van-size 700-watt microwave and it pulls just over 1,000 watts of electricity.
__________________
Chance is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 07:56 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
jpmihalk's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 35C
State: South Dakota
Posts: 1,132
THOR #3761
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tfryman View Post
Actually, it's motors that don't like the MSW inverters. Most electronics just take the AC and rectify it to DC anyway so the MSW makes no difference UNLESS it is cheap electronics with little or no filtering of the rectified DC output. With poor or no filters the high frequency harmonics get through and mess with the DC circuitry.
Seiki TVs... 'nuff said.
__________________
John
2016 Thor Hurricane 35C with pups Piper and Annabelle
2013 Ford Fiesta toad
FMCA - F457085
Blog - https://traversity.us
jpmihalk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 08:35 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
upnyfolks's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 29M
State: New York
Posts: 150
THOR #5875
Our Hurricane came with a 1000 watt pure sign inverter, the TV's, DVD player and associated outlets and outside mini fridge are the only thing that are powered through the inverter.
When the outside fridge is left plugged in and the living room TV is on with a Playstation plugged in and operating, any time the fridge compressor kicks on the inverter will throw an AC overload code and shut down.
Long story short, more power and more inverter is the way to go.
__________________
upnyfolks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2018, 11:52 PM   #17
Member
 
Bama57's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Alabama
Posts: 53
THOR #8896
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
Hi Guys!
So the Missus and I were in Walmart this morning, and I was kicking around in the automotive section...
Low and behold...
They have some stuff in there for RVs!
I actually saw an inverter (1KW) on the shelf...
My question:
Since I've got two house batteries: would 1000 watts be sufficient, or should I look for something a bit larger for our Class C Outlaw?

Thanks!
Bob..
My 29h came with a 1000w inverter..powers the TV's...sure yours doesn't have one?
__________________
Bama57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2018, 06:45 PM   #18
sip
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 96
THOR #5882
I wired my inverter only to the inside receptacles circuit (#3 on the 24.1 I think). That basically powers the TVs and the few non-GFCI outlets in the rv that we use for things like cell/laptpo chargers, game console, and occasionally charging hand held vaccum, flashlight etc.

It's nice to have an auto transfer switch so the inverter can power the circuit automatically when you turn it on. The one I got had a transfer switch built in but you can buy them separately as well.

The important thing is keep the power lines to the battery as short as possible and use the proper gauge for the length you run.
__________________
sip is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2018, 06:51 PM   #19
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bama57 View Post
Bob..
My 29h came with a 1000w inverter..powers the TV's...sure yours doesn't have one?
checking the specs right now...
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-11-2018, 07:05 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
The Gritz Carlton's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
I'm with Chance...1800 minimum. More is always better. you'll start testing it and you'll be pleased with reserve.
__________________
Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
The Gritz Carlton is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 08:21 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2