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Old 07-18-2018, 08:35 PM   #1
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Two House Batteries - No Inverter...Why?

I bought my MH second hand. Why would someone order/build a coach with 2 house batteries and no inverter? It doesn't take that much to run 12V lights, even if you run them all night (and who runs them all - all night long?).

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Old 07-18-2018, 08:40 PM   #2
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To run furnace fan overnight when off the grid?
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Old 07-18-2018, 08:47 PM   #3
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or to run the ceiling fans, lights, and water pump for several days
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Old 07-18-2018, 08:52 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by blw2 View Post
or to run the ceiling fans, lights, and water pump for several days
But if I'm off grid, I want more than lights and water..and I better not be anywhere I need heat.
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Old 07-18-2018, 09:15 PM   #5
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Obviously you can run generator to recharge a single battery, but a single battery didn’t do well for me on cold night without hookups. A second (or higher capacity) battery would have been nice to keep from having to run generator in middle of night. There are many reasons I suppose, but that’s one that comes to mind as being a pain if not equipped to handle.
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Old 07-19-2018, 02:25 AM   #6
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Generally (always exceptions but..) unless the RV comes with a residential fridge - or outdoor kitchen with an electric only fridge - it doesn't come stock with an inverter...
Most systems can run from 12v and/or propane.
In my rig, only the TV's, Microwave, and AC (and of course the 110 outlets) can't...

RV Fridge, Water Heater, Furnace, all interior lights, radio, vent fans all run on 12v and/or propane.

Added a 12v TV, 12v fans, 12v USB chargers, and laptop adapter from 12v - and I can't remember the last time I used the small plug in inverter I carry.

Depending on what you want to run and for how long - you might be surprised at the battery size needed to support... Remember you will draw about 10x the amps to power a 110 device from 12v..

Watts = Volts * Amps... If volts are 1/10 - amps is 10x..
(and of course nothing is 100% efficient - so losses converting from DC to AC...)

The two batteries come in handy for multiple day trips (with limited genny running) - or as mentioned previously running the furnace - which back in December in Arkansas sucked down those 2 batteries quicker than I expected...
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Old 07-19-2018, 02:35 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by RvEd View Post
I bought my MH second hand. Why would someone order/build a coach with 2 house batteries and no inverter? It doesn't take that much to run 12V lights, even if you run them all night (and who runs them all - all night long?).

Signed,
Stumped
Only coaches with outside kitchens or residential frigs get an inverter from Thor. Second house battery is an option.
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Old 07-19-2018, 02:56 AM   #8
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Things that run off the 12 VDC batteries while boondocking:
Lights
Radio
Water Pump
Status panel
Furnace Fan
Control Power for:
Furnace
Refrigerator
Water Heater

All those things add up.
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Old 07-19-2018, 11:57 AM   #9
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Question: How much does a decent inverter cost?

It's probably a good thing to add to your rig!
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Old 07-19-2018, 12:08 PM   #10
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Question: How much does a decent inverter cost?

It's probably a good thing to add to your rig!
I paid $160 for my 1000W/2000W continuous/starting PSW inverter and wired it through a manual DPDT switch to my outlet circuit (Non-GFCI).

I did not know at the time you could get them with integrated Automatic Transfer Switches.
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Old 07-19-2018, 12:10 PM   #11
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Shoot: that's barely the cost of a tank of fuel!
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Old 07-19-2018, 12:14 PM   #12
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Question: How much does a decent inverter cost?

It's probably a good thing to add to your rig!
Wide range - but ballpark $1 per 10 Watts...
A search for pure sine wave inverters:
https://www.amazon.com/s/?url=search...rter+pure+sine


Cost of the inverter isn't bad... but for serious use - add the cost of more/bigger batteries...
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Old 07-19-2018, 12:23 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by Tfryman View Post
I paid $160 for my 1000W/2000W continuous/starting PSW inverter and wired it through a manual DPDT switch to my outlet circuit (Non-GFCI).

I did not know at the time you could get them with integrated Automatic Transfer Switches.
No longer a $1/watt. Lately it seems like $.50.


Looks like it might have been this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Inverte...rter+pure+sine
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Old 07-19-2018, 12:29 PM   #14
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No longer a $1/watt. Lately it seems like $.50.


Looks like it might have been this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Inverte...rter+pure+sine
Same Inverter - Different name
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Old 07-19-2018, 12:37 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by RvEd View Post
No longer a $1/watt. Lately it seems like $.50.


Looks like it might have been this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Inverte...rter+pure+sine

As I said - wide range - but the one you linked was $1.60 per 10 watts...
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