Thor freedom elite 30fe

[Thorfreedom]

Hello. We just purchased our first ever rv. It’s 2017 Thor freedom elite 30 fe. We went on our first trip and we loved it. I did lot of research and found there is no inverter and confirmed by calling Thor. So kids cannot watch movies or play games as all outlets are dead. And comes on only with generator. So if I want to add invertor directly from house battery, will it put more work on alternator. I will be running only tv and ps4 and may be charging smart devices. I currently have one 12v house battery. Also can I fit 2 golf cart batteries in same place under steps. Or can I add another battery just for inverter. I will appreciate if some one can help.

[JamieGeek]

Congratulations and welcome.

Are you talking usage boondocking (e.g. camping without any hookups) or while running down the road? For running down the road what is the problem with running the generator (its not like you notice it running while driving)?

[Elite Washington]

I just use the generator while driving, it needs to be used anyways so it’s a great to keep it running the way that it should. Welcome and congratulations

[be happy]

Running the generator is a whole lot easier than adding an invertor. You are talking some major electric work.

[Macaroon]

I have added an inverter to my MH's so that my Home Phone Connect, computers, and cell phones can stay on or be charged 24/7.
I run a short extension cord from the inverter to the items needing electric.
The motor's alternator is not overly taxed while charging the batteries. When dry camping the two 12V batteries last 2-3 days, most of the drain on the batteries is from the forced air heat, not the electronics.
I mounted the inverter as close to the batteries as possible so the connectors would not lose power with a long wire run.
I would suggest a "Pure Sine Wave" inverter so that the electronics work the best possible.

[Bob Denman]

They've got your electrical question well sorted-out; so I'll just add
"Welcome to the Forum!"

[Thorfreedom]

I tried with generator on. Tv works only when chassis engine is off even if generator is running. Tvs in bunk have power with engine and generator on. But not tv over cab.

[Elite Washington]

Originally Posted by Thorfreedom

I tried with generator on. Tv works only when chassis engine is off even if generator is running. Tvs in bunk have power with engine and generator on. But not tv over cab.

You have to plug them into a different outlet as the ones that they come plugged into have a kill switch that turns them off for safety when the engine is on. There is a way to cut the wire or you can run an extension cord which is what I did.

[Thorfreedom]

Originally Posted by Elite Washington

You have to plug them into a different outlet as the ones that they come plugged into have a kill switch that turns them off for safety when the engine is on. There is a way to cut the wire or you can run an extension cord which is what I did.

Thanks elite. I will try that or install an inverter might be second choice.

[Elite Washington]

Okay so I got some pictures of how ours is set up this year. Tried it a couple of different ways. Trying to figure what works the best before making it permanent.

[Squerly]

Originally Posted by Thorfreedom

I did lot of research and found there is no inverter and confirmed by calling Thor. So kids cannot watch movies or play games as all outlets are dead.

Hi ThorFreedom, and welcome to the forum.

I added a 1,200 watt inverter (with automatic transfer switch) to my coach last week. It took a little thought but I didn't find it particularly difficult to do. That being said, the 110 AC breaker panel and the 12-volt DC fuse box are both centrally located under the bed, which gave me easy access to 12-volt power for the inverter and made it simple to connect the AC input/outputs for the inverter.

The different systems on my coach are handled by different legs on the AC panel, so it was easy for me to isolate the areas in the coach that I wanted to be fed by the inverter. I then connected the inverter power it to the side of the breaker box that handles all the desired areas, which in my case was the outlets, TV’s, etc.

The inverter I used has a built in automatic transfer switch, so it senses when shore power (or generator) is disconnected, and automatically switches to the inverter. Great for when you are boondocking and don't want to listen to a generator, or when you are traveling and the kids want access to their video games.

The inverter was $200.00 and I already had all the miscellaneous wires I needed for the job. In my opinion, it was money well spent.

Good luck!

[Thorfreedom]

Originally Posted by Elite Washington

Okay so I got some pictures of how ours is set up this year. Tried it a couple of different ways. Trying to figure what works the best before making it permanent.

Thankyou elite. I appreciate the pics you sent. I will do the same way till I get inverter installed.

[jgtyler]

My 2019 30fe had a switch on the swing arm for the overhead tv, I removed it and my tv works with the generator and engine running.

[Elite Washington]

Originally Posted by jgtyler

My 2019 30fe had a switch on the swing arm for the overhead tv, I removed it and my tv works with the generator and engine running.

Do you have any pictures of the switch I can’t find anything wonder if it’s a change from 2017

[jgtyler]

Here's some pictures of the bracket with the push-button kill switch, I've replaced the factory tv bracket with a longer swing-out one. With the old bracket the tv pushed against the newly installed memory foam mattress topper.

[Elite Washington]

Originally Posted by jgtyler

Here's some pictures of the bracket with the push-button kill switch, I've replaced the factory tv bracket with a longer swing-out one. With the old bracket the tv pushed against the newly installed memory foam mattress topper.

Thank you for the pictures, the 2017’s don’t have that switch, that would had made it easier.

[peterrondeau]

Replying to the tv outlet kill switch on the 2017, does anybody know where I can find this to disable it?

[raffaelli]

Originally Posted by Squerly

Hi ThorFreedom, and welcome to the forum.

I added a 1,200 watt inverter (with automatic transfer switch) to my coach last week. It took a little thought but I didn't find it particularly difficult to do. That being said, the 110 AC breaker panel and the 12-volt DC fuse box are both centrally located under the bed, which gave me easy access to 12-volt power for the inverter and made it simple to connect the AC input/outputs for the inverter.

The different systems on my coach are handled by different legs on the AC panel, so it was easy for me to isolate the areas in the coach that I wanted to be fed by the inverter. I then connected the inverter power it to the side of the breaker box that handles all the desired areas, which in my case was the outlets, TV’s, etc.

The inverter I used has a built in automatic transfer switch, so it senses when shore power (or generator) is disconnected, and automatically switches to the inverter. Great for when you are boondocking and don't want to listen to a generator, or when you are traveling and the kids want access to their video games.

The inverter was $200.00 and I already had all the miscellaneous wires I needed for the job. In my opinion, it was money well spent.

Good luck!

Thank you for this post. I am going to add the inverter to my 2019 30FE. Do you happen to have some photos of what you did or a wiring diagram?

[Cpd]

I know I've seen it in a forum previously but to find it???...
Can anyone advise where to find full documentation etc on rv along with electrical diagrams etc?
Thanks as always!