Thor Forums

[AlwaysDreaming]

I just bought a Thor Chateau 22FT RV. It does not have an inverter (DC to AC power). Therefore, I don’t have AC Power while cruising unless I fire up the generator. I would like to watch TV, use Medical Equipment, power computers etc., make a (K-Cup) Coffee while cruising, all low power AC requirements, without using the noisy Onan on-board gas AC generator. Also, when shore power is not available, I need very low AC power capability overnight for a CPAP (medical equipment) and I don’t want to use the gas generator.

2 House batteries (1 comes standard) with an inverter solves these problems. Quiet AC Power. 1 12V House Battery and a 1000W Pine sine wave Inverter will cost me $400 to $500.

Here is a DIY installation I am looking for comments and opinions on.
Permanently mount the Inverter and connect DC to the House Battery Bank (which is attached to the engine alternator (70 AMP DC)). Back feed (plug the converter output into a AC outlet) the AC to one of the AC Outlets using a modified AC cord called a suicide cord because it has a male plug on both ends. Before connecting, switch OFF the Main AC Breaker, switch OFF the Converter Breaker, switch OFF the Air Conditioner Breaker, switch OFF the Microwave Breaker. This gives me low power AC throughout the coach.

Does anybody see an electrical problem with this, other than it is not idiot proof? That is, you have to remember to switch OFF the respective AC Breakers. I would rather not blow up the coach to find out I overlooked something obvious.

This will give me about 10 amps of AC power without the on-board AC generator (the on-board generator pumps out 30 amps). While cruising, the Ford Triton V10 Alternator pumps out 70 amps DC so I have enough DC power to convert to AC power. When “Dry Camping” I can run the CPAP 8 hours since it only draws 25 watts, without drawing down the batteries too much.

This is essentially what I do at home when hurricanes blow through and we lose power to the house. I have a 7000 watt 240V gas generator. I have a suicide cord and back feed through the electric dryer plug. Of course, I switch off the Main breaker from the transmission line to the house, and the AC, stove, water heater, etc. since I only have 30 amps of 240VAC. It is enough to survive in South Florida. Hence, the post title of Hurricane Style. Maybe I should have called it suicide style?