Place to install inverter

[nsraja]

Folks, I have a 2500w pure sine wave invertor that has a remote LCD panel (connected via what looks like a good old phone cable). I have two possible spots I can install it (both are very close to the house battery).

1. Outside storage compartment under the dinette (we keep emergency tent, campcot, tow/recovery rope - it has sufficient space).
2. Plenty of space inside the dinette seating area in spite of a storage drawer, behind the drawer there is so much space.

I plan on adding special outlets around the dinette area that gets power from the inverter. This outlet will not be connected to shore power or generator. Microwave or AC or anything else will NOT be hooked to it.

The only times we will use the inverter is when the RV is in motion, so gaming laptop can charge or we are at a place where we cannot run generator without annoying someone.

My question is given the two possible spots, which spot is "right" for the inverter?

In the future I might upgrade the charger-controller and make better use of the inverter.

 

[16ACE27]

Given the two options I would go with the inside location. The inverter has a fan and these little cooling fans get noisy in a dusty environment.

You may need to add a vent for fresh air access to the under seat area but that's pretty easy.

I would also rethink the separate outlet approach. Especially if it's an easy romex run (even under the RV) to the power center. You can install a 15 amp ATS switch in the circuit to the TVs and/or other outlets for automatic switching between the inverter and SP/Generator.

https://www.amazon.com/MXLTYMX-Automatic-Transfer-Switch-Auto/dp/B0DCW7HTPN/ref=sr_1_6

 

[nsraja]

Given the two options I would go with the inside location. The inverter has a fan and these little cooling fans get noisy in a dusty environment.

You may need to add a vent for fresh air access to the under seat area but that's pretty easy.

I would also rethink the separate outlet approach. Especially if it's an easy romex run (even under the RV) to the power center. You can install a 15 amp ATS switch in the circuit to the TVs and/or other outlets for automatic switching between the inverter and SP/Generator.

https://www.amazon.com/MXLTYMX-Automatic-Transfer-Switch-Auto/dp/B0DCW7HTPN/ref=sr_1_6

Wow, I did not expect the ATS to be this simple. I know there should be something like this out there but expected the charger-controller to be the one that does this kind of thing. For our use case, this will work well. Thank you very much. Running TV streaming from laptop HDMI when in motion would be cool for the family.

 

[dkoldman]

The past thru is a must. We have everything we can possibly need connected to the 15 amp circuit for Inverter. I did add one receptacle, but it was tapped into the same 15 amp circuit. We use it to neatly have and hide wires for laptops at dinette while traveling.

I recently put a new 2200 watt pure sine wave inverter in one of my lower compartments on the driver side. I moved it to an inside wall from where the Mfg has placed it. We use all the time when needing power outside. i.e. Compressor or pressure washer will plug right in. There is opening with slide chute on the floor to run cords.

We also have plenty of space under dinette bench, but I would hate to lift the bench just to get to it. Besides the battery cables were already wired to lower compartment. Maybe one day I will use the space under dinette bench for expanded battery capacity?

We have 3 displays to read the inverter's input vdc, output vac & power in watts. One display on main hallway, I believe it is 6P6C cable, looks like RJ11 phone but it is not. I have one portable handle remote and then there is the display on the unit.

 

[dkoldman]

The pass thru is a must. We have everything we can possibly need connected to the 15 amp circuit for Inverter. I did add one receptacle, but it was tapped into the same 15 amp circuit. We use it to neatly have and hide wires for laptops at dinette while traveling.

I recently put a new 2200 watt pure sine wave inverter in one of my lower compartments on the Passenger side. I moved it to an inside wall from where the Mfg has placed it. We use all the time when needing power outside. i.e. Compressor or pressure washer will plug right in. There is opening with slide chute on the floor to run cords.

We also have plenty of space under dinette bench, but I would hate to lift the bench just to get to it. Besides the battery cables were already wired to lower compartment. Maybe one day I will use the space under dinette bench for expanded battery capacity?

We have 3 displays to read the inverter's input vdc, output vac & power in watts. One display on main hallway, I believe it is 6P6C cable, looks like RJ11 phone but it is not. I have one portable handle remote and then there is the display on the unit.

I had incorrectly said the new Inverter was on Driver side, it should have said passenger side. The point was it is really convenient when you are on the awning side and need quick power. You don't have to worry about SP or Genny, or running of long extension cords. My air compressor is only 58dbs, sometimes I love to show off by adding air while getting gas. :coolsmiley: