Inverter Question

[B3Dcampers]

A friend of ours they had to cut their trip short as a result of their inverter failing. We are planning a 19 day trip to CO in September, and was curious if anyone has ever experienced an intervert failure while on a trip and if so, what are the possible solutions? And if so, are there alternatives to replacing the inverter while you are on your trip?

[JRTJH]

An "mid trip" inverter failure that causes someone to cancel a trip is someone who has not "lived with campers from days when there were no inverters in any RV. All an inverter does is provide 120 VAC power when there is no shore power available. If watching TV or using the microwave is that important, schedule your trip around the availability of a "full hookup campsite"....

From the early days of Wally Byan and the Airstream travel trailer, until the past 3 or 4 years, inverters were either not available at any cost or were "things found in only the most expensive and "luxury laden RV's"...

In the past couple of years inverters have made an appearance in lower priced RV's, but they are BY NO MEANS an equipment item that is required for someone to use or even enjoy an RV vacation.

Heck, many here have continued an RV vacation with failed water heaters, failed refrigerators, failed water pumps and without a spare tire....

An inverter is, by no means, something that is mandatory to make an RV a functional vacation vehicle.....

[NH_Bulldog]

Inverter or converter? I can’t imagine that an “optional” convenience item like an inverter would cause a trip cancellation, but I can see situations where it might be an inconvenience. But a converter, that for sure could be an issue. Unless you have the money to spend to keep one as a spare AND have the expertise to swap one out, then there isn’t much you can do about it.

Ultimately with a converter failure, you might lose the ability to run 110v ac appliances and charge the batteries. But as a backup, you could carry along a battery charger to keep the batteries charged and could get through a trip if needed by not having an AC or microwave or TV and running fridge and water heater on gas. If it is an inverter, you could buy and carry a spare for those times you are not on shore power.

[B3Dcampers]

We have a residential refrigerator, that’s our concern.

[chuckster57]

JMHO, but it seems like failures of appliances during a trip is a very small percentage when you consider tire failures. I wouldn’t worry that much but I suppose you could buy a spare and keep it in the storage compartment.

[NH_Bulldog]

I can see that as a concern, but an inverter failure with a residential refrigerator is only an issue when you are not connected to a fixed power source, like when boondocking or driving down the road. Otherwise the fridge runs on shore power like it would normally, with no need for an inverter. If an inverter failure is known to have occurred, keep the doors closed to retain cold until you get to your next stop to connect to shore power again. Again, an inconvenience but not something I would cancel a trip over.

It is good to be prepared, but some people like to prepare for any event, no matter how unlikely. Those folks tend to lug a LOT of extra weight and consume space for something that might never happen. If you feel like you absolutely must have a backup plan and know where your inverter is located, get the specs, order a spare and practice a swap-out at home under controlled conditions.

[sourdough]

An inverter is something you can work around. I have a res fridge as well. Stay in campgrounds with full hookups. The fridge will hold fine for a driving day; I try not to ever drive over 7 hours and like around 5 the best. Order an inverter while enroute to your destination (or a destination) and pick it up either when you get where you are going or an interim location you've had it sent to. If needed stay an extra day at a campground and put it in.

[RacerX]

Just a quick few thoughts/comments. First to address your original question there are a few options to an inverter failure. If the residential fridge is the primary concern I would determine what amps it draws …that will drive your options. Obviously full hookups work, but given the “ice box” qualities of a fridge that doesn’t cool quickly when not opened you could also use a small generator or a portable inverter or a solar generator like a Bluetti or similar to be used as backup and keep you happy and cool longer. A portable inverter large enuf to power the fridge is not an expensive item and comes in handy for us in the tow vehicle as well as other uses. (Can be very inexpensive backup as long as you have a long enuf AC cord and can get to the fridge power cord.). A small generator run during daylight hours can also be an inexoensive backup.

If any of those take the nagging worry away and allow you to enjoy your trip more then they are worth it!