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Old 09-05-2017, 04:11 PM   #1
bill-e
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1000w inverter installed.

I haven't run the internal AC wire yet, ,my plan is to split one of the outlets on my kitchen island and have the bottom one connected to the inverter.

I installed a Zamp 1000w inverter, on sale on Amazon for about 50 bucks off from airXsun energy (Zamp dealer).

I installed it in my pass through and had a heck of a time figuring out how to snake the battery cables in. I ended up using more cable than I wanted, about 5.5' of 2 awg. I went from the tongue mounted battery boxes under and then behind the front cap. The only drilling so far has been a 1" hole in the front inside wall of the pass through (1/8" Luan) then snaked the cables down to when I could stick my hand up behind the cap and grab them.

Running the AC will be a challenge. I can easily get from my island to near the front of the camper but again, getting past frame and floor into the pass through will be the challenge. Everything near the area where the inverter is installed is blocked by something.

I may run it externally attached to the aluminum frame in the pass through and drill into the water pump and pluming area in the bedroom, and then from there down into the underbelly and then to the island.

For this upcoming weekend of dry camping in Maine, my goal is to be able to get up early and brew a cup or 2 of coffee in my 700w Keurig brewer (yes, it works fine on the 1000w inverter) so I don't have to wait for the rest of the campers to awake before starting my generator.

I would have liked to have had this installed when we had good sun as I am interested to see how my Zamp 200w portable solar can recover my two T-105's from the inverter drain. My early morning coffee is really the only thing I need the generator for...It would be nice not to have to use it.
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Old 09-06-2017, 12:23 PM   #2
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1000w inverter installed.

You won't be able to use the RV outlet to "split" the AC source. And I'm willing to bet there is room in the underbelly to get from the kitchen island to the front pass through.

I have installed inverters for TV use in several coaches and split the outlets. You'll need a regular style outlet and cut the "ears" off of the hot and neutral sides. You can jumper the grounds.
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Old 09-06-2017, 01:24 PM   #3
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Yea, didn't know that but I have plenty of household outlets.

I know I can get to the floor of the pass through on the drivers side, but I installed the inverter on the other side. I'd prefer to not drill the floor which is why coming up through the water pump area access holes and drilling near the top of the wall on the drivers side of the pass through and running it over to the passenger's side seems more attractive to me.

To get access to the passenger side of the underbelly is more difficult because of the gas line.
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Old 09-06-2017, 02:33 PM   #4
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I understand. LP lines can be a PITA when your trying to make shop time LOL.
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Old 09-06-2017, 02:57 PM   #5
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There's also tons of spray foam up front and no way to go the same route as the battery cables without exposing the ac line to the elements. Drilling up through the floor by the inverter, just inside the front wall would also have me drilling the frame....just too much work, hopefully next week when I get some time I can figure out the easiest way to do this. If I run it exposed for some length in the pass through I'll use something like BX cable.

Thanks for the input Chuck.
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Old 09-08-2017, 05:07 PM   #6
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Pretty happy with the inverter and solar panel so far(last 24 hours). Electric awning in and out a couple of times, 4 cups from my Keurig one cup maker, 8 hours of CPAP and lights and the normal parasitic loads.

Sun angle coupled with the tree line has me getting sun on my panel between 9am-2pm, today 28ah.
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Old 09-08-2017, 05:24 PM   #7
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Sounds like your doing good!
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Old 09-10-2017, 07:18 PM   #8
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Yep, went 3 days without starting the generator...happy camper
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Old 09-10-2017, 07:24 PM   #9
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Bam! That's what I'm talkin bout!!!
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Old 09-11-2017, 02:04 AM   #10
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I asked the dealer about doing something similar in mine, wanted to be able to run a kitchen outlet and a bedroom outlet on an inverter just to be able to run tv at nite for a bit and then the coffee in the morning without runny genny. Said it would be pretty expensive...haven't looked into doing it myself, need to do some reading on it!
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Old 09-11-2017, 04:40 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinner12002 View Post
I asked the dealer about doing something similar in mine, wanted to be able to run a kitchen outlet and a bedroom outlet on an inverter just to be able to run tv at nite for a bit and then the coffee in the morning without runny genny. Said it would be pretty expensive...haven't looked into doing it myself, need to do some reading on it!
I think it's expensive even if you do it yourself.

You need:
Batteries sized for your intended load.
Solar, either roof or portable
Inverter and cables sized for your load.
Wiring and outlets.
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Old 09-11-2017, 06:06 AM   #12
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I'm in the middle of a very similar project now. The Cougar basement may give me easier access since I plan to just install new "inverter" outlets almost back to back between the living room and bathroom. Your post regarding a 3 day test is very heartening since I've only been able to do some driveway checks so far.
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Old 09-11-2017, 06:45 AM   #13
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The most important part is knowing what your average daily usage is going to be and then if you have room and money, oversizing your battery and charging capacity for that load.

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Old 09-11-2017, 07:48 AM   #14
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Space allows for 2 group 24 batteries. When these need replacing, I'll go with 6v batteries that are only slightly larger. Just hoping to watch an occasional movie in the evening plus lights and accessories. Zamp 200w should be able to keep up with that sort of drain. Will have the generator just for backup as needed.
Planning to use either a Bestek or Triplite 1000w inverter.
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Old 09-11-2017, 02:02 PM   #15
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Yea, the Zamp 200 does put out a lot of juice
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Old 09-11-2017, 02:24 PM   #16
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I have been thinking about doing something similar in our Rig for much the same reasons.
When not connected to shore power, I would like to be able to make coffee in the morning without running the genny, and at night, we like to have a 1/2 hour or so of TV to watch while falling asleep.

I have come to the conclusion that the least expensive route to having these options is:
1)- to have TV, run the bedroom TV off one of those "inverter battery boxes" such as THIS ONE.
2)- For coffee, use a French Press, using hot water boiled on the propane stove top.
They make amazing coffee. Example HERE
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Old 09-11-2017, 02:51 PM   #17
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Harleydodge, that'll work and you can hook a 30w solar panel to it to charge it.

I realize that I can perk coffee for "free" but I like my K-Cup. I also never leave my awning out when I'm gone or overnight so I need power for that as well.

I think I'm at the point now where I will only need my generator if I cant get enough solar.
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Old 09-11-2017, 03:10 PM   #18
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Harleydodge, that'll work and you can hook a 30w solar panel to it to charge it.

I realize that I can perk coffee for "free" but I like my K-Cup.
I completely understand that and very much enjoy our "K-CUP" coffee as well, but I implore you, if you have never tried "French Press" coffee, to at least give it a try.
It isn't your run of the mill perked coffee by any means, and for me and the DW, it ranks right up there once you figure out the right amount of coffee to use.
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Old 09-11-2017, 05:22 PM   #19
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The BEST cowboy camp coffee ever. Who needs Mr. coffee when you got one of these:
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....BL._SY450_.jpg
Recipe follows:
Disregard the coffee-to-water ratio guidelines, because the coffee experience will be good enough for the ratio not to matter. Just add some grounds to a pot and fill it with water.
Place the pot on the fire and bring the water to boil. When done correctly, the grounds will float to the top, so most of them aren’t being brewed anyways, and the pot will boil over.
After burning your hand while trying to adjust the pot so that it doesn’t boil over again, let the “coffee” sit for a few more minutes.
Remove the pot from the fire, (probably burnt your hand again)and sprinkle a handful of cold water into it. Not only will the cold water help the grounds settle on the bottom, but it will also give the appearance that you know what you’re doing plus cool your burning digits. Perhaps you’ll recover some of the dignity you lost in the previous steps
Serve the coffee. There are two strategies for this step. You might pour your cup first, so you have as few grounds as possible in your mug. Alternatively, you can save yours till last, hoping that the coffee will be gone by the time you get to your cup.
Last sit back and enjoy the scenery and great outdoors!
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Old 09-22-2017, 10:29 PM   #20
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You forget to mention how to test the cowboy coffee to see if it's done. Drop a horseshoe in the coffee. If the horseshoe sinks, let it boil more. When the shoe floats the coffee is ready! 😄

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