Requesting Help and Pictures of Inverter Installations

Poppy's 5th Wheel · 03-20-2014, 09:35 AM

First, thanks to all who helped with my previous thread about batteries. I have 2 Trojan 6 volt batteries coming. I also just purchased an inverter but I was blown away by how big and heavy it is! I was expecting something I could mount vertically on the wall behind my batteries. No way this will do that so I was hoping to see how some others have done it.

Here are a couple pictures of my inverter and the area I wanted to mount it.

Maybe I need to construct a shelf next to the batteries and place it there. Even still, the invertor doesn't seem to have any means of attachment. I can't imagine just driving down the road with it just sitting there!

So, any thoughts, suggestions or examples?

Thanks

Festus2 · 03-20-2014, 10:26 AM

If you don't have enough room in that compartment....what is there behind the wall? I am guessing that it is storage compartment and the converter could be mounted on the sorage compartment wall nearest the batteries. All you would need then is a short heavy gauge cable/wire to go from the batteries to the converter. Then, as mentioned in your other thread, run a HD extension cord into your coach's interior.

Another option might be to mount the inverter on a pair of L-brackets and secure the brackets to the wall in the battery compartment .....???

Poppy's 5th Wheel · 03-20-2014, 10:45 AM

Yes Festus2, right behind that wall is the main pass through storage and I do consider that as an option but there is so much in there and it is a very active area with pulling stuff in and out, I would consider it at the bottom of my list. I guess I could protect it by building a cover over and alongside but open at the ends for ventilation.

I'm not sure about L brackets only because it's so heavy they would have to be pretty substantial but maybe I should reconsider that. I could mount it at a level that I can easily read the monitor and still have room under it for some of the crap I keep in that compartment.

Festus2 · 03-20-2014, 10:52 AM

I just noticed that you have a battery cut-off switch mounted on the wall. What about moving that to a different spot which would free up more room behind your batteries? Is there not enough space on the rear wall to the left of the left-hand battery?

(Somehow, I don't think that is a photo of your compartment...... ahhhh one that another member included in the other battery thread......)

Forget about moving the battery cut-off switch ----- it isn't yours.

Poppy's 5th Wheel · 03-20-2014, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Festus2

Forget about moving the battery cut-off switch ----- it isn't yours.

No, that's mine

Even if I move that I don't think there's room. The inverter is really big and I don't see anyway to mount it on a wall surface anyway. It has no tabs or holes to run a crew through or anything. I think that's why I was hoping to see some setups others have done.

Poppy's 5th Wheel · 03-20-2014, 11:03 AM

You know I was just thinking ... how about if I used straps, similar to the battery box straps, and fastened them to the wall and placed the inverter against the wall and strapped it there. Do you think they would be strong enough to hold it solid? 2 straps?

Festus2 · 03-20-2014, 11:44 AM

Straps can also be fashioned out of perforated, zinc-coated pipe straps. They are easily formed to shape and strong. They can also be easily cut to the proper length with a hack saw. You could stick on a piece of closed cell foam on the metal strap to hold it more securely in place and also to keep the inverter from being scratched or marred by the metal strip.

hankaye · 03-20-2014, 01:49 PM

Poppy's 5th Wheel, Howdy;

Like a lot of electronic boxes, the guts have a way of sliding out so the
tech's can work on them. Remove the innards and have a good look at
where the feet are. If you can drill a hole in all 4 install bolts from the
inside of the box then drill your mounting holes in the wall to the
pass-through storage using some large washers or flat metal strap.
Use nylock nuts and cut off the excess bolt length leaving 3 threads
exposed for good measure.
Just a thought ...

hankaye

Poppy's 5th Wheel · 03-20-2014, 01:57 PM

Thanks Hankaye! I would have never thought of that but I will certainly take a look at the case and see if I'm brave enough to take that approach. It would be the perfect solution.

One question I haven't asked if there would be any reason it can't be mounted on it's side? I don't supposed there are any moving parts in it, right?

hankaye · 03-20-2014, 02:01 PM

Poppy's 5th Wheel, Howdy;

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppy's 5th Wheel

Thanks Hankaye! I would have never thought of that but I will certainly take a look at the case and see if I'm brave enough to take that approach. It would be the perfect solution.

One question I haven't asked if there would be any reason it can't be mounted on it's side? I don't supposed there are any moving parts in it, right?

I wouldn't think so ... give it a shake to find out ...........

hankaye

Festus2 · 03-20-2014, 02:47 PM

There is a high-speed cooling fan inside this inverter so, yes, there are moving parts. When operating, you will hear a very low "hum" coming from the inverter -- this is the fan. One concern I would have about removing the cover in order to mount it is that by doing so, you could void the warranty/guarantee on it. I'd check the warranty that came with it to see if any alterations like this would could somehow screw up the warranty for you.

Also, the inverter requires cooling in order to function properly. The fins on the sides help facilitate cooling by dissipating the heat. Just make sure that if you do decide to mount it on its sides, that you don't restrict the airflow around the unit.

Poppy's 5th Wheel · 03-20-2014, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Festus2

There is a high-speed cooling fan inside this inverter so, yes, there are moving parts. One concern I would have about removing the cover in order to mount it is that by doing so, you could void the warranty/guarantee on it. I'd check the warranty that came with it to see if any alterations like this would could somehow screw up the warranty for you.

Also, the inverter requires cooling in order to function properly. The fins on the sides help facilitate cooling by dissipating the heat. Just make sure that if you do decide to mount it on its sides, that you don't restrict the airflow around the unit.

All excellent thoughts which I will heed. I do not want to void the warranty.

Poppy's 5th Wheel · 03-21-2014, 03:07 PM

Well that actually ended up being easier than I thought. The batteries arrive tomorrow so I'll post some updated pictures after I get them in and get everything wired up.

Festus2 · 03-21-2014, 03:28 PM

Paul -- lookin' good! Yes, please post completed project.

Poppy's 5th Wheel · 03-23-2014, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Festus2

Paul -- lookin' good! Yes, please post completed project.

Finished it up yesterday. Here's a link to a new thread with all the pictures. Thanks for your input along the way!

http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16265

Festus2 · 03-23-2014, 07:30 AM

Paul -
Now that this project is finished and you have nothing to do, come north and do mine.......

Again, a great job...well done!

Poppy's 5th Wheel · 03-23-2014, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Festus2

Paul -
Now that this project is finished and you have nothing to do, come north and do mine.......

Again, a great job...well done!

We hope to be up there next year actually

Next project is the stairs. So many folks have done great work remodeling the stairs. Those two giant steps will be the death of us eventually. We have a 3 week trip coming up in June and a 3 month trip in the fall. I hope to get it done before that.

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