Inverter AC Hardwire Question

Milocka · 03-16-2016, 06:50 AM

My spring project this year will be installing a 200-400 watt solar system in my Laredo 5er. Along with the solar kit, I am also installing a 3000watt inverter that has AC Hardwire output. I am in the process of ordering all of the parts for this project my question is should I run the AC hardwire into a small breaker box with three circuit breaker's? I plan on hardwiring three of the inside outlets in the trailer to the inverter so they are always hot (tv, coffee maker and of course one in the bathroom so the DW can curl her hair). All of the wiring will be in the pass through storage area. The inverter will be within 1ft of my batteries with 1/0 AWG wires. I assume a dedicated breaker box is the right way to do this so the circuits still have protection?

PS - I boondock almost exclusively...

shov · 07-13-2016, 06:34 AM

how did your install go? I am giving some serious consideration to adding a solar system to my 5er to run similar items in the coach as you. Installing the panels, controller and inverter seem pretty straight forward. Wiring the specific outlets I wanted to have power off of the inverter is my big question... Thanks

roadglide · 07-13-2016, 09:11 PM

That was explained to me when the installer looked over my rig. The wiring would be connected to the main breaker box,with pure sine wave inverter auto bypass for generator use . The installer was hooked up with some company in yuma and boondocking at casino with semi truck full of solar equipment . I may be taking a trip to yuma next year around february quartzite for sure. I think the quote was like 3000 and 8 hours labor and I would be his step an fetch.

shov · 07-14-2016, 04:31 AM

Keep us updated.
I was told you would have to run specific outlets to specific locations that you wanted to be powered off if the inverter...

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roadglide · 07-14-2016, 05:49 AM

This is what the tech had been explaining to me. I wished I had jumped on it last year. http://www.thedoityourselfworld.com/...1218/how-to-i/

bill-e · 07-16-2016, 05:20 PM

There are simpler options depending on your desires. I plan on installing a 1000w inverter in my pass through and then wiring two outlets directly from it. One at the kitchen island and one by the entertainment center.

For those not looking to wire their electrical box here's 4 options.
http://www.doityourselfrv.com/rv-inverter-install-diy/

I have just gotten into solar with a Zamp 200w portable panel. Take a look at my thread over here http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...d/28952839.cfm

There are a few naysayers but I'm totally happy with my portable decision and thrilled by its performance with the two new T-105RE's I installed.

**hankpage** · 07-16-2016, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill-e

There are simpler options depending on your desires. I plan on installing a 1000w inverter in my pass through and then wiring two outlets directly from it. One at the kitchen island and one by the entertainment center.

For those not looking to wire their electrical box here's 4 options.
http://www.doityourselfrv.com/rv-inverter-install-diy/

I have just gotten into solar with a Zamp 200w portable panel. Take a look at my thread over here http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...d/28952839.cfm

There are a few naysayers but I'm totally happy with my portable decision and thrilled by its performance with the two new T-105RE's I installed.

Bill, This is the voice of experience speaking

, A 1000w inverter is almost useless in the kitchen. I have one in my trailer and mainly only use it for tv or an air compressor. If I were to do it over I would go with a 3000w so I could at least make a pot of coffee or use the microwave. JM2¢, Hank

Festus2 · 07-16-2016, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hankpage

Bill, This is the voice of experience speaking

, A 1000w inverter is almost useless in the kitchen.

I'm not as "experienced" as Hank but listen to his "voice". With a 1000w inverter, you will be severely limited in what you will be able to use it for. You can pretty much rule out the all-important coffee maker along with the toaster, frying pan, curling iron, some microwaves and hair dryers - anything with a heating element in it. In addition, the 1000w inverter really doesn't end up being able to handle 1000w.

Follow hank's advice and go for a 3000w.

bill-e · 07-17-2016, 04:53 AM

Thanks guys,

I will be using solar solely for a half dozen times a year that I dry camp at shooting matches. I purchased a 700w k-cup machine which I know runs fine on a 1k inverter.

I only have 2 T-105's so I I thought that 1000w was a reasonable size for those batteries.

The only thing that I use my microwave for is defrosting frozen breakfast in the morning so I figured I could just cook instead.

What do you think about a 2000w inverter based on my battery bank size?

If I was dry camping with my wife then I would go an entirely different route...comments?

Thanks

**hankpage** · 07-17-2016, 07:09 AM

2000w should be fine. As you said, you think your present needs will be met with the 1000w ..... but rest assured the day will come when a little bit more will be needed. With the 2000w you should be able to watch the news while brewing that K-cup.

roadglide · 07-17-2016, 07:25 AM

Personally I think 1000 W inverter is a bit small if your going to use much power. the way I see it amps times 120 volts is watts . A 2000 watt pure sine would be the minimum if your going to do much dry camping.

bill-e · 07-17-2016, 08:00 AM

Honestly, my current needs are just for a cup of coffee in the morning. I run everything off DC except for that...my CPAP and phone chargers are all DC.

What I don't want to do is let myself overuse the inverter and thereby depleting my small battery reserve where the number one need is the cpap.

I'm concerned about tongue weight so another pair of T-105's is out of the question.

It's not a money concern between the two inverters....requires more thought I guess.

Just as an oh, by the way, the Zamp inverters, though pricey look good. Their 1000w for instance weighs 15 lbs and is all metal construction including the heat sinks (Xantrex PROWatt for instance is 8lbs)....a lot of the less expensive converters do not seem to be as beefy and to me that means less life and less surge capacity, no matter what they claim.

any brand recommendations?

mfifield01 · 07-19-2016, 06:05 AM

bill-e - Did you look at any other solar systems? I'm just curious on the advantages/disadvantages of some of the other portable systems on Amazon.

bill-e · 07-19-2016, 06:30 AM

My search for systems was limited to 200w portable systems and on Amazon there was only Zamp and a couple of very cheap systems.

If Renogy had a 200w system I would have considered it but the Zamp controller was waterproof whereas the Renogy was not.

I wanted something with a good warranty and dealer support and and made in the USA (German panel) and I wanted the latest version so I purchased mine online at back-countrysolar.com where I got excellent pre and post sales support plus I've communicated directly with Zamp.

I think a lot of folks like Renogy but I wanted the biggest I could get to allow me to charge the batteries in the least amount of time.

Amazon is not an authorised dealer of Zamp and as such I wasn't sure if I would receive the latest (1 June 16) version of the panels if I ordered from them. back Country Solar was the same price and free shipping too.

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