Power inverter - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Millie · RV-Dreams Family Member

Power inverter

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Are you sure you only have the battery to start the rig, no house battery(s)? That would be most unusual. Do you plug into shore power at a camp ground - if so there must be a converter somewhere that is taking the 120V and using that to (1) power the lights, etc., and (2) charge the 12V HOUSEHOLD battery(s). Otherwise you would drain the car battery fairly quickly especially if you aren't moving every day.

Yes, if all you want is to do is power your laptop, etc, you only need a small one.

Barb

Millie · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for responding, Barb
I haven't bought my motorhome 'yet', but I 'will' be buying it in a few months.
I had a motorhome - like the one 'above' - 20 years ago.
In all that time past, my memory is getting foggy as to whether it had auxiliary battery's or not. - I don't remember seeing any in my recollection of my old motorhome.
Maybe it 'did' have auxiliary batteries 'afterall'.
Anyway, I know that when I plugged my motorhome into electricity at a campground, I would get all the lights, TV, and air conditioner working, without draining the battery.

Anyway, so you say I won't need a 3000w power inverter just to run my laptop and Rocket Hub.
I saw a 75w power inverter, that plugs into the lighter socket. - But, it only has 1 plug hole on it.
Since I'll need 2 plug holes, - one for the Rocket Hub, and 1 for my laptop - I better get an inverter with 2 plug holes on it, I guess.
Can you suggest how many minimum watts should I get to power my laptop and Rocket Hub?

Will that 75w cigarette lighter plug-in inverter power a Rocket Hub?

If so, I could use my laptop battery to power my laptop, and use the single plug hole to power the Rocket Hub?

'Then' later, I could recharge my laptop battery on the single hole 75w power inverter when I'm not using the Rocket Hub?

Will the laptop battery recharge on a 75w power inverter?

Thanks again for your previous reply.

Millie

-- Edited by Millie on Saturday 23rd of May 2015 07:21:48 AM

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

A 3000 watt inverter at that price is a cheap modified sinewave inverter and does not put out very good power. Plus, 3000 watts would need 6 batteries to run it at full power since the battery voltage drop would be huge. With one battery, a smaller 300 to 500 watt inverter would be the maximum I would go. You can run anything on pure sinewave and good inverters of this size are in your price range, $100 to $200 in the US.

Now where to buy in Canada I can't say, since Canadian Tire only shows one pure sinewave inverter on their website and it is $299. It is sad because one of the main inverter companies, Xantrex, is Canadian.

Millie · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thank you so much for your reply, BJ!
Thank you for your expertise in the matter.
Well, I'm sure not going to put 6 batteries in my motorhome, just to power that stupid 3000 watt cheap old boat anchor!
I'll keep an eye out for a 300 to 500 watt one.

Thanks, BJ!

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Millie,

I think you are putting the cart before the horse. You need to determine what kind of RVing you want to do, what an appropriate RV would be, and look at a LOT of then to get a feeling for the different systems they have, what is needed to maintain your lifestyle (boondocking or not), and then look at thing like what thpe of power you need for electronics, etc. you need to get a good feeling for both the 120v and 12v power stems & how the do/don't interact and why you have two systems.

Barb

Millie · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm back, BJ!

It was very hard to find a 300w inverter! - But, I looked again in the Canadian Tire site, and found a Motormaster Eliminator 300w Mobile Power Outlet and Inverter.

It's on sale until Thursday for $35.99. (Regular $59.99.)
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/motomaster-300w-mobile-power-outlet-and-inverter-0111870p.html#.VWC4X1IYH4Q
Ideal for powering household appliances and electronics

Automatic shutdown protects overload, over temperature and low/high battery conditions

Includes battery clips for a direct connection to 12V batteries

It says it can power a cell phone, digital camera, portable work light, portable DVD player, battery charger, stereo system, laptop computer, 13" TV, soldering gun, finishing sander, 27" TV, 3/8" drill, 12" 3-speed fan.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And, I found a 500w Black and Decker Inverter for $79.99 at Home Hardware Canada.

http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index.htm/Hardware/Automotive/Accessories/12v-Invertors/12v-Invertors/12-Volt-500-Watt-DC-Voltage-Power-Inverter/_/N-2pqfZ67l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN/R-I8618001?Ntt=power+inverter

I can't decide which one to get.
$35.99 sounds pretty good.

-- Edited by Millie on Saturday 23rd of May 2015 12:02:30 PM

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

The $36 one is probably all you need and is easy to install with the battery clips.

Millie · RV-Dreams Family Member

Barbaraok wrote:
Millie,

I think you are putting the cart before the horse. You need to determine what kind of RVing you want to do, what an appropriate RV would be, and look at a LOT of then to get a feeling for the different systems they have, what is needed to maintain your lifestyle (boondocking or not), and then look at thing like what thpe of power you need for electronics, etc. you need to get a good feeling for both the 120v and 12v power stems & how the do/don't interact and why you have two systems.

Barb

Hi, Barb!

I'm going to have a million things to do when I buy an old motorhome!

I'm just trying to cut down on the busyness 'now' by buying things I know I'm going to need in my travels. - I'd rather not buy things at the last minute, fore I'll surely pay 'top price' then.

I already got a cabinet sewing machine specifically to fit in a motorhome as best as can be. - I had to forfeit the side drawers on it for that reason. - I got it 'on sale' for a GREAT price! - $150.00!

I'm pretty sure an old motorhome is not going to have a power inverter for my laptop and hub, because - in them days - laptops weren't invented yet!

I think we were just coming out of the wooden wheel era back then!

If it already has a power inverter, I'll eat my hat!

No! Not the Cart before the Horse, Barb!

Once I buy an old motorhome, (I've had one before.) I'm going to want to be flying on my way, with no delay!

I'm just getting things 'now' that I know I'm going to need on my travels!

I kind of really don't know what you mean by the kind of Rving I will be doing.

I'll be living in the motorhome, and doing the typical things. - Traveling. Campgrounds.

An old motorhome, around 18ft, would be appropriate for me.

The feeling for different systems? - I'm getting an old motorhome. - They're all pretty familiar to me.

I'll get a motorhome at a decent price, or wait until I do.

Maintaining my lifestyle is my pension. - I turned 65 yesterday.

Well, I know what the 2 systems are, Barb. - 110v at a campground, & 12v on the road.

It's exciting!

-- Edited by Millie on Saturday 23rd of May 2015 01:17:42 PM

-- Edited by Millie on Saturday 23rd of May 2015 01:20:06 PM

Millie · RV-Dreams Family Member

bjoyce wrote:
The $36 one is probably all you need and is easy to install with the battery clips.

GREAT! ...I'm getting it the next time I'm going out, BJ!

Thanks!!!

Barbaraok · RV-Dreams Family Member

Millie,

I don't think that you really understand the two systems and how they interact. Also, when are you going fulltiming - - if it is 2-3 years away then all of the thing you purchase now maybe out of date. For instance, if you are alone, why have a router when you can use a smartphone as your router. And yes, you will need a smartphone - if you don't already have one, put it on the list of things to get. Second, if you are staying in campgrounds, why do you need an inverter? An inverter is used when you can't hookup to shore power. So are you saying that you will be boon docking a lot? Are you going to move every day, or stay weeks at a time in one spot. Where are you planning to travel to? Are you going to follow the 75° mark spending the winters in the southern states or Mexico, summers in the north. Are you going to spend weeks at a time out in the desert unhooked? We have a built in inverter and very seldom use it - - because we don't boondock, put stay in RV parks. Since we have 7 hr or so batteries in all of computers, iPads, iPhones, etc., we just charge up in the evening while plugged in.

As an aside, I only paid $89 for a brand new Singer sewing machine (with a free arm and 26+ built in stitches) and just use the dining table in the coach. The picture you have made me blink - it looks just like the one I had when my daughter was born, including the cabinet, though mine was an ivory color.

All I'm trying to suggest is that doing a lot of little things now may end up being counter-productive. I know it is tempting, but focus on the RV first, then figure out what else you need to make it yours. 18 ft isn't a lot of room - so space will be extremely important. Everything needs to do 2-3 duties, not just one.

Barb

Millie · RV-Dreams Family Member

Barbaraok wrote:
Millie,

I don't think that you really understand the two systems and how they interact. Also, when are you going fulltiming - - if it is 2-3 years away then all of the thing you purchase now maybe out of date. For instance, if you are alone, why have a router when you can use a smartphone as your router. And yes, you will need a smartphone - if you don't already have one, put it on the list of things to get. Second, if you are staying in campgrounds, why do you need an inverter? An inverter is used when you can't hookup to shore power. So are you saying that you will be boon docking a lot? Are you going to move every day, or stay weeks at a time in one spot. Where are you planning to travel to? Are you going to follow the 75° mark spending the winters in the southern states or Mexico, summers in the north. Are you going to spend weeks at a time out in the desert unhooked? We have a built in inverter and very seldom use it - - because we don't boondock, put stay in RV parks. Since we have 7 hr or so batteries in all of computers, iPads, iPhones, etc., we just charge up in the evening while plugged in.
As an aside, I only paid $89 for a brand new Singer sewing machine (with a free arm and 26+ built in stitches) and just use the dining table in the coach. The picture you have made me blink - it looks just like the one I had when my daughter was born, including the cabinet, though mine was an ivory color.
All I'm trying to suggest is that doing a lot of little things now may end up being counter-productive. I know it is tempting, but focus on the RV first, then figure out what else you need to make it yours. 18 ft isn't a lot of room - so space will be extremely important. Everything needs to do 2-3 duties, not just one.
Barb

I don't think that you really understand the two systems and how they interact.

Well, I think I do, Barb.

Everything runs off of 12v (except for the overhead air conditioner.)

The light bulbs are 12v.

When I plug in to a campground electricity, the 110v is routed into a converter to convert 110v into 12v, for the light bulbs, and furnace blower, and such.

When the 110v is unpluged, the converter automatically switches over to the 12v battery power.

Also, when are you going fulltiming - - if it is 2-3 years away then all of the thing you purchase now maybe out of date.

I'm going full time before the end of this year, Barb.

if you are alone, why have a router when you can use a smartphone as your router. And yes, you will need a smartphone - if you don't already have one, put it on the list of things to get.

Yes, I am alone, Barb. - And don't think I'm not nervous about it.

Thank you for reminding me. - I should remember to get 2 canisters of pepper spray, ahead of time. - Gun laws in Canada are impossible.

Oh! No! No Phone!

I haven't owned a phone for 22 years. And, I don't want one. - That is one HUGE invasion of privacy!

Second, if you are staying in campgrounds, why do you need an inverter?

I need an inverter so my computer (and possibly 'internet') will work, if I may be staying overnight in a Walmart (and such) parking lot.

I still haven't decided if I'm going to get traveling internet. - I pay $48.58 per month for my apartment service. - I just found out that it will cost me $118.00 per month for traveling internet service.

So are you saying that you will be boon docking a lot?

No. ..Only places where there's another (reputable) boon docker close by.

Are you going to move every day, or stay weeks at a time in one spot. Where are you planning to travel to?

I'm 'leisurely' going to travel from Toronto to British Columbia.

(I got stranded in Toronto 4 years ago.)

I long to get back to my home coastal mountain area of British Columbia. - Yes! I'm a mountain bumpkin! lol

My long-term plans are to eventually get some forest acreage. But, that may take a few years.

In the interim, I'll be living in my motorhome at a campground 'mostly'.

Are you going to follow the 75° mark spending the winters in the southern states or Mexico, summers in the north. Are you going to spend weeks at a time out in the desert unhooked?

I've done extensive motorhoming in the States, Mexico, and Central America, down to Panama many years ago. - So, I'm done with all that now.

I didn't like motorhoming in the southern desert. - Too spooky.

As an aside, I only paid $89 for a brand new Singer sewing machine (with a free arm and 26+ built in stitches) and just use the dining table in the coach. The picture you have made me blink - it looks just like the one I had when my daughter was born, including the cabinet, though mine was an ivory color.

Yup! My singer is a real relic! lol - I think it's 40 years old! But, it still works very well! :)

Yeah, Canada prices have always been higher than the States.

I like the cabinet for a flat surface to work on. :)

All I'm trying to suggest is that doing a lot of little things now may end up being counter-productive. I know it is tempting, but focus on the RV first, then figure out what else you need to make it yours. 18 ft isn't a lot of room - so space will be extremely important. Everything needs to do 2-3 duties, not just one.

Barb

Well, I'm not going to buy any fresh fruit for my soon-to-be motorhome, quite yet, Barb! lol

If I find a suitable motorhome, I'll have to snap it up before somebody else does.

It doesn't matter to me if it's a Dodge, Ford, or Edsel! lol

My last motorhome was 18 ft. - I was very happy to live in it for many years. - I didn't have a space problem.

An 18 footer is really easy to handle. :)

Millie

-- Edited by Millie on Sunday 24th of May 2015 04:31:13 PM

Millie · RV-Dreams Family Member

I know you'll all be sitting on the edge of your seats, waiting to see if I got my inverter. So, I'll leave you's all in suspense 'no longer'!!!
Yes! I got my 300w inverter 'yesterday'! ...at the unbelievable price of $35.99! - I saved $24.00 off the retail price!

I've been perusing the Canadian Tire flier for many months now.
Well, you'll never guess what else I got 'yesterday'!
I found a rare price for a bunch of wrenches! - Well, I didn't have any wrenches! And the wrenches were marked down 70%! Yes! 70%!
Regular price of $84.99! ...I got them for $24.99!
Can you believe 'that'!?
Here's what's really really GREAT about it!
I've been holding off on buying wrenches, because I'm going to get an old motorhome.
You see 'in Canada', vehicles changed from using SAE sizes to metric sizes a few years back.
Well, the old motorhome that I'm going to get could be either in SAE or metric size! - So, that's why I haven't bought any wrenches yet!
But 'these' wrenches that were on sale for 70% off, have both SAE and metric in the package!
So I bought them! - It will make things very versatile in the future!
There's some really huge wrenches in the package! I don't know what I'm going to do with them ...but the smaller wrenches will be useful for me!
And the wrenches have a lifetime guarantee too!

I need an oil can 'next' ..in case something starts to squeak!