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ahollon 
Newbie 
Joined: 15 Jul 2015 Location: Anchorage, AK Online Status: Offline Posts: 8 |
 Topic: 4000w inverter MODSPosted: 22 Jul 2015 at 2:19pm |
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I have searched the forum and was unable to find any serious mods with inverters. I have an idea to install a 4000w inverter so that you can run all appliances when off-shore with no need for a generator. My idea is to get at least 3 deep cycle batteries, run a 4000w inverter, install a panel that allows you switch how to run your power, when plugged in have a battery charger/tender that can charge the deep cycles. What I need to figure out is how long the batteries will last if using all that power at once.
Has anyone thought of or done a MOD like this? Brand new owner of a 182G, haven't even received it yet, lol. - Adam |
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp 
Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Posted: 22 Jul 2015 at 4:17pm |
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No, It just won't work. You cannot discharge a 12v system at the rate needed, nor will it have enough amps, to do such a thing.
The math is simple. Since you want to use 3 batteries, that means you are going to run 12v batteries. 3 won't fit on the tongue as built, you will have to improvise. True deep cycle 12v's aren't cheap. But if you go big enough you can get 150aH or so worth of usable storage on the tongue would be my guess. so you have 150aH's up there. Your air conditioner draws around 13A of 120v when running. That's 130A of 12v you need to process, (thanks Mr. Ohm for teaching us the law) without taking into account the 15-20% overhead the inverter needs. so 150A +/-. But.. because of the Peukert Effect, you lose 20% or so of usable battery reserve when dumped that hard, that fast. So.. you should be able to run your air conditioner for "about" 45 minutes. and your batteries will last for maybe a dozen cycles. maybe only one.. Lead acid batteries just do not like to be treated like that. Then what? Your pod will come with a good three stage 45A charger/maintainer. |
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ahollon
Newbie
Joined: 15 Jul 2015 Location: Anchorage, AK Online Status: Offline Posts: 8 |
Posted: 22 Jul 2015 at 4:44pm |
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Thanks Furpod, that was very informative. Are there any suggested electrical mods that do work out?
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp
Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Posted: 22 Jul 2015 at 5:55pm |
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Sure, just not ones that allow the use of the a/c or microwave.
A 250watt inverter will pretty much run anything a podder needs to run. If you want or need to run the 120v stuff, a generator is really the only option. If you can live without those, a dual battery setup will allow you to spend a LOT more time out without hookups. We ran dual Group 24's for 5 years, just this week swapped out to a dual Trojan T-105 6v system. Being able to recharge, with solar or a genny is popular. We will add solar panels to our kit soon. I am waiting on a couple bits of material to mount a solar power port to my new battery box now. Adding 12v outlets or charging ports is a popular mod, we added 4 total. |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp 
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 22 Jul 2015 at 9:46pm |
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+1 to what furpod said. With a 12 volt system the max inverter wattage is about 1500 watts, although there are some cheap-o inverter manufacturers that will try to tell you that 2000 or 3000 is ok. You need to go with 24 or 48 volts for that - and a very large battery bank.
The pod's A/C needs about 85 amps @ 12 volts to run, and the microwave needs more than that.
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Chadoo
Newbie
Joined: 13 Aug 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1 |
Posted: 13 Aug 2015 at 4:51pm |
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I had seen this the other day and could be what you are looking to do.
http://rpodmods.com/how-to-install-an-inverter-in-your-r-pod/ |
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dropkick
Newbie
Joined: 17 Jul 2015 Online Status: Offline Posts: 18 |
Posted: 13 Aug 2015 at 5:47pm |
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Yeah just for the A/C that's about 400Ah @ 48V... for 8 hours to 50% discharge. 8 L16 batteries at 120lbs a piece.... Nope!
We might recommened an inverter generator, similar to Honda EU3000, if you *really* need to run the A/C and/or Microwave. Nothing else in the 'POD requires anywhere near that much power. (actually... what else is there??) A <500W inverter would take care of it without a big rewire project. A generator whould also charge your batteries at the same time using the built-in charger the rpod will come. Also consider what really needs 120V vs what can be done straight off of 12V. Most laptops can be had with 12V adapters. Any other cell phone USB chargers can all be had in the 12V input variety. Maybe for the TV depending on what model they included this year. The only thing that's "realistically" possible is running the microwave for 10 minutes once a day or so but even that means more batteries and large inverter and a way to recharge every day (no, solar won't cut it). Use propane to heat/cook and the battery(s) it comes with for the fridge's fan (while also running on propane there is a small electrical draw, but way less than running it only on battery) and lighting. |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp
Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 13 Aug 2015 at 10:22pm |
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One more thing that uses a lot of energy is the electric element in the water heater. Something you would want to turn off while off-grid on a generator.
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4000w inverter MODS