I need HELP!!!: Inverter question

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Inverter question

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Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13633
Printed Date: 14 May 2025 at 12:19pm
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Topic: Inverter question

Posted By: vbdomenico
Subject: Inverter question
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2020 at 12:25pm

I am planning on adding an inverter to my 190. I'm not looking to power the entire electrical system with it, just adding 1 or 2 dedicated outlets. This is mainly to run a 800w coffee maker and occasionally my wife's 1000 watt hair dryer. I have a generator, I just don't want to have to set it up every time I make coffee when boon docking.

I'm thinking the easiest way to install it is to place it in the basement under the bed frame wired directly to the batteries, and then wire an outlet on the bed frame, it will be fairly close to the kitchen and bathroom. I plan on getting one that has the remote on/off switch that can be installed near the outlet. Most of the videos and advice out there show how to wire the inverter to the main electrical panel, and not directly to the battery. Is there an issue with setting it up directly to the battery? It will be closer to the batteries this way and thus have shorter leads.

I am also researching solar systems, and that may change how I do things.

Thanks!

Replies:

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2020 at 12:57pm

A 1000 watt hair dryer is a huge load on a couple of batteries, even if its only on for 10 minutes that's about 17 amp hours or roughly 20% of your useful battery capacity assuming you have 200 amphours (you should only take batteries down by about 50%). The coffee maker will be something similar. You'll find that you will be running the generator to recharge anyway.

Why not just heat water for coffee on the stove while boondocking? I put coffee of my choice in empty teabags and do it that way, others use a french press, others a single cup dripper. The hair dryer is another story, but is that really necessary while boondocking?

If you really want to install an inverter then get at least a 1500 watt one, preferably 2kw (they perform better and last longer when not run at full power. Get a true sine wave one, not a "modified
sine wave" which is really a modified square wave.

Yes, you could install it under the bed, and do put it as close to the batteries as possible. You will be pulling upwards of 150A so you'll want to use a minimum of 1/0 cable. That is big cable, so shorter is better. Also, don't connect directly to the battery, place a 150A fuse at the battery positive terminal to protect that circuit. The other consideration is heat, inverters are roughly 80% efficient, which means that about 20% goes to heat the area around the inverter. That is a couple of hundred watts in your case. So, you will need some good ventilation under there.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: vbdomenico
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2020 at 1:07pm

Thanks offgrid, probably will be better to just get a French press. Regarding a hair dryer, I don't have much hair to dry, not my necessasity! Probably just use the generator for when my wife needs that.

Only other thing I will need to power when boondocking is my laptop (this r-pod is unfortunately going to primarily used for work). I did install a 12 volt outlet (cigarette lighter style), so I guess I could just get a low watt inverter and plug it in to that to charge my laptop.

Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2020 at 1:29pm

I agree 100% with Offgrid. Much better to heat water on the stove. An inverter of the size you're considering is a major PITA. Say adios to you batteries. For the laptop you can buy direct 12V power adapters for most models. They are more efficient than the small inverter approach since they involve only one DC to DC conversion. While you're at it pick up a USB adapter that plugs into that cigarette lighter socket to charge your cell phones etc.

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Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

Posted By: vbdomenico
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2020 at 1:45pm

The 2020 R-pods fortunately have a dual USB installed, and I just ran a USB extension back to the bed and hooked it up to USB hub, so I'm good on USB power. I will look into a 12V for my laptop.

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2020 at 2:14pm

My laptop runs and recharges on a USB-C. So that's an option as well.

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2020 at 2:58pm

vbdomenico, what are you doing for your TV? I changed mine to a dual voltage one, very easy to do and efficient. Either that or you'll need a small inverter for that. Or don't watch, that's always an option too.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: vbdomenico
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2020 at 3:06pm

I got a 32" 12 volt TV, and moved the one that came with the 190 to the bedroom:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CBSGR5F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CBSGR5F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CBSGR5F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2020 at 3:21pm

Nice, big tv for a little trailer. You can also use that as a second monitor for your laptop.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: vbdomenico
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2020 at 3:25pm

It fits perfect in the 190.

Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2020 at 8:58am

Why not charge your phone and computer in the truck when they need recharging?

Posted By: vbdomenico
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2020 at 3:43pm

My phone is not an issue, my MacBook needs a 3 prong outlet.