Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: 171 Inverter Prep

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171 Inverter Prep

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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16139
Printed Date: 17 Jun 2025 at 1:43pm
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Topic: 171 Inverter Prep

Posted By: wmsnyderphoto
Subject: 171 Inverter Prep
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2025 at 11:33am

My new 171 says it has inverter prep but I have yet to find the 120V wire that would connect to the inverter. Anyone know where this would be located?

Replies:

Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2025 at 9:57pm

Not sure what's meant by "inverter prep", but an inverter changes, DC to AC, so you should be able to plug any AC device or appliance you want into it, within wattage limits.

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2010 176
FJ Cruiser

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2025 at 1:07am

But not if it is "inverter prep." That just means that 12v wiring is placed somewhere with a suitable space to hold an inverter., not that an inverter is actually there. Your dealer should be able to explain that "feature" to you and to advise on suitable inverters. The "Inverter Prep" may also include the connections to be able to feed the 120v outlets if an inverter is installed, but I can't say for sure if that is the case.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2025 at 7:30am

As a rule, inverters are placed as close to the battery(s) as possible. Usually within 1-2ft. I believe StephenH is right. It probably means there are simply 12v leads located where you can install an inverter.

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Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Kawasaki KLR650

Posted By: wmsnyderphoto
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2025 at 11:39am

I know what the inverter does. I have seen other units where inverter prep meant they had an unterminated 120V wire at some location that you could hook to inverter to run the outlets and then just needed to add inverter and hook to battery.

Posted By: Rpod-Couple
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2025 at 8:41pm

I have a 2021 R-pod 171. I suspect the inverter prep is under the dinette seat on the drivers/sink side. Pretty sizable space and it’s close to the battery, and battery cutoff switch.

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Steve & Elaine
2021 R-pod
2023 VW Atlas Cross Sport

Posted By: Rpod-Couple
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2025 at 8:49pm

The River Forest 2025 Rpod 171 interior pictures show “Inverter Prep” label on the dinette seat adjacent to the sink. There are screws holding the plywood seat in place. Remove the screws and lift up the plywood and I believe you will find the inverter wiring. (I wouldn’t put the screws back in to make it easy to get to the water pump, heater and inverter.)

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Steve & Elaine
2021 R-pod
2023 VW Atlas Cross Sport

Posted By: wmsnyderphoto
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2025 at 8:59am

Originally posted by Rpod-Couple

The River Forest 2025 Rpod 171 interior pictures show “Inverter Prep” label on the dinette seat adjacent to the sink. There are screws holding the plywood seat in place. Remove the screws and lift up the plywood and I believe you will find the inverter wiring. (I wouldn’t put the screws back in to make it easy to get to the water pump, heater and inverter.)

Thanks.

Posted By: Dragon Pilot
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2025 at 5:31pm

I have a 178. The forward storage bin is the most practical space to put in, say, a 2000-3000 watt inverter, and get it close to the battery. It's a fairly tight space to work in. And the wires to the battery would probably have to go through a hole in the floor (I hate drilling into flooring). the hole would have to be sealed really good after the wires are run through to the battery.

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RP-178, 1997 Explorer 5.0 V8 AWD

Posted By: gpokluda
Date Posted: 16 Mar 2025 at 10:41am

Originally posted by Dragon Pilot

I have a 178. The forward storage bin is the most practical space to put in, say, a 2000-3000 watt inverter, and get it close to the battery. It's a fairly tight space to work in. And the wires to the battery would probably have to go through a hole in the floor (I hate drilling into flooring). the hole would have to be sealed really good after the wires are run through to the battery.

That’s what I did when I installed an inverter in our 179. To keep the wires as short as possible. I drilled through the front to connect to the batteries. I sealed the penetrations liberally. The problem I ran into was battery capacity. For a 2000watt-3000watt you are going to need 200ahr battery capacity at the very least. There are some very experienced boondockers on another forum I’m on that say 400ahr is the minimum for a 3000watt inverter. The only way I could achieve that on our 179 was a lithium battery bank in the front storage area. So my wife and I opted to get a camper more suited to our needs.

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Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Kawasaki KLR650