R-pod Owners Forum : DC Inverter to run power outlets https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : I need HELP!!! : DC Inverter to run power outlets Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 21 May 2026 11:14:45 +0000 Tue, 07 Sep 2021 21:18:17 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=14915 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ DC Inverter to run power outlets : Originally posted by StephenH Originally... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144999#144999 Author: Tonii87
Subject: 14915
Posted: 07 Sep 2021 at 9:18pm

Originally posted by StephenH


Originally posted by Tonii87

The main reason I want the inverter is to power the tv and be able to charge our phones when we are not connected to 120v. It seems easier to just wire the inverter straight to the shore power wires instead of running wires to install a couple of new outlets. But just want to make sure that the easy route is not the worst way.

Tap into a convenient 12V line to power the outlet. Plug the inverter into the outlet to power the TV. Plug the phones into the USB outlet on either the outlet you installed (preferred) or the inverter. This will be much easier to accomplish and will cost a whole lot less than what you are proposing.


Thank so much had not thought about doing it like that. Definitely going that way. ]]> Tue, 07 Sep 2021 21:18:17 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144999#144999 DC Inverter to run power outlets : Originally posted by Tonii87The... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144998#144998 Author: StephenH
Subject: 14915
Posted: 07 Sep 2021 at 6:12pm

Originally posted by Tonii87

The main reason I want the inverter is to power the tv and be able to charge our phones when we are not connected to 120v. It seems easier to just wire the inverter straight to the shore power wires instead of running wires to install a couple of new outlets. But just want to make sure that the easy route is not the worst way.

https://www.amazon.com/Cigarette-Lighter-Splitter-Charger-Waterproof/dp/B07RHY97ZZ/

https://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-Inverter-Converter-Charger-Cigarette/dp/B08Z7QXYZ1/

Tap into a convenient 12V line to power the outlet. Plug the inverter into the outlet to power the TV. Plug the phones into the USB outlet on either the outlet you installed (preferred) or the inverter. This will be much easier to accomplish and will cost a whole lot less than what you are proposing.
]]> Tue, 07 Sep 2021 18:12:57 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144998#144998 DC Inverter to run power outlets : I utilized an unused circuit in... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144992#144992 Author: TheBum
Subject: 14915
Posted: 07 Sep 2021 at 11:22am

I utilized an unused circuit in the power panel to create a separate 400W inverter circuit with its own outlets. I run the TV and my Apple TV from that outlet.]]> Tue, 07 Sep 2021 11:22:17 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144992#144992 DC Inverter to run power outlets : Thank you all https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144984#144984 Author: Tonii87
Subject: 14915
Posted: 06 Sep 2021 at 3:47pm

Thank you all]]> Mon, 06 Sep 2021 15:47:57 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144984#144984 DC Inverter to run power outlets : A small suitcase generator is... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144982#144982 Author: Colt
Subject: 14915
Posted: 06 Sep 2021 at 12:36pm

A small suitcase generator is an excellent solution. More power and it will charge your battery(s) at the same time.   Could even be cheaper. ]]> Mon, 06 Sep 2021 12:36:38 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144982#144982 DC Inverter to run power outlets : Depending on what you need to... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144978#144978 Author: john in idaho
Subject: 14915
Posted: 06 Sep 2021 at 9:35am

Depending on what you need to do, would it be easier to get a dual source - propane or gas - generator?  Then all you have to do it pull a rope.]]> Mon, 06 Sep 2021 09:35:01 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144978#144978 DC Inverter to run power outlets : +1 offgrid that would be the easiest... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144976#144976 Author: JR
Subject: 14915
Posted: 06 Sep 2021 at 7:44am

+1 offgrid that would be the easiest way to accomplish your current goals and not lose a lot of your stored up power in the battery, which would not be going to charge up your phones or power the tv.]]> Mon, 06 Sep 2021 07:44:54 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144976#144976 DC Inverter to run power outlets : You cannot connect the inverter... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144975#144975 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14915
Posted: 06 Sep 2021 at 3:18am

You cannot connect the inverter at the same time as your shore power, you would quickly find where they hid the smoke in your inverter and maybe in your appliances as well.

You would need to install a transfer switch or relay so that the two sources could not be connected in parallel. That is more complicated than just putting in a new receptacle or two.

But again, if you really only want to run a TV and charge your phones, swap out your TV for a dual voltage one. They aren't expensive and the mounts are standard so it will mount easily.

Install a 12v receptacle (cig lighter socket/USB combo), and power that from 12V. Plug the TV into the cig lighter socket and the phones into the USB ports. Much more efficient than an inverter which changes DC to AC only to be changed back to DC again to run the electronics.
]]> Mon, 06 Sep 2021 03:18:06 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144975#144975 DC Inverter to run power outlets : The main reason I want the inverter... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144974#144974 Author: Tonii87
Subject: 14915
Posted: 05 Sep 2021 at 11:23pm

The main reason I want the inverter is to power the tv and be able to charge our phones when we are not connected to 120v. It seems easier to just wire the inverter straight to the shore power wires instead of running wires to install a couple of new outlets. But just want to make sure that the easy route is not the worst way. ]]> Sun, 05 Sep 2021 23:23:35 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144974#144974 DC Inverter to run power outlets : Ok, I see where the question comes... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144973#144973 Author: offgrid
Subject: 14915
Posted: 05 Sep 2021 at 10:35pm

Ok, I see where the question comes from.

First, why do you want to try to power all the outlets from the inverter? You don't have enough energy storage in your battery to power the air conditioner, microwave, or water heater electric element. Even powering something like a coffee maker or hair dryer is going to use too much, unless you are very very careful. Really in practice you only have enough stored energy to run the TV and a laptop of phone or two, which you can do without an inverter by getting a dual 12v/120v TV and a couple USB charge ports. All your lights, fan, heater, water heater, fridge, radio etc already run on either 12v or propane or a combination of the two.


If you really must have an inverter then it's best to install a dedicated receptacle or two and run those to the inverter output. Use a different color receptacle and wall plate so you can readily remember which ones are which.

Get something like a 1kw inverter at the most so you can keep your battery to inverter wire size reasonable, even a 1kw inverter will draw around 100 amps and you will need at least 2 gauge wire for it. Also, put an appropriate fuse at the +12v battery end of the cable to the inverter. ]]> Sun, 05 Sep 2021 22:35:26 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144973#144973 DC Inverter to run power outlets : Our inverter installation powers... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144972#144972 Author: Pod People
Subject: 14915
Posted: 05 Sep 2021 at 10:22pm

Our inverter installation powers only the 3 new outlets that I have added to the inverter output circuit. They are primarily used to power/recharge computers, I Pads, cameras, batteries and cell phones.  In our usage, they are not meant for general use and high wattage consumption.
I installed brown outlets and covers in order to differentiate these inverter outlets from the standard white outlets. Thus, the brown outlets are 'special".
Inverters are not 100% effective (generally 80%+/-) and high usage may drain your battery(ies) quickly depending on the battery bank and the amount of current usage.
It is more efficient to use 12volt power where possible.
Vann

]]> Sun, 05 Sep 2021 22:22:18 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144972#144972 DC Inverter to run power outlets : I hope YouTube links are allowed... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144970#144970 Author: Tonii87
Subject: 14915
Posted: 05 Sep 2021 at 6:55pm

I hope YouTube links are allowed if not please delete.

https://youtu.be/5CV-uYGi_Qk

If you see the video starting from minute 2:55 you can see the dc inverter gets connected to the outside of the trailer where the normal shore power connection would go. ]]> Sun, 05 Sep 2021 18:55:08 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144970#144970 DC Inverter to run power outlets : The inverter that you are suggesting... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144969#144969 Author: JR
Subject: 14915
Posted: 05 Sep 2021 at 6:33pm

The inverter that you are suggesting to wire into your system takes 12v electricity from the battery(s) and converts (inverts it) to 120 voltage so that will energize all your outlets in your 183G or at least it should.  I don't understand what you mean when you suggest "to be connected to the RV via the shore power outlet".  The shore power outlet brings in 120v into the trailer and goes to the breaker box to be distributed to your trailer's outlets and the microwave, frig, water heater and it also goes into a converter that converts the 120v to 12v to charge up the battery(s) on the trailer which would also run the interior lights.

There are many ways and locations to install a power inverter which would depend on the size of inverter you need or want, again it depends on how much 12v electricity you are planning on using or needing.  You really need to determine how much 12v electricity from your battery(s) you are going to be converting and then how you are going to replenish that power in the battery(s).  Hope this helps 
]]> Sun, 05 Sep 2021 18:33:34 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144969#144969 DC Inverter to run power outlets : Good afternoon, I recently bought... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144968#144968 Author: Tonii87
Subject: 14915
Posted: 05 Sep 2021 at 4:09pm

Good afternoon,

I recently bought a 2016 R Pod 183G. I would like to install a DC inverter to power all the outlets when not connected to shore power. All the videos I’ve seen online requires the DC inverter to be connected to the RV via the shore power outlet but I won’t like to wire the DC inverter directly inside the rv so that when I turn on the inverter it powers the outlets without having to connect the cable to the shore power outlet. Would that be possible to do without damaging anything?

Hopefully my question question makes sense. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you ]]> Sun, 05 Sep 2021 16:09:26 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14915&PID=144968#144968