12v inverter recommendations?

[Carol A.]

Also, Roger - if I'm hooked up to shore power, I don't really worry about which plug I'm using, frankly... I don't carry any high demand appliances like a hair dryer or coffee pot, so even if something is plugged into an inverter outlet (like the tv), I don't have to unplug and replug into 110 as long as the inverter is turned on...

the battery is going to be charging under that circumstance and it really makes no difference whatsoever...

something like a hair dryer would be the only limitation I can think of... then you would have to plug into the standard 110 so you don't burn up the inverter.... the limit is the amount power generated by the inverter....

[PAB4]

I am a new to camping and deciding on options for a 19' Escape. Our primary camping will be from shore power. My question is: will we waste our money on a dedicated inverter and solar power. And does solar power require a inverter?
Thanks for any help

[gbaglo]

I like the option to change my mind.
You might discover that you prefer the great outdoors so I'd at least ask that Escape prep for options that you may choose to install later.

[bvansnell]

Originally Posted by PAB4

I am a new to camping and deciding on options for a 19' Escape. Our primary camping will be from shore power. My question is: will we waste our money on a dedicated inverter and solar power. And does solar power require a inverter?
Thanks for any help

PAB4

1. You don't need an inverter just because you have solar power -- you can use an inverter even if you don't have solar. I used a small inverter for charging computer and camera batteries by plugging into a 12 volt outlet in our trailer or car.
2. The advantage of having a dedicated inverter is that you can have 120 volt power available wherever you want in the trailer.
3. An inverter can run down the battery or batteries in your trailer quickly if you use a lot of power and have no means of charging the battery or batteries
4. If you have solar and are only using it to operate lights, furnace, water pump etc you don't need an inverter
5. If you have solar and want to be able to run some 120 volt appliances then it makes sense to have a dedicated inverter.

[Stargeezer]

Brian,
Off grid, can one use AC power from Escape's installed inverter at the same time as a portable solar panel is plugged into the seven pin trailer connector?

Thanks,
Larry

[cpaharley2008]

The a/c can only operate off 120v ac and it's watts exceed the inverter's capacity. The inverter can operate the microwave and other small appliances, not the a/c. You will need a generator or campsite for it. You need to determine your 12v requirements and needs here is a good guide
The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)

[bvansnell]

Originally Posted by Stargeezer

Brian,
Off grid, can one use AC power from Escape's installed inverter at the same time as a portable solar panel is plugged into the seven pin trailer connector?

Thanks,
Larry

Stargeezer
I assume AC means "alternating current" not "air conditioner" in your question. I don't see why you can't use the inverter in the way you describe.

[cpaharley2008]

Me Culpa, I thought he was referring to the air conditioning.

[PAB4]

Thanks so much for the good info. So to make it clear if I have no intent to "boondoggle" I would not require either. Would solar power be enough to tricle my battery in a pinch, just to run lights?
Thanks again

[cpaharley2008]

Depends on the size of the panel and your battery bank. The stock Escape 95 watt system is enough to keep dual 6 volts or 12v batteries fully charged everyday.

[padlin]

A couple inverter questions.

Will Escapes optional 1500 watt inverter run my wife's 1500 watt hair drier?

The inverter comes with 1 outlet, am I right in assuming that attempting to run the microwave is not practical if said MW is a built in without going the transfer switch route? The MW and the hair drier are the only devices that we would use 120v for, if it happened to be available, everything else is fine with 12v.

[jamman]

Originally Posted by padlin

A couple inverter questions.

1)Will Escapes optional 1500 watt inverter run my wife's 1500 watt hair drier?

2)The inverter comes with 1 outlet, am I right in assuming that attempting to run the microwave is not practical if said MW is a built in without going the transfer switch route? The MW and the hair drier are the only devices that we would use 120v for, if it happened to be available, everything else is fine with 12v.

1) Run the hair dryer - maybe. Almost certainly on a low heat setting.
2) Correct.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by padlin

A couple inverter questions.

Will Escapes optional 1500 watt inverter run my wife's 1500 watt hair drier?

The inverter comes with 1 outlet, am I right in assuming that attempting to run the microwave is not practical if said MW is a built in without going the transfer switch route? The MW and the hair drier are the only devices that we would use 120v for, if it happened to be available, everything else is fine with 12v.

Just one point - while the inverter may run the hair dryer, at 1500 watts that is a 150 amp draw on your battery. It won't take too long to run your battery below 50%, the recommended maximum discharge...

[padlin]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

Just one point - while the inverter may run the hair dryer, at 1500 watts that is a 150 amp draw on your battery. It won't take too long to run your battery below 50%, the recommended maximum discharge...

She tells me it take 8 minutes to do her hair, so if my math is right it's 20A once every few days. I can live with that. But don't know if the cost is worth it when I really don't need the AC for anything else. She currently (no pun intended) walks up to the CG bathroom or waits till the day I run the genny.

[thoer]

How about a 12v hair dryer?

[gbaglo]

Or solar hair dryer.

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Or solar hair dryer.

That gets my vote. Or I use the hand dryer (blower, turned upside down) in the campground lavatory.

[J Mac]

No towels?

[padlin]

She's got pretty long hair, the easy ways won't cut it. Even the barely warm 12v ones won't put a dent in it. If it was easy I wouldn't even consider an inverter.

[gbaglo]

Not an option, but I used to shave my head each Sept. before heading out with my buddy for a ten-day fishing trip.