Do I need an inverter?

[Sandyb12]

My new 2016 Escape 5.0 TA does not have an inverter. It does have 2 6v batteries and 150 W solar panel. Do I need to add the non switchable 1500 inverter?

Tammy said an inverter was not installed on my ready to go trailer.

I do own 2 Yamaha 2000 generators however.

[C&G in FL]

It is really hard to answer that question without knowing how you like to camp. I have solar and dual 6 volt batteries. I also have a 150 pure sine wave inverter which plugs into a 12v outlet to power a television for my wife. I can do without all other electrical items. So do you need an inverter? It depends in whether or not you need to run certain appliances.

[Sandyb12]

I have to admit I do like my gadgets. I need a coffee pot, I do enjoy the tv in the evening, I would charge my phone, and iPad etc. I usually camp in campgrounds but want to be prepared to stay at a Cracker Barrel while on the road if need be. In the heat I need an ac. So does that mean the inverter is a yes?

[gbaglo]

You can make coffee with a cone filter holder and a thermal carafe, boiling water on the propane stove.
You can get 12V / USB chargers for the iPhone and iPad and for some TVs. Option for those is to use a small inverter if you use 120V chargers.
You won't be able to run an air conditioner off of your batteries, with or without an inverter.
You can run the air conditioner with your generator ( maybe ), but you will annoy your neighbours.

[float5]

Originally Posted by Sandyb12

I have to admit I do like my gadgets. I need a coffee pot, I do enjoy the tv in the evening, I would charge my phone, and iPad etc. I usually camp in campgrounds but want to be prepared to stay at a Cracker Barrel while on the road if need be. In the heat I need an ac. So does that mean the inverter is a yes?

People use 1500-watt inverters to run a microwave for a few minutes, not for long, and to run other high-draw items such as a hair dryer on low.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Sandyb12

My new 2016 Escape 5.0 TA does not have an inverter. It does have 2 6v batteries and 150 W solar panel. Do I need to add the non switchable 1500 inverter?

Tammy said an inverter was not installed on my ready to go trailer.

I do own 2 Yamaha 2000 generators however.

When you're on shore power, your AC outlets work with no inverter. When you boondock, they don't. You decide if that's important enough for an inverter. If you don't plan on powering any AC appliances or devices, you don't need it. Many have gone with all 12v appliances/gadgets, and it works for them. It's also more efficient, because inverting the power from DC to AC means some power loss. Inverters are not 100% efficient.

As for us, we like our AC appliances, and we like to boondock, so we went with the inverter. Nothing wrong with a generator, so long as you are camping where it won't disturb others.

[cpaharley2008]

If you plan judiciously you may not need generators. Everything on your trailer will operate off either 12v which is battery and solar or propane, stove and furnace. Your water pump is 12v so you have a bathroom. Most electronics these days are also 12v, but to use it at home you need to convert it to 120v. My lap top, my television with dvd, both operate off 12v. You can cook or make coffee off your stove and run your refrigerator off propane. No generators, no noise.
Save the hook ups for air conditioning.

[C&G in FL]

The important point to understand as Glenn has stated you cannot run the air conditioner without being plugged into electricity (shore power). There are ways to make coffee without 120v AC power, and there are 12v DC televisions and electronic devices such as cell phones and tablets can be charged on 12v. If I didn't have a Toshiba TV that requires AC power, I wouldn't even bother with the small inverter I have.

[Sandyb12]

Ok, thank you all for the input! I ordered a small tv that can run on AC or DC. So it looks as though the inverter is not going to be necessary. Now I understand better.

[Sandyb12]

Well, I ended up going with the 1500 w inverter being installed on my 5.0 ta. Turns out
it can be on all the outlets too. Might as well make the trailer as user friendly as I can
get it! The only thing it shouldn't handle without hookups is the ac. I am sure looking forward to some fun times ahead!

[Amayajack]

What would an equal or greater inverter cost to put in a 21 or any escape trailer for that matter?
Thank you

[Mike G]

I bought a small inverter a few years ago for, I think, about $30. I used it a handful of times to run my laptop or to charge camera batteries, but that was about it.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Mike G

I bought a small inverter a few years ago for, I think, about $30. I used it a handful of times to run my laptop or to charge camera batteries, but that was about it.

Same here, a 300W used maybe 3 times a year to charge something.

[gbaglo]

I got this one for under $10. Won't run a microwave though ( only 75 watts ). Not a problem, because I don't have a microwave.

[kstock11]

Sometimes an unexpected advantage appears after the purchase. I ordered the inverter although I wasn’t sure of the need, since this was my first rv. I store my Escape off site where there is no power. I now have an ra polisher and can polish my trailer with no need to bring it home.

[cpaharley2008]

The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1) is a great starting point to help with your decision. For past 10 years I have yet to encounter a situation that prevented me from using my camper comfortably without having hookups.

[Greg A]

It's an expensive add and depends really on what you are going to do to justify cost.
For the first 5 years of our Escape 19 we just bought the small inexpensive inverter to run the TV or charge laptops like mentioned above. Worked great and no need for our weekend camping to have spent the $$ for ETI inverter.
In the fall we go FT and I am in the process of adding GP 2000w inverter. Expensive add, but for full-time living we decided it would now be worth it. In talking with some of the others on the forum, the recommendation was to go to the 2000w as they found the 1500w ETI installs a bit lite.
In general for people ordering, if $$ doesn't matter, I'd probably go ahead and get the inverter installed as it's certainly doable but a bit complex to add it later.

[Rossue]

Greg- have you bought an inverter yet? We wanted ETI to install a 3K Xantrax, yet they refused as it needed too heavy a cable. Since we ordered the transfer switch only, they accidentally installed their GoPower 1500. It is a pure sine wave and that makes a big difference in energy consumption evidently.

[Greg A]

Hey Ross,
I went with the Go Power ISW2000-12. Installing it this next week. I’m also, putting two Battleborn 100ah inside under DS bench which should provide plenty of juice for it.

[Doug2000]

I installed a 300 watt pure sine wave inverter. I only wanted it to run a couple string of Christmas lights so when my wife goes to the bathroom in the dark she can spot our trailer. There's a story behind that/