Need help understanding the power systems in the trailer please - Page 2 - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Escape Systems | Water, Waste, Charging & Propane
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 02-25-2015, 10:46 PM   #21
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: ESCAPE #3 COMING - 19 FT
Posts: 277
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jill View Post
We were thinking of getting the TV ready option but try watching TV from our laptop first. Laptops run on 12V for recharging right? What if we plug in a better monitor - do you know if that would be 12V or 120?
A lot of monitors or tvs run on 120v where u plug in and then are stepped down to around 12v before entering the appliance.

u can also buy 12v only but selectuon is limited. So go for inverter and u can sop for either.

ken
__________________
ESCAPE #3, 19FT ON ORDER
TV - NOT YET, THINKING RIDGELINE OR F150
KEN AND DIANA, CALGARY
kvermeulen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2015, 10:47 PM   #22
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
Probably 120. We take a flat screen tv & dvd player. Use it maybe 1 in 10 days, so I wouldn't want one staring me in the face all the time mounted. When we want to set it up we use one of the filler boards and set it up on the bed and watch it from the dinette. Could also use the KT counter.

Was at Henry Coe SP last night and saw the huge TV transmitter out in the valley. Dang- with an antenna we coulda watched some Network commercials instead of seeing that great crescent moon(-;
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2015, 10:53 PM   #23
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jill View Post
Laptops run on 12V for recharging right?
The laptop power cord is A/C to D/C. You'll need a travel adapter with a 12v plug that fits your laptop if you want to run or charge it with 12v. With an inverter, you'd just plug the laptop into the A/C outlet.

By "better monitor" do you mean a TV? If so, I'd recommend one that can run on 12v or 120v (dual power). That way you can use any power source.

Regarding the air conditioning, I would not think of getting the inverter so that in the future you could power it. The biggest inverter ETI offers is 1500 watts, and that's not enough output to power an air conditioner.

Also, if you get an inverter, be aware that its wired to a single A/C outlet, unless you also get the transfer switch and have it wired to all A/C outlets your trailer may have.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2015, 10:54 PM   #24
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
Most tv and computers are dc current and the is the reason for the little charger you carry around. You can find a nice dvd/tv combo that operates off 12v on amazon. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...eywords=12v+tv
In addition you can also find the correct 12v adapter for your computer. Seems illogical to convert 12v DC to 120v AC back to 12vDC Check the back of your new LED tv and look for the voltage, it will read DC
My Escape is all 12v except for a/c and I had 4 extra 12v outlets installed for that reason.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2015, 11:50 PM   #25
Senior Member
 
Jill's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Sacramento area, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 21
Posts: 524
Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin View Post
Might be more then you care to know but you can try reading "The 12 Volt Side of Life", 2 parts.

The 12volt Side of Life (Part 1)
Very helpful link, in language I can understand. I feel a lot better about knowing all this stuff. There's so much to learn, but that too is another reason why we decided to get a trailer. Thank you for sharing.
Jill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2015, 08:13 AM   #26
Senior Member
 
skiman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Jeromesville, Ohio
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21' pulled with 2014 Silverado Crewcab
Posts: 853
Solar AC

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jill View Post
Given that technology changes so quickly, there's a good chance that solar power technology could some day soon be sufficient to power the air conditioner right? And if that's the case we would want the inverter. I think we will get it for now, because "we" are not handy enough to add something like that.
Solar powered AC is unlikely in our lifetime for an Escape. I would plan on AC only when hooked up in a campground or get a generator.

The standard 12 volt fan does do a nice job running on battery. Not so good when it gets really hot out.

The 1500 watt inverter will not run the AC. Even if it did the batteries would be depleted in a few minutes. It is practical for the microwave or television. We chose rely on propane stove, oven, 12 volt television, 12 volt stereo DVD. Only thing we can't do is run the microwave.

I did try out our home bluray player with a cheap $30 plug in inverter and it worked fine. Standard DVD look fine on small TV so not sure if I will bother taking it along. Otherwise standard ETI 12 volt stereo DVD works fine.
__________________
Carl,

"Isn't it amazing how much stuff we get done the day before vacation?"
Zig Ziglar
skiman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2015, 08:22 AM   #27
Senior Member
 
Dave Walter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 2013 19' & 2013 15B
Posts: 2,634
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4 View Post
...By "better monitor" do you mean a TV? If so, I'd recommend one that can run on 12v or 120v (dual power). That way you can use any power source...
of course, if your Escape is plugged into 120V power, then all of your 12V outlets will work anyway. So a 12V only tv would be just fine.
__________________
2013 19' \ 2013 15B, 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Offroad

"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." - 1907, Maurice Switzer
Dave Walter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2015, 08:23 AM   #28
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
This all comes down to how you plan on using your camper. If you plan on using the microwave for cooking and need a/c for comfort, you will probably need to camp where you have electric. If on the other hand you like camping away from it all, then solar and the use of 12v items is adequate.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2015, 09:20 AM   #29
Senior Member
 
escape artist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
Hi: Jill... With our 5.0TA on a sunny day towing we put the 6.7 fridge on battery. The recharge for it is then supplied by the solar panel.
So far the fridge is working as expected...Great!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
FMB Florida for now
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
escape artist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2015, 09:31 AM   #30
Member
 
Grant & Kathy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bandon, Oregon
Trailer: 2015 Escape 21
Posts: 85
"Solar powered AC is unlikely in our lifetime for an Escape. I would plan on AC only when hooked up in a campground or get a generator. "

I don't know what A/C ETI installs but the A/C on my previous 3 trailers all required 30 amps. To get 30 amps you will need either a really big generator or 2 Honda 2000 generators coupled together.

Grant
__________________

“The journey not the arrival matters.” – T. S. Eliot
Grant & Kathy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2015, 09:50 AM   #31
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant & Kathy View Post
I don't know what A/C ETI installs but the A/C on my previous 3 trailers all required 30 amps. To get 30 amps you will need either a really big generator or 2 Honda 2000 generators coupled together.



Grant

Correct Grant. The low profile Dometic ETI uses requires 30 amp input.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2015, 10:12 AM   #32
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: ESCAPE #3 COMING - 19 FT
Posts: 277
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4 View Post
Correct Grant. The low profile Dometic ETI uses requires 30 amp input.
Hmmmm - i was just told by eti that the 11000 btu ac that they use can be started and run when using a honda eu2000i.

ken
__________________
ESCAPE #3, 19FT ON ORDER
TV - NOT YET, THINKING RIDGELINE OR F150
KEN AND DIANA, CALGARY
kvermeulen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2015, 11:09 AM   #33
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
I've test run mine with the eu2000i, granted I'm not in TX and only ran it for 15 minutes or so.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
padlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2015, 11:15 AM   #34
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Quote:
Originally Posted by kvermeulen View Post
Hmmmm - i was just told by eti that the 11000 btu ac that they use can be started and run when using a honda eu2000i.

ken

Just looked it up Ken. You're right. It will run on 115v ac input.

-->Compressor Loaded Amps: 9.5
-->Fan Motor Loaded Amps: 3.1
-->Compressor-locked rotor amps: 53.0
-->Fan motor-locked rotor amps: 8.8

So, with a Honda Gen you could run just the AC, but nothing else.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2015, 12:02 PM   #35
Senior Member
 
BCnomad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: O town, British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 "Lightning"
Posts: 1,467
side note: graphene is looking promising not only making future solar panels "up to 60% effecient" but also some next generation battery tech within reach...


Potential applications of graphene - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Never say never guys.
BCnomad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2015, 12:03 PM   #36
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Missoula, Montana
Trailer: Escape 19, 2018: Last Best Escape
Posts: 395
Quote:
So, with a Honda Gen you could run just the AC, but nothing else.
If it's hot enough to run the AC, what else would you run inside the Escape, using the generator? Sure, not the microwave, but you should be able to get by with the LED lights, for example, right?

Klaus
__________________
2018 Escape 19: Last Best Escape
2015 Escape 19 (previous): Escape Goats
2011 Escape 17 (previous): SittEscape

Honda Pilot 2019
ksitte is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2015, 12:42 PM   #37
Member
 
Grant & Kathy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bandon, Oregon
Trailer: 2015 Escape 21
Posts: 85
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4 View Post
Just looked it up Ken. You're right. It will run on 115v ac input.

-->Compressor Loaded Amps: 9.5
-->Fan Motor Loaded Amps: 3.1
-->Compressor-locked rotor amps: 53.0
-->Fan motor-locked rotor amps: 8.8

So, with a Honda Gen you could run just the AC, but nothing else.
I am confused. Does anyone know what:

Compressor-locked rotor amps: 53.0
Fan motor-locked rotor amps: 8.8
is?

Further down on the Dometic Penguin II — Low Profile Air Conditioner spec page it says: Minimum generator size - 1 unit 2.5 KW

The spec page for the Honda EU200i says:
AC Output 120V 2000W max. (16.7A) 1600W rated (13.3A)
__________________

“The journey not the arrival matters.” – T. S. Eliot
Grant & Kathy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2015, 12:44 PM   #38
Senior Member
 
TAfraser's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Auburn, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 #3
Posts: 385
We've run our air-conditioner many times without issue using our Yamaha 2400. I don't remember if we were running anything else on a/c, but all you're other d/c items work just fine (lights, fridge, d/c outlets, etc).
TAfraser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2015, 01:08 PM   #39
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Need help understanding the power systems in the trailer please

Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant & Kathy View Post
I am confused. Does anyone know what:



Compressor-locked rotor amps: 53.0

Fan motor-locked rotor amps: 8.8

is?



Further down on the Dometic Penguin II — Low Profile Air Conditioner spec page it says: Minimum generator size - 1 unit 2.5 KW



The spec page for the Honda EU200i says:

AC Output120V 2000W max. (16.7A) 1600W rated (13.3A)

Locked rotor amps just means the max amps it will draw when the rotor is locked and can't turn. The reason they publish this is that a compressor motor or a fan motor will momentarily draw locked rotor amperage when it starts up. Think of it as a short period during start up where the compressor uses more power.

As to the other specs, 2.5 KW is the same as 2500 watts. The smaller Honda generator may run the ac, but it's clearly not intended to, and I doubt it could power anything else while doing so. To reliably power the AC, the specs are telling me to use a generator that produces at least 2500 watts.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2015, 01:53 PM   #40
Senior Member
 
TAfraser's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Auburn, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 #3
Posts: 385
I believe the term Compressor-Locked Rotor Amps is a confusing way of stating the amount of current that’s required to start the compressor. The fan on an air-conditioner starts only once when first turned on, then runs all the time, but the compressor starts and stops as needed to keep things cool. You can hear when the compressor starts, both from the air-conditioner and from the generator if you’re using one.

When we purchased our Casita in 07 I read all kinds of posts where people were having issues powering their air-conditioners with the Honda 2000. They would go through specific light-off procedures (sometimes successfully) in order to start and run their A/C units, they would link two Honda 2000s together, purchase the Honda 3000, or they would install “Soft Start” circuits in their air-conditioners.

Soft Start circuits consist of capacitors that are charged during operation and used for power assist during compressor start-up. Adding the Soft Start circuits would allow the use of a smaller generator. I've been told, I don’t know where, that the newer A/C units all have the soft start circuits installed. I can’t verify that because we own the Yamaha 2400 and have never had a problem.
TAfraser is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:46 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.