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06-22-2015, 09:19 PM
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#21
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,213
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greggo
Ross, you know how to rub it in! No Jalama for 3 more months, not cool!
G
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Hi Greg- why is that? Oil spill or humanity spill?
Glad we finally made it and you're right about it being a last bastion of beach camping anywhere near So.Cal. Unspoiled spot with a great local-run concession. Gotta get me another Jalama Burger
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06-23-2015, 12:05 AM
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#22
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Whittier, California
Trailer: 2015 19" -Are we there yet?-
Posts: 65
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more more more
Quote:
Originally Posted by Floating Cloud
We added two 12Vs at the dinette and a third near the bed.
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[QUOTE=Mary F;97759]We're adding a 12v outlet at the dinette, the galley (kitchen), head of the bed, and also one outside, next to the 120v.
So you guys decided not to go with the inverter? Why?
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06-23-2015, 12:14 AM
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#23
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Bellingham and Glacier, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 15A
Posts: 2,055
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I only have a 375-watt inverter (similar to this: Amazon.com: Tripp Lite PV375 Portable Auto Inverter 375W 12V DC to AC 120V 5-15R 2 Outlet: Electronics) to charge up a phone and tablet. Most of my camping is off-grid (solar panels + dual batteries) and I don't use heavy-draw appliances like hair dryers, microwave ovens, blenders, coffee makers and such, and my television is 12V. I have two 12V outlets, one at each end of the trailer but have never used the one in front so wonder why I bothered. As has been said, your requirements may differ.
__________________
Karen Hulford
2013 Escape 15A, "Egbert"
'93 Ford 150 XLT or
'22 GMC Acadia Denali
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06-23-2015, 12:36 AM
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#24
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Denison, Texas
Trailer: 2015 21'; 2011 19' sold; 4Runner; ph ninezero3 327-27ninefour
Posts: 5,136
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So you guys decided not to go with the inverter? Why?
I guess this question is for Mary but I will answer on us. We are getting the 1500-watt inverter mostly for the microwave which still cannot be used a lot with it. If you do not use a microwave, or much, or a hair dryer, or some coffee makers, then you do not need an inverter. We also have a CPAP machine and as yet have no 12V set-up for it and do not know the situation on using it with the inverter yet.
__________________
Cathy. Floating Cloud
"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.... "
Emerson
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06-23-2015, 12:46 AM
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#25
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Commercial Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
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Added 12V drops in cabinets (coiled wires, no plugs) and a 12V exterior on both exterior sides in order to have places to plug in a 12V air compressor if needed. Or wifeys awning lights...........
__________________
Charlie Y
Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
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06-23-2015, 01:02 AM
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#26
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Whittier, California
Trailer: 2015 19" -Are we there yet?-
Posts: 65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KarenH
I only have a 375-watt inverter (similar to this: Amazon.com: Tripp Lite PV375 Portable Auto Inverter 375W 12V DC to AC 120V 5-15R 2 Outlet: Electronics) to charge up a phone and tablet. Most of my camping is off-grid (solar panels + dual batteries) and I don't use heavy-draw appliances like hair dryers, microwave ovens, blenders, coffee makers and such, and my television is 12V. I have two 12V outlets, one at each end of the trailer but have never used the one in front so wonder why I bothered. As has been said, your requirements may differ.
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Cool, I think I have one of those for my truck. I guess what I'm learning here is that the inverter is not necessary unless you want use a microwave (barf) or hair dryer?
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06-23-2015, 01:11 AM
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#27
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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The Catch 22 is that if you need an inverter to run AC appliances, you need a lot of battery capacity. And, if you camp with electric hookups to run those appliances, you don't need the inverter.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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06-23-2015, 05:33 AM
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#28
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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I added 6 12v outlets and lights for under the bed and 4 extra captain lights to my build list and still ended up having to install another 12v for my dc electric blanket by the bed. One can not have too many 12v outlets as there is always something that needs charging.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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06-23-2015, 02:35 PM
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#29
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Travis County, Texas
Trailer: 2015 Esc 21. Formerly, Casita LD (16 & 17)
Posts: 803
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Quote:
Originally Posted by erikcampbell
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mary F
We're adding a 12v outlet at the dinette, the galley (kitchen), head of the bed, and also one outside, next to the 120v.
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So you guys decided not to go with the inverter? Why?
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Hi, Erik - Pretty much the only "must have" appliance for us is a fan, and we purchased an Endless Breeze (pricey 12v made by the Fantastic Fan folks) a couple of years ago. So, we opted for extra 12v outlets (allowing flexibility in the fan's placement, including outside, under the awning).
Your mileage may vary.
We know how we've managed in our Casita all these years, with a 3.4 amp solar panel (about 45 watts) and without an inverter. For the life of me I couldn't think of a reason to get one, so we didn't. (I signed our build sheet about an hour ago!) It's a fairly spendy option... If it would run the air conditioning, I'd feel differently. Or if we needed to power a medical device...
But we don't. And I like to heat water in the kettle for Melitta drip coffee when I'm camping. That's my way of "roughing it" in what will otherwise be a fairly glamorous travel trailer!
__________________
Mary F Onward, through the fog!
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06-23-2015, 02:41 PM
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#30
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Whittier, California
Trailer: 2015 19" -Are we there yet?-
Posts: 65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mary F
Hi, Erik - Pretty much the only "must have" appliance for us is a fan, and we purchased an Endless Breeze (pricey 12v made by the Fantastic Fan folks) a couple of years ago. So, we opted for extra 12v outlets (allowing flexibility in the fan's placement, including outside, under the awning).
Your mileage may vary.
We know how we've managed in our Casita all these years, with a 3.4 amp solar panel (about 45 watts) and without an inverter. For the life of me I couldn't think of a reason to get one, so we didn't. (I signed our build sheet about an hour ago!) It's a fairly spendy option... If it would run the air conditioning, I'd feel differently. Or if we needed to power a medical device...
But we don't. And I like to heat water in the kettle for Melitta drip coffee [i[when I'm camping[/i]. That's my way of "roughing it" in what will otherwise be a fairly glamorous travel trailer!
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Cool! I couldn't see having a coffee maker in such a small trailer. I don't even use a coffee maker at home. I've been using a stovetop Italian espresso maker for many years now. And you're right, the inverter is such a large expense. I'm trying to figure out some costs to cut so this trailer doesn't explode my budget. I also don't want it if I don't really need it.
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06-23-2015, 02:44 PM
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#31
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Bellingham and Glacier, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 15A
Posts: 2,055
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Quote:
Originally Posted by erikcampbell
I also don't want it if I don't really need it.
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Yes, sometimes "more" is just more stuff to go wrong or worry about...
__________________
Karen Hulford
2013 Escape 15A, "Egbert"
'93 Ford 150 XLT or
'22 GMC Acadia Denali
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06-23-2015, 02:45 PM
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#32
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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I only have one 12V at front dinette and one at back. Could do with a couple more, and another outside, but I'm making do with do-dads. All are inexpensive, purchased either at The Source or Canadian Tire.
Pic #1 is of two types of 12V splitter.
Pic #2 is an extension cord ( 9' maybe? ).
Pic #3 is a 75 watt inverter ( about $12 on sale ).
Proper outlets would be a lot tidier.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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06-23-2015, 02:54 PM
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#33
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Bellingham and Glacier, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 15A
Posts: 2,055
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Yes, to that, too. If I needed more 12V outlets (which I don't), that's the route I would go rather than adding more built-in ones at $50 a pop.
__________________
Karen Hulford
2013 Escape 15A, "Egbert"
'93 Ford 150 XLT or
'22 GMC Acadia Denali
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06-23-2015, 04:52 PM
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#34
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Southwick, Massachusetts
Trailer: None, sold my 2014 5.0TA
Posts: 7,124
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Eric, you can always add an inverter later if you find you want one. If you are not a do it yourself-er you'd have to have someone else do it, a fair amount of electrical work is needed.
I have 2 12v outlets inside, one by the door where we charge the gizmo's and one under the dinette that I've probably used once. I also have one outside next to the 120v outlet for the same fan that Mary has. It's come in handy for the portable inverter too.
__________________
Happy Motoring
Bob
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06-25-2015, 08:48 AM
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#35
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Whittier, California
Trailer: 2015 19" -Are we there yet?-
Posts: 65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by padlin
Eric, you can always add an inverter later if you find you want one. If you are not a do it yourself-er you'd have to have someone else do it, a fair amount of electrical work is needed.
I have 2 12v outlets inside, one by the door where we charge the gizmo's and one under the dinette that I've probably used once. I also have one outside next to the 120v outlet for the same fan that Mary has. It's come in handy for the portable inverter too.
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Pretty sure I'm ditching the inverter! Thanks everyone for your advice.
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06-25-2015, 09:23 AM
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#36
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
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Quote:
Originally Posted by erikcampbell
Pretty sure I'm ditching the inverter! Thanks everyone for your advice.
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Good. This is how you come to an informed decision. Get feedback from the experienced owners, weigh all the pros and cons, think about your camping style, analyze if or when you might need or use a particular option, and then decide. There's no one answer for all.
Using a little common sense and this approach, we pretty much nailed our options list, and several months into ownership, there's nothing I would change right now.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
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06-25-2015, 09:37 AM
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#37
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Trailer: 2015 Escape 17B - 2009 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid
Posts: 551
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Absolutely!!! I am so grateful to this Forum -- everything I have learned (and I started at ZERO) has come from here. Thank you everyone!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryan4
Good. This is how you come to an informed decision. Get feedback from the experienced owners, weigh all the pros and cons, think about your camping style, analyze if or when you might need or use a particular option, and then decide. There's no one answer for all.
Using a little common sense and this approach, we pretty much nailed our options list, and several months into ownership, there's nothing I would change right now.
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__________________
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
–– C.S. Lewis
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06-25-2015, 09:54 AM
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#38
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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The University of Escapes.......higher education.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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06-25-2015, 10:27 AM
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#39
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Eastern Iowa, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21
Posts: 136
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Inverter
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
The University of Escapes.......higher education.
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Higher education, lower tuition, great off campus recreation program.
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06-25-2015, 11:25 AM
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#40
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 Tow: 2024 Toyota Tundra
Posts: 3,105
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
I only have one 12V at front dinette and one at back. Could do with a couple more, and another outside, but I'm making do with do-dads. All are inexpensive, purchased either at The Source or Canadian Tire.
Pic #1 is of two types of 12V splitter.
Pic #2 is an extension cord ( 9' maybe? ).
Pic #3 is a 75 watt inverter ( about $12 on sale ).
Proper outlets would be a lot tidier.
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Folks should be careful with those 12V splitters. Sometimes they are rated at a lower amperage than the 12V wall socket they plug into. I exceeded the 10A rating of a splitter and melted its plug in the wall socket, not blowing the 15A fuse in the circuit to the socket. I could have easily started a fire in my trailer.
__________________
Mike Lewis
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie-- propane
Photos and travelogues here: mikelewisimages.com
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