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Old 06-22-2015, 09:19 PM   #21
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Ross, you know how to rub it in! No Jalama for 3 more months, not cool!

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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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Old 06-23-2015, 12:05 AM   #22
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We added two 12Vs at the dinette and a third near the bed.
[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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Old 06-23-2015, 12:14 AM   #23
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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.
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Old 06-23-2015, 12:36 AM   #24
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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.
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Old 06-23-2015, 12:46 AM   #25
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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...........
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Old 06-23-2015, 01:02 AM   #26
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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.
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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Old 06-23-2015, 01:11 AM   #27
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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.
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Old 06-23-2015, 05:33 AM   #28
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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.
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Old 06-23-2015, 02:35 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mary F View Post
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?
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!
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Old 06-23-2015, 02:41 PM   #30
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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 [i[when I'm camping[/i]. That's my way of "roughing it" in what will otherwise be a fairly glamorous travel trailer!
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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Old 06-23-2015, 02:44 PM   #31
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Originally Posted by erikcampbell View Post
I also don't want it if I don't really need it.
Yes, sometimes "more" is just more stuff to go wrong or worry about...
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Old 06-23-2015, 02:45 PM   #32
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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.
Attached Thumbnails
DC splitters.jpg   12V extension cord.jpg   75W inverter.jpg  
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Old 06-23-2015, 02:54 PM   #33
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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.
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Old 06-23-2015, 04:52 PM   #34
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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.
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Old 06-25-2015, 08:48 AM   #35
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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.
Pretty sure I'm ditching the inverter! Thanks everyone for your advice.
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Old 06-25-2015, 09:23 AM   #36
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Pretty sure I'm ditching the inverter! Thanks everyone for your advice.
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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Old 06-25-2015, 09:37 AM   #37
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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.
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Old 06-25-2015, 09:54 AM   #38
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Old 06-25-2015, 10:27 AM   #39
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Old 06-25-2015, 11:25 AM   #40
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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.
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.
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