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10-23-2013, 02:25 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Marana, Arizona
Trailer: 2018 Airstream Flying Cloud (Escape 19 & 5.0 previously)
Posts: 1,078
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Inverter & transfer switch installation
Is anyone aware of any REAL EASY and SIMPLE to understand, step-by-step instructions for retrofitting an inverter and transfer switch into a 19' Escape? My goal is to have it supply AC to all factory outlets but to say I am electrically challenged would be an understatement. I have the solar panel and a single 12V battery and now want to boondock a little (and am now regretting not having it installed during the build). Conversely, is this something I should let a professional handle?
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10-23-2013, 02:42 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Marysville, Washington
Trailer: 2022 Coachmen Nova 20C
Posts: 652
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If it was me, I'd take it back to Escape and let Reace do it.
Tumwater isn't too far from Chillawack.
__________________
Paul & Norma
2013 Escape 21 & 2014 Chevy Silverado - sold
2022 Coachmen Nova 20C
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10-23-2013, 05:48 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Marana, Arizona
Trailer: 2018 Airstream Flying Cloud (Escape 19 & 5.0 previously)
Posts: 1,078
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That was my first thought too. If anyone does it other than me, it'll be Reace. (And right now, I'm thinking there is a 95% chance that he'll get the job.)
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10-23-2013, 05:55 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: N/A, Indiana
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 976
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You may want to consider a larger battery bank depending on the wattage output of the inverter and the wattage requirements of the devices that you are going to power with the inverter.
http://www.mdspower.com/inverters/ba...sizing_faq.pdf
__________________
"Never argue with an idiot. They only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." George Carlin
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10-23-2013, 06:00 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Marana, Arizona
Trailer: 2018 Airstream Flying Cloud (Escape 19 & 5.0 previously)
Posts: 1,078
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Thanks, Jubal. I did give that some thought and since (at least at this point) right now I'm thinking of only running a TV/BluRay player and a small stereo, I doubt that I'd overtax the 12V (as long as the sun shines on the panel!). Also not planning more than two or three days out at a time. Appreciate your reply!
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10-23-2013, 06:31 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Bellingham and Glacier, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 15A
Posts: 2,051
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
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This is the simplest method. I use a similar item for charging my tablet and phone. My television has a 12V input (power supply) so I just bought a 12V cable and plug the TV directly into my 12V outlet.
Edited: Although these inverters do make some (fan) noise so might not be desirable for playing music.
__________________
Karen Hulford
2013 Escape 15A, "Egbert"
'93 Ford 150 XLT or
'22 GMC Acadia Denali
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10-23-2013, 07:15 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 2013 19' & 2013 15B
Posts: 2,634
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With the exception of AC and the electric water heater, pretty much every electrical device used in our 19' runs off 12v DC. We don't bring any plug in AC devices with us either. For our circumstances we would have no need for an inverter.
__________________
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
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10-23-2013, 07:41 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
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I am like Dave, other than I have no A/C, but have no need at all for 120V at all. I get by just great with only 12V power. Should I be hooked up, I can then run the water heater, or the small kettle or heater I do have stowed away. Keeps the batteries charged too.
I have carried a 300W inverter I had when I bought my 19 in the spring of '09, and have not used it yet. I first brought it to power my laptop if I wanted, but have since pretty much stopped bringing even the laptop, it never got used.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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10-23-2013, 07:51 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Galesville, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2017 21 "Blue II" & 2017 Highlander XLE (previously 2010 17B "Blue" & 2008 Tacoma)
Posts: 4,232
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I used to use my small inverter for charging things, now I picked up 12v chargers for everything and never need the inverter anymore.
__________________
Eric (and Mary who is in no way responsible for anything stupid I post)
"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." George Bernard Shaw
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10-23-2013, 09:30 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2002 Escape 13'
Posts: 967
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I'm kinda on the other side of the spectrum and use my 2,500 watt inverter while boon-docking for my blender (margaritas anywhere, anytime) my electric griddle, electric toaster (although I'm really likin barbequed toast these days), running all my awning lights anywhere, anytime, charging my laptop on 120VAC, and the deep fryer and hot tub...but not too often...
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10-25-2013, 03:18 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Marana, Arizona
Trailer: 2018 Airstream Flying Cloud (Escape 19 & 5.0 previously)
Posts: 1,078
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Thanks everyone for your valuable feedback. Didn't realize it would be a total rewiring job; that gave me a reason to think twice (or more). Glad to see there are options where I can take this one step at a time and not spend so much all at once. Think I'll take the incremental approach before I go go overboard. Appreciate you all (and this forum!).
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