Sunseeker 3010 has no inverter?

[alikair]

I could not find any inverter listed for the 3010. If there is in fact no inverter what is everyone doing for 120V when not hooked up?

I understand that an inverter and 2 house batteries is useless for running the air conditioning (drain batteries to fast) but what do you do when you need 120 for a coffee maker or a instapot do you have to run the generator?

[BehindBars]

I don’t believe any new Sunseeker models come with an inverter. You could install one yourself if you felt it was necessary.

We’ve been camping in class Cs for over 20 years, and never felt the need to add an inverter. We carried a small portable inverter with us but never used it.

If we need 120 volts AC for an appliance, we run the generator for that brief period of time. Since the refrigerator, furnace, range/oven, lights, fans, water pump, and radio/television all run on propane and/or 12 volts DC, 120 volts AC is rarely needed when we’re not plugged in at a campsite. As you said, running an air conditioner off an inverter would drain batteries quickly. Running a microwave or coffee maker briefly would be the only things we would possibly need an inverter for, so instead we just fire up the generator.

We don’t use CPAPs and are not familiar with their power requirements, but perhaps that’s something where a person might want an inverter.

[A32Deuce]

My 2012 SunSeeker came with an inverter. It's under the reefer near the unit propane heater. With 305 watts solar and 2 batterys, works great.

[n-e-d]

No inverter on my rig and it wasn't an option.As BehindBars said it really hasnt been a problem with us with most appliances running on 12v or gas. We generally run the generator for coffee and m/w in the morning(only during the parks generator run times) and to recharge the batteries. I use a CPAP that has a 12v adapter that I run off of the house batteries or a portable battery pack. So really had no need for an inverter and if we had one DW would probably run down the batteries with her hairdryer

[alikair]

If you're using 12 volts instead of 120 , where do you plug in? I have not seen any 12 Volt outlets other than cigarette lighter in the cab. If I were to buy a 12 Volt appliance like a coffee maker, do I need to run my own wires?

[Bill and Gail]

My 3010 has a cigar lighter style 12v outlet on the wall by the propane/co detector, and another behind the bedroom tv.

[alikair]

Originally Posted by Bill and Gail

My 3010 has a cigar lighter style 12v outlet on the wall by the propane/co detector, and another behind the bedroom tv.

That is definitely good to know. Is there one by the kitchen counter? I don't own a RV yet, just in the research phase. No idea where the co detector is.

[emm-dee]

Current Forester and Sunseeker models usually have 12 volt TVs so there should be outlets in those TV locations. The 3010/3011/3050/3051 only need AC power for the AC, microwave and converter. There are 12v wires everywhere so it’s easy to tap into them for power.

I personally like the emphasis on 12v. I hear too many complaints about residential refrigerators and the battery/inverter systems to run them. With the Forester/SS models just disconnect shore power and the refrigerator automatically switches to propane. Simple and efficient. If the battery voltage gets too low the generator automatically starts and charges the batteries.

[alikair]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

Current Forester and Sunseeker models usually have 12 volt TVs so there should be outlets in those TV locations. The 3010/3011/3050/3051 only need AC power for the AC, microwave and converter. There are 12v wires everywhere so it’s easy to tap into them for power.

I personally like the emphasis on 12v. I hear too many complaints about residential refrigerators and the battery/inverter systems to run them. With the Forester/SS models just disconnect shore power and the refrigerator automatically switches to propane. Simple and efficient. If the battery voltage gets too low the generator automatically starts and charges the batteries.

anybody else find it strange that they didn't think about making coffee with the generator not running

[JLeising]

When without hookups we use the propane stove to heat water, then use a pour through coffee maker (Melita, French Press, MyJo for Kcups, or our favorite, the AeroPress). Others use a stove top percolator. I “toast” bread in a frying pan.
When my wife got into yogurt and frozen fruit smoothies, I added a small (400 watt) inverter and we carried a Magic Bullet blender - but otherwise rarely use electric appliances in the kitchen while without hookups.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by alikair

anybody else find it strange that they didn't think about making coffee with the generator not running

There are plenty other options, for making coffee, without needing electricity.
I'm the only coffee drinker and love my Keurig. But I have a Presto My Jo, which is kinda of a French Press for K cups.

[n-e-d]

LOL Yes we do have a stove top perculator,just that the amount we generally start the day with, its easier with the Mr Coffee. DW does love her Mr Coffee and on the road we do occasionally stop fire up the generator and have a cup of coffee

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by alikair

That is definitely good to know. Is there one by the kitchen counter? I don't own a 3RV yet, just in the research phase. No idea where the co detector is.

A coffee maker is likely to require much more amperage than can be delivered via a cigar lighter type inverter. Overloading will blow fuses, or worse start fires.

[alikair]

Well I guess I will be using my vac pot for coffee then. its fun to use and makes the best coffee anyway.

[A32Deuce]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

Current Forester and Sunseeker models usually have 12 volt TVs so there should be outlets in those TV locations. The 3010/3011/3050/3051 only need AC power for the AC, microwave and converter. There are 12v wires everywhere so it’s easy to tap into them for power.

I personally like the emphasis on 12v. I hear too many complaints about residential refrigerators and the battery/inverter systems to run them. With the Forester/SS models just disconnect shore power and the refrigerator automatically switches to propane. Simple and efficient. If the battery voltage gets too low the generator automatically starts and charges the batteries.

Mine does not self start If the batterys low. That must be a later option or a dealer add on.

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

Mine does not self start If the batterys low. That must be a later option or a dealer add on.

I don’t know when they started installing it but my 2018 3051 did not show it on the paperwork. I didn’t know it was there until it just started up all by itself one day.

Here’s a thread was a lot of good info about it.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...rt-179295.html

[BehindBars]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

I don’t know when they started installing it but my 2018 3051 did not show it on the paperwork. I didn’t know it was there until it just started up all by itself one day.

Here’s a thread was a lot of good info about it.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...rt-179295.html

Could this be a feature on Foresters, but not on Sunseekers? Current Sunseeker models do not have touchscreen controls or mobile apps for the house.

I am not aware of a generator autostart feature on my Sunseeker, and frankly I would disable it anyway if the feature was present.

[A32Deuce]

With my solar, there would not be an advantage to that. Now auto start for lack of power When connected to shore power would be better. I like to park with a full tank when stopping for a week or more.

[Bill and Gail]

Originally Posted by alikair

That is definitely good to know. Is there one by the kitchen counter? I don't own a RV yet, just in the research phase. No idea where the co detector is.

No, but the one by the detector is not far on the other side. The detector is just above the floor, on the dining room side wall of the bathroom, next to the dining table (you can see it better when the slide is out).

[Flybob]

A couple of points to consider.

Most people that have used 12V coffee makers and not happy with them.
For every amp of 120VAC current a device uses you will use 10A of 12VDC current. This means a coffee maker using 8A on AC will require 80A DC. This means a large gauge wire between inverter and battery. As others have mentioned running generator or using percolator on the propane stove top is a better option.