Inverter question

[aknavy]

I picked up a used 2013 Cedar Creek fifth wheel, and the first thing that has died on me is the inverter. It uses a Dimensions inverter that is an 800 watt square wave inverter with a transfer bypass, no charger, to power the fridge. Contacted the manufacturer who stated that it's probably some shorted transistors, and that they no longer offer parts for them - but I can buy one of the leftovers that they have in stock for $300.

My current plans for using the RV involve a sine wave generator or RV park for the most part, with no plans for solar or living purely off of battery, as I just like my AC a little too much. With that in mind, is there any reason to pony up the additional cash for a bigger, badder, pure sine wave inverter that could be used for other connections in the RV? Or am I better off using that money for the generator that is in my near future, and just replace the bad inverter with a like unit?

Finally - anyone tackle repairing one of these themselves, or at a local electronics repair shop?

Thanks for the advice.

[richp]

Hi,

Given the future use you anticipate, I'd be looking for a small inverter generator.

But if you are going to trash it anyway, why not crack the case and look for a blown fuse?

FWIW.

Rich Phillips

[m35a2]

Originally Posted by aknavy

I picked up a used 2013 Cedar Creek fifth wheel, and the first thing that has died on me is the inverter. It uses a Dimensions inverter that is an 800 watt square wave inverter with a transfer bypass, no charger, to power the fridge. Contacted the manufacturer who stated that it's probably some shorted transistors, and that they no longer offer parts for them - but I can buy one of the leftovers that they have in stock for $300.

My current plans for using the RV involve a sine wave generator or RV park for the most part, with no plans for solar or living purely off of battery, as I just like my AC a little too much. With that in mind, is there any reason to pony up the additional cash for a bigger, badder, pure sine wave inverter that could be used for other connections in the RV? Or am I better off using that money for the generator that is in my near future, and just replace the bad inverter with a like unit?

Finally - anyone tackle repairing one of these themselves, or at a local electronics repair shop?

Thanks for the advice.

Are you sure it's the inverter?

[CHICKDOE]

slow down. $300 for a replacement square wave inverter? I did a quick look on the internet and found 800 watt modified sine wave inverters for under $100. a pure sine wave might be a bit more. also, look at your refrigerator to see how much power it needs. 800 watts is about 6 1/2 amps at 120 volts. generally I think the inverter for the residential refrigerator is 1000 watts or more. still much less expensive than the out of production left over they offered to sell you.

[aknavy]

Yeah, I haven't looked for a new one yet...modified sine = pretty much the same thing as square wave...the one I have is a modified sine as well. I don't foresee a huge need for a big inverter in the near future for us - mostly just to keep the fridge cold while driving, which is why I'm leaning towards a cheap replacement. Fridge ran fine on the 800 watt one that's there, it's a small fridge.

I'm 99.9% sure it's the inverter - I've disconnected the load to ensure it wasn't what's attached to it. Haven't opened it and looked for a fuse yet - I suppose that's the next step.