Inverter

Wishart · 04-02-2018, 08:18 AM

My Wildcat 29RLX comes ready for solar. I understand that there then should be an inverter already installed. Where do I look to find that inverter?

5picker · 04-02-2018, 08:37 AM

Who told you that 'ready for solar' includes coming with an inverter?

That is typically not the case.
'Solar Ready' is usually just a port or spot where solar panels can be connected.
It usually does NOT come with a controller (for the panels) or an inverter.
Did the dealer tell you this?
If so ask them where it is located.

My 'solar ready' unit is nothing more than thin, 14 gauge wires to the battery from a small two pin moulded plug at the front of the rig. Not good for much more than a trickle charge solar panel.

CHICKDOE · 04-02-2018, 08:37 AM

whether you have an inverter or not probably depends on whether you have a residential refrigerator or not. a residential refrigerator will come with an inverter. if you have this the inverter is almost always located within a few feet of the batteries. look in the battery compartment for the inverter. it can be mounted anywhere, ours is mounted upside down on the ceiling above the batteries. solar does not necessarily require an inverter.

Wishart · 04-02-2018, 12:02 PM

I was at a family function this weekend, and several people told me it should have one if it is ready for solar. One of them looked it up and found the wiring diagram, which showed an inverter.

I actually called the company this morning, and the service manager told me where to look for the inverter - which I will do when I get the trailer out of storage in a couple of weeks. He said it should be mounted to the bedroom wall.

richp · 04-02-2018, 01:08 PM

Hi Wishart,

A lot of people will be surprised if you find an inverter, rather than a converter.

FWIW.

Rich Phillips

cavie · 04-02-2018, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wishart

My Wildcat 29RLX comes ready for solar. I understand that there then should be an inverter already installed. Where do I look to find that inverter?

The inverter (CONTROLER) you speak of will come with the panels you purchase. All you have is the wiring preinstalled from the roof to the battery location. The inverter others speak of is a horse of a different color. It would supply 120 volts to a residential fridge if you had one. It would be powered by your battery.

formerFR · 04-02-2018, 01:41 PM

..it doesn't look like the spec for a 2018 come with an Inverter, since none have residential fridges, which is typically the only reason why a manufacturer would add one.

now, Solar prep means that you have a 'pre wired' setup of wires from either the roof down to the battery(s), or from a exterior wall plug to the batteries(s), nothing more. Your panels you purchase would attach to these, and you would purchase also a Controller that monitors and manages the incoming solar power to recharge your battery(s).
An INVERTER, though, has nothing to do with solar, it is simply a device that takes BAtTERY power and 'inverts'(changes) it into 120v power to your outlets, when you are not on Shore POwer or Generator.

Your CONVERTER, another device, though, takes Shore Power or Generator power and 'converts'(changes) it into 12v to run all your lights, fans, etc., versus your battery(s) having to.
Your Charger takes Shore POwer or Generator power and recharges your batteries.

it's all good! : ) Have fun...

**Mr. Dan** · 04-02-2018, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

....
My 'solar ready' unit is nothing more than thin, 14 gauge wires to the battery from a small two pin moulded plug at the front of the rig. Not good for much more than a trickle charge solar panel.

5picker forgot to mention this "solar ready" package also includes a little sticker that says "Solar Ready" or some such.

If your relative found a wiring diagram, the unit is not from F.R.

Wishart · 04-02-2018, 05:27 PM

Here is the link to the wiring diagram:

https://www.google.com/search?q=2018...JR1artz1fmadM:

**Mr. Dan** · 04-02-2018, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wishart

Here is the link to the wiring diagram:

https://www.google.com/search?q=2018...JR1artz1fmadM:

Whooda thunk it?

Wishart, you just won the internet!!

formerFR · 04-02-2018, 06:21 PM

that link says 'Salem', not your unit...

your solar panels simply go to a Solar Controller, then to your batteries - nowhere else.

johnbryanpeters · 04-02-2018, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

Whooda thunk it?

Wishart, you just won the internet!!

Hmmm, a 1,000 kW (1 mW) inverter. That's gotta be correct...

**Mr. Dan** · 04-02-2018, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnbryanpeters

Hmmm, a 1,000 kW (1 mW) inverter. That's gotta be correct...

Ha.... right!
I was blown away that he could find any wiring diagram for any F.R. unit!

BandJCarm · 04-02-2018, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wishart

Here is the link to the wiring diagram:

https://www.google.com/search?q=2018...JR1artz1fmadM:

Outstanding. I've never seen one.

Don't let them get to you...........but the diagram is for a CONVERTER, which every unit has. It's a semantics thing. A converter charges your batteries. An inverter takes FROM the batteries and powers an a/c 'house' circuit.

Skyliner · 04-03-2018, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnbryanpeters

Hmmm, a 1,000 kW (1 mW) inverter. That's gotta be correct...

Could be, I have a megawatt of solar panels and I tow a 2 megawatt windmill in back of my fiver.

Gonna mount one of these under my bed when they become available https://www.nowscience.co.uk/single-...Fusion-Reactor

Wishart · 04-05-2018, 04:55 PM

So, it seems you know more than my family members. I called Forest River, and, based on the VIN, learned that there is no inverter. So I'm talking with service providers to see what installing one might cost. My wife needs to run a C-pap, and it might just be better just to get a rechargeable battery pack for her machine. But then I'm kind of interested in using the microwave some time, or watching a movie when we are off the grid. We will be in CA national parks for several weeks this fall, and I want to get this solved.

**Flybob** · 04-05-2018, 05:20 PM

It is a lot more complex than just adding an inverter. You will most likely need additional batteries and a way to charge them especially if you want to run microwave. A 1000W microwave will draw about 42Ahr running for 30 mins. This is about all you can use from most factory installed single battery installations. If you have two batteries you can get 60 mins. Bottom line running much more than some basics (ie furnace (DC) or microwave (AC)) will require a good set of high capacity batteries and a way to charge them. As a quick guide, you can use the ten times the current draw listed on an AC appliance as the current required from the battery. I suggest you decide what you might want to operate then do some research before having the dealer install anything.

cavie · 04-05-2018, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wishart

So, it seems you know more than my family members. I called Forest River, and, based on the VIN, learned that there is no inverter. So I'm talking with service providers to see what installing one might cost. My wife needs to run a C-pap, and it might just be better just to get a rechargeable battery pack for her machine. But then I'm kind of interested in using the microwave some time, or watching a movie when we are off the grid. We will be in CA national parks for several weeks this fall, and I want to get this solved.

Does the c-pap have a transformer in the middle of the power cord? If it does, read the output of the unit.

Some are 120ac/12dc volts. Mine is 120ac/24dc volt. If 12dc you can run a wire to your battery. Eliminate the transformer.

Wishart · 04-06-2018, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cavie

Does the c-pap have a transformer in the middle of the power cord? If it does, read the output of the unit.

Some are 120ac/12dc volts. Mine is 120ac/24dc volt. If 12dc you can run a wire to your battery. Eliminate the transformer.

I am planning to buy a Honda EU 2200 generator to charge the batteries. We are really still deciding whether an inverter is worth the investment and trouble for what we plan to do. We are planning several trips to National Parks that don't have electricity, and could likely get by with the generator and a battery pak for the c-pap. I'm just getting excited about the idea of doing more living off the grid.

If we do this, I will turn over the technical work to people who know what they are doing. I'm aware of the need for different set of batteries. The local RV service place that is most highly recommended for this is suggesting that I replace the 12-volt with two 6 volts. However, I have seen online that people add a bank of 6 volts to their existing 12. So I get confused.

The transformer on the c-pap says 60W, which I assume is 60 watts.

Thanks for your comments. You have been really helpful.

**ependydad** · 04-06-2018, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wishart

I am planning to buy a Honda EU 2200 generator to charge the batteries. We are really still deciding whether an inverter is worth the investment and trouble for what we plan to do. We are planning several trips to National Parks that don't have electricity, and could likely get by with the generator and a battery pak for the c-pap. I'm just getting excited about the idea of doing more living off the grid.

Yes, it’s worth it! Once you have it wired up, you’ll come to love it.

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