Swapping 1k inverter to 2k

[Jorak]

My travel trailer came with a 1k inverter am I able to swap it for a 2k inverter plug and play? The TT is an Ibex 20bhs they now come with a 2k standard. I think I got one of the last 1k inverter models. Thanks

[leeshearer]

I’m no expert but I believe the limiting factor could be the wire size feeding the inverter.

[tomkatb]

Likely the wire and fuse between the inverter and the battery are too small.

It will work as is but, use over 1000 watts and the inverter will shut down.

Check the manual with the new inverter as to the correct wire and fuse. Install a larger wire than the book says. My son played around with this. He used a 2/0 wire from a welding shop. American welding wire is usually better.

[Jorak]

Thanks, I'm actually picking the camper up April 22. I'll check what size wire and fuse is running from battery to inverter, just want to use coffee maker with out the generator. Appreciate the help.

[Bob K4TAX]

We use a percolator on the stove. No inverter is required.

To upgrade to a 2KW inverter, one will need to increase the wire size from the battery to the inverter. Speaking of batteries, likely the original battery capacity may not be adequate for a 2KW inverter. At the rated load, the inverter current would be ~170 amps.

Bob

[Jorak]

Was going to get 2 Duracell Ultra BCI Group GC2 6V 235AH Flooded Deep Cycle Golf Cart batteries.

[Jorak]

Also the peak draw on the coffee maker is only 1500w briefly then down to 800w while brewing

[tomkatb]

We use a pod machine on shore power.

Boondocking we use the same pods with a go Joe. Heat water on the stove.

You will find the coffee makers use over 2000 watts momentarily on start up. Then less. Improperly sized wires will make a difference.

We have SOK lithium 205 amp batteries. About $1000 each. #40 vs #130. These have a built in monitor.

They have nearly double the amps of two agm batteries. Less weight.

[Aussieguy]

2 x 6v ... 235 ah batteries
will be 1 x 12v 235 ah battery when connected in series


it's still lead acid so it's advised only drain the battery to 50-60%
sometimes maybe go a bit deeper

235ah x 60% = 141ah useable

2000w inverter at full load...... will draw 166amps @ 12v
will drain the battery in less than 1 hour

do you have some high loads you must run at the same time?

maybe the 1000w is still good?
instead invest in more battery or solar to extend your run time

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Jorak

Also the peak draw on the coffee maker is only 1500w briefly then down to 800w while brewing

At the 1500w draw the Inverter will likely draw ~150 amp allowing for inefficiency of it and also the voltage drop that is normal with Lead Acid batteries.


If one absolutely doesn't want to heat water on a stove a good option would be an induction cook plate with variable power input levels. I have one that can select 600w, 900w, and 1300w. Heats water on the 600w setting almost as fast as the gas burner on the stove.


BTW, I've had both for ~ 5 years now and both still work great. The cook plate is great if want to a have a pot simmering for a while while on shore power too. Less scorched food on the bottom of the pan compared with the gas stove.

Then use the hot water to make coffee in a Presto MyJoe that uses Keuring pods.


Here's the cook plate:




Here's the MyJoe:




For ~$80 you can make coffee while still using the existing Inverter. I guarantee upgrading the Inverter will run almost four times as much after buying the larger Inverter, fuse, and wire/welding cable.

At the 600w setting the 1000w inverter will only draw ~ 92-95 amps which will require a lot less battery than a 2Kw Inverter running a coffee maker.

[latner]

Originally Posted by Jorak

Was going to get 2 Duracell Ultra BCI Group GC2 6V 235AH Flooded Deep Cycle Golf Cart batteries.

I run a 2000w converter off the same batteries for the same reason, to run a coffee maker so not to disturb anyone in the morning. The limiting factor will be wire size. My inverter is wired with 3' 2/0 cables.

[Aussieguy]

PS... if you do use the 2000w
all you need to do is check cable size from battery to the inverter .... depending on distance you will probably need better cables and a bigger fuse /breaker



some inverters come with cheap pre-made cables ... most people don't use them

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Aussieguy

2000w inverter at full load...... will draw 166amps @ 12v
will drain the battery in less than 1 hour

Only if the Inverter is 100% efficient but you'll only see that kind when pigs take flight.

The better Inverters are ~90% efficient with some down in the 80 percent range.

A good 2,000w inverter will draw more like 185 amps at it's rated 2,000w load and a lot more during it's surge output which on some inverters can be as much as 100% more for a few seconds.

Also, under full load don't be surprised to see the input voltage from Lead Acid batteries drop down to 11.5 volts or less. At 11.5 volts the current draw can be more than 190 amps (and that's for a good inverter with 90% efficiency).

Remember that a lead acid battery, fully charged with no current draw from it, will only show 12.6-12.7 volts and as they say, it's all downhill from there, especially when drawing heavy current.

[Jorak]

I'm just going to.use my generator to make coffee, like I've done with my old travel trailer, just wanted to see if just swapping the smaller inverter for a larger one would easily do it. Thanks every one.

[latner]

Originally Posted by Jorak

I'm just going to.use my generator to make coffee, like I've done with my old travel trailer, just wanted to see if just swapping the smaller inverter for a larger one would easily do it. Thanks every one.

The KISS method usually is the easiest.

[PhilFromMaine]

Originally Posted by Jorak

I'm just going to.use my generator to make coffee, like I've done with my old travel trailer, just wanted to see if just swapping the smaller inverter for a larger one would easily do it. Thanks every one.

Easy to do, but as said, check the wire size from the battery to the inverter. Most likely the documentation will list the min. wire size and fuse acceptable.

[Homer Vista]

Get the new Anker 767 :-)

[tomkatb]

More to know about inverters.

They need to be promptly turned off as on standby they draw amps.

1-2 amps per hour on standby. Look carefully at specs! More expensive ones use less.

Most are only 80% efficient. So 1800 watts would be almost 2200 watts.

The bigger the inverter the more amps on standby.

We have 410 amps of lithium. A gas fridge and only use a 300 watt plug in inverter on rare occasions.

[jbflag21ds]

Not only the wiring and protection between batteries and the invert to worry about. If your batteries can handle the discharge rate to make full use of the 2000W is also a question.

2000W (assuming no surge) at 12v is 167A. Your battery or batteries need to be capable of outputting that amount of juice in combination, at the minimum to run the inverter. PLus add in your other 12v loads at the same time.

[peekay17]

I would say, in addition to the wires/fuse running from the inverter to the batteries. If your batteries themselves are wired in parallel/series, those wires have to be able to carry the load in addition to the ground wire (as it's all a complete circuit).