Inverter

[stlcardbesties]

We will be taking our 2018 FR 30ds on its first long trip. Looking at getting an inverter so the kids can watch some RV and I don’t have to run the generator. Anyone have suggestions on a good inverter?

[robo44]

Pure Sign Wave Inverter is a must, are you only looking to power a TV or another AC Devices - do you know the brand and model of your TV? That would narrow the wattage you would need.
Most TV's use about 80 to 400 watts depending on the model and technology

There are literally dozens on Amazon. Id do a quick search see what has high ratings, then when you purchase make sure the inverter comes with Cables, & a fuse. A on/off remote/switch would be preferred but not necessary You will need to use those to connect to your house battery(s)

GoPower, AIMs, GoWise all good Brands but Inverter Technology is pretty good

Hope this helps

[Chuck_S]

Inverters convert 12vDC to 120vAC. The issue is "Where's the 12vDC coming from?" Be nice if we could pull it out of the air.

Watts is watts (and volts times amps.). Pretend your video system will use 120watts. At 120vAC that's 1 amp. At 12vDC that's 10amps! And only in a perfect world with no power loss anywhere in the inversion process.

Robo44 has tons of battery power. Most folks have the 12v "Dual Purpose" battery the dealer put in the trailer.

Use the search function and read the zillion threads on this same subject.

-- Chuck

[robo44]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

Inverters convert 12vDC to 120vAC. The issue is "Where's the 12vDC coming from?" Be nice if we could pull it out of the air.

Watts is watts (and volts times amps.). Pretend your video system will use 120watts. At 120vAC that's 1 amp. At 12vDC that's 10amps! And only in a perfect world with no power loss anywhere in the inversion process.

Robo44 has tons of battery power. Most folks have the 12v "Dual Purpose" battery the dealer put in the trailer.

Use the search function and read the zillion threads on this same subject.

-- Chuck

Good points Chuck ... Sometimes I forget My wife thanks me every day we are boondocking

x2 What Chuck said -

[yensidcamper]

I installed a 1200 watt pure sine wave inverter but unfortunately ruined it during storage the first winter. I quickly installed a 2000 watt Harbor freight modified sine wave inverter and it has run every electronic, TV, video game my kids have thrown at it. I was going to change it out but after 4 years and no issues, I am staying with my cheap inverter.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by stlcardbesties

We will be taking our 2018 FR 30ds on its first long trip. Looking at getting an inverter so the kids can watch some RV and I don’t have to run the generator. Anyone have suggestions on a good inverter?

If just running the TV and maybe a DVD player, I highly recommend the Bestek 300 w PSW inverter.


I've been using one of these for my TV/Dvd player for two seasons now and it's perfect for this. Also has two USB charge ports that are live even when inverter is turned off if you need more outlets to charge phones, etc.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Very low draw when no load applied and it plugs into a Cigarette Lighter type power outlet. I plug mine into the outlet included in my TV antenna amp.

My TV and DVD player draw a combined current ~ 5amp and with my two LiFePo4 batteries I can watch TV for an afternoon and into the evening on a rainy day with no issues.


It won't run a coffee pot or microwave but it's perfect for a TV with it's low overhead current.

FWIW, I also have a 2,000 watt inverter for running a coffee pot (if I want) and the microwave. I don't turn this on unless actually using it as it has a higher current surcharge than the small Bestek unit. If I'm only watching TV it's more practical.

[Griswards]

We plug a simple inverter like the BESTEK one linked above into the cigarette lighter behind the TV in our 32DS on travel days. It powers our router which gives all the kids' devices internet for the day. We could run the TV off it as well.... but we don't let the kids travel on the bed, haha I'm sure you could run an extension cord to another TV and run it off that just fine.

[wanderingbob]

Have run TVs in 4 different RVs with cheap msw inverters for many many years with no problems . 40 years ago we lived on a sailboat sailing the Carib , used a modified sine wave for 13 years and never had a problem ! Pure sine might be overkill !

[JoshNelson]

Originally Posted by Griswards

We plug a simple inverter like the BESTEK one linked above into the cigarette lighter behind the TV in our 32DS on travel days. It powers our router which gives all the kids' devices internet for the day. We could run the TV off it as well.... but we don't let the kids travel on the bed, haha I'm sure you could run an extension cord to another TV and run it off that just fine.

Tell me more about your router - is it an LTE/cell modem router or are you piping some other kind of data service into a wireless router?

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by stlcardbesties

We will be taking our 2018 FR 30ds on its first long trip. Looking at getting an inverter so the kids can watch some RV and I don’t have to run the generator. Anyone have suggestions on a good inverter?

Not so much a specific inverter, but here are ideas for installing it:
https://learntorv.com/inverter-basics/