Quote:
Originally Posted by bootsthecat
Robert, Why did you put in a Inverter/charger?
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Short answer: An Inverter/Charger solves the problem of shutting off the converter/charger when powered from an Inverter.
Long answer:
1> I need to use a CPAP to sleep. That means that I need about 60ah every night to sleep.
2> My wife wanted to use the Microwave and bring an
Instapot to cook.
3> All the TVs are 120v AC.
4> I either needed more batteries or stay at a campground every night.
I looked at small inverters for the TVs but would need to pull wires for the 12v DC. No small inverter would power a microwave. I realize in Oct 2017, the only way to power everything was to install a whole house inverter. I researched every brand of Inverter on the that Amazon would ship free to Alaska. I decided on an inverter/charger with a transfer switch.
I purchased the
Samlex EVO-2212 Inverter/Charger because it has two AC inputs. One for shore power & a 2nd for the Generator. It also has a DC input for a solar charge controller.
In Dec 2017 I did not know where I was going to install it. I knew it needed to be within six feet of the batteries & I would need to double the batteries to four.
If I had more batteries, I needed solar to recharge them. Jan through Mar of 2018, I ordered solar panel, cables, circuit breakers, brackets, & other misc parts from Amazon needed for the install.
April 2018. I still did not know where to mount the 65 lb Inverter/Charger. That is when I found a hidden unused area next to the battery compartment.
Please read:
Expanding compartment space for 2200 Watt Inverter/Charger. This will go into more detail of the install of the Samlex.
I now have a FR3 that I can Boondock in. A/C is the only thing that may force me to use campground power.
A pullout we spent the night at July 30, 2018.
The Samlex EVO-2212 Inverter/Charger is on all the time. It is like a UPS for the motorhome. It is automatic and simple. As soon as I unplug from shore power, it is providing power to everything.
I watch my battery power with a Victron BMV-712. I learned on the last trip that the engine can recharge the batteries at 100 amps.
Today I have simple system that is transparent to my wife. When we park, I hit the auto leveler & extend the slides. 120v AC is available all the time.
I made a few mistakes, biggest was not installing the Victron BMV-712 sooner.
The FR3 28DS just turned 10,000 miles. (I purchased it new with 3,500)