Where is the Converter

[rexerito]

Looking to change out my converter to a converter/inverter. Does anyone know where it is located on the 2013 Wildcat eXtraLite 312BHX? Also, has anyone ever done this modification that can recommend to me a good converter/inverter?

The goal is to be able to make coffee and watch TV while boondocking without turning on the generator.

Thanks

[nayther]

it is either behind or inside the fuse box. if it's a parallax it's probably in the lower section of the fuse box, if not pull the fuse box out of the wall and look behind it, that's where it is on my 2019.

[fonzie]

Look below the bed in the bunkhouse for the AC/DC distribution panel.

[actionjack1]

Mine is part of my fuse box on my 2011

[camaraderie]

Why not just add an inverter and wire it directly to your battery letting the batteries continuously charge from the Converter when plugged in...from the alternator when running down the road and from the genny or solar when boondocking.
TV's don't take a lot of AC power so the sizing of your inverter will largely be governed by the coffee pot. Suggest you get a thermal one so that you only use battery to make the pot...not keep it hot.
Remember that batts do not like it when you try to draw more than 25% of capacity in current...so a 100 amp battery will need help (another battery or more) if you have sources that need more than 25 DC amps which is about 2.5 AC AMPS! Check your AC appliance requirements!

[gfnin]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Why not just add an inverter and wire it directly to your battery letting the batteries continuously charge from the Converter when plugged in...from the alternator when running down the road and from the genny or solar when boondocking.
TV's don't take a lot of AC power so the sizing of your inverter will largely be governed by the coffee pot. Suggest you get a thermal one so that you only use battery to make the pot...not keep it hot.
Remember that batts do not like it when you try to draw more than 25% of capacity in current...so a 100 amp battery will need help (another battery or more) if you have sources that need more than 25 DC amps which is about 2.5 AC AMPS! Check your AC appliance requirements!

I agree about the TV, we routinely run ous for a couple of hours each night and it does not appear to impact the battery... it uses about 35 watts... (similar to a 12v incandescent light bulb) our inverter is a full wave 300 watt inverter. during the day, after the batteries are charged by the solar panels, running the TV does not change anything... so run it all you want.

For Coffee, why not get one of the many stovetop coffeemakers like a percolator (don´t laugh, they have an undeserved reputation) or a simple water kettle and use a melita filter. Many ways to make coffee without electricity.

[rexerito]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Why not just add an inverter and wire it directly to your battery letting the batteries continuously charge from the Converter when plugged in...from the alternator when running down the road and from the genny or solar when boondocking.
TV's don't take a lot of AC power so the sizing of your inverter will largely be governed by the coffee pot. Suggest you get a thermal one so that you only use battery to make the pot...not keep it hot.
Remember that batts do not like it when you try to draw more than 25% of capacity in current...so a 100 amp battery will need help (another battery or more) if you have sources that need more than 25 DC amps which is about 2.5 AC AMPS! Check your AC appliance requirements!

The challenge is that the batteries are on the opposite side of the rig. All of the batteries are up front and the fuse box is all the way at the rear. I would need some pretty high gage wire to get it back from the inverter to the batteries or vice versa.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by rexerito

The challenge is that the batteries are on the opposite side of the rig. All of the batteries are up front and the fuse box is all the way at the rear. I would need some pretty high gage wire to get it back from the inverter to the batteries or vice versa.

IF you mount the inverter near the batteries, closer the better, you won't need the "high gauge" wire. You will just need some 12-2 w/ground "Romex" to run the 120 volt power to wherever you want to use it. If that means feeding the power panel as if it was plugged into shore power that would be close to the power inlet and a transfer switch (auto or manual).

12-2 romex is very inexpensive when compared to the heavier wire needed for 12 volt power to an inverter.

As for running the Romex, often one can find where another run of Romex is near the new inverter location and just run the new Romex alongside it using zip ties as you go. These runs of Romex almost always end up at the power panel either running in blind corners or underneath between belly cover and floor. Takes some patience but in the end it's well worth the effort and saves a noticeable amount of money on the heavy copper wire.

Performance of Inverter is better too.