Hi guys, I have to agree with DeBe. The 12 volt load current on your 12 volt system will be huge. Any standard 12 volt system would not cope with it. We run a 2kw Honda if we need 240 volts but mainly run everything on 12 volts and use Solar Panels to keep them charged but if the weather does not allow that then the Honda gets a run. For things like charging laptops, phones,etc you can buy 12 volts chargers for that role. Jaycar have a good range of suitable chargers for all of that. Trust that info helps. Brian
-- Edited by briche on Monday 16th of April 2012 06:27:01 PM
Lilliputians said
11:10 PM Apr 16, 2012
Does anybody have any preference for type and manufacture of this product? We have just bought a Jayco Conquest Tour Edition Motorhome and did not realise that an inverter was not included and we now need to get one fitted. It is shortly going in for it's 3 months caravan service and does anybody know if Jayco will install one or do we need to get it fitted independently? We are new to the forum but experienced camper/tailer users who have decided to go 'up-market' with a motorhome.
jimbo said
12:05 AM Apr 17, 2012
I can't help! Sorry
DeBe said
12:25 AM Apr 17, 2012
Curious what you intend to use a 2000W inverter for? It will be woefully ineficient runing small loads, not to mention the massive current draw on 12V. A 2000W generator would be far better.
Lilliputians said
01:00 AM Apr 17, 2012
We already have a 2000W honda generator which you can't always use and we need 240v power to use our laptop etc relying on our batteries
Happywanderer said
01:43 AM Apr 17, 2012
I run a pure sine wave inverter 300 watt. but know of others who have up around the 1000. If you have a generator for the majority of uses and just need the inverter for charging phones, laptops, cameras etc, that is plenty. Others might disagree but you have to remember if you are moving on every day or couple of days the house battery will keep charging. I have had no problems so far. Of course you can't run big items such as fridges or washing machines on it but you already have a genny so won't need that. I got my inverter from Supercheap Auto. They are not that expensive. Oh by the way, welcome to the forum.
Sheba said
02:29 AM Apr 17, 2012
For running the Laptop, I've just got an adaptor, that runs directly from the House [solar] Battery.
Don't need an inverter for that.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Happywanderer said
02:43 AM Apr 17, 2012
So true Sheba, it depends how you get the whole thing wired up. My S in L put a lead through behind my panelling into an area where he put in a power point and a 12 volt plug, so I can use either. (From the inverter) Also have a battery gauge so I can keep an eye on the levels and shut down if its getting too low. Travelling brings the battery back up again for next time.
Peter_n_Margaret said
01:32 PM Apr 17, 2012
DeBe wrote:
It will be woefully ineficient runing small loads, not to mention the massive current draw on 12V.
Not necessarily.
There are some losses to have the inverter running, but if the design is any good, they would be small.
Beyond those, the drain on the batteries will be determined by what you are running with the inverter (plus 10 to 20% for inefficiencies).
Only if you run big appliances will the battery drain be high.
We run a 1,300W PSW inverter and usually leave it turned on 24/7.
Buying an inverter that is bigger than you need is still a waste of money though.
Choose a good one with low standby power and a high efficiency. If those figures are not available, look elsewhere.
Cheers,
Peter
beiffe said
04:14 PM Apr 17, 2012
I think 2000w is rather large if you plan to run only small items such as charge you computer etc.
In my old bus I ran a 500w and than ran most things including the washing machine, all lights and small appliances from this. My generator was only used for charging batteries when required. (has not been run for about 18 months so perhaps need to give her a run)
Check all the appliances you want to take and then do a list. You should find the load requirements on each appliances under the base.
I must admit I have a large inverter but I am all 240v so I use the power mine supplies. I run all appliances including the aircon and water heater but I have a system designed to handle the requirements.
Best to find your needs and then check what you will need. Add all the items together that could possibly run at one time and then perhaps double and that should be the max required if you are realistic.
If you need the hair dryer and the jug etc than you need to consider large gear but if just for lights and charging and perhaps the TV and Sat TV then your needs differ.
If possible make sure it is mounted close to the batteries as the losses in 12v are greater than 240v.
Hope this helps
Regards Brian
Lilliputians said
04:41 PM Apr 19, 2012
Thank you to everyone who replied to our post. It made us realise that 'bigger' is not necessarily 'better'. We never intended to run any major items through an inverter as we do have a generator, 2 in-house batteries and a solar panel but I guess as 'newies' we wanted to make sure we had everything covered before heading off to do some major bush and free camping explorations, so thank you again for saving us a heap of money that would be more useful spent elsewhere and we will get some adapters that we can plug into the cigarette lighter for our mobiles and perhaps a 300w inverter...............On on (ex HHH)
mr glassies said
11:12 PM Apr 19, 2012
lol brian im with you
dibs
beiffe said
03:29 PM Apr 22, 2012
Gibs all you need is to get that girl healthy and then work on your van and HIT THE ROAD.
Hope all is going well and you will soon have your batteries up and running and then off into the sunset YEEAHHH.
Regards Brian
jessicachukwu said
02:53 AM Oct 30, 2014
I would like to recommend you a website http://0700inverters.com they sell all type of inverters & batteries, may be they can help you.
-- Edited by briche on Monday 16th of April 2012 06:27:01 PM
Does anybody have any preference for type and manufacture of this product? We have just bought a Jayco Conquest Tour Edition Motorhome and did not realise that an inverter was not included and we now need to get one fitted. It is shortly going in for it's 3 months caravan service and does anybody know if Jayco will install one or do we need to get it fitted independently? We are new to the forum but experienced camper/tailer users who have decided to go 'up-market' with a motorhome.
Curious what you intend to use a 2000W inverter for? It will be woefully ineficient runing small loads, not to mention the massive current draw on 12V. A 2000W generator would be far better.
We already have a 2000W honda generator which you can't always use and we need 240v power to use our laptop etc relying on our batteries
I have had no problems so far.
Of course you can't run big items such as fridges or washing machines on it but you already have a genny so won't need that.
I got my inverter from Supercheap Auto. They are not that expensive.
Oh by the way, welcome to the forum.
For running the Laptop, I've just got an adaptor, that runs directly from the House [solar] Battery.
Don't need an inverter for that.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Not necessarily.
There are some losses to have the inverter running, but if the design is any good, they would be small.
Beyond those, the drain on the batteries will be determined by what you are running with the inverter (plus 10 to 20% for inefficiencies).
Only if you run big appliances will the battery drain be high.
We run a 1,300W PSW inverter and usually leave it turned on 24/7.
Buying an inverter that is bigger than you need is still a waste of money though.
Choose a good one with low standby power and a high efficiency. If those figures are not available, look elsewhere.
Cheers,
Peter
In my old bus I ran a 500w and than ran most things including the washing machine, all lights and small appliances from this. My generator was only used for charging batteries when required. (has not been run for about 18 months so perhaps need to give her a run)
Check all the appliances you want to take and then do a list. You should find the load requirements on each appliances under the base.
I must admit I have a large inverter but I am all 240v so I use the power mine supplies. I run all appliances including the aircon and water heater but I have a system designed to handle the requirements.
Best to find your needs and then check what you will need. Add all the items together that could possibly run at one time and then perhaps double and that should be the max required if you are realistic.
If you need the hair dryer and the jug etc than you need to consider large gear but if just for lights and charging and perhaps the TV and Sat TV then your needs differ.
If possible make sure it is mounted close to the batteries as the losses in 12v are greater than 240v.
Hope this helps
Regards
Brian
dibs
Hope all is going well and you will soon have your batteries up and running and then off into the sunset YEEAHHH.
Regards
Brian
I would like to recommend you a website http://0700inverters.com they sell all type of inverters & batteries, may be they can help you.