We have an inverter in our coaster - it was there when we bought the rig - but have no idea how it works? We have a solar panel and various cables for charging camera, tablet, laptop etc We also have a 12v TV which runs via the cigarette lighter. When bush camping, what would be the best way for us to set it all up? Broad question I know, but I'm a novice.....
Happywanderer said
04:03 PM May 16, 2014
Inverters are used to convert 12 volt from your house battery into 240. It has to attached to your battery and you plug in with a 3 pin plug.
I won't have one after my first one packed it in within 12 months. I have 12 volt adaptors for everything. Phone, camera, laptop, fan, TV, radio.
The only thing I have on 240 is the microwave for when I go on to power at any time. It was there when I bought the van.
oldtrack123 said
07:11 PM May 16, 2014
poodles1950 wrote:
We have an inverter in our coaster - it was there when we bought the rig - but have no idea how it works? We have a solar panel and various cables for charging camera, tablet, laptop etc We also have a 12v TV which runs via the cigarette lighter. When bush camping, what would be the best way for us to set it all up? Broad question I know, but I'm a novice.....
HI
The first question I would ask is do you realy need it? ?Most devices are available in12V[ Phone chargers etc ]
& you do seem to have all you need in 12V
Then rember that 240V from them can be /is just a deadly as any 240V.& in a metal shell is not a good place to e using one without some caution & possibly protection
Depending on model & size they can flatten your battery while in standby mode ,, but we would need more details on brand & model to ascertain how much
IF you truely think you may NEED to use it , come back with details of brand & model & the purposes you have in mind.
We may then be able to give you more detailed advice
PeterQ
native pepper said
09:55 AM May 17, 2014
poodles1950 wrote:
We have an inverter in our coaster - it was there when we bought the rig - but have no idea how it works? We have a solar panel and various cables for charging camera, tablet, laptop etc We also have a 12v TV which runs via the cigarette lighter. When bush camping, what would be the best way for us to set it all up? Broad question I know, but I'm a novice.....
May I suggest you do a online search for how an inverter works also for solar and everything you have in your coaster. Even if you don't do any repairs to your coaster, you will have knowledge of it's operation and then when a supposed experts work on it, you will know what's being done and not get ripped off. Even though I built everything in our bus, still carry manuals and tutorials for everything, even the engine and running gear, as there is always something which comes up. It also helps financially, because you can do simple checks yourself and help the repairer do their job.
Last year had to go to an auto electrician because couldn't find the fault in our indicators. Told the bloke what I'd checked, so he by passed them, found the fault within 5 minutes and fixed within 10. If I hadn't done the checks he would have started at the beginning and eliminated until the fault was found, costing more money.
It's also good for your peace of mind and safety to understand what you're using on the road, can't just ring the bloke down the road to come and find the problem, as you may be many many klms from someone who can help. It's amazing the number of vanners we come across who have problems and don't have a clue about anything in their setup, I wouldn't even leave home with that lack of knowledge.
If you are starting a new phase in your life, why not become informed about it, then you can go to forums, provide the right information to get some help. In the end being informed, makes you happier more relaxed and not having your hand in your pocket constantly.
oldtrack123 said
11:43 AM May 17, 2014
HI Poodles
Ditto to all that NP said above .
If. after doing that exercise , there are things you do not understand ,do not hesiatte to come back with questions
An inverter runs from your battery & converts 12v DC into 240V AC
But there are many models & types
Some are Ok for general use ,others can damage some equipment or the equipment may not operate correctly .
That is why knowing the brand & model you have is important before giving detailed dvice on possible use.
Some older models were very dangerous[ not fully isolated] & DID result in deaths & serious shocks, & are now banned from sale.
The current models[fully isolated] can become just as dangerous if used with more than ONE class 1 device connected[Class 1 devices always shall have/will have a 3pin plug.]
They are sold as:
[a]PURE SINE wave which should run all devices within their rated capacity[ The best to get]
[b[Modified SQUARE WAVE [MSW] these can give problems with some devices [ incorrect operation &/or overheating]
PeterQ
barina said
11:57 AM May 17, 2014
Happywanderer wrote:
Inverters are used to convert 12 volt from your house battery into 240. It has to attached to your battery and you plug in with a 3 pin plug. I won't have one after my first one packed it in within 12 months. I have 12 volt adaptors for everything. Phone, camera, laptop, fan, TV, radio. The only thing I have on 240 is the microwave for when I go on to power at any time. It was there when I bought the van.
Barina, your device is in fact an inverter, but it would have a very low power rating compared to those that are being discussed by others. I suspect it would be suitable for powering a shaver or a battery charger, or maybe a laptop, but not much more.
barina said
07:03 PM May 17, 2014
Thanks all.......a bit clearer now
Collo said
08:26 PM May 18, 2014
I'm confused. I thought that if you are only using batteries..then you are on 12v. But it seems from other posts that the inverter converts 12v to 240 voltv
If that is the case.. why do I have a 12v tv and cd/dvd player? If the invertor converts 12 to 240 then I wouldnt need 12v appliances? I have several 12v outlets throughout van?
Help! When I'm using batteries....do I plug tv into a 12v outlet or leave it in 240 outlet with is own 12v convertor?
oldtrack123 said
09:15 PM May 18, 2014
Collo wrote:
[1]I'm confused. I thought that if you are only using batteries..then you are on 12v. But it seems from other posts that the inverter converts 12v to 240 voltv
If that is the case..
[2] why do I have a 12v tv and cd/dvd player? If the invertor converts 12 to 240 then I wouldnt need 12v appliances? I have several 12v outlets throughout van?
Help! When I'm using batteries.
.[3]..do I plug tv into a 12v outlet or leave it in 240 outlet with is own 12v convertor?
HI Collo
[1]Do not be confused
IF you are not connected to MAINSns power ,the 12V batterreies are your power supply
An inverter does convert 12V DC to 240V AC
It is far better & safer to be using 12V devices than converting 12V Dc to 240V AC
The converting has efficiency lossses .
You actualy loose between 10 & 15% of the available battery capaciy
Most people have no need for an inverter but some seem to think it is the IN THING to have
[2] you have 12V Dvd pplayer & TV use them from 12V when you only have 12V power available
IF they also have a 240V adapter, you could use them on Mains power when it is available
[3] But No harm in leaving them on 12Voperation even when/ if you are connected to MAINS power ,as the batterries should be charging at the same time
PeterQ
oldtrack123 said
09:26 PM May 18, 2014
HI Judy
Iif that is the oneyou have ,it is probably around 70W output . O
& most likely a modified sine wave unit ,cheap & nasty.
It would be ok for Charging mobile phones ,laptops, cameras etc. but that is abo t all, using the supplied 240v chargers for charging purpose.
PeterQ s
Murraman said
10:33 PM May 18, 2014
I agree 100% with what NP is saying and I have done the same as he has suggested. I have rewired all the 12v side of our Coaster and know what does what and how.
But we must realise that all people are not into knowing or wanting to know what makes things tick, We have friends who travelled around Australia for 3 years non stop and he wouldn't know a spark plug from a gasket. Very knowledgeable gent but when it comes to anything mechanical or electrical he knows nothing and wants to keep it that way. I have always tinkered with things and some have never.
With the inverter yes I agree to run as much as possible off 12v but there are some things that need 240v one I'll be doing shortly is the fox box in the bus and the boxes need 240v. The LNB feed is 12v off the box. I just went for a 300w pure sine wave. Apart from that I wouldn't need an inverter.
To the OP get someone who knows maybe an auto electrician to check it out and explain it to you. But please don't plug in the Microwave to it as the battery will be flat in 10 min.
native pepper wrote:
poodles1950 wrote:
We have an inverter in our coaster - it was there when we bought the rig - but have no idea how it works? We have a solar panel and various cables for charging camera, tablet, laptop etc We also have a 12v TV which runs via the cigarette lighter. When bush camping, what would be the best way for us to set it all up? Broad question I know, but I'm a novice.....
May I suggest you do a online search for how an inverter works also for solar and everything you have in your coaster. Even if you don't do any repairs to your coaster, you will have knowledge of it's operation and then when a supposed experts work on it, you will know what's being done and not get ripped off. Even though I built everything in our bus, still carry manuals and tutorials for everything, even the engine and running gear, as there is always something which comes up. It also helps financially, because you can do simple checks yourself and help the repairer do their job.
Last year had to go to an auto electrician because couldn't find the fault in our indicators. Told the bloke what I'd checked, so he by passed them, found the fault within 5 minutes and fixed within 10. If I hadn't done the checks he would have started at the beginning and eliminated until the fault was found, costing more money.
It's also good for your peace of mind and safety to understand what you're using on the road, can't just ring the bloke down the road to come and find the problem, as you may be many many klms from someone who can help. It's amazing the number of vanners we come across who have problems and don't have a clue about anything in their setup, I wouldn't even leave home with that lack of knowledge.
If you are starting a new phase in your life, why not become informed about it, then you can go to forums, provide the right information to get some help. In the end being informed, makes you happier more relaxed and not having your hand in your pocket constantly.
Collo said
07:59 AM May 19, 2014
Thank you Peter Q(oldtrack123) and others who gave advice.....I'm have a better understanding now
Collo.
-- Edited by Collo on Monday 19th of May 2014 08:00:29 AM
oldtrack123 said
11:39 AM May 19, 2014
Murrman wrote:. But please don't plug in the Microwave to it as the battery will be flat in 10 min.
Hi
If the pic that the OP posted is the one they have , there is no need to worry about the battery
The "Inverter" or the socket wiring will be smoking long before the battery is flatl
But I would expect the unit does have an internal 10A fuse
We have an inverter in our coaster - it was there when we bought the rig - but have no idea how it works? We have a solar panel and various cables for charging camera, tablet, laptop etc We also have a 12v TV which runs via the cigarette lighter. When bush camping, what would be the best way for us to set it all up? Broad question I know, but I'm a novice.....
I won't have one after my first one packed it in within 12 months. I have 12 volt adaptors for everything. Phone, camera, laptop, fan, TV, radio.
The only thing I have on 240 is the microwave for when I go on to power at any time. It was there when I bought the van.
HI
The first question I would ask is do you realy need it? ?Most devices are available in12V[ Phone chargers etc ]
& you do seem to have all you need in 12V
Then rember that 240V from them can be /is just a deadly as any 240V.& in a metal shell is not a good place to e using one without some caution & possibly protection
Depending on model & size they can flatten your battery while in standby mode ,, but we would need more details on brand & model to ascertain how much
IF you truely think you may NEED to use it , come back with details of brand & model & the purposes you have in mind.
We may then be able to give you more detailed advice
PeterQ
May I suggest you do a online search for how an inverter works also for solar and everything you have in your coaster. Even if you don't do any repairs to your coaster, you will have knowledge of it's operation and then when a supposed experts work on it, you will know what's being done and not get ripped off. Even though I built everything in our bus, still carry manuals and tutorials for everything, even the engine and running gear, as there is always something which comes up. It also helps financially, because you can do simple checks yourself and help the repairer do their job.
Last year had to go to an auto electrician because couldn't find the fault in our indicators. Told the bloke what I'd checked, so he by passed them, found the fault within 5 minutes and fixed within 10. If I hadn't done the checks he would have started at the beginning and eliminated until the fault was found, costing more money.
It's also good for your peace of mind and safety to understand what you're using on the road, can't just ring the bloke down the road to come and find the problem, as you may be many many klms from someone who can help. It's amazing the number of vanners we come across who have problems and don't have a clue about anything in their setup, I wouldn't even leave home with that lack of knowledge.
If you are starting a new phase in your life, why not become informed about it, then you can go to forums, provide the right information to get some help. In the end being informed, makes you happier more relaxed and not having your hand in your pocket constantly.
HI Poodles
Ditto to all that NP said above .
If. after doing that exercise , there are things you do not understand ,do not hesiatte to come back with questions
An inverter runs from your battery & converts 12v DC into 240V AC
But there are many models & types
Some are Ok for general use ,others can damage some equipment or the equipment may not operate correctly .
That is why knowing the brand & model you have is important before giving detailed dvice on possible use.
Some older models were very dangerous[ not fully isolated] & DID result in deaths & serious shocks, & are now banned from sale.
The current models[fully isolated] can become just as dangerous if used with more than ONE class 1 device connected[Class 1 devices always shall have/will have a 3pin plug.]
They are sold as:
[a]PURE SINE wave which should run all devices within their rated capacity[ The best to get]
[b[Modified SQUARE WAVE [MSW] these can give problems with some devices [ incorrect operation &/or overheating]
PeterQ
Is this what you mean HW??
Thanks all.......a bit clearer now
I'm confused. I thought that if you are only using batteries..then you are on 12v. But it seems from other posts that the inverter converts 12v to 240 voltv
If that is the case.. why do I have a 12v tv and cd/dvd player? If the invertor converts 12 to 240 then I wouldnt need 12v appliances? I have several 12v outlets throughout van?
Help! When I'm using batteries....do I plug tv into a 12v outlet or leave it in 240 outlet with is own 12v convertor?
HI Collo
[1]Do not be confused
IF you are not connected to MAINSns power ,the 12V batterreies are your power supply
An inverter does convert 12V DC to 240V AC
It is far better & safer to be using 12V devices than converting 12V Dc to 240V AC
The converting has efficiency lossses .
You actualy loose between 10 & 15% of the available battery capaciy
Most people have no need for an inverter but some seem to think it is the IN THING to have
[2] you have 12V Dvd pplayer & TV use them from 12V when you only have 12V power available
IF they also have a 240V adapter, you could use them on Mains power when it is available
[3] But No harm in leaving them on 12Voperation even when/ if you are connected to MAINS power ,as the batterries should be charging at the same time
PeterQ
HI Judy
Iif that is the oneyou have ,it is probably around 70W output . O
& most likely a modified sine wave unit ,cheap & nasty.
It would be ok for Charging mobile phones ,laptops, cameras etc. but that is abo t all, using the supplied 240v chargers for charging purpose.
PeterQ s
Thank you Peter Q(oldtrack123) and others who gave advice.....I'm have a better understanding now
Collo.
-- Edited by Collo on Monday 19th of May 2014 08:00:29 AM
Hi
If the pic that the OP posted is the one they have , there is no need to worry about the battery
The "Inverter" or the socket wiring will be smoking long before the battery is flatl
But I would expect the unit does have an internal 10A fuse
PeterQ